Chapter 93: The Azure-Violet Horse Ranch

As Weilin entered the Blue-Violet Horse Ranch, he saw emerald grassland with a lustrous sheen, a stream winding not far away, and here and there a few low trees. Now and then, a herd of Blue-Violet Horses would thunder past in wild, free flight.

He spread his arms to the breeze and breathed in deeply, feeling wonderfully refreshed.

"If this were not a ranch, I would have thought I’d arrived at a resort," he said with a smile.

After considering it carefully, Orlando replied, "If my lord wishes, I can have a small manor built here, so that you may come and enjoy yourself whenever you have leisure."

"Then it is settled," Weilin said with a smile. He added, "Do it only so long as it does not hinder the development of Orlando Town. Growth comes first for now."

"Understood, my lord."

Orlando silently took the matter to heart, intending to return with a pleasant surprise for his lord the next time they came.

At that moment, a herdsman rode up on a Blue-Violet Horse, dismounted before Weilin, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "My lord, I am Har, the manager of the Blue-Violet Horse Ranch."

"Rise. Take me to see where you live."

"Yes, my lord. Please follow me."

Har stood, brushed the dirt from his clothes, mounted the Blue-Violet Horse again, and led the way.

After traveling about a kilometer, they arrived at a settlement. Neatly arranged stables stood in orderly rows, and many Blue-Violet Horses were caring for their foals within them.

Weilin dismounted, handed the Red-Scale Horse to Kael, and went to inspect the stables. Everything was kept remarkably clean.

"The environment is excellent, and the hygiene is well maintained. You are very conscientious."

"My lord, this is only as it should be," Har replied respectfully.

Weilin stepped forward and stroked a small Blue-Violet Horse as he asked, "Tell me about the ranch."

"Yes, my lord."

Har had a herdsman bring over a map of the Blue-Violet Horse Ranch, lay it carefully on the stable floor, and began his report. "My lord, as you can see, the entire ranch has been divided into three sections. The area we are currently using is the first plot, covering fifteen hundred mu. It contains one stable, one residential area for the herdsmen, one fodder yard, one barracks, and three rest shelters for patrolling soldiers and herdsmen alike."

"Within the first plot, there are currently three hundred and eighty-seven Blue-Violet Horses in all: twenty stallions kept as breeding stock, one hundred and seventy mares, and one hundred and ninety-seven foals. We estimate that eighty warhorses can be ready for sale by the end of this year."

"Also, apart from the nourishment needed by the foals, the ranch produces about five hundred pounds of mare's milk each month. Because of storage limitations, we turn it into mare's milk cheese."

"Oh? Bring me some to taste."

At the mention of cheese, Weilin’s appetite stirred at once, and he gave Har the order.

"Please wait a moment, my lord."

A short while later, a portion of mare's milk cheese was brought before him. Weilin picked up a fork, cut off a small piece, and tasted it slowly. The flavor was excellent, with a distinctive character all its own.

"What do you usually do with this cheese?" he asked, taking another bite.

"Some of the mare's milk is used by the ranch itself, and some is made into cheese for storage."

Several minutes passed, and Har grew increasingly uneasy when Weilin still had not spoken. He lowered his head, anxious and apprehensive.

"Orlando, did you know the Blue-Violet Horse Ranch was producing milk?"

"Yes, my lord. I allowed them to handle it on their own. Consider it compensation for the soldiers and herdsmen of the Blue-Violet Horse Ranch," Orlando answered respectfully.

"Is that so?"

"Har."

"This one is here, my lord."

"Since Orlando has allowed you to manage it yourselves, I will not interfere further. You are permitted to sell the mare's milk and the cheese. After taxes, all remaining profits shall belong to the ranch and may be distributed as you see fit."

"But—"

Weilin’s tone suddenly hardened, and Har was so startled that he dropped to his knees at once.

"If you dare ignore the safety of the Blue-Violet Horses and overproduce their milk, you know what the consequences will be."

"Yes, my lord, I understand. Thank you for your generosity."

"Good. Rise."

After settling this minor matter, Weilin selected a Blue-Violet Horse and, together with Orlando, prepared to wander about the ranch in earnest.

Racing freely across the green grassland felt exhilarating and unrestrained.

Afterward, the two dismounted and let the horses graze on their own. They sat down by the stream instead.

"Well done. Your strength has improved quickly. You’ve already reached the mid Silver tier."

"You’re no slower, my lord. I even feel as though you’re a little stronger than I am."

At this, Orlando smiled in return, no longer as restrained as he had been in front of others.

"Do not let the recent frontier expansion stop. Speed up the reclamation of land."

"My lord, has something changed?"

"By my estimate, the middle of this year will be when the famine is at its worst. When that happens, a great many freemen are likely to pour in here. We have to take that population in."

"I understand."

Weilin picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water, his gaze deep and distant.

He knew the nobility well.

In this upheaval, most nobles would only rescue their serfs, because those serfs were their property and not something they could afford to lose.

As for the freemen, they would either sell themselves into slavery or flee to distant lands.

At present, Weilin was in urgent need of quality people, so these freemen had become his target.

Under the current circumstances, slave prices in Kadro Province had fallen sharply. Since he could replenish his population for free, why spend money at all?

The two talked about other matters as well, and as noon approached, they mounted their Blue-Violet Horses and returned to the settlement.

After lunch, Weilin headed to the border outpost in the southwest for inspection.

"My lord, each outpost is guarded by eight soldiers. Two remain stationed there at all times, while the other six are divided into two squads that patrol the border regularly, record conditions, and report to Orlando Town once a month."

Weilin looked at the outpost nestled within the forest. The trees provided concealment, and the outer walls had been painted in a matching shade of green, giving it a measure of protection.

At that moment, the two soldiers stationed there hurried out of the outpost and saluted. "Greetings, my lord. Patrolmen Chaks and Enko of Outpost Six pay you homage."

"Show me the outpost."

"Yes, my lord."

The two soldiers led the way with utmost respect, and Weilin followed them into the three-story outpost, which occupied only one hundred and fifty square meters of ground.

"My lord, the first floor has five rooms. Two store grain and other daily supplies, one holds weapons and equipment, and the other two are where we live."

"The second floor has four rooms. Three are for sleeping, and the last is for keeping carrier pigeons, though that room is still unused."

Weilin then went up to the top floor, the lookout platform of the outpost. From there, one could survey a vast stretch of wilderness and observe the movements of the surrounding area.

After becoming familiar with the outpost, Weilin offered encouragement to the two soldiers before continuing on to inspect the other outposts.