Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 495: Chapter 4: The Necessity of First Night Rights and Extraordinary Grass

And regarding Su Li, this iron-willed chancellor had advised him more than once. The most memorable instance for Su Li was when the sound of studded boots grinding over the pages of tax records on refund scattered across the ground was unbearably grating, and he asked Su Li: ”My lord, have you perhaps forgotten how the green-skinned warlord Kuke tore open Viscount Moka’s throat in the south? When those filthy beasts come surging like a tide, is it the copper plates returned to serfs that will build the city walls, or the knight lords’ plate armor soaked with the serfs’ sweat and blood?”

Compared to a tax refund, this governor of the Provincial Affairs Council would certainly prefer to increase taxes on the territory’s common people. Even if it came to a compromise, and both parties reached an agreement, at most he would draw some funds from the strained finances of the territory to purchase fodder from the farmers.

Although this minister did not absolutely support every single policy of Su Li, Su Li did not dislike him, on the contrary, he appreciated him greatly.

Unconditional support of all of Su Li’s ideas is the responsibility of the high-level attendants’ chief steward. As the highest-ranking and most powerful official in the territory, the chief steward is responsible for persuading others to support Su Li’s ideas and attitudes.

Meanwhile, the governor of the Provincial Affairs Council only needs to diligently fulfill his duties.

Su Li highly appreciated Oliver’s attitude of sticking to the matter at hand. In work, speaking only what is necessary can truly demonstrate one’s value. Arguing based on reason does not cause Su Li to harbor any dissatisfaction with the person in daily life.

Therefore, regarding how to resolve the matter of the fodder, Su Li had no need to worry at all. As long as he proposed the need for fodder, this iron-blood chancellor would solve it for him.

Edmond also had great confidence in the abilities of the governor of the Provincial Affairs Council, but just solving the fodder issue was far from enough. He immediately said, ”Lord, nomadic herding cannot raise superb warhorses. A real warhorse cannot survive on just fodder; grains must be added to the feed. A qualified warhorse consumes the daily ration of three serfs. It is with this diet that knights can stomp down the spines of Beastmen, breaking through their battle lines during the Green Dragon calamity.”

Su Li waved his hand and said, ”That’s not a problem; I have a solution for enhancing the feed for the mounts. Do you know about Moonlight Alfalfa?”

”Moonlight Alfalfa?” Edmond’s eyes immediately brightened, saying, ”I’ve heard of it. It’s a type of pasture grass blessed by Tal, only growing deep in dense forests and fertile prairies. This extraordinary grass, with silver-blue vein patterns on its leaves, is one of the highest quality pastures within the Empire.”

”Legend has it that on nights of the dual moons shining together, this grass exudes droplets resembling mother-of-pearl. At that time, you must use a scythe embedded with the skull of a Giant Shepherd Deer to harvest it to fully utilize its effects. Warhorses that consume this alfalfa will have their eyes emit a jade-like glow, significantly enhancing their endurance, to the point they can run for six hours without fatigue.”

Six hours without tiring?

Su Li compared this with the horse king of horned horse herds, realizing there’s still a noticeable gap. The horse king of the herd, the mount of Beast Slayer Jerald, is the mightiest warhorse in the Hesse foothills, reputed to gallop three days and nights continuously, rushing to the frontline to report urgent military intelligence.

Compared with such a divine steed, ordinary warhorses running six hours without fatigue is indeed a significant gap.

However, compared to ordinary warhorses that have not used such Moonlight Alfalfa, the difference is severalfold.

Horses’ endurance is far inferior to humans! While warhorses are fine for short-sprint charges, for long-distance marching, humans must wait for horses. Sometimes, even over a marathon’s length, humans can outrun horses.

Even if the Empire’s horned horses go full force, they can run for about two hours.

When Su Li first commanded cavalry on a long-distance raid against the Half-Elf tribe, he had to stop after about two hours to unsaddle the warhorses, feed and rest them to regain strength.

But horned horses that consume Moonlight Alfalfa can charge for six hours! This means the mobility of Su Li’s Knight Legion has increased by threefold, even fivefold!

After all, humans also need time to eat and train. With the availability of Moonlight Alfalfa, the warhorses’ rest periods can entirely sync with humans, causing no significant delay in marching time.

Moreover, that is not the only benefit, as Edmond continued, ”This Moonlight Alfalfa not only provides ample endurance for warhorses but is said to allow warhorses to tread mountains and rivers with ease if cultivated with the tears of pure maidens.”

”Any livestock consuming this extraordinary pasture has the potential, under the tempering of Spiritual Power, to progress in qualification and become a higher-grade extraordinary species.”

”Of course, everything in this world comes with a cost. Especially when it involves Spiritual Energy, excessive Spiritual Energy greatly increases the likelihood of corrosion. Artificially cultivated Moonlight Alfalfa, without sufficient maiden tears’ blessing, has the probability of mutating into inferior Decaying Alfalfa, where rotten flesh grows in the stables, filling feed troughs with pulsating vines that drag grain-stealing serfs into fang-filled root labyrinths. Flesh and blood will restore its tranquility.”

Flesh and blood will restore its tranquility! This truly epitomizes the eternal despair coloring this world.

Never think this can be a good thing. On the contrary, it means everlasting darkness and despair will perpetually shroud over this stable. The serfs will never be sure which Moonlight Alfalfa is safe, and which has momentarily regained peace.