Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 849: Chapter 100: Trade with the Dwarf Kingdom and the Boom of Livestock in the Territory (Part 2)

Su Li called over Pasture Master Edmond and curiously asked, ”Why are there so many knights gathered here? Shouldn’t they be watching the tournament at the arena?”

Edmond immediately replied enthusiastically, ”They’re here to buy warhorses. Today, the northern Knight Clans have brought in a batch of warhorses that are up for sale. This has stirred the knights quite a bit, because today’s competitions at the arena are among the losers, and apart from some stakeholders, there’s little interest from crowds in watching. Last night, news of the Holy Great Expedition was circulating in the tavern crowd, so the knights are even more focused on purchasing warhorses and armor today to boost their combat strength.”

The news of the Holy Great Expedition definitely didn’t originate from Hesse Territory; only a few core members of the territory’s upper echelon know of this, and as for the fact that the target is already set on Oka Mountain, Su Li only told Hilude and Oliver. It’s impossible for these two to have leaked such confidential news.

However, Su Li didn’t delve into it further, considering the Empire has so many denominations and monasteries, it’s entirely possible for some to have means of foreseeing news ahead of time.

The spreading of such rumors would only serve to generate more buzz when Su Li announces it during the awards ceremony on the final day.

Then Su Li asked, ”So, my minister, how many livestock do we currently have in our pasture?”

Edmond didn’t answer directly but started with some important news: ”Good news, Lord. As White Castle gradually rises, we’ve established a more solid forward base in the Bloody Highlands. So we’ve built a much larger White Castle Lord’s Pasture on the Bloody Highlands, where the size is not calculated in acres like the current Bauhinia Nobility Pasture is, but spans over 300 miles.”

Su Li’s eyes lit up; this is indeed good news. Although the current pasture becomes the second largest in the territory, which is somewhat poignant, it means the overall pasture scale in the territory has markedly improved.

”Currently, within the 2 large pastures and 3 small pastures managed by our Pasture, there are over 1,300 warhorses, over 3,000 draft horses, over 700 mountain goats, and more than ten thousand sheep. Additionally, there are over 1,000 Uros Bulls, yellow cattle, and dairy cattle altogether.”

”From the scale of the entire territory, this number could still increase by 20 to 30 percent.”

Su Li said approvingly, ”The contribution of the Dawn Church and our Beast Masters is indispensable. I remember last year the number of warhorses was only over 920. This year it’s increased to 1,300, which is impressive progress.”

Edmond didn’t claim credit but said, ”Among these, only about a hundred are qualified warhorses grown from foals. A horse is in its growth phase from ages 1 to 3, with a 1-year-old body approximately 70% of an adult horse’s size, though its skeleton hasn’t fully closed. Around age 3, growth essentially stops and bone strength is near mature.”

”Basic training typically occurs from ages 2 to 3, gradually completing training in obedience, adaptation to equipment and riding, endurance, balance, and basic commands. Most of our foals are still in this stage.”

”Specialized training occurs from ages 3 to 5, desensitization to noise, flags, and weapons, tactical movement training, including charging, sudden stops, and column coordination. Simultaneously, physical enhancement, adaptation to long-distance raids, and improved load-bearing capacity is conducted. The horses we’re selling now are mainly these; most are spoils of war gathered by our Marshal from various battlefields, like from this Western Expedition where not only did the Marshal capture many knights but also numerous warhorses.”

”Generally, once warhorses reach ages 5 to 6 and have formed synergy with their knights through real battles, exhibiting stable performance on the battlefield, they are no longer sold.”

”Of course, this calculation is under normal circumstances, with service beginning at ages 3 to 4 and leaving the battlefield after age 10. In reality, quality feed, meticulous care, and the powerful Wind of Jilun can accelerate their development.”

”Especially for draft horses, they can be sold within about 2 years and put to various uses. Many knights not only buy outstanding steeds but will also purchase a batch of work and draft horses for their servants and attendants, transporting supplies, carrying luggage, setting up camps, etc.”

It’s evident that Hesse Territory’s livestock breeding cycle is somewhat shorter than all this Edmond described.

After all, Hesse Territory truly has Holy Purple Vine Trees pooling the Wind of Jilun, along with large amounts of Extraordinary Grass, Moonlight Alfalfa, and many Dawn Church Church Priests carefully tending the livestock in the pasture.

Moreover, the academy has improved the Manor System as well as Warhorse Breeding. The refined breeding can provide the territory with a large number of excellent horses, making it easier for foals to grow into qualified warhorses, carrying Heavy Knights back and forth through repeated engagements and enemy lines.

Hence, the number of livestock available is quite considerable, undeniably representing an important resource for the territory.

Su Li immediately asked, ”How is the revenue this time?”

”The revenue from ordinary warhorses isn’t as high as the Bloodmane Horses’, with a price of roughly 3 Golden Crown per horse, while draft horses only go for 1 Golden Crown. We are making all-out efforts to sell them, and if trading is lively during this festival, we might sell close to 500 warhorses and twice the number of draft horses, totaling over 2,500 Golden Crown, and potentially as high as 3,000 Golden Crown if counting some especially remarkable ones.”