Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 647: Chapter 377: Becoming the Sun of the Northern Territory (Part 2)

The streets still bore last night’s streamers and lanterns. Young lads swept the wood shavings in the square, and vendors had already set up their stoves, the scent of bread and hot soup wafting through the air.

The bell tower chimed seven, awakening the entire city.

White mist rose from the chimneys of the workshops, the sounds of hammering, steam whistles, and street hawkers intermingled. Merchants pushed carts through the alleyways, the clinking of copper coins crisp and clear.

Outside the south gate, the agricultural official patrolled along the geothermal channel, melting snow flowing smoothly along it.

New Spring Plowing Mobilization Orders were plastered everywhere, farmers lined up to receive seeds and iron tools, with children helping to carry them, their laughter clear and bright.

This marked that Red Tide had welcomed spring once more, with all things revived, and the city was coming to life again.

Louis stood at the window of the top floor of the government building, overlooking the awakening city.

Though the snow hadn’t completely thawed, Red Tide had already started functioning again. The furnaces, farm channels, ports, and trade companies all operated under his gaze.

Bradley pushed open the door, holding a thick stack of documents and letters in his arms, his face carrying the calm expression of a man long accustomed to busyness.

"Spring plowing progress report, my lord." He placed the documents on the desk.

"The farm channels in the southern district and western suburbs are cleared by eighty percent, and two-thirds of the seeds have been distributed. The Agricultural Bureau has also delivered the supply list. Other territories without geothermal heat have also started their preparations."

Louis nodded, opening the documents and scribbled a few notes casually: "Having done this for so many years, just follow the procedure."

Bradley then pulled out a letter bearing the Green Tide Guild’s seal and handed it over: "This one is a reply from the Green Tide Guild."

He knew Louis was concerned not just about the letter itself but about the attitude behind it.

The responses of these guilds would determine the future direction of Red Tide on international trade routes and the alchemy trade.

Louis took the envelope, his fingers gently stroking the wave-embossed wax seal.

The contents of the letter were sparse, simply covering the following points:

They confirmed receipt of the mineral samples sent by Red Tide and expressed recognition of the quality of the resources from the Northern Territory, willing to trade food, alchemical materials, alchemy products, and small mechanical equipment in exchange.

All transactions are to be confidential, conducted solely under the name of the Cold Salt Caravan. No credit settlements for now, only direct bartering of goods.

If the cooperation proves stable, they will send technical advisors and may set up a small alchemy processing point.

Layton Fromm remains the contact person, and if all goes well in three months, the guild plans to establish a meeting point in Red Tide City to prepare for a deeper cooperation proposal.

The letter ended as always courteously: "The Green Tide Guild shall not interfere in the politics of the Empire or the Northern Territory, nor engage in warfare. We only pursue order and profit."

Louis closed the letter, his gaze flickered slightly, and he roughly surmised the intent behind the letter. It was not a refusal but a cautious willingness to collaborate.

The Green Tide Guild was testing Red Tide’s stability. They wanted profit but were unwilling to gamble recklessly, recognizing Red Tide’s potential while maintaining a distance, like extending a hand to warm by the fire on a cold day, desiring warmth yet fearing the sparks might burn.

Louis chuckled softly: "Cautious merchants."

Bradley asked, "Shall we reply, my lord?"

"Of course," Louis folded the letter, nodded, and then inquired: "How many guilds are currently preparing to work with us?"

Bradley responded: "Red Glow Guild and Green Tide Guild have confirmed cooperation, Starfall Guild shows strong willingness, and the other guilds have yet to respond. Besides, Count Harvey has agreed to pilot trade, with a single route trial run."

Louis smiled faintly: "Without any advance arrangement, just a temporary invitation, it’s already quite a good result. It seems I, the new Lord of the North, still have some face."

Bradley smiled and took out a notebook: "So regarding these matters, how should we proceed?"

Louis leaned back in his chair, speaking calmly: "First, establish a concealed department responsible for guild affairs. Find reliable people, those who understand accounting and discretion.

The principle must be clear: fair division of profits, both parties keep a set of accounts, no involvement in human trafficking, and all contracts follow Red Tide’s laws, with arbitration rights belonging to Red Tide."

He tapped the table lightly: "Also, during negotiations, we must pay attention to what we lack the most: food, potions, alchemical materials, especially those alchemical devices that can expand our workshops. Even one advanced piece of equipment can equate to half a workshop."

Bradley nodded, frowning slightly: "We must be discreet, as the Federation is an enemy state. If word gets out, it would be difficult to manage with not only the Calvin Clan but also in the Imperial Capital. Though everyone is doing it, it can’t be blatant."

"I know." Louis’s gaze drifted outside the window, his tone somber, "And Red Tide still needs to rely on Calvin’s channels for the time being. During this transitional period, we can’t sever ties, but we should gradually disengage."

Bradley leafed through his notebook: "What about the port? Dawn Port has recently been quite full."

Louis answered: "Continue expanding Dawn Port, reinforce the main port’s loading and unloading lines.

Construct two or three more small ports, closer to resource areas, to alleviate the pressure of loading, unloading, and transportation. They can also serve as transfer stations for federation trade caravans."

Bradley contemplated and added: "Perhaps we could let the Trade Bureau and the Port Affairs Hall jointly manage it, with layered responsibilities. Externally, we can claim it’s just an expansion of transport lines."

"Very well." Louis nodded, a faint smile at his lips: "Handle the specific arrangements, keep it steady, and avoid attracting attention."

Then he opened another document, casually asking: "How’s the registration for the Red Tide support team going?"

Bradley pondered briefly and replied: "The announcement was posted this morning, my lord. However, it’s still uncertain how many people will sign up."

......

At dawn, Pete awoke.

He deliberately looked in a copper mirror, smoothing his hair, and changed into the autumn-issued uniform.

It was the standard clothing Red Tide handed out every winter to grassroots officials, but he hadn’t worn it until today.

Being frugal had long become habitual, with a cautious thought always lingering in his mind.

After all, everything Red Tide provided them was so good, too good, making him fear losing it.

The Civil Affairs Bureau’s small badge on his chest was glaringly bright.

Pete looked at himself in the mirror, smiled, feeling like a real official today.

Today, he left two hours early, hoping to get to the square to register without having to squeeze through crowds.

Lord Louis’s speech from last night still echoed in his ears, the kind of blood-boiling feeling kept him up all night.

"The sun of Red Tide should not just warm itself," particularly this phrase burned like fire within him.

But when he stepped onto the street, he was stunned; the streets were packed, footsteps creating a path through the snow.

People streamed in from all directions, the buzz of conversations rising and falling: "I heard this time it’s to aid the other territories of the North, ordered by Lord Louis himself."

"Going to rebuild those villages buried in the snow."

"Then I’ll go too! If I can lend a hand, it’d mean I’ve lived a worthwhile life!"

Pete felt his heart surge with passion. In the line, he met some acquaintances, clerks also working in the Civil Affairs Bureau, who joked with each other:

"This time we can truly do something for the lord with real action."

"Indeed, it’s not just about bookkeeping, people need to know we in the Civil Affairs Bureau have passion too."

They laughed as they walked forward.

Unknowingly, Red Tide’s administrative square loomed ahead.

The square had been cleaned and leveled, the snow glistening bright white under the morning light.

Soldiers stood neatly on either side, the Red Tide Emblem on their chests, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Red flags fluttered in the wind, bearing the familiar Sun emblem.

Notice boards every few dozens of steps, white papers fluttered in the breeze, densely filled with enrollment regulations.

Pete looked up at the line of text, feeling a sudden surge of warmth in his heart.

Today he finally could do something he truly desired.