Volume 2 Before the Disaster Chapter 165 Territory Concept

Behind Marvin was a complete map of the White River Valley.

The map was left by Marvin's grandfather and was improved by Marvin's father himself, but by Marvin's generation, there was no further survey of the territory.

This map is, at best, a rough sketch.

After all, the White River Valley has expanded at least twice now.

Directly from the northern mine to the Baihe River in the south, and from the border with the River Beach City all the way to the coast.

Marvin made up his mind that after today's meeting was over, he would go to River Beach City to find two cartographers to draw a detailed map of the White River Valley.

But for now, just make do with it.

Daniela was not at all nervous and seemed to really regard herself as Marvin's fiancée.

She walked to where Marvin was, pointed to the coastline on the map and said:

"Are you planning to build a port here?"

Marvin nodded: "Indeed."

"It's better to go further south."

Her slender fingers moved down along the coastline and pointed at the mouth of the Baihe River.

"It's the most suitable place to build a port. We can develop maritime trade outward, and inward, as far as I know, the inland rivers in your south are also very deep."

"I went to the Baihe River when I was bored a few days ago. The river is wide and the current is slow, but the water is very deep. Many sea vessels can sail up."

"If we build a port and then repair the abandoned dock, we can completely open up the east-west direction of your territory."

Daniela talked freely.

Marvin nodded and said, "That's what I planned at the beginning."

"However, the geology of the White River Valley estuary is very poor and is not suitable for building a port. Because of the erosion of the river, it is very difficult to build a city on that land. What's more, it is closer to the wilderness."

Daniela said confidently, "I'll take care of that."

"It's just that the soil is a little softer. Just leave it to me. In half a year, you will definitely see a brand new port!"

Everyone was skeptical about Daniela's words.

The alchemist who had come to join in the fun suddenly asked, "Corundum powder?"

Daniela looked at the alchemist with some surprise. "Not bad. There are people who know about [Corundum Powder] in such a rural place."

The corners of Marvin's mouth twitched slightly.

It's as if he doesn't know about corundum. But the price and channels of that thing are something that the White River Valley can't afford at the moment, right?

But when he thought about it carefully, he realized that what Daniela said made sense.

The Baihe River estuary is indeed a very important strategic location. If we can occupy this place, it will be very convenient both internally and externally.

He hesitated for a moment and said, "What if I want you to build the port within three months?"

Daniela shrugged. “The budget needs to be tripled.”

Marvin nodded. Daniela's ability to estimate was still very strong. Building a new port would require a lot of manpower and material resources, and a huge amount of money.

Once the port is built, you still need enough ships.

At present, Marvin only has the stolen Southern ship - Marvin sent people to deal with them after the war.

Most of the slaves chose to leave on their own. As for the few who stayed, Marvin let them live in the eastern part of the White River Valley, near the new port.

They may become the first residents of the new port. The Southern quietly docked on the beach and started the first phase of renovation work.

Engineers from Riverside City have begun to carry out an overall transformation of the Southern.

The transformation will take about a month, and after it is completed, the Southern will be a completely different ship - at least in appearance. Even if the Taurus Chamber of Commerce wants to say something, it can't, because once they openly quarrel with Marvin, Marvin can accuse them of engaging in private slave trade.

The Southern Wizard Alliance did not explicitly prohibit the slave trade, but a license was required. Obviously, the Southern did not have such a license, so it could only disguise itself as a merchant ship to secretly transport slaves. Anyway, Marvin was no longer as easy to manipulate as he was at the beginning. The White River Valley was also gradually growing stronger, and he was not afraid of the Taurus Chamber of Commerce coming to him.

…

In the following time, Marvin took the initiative to sit next to him, and Daniela became the protagonist of the meeting.

Every suggestion made by Marvin was improved.

The North Mine will continue to operate. According to the information left by Marvin's father, there is not only a deep iron ore vein inside the North Mine, but also other associated ore veins.

However, due to the economic constraints in the White River Valley, there has always been a shortage of miners.

Daniela's suggestion was to buy slaves. And buy them in large quantities.

"Building a territory requires manpower. The cost of a slave is one-fifth of that of a free man. Although their lifespan is shorter, their efficiency is much higher than hiring miners." Daniela said calmly: "I don't know the market situation in the south, but in the north, this is our common practice."

"If you want to leave a reputation for kindness, it's simple. Give these slaves a promise: if they work hard for three years, they will automatically become free men."

"Most people will work hard for you if you give them a little hope."

"These are different from the slaves you freed before. The slaves on that ship are from the South, and most of them are children and women. You also promised them freedom. The slaves you need to buy are young and strong men. There are frequent wars between northern city-states, and many people are defeated and captured and become slaves. I know a place that is the best place to buy these slaves."

Before Daniela finished speaking, Marvin added calmly, "Perch Harbor."

The former nodded approvingly: "It seems that you are not a lord for nothing."

Marvin sighed. As a person who had received a high level of education, he was indeed very resistant to slavery.

But in the current situation, if we don’t follow Daniela’s method, there is really no way to build the territory quickly.

He was not a saint and could not help everyone. As Daniela said, he did need a group of young, strong and obedient slaves.

…

After discussing the northern mines and the new port, Daniela turned her attention to the south.

It must be said that although she stayed in the White River Valley for a short time, she basically got to know the territory.

South of the White River is a very fertile land, but there are more monsters harassing the residents.

The security team cannot completely eliminate all these monsters with their own manpower.

But Daniela suggested another approach.

Establish an Adventurer Camp.

Build an adventurer camp in the west, south of the White River, near the River Beach City.

Here, a place similar to a village is built for adventurers to rest, replenish supplies, repair weapons... and vent their desires.

This idea had been brewing in Marvin's mind for a long time, but Daniela was able to come up with it in such a short time. It must be said that the future Ice Queen does have the ability to govern a country.

Marvin already had a plan in mind on how to build the specific facilities of the adventurer camp.

The solution is very simple: ask for it from River Beach City.

Anyway, the deal between Madeline and him is still going on, and she has to grit her teeth and agree to any request Marvin makes to Riverside City.

If we don't take advantage of her misfortune now, do we have to wait until she becomes a legend before we can take it from her?

…

According to Daniela's idea, once the adventurer camp is established, the adventurers who were previously attracted by the Wilderness Development Order can be effectively settled.

They can start exploring the south. It is a wild land, but once the popularity gathers, it will gradually drive out the wildness.

Marvin can issue some monster hunting orders appropriately, so that bounty hunters coming here to hunt monsters will be in large numbers and endless.

Moreover, there are indeed many monsters with considerable economic benefits south of the White River. By killing them, the adventurers themselves can also make a fortune.

This will become the southernmost adventurer's paradise on the continent.

…

In addition, the recruitment of Rangers and Sentinels was also put on Daniela's agenda.

Because in her conception, such a vast territory must have sufficient defense mechanisms. Otherwise, it would be too easy for the enemy to infiltrate.

"Here, here, and here. This is the most critical place... We must build a sentry tower."

The place where Daniela's finger pointed was the top of the Ogre Mountain.

As she said, the geographical location here is very advantageous, overlooking the entire White River Valley. To the north, you can see the location of the Spider Cave, to the south, you can see the future adventurer camp, to the east, you can see the River Beach City, and to the west, you can see the new port.

A sentry post for daily duty must be established in this place.

As for the other places Daniela pointed out, they are also vital points.

Marvin looked at Daniela with increasing admiration.

Although this girl is younger than herself, her strategic vision is terrifying.

"Now, do you believe me?"

She blinked and looked at Marvin: "I am a woman who could draw architectural blueprints at the age of four."

Marvin finally made the decision: "Okay, you will be the one to perfect the overall design plan."

At this moment, the others finally couldn't sit still anymore.

Watching Marvin and Daniela talking to each other for a long time, Anna and Winnie couldn't help but ask:

"Master Marven (brother), you have said so much, but where is the money?"

Marvin and Daniela looked at each other and responded in unison:

"borrow!"