Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence

Black Forest Town wasn't small. Su Li felt it was far larger than seven *li*, probably a dozen or more. It took him and his guard over ten minutes to cross Warhammer Road.

The road was crowded. Squads of city guards constantly patrolled the streets, rushing to handle incidents.

The Empire was already martial, but the Border Princes added a touch of crudeness and barbarity, so people here were more inclined to use their fists than their words to resolve disputes.

The territory had lawyers, but they were usually strong, burly men; women were rare.

This was because some inquisitors were very impatient and didn't bother listening to the long-winded statements of both sides, especially in disputes involving two families, forces, or merchant groups. They preferred to have the lawyers resolve things with their hands and feet!

In the inquisitor's words, this was the essence of the Empire. The ruling class of the Empire were knights, and they relied on swords, not words, like women, to reason.

So, the one with the bigger fist and stronger power often had more reason!

Don't ask if this form of litigation was reasonable. Strength was the only truth! A bigger fist meant more reason.

If the disputing parties were serfs, some of the more murderous inquisitors would simply hang them all. If their wisdom couldn't solve the problem, they'd eliminate the problem-makers.

This led commoners, mercenaries, and travelers to settle disputes themselves.

The city guard only dealt with the financial losses caused by their fights, fining the losers.

If the loser couldn't pay the fine, the winner had to compensate for the damage caused by their fight.

The city guard didn't care who won or lost, but every plant and tree in the territory was the lord's wealth, and they wouldn't accept a single copper less in compensation for damages.

As Su Li walked along the road, watching the lively scene, he asked Laun, "My Chancellor, how many people are in Black Forest Town now?"

Laun quickly spurred his horse to follow Su Li, keeping more than half a meter away, or his horse would be attacked by Deathclaw. Deathclaw proudly refused to let any mount ride alongside it.

"Lord, although Black Forest Town looks lively, the permanent population is much smaller than you think. Including the dwarves, it doesn't exceed 3,000. The floating population is between 1,000 and 2,000."

"So few?" Su Li was surprised. He thought the bustling scene indicated at least five or six thousand registered residents. He remembered Black Forest Town's population being roughly that number, fluctuating with wars and replenishment, but never increasing or decreasing dramatically.

Laun immediately explained, "The population of Black Forest Territory is mainly divided into three parts. First, undoubtedly, is the army: knights, armed attendants, and provincial troops, totaling about 2,000 people."

"Then there are the slaves. You have the most slaves in the territory, over 2,400, but they aren't allowed to live in the town. Most live around Bjorn Bay. Thanks to their hard work, 1,100 *qing* of fertile land have been reclaimed around Bjorn Bay this year, turning the vast plains into fertile farmland."

"Finally, there are the territory's farmers and free people. The farmers are mostly in the suburbs and countryside, forming farms and villages outside the city. There are about 2,000 free people in the city, making up the territory's craftsmen, merchants, publishers, stevedore guilds, thief guilds, rich areas, and so on."

"Slaves and the military undoubtedly take up most of the total population. The number of free people left is too small, and some of the farmers have to be included."

Su Li nodded. The territory hadn't been developed for long. It relied entirely on immigration and attracting refugees, so no matter how hard he tried, efficiency couldn't be improved.

Su Li felt there were only two ways to increase the territory's population.

The first was time. He'd only been in the territory for less than eight months, so a small population was to be expected. If he farmed for eight years, all problems would be solved.

The other was expansion. The Border Princes weren't without people; many were just in other pioneer territories. After the Green Dragon War ended, he could have Orstein launch a wave of conquests around him.

His three to four thousand regular troops, plus seven to eight hundred free militiamen, totaling nearly 5,000 elite infantry and cavalry, could easily destroy those pioneer territories with one or two thousand people, as long as they weren't attacking baronies or earldoms.

If he brought back the population of these territories, one or two thousand people at a time, the territory's population could double after just two or three conquests.

War breeds civilization; there's a reason for that.

As he was thinking, Laun pointed to the moon sundial ahead on the street and said, "Lord, that's one of the important landmarks on Warhammer Road. It's not an ordinary sundial. It doesn't cast shadows during the day, but at night, it casts separate shadows for each moon. This allows the soldiers patrolling Black Forest Town to see any lurking thieves. It was a gift from the Thieves' Guild to improve their relationship with the city guard. Beyond this moon sundial is Ekt Commercial Street, one of the territory's most prosperous streets."

As they spoke, the group rode past the moon sundial. Four guards stood beneath it, and upon seeing the Black Forest Guard knights, they immediately stood at attention, gripping their halberds tightly, looking particularly spirited.

This was a crucial moment to show their faces to the lord. If they were appreciated by the lord and entered the ranks of high-level direct attendants, their fate would be changed.

But clearly, they were overthinking it. Su Li's gaze didn't linger on them for a moment but instead became more interested in the moon sundial.

With this structure here, it could indeed greatly maintain the security of Ekt Commercial Street, without worrying about thieves, burglars, or arsonists entering this prosperous district at night to commit crimes.

After entering the commercial street, the scenery here was completely different from the solemnity and majesty of Warhammer Road. Instead, it was full of life. Shops opened their doors for business on both sides of the road, and there were even many stalls on the roadside in front of the doors. The better ones had a few wooden tables filled with strange things. The simpler ones just found an animal skin, spread it on the ground, and that was their business stall.

This made Su Li feel like he had entered a trade market spontaneously formed by adventurers. The key was that the props they sold were very similar to what adventurers and mercenaries would sell in Su Li's memory, from the claws, fur, and bones of magical beasts to herbs, minerals, antiques, works of art, and even statues, amulets, and witchcraft props. Su Li even saw many people selling weapons and equipment, including daggers, short swords, bows, crossbows, shields, and wands for mages and wizards!

Seeing Su Li's interest, Laun introduced, "Lord, don't trust these people's advertisements. There are suspicious priests selling fake cultural relics and fake enchanted items everywhere here."

Even so, Su Li still saw many knights, armed attendants, and free militiamen scurrying around here. The huge shadow of war loomed over Black Forest Territory. Before the final battle arrived, all soldiers and officers would do everything possible to arm themselves. At this time, they didn't hesitate to spend money. As long as it could improve combat effectiveness and increase the probability of survival, they were willing to spend heavily.

Because of this, Black Forest Territory's wealth attracted a large number of merchant groups and adventurers from all over the south. Some civilians and immigrants even sent their family's treasured suspicious props here, hoping to sell them for a good price.

Seeing Su Li, most people didn't dare to speak, but some people had good goods, were confident, and were particularly excited, taking the initiative to rush up to solicit customers, excitedly saying to Su Li, "Lord! Lord! I have good things here that I haven't been willing to sell. You are the right owner for them."

Su Li looked at the young blond man in front of him who was stopped by the guards and said with a smile to Laun, "It seems that I have a lot of virtue among my people."

If it were a lord with a lower virtue value, or a more brutal lord, the people wouldn't dare to directly expose their treasures in front of the lord.

After all, these brutal lords didn't care about reason. As long as the treasure appeared in his sight, it was his.

Of course, brutality and virtue each had their own advantages. The cost for a brutal lord to acquire wealth was indeed very small. As long as his army could stabilize the situation, he could exploit everything without cost.

And a virtuous lord could always obtain more treasures, just like now.

Laun immediately said with a smile, "Of course, all the people of the territory support your rule, Lord."

Su Li turned to look at the young man, waved to the guards, and said, "Let him come over."

After the young man ran excitedly to Su Li, Su Li asked, "What good things do you have?"

The blond man immediately took out two things from his backpack, a strange bottle and a brass bell, and excitedly introduced, "Lord, my name is Xiongxin · Eric · Torge. These two items are treasures that our mercenary group found in ancient ruins after killing demon monsters."

"This brass bell is loot we obtained from a powerful Chosen Demon. It's a treasure that's very popular with noble ladies in the Empire. You know, in the Empire, noble ladies are popular for wearing corsets as underwear. Some female warriors even choose to wear corsets directly in public. This bell can be hung under the corset, making the woman's full curves more beautiful and firmer."

Tyberius immediately cursed, "Bullshit! Can't you use your brain, which isn't even as big as my toenail, to think about whether your nonsense is convincing at all? You a bunch of worthless pigs and dogs, you can kill a powerful Chosen Demon?"

"If you're so brave, why are you still mercenaries? Go kill the Green Dragon, then go play with women, isn't that better than saying big words here that even the blacksmith's stupid son doesn't believe!"

Su Li tapped his ears with his fingers. This was really a hearty scolding.

Eric was scolded until his face was covered in blood. It was the first time he had come into contact with such a powerful knight. The powerful aura pressed him so hard that he couldn't breathe and didn't dare to argue.

It was also the first time he knew that champion knights cursed just as badly.

Su Li waved his hand at Tyberius and said, "Pay attention to your image, we want to build a civilized territory! That blondie... no, what's your name again? Tell me the truth, where did you get this thing from?"

The main reason was that he was very interested in the effect of this brass bell, which could make a woman's figure curve more beautiful, fuller and firmer.

No wonder the noble ladies in the Empire were flocking to it.

If Su Li had this thing, he would also like to use it on the female courtiers.

Hearing Su Li's voice, Eric said cautiously, "This thing really... we obtained it from a Chosen-level demon, but we saw the body of this Chosen Demon in a ruin and took it off of it."

Something from a demon?

Although most demons are relatively evil, not everything on a demon has strong corrosive properties.

And with the ability to purify, even if it has a certain evil nature, it can be purified.

But Su Li was curious and asked, "What demon did you take this bell from?"

Su Li always felt that this bell looked a little familiar.

It seemed like he had seen it in some indecent adult films.

Eric looked around and then leaned close to Su Li and whispered, "From a Slaanesh demon, a bit like a snake."

Slaanesh demon?

Su Li immediately had a guess, this thing... wouldn't it be clipped in certain positions?

This is too Slaanesh!

Slaanesh demons all have a bit of snake-like characteristics, such as having enchanting snake-like tongues, whether male or female, and some also have tentacles, whips and sharp blades.

After going through the stage of lust, her followers will soon turn to sadism, listening to the wails of their prey under the blade, they will tremble with excitement.

But Su Li still didn't know what Slaanesh demon was like a snake.

Laun was slightly surprised and asked, "That snake wouldn't have many human female breasts on its body, would it?"

Eric nodded vigorously and said, "And it doesn't have scales on its body, its skin is as white as a human female's body."

"Is it Medusa?" Su Li asked, but Medusa wasn't in the Slaanesh camp, it belonged to the sea or swamp camp.

Eric shook his head quickly and said, "It's not Medusa, it doesn't have a human head, it has a snake head, and the tongue that sticks out is sharper than a spike."

What kind of monster is this? Snake head, snake tail, human body, and this part of the human body is as white as snow, with many (at least 8 ~ 10) human female breasts.

Laun pondered for a moment and said, "It should be a Slaanesh venomous snake, also nicknamed the 'Boob Snake' by the Imperial Knights. It's a Slaanesh monster cavalry, equivalent to Khorne's Skullcrusher."

"This is a caterpillar-like snake cavalry with thick spikes on its back. Slaanesh male and female Chosen will sit on it and launch a charge. Infantry will have a surge in fear value when facing this powerful monster cavalry."

"This brass bell should be a decoration or stimulant hanging on the snake's breasts."

Good fellow!

This is a really imaginative unit.

Boob Snake!

Isn't this brass bell the thing that's clamped on the chest during ravaging?

It's quite suitable for Freyja to use tonight, paired with low-temperature wax, it will be very effective.

However, Su Li quickly realized that his thoughts were becoming more and more Slaaneshi?

Is it true that nobles are Slaanesh's most perfect corruption target?

No wonder Violet specifically bestowed the Divine Art of Pure Body when I was promoted to Elite Knight. These chosen ones of the gods are the favorite targets of demons to seduce.

Su Li then glared at Eric and said, "You are selling such dangerous demonic items here. I seriously suspect that you are a spy sent by Slaanesh or Tzeentch."

Eric quickly cried out, "Lord, I'm wronged! This thing is very common in the Empire! I kept it specifically to dedicate it to the most respected lord of the territory."

Eric wasn't wrong. Saying it's a demonic item, it is. But saying it isn't, it's just a decoration on a cavalryman's body, without any enchantment ability.

So ordinary noble ladies in the Empire can use it. The danger is even far less than a Kisser.

Su Li glared at him and asked, "Then I will use your other prop to judge whether you have ulterior motives!"

Eric quickly held up another potion and said, "This, this is also a good thing. We bought it from an Elven caravan. It was bought by High Elves from Cathay."

Cathay is an ancient Eastern empire, said to be ruled by the Dragon Emperor and the Moon Empress.

Although countless Imperials and Elves have been to Cathay and imported cotton cloth, silk, perfumed oil for cosmetics, papermaking techniques, and poisons from Cathay, and Cathayan envoys have even arrived directly in Tilea, and Imperials can even eat Cathayan century eggs in the Old World, and the High Elves have maintained a thousand-year trade relationship with Cathay. But strangely, Imperials don't know what Cathay is like now.

But this does not prevent the Imperials from thinking that everything bought back from Cathay is high-end.

Su Li's eyes also lit up and asked, "What is the effect of this thing?"

Eric quickly handed it to Su Li and said, "This is a magical poison with a powerful aphrodisiac effect. As long as it is used on a woman, even the purest nun will immediately have her heart stirred, bringing a perfect experience to men."

Su Li took a deep breath. He now believed what Laun had specifically told him before entering this Ectar commercial street, that there were suspicious priests and swindlers selling fake cultural relics and fake enchanted props everywhere here.

So Su Li gritted his teeth and stared at this blond man and asked, "Are you sure this thing is from the East, Cathay, and not from some strange place south of Cathay? Why does it look like some kind of god oil and not poison to me?"

Eric stared innocently with wide eyes and said, "I don't know either, Lord. At least that's what the High Elf merchant said."

Laun scolded, "Stop pretending to be innocent. I think you are deliberately selling some fake, shoddy, and dangerous things here."

Eric, this blond man, is afraid of Tiberos, this unreasonable tough guy, but he is not afraid of polite bureaucrats and politicians. Instead, he argued confidently, "Your Excellency Minister, the premise of selling fake and shoddy products is that I know what I'm faking, right? I don't even know what this is, how can I fake it?"

"Lord, although the origin of this thing is unknown, the effects are absolutely outstanding. Don't need 998 gold crowns, don't need 98 gold crowns, only 9.8 gold crowns, and you can take it home. Consider it?"

Su Li said fiercely, "Give him 10 gold crowns and put these dangerous props in the vault, stored with other dangerous things. Lest he sell these things to others again, causing greater harm."

Tiberos immediately snatched the two things from Eric's hands, and then threw 10 gold crowns on his face.

Although this tough man is reckless, he is, after all, a believer of the Goddess of the Sun. He is rough but careful. He didn't even ask if this thing was worth 10 gold crowns.

The Lord said to send it back to the vault for storage, who dares to ask if it was actually sent in?

It's perfectly reasonable for the Lord to use this thing critically for a period of time.

Su Li didn't want to waste any more time. If he continued to shop here, he didn't know how many Slaaneshi and Tzeentch-leftover props and believers he would encounter.

So Su Li directly said to everyone, "The cleanliness and order of the territory are related to the order and civilization of the entire territory. I need a prop that can solve the territory's sanitation problems. If any of you have one, you can take it out."

Humans in the Old World rarely bathe, and every human city is smelly. Those who want to travel through must often use perfume and cologne.

So the Plaguefather Nurgle is one of the most terrifying evil gods in this world, along with Tzeentch, Khorne, and Slaanesh, known as the Four Great Chaos Gods.

But this world also has hope. The Goddess of Healing and Mercy and the god Taal will teach their people to solve plagues and dispose of feces.

For example, the god worshiped by the Greenskins will give them a [Blessed Dung Pile]. In Greenskin camps, the main task of the Goblins is to clean up feces.

The Ogres are even more awesome. They even have a dung moat. The surroundings of highly valuable tribal residences are usually surrounded by a moat made of Ogre fur and feces. It is said that an entire enemy army once drowned in it.

By the Great Dung God, Su Li seriously suspected that this army was Dwarven. Because of the Dwarves' body density, even without armor, they could drown in water and couldn't float at all.

Fortunately, although there are many people from all walks of life in this city, there is always some gold among them.

As soon as Su Li's words fell, someone immediately raised his arms and said, "Lord, me! Me! I have a statue cleared out from the Skaven underground city · Passive Barkskin Technique!"

"Lord, I also have · Taal Church's Divine Art · Decomposition Hand, which can quickly and naturally decompose filthy corpses and feces."