Chapter Thirty-One: A Bountiful Harvest

No matter how you stir up the winds and clouds, I remain as steady as a mountain.

After purchasing those items, Lin Mu still had over 3 million copper coins left, so he needed to look into other resources. Iron ore, not too much and not too little, 5 copper coins per unit, bought... Dark copper ore, not bad, 10 copper coins per unit, took it all... Blue steel stone, a Tier 1 stone material, nice, 3 copper coins per unit, took it all as well... Zhangqing wood, a Tier 1 wood material, 4 copper coins per unit, excellent, snatched it up...

Lin Mu continuously harvested various resources from the market, spending another million copper coins. This caused the market in Dongye County to flourish and prosper; with both heavy buying and selling, the market became vibrant, serving as a stimulus for other players.

Due to Lin Mu's massive spending, many player groups were attracted to the area. Many left their homes behind, moving directly to Dongye County. Some groups even made this small, obscure southern county their permanent base, bringing their families, belongings, and tools along, which raised the county's population to a new height.

With these changes, Dongye County seemed filled with business opportunities. Some players who had changed their professions to merchants were also drawn in, further promoting the prosperity of the county.

Countless market demands inspired players' enthusiasm for gathering resources. Countless players, whether in groups or as lone adventurers, headed out of the city into the dangerous wilderness to explore and collect resources, selling them for copper coins to exchange for money and weapons.

Currently, many players were talking about the [Black Iron Steel Spear], [Black Iron Steel Saber], and [Black Iron Steel Sword], forming a trend.

"Do you have a [Black Iron Steel Spear]? No? Then do you have any skills? What's your level? What, only level 2? Get lost..."

"Do you have a [Black Iron Steel Saber]? Oh, you do? Come, come, let’s be friends, let's team up to hunt monsters later!"

"You want to be my boyfriend? Fine, do you have a [Black Iron Steel Spear]? No? Get lost..."

"Oh, you have a car and a house? But do you have a [Black Iron Steel Sword]? What! You don't know what that is? You're too outdated; we aren't from the same world..."

"Honey, I want a [Black Iron Steel Sword], buy me one! If you get it, I’ll unlock a new position for you tonight!"

"Damn, they're sold out on the market, where can I buy one? My new position!"

The Black Iron Steel weapons attracted countless attention and were highly sought after, with owning one becoming the latest trend. Unfortunately, they were out of stock. Countless players wailed in their hearts: "Boss, when will you have more for sale? I'd go bankrupt just to buy one!"

Lin Mu purchased some of the rarer iron ores, stones, and woods, spending over 1 million copper coins. These could bring more development opportunities to his territory, taking its growth to the next level.

Lin Mu began to slowly move the supplies into the territory's warehouses. He used the 8 primary and 4 intermediate warehouse construction blueprints he had bought on the market, building many primary and intermediate warehouses. A primary warehouse could store 100,000 units of supplies, while an intermediate one could store 1 million units. His territory’s storage capacity was currently sufficient.

Apart from food and other supplies, the [Pale Wolf Iron Shield] crafting manual had been handed over to the blacksmiths in the intermediate-to-advanced blacksmith shop to study:

Name: [Pale Wolf Iron Shield] Crafting Manual
Grade: Yellow
Type: Shield
Attribute: Allows blacksmiths of intermediate level or higher to learn how to craft the [Pale Wolf Iron Shield].
Description: Named for the fierce, wolf-like pattern carved onto the shield. Requires Tier 1 or higher ore to forge. Tough and durable, it is the top choice for a powerful meat shield. If Pale Wolf Fangs are added during forging, it can become a true Pale Wolf Iron Shield, reaching the Profound grade! One shield requires three intermediate blacksmiths working in coordination to complete.

With the manual in hand, Lin Mu instructed them to learn it once the conditions were met and to forge as many shields as possible.

The blacksmiths began learning and forging the shields, though Lin Mu still instructed them to prioritize forging Black Iron Steel weapons. The shield production could first cater to the territory's soldiers; forging 1,000 would suffice for now.

Lin Mu planned to arm 1,000 soldiers and have them switch classes to saber-and-shield infantry, which might prove useful when the territory upgraded.

In Mythical Three Kingdoms, there are many types of weapons, such as sabers, spears, swords, halberds, bows, and so on. These are commonly used. In Chinese culture, there are countless cold weapons, and they exist in Mythical Three Kingdoms as well.

However, in Lin Mu's heart, the spear was held in the highest regard; it had always been his primary weapon.

Sabers and swords were also not to be underestimated.

The saber is the master of all weapons, also known as the "courage of all weapons." A saber is like a fierce tiger—bold, domineering, and powerful. It can cleave mountains, cut through water and stone, and its spirit can swallow the world!

The spear is the king of all weapons, also known as the "king of the battlefield." A spear is like a god of war; its momentum can pierce the heavens and strike awe into the world!

The sword is the gentleman of all weapons, also known as the "adornment of virtue." It is an ancient, noble item—supreme and precious. From emperors and ministers to heroes, merchants, and commoners, everyone takes pride in carrying one.

Because of its lightweight design, elegant presence, and swift usage, many generals and scholars in the Eastern Han Dynasty carried a sword in their daily social activities as a symbol of being a gentleman. At the same time, if an emergency occurred, they could easily use the sword for self-defense.

Swords were usually worn on the left side. When not in use, the left hand would rest upon it, looking graceful and composed. When needed, a quick reach with the right hand allowed for a swift draw, making it exceptionally convenient.

In the world of wandering chivalry, most knights carried swords, which is why they were called "sword-knights." Those who carried sabers were called "saber-knights."

There is also a saying: "A month for the saber, a year for the sword, and a lifetime for the spear!"

"A month for the saber" describes how one can learn the basics of using a saber in a month. Its moves are grand and open, fierce and domineering, and relatively simple. With dedicated practice, it can surely be mastered.

"A year for the sword" means it takes a year to learn how to use a sword properly. Sword techniques are light, graceful, and unpredictably complex. "Slaying a man every ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles!" Furthermore, sword styles are ever-changing and difficult to grasp, hence the longer time required.

Finally, "a lifetime for the spear" means the spear is something that can take a lifetime to study. Some people may study it for their entire lives and still not even reach the threshold of true understanding, which shows its difficulty. For many, it is hard to even get started without three to five years of practice. To reach the pinnacle of perfection, diligence goes without saying, but more importantly, it depends on one's aptitude. Without the talent for using a spear, it is better to give up and learn other, easier weapons!

Spear techniques are ever-changing and infinitely transformative. One can attack while advancing and block while retreating. Pointing the spear is like touching water, with endless wondrous uses!

The spear is long and sharp, making it the most effective in real combat and possessing fierce lethality. On the battlefield, vanguard troops are primarily spear-wielders; the damage they cause is immense and highly favorable to the battlefield situation.

Therefore, many players use the spear as their primary weapon. However, to become a master or grandmaster of the spear, or reach even higher realms, requires high aptitude and exclusive talents.

Lin Mu currently possessed no talents, and he felt his aptitude was pitifully low.

After handling various affairs, Lin Mu listed 500,000 copper coins on the black market platform for sale. However, to avoid attracting the attention of those with ulterior motives, Lin Mu split the 500,000 copper into more than 50 groups. Some were 10,000 coins, some less—a few thousand—and some over 10,000. This way, the listings wouldn't attract unwanted notice. He needed to be cautious; after all, he still had to be careful in his real life.

100,000 copper coins equaled 200,000 in real-world currency. With over 50 groups for sale and thanks to his own weapon sales leaving many players short on copper, the black market demand for copper was extremely high. Soon, Lin Mu's real-world financial account received 1 million in currency. Money really came quickly; a lord truly lived up to the name of a "tyrant."

In his previous life, lord-type players were always the envy of others. Generally, lord-type players started with some family wealth, and if they developed well, their assets would become even more substantial. Although many players hoped to be lords, unfortunately, it wasn't something ordinary players could afford. In his previous life, he had accidentally acquired a territory, and its development was decent, bringing him a handsome income. Unfortunately, he left it later...

Regardless, current lord-type players were synonymous with "tyrants." As players developed, the number of lord-type players would slowly increase, which would lower their average wealth. However, as the market became cruel and wars broke out, players would begin to struggle, causing chaos. Big fish would eat small fish, and whales would swallow schools of fish. Territories with weak foundations would start to be eliminated, annexed, or turned into vassals, slowly disappearing or transforming. As things gradually stabilized later on, lord-type players would truly begin to show their genuine worth as tyrants.

Lin Mu still had over 1.4 million copper coins left, which counted as the territory's working capital; otherwise, he wouldn't even have the money to pay his villagers' wages.

Although the territory currently lacked a commercial atmosphere, paying wages was a form of incentive that could be utilized once commerce developed later on. In China, whether in ancient times, the near past, or the new era, diligent and hardworking Chinese people like to save money. Having savings gives them peace of mind to prevent emergencies, unlike Westerners who live for the day and spend future wages.

Currently, the villagers in Lin Mu’s territory all served him, eating from the same pot. The territory also paid a small amount of copper as wages, which counted as living in peace and contentment. However, the territory's commerce had never been developed, and transactions between villagers were too few. The territory was also isolated, which was a problem that worried Lin Mu.

Lin Mu had discussed it with Chang Yin, but for the time being, it was impossible to change this situation. It had to be done slowly; they couldn't rush it and leave behind even greater hidden dangers.

Since he had money, those working for the territory could now receive their wages, and the territory's [Grocery Store] could also be established. It was among the construction blueprints Lin Mu had purchased.

Once the primary grocery store was built, the system would refresh a primary merchant inside. The products in the shop would also be refreshed by the system, and both players and villagers could make purchases. Although this primary grocery store was a territory building, it belonged to the system—this was the true system store. The shops belonging to the Great Han Dynasty officials were merely operated by wealthy merchants, official merchants, or imperial merchants—in other words, shops run by prestigious clans, high-ranking officials, or the imperial family.

The primary grocery store didn't sell anything rare; it mostly stocked daily necessities like salt, rapeseed oil, quilts, linen clothes, and ordinary silk garments. It was considered a way to bring a new look to the territory.

With products available, there needed to be money to buy them, making the wages paid to the villagers essential. It could be considered the initial prototype of the territory's commerce.

After using the [Primary Grocery Store] construction blueprint, Lin Mu received a system notification:

"Ding!"

"System notification: Congratulations to Lord Lin Mu for establishing a primary grocery store. Territory public sentiment increased by 3 points, slightly boosting the territory's commerce."

Lin Mu knew that building a primary grocery store would increase public sentiment by 3 points. Other buildings wouldn't necessarily increase public sentiment, or if they did, it would be implicit without a system notification, which showed the importance of the primary grocery store to the territory.

Today had been a very fruitful day.