Man Xiu waved his hand and let his servant bring over a wooden box, presenting it to Luo De with both hands,

"This is a gift for you."

"Oh?"

Luo De looked at Man Xiu's mysterious expression, took the wooden box with some curiosity, and opened it.

But upon seeing its contents, Luo De was somewhat disappointed.

In the middle of a pile of dry grass was a simple-shaped, slightly mottled glass cup.

But Luo De couldn't show it, so he forced himself to ask, "Is this glass from the church in the Land of the Gods?"

The church had a tight grasp on the craft of making glass.

They claimed it was a skill passed down to them by the gods.

Luo De thought otherwise.

Not just in his past life, but even in the ruins of the Sea Abyss Wizard Tower, the craft of glassmaking had been mentioned.

The bottles produced were nothing more than vessels for storing potions by wizards.

"Yes, I spent some effort to get it."

Man Xiu nodded heavily,

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"Hmm."

Luo De tried to nod casually.

But inside, he couldn't help but silently complain that this quality of glass cup could be bought in bulk for one meal in his past life.

After seeing the world, naturally, he wasn't impressed by such things.

Moreover, he knew he would definitely make glass in the future, and the quality would certainly be better than what Man Xiu brought.

However, looking at Man Xiu's appearance, Luo De knew he couldn't produce glass now.

"This cup was originally a pair, but unfortunately, my sister took one."

Man Xiu sighed.

"It's alright, having one is already good."

Luo De casually placed the cup back in the box full of dry grass, changed the subject, and said to Man Xiu,

"Let's talk about the war situation over there."

"It's chaotic. After winning a few battles, the noble alliance immediately began to scatter, suspect each other, and then everything became very bad."

Man Xiu shook his head and said helplessly, "I think even my guards would do better than them."

"Those alliance troops have now started doing nothing, often drinking and sleeping during the day."

"Have they completely given up?"

Luo De asked in surprise, "Why?"

Luo De had received reports about these war situations before, but it sounded exaggerated, so he didn't dare to believe it. Now Man Xiu's words made Luo De have to believe.

"It's said that some spellcasters with extraordinary abilities appeared on the front, making battles extremely difficult."

Man Xiu explained, "There are swarms of biting insects and undying mad soldiers, scaring the alliance out of their wits."

"The noble alliance is in negotiations with the royal family, seeking a solution."

Luo De pondered, instinctively speaking, "They need more money, don't they?"

Man Xiu nodded, a light in his eyes, "Lord Baron, I feel you always summarize things with simple words."

"Just now it was 'giving up,' and now it's more money,"

Man Xiu savored it, "Though it sounds direct, it is full of precise wisdom!"

Luo De chuckled twice and didn't reply.

He was just picking up some of the common phrases from his past life, not daring to claim them as his own.

"What about the Western Alliance? Have they retaliated?"

"Of course,"

Man Xiu smiled bitterly, spread his hands, his tone filled with helplessness,

"Their soldiers are like mad dogs, crazily tearing at our troops, and eventually, the alliance could only shrink into the cities."

"If it weren't still too cold up north, I would have to bring you a batch of refugees."

"That would be fine."

Luo De nodded seriously, "Anyone who can work can be sent."

There are vast lands in Black Pine Ridge and Razor Plain that haven't been cultivated, Luo De needed more people.

"So, this time I also want to buy some more iron ore and iron ingots from you... you know, with the intense war, swords and shields are consumables as well."

Man Xiu smiled bitterly, hastily adding, "The price can be negotiated."

Luo De's expression sank, shaking his head,

"Iron ore won't do, Man Xiu, we are short as well now."

Luo De pointed through the window at the Blacksmith Shop in the distance,

"Not to mention weapons and armor, with spring plowing, just the farm tools will need a large amount of iron, we can't sell externally."

Luo De wasn't lying.

The iron mine's weekly output was around one to one and a half tons of pig iron, which sounds like a lot, but when divided among warhammers, iron shields, spearheads, stirrups, tools, and other iron products, it's just enough to go around.

Weapons and armor maintenance will be needed in the future, and Luo De can't afford to live hand to mouth, right?

After the spring plowing, Luo De planned to schedule the development of the iron mine in the northeast corner of Black Pine Ridge.

"As for jerky, I can barely spare a little more for you."

Luo De smiled and said, "As long as you bring enough goods and gold coins."

"Thank you."

Man Xiu nodded and bowed to show his gratitude.

"By the way, when I came in, I saw the deep trench you're digging outside the town, are you planning to build a city?"

"Yes, Frost Leaf Town is a bit cramped, so I'm expanding it somewhat."

Luo De replied casually.

Man Xiu looked surprised, "That's a big project... Your boldness truly isn't something ordinary nobles can match."

"Others would have used the gold coins for building the city to create a life of luxury and pleasure for themselves a long time ago."

"Not too bad."

Luo De said calmly, "I am too timid and need the protection of city walls to feel at ease."

In fact, Luo De also wanted to indulge, but he knew he didn't have enough strength and defensive capabilities.

Luo De always felt he would be bullied, and there was always a sense of unease in his heart.

During the peaceful times of his past life, everything was still bullied by the hegemony openly and secretly.

Either by bombing today or restraining your trade tomorrow.

In this world, the relationship between lords is even less harmonious than the relationships between countries in his past life.

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