The protein portion, mostly smoked fish, three thousand tons, is being prioritized for distribution due to preservation limitations. Salted meat is fifteen hundred. Auxiliary food supplies total five hundred tons, including pickled vegetables.

For emergency rations, there are one thousand tons of Snow Bone Wheat and three thousand tons of Frostbite Potatoes, which are newly harvested experimental grains mainly for emergency use.

Additionally, military hardtack and bread from the South total twenty-two hundred, with five hundred tons of honey and honey products, prioritized for the wounded and young children.

Only two hundred tons of dried medicinal herbs remain, which might be tight if winter epidemics recur."

After finishing, he added quietly, "The total food volume remains at over twenty thousand tons, stable for the short term, but if the cold snap extends... we still need the greenhouse to accelerate the second batch of production."

"Alright." Louis responded lightly, his gaze sweeping over the neatly stacked boxes of food, then looking towards the slowly closing warehouse door, his expression turning slightly solemn.

On the surface, he nodded approvingly, but inwardly he felt far from relieved.

Though the amount of food was indeed sufficient to maintain operations, facing the entire Red Tide Territory and its subordinate territories, totaling nearly ninety thousand people, these reserves were only enough to barely get through the winter, reducing fatalities.

If unexpected snowstorms, transportation delays, or outbreaks occurred, the situation would become tense immediately.

He knew there was no need to speak these thoughts aloud.

Bradley had already done his job, and what could change the situation was not anxiety, but the next steps in logistics and planting strategies.

At that moment, a porter dressed in coarse cloth, with a gaunt face and arms wrapped in rough burlap, saw Louis on his way to unload goods.

He suddenly knelt, his voice excited and trembling, "Lord, thank you... We, who became homeless, thought we would die this winter... Now we not only have food to eat, but work to do, and... dignity."

Louis glanced at him, said nothing, just nodded and gestured for him to rise.

The porter wiped his eyes, his face full of seriousness and hope.

Apart from the porter moved to kneel in gratitude, a number of workers and refugees gathered around.

Some bowed their heads in respect, some thanked with tears, and others simply stood still, solemnly watching their lord.

"Thank you, Lord Louis, really... thank you."

"We're willing to do twice as much work without complaining."

"As long as we can still eat a warm meal, we're not afraid of anything!"

Such voices rose one after another, making the atmosphere exceptionally fervent and sincere within just a few moments.

Facing this scene, Louis simply smiled and said softly, "The food is earned by your own labor, not from anyone's charity. Don't surround me, getting back to work early is more important than anything."

The crowd, as if kindling dry wood, responded in unison, "Yes, my lord!" "Understood, my lord!"

Full of energy, they returned to carrying and checking work, even the porter who had been kneeling stood up, eyes red, lifting food heavier than before.

Emily stood off to the side, silently watching, without speaking.

This was not a coincidental scene but the true daily life of the Red Tide Territory.

Just as Louis was about to lead his team to the next inspection point, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from afar.

A Red Tide Knight, cloaked in wind and snow, arrived at a gallop, reining in at the warehouse door, dismounted quickly, and approached Louis to report quietly by his ear.

Louis was slightly taken aback, then his brows lifted gently, a hint of unexpected joy appearing in his eyes.

"People from the Mage Forest? They've finally arrived?" he muttered to himself, unable to conceal a trace of delight in his tone.

Then he turned to the crowd, "We won't go to the next point first, let's return to the castle once."

Emily glanced at him curiously but asked nothing, merely nodded silently.

The group then organized, braving the cold winds, and retraced their steps toward Red Tide Castle.

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