These people roam without a fixed place, making them difficult to count, and they are scattered throughout the Empire's heartland, borders, and in secluded corners.

So regarding their numbers, Su Li was indeed unclear, thus he asked with concern: "My Religious Advisor, do you have the exact number of the Free People's Corps?"

Rong'en calmly said, "The number of Free People's Corps cannot be fully counted by anyone. But I have a registered number of free people, a total of 1623 people who are willing to fight for our territory and are undergoing military training."

Su Li frowned: "This number is far less than I expected."

Rong'en spread his hands and said, "Calculating based on five people per household, our territory has a total of eight or nine hundred households, and it's already very difficult to organize over 1600 Free People's Corps. This is also thanks to our abundant citizen population, the active participation of the Dwarf Community, and practitioners, shop owners, and craftsmen from various workshops and shops in training."

Su Li asked concernedly, "How is their equipment?"

Speaking of this, Rong'en couldn't help but sigh: "This is really hard to explain, these people's weapons are a hodgepodge: many retired old soldiers or Fiery Sun Goddess believers might still retain their service uniforms, crossbows, and pole weapons, while others might have to make do with longswords, hand axes, or hunting bows, and in some troops, even farm tools are used as weapons by these unfortunate individuals."

"Although our territory urgently supported them with a batch of weapons, those organized and well-equipped corps only make up six squadrons. To reorganize thousands of people in a short period and provide them with excellent equipment is truly beyond the current capabilities of our territory."

"Moreover, this is the first time our territory has mobilized the Free People's Corps, and many people have doubts."

This is normal. As an important force guarding the territory, the Free People's Corps contribute to victory and naturally will be compensated from it.

According to the Empire's tradition, those free militia who survive the bloodshed would receive money from the Elector's treasury as a reward, and they are also allowed to keep any spoils taken from the battlefield. However, some shameless Empire generals are notorious for frequently deploying mercenaries to the fiercest areas of battle, because after all, the dead need no payment.

So if the Hesse Territory can treat the Free People's Corps fairly, and lead them to victory, the number of the Free People's Corps would increase.

While Su Li was pondering these matters, Rong'en continued, "But there's also good news. Despite the chaotic equipment of the Free People's Corps, the adventure items and fantasy artifacts they brought are also eclectic."

"This Spirit Tree [Star Dew Sweet Orange] you wanted us to find is a typical example, and the adventurer brought it out entirely because its leaves glow, which is stunningly beautiful. The price for it is only 1 Golden Crown and 50 Silver Coins."

"But I just asked Minister of Agriculture Vandar, and this is a very precious Spirit Tree that only grows in the south of the Empire. The sweet oranges it bears have strong purification and detoxification effects, such as the toxins affecting Pasture Master Edmond could be neutralized simply by eating one sweet orange."

"The luxury perfume made from these sweet oranges is valued at 100 Golden Crowns per bottle."

This is truly a money-making tree for the territory; just one of these Star Dew Sweet Oranges can bring at least 500 to 600 Golden Crowns in profit to the territory.

Although the pressure from the Green Dragon invasion is immense, the development of the territory cannot be halted.

Su Li then called Philis, instructing her to take two nuns from the Dawn Church to plant this sweet orange in the purple Spirit Field. It should be planted beside the Holy Purple Vine Tree, as it is a low shrub and can coexist with the tall Purple Vine Tree.

Su Li intends to transform the garden Ingrid cares for into either a Fantasy Forest or Dream Garden, where various fantasy fruits can be harvested.

Then Su Li asked, "From Lord Rong'en's words, aside from this Star Dew Sweet Orange, did the adventurers bring back quite a few good things?"

Rong'en immediately nodded, saying, "They indeed brought many good things. In just these few days, we have purchased a batch of witchcraft artifacts from them, such as [Echoing Conch], [Mole Mask], [Wild Skull], and so on."

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