Bidding farewell to the faces filled with excitement and gratitude, Louis turned and left.

As for the comatose mage, he personally handed him over to the medical staff of the Cold Fir Territory.

"Take good care of him, notify me immediately once he wakes up."

The few medical staff initially thought he was just an ordinary injured person, but when they lifted the blanket off the makeshift stretcher, they couldn't help but gasp.

"Is... is this person still alive?"

"His chest... what bit him?"

"And he can still breathe... it's, it's unbelievable..."

Although shocked, they were not novices and quickly reacted, nodding repeatedly: "Understood! We'll handle it right away!"

The stretcher was carefully moved into the town's medical house, where, amid the strong aroma of medicine, a life-and-death emergency was about to unfold.

Louis did not linger either; he stepped into the Government Hall of the Cold Fir Territory.

Though called a "Government Hall," its appearance greatly differed from what most people imagined.

In fact, it was merely a large, semi-underground dwelling that had been repurposed.

Located in the town center, it was constructed from local wood and mountain stones. The structure was simple yet exceptionally sturdy, with the mottled marks at the wall corners clearly recording the erosion of the Northern Territory's winds and snow.

Pushing open the door, warmth from the hearth rushed in, dispelling the chill from outside.

The interior arrangement, although not luxurious, was extremely tidy.

On the wooden bookshelves were several notebooks and territorial documents, with a few practical writing desks laid out. The one in the center had been polished to a shine, evidently prepared specially for the Lord.

The Town Mayor, Agricultural Official, Civil Official, Peacekeeping Knight, Medical Affairs Officer, and others were already waiting, rising collectively to greet him.

Most of these officials were experienced and loyal personnel dispatched from the Calvin Clan by Duke Calvin.

There were also a few "potential stocks" selected first by the Daily Intelligence System: young, vigorous, and more importantly, absolutely trustworthy.

Louis removed his cloak and gloves, looked around at everyone, and spoke in a gentle tone: "I want to hear about the current situation in the Cold Fir Territory."

The Town Mayor immediately answered: "My Lord, thanks to your policies and support, we have survived the winter and are preparing for the spring."

The Agricultural Official then reported: "The ice has just retreated, and the topsoil has loosened. We expect to plow the land thoroughly within ten days. Seeds and farm tools have been distributed uniformly by the Red Tide Territory, and we can start planting."

"This year, we also opened up over ten acres of new fields," the Town Mayor laughed, "done voluntarily by the refugees. They said since they survived, they wanted to plant something to repay you."

Louis nodded, indicating his satisfaction.

The Cold Fir Territory has no geothermal heat and conditions are tough, but the timing for sowing is about right.

Louis sat in the main seat, listened to the agricultural report, and softly asked: "How are the people after winter? How is the recent settlement?"

A civil official immediately got up to respond: "Reporting to you, my Lord, the census for spring is completed. The mortality rate of refugee winter survival is less than ten percent, and recently there has been a continuous influx of outsiders to the Cold Fir Territory."

He unfurled the recording board in his hand, speaking slightly fast as if suppressing some excitement: "Currently, two refugee communities have been expanded outside Hanshan Town, ensuring basic housing and water supply.

Most refugees are willing to work or learn crafts, arrangements are being made. Now, the permanent population of the Cold Fir Territory... has approached one thousand people."

Louis nodded and showed a satisfied expression: "If more refugees come, try to accommodate them. In terms of food, the Red Tide Territory can still allocate, try to keep the people."

"Next step, how is the security situation?"

A tall Peacekeeping Knight stepped forward, kneeling on one knee: "Reporting to my Lord, the order within the Cold Fir Territory is generally good. Two small groups of bandits were discovered in the woods outside the town at the end of winter, causing no casualties, and have been driven away.

In addition, some bankrupt old noble soldiers have come seeking refuge. We are gradually accommodating and restructuring them according to the plan and so far, no problems have arisen."

"Very good, if they are willing to abide by the rules, they can be taken in."

Louis then asked about several matters: herb reserves, iron repairs, and mountain road clearing progress.

The civil servants answered one by one without hesitation, evidently well-prepared.

"The thermal devices of the Fire-backed Turtle are running stably," the Agricultural Official added again, "and the survival rate of livestock in the breeding area is extraordinarily high."

"Regarding the school workshops," another young official looked up and smiled, "more than sixty children have enrolled, and enrollment will double this spring, mainly teaching general knowledge and hands-on skills, literacy is also taught, but the effect is mediocre."

...

After listening to everyone's report, Louis did not speak immediately, but in his heart, he nodded quietly.

These people truly did not disappoint him.

The policies were set by him, but it was these people who slowly carried them out to fruition.

They faced numerous difficulties, with no geothermal heat, no surplus grain, no convenient transportation lines...

Yet the Cold Fir Territory held on, stabilized its population, planted its fields, and even the refugees were organized in an orderly manner.

Louis then turned around, his tone calm yet affirmative: "You have done well."

The officials in the hall were stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up to salute.

Louis continued: "Winter is over. This is spring, and it's a new beginning. You maintained order in Cold Fir during the toughest times, and you kept hope alive for these people. I have noted it down."

The Town Mayor, moved, couldn't help but say: "My Lord, all this is your achievement, thanks to your prior preparations of policies and supplies, we were able to hold on.

To be honest, without you, we people... just relying on our passion, couldn't have done much."

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