Looking at Lynn sitting on the bench, Alan felt both envy and admiration in his heart.
Envy because.
In such a remote territory.
Lynn was able to find fine salt that could be excavated and turn it into nearly impurity-free granular fine salt.
He also discovered exploitable iron ore and coal mines.
Lynn even managed to build a blast furnace for iron forging and started forging armor and weapons!
That would be impressive enough.
He remembered it was originally just a wasteland covered with weeds.
Now, it was fully planted with crops, like a green ocean.
It was even approaching the harvest period!
Aside from the already cultivated fields.
About a dozen miles away from the town, there was clearly a silhouette of people busily clearing land.
Removing weeds and stones, oxen plowing through the fields...
Even a single glance by Alan made him estimate at least one to two thousand people involved!
Furthermore, just passing by the city wall.
A new fortification, like a castle, had obviously been erected.
And the troops training for endurance...
Lynn’s territory had developed to an astonishing extent!
Admiration because.
Even if he were given a territory like Lynn’s.
He couldn’t rely on his own strength to develop a once poor, barren land to this scale.
One must understand.
The first time he came to Lynn’s territory.
Lynn’s land was just a wooden house village!
Growing a small village into a town-like scale.
Was not something that could be accomplished with mere luck.
Thinking this, Alan felt fortunate.
Thanks to George for hosting his business dealings and not falling out with Lynn at the beginning.
Otherwise.
He would not only lose trade with Lynn.
But also offend a rapidly rising powerful lord!
Lynn smiled, "Mr. Alan, I owe it to merchants like you who continuously ship goods to my land."
"Otherwise, this land would still be nothing but wilderness overgrown with weeds."
Listening to the modesty of Lynn’s words, Alan suppressed the complex emotions in his heart.
He bowed slightly to Lynn and said.
"I apologize, Master Lynn."
"It’s indeed been a long time since the last horse delivery, and I haven’t visited your territory."
Lynn nodded, not inquiring further into the reasons.
Neither Alan nor Grayson were to be held under any obligation.
Let alone the absence of any oral or written agreements between them.
Even if there were.
Factors like the natural environment, policies of the Empire, or human interference could reasonably hinder their timely arrival to his territory.
Alan continued, "To express my apology, I have brought you a surprise this time, Master Lynn."
Listening to Alan’s increasingly loud and excited voice.
Lynn’s eyebrows raised, "A surprise?"
Alan turned towards the caravan he had brought.
"Indeed, Master Lynn!"
"I have brought you a large shipment of Badan Warhorses!"
"Though, like those delivered earlier in spring, they are only Medium Warhorses."
"However, there are two hundred this time!"