"What about the salt industry?"
There were many mines in the Western Region, so it was not surprising that mining was the pillar industry of Stronghold. However, it was the first time he had heard of the salt industry. Prince Roland knew nothing about local specialties, and Roland also thought that salt production was the main industry of coastal cities.
"Stronghold, the Elk Family and the Honeysuckle Family each have a salt well... In fact, the three wells are very close to each other, basically located at the border of the territory. I heard that more than 200 years ago, civil wars in the Western Region often broke out in this area, and the war lasted for nearly 50 years." Barov said while stroking his beard.
"And then the three nobles who took this place became the biggest winners in the Western Region?" He asked with great interest, "What's the output of these salt wells?"
"In addition to supplying the Western Region, it will also be sold to Fallen Dragon Ridge, Redwater City and small villages along the way." Barov flipped through the records in the notebook. "It accounts for about 15% of the income of Stronghold."
"So little?" Roland was surprised. "The price of salt in the market is not low."
"It's too difficult to get salt out of the deep well." The director shook his head. "I know a nobleman in Silver City who owns a salt well in his territory. The mouth of the well is only the size of a head and can't even fit a wooden bucket. When collecting salt, you must first pour water into the well. After the salt has melted into the water, you can scoop it up with a bamboo pole. "
"Why not expand the mouth of the well?"
Barov showed a proud smile. "Your Highness, because the location of the salt layer is too deep. If we dig according to the method of digging a well, I'm afraid that the inner wall will collapse before we dig too deep. According to him, that salt well has been mined since his grandfather's generation, and the depth of the well can almost reach the bell tower of King's City. "
"I see," Roland thought. "It seems that people in this era have chosen to collect salt by soaking brine due to the limited depth of the well. This is an effective method, but the process obviously has a lot of potential for improvement. Whether it is using the power of Lotus to improve the salt mine or using a steam engine to extract brine, the efficiency of collecting can be greatly improved."
If Neverwinter could obtain an adequate supply of salt, it would not only bring great profits to Neverwinter, but also make the refined salt, which was healthier and tastier, available to every subject's home. After all, the salt they currently consumed was still coarse salt mixed with various impurities and foreign substances.
"I understand." Thinking of this, the prince nodded in satisfaction. "You may leave now … Don't slack in your recruitment work. The Months of Demons have just passed, and the refugees who have lost their land should be in a predicament of having no food to eat. This is a good time to recruit people. "
"I think the same as you, Your Highness." Barov put his hand on his chest and said, "The new emissary delegation will be sent out soon. I think their harvest this time will be far greater than last year's."
After the steward left, just as Roland was about to plan how to use the fortress's mineral resources, he heard a knocking sound coming from the window.
He turned his head and saw a gray falcon perched on the windowsill with a piece of paper tied to its claw.
Nightingale opened the window and let the messenger in.
It was a confidential letter from the Longsong Area, written by Pérot Hull.
Roland almost finished reading the contents of the letter and could not help but laugh. It turned out that after Nightingale returned to the Border Area with him, the anti-crime work there was suddenly difficult to carry out. There were all kinds of reports from the public, and it was difficult to distinguish which were true and which were fabricated rumors for the sake of the bounty. The number of people applying for jobs was less than half of the original number of Rats. As the new Minister of Justice, Rennes Medde was overworked every day, but he could not suppress the rising forces of Black Street. If this went on, there was a risk that public security would deteriorate again.
At the end of the letter, Pérot wrote that he hoped His Highness could provide manpower and technical assistance. Although he did not mention names, Roland knew that he hoped that Nightingale and Vader could go and help the Earl of Elk Deer.
He handed the letter to Nightingale, who frowned after reading it. "He can't hold on any longer?"
"Because he has no experience in fighting against Rats. He established the Inferno Gang in the past just to enjoy the war game of having hundreds of people respond to his call. If it's a game of cat and mouse, he won't be able to do it well. " Roland smiled. "I've expected this situation. Fighting against Rats is a long process, and there will be repeated cases in the middle. But as long as we maintain the intensity of the fight and give them a better way to survive, they will disappear sooner or later. Once we get on the right track, it's not easy to get infected again. It's true for people and the city. "
"Are you going to send me there?" Nightingale sighed.
"Don't forget that the Longsong Area and the Border Area are now one city, so we don't have to be so divided." He shrugged. "Didn't I say at the enlargement meeting that one day we'll be able to have breakfast in the Border Area in the morning and deal with affairs in the Longsong Area an hour later? You're the head of the Security Bureau, so you'll have to go back and forth between the two places to inspect the work in the territory. "
"What will you do if I leave?" She shook her head. "Don't say that you won't be in danger. Timothy and the church will see you as a thorn in their side. If they send witches to assassinate you, only I can stop them."
Roland wanted to say that he had the God's Stone of Retaliation, so ordinary witches would not be a threat to him. But then he realized that Nightingale might not care about that. "Listen to me …"
"I can't agree to anything you say. Vendy and Scroll will definitely be on my side. You're the most important person in the Witch Union."
"I'll go with you."
"Ahem, is, is that so..." Nightingale suddenly choked, and then somewhat flustered, she turned her head to avoid his gaze and said, "Since the other party asked me to do this, only I can do it."
The prince could not help but laugh. "Take Summer with you. It's time for her to learn how to use her ability in practice."
In addition, Sylvie and Soroya should also go with him. While exploring the mines, they should also set up an ID system. It would be better if they could also set up a low-level City hall. He wondered how the training of the nobles from Longsong Stronghold was going.
…
Three days later, Roland led the witches and the nobles from Longsong Stronghold to board a ship to the Longsong Area.
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