Chapter 166: The Big Ambition Meeting
"Since we started developing Bay Territory, we haven't had a formal meeting yet."
"Today is the perfect time, with everyone gathered here, to discuss the plans for the future."
"Let's also talk about the current situation of our territory and see what prospects we have for development."
We need to make sure everyone sees hope, so that they'll be willing to invest more effort.
After Matthew said this, everyone turned to him, savoring the meaning of his words and feeling a surge of joy in their hearts.
The meaning behind the lord's words was clear.
Everyone had gained his trust, which meant not only could they keep their current positions, but they also had opportunities for further advancement in the future.
Butler Ralph, well-prepared, handed out the compiled documents to everyone present.
"Everyone, take a good look. The development of the territory concerns each of you and affects everyone within it…"
Meeting everyone's gaze, Matthew returned their looks calmly.
In reality, he was examining their attribute panels and identities.
Ensuring there were no spies from other factions among them.
While you shouldn't go around harming others, you should always guard against potential threats.
Perhaps due to the increased responsibilities and greater pressure, Ralph had now become a Level 6 Butler.
Such an interesting profession intrigued Matthew greatly.
After all, if he could figure out this secret, could he also create specialized management professions or certain specific abilities?
In charge of the livestock sector was Ms. Tana, a former barbarian slave.
Compared to when she had been cautious and timid, she could now meet Matthew's gaze directly.
Seeing her as a Level 13 Shaman, Matthew thought he might collect more information in the future.
Captain Sean, responsible for clearing and patrolling, had also improved significantly, now reaching Level 5 Warrior.
It was clear that besides working, he had spent considerable effort training.
Angela, in charge of the military, looked at Matthew with steadfast and passionate eyes.
Matthew was pleasantly surprised to see that she had grown into a Level 5 Knight.
It was hard to imagine the effort she must have put in behind the scenes.
Training Instructor Arnold now smiled more, seeming much more relaxed than he had been a month or two ago.
His strength had not diminished, remaining a Level 13 Warrior.
Combat Commander Old John had also become a Level 5 Warrior.
Although his combat strength wasn't outstanding, his experience in commanding troops had grown more seasoned and skilled.
His advancement in the mid-tier specialty of Command Proficiency was proof of that.
Old John even brought along two people, seemingly preparing to mentor them intensively.
The first was Level 2 Wanderer, Ji Fan.
Matthew had read his file and noted that he had good talent as a professional, and his command skills were improving rapidly.
Ji Fan had become the captain of a squad of 50 soldiers.
Then there was someone Matthew found particularly interesting: the half-demon swordswoman, Elio.
After restoring her beautiful appearance, Elio had grown to become an 8th-level swordswoman in just a month.
Matthew vaguely remembered that he still owed her an enchanted longsword…
Since they couldn't purchase a medium-sized teleportation array,
Adam Smith had acquired several small teleportation arrays for transporting key personnel, intelligence, and resources between different locations.
Elder Field and Beelzebub, stationed at the murloc camp, and Adam Smith, far away in Blood Moon City,
Leon, managing the logging camp in the Dark Forest and the camp in Troll Valley, all had returned using these teleportation arrays.
Each of their abilities had improved to varying degrees.
Elder Field had already become a Level 9 Hunter.
Beelzebub had gradually mastered his Frost Giant bloodline, advancing to a Level 12 Warrior.
Even Adam Smith had risen to become a Level 4 Bard.
Most notably, Leon, with the greatest potential, had already reached Level 5 Warrior.
His once youthful face had become mature and confident, with an air of self-assurance.
This made Matthew quite reflective.
Indeed, combat and experience were the best ways to grow; as long as Leon was placed in the right environment, his growth would not be slow.
Matthew had already made up his mind to put more responsibility on Leon's shoulders.
Everyone who Matthew had scrutinized felt a strange sense of unease, as if the lord had seen right through them.
But soon, their attention was drawn to the booklets in their hands.
With each new piece of data they read, their eyes widened with growing astonishment.
Butler Ralph observed their changing expressions, feeling immense pride and respect for the lord as he confidently announced:
"Bay Territory now has a population of 27,583, growing by 3,500 people each week!"
Approaching a population of 30,000 was beyond what anyone had expected.
"Additionally, we have 10,000 kobolds, increasing by 500 each week."
"1,600 troll captives, increasing by 100 weekly."
"20,000 murlocs, increasing by 1,000 weekly."
"We've cleared 47,000 acres of land."
"The rate of clearing is 1 acre per 10 people daily, with 10,000 people currently involved."
"We have 1,500 people in livestock farming: raising 75,000 chickens, 30,000 ducks, 7,500 geese, 15,000 pigs, 7,500 cows, and 1,500 horses, with a 50% increase expected by month's end."
"We have 45 factories: including an armaments factory (1,000 people), steel mill (500 people), clothing factory (1,000 people), lumber mill (1,000 people), slaughterhouse (500 people), food processing factory (1,000 people), and an herb factory (500 people), among others."
"We can produce all necessary daily items, and our stored goods are enough to supply 100,000 people for two years!"
"Additionally, the murloc camp and troll camp will gradually provide us with more resources and profits."
"In the future…"
As Butler Ralph grew more excited, so did everyone present.
If they could continue developing at this pace, Bay Town could easily become a city with over 100,000 people by the end of the year!
By that time, according to the Netheril Empire's Frontier Expansion Act,
The lord would automatically rise to the rank of Third-Class Baron, with the power to grant knighthood titles to others.
Everyone would have a bright future ahead!
Butler Ralph, reaching this point in his speech, added:
"Everyone's efforts will be rewarded, and the lord has decided that as long as you complete the designated tasks, each of you will receive 500 gold coins per month as a reward!"
500 gold coins!
That was a considerable sum!
Who would complain about having too much money?
But it wasn't just about the money!
Watching all this unfold, a faint smile appeared on Matthew's face.
If you want the "tools" to work well, you have to make sure everyone is well-fed first!
Then, you draw even bigger ambitions for them to strive toward, so they have motivation and drive to work harder!
One side may squeeze them, but the other has to dangle the carrot and make them run faster—after all, even ogres know how to slack off if they aren't properly incentivized!
Everyone needs something to look forward to!