Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 112: Chapter 95: Proxy War? First Prince, You Wouldn’t Want...

In Westwood Laine, the first rays of dawn filtered through the cracks of the stone-and-wood houses, waking the sleeping Free People.

He rubbed his drowsy eyes, sat up from his simple bed, and began his day.

Inside the room, the two other Free People he lived with were also starting to wake up. They shared this small space, their lives closely intertwined.

He walked to the small stove in the corner of the room, where a pot of gooey millet was simmering.

This was their breakfast—simple, but it provided enough energy to get them through a busy morning.

He ladled a bowl with a wooden spoon, sat on a bench, and chewed slowly, savoring the warmth and satisfaction the grain provided.

He had moved here from another noble’s castle a week ago. If not for Lord Henry’s policies for new settlers, he would probably be sleeping on the streets right now.

After breakfast, Yiri put on his Linen Clothing. The garment was a bit worn but still clean and tidy.

He checked his eating utensils to make sure everything was in order, then walked out the door to greet the new day.

On the construction site, the Free People and other workers had already begun their day’s work.

They carried heavy stones and lumber, and the air was thick with the smell of sweat and dust.

The atmosphere on the site was tense yet full of energy. The workers coordinated with each other, shouting loudly to ensure the work went smoothly.

The clang of hammers and the buzz of saws were jarring and noisy, yet somehow reassuring. The Record Keeper said this was the new district and that more people would be moving here in the future.

Yiri felt a surge of excitement. ’Once this new residential area is built, I’ll be considered one of Westwood Laine’s old-timers!’

At lunchtime, he and the other workers gathered in a corner of the site, enjoying a short break.

They drank steaming hot meat broth, replenishing their strength while sharing stories and jokes.

’Working for a nobleman, getting paid, and having food to eat... I never would have dared to dream of this before.’

After lunch, they threw themselves back into their strenuous work, and the clamor on the site only gradually subsided as the sun began to set.

After work, Yiri walked into a local tavern. The tavern was dimly lit, hazy with smoke from roasting meat, and the air was filled with the aroma of beer and barbecue.

He went to the bar, ordered a cheap beer, and found a corner to sit down and enjoy his moment of relaxation.

The tavern was abuzz with voices. Workers gathered together, talking about interesting things from the construction site, bragging about their so-called past exploits, and dreaming about the future.

The tavern’s environment, though simple, was filled with warmth and a human touch. Oil paintings hung on the walls, an accordion rested in a corner, and the wooden tables and benches were well-worn and no longer new.

Here, whether merchant or Free Person, anyone could find a relaxing corner and enjoy the simple pleasure of a mug of beer.

As the night deepened, Yiri left the tavern with a slight buzz and headed home.

When he returned to the construction site the next day, he found everyone gathered around a Record Keeper, deep in a heated discussion.

Upon asking, he learned that Lord Henry had shown his great benevolence once again!

As news of Henry’s new policies spread through Westwood Laine, the entire district seemed to be injected with new vitality.

Artisans and merchants were delighted to find that these policies offered them more business opportunities. The more enterprising among them immediately went to the imperial office to have letters written, preparing to call their friends, relatives, and brothers to come and prosper with them.

In the taverns, at the markets, and even on the construction sites, people were excitedly discussing the new policies.

Lord Henry had not only reduced taxes for settlers but also provided support in the form of land and funds, encouraging them to settle down and build their lives here.

These measures made many artisans and merchants, who had previously been hesitant to increase their investments, see the bright future of Westwood Laine.

In a corner of the district, a few artisans were gathered. They held carpentry tools in their hands, and newly finished wooden chairs and tables were placed beside them.

One of them, an older carpenter named Aidan, had eyes that sparkled with hope for the future.

"Did you hear? The lord’s new policies are fantastic news for us artisans!" Aidan said excitedly.

"Yeah, I’m already planning to write a letter to my brother in the northern grasslands and have him bring his family here to make a living," another young carpenter chimed in.

"The opportunities here are even greater than we imagined! With the noble lord’s support, we can expand our Workshop—we could even open our own furniture shop!" Aidan exclaimed.

Meanwhile, the Free People also benefited greatly from the district’s development.

With the construction of new residential areas and small Workshops, they gained more job opportunities.

On the construction site, they were no longer just simple haulers but had become construction workers, stonemasons, and even foremen, responsible for supervising the serfs to make sure they weren’t slacking off.

This was a cushy job, so they all agreed to take turns doing it.

After a day’s work, Yiri returned home in a satisfied mood. He sat by the small stove, calculating his potential income for the month.

He was thrilled to realize that perhaps in the near future, he would be able to afford his own little house.

"The Lord’s new policies are truly a blessing for us."

His roommates all voiced their agreement. They talked about how to use these new opportunities to improve their lives.