Chapter 352: Territorial Changes

Jerome and Moore were ultimately beheaded before the eyes of countless miners; the gushing blood thrilled those who had suffered under their cruelty, yet filled them with dread.

For some time to come, this event would spread through Gray Soil Village, and then across the entire Ubei Domain, serving as a potent deterrent.

But Luo Ning’s thoughts turned to the deeper problem exposed by this incident—Ubei Domain lacked a comprehensive legal code.

Thus, in the face of such violent unrest, outcomes varied wildly depending on who handled the matter.

In truth, it was not merely Ubei Domain—Ushan Domain, and indeed the lands of many nobles throughout the kingdom, also lacked detailed legal statutes.

When punishing criminals, if the offender was a commoner, punishment typically relied on the oral traditions of legal clerks or the arbitrary decrees of noble lords.

If the offender was a noble, minor offenses were settled with fines; serious matters were decided through deliberation and voting among the local nobility, where the voices of the great lords carried far greater weight.

As for actual written laws—honestly, parchment was so expensive. Why waste so much paper? So much money?

Even if laws were written down, they might never be used.

Literacy rates in this world were abysmally low. Even many knightly professionals and minor nobles could not recognize all the characters, let alone ordinary legal clerks.

To ask them to enforce laws by reading from scrolls would be like asking them to decipher celestial scripture.

“Wilson, how is your literacy?”

“Lord, I know quite a few characters.”

A hint of pride surfaced on Wilson’s face.

Among all the commoners of Ubei Domain, the vast majority were illiterate; his ability to read was indeed one of his greatest strengths.

“Good. Draft a simple legal code for Ubei Domain, to serve as a reference for daily governance.”

Wilson felt a heavy weight settle in his chest. He could read, but he knew little of law as a discipline.

Moreover, his own duties were already overwhelming—today’s escorting of the lord’s inspection had been squeezed out of an already packed schedule.

Seeing Wilson hesitate, Luo Ning asked, “Something troubling you?”

Wilson flushed slightly, then summoned the courage to voice his concern:

“Lord, this may be a long endeavor. If I alone undertake it, I fear my considerations may be too narrow.”

He spoke sense.

Law touched upon every facet of life. Even in Luo Ning’s modern world, where laws were meticulously codified, one might scour entire legal tomes and still find no exact clause for a given case.

To burden Wilson alone with this task was unreasonable.

“Never mind. This is merely an interim code. Write down common daily conflicts—how to handle ordinary brawls, how to punish those that turn bloody, what to do when someone dies. When you’re done, show it to me, or to Elron or Jennie.”

Luo Ning paused, then added: “The interim code need not be long or perfect all at once. We can add provisions gradually as the domain’s security needs evolve. While writing, you may also recruit talent from outside. Ubei Domain needs a legal officer—and a cadre of legal specialists.”

With that, Wilson’s spirits lifted slightly.

Ubei Domain now had channels to the outside world; merchant caravans came and went. Posting recruitment notices would pose no difficulty.

Besides, Anthony’s cooperation with Ubei Domain continued—entrusting him with messages was perfectly suitable.

With the lord’s influence, attracting such talent would be no challenge.

As they inspected, a sleek black shadow darted toward them at speed.

It was a two-meter-long beast, its aura causing the horses beneath Luo Ning and Wilson to grow restless; both men tugged hard on the reins to rein them in.

“It’s Miss Aileen,” Wilson said with a smile.

Many in Ubei Domain knew of this beast. Though they felt a flicker of fear upon seeing it, none fled in panic.

“Lord, you’re back~!”

Aileen and the Black Tiger halted before Luo Ning. One greeted him warmly; the other grunted softly, as if begging for a scratch.

Luo Ning smiled, dismounted, and patted the Tiger’s massive head. “Where are you two headed?”

“My mother asked me to deliver something to Father. I’ve delivered it—I’m heading back to Marsh Keep now!”

Aileen’s gaze never left Luo Ning, veiled with quiet admiration.

But since returning from her last conversation with her mother, she understood: to remain beside the lord long-term, she must possess value.

She could not rival a princess—but she had strong magical talent. Someday, she would become a powerful sorceress like Master Elron, and stand beside Luo Ning’s side with confidence.

Luo Ning stroked Aileen’s hair. “Come with me to find your father?”

She shook her head. “No. Master gave me only a day and a half. I still have lessons to complete.”

Luo Ning shrugged. “Then travel safely.”

Aileen patted the Black Tiger with quiet assurance. “Don’t worry. I’m a mid-level mage now, and Black Tiger is a Level Two beast. There’s no danger in Ubei Domain.”

They exchanged a few more words, then parted ways.

Watching Aileen and the Black Tiger recede into the distance, Luo Ning smiled. The girl had regained her old vivacity.

“Wilson, remind Elron later—have him and Jennie watch for Black Tiger’s mating season.”

Luo Ning said, “I’ll see if I can capture a Storm Demon Wolf to breed with her. If not, some fierce male dogs will do.”

“Lord, you’re thinking of breeding a pack of Storm Demon Wolf mounts for Ubei Domain?”

Luo Ning nodded.

Storm Demon Wolves had endurance equal to horses. With Black Tiger as the mother, even offspring sired by dogs would surpass ordinary canines in physical prowess.

If he could forge a cavalry of wolf-riders, Ubei Domain’s martial strength would soar.

Gray Soil Village lay not far from Purple Berry Village. With Wilson accompanying him, Luo Ning arrived swiftly.

Already, the place bore the unmistakable signs of becoming a textile hub—

Lia led her team in weaving silk. Horn oversaw the expansion of mulberry fields, ensuring next year’s harvest would yield more leaves to feed the silkworms—and thus more silk.

Master Dann, responding to feedback from Lia and others, continuously refined the looms. He claimed he and his apprentices were already modifying looms suitable for flax and wool; once perfected, efficiency would leap dramatically.

Luo Ning had already instructed Chahar: they could procure flax and wool from outside, weave them, and sell the finished goods for substantial profit.

Next, Luo Ning inspected two other villages.

His impression: the domain was teeming with people. Fields and forests swarmed with laborers. Rows upon rows of wooden houses, built by construction teams, now dotted the landscape. The entire domain pulsed with vitality.

The people’s spirits were far brighter than when he first arrived at Mountain Forest Town.

After all, he had brought them more grain and affordable goods. They had food, shelter, clothing. Freemen earned wages. Even slaves, if diligent, reaped rewards.

In any world, people never lacked the yearning for a better life.

They thanked Elron for healing their illnesses and easing their pain.

But they thanked Lord Luo Ning even more—for giving them the soil in which to live, to thrive, to dream.