I Become a Landlady in the Game World

"Does the Lord need to use it?" Bayer, naturally understanding Zhou Bai's meaning, sighed in his heart before asking.

"Let's keep everything for now. Maybe there'll be a use for them at some point. I just don't know whether Fasal Village will attack again during the next Territory War," Zhou Bai said.

"This time they lost an Alchemy Workshop and most of their Warehouse resources. It will be difficult for them to recover in a short time. They probably won't attack again, right?" Bayer hesitated before replying.

"I actually hope they do," Zhou Bai responded directly, "If Fasal Village doesn't make a move, it would mean that they're waiting for Hope Village to fatten up before they slaughter us, like when Hope Village becomes Hope Town. That would definitely be the perfect opportunity."

She definitely couldn't rely on the hope that the Marquis would change his mind about annexing Hope Village.

That was impossible before, and even more so now, after knowing about Hope Village's "advantages."

Bayer's expression shifted slightly.

Yes! Aggressive territories were not only villages but also towns and cities!

For a Town Level aggressive territory, it wasn't something that could be promoted to overnight. Most started from the village level, accumulating and annexing so many villages and towns. Their strength was surely extraordinary.

If Hope Village became a target as soon as it stepped into Town Level, the difficulty would undoubtedly multiply by who knows how much, and there was a very high chance of tripping and failing in a Territory War.

Even if it wasn't conquered at that time, a loss in territory would mean a severe drain on its vitality, and it could be very difficult to recover.

Seeing Bayer's concern, Zhou Bai said directly, "That's why it's fine for Hope Village to stay at the village level for a bit longer. Also, we should unhesitatingly invest the resources obtained from Fasal Village into Hope Village."

At the village level, it's crucial to build up one's strength and aim to have a fighting chance when reaching Town Level.

Hope Village now was not the same as when it first started.

Hearing Zhou Bai say this, Bayer's brow relaxed slightly, he nodded, and then asked, "What from Fasal Village can we use?"

Hope Village had many favorable conditions as well. Sometimes it's not good to only think about the negatives. It's important to consider the positives too.

To think about it, they gained quite a few benefits from the confrontation with Fasal Village.

Not to mention anything else, just the Alchemy Workshop elevated the standard of weaponry in Hope Village.

Other things were too numerous and large. In the past few days, the Lord and Ding Qiurou had been continuously sorting out and moving things from the Warehouse. It should almost be done.

"The resources from Fasal Village, deemed by the system as war spoils this time, included very few pieces of equipment; it was mostly resources. Among these, fruits and vegetables were the most abundant, and there were also all kinds of seeds."

"Resources from Aberto Duowei Village?" Bayer's thoughts stirred, and he immediately thought of Aberto Duowei Village, previously conquered by Fasal Village, which was known for its unique fruits and vegetables that were special products of their territory.

"Yes, I suspect it's very likely that Aberto Duowei Village's special produce was targeted, which is why it attracted Fasal Village's attention. And during their attack on Hope Village, they hadn't had the chance to move Aberto Duowei Village's spoils, so they ended up in our hands," Zhou Bai said, her tone carrying a hint of emotion.

In fact, the fate of Aberto Duowei Village also served as a warning to Hope Village.

But it was quite heart-wrenching to witness a renowned territory disappear just like that.

No one can guarantee that their own territory will always stand on Stan Continent. The only thing to do is to keep moving forward.

"Aberto Duowei Village is such a pity," Bayer sympathetically said. From the words of refugees who came from there, they learned about the Village Chief's desperate fight.

Hesitating for a moment, Bayer spoke, "If it were you, Lord..."

"I don't know how I would choose if I were truly confronted with that situation. I can only hope that our territory will never face such a scenario," Zhou Bai spoke truthfully. Without facing such a situation, any simulation is false. She only wished to have a clear conscience at that time.

"No matter what choice the Lord makes, we will stand by your side," Bayer affirmed sincerely.

"Mhm," Zhou Bai acknowledged.

It had to be said, it was only because of people like Bayer that she slowly clarified her responsibilities as a Lord.

"Then I'll have someone start planting these fruits and vegetables. Maybe we can get ahead of Fasal Village and capture the market that originally belonged to Aberto Duowei Village," Bayer suggested.

"That's fine," Zhou Bai said, "Aside from these fruits and vegetables, there are some other items. Have the personnel from each department pick what they can use. As long as they apply with a justified purpose, approve it if it's reasonable. Let them use their initiative."

The system in the territory was now quite refined, and with its development reaching a certain scale, it was time for each department to function independently.

"Is that really alright?" Bayer seemed somewhat anxious.

"Of course, the overall direction is set. We'll let them have free rein on the details, and we're here to monitor, aren't we? If anything goes awry, a simple reminder should suffice," Zhou Bai said directly. Sometimes, a territory only needs one voice, but at other times, it can't be limited to just one voice.

Bayer looked at the relaxed Zhou Bai and couldn't help but smile. "It seems the Lord has been eager all along."

Although the Lord has always been hardworking in the territory and is a role model for many, he knew that if there were no external threats, the Lord would much prefer to skive and wait to die.

No one would believe it if he said it out loud.

It really was hard on the Lord.

Listening, Zhou Bai said helplessly, "I'm just one person. If I were to take on everything myself, I'm afraid one day I'll collapse under the pressure. Also, I'm afraid of making a mistake that could affect the whole territory and everyone in it. If there are more people, a mistake by one can be corrected right away."

It doesn't work to fight alone.

True strength lies in the many.

Especially at crucial times, we can't afford to make any mistakes.

"The Lord has already done well enough," Bayer said without a second thought. Despite the bumpy road, the Lord has fulfilled all his duties as a Lord. In his eyes, no one could surpass the Lord.

"Thanks a lot!" Zhou Bai frankly accepted the compliment.

Sometimes, she too needed the recognition of others!

"Let's go! You pass on the word. I'm going out for a walk." Everything that needed to be done today was completed, and she was going outside to kill some Demon Beasts to settle her mind.

"Okay." Bayer nodded, and then started to organize in his mind the tasks Zhou Bai had just delegated and the matters they had discussed. After prioritizing them, he prepared to get to work.

As for Zhou Bai, after Bayer left, she too departed from the Lord Mansion and headed straight for the city outskirts.

Coincidentally, just as Zhou Bai reached the city gate, she saw Marquis Boyer's entourage preparing to leave.

Blinking, Zhou Bai cursed herself for her oversight.

Without hesitation, she entered the nearby Tavern.

Just about to find a window seat, she caught sight of Viscount Conrad and his group staring eagerly at her.

"Good day to you all," Zhou Bai's steps faltered, then she approached the table they were at and found an empty seat to sit down.

"Why didn't village chief see off the Marquis?" Viscount Keynes asked with a sly smile, his eyes narrowed into slits, making him look particularly foxy.

"Given the Marquis's status, I think it's best for me not to be a nuisance," Zhou Bai countered, "Why didn't you all go to bid farewell?"

"Just like you, village chief, the Marquis is too exalted for us; he probably wouldn't remember us anyway. I just thought that since Hope Village had just partnered with Lovisa City, you might be more closely acquainted?" Viscount Keynes continued, his last sentence tinged with probing.

They were still hoping to get some firm information from Zhou Bai to put their minds at ease.

"There's only the school partnership, after all. I just hope the children in my territory have a future. As for other matters, I reckon the Marquis wouldn't give them much thought."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Indeed, Hope Village had gained a connection to Lovisa City, but they still maintained their autonomy.

Their gaze at Zhou Bai changed in an instant.

How did she manage it?

How did she get the Marquis to pass up such a big piece of the pie that is Hope Village's cuisine?

At that moment, Baron Barton suddenly spoke up, "If the Marquis showed interest, would village chief be willing to partner up?"

Zhou Bai looked at the always low-profile Baron with surprise, then replied indifferently, "Of course! Hope Village is very willing to cooperate with other territories. To joke a bit, our goal is to sell Hope Village's products throughout the entire Stan Continent."

"May village chief's goal be achieved," Baron Barton revealed a faint smile.

"I'll take your good words," Zhou Bai replied with a smile.

But a new thread of thought spun in her mind.

Did Baron Barton know something?