This Lord is Very Scientific

"Enlightenment?!"

Watson was taken aback, then stammered a bit, "But... but I don't have that many Azanen Coins!"

The cost of enlightenment had been announced by Lin Ke a while ago—two thousand Azanen Coins.

This was the amount a slave could earn by working without illness, absenteeism, or extra food for five consecutive years at twelve hours a day.

And it only took sixty coins for a slave to gain freedom from bondage.

"Haha, I'm not free of charge, you know. I want to do something now, and you might be very busy in the future."

Lin Ke laughed heartily and walked ahead, signaling Watson to follow.

As the two walked, people would occasionally pretend, unintentionally, or inadvertently pass by, forcing a greeting with Lin Ke and showing their faces.

"You know about the Mercenary Guild, don't you?" Lin Ke glanced at him, his eyes full of laughter.

He knew Watson was literate and often listened to Minstrels' poems to gather information.

This Watson was a young man who yearned for the outside world.

And he was very loyal, too.

Lin Ke liked people like him.

"I know, it's an organization not recognized by the nobility but loved by many." Watson added his own judgment to what he had heard, "But most Mercenary Guilds lately are on Viscount Mantes' territory, and I'm unsure about their specific operations."

Viscount Mantes is Viscount Mantis, and strictly speaking, the only Mercenary Guild in the south should be on Count Grizzly Bear's land, but that's also close to Viscount Mantis' domain.

As for Azanen, there might be some mercenaries wandering about, but they're not powerful professionals.

Eighty percent of Lava Swamp's terrain consists of marshes, which also determines that most mercenaries in the Gula Kingdom, who live off magical beasts, prefer to go to the western Elemental Forest.

Of course, the south is destined to be sparsely populated, with fewer plains and more hills, hot weather, and a less developed economy, leading to fewer people.

"The Mercenary Guild is indeed a fairly good organization, but it's too scattered and lacks cohesion," Lin Ke pointed around, "For example, look at us, our workers are unified, doing similar work, and all work in the same place..."

As Lin Ke spoke, he observed Watson's expression,

Watson maintained his honest and simple demeanor, but his eyes grew increasingly bright with Lin Ke's explanation.

Seeing he had explained enough, Lin Ke slowly wrapped up, "…Why don't you establish a workers' union? It doesn't have to be big, just something small where people can organize and participate in activities, help each other out, what do you think?"

"I… okay!" Watson looked at Lin Ke, who wore a smile, and felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. He wasn't one to boast or shirk responsibility hypocritically.

He knew he was the most suitable person to do this; if the villagers tried, they might mess it up.

Undoubtedly!

And at this moment, Watson had endless admiration for Lin Ke.

He could foresee that in the future, the villagers' respect for Lin Ke would come from love and not mere fear.

After all, Young Master Lin Ke was too benevolent and wise!

Watson had heard from Minstrels about how brutal nobles were outside.

Meanwhile, Lin Ke was contemplating other matters.

If more factories and workshops were built in the future, and more people joined, the workers' union would become a vast community of shared interests.

It would be more cohesive than the loosely organized Mercenary Guild and would cover a broader scope.

Inspired by Lin Ke's words, Watson nodded, and then Lin Ke patted his arm, "The workers' union is up to you to establish. In a few months, it's the Gula Festival. I hope to hear good news from you before then."

The Gula Festival is similar to the Spring Festival, where the Gula Kingdom and all of humanity celebrate the day the Human Race truly stood up on Naseng.

"Yes, Young Master!" Watson's eyes were resolute.

Having served as a workers' representative for so long, he hadn't become greedy; instead, he was more steadfast, eager to do something for the villagers.

This time, Lin Ke's guidance showed him the path forward.

"Work hard. I'll head back first."

Lin Ke gave Watson a final encouragement and left, leaving behind the villagers, who all saw him off.

...

The afternoon was hot.

Lin Ke didn't return to the castle after training the soldiers. Instead, he and all the male [Knights] of the People's Knight Order went straight to the river to bathe.

Initially, everyone was a little reserved, but when Lin Ke stripped down and jumped into the water, ordering them to join him,

these straight-laced guys started to moan.

"Andrew's Leg, this feels great!"

One man, bare-bottomed, leaped into the river, splashing water everywhere.

"Damn! Be careful!"

Lin Ke got water all over his face and retaliated by splashing a large stream back.

"Haha, I feel like singing."

Lamiel, who seemed like a true noble, floated leisurely in the river, gently and elegantly scrubbing himself.

"No, no, no!" Lin Ke glared to stop Lamiel.

Lamiel's skills had the potential to excite, and surrounded by men, any inappropriate reaction might give the wrong impression.

John stood at the riverbank, smiling with Lin Ke's clothes in hand, only to be suddenly dragged into the river, soaking his clothes completely.

"Ah, what are you doing?" John shrieked, flapping like a restless moth in the river, surrounded by seven or eight burly men splashing water at him.

Lin Ke, angry, rushed to help John, then got splashed back, his two fists against so many others.

"Oh, my esteemed lord, this kind of activity really... glug glug..." Lamiel, whom Lin Ke grabbed as a shield, was about to refuse when a man threw a splash directly into Lamiel's throat, followed by more splashes hitting his head.

His meticulously groomed beard and hair were soaked and disheveled, and he ended up swallowing several gulps of bath water.

Lamiel was furious, "Andrew's Leg, you bunch of rough... glug glug..."

And so, Lamiel joined Lin Ke's side, fighting back hard.

Just as they were playing, a guard suddenly ran over in a panic, "Lolita and Sophie are here!"

"Stop them!" Lin Ke was startled, "John, help me get dressed! Damn, I need to get my T-shirt!"

With that, everyone hurriedly got out of the water, barely drying off before starting to get dressed.

After a while, Lolita arrived with Sophie and a group of female [Knights] from the People's Knight Order.

"What's going on? What secret training are you doing?" Lolita swaggered over, Sophie's face blushing bright red.

Lolita's eyes darted across the crowd of men. Her cute appearance now seemed sly and cunning.

"Shoo, shoo, since you're here, all members of the People's Knight Order, go for a run! Ten kilometers for stamina training, then spar in pairs, and Sophie, John, you two come with me."

Having dressed, Lin Ke reinstated his lordly authority, then ran off with Sophie and John.

He left behind a group of grumbling people.

They had just finished running and cleaned up!