Chen Mo's plan was perfectly executed, yielding significant gains.
First, he acquired two hundred fine warhorses, which were urgently needed. In this world, Chen Mo had many plans to implement, but he couldn't do everything himself. Building and developing his own forces was the best choice, which is why he chose to occupy this territory and become its lord.
The development of the territory required a strong armed force, and knights, as the top combat power, were essential for Chen Mo to develop in large numbers.
Second, he tested Count Warren's attitude and confirmed that he indeed wanted to take action against Chen Mo. Chen Mo's displayed strength was too shocking and exaggerated, beyond their understanding. Such overwhelming power was hard to believe and accept, causing fear initially, but eventually leading to doubt and denial.
Chen Mo had anticipated this. His initial goal was to reduce trouble and have a period of stable development, which he had achieved.
Third, by feigning weakness and provoking the knights to attack, he laid the groundwork for future retaliation, boosted morale, and tested his subordinates' combat skills and loyalty.
Fourth, he took the opportunity to kill nearly half of Count Warren's knights, weakening the opponent's strength.
Finally, after this event, Chen Mo felt that the time was ripe to officially start his plan.
Sheathing his sword, Chen Mo stepped over the corpses and walked towards the approaching Andrew and others.
Seeing Chen Mo, who had single-handedly destroyed a powerful knight squad, everyone felt an uncontrollable sense of admiration and pride. This was their incredibly powerful lord, like a war god!
Chen Mo remained calm, showing no signs of the intense battle he had just fought, where he slaughtered dozens of powerful knights.
"Andrew," Chen Mo called softly.
"My lord!" Andrew's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Clean this place up and equip the guard with these warhorses."
"Yes, my lord!" Andrew's eyes shone with excitement as he looked at the tall, strong warhorses before him. Finally, he would have his own warhorse and become a true knight, a knight sworn to serve his lord!
The others were equally excited, their faces flushed. They had never imagined owning a precious warhorse and becoming noble and powerful knights.
"From now on, the territorial guard will all become cavalry. I want them to quickly grow into qualified knights."
Hearing Chen Mo's words, the guard soldiers were thrilled. Did this mean they had a chance to become knights too?
As commoners, becoming a noble knight was something they never dared to dream of. Who would have thought that Chen Mo intended to train them all to become knights?
Even the most powerful lords in Europe had only about a hundred knights.
But they believed their great lord could achieve this. They needed to train hard, continuously improve their skills, and meet the requirements to become knights, even surpassing other knights!
However, Andrew looked troubled.
"But my lord…"
"Training in horsemanship requires years of practice from a young age to master riding and combat. Learning it in a short time is really difficult."
Chen Mo smiled calmly.
"First, clean up here, then bring everyone with their warhorses to the workshop."
With that, Chen Mo headed towards the workshop, surrounded by a tall wall, in a corner of the manor.
After Chen Mo left, Andrew and the others, suppressing their excitement about the warhorses, led the guard soldiers to gather the nearly two hundred precious warhorses and quickly began cleaning the battlefield.
The bodies were moved outside the manor for burning, and the broken armor and weapons were carefully collected for Chen Mo's disposal.
Following Chen Mo's orders, they quickly cleaned up the battlefield and eagerly rushed to the tall, majestic warhorses, each choosing one and holding onto it tightly. These warhorses were like modern supercars, a precious mount every man dreamed of but rarely obtained.
After cleaning up, Andrew led the guard soldiers, leading the warhorses, to the mysterious workshop they had never entered.
This workshop was established by Chen Mo when he took over the territory, covering a large area. All the craftsmen and their families lived inside.
It was also a key area for their patrols and guards, with security even tighter than the lord's residence.
Apart from the smoke and constant clanging sounds from the workshop, they didn't know what was being made inside.
However, the new farming tools produced by the workshop greatly improved their families' farming efficiency. This year's grain yield was much higher than previous years, and the lord didn't collect any taxes. Even their food and supplies were bought from the farmers, which Chen Mo called "rest and recuperation."
Entering the workshop through the open gate, they found it wasn't as magical as they had imagined.
Two rows of neat houses made of red bricks and gray mud, and two tall furnace-like structures on one side, emitting smoke.
Many craftsmen and their families were busy inside, with people constantly coming and going, and various sounds filling the air. The workshop was bustling with activity.
Despite the busyness, everyone looked happy and positive, clearly satisfied with their current life. Chen Mo hadn't mistreated them in terms of living conditions.
As they curiously observed the workshop, Chen Mo, accompanied by an elderly man with a wrinkled but energetic face, walked out of a house. Andrew and the others quickly approached.
Glancing at the excited soldiers, Chen Mo's eyes fell on the broken armor on the horses.
"Take off that junk and all your weapons, and throw them together."
"You guys, take off your armor too," Chen Mo said, frowning, pointing at Andrew and the others' armor.
It was the armor left by the original knights and baron of the territory, still bearing the marks of werewolf claws and teeth.