The region of Merula was undergoing mind-blowing changes, roads were being widened and paved with concrete. The roads were now wide enough to accommodate three carriages side by side .
Other infrastructures like the government building and several new residential buildings all made out of concrete and wood.
Food production was diversifying as vegetables and some legumes were supplementing grains . Water wheels were being used to facilitate irrigation and the waste produced by the reared animals were being used as manure for crops.
Animals like chickens , pigs ,cattle and sheep were being reared extensively for the production of meat and eggs for the population.
In terms of innovation, the steam engine, the printing press , cannons and spring making technology were being perfected .
Since many jobs had been created Damon went on to reduce taxes from seventy percent to thirty five percent thereby reducing the cost of living in the region.
His wine making factories were making as large as two hundred barrels of beer ,wine and other spirits like brandy , whiskey and gin. Infact alcohol was the main export, infact it was the only export in Merula earning thousands of gold coins monthly which was then used to further develop the region.
The former slaves had been inducted into the population shedding off their identity as slaves and becoming citizens.
The only issue was that many of the citizens were not educated and relied on learning on the job. This was something that he had no idea on how he was going to implement but was hoping to somehow solve the situation as soon as possible .
As for the army, the city guards were maintaining order in the town, they also patrolled the walls regularly. There were also watchtowers on the already very high walls , this enabled the soldiers to see any incoming danger.
There were two gates made of wood covered in bronze and were placed ninety meters apart as the walls were a hundred meters thick. This created a buffer zone so as if the first gate is breached the second gate could also barricade the city.
Guardhouses were also built in front of each of the gates. And the soldiers stationed there were given orders to confiscate all weapons of anyone going into the city. They were the first line of defense against any incursions to city.
The other four companies performed several military drills under the directives of their respective captains. They only needed to have combat experience for them to be actually recognized as soldiers.
It was a regular autumn day at high noon , the city guard were making their patrol rounds around the walls when they spotted a cloud of dust headed for the city. After some time they could make out the shimmering glint of knights armor. Before long the convoy consisting of twenty knights armored in full plate armor riding equally armored horses. They were riding along side a carriage bearing a sigil of a white stag on a yellow field.
They rode for a while before stopping in front of the first guardhouse. Two of the city guard then came up to the retinue and asked for their identity to which they replied that they were knights of the Duke Abegnog to whom Merula was a vassal. This wasn't a problem actually but when the guards suggested that they hand over their weapon and subject their carriage to a search so as to make sure that they came with pure intention they flared up in anger.
" Worthless cur , how dare you ask us to surrender our weapons or even to search this carriage did you not hear that we are envoys of Duke Abegnog." One of the knights shouted in annoyance. Before the city guard could reply, a shadow fell from the wall and landed softly in front of the envoy, it was Damon who had arrived when he saw that conflict was brewing.
"Please forgive this soldier, what message does the Duke have for me?" Damon asked with a fake smile on his face .
Damons clothes even as the style was simple, the material were of great quality so the herald leading the envoy wasn't so callous when replying him .
" His grace Duke Abegnog has requested your presence at his third daughter's engagement to the fourth prince. He hopes you will come and pay homage being that you have not contacted him after taking over from your uncle."
Damon didn't bother asking why this message wasn't sent through a carrier bird because this was the dukes way of making sure that the message reached the targets without any compromise.
" I have heard the words of the Duke and will obey his decree . You can go and tell the Duke of my reply." Damon said to the herald while turning to go back into the city.
" Aren't you going to invite us in to the city to break bread? " the herald asked and then continued we have been on the road a long time, we could use a rest."
Damon then turned slowly and replied " I am afraid that is not possible at the moment, yo have agitated my soldiers, and one of them might have the great idea to slit one of your throats as you sleep. I don't think I'm ready to bear the consequences of that action. My men would provide you with water and some food but I'm afraid you would not be able to enter the city at this moment ."
The reason for this was because of the several projects going on in the city, he didn't want them to see any of it which would also cause them to report to the Duke who would begin asking questions and like that his technology will be stolen. This was not risk that he was willing to take.
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