Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

"However, it is undeniable that within our territory, these Brandsnap Half-Elves are accustomed to farming. They are very wealthy yet very lazy, so they enjoy running farms and buying slaves. If a territory can offer them such a perfect and comfortable living environment, their family members will continuously gather there, traveling from all directions by carriage."

"With their presence, the scale of farmland in our territory doesn’t require much of your attention; it will be continually developed in the west."

Are large numbers of Half-Elves arriving by carriage from all directions?

This is truly a mixed blessing; if Flash Spear City wasn’t blocking the west, these Half-Elves pouring into the depths of Hesse Territory would surely pose a significant problem.

Here’s something against common knowledge: although Half-Elves are economically advanced, they have no laws, at least no codified laws. Because Half-Elves do not treat crime with the same seriousness as humans.

"Human Justice" is a term used by Half-Elves meaning cruel and harsh things. Half-Elves consider executions barbaric and imprisoning people a waste of labor.

Thus, Half-Elves have their own set of rules, known as the Half-Elf Elder Council’s punishments, which are almost entirely focused on fines. The most extreme punishment is merely exile.

Yet exile, for the Half-Elves, who center their culture around communities, is quite severe.

This means that once a territory gains the allegiance of Half-Elves, it often gains the community of Half-Elves, at least several dozen individuals. There is virtually no instance of a Half-Elf offering allegiance alone. (Unless they are captives from other races, but they will quickly use letters to contact their family or community, attracting a large group of Half-Elves.)

Vandar continued: "Similarly, due to their advanced agriculture and lazy temperament, they have a Half-Elf Agricultural Machinery Association within their community. It can produce agricultural machinery, including heavy-duty plows. You know, Lord, heavy-duty plows require combat rams to pull them. Our territory is limited by a lack of agricultural machinery. They, however, are limited by a lack of combat rams; heavy-duty plows cannot expand in scale. Now that both have become resources within our territory, Half-Elf farms will surely see substantial development."

This is certainly good news for the territory. Su Li asked, "Have you conducted a population census for the territory? How many humans, Dwarves, and Half-Elves are there?"

The Empire is a coalition of multiple races and churches. Humans are undoubtedly the absolute majority of the Empire, but within the Empire, many other races are considered to have civil rights. Apart from the well-known second-class citizens, the Dwarves, Half-Elves, Ogres, and Half-Elves are also considered to have settlement rights.

There’s no choice; the Empire’s situation is inherently dangerous, surrounded by dense forests and endless mountains, filled with ruthless bandits, dirty Beastmen, and greedy monsters. In this unpredictable setting, prosperous cities stand isolated, where skilled artisans and wealthy merchants trade goods, and brave soldiers and noble politicians protect the Empire’s future. However, beneath the complex exterior, the Empire is a land filled with ignorance and superstition, where fearful farmers clutch protective talismans to ward off evil magic and appease ancient Divine Spirits. In stark contrast to the affluent areas are the slums, packed with thieves, vagrants, and heretics living off plundering others. Within the Empire, one can find every aspect of human behavior, with an exalted hero walking the streets followed closely by a ruthless killer lurking nearby.

If not for inclusivity and openness, the Empire could not possibly sustain this perilous situation.

Vandar, evidently well-acquainted with the traditions of the Empire, promptly said: "The current registered population in our territory includes 6,539 humans, 3,698 Dwarves, 1,870 Half-Elves, and 690 Ogres."

"But these are merely our free people, already amounting to 12,797 individuals! You must understand, the primary source of our territory’s population growth is the purchase of slaves and acquisition of war captives. In fact, the slaves you personally own exceed 4,000 in number! The slaves owned by the other estates, Knight Clans, and farm owners in our territory likely exceed 6,000!"

"Therefore, in reality, our territory’s population already exceeds 20,000."

20,000!

This scale aligns with Su Li’s expectations, especially since during the Radiant Competition Festival, the territory sometimes adds over 1,000 residence applications in a single day.

Currently, the three major cities in Hesse Territory—Heisen City, Flash Spear City, and White Castle—have established three population centers: Heisen City serving as the industrial, commercial, and agricultural hub; Flash Spear City primarily a center for religion, culture, and belief; and White Castle focused on livestock and mining.

These three areas are densely populated with thousands of individuals, not to mention the various outposts and development camps within the Black Pine Forest, as well as the villages, outposts, and fortresses donated by Su Li to the Knight Order.

Breaking the 22,000 population mark would indeed be quite easy.

Su Li merely raised an eyebrow and remarked, "These Half-Elves slipped in quietly and are now nearly 2,000 strong? When did they move in?"