HTLCCBFT Chapter 48

Has The Lord’s Career Chart Been Filled Today? – Chapter 48

The words that the former “Oliver” couldn’t comprehend, the current Oliver could now discern some meaning from.

It was nothing more than her hinting to him—no, she had probably given up expecting any political awareness from “Oliver” and was instead speaking directly to the loyal butler Fosse.

The new king Cameron was a demon so brutal that he seized the throne by killing his father and brother. His mercy toward this seemingly naive younger brother was likely extremely limited.

Even after being exiled from the royal capital to Laina City, which bore the notorious reputation of being “cursed,” Oliver wouldn’t be safe.

As the kingdom’s only duke, no matter where he was, he could easily become a powerful banner for those with ulterior motives to exploit.

If he wanted to survive his cruel and ruthless brother, he would have to fight back.

Although Oliver largely agreed with his former fiancée’s assessment, for him, worrying about distant matters was pointless.

Cameron’s means of ascending the throne were too disgraceful, and in the short term, quelling the restless sentiments within the court would likely keep the new king overwhelmed.

He still had plenty of time to consider how to respond, and in his view, there had to be more than just seizing power as an option… In any case, he should focus on feeding the people under his care first.

Oliver thought optimistically.

In an environment where slaves were not regarded as human, let alone as viable combat forces, the king organizing a battle with over a thousand participants was already considered a war that shook the entire nation.

If he could train and arm all the slaves in Laina City… well, perhaps “all” was unrealistic, but even just half of them would undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with.

Though it sounded quite far-fetched.

Oliver couldn’t help but smile. Seeing that Fosse had finished breakfast, he leisurely walked over from the window: “Let’s go.”

Unlike the royal capital, where banquets large and small were held daily in the homes of nobles, in this remote and impoverished Laina City, both commoners and stewards severely lacked entertainment in their lives.

This was even more true for the lowly slaves.

The topics provided by last night’s bonfire celebration were enough for them to talk about for an entire month… no, an entire year!

No one cared about the merchants who had driven away from Laina one after another. Most people were eagerly discussing the previous night’s bonfire feast.

The conversations either revolved around the outstanding or hilarious performances of their friends and relatives at the celebration, or the dishes so delicious they felt it would be worth dying for, or “worries” about how to handle those fine ingredients they had never seen before.

But as more people chatted, they couldn’t help but offer various praises to the great Cat God and the angelic lord who had bestowed all this happiness upon them.

Amid such a joyful atmosphere, only Slack’s smile carried bitterness.

“Hey, buddy.” Noticing his unusual expression, Rebel found a break to approach him, warmly slinging an arm over his shoulder and asking in a lowered voice: “What’s wrong?”

Like Rebel and Jonathan, Slack had once been a commoner. Coincidentally, before their families were completely bankrupt, the three families happened to live…They were relatively close, making them rare friends who could speak their minds.

“To be honest, I’m in serious trouble,” Slack said with a bitter smile, lowering his voice. “Come with me.”

Rebel frowned but followed without a word.

“Look.”

After walking a long distance, Slack brought Rebel to the field his family was responsible for cultivating.

He didn’t need to explain much—Rebel could clearly see the source of his distress. Unlike the healthy green potato plants in the adjacent plot, which were fortunately shielded from view by bean vines and trellises, the crops in Slack’s care had leaves that were a scorched, waxy yellow!

“Great Cat God!”

Rebel gasped sharply. “This is terrible! And you’ve managed to keep it hidden all this time!”

Slack had already sunk to the ground, squatting weakly with his head in his hands, fingers digging into his scalp, revealing his tormented expression beneath. “I… I had no choice. I could only try to hide it.”

If the steward found out he had ruined the crops the Lord valued so highly, his entire family would surely be executed!

And with the great Cat God’s wisdom and insight, perhaps He had long since seen the wretched state of his field.

Had he committed some wrong to deserve such severe punishment from the usually benevolent Cat God?

“I swear on my life to the Cat God,” Slack murmured hollowly, his eyes dry and unable to shed a single tear, “I truly had no ill intentions. I… I’ve always faithfully followed every instruction given to me…”

As if enduring this torment for too long had led to a sudden, desperate outburst, Slack poured out everything regardless of consequence: “I have no idea why this happened, but I can’t keep it hidden much longer. Once the steward finds out, my family will die. I might as well end my own life first. But my family… I beg you, Rebel, have mercy. I’m not asking you to care for them, just…”

So consumed by his immense grief, Slack completely failed to notice Rebel’s suddenly rigid posture.

“May the great Cat God forever bless you, respected Lord.”

Rebel abruptly dropped to one knee, bowing deeply until his forehead touched the damp soil.

Startled out of his thoughts, Slack froze.

He stiffly turned his neck, as if carved from wood, to look behind him.

The golden-haired Lord, dressed in practical short garments unbecoming of nobility, didn’t glance his way or speak.

Those clear blue eyes held only curiosity about the unknown. After studying the field for a moment, he clearly intended to get a closer look—unbothered by the dirt, he started to squat directly in the mud…

Fortunately, the prepared butler respectfully intervened just in time.

Fosse, who had been apprehensive throughout the journey, showed little reaction when he inevitably witnessed such a scene.

Calmly, he directed the footman Johan to unfold the small round carpet they had brought along, spreading it over the ground where the Duke’s noble knee was about to make contact.”As expected, you’re the most considerate, my dear Fosse.”

Oliver felt both amused and exasperated, but still praised the ever-capable butler.

He paid no attention to Slack and Rebel’s completely blank expressions, naturally crouching down.

Though kneeling on the ground would actually be more comfortable and natural than crouching, it would severely contradict his noble status no matter what.

Not wanting to be too outrageous and overly stimulate his good butler, Oliver had no choice but to abandon the idea.

With the gentlest gesture, he parted the potato plants that clearly looked diseased and leaned in to observe the specific condition of the leaves.

He needed to make the most accurate judgment possible: if it were truly an infectious disease or pest infestation, the problem would be serious indeed.

Not only would the plants in this plot have to be discarded, but those in adjacent plots would likely also be affected and need to be quarantined for observation.

Everyone present couldn’t help but hold their breath, watching the focused lord with nervous intensity.

When examining plants, Oliver paid attention to several key points.

First, compared to crops in neighboring fields, the potato seedlings in this plot were noticeably two sizes smaller overall.

The internodes were shorter, the main stems curved, and the leaves were smaller too. Even the dense fuzz covering the earliest primary leaves had mostly softened, while other leaves curled downward.

Though there were still over three months until the normal leaf senescence period when leaf area stabilizes, this phenomenon was absolutely abnormal.

Oliver lifted a leaf for closer inspection.

The veins were sunken, with withering yellow spreading from the leaf tip to the margin. Some leaves, particularly those at the plant base, had already turned completely yellow.

But what caught Oliver’s attention were the few small new lobed leaves attached near the main stem – their shape remained normal and they showed a fresh green color.

Phew.

Only after carefully examining several other plants did Oliver gain some confidence in his judgment and genuinely relax.

It wasn’t a disease.

Most plants require supplemental nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium through fertilization, and potatoes’ demand for potassium far exceeds that for the other two elements.

The symptoms these potato plants displayed mostly corresponded with growth stagnation, shortened stolons, and overall poor development caused by potassium deficiency.

Potatoes are crops highly sensitive to fertilizer: when properly fertilized, their yield increase is absolutely significant.

But this also means that once they fall into malnutrition, the seedlings cannot grow robustly and it will affect future tuber formation.

Having identified the cause, Oliver’s mood immediately lightened.

He released the leaf he had been gently holding between his fingers, then with Fosse’s support, rose from his crouching position.

Turning to the slave beside him who looked utterly despairing, he smiled and said, “Fortunately we discovered it early – they should be salvageable.”

Slack was stunned.

Oliver pondered briefly, then explained the cause of this situation in the simplest terms possible: “The reason all this happened is that you missed a crucial step – fertilization.”

People at this time severely lacked the concept of composting and related knowledge.At least before the construction of toilets, both Laina City and other major cities were in the embarrassing situation where human and animal waste was everywhere except in the fields.

“I’m not accusing you of being lazy.” Oliver didn’t want to impose excessive punishment or blame on this slave, but he needed to make him remember this lesson deeply: “Didn’t the steward tell you to use a stick to poke small holes about a finger’s distance from the potato seedlings, then pour diluted urine into them?”

The three growth elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that potatoes love most are all present in human urine. Even if it’s not perfect fertilizer, it shouldn’t have made the potato seedlings grow into such a severely malnourished, pitiful state.

When he had everyone build toilets, he specifically emphasized the importance of separating dry and wet waste.

After diluting urine at a 1:5 ratio, it becomes suitable for use as fertilizer.

Slack never dreamed that… that it was because he had inexplicably failed to follow the Cat God’s wisdom back then!

Not knowing whether his expression showed joy or sorrow, he collapsed weakly to his knees and murmured in explanation: “Please forgive me, great Cat God, great Lord… I… I really wasn’t being lazy, I just thought my urine was too filthy and shouldn’t dirty the Lord’s land.”

Oliver shook his head helplessly.

Feeling that even fertilizing would defile his land, causing inner torment?

Thinking of this, Oliver couldn’t help but feel somewhat guilty.

—After all, he was someone who had almost defiled even the “great Cat God.”

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