Chapter 16 Life Assistant
"Fresh fish, scaled and gutted, a pinch of salt, white pepper, cumin, and a little sugar to taste."

Lily followed the recipe her father described in her memory and looked at the fragrant milky white fish soup in the hanging stove with an excited smile on her face.

"It smells so good, I really am a genius! Mm, genius chef Lily!"

"Oh, and the muffins, luckily they're not burnt."

After filling the fish soup, she quickly looked at the pancakes baking in the pan on the other side, and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that they were not burnt.

"Sugar and honey are so expensive. If I fail, it's all over. I don't have the money to do it a second time."

Lily thought of the candy bars in the city that were priced at 5 silver coins per pound.

Her daily salary was only 8 copper coins, and she saved for a month to barely afford the ingredients for this pancake fish soup.

After putting the food into the clay pot, Lily got up impatiently.

"Aunt Susan, I've cleaned the stove and pans and put them back where they are."

"Run slower and be careful not to spill the soup." The cook, named Susan, glanced at her and reminded her.

"understood."

Lily jogged for a while before slowing down.

When the troops were stationed, temporary camps were often set up along the river, with women and civilians settled on the inside and soldiers and knights on the outside.

Since they had no chance to meet each other normally, Lily had only seen the knight from a distance a few times in the past month.

As she looked at the soldiers appearing ahead, the excitement of her decision was replaced by nervousness.

"I can do it. Come on, Lily!" Lily encouraged herself in her heart.

It was impossible to go in directly, she would definitely be stopped by the soldiers, but fortunately she had a plan in place.

She hid in the corner, opened the clay pot, and gently fanned the aroma.

Not long after, a familiar howl sound was heard, and a little white creature jumped out, ran in front of her and stuck out its tongue.

"White Bread, you're really getting fatter." Lily was surprised when she saw that White Bread had grown bigger. "And why is your fur turning white? I clearly remember that you were gray."

If it weren't for the familiar feeling from being raised with it, Lily would have almost failed to recognize it.

White Bread nudged her calf and looked longingly at the clay pot in her hand.

It doesn't want to reminisce, it just wants to eat quickly.

"No, this is not for you." Lily quickly shook her head and covered the pottery jar.

Hearing this, White Bread immediately stopped what he was doing and lay aside, looking at her with disgust.

It's not for me, why did you call me here? You're just playing with the dog.

"Be good, cooperate with me and go inside later. I will make you something delicious later." Lily quickly touched its head to comfort it.

You said the same thing before, and every time you just gave me a bone to send me away. This previous owner was not reliable at all. I still have to rely on the current owner for food and drink.

White Bread rolled her eyes at her, but still stood up, bit the corner of her skirt, and walked towards the center of the soldiers' camp.

"Wait, I'm not ready yet, I can't go in like this. Ah, it's over!"

Lily was afraid that her skirt would be torn, so she had no choice but to follow it.

When he saw the soldiers looking at him, his face turned pale with anxiety, but he didn't expect the soldiers to naturally make way.

The wolfhound raised by the lord has been bringing back prey every day recently, and they have long been accustomed to this kind of thing.

However, it was somewhat unexpected that he brought back a young girl this time, which made the two soldiers take a second look.

The two ignored it and continued guarding the door.

This wolfhound is very smart and can kill a small gang of thieves on his own. He has made great military achievements and has a higher status than them.
Rhodes was currently alone in his tent, with flower pots placed beside him.

There is a wheat plant planted inside, and it has already produced ripe ears of wheat.

Through observation, he is recording relevant data.

This is the product of the maturity of seeds specially cultivated by Rhodes. The original seeds were not wheat, but a type of barley.

If it were in the previous life, it had a more widely known name - barley.

The harsh environment of high altitude and low temperature in the north is not suitable for growing crops, which is also the main reason for the local food shortage.

Rhodes wanted to establish territory there, and the first thing he had to do was to solve the food problem.

With the experience accumulated in the previous five years, he now has a solution.

[High-grade barley/First-level low-level magic plant] [Matures two months after planting, can continue to grow in extremely cold conditions, but consumes a lot of soil fertility]

[The estimated yield per acre is 500 kilograms, which is nutritious and good for health]

This is the initial test data he recorded from the experimental samples, and the actual results will not be too different.

The average yield per acre of farmland during this era was around 60 kilograms, or more than 130 pounds.

The yield of high-quality barley is more than eight times that of normal wheat, and it grows quickly, taking only two months from planting to harvesting.

Not only can it perfectly adapt to the harsh environment of the north, the harvested barley also has extremely high nutritional value and enhances the physical fitness of ordinary people.

It could help Rhodes and allow his knight followers to reach the first level and become knights faster.

Straw can serve as the highest quality animal feed and return to the pasture.

The only problem is that the soil fertility is consumed quickly, and potatoes need to be planted for two or three years in a row before the soil is drained dry.

If you plant this thing twice for four months, even the most fertile black soil will turn into a desert.

But Rhodes was not worried. Once he built the magic field, it would be enough to bear the consumption.

After completing the experimental records, Rhodes sealed the data, and then his tent was opened.

By the deed he knew it was white bread.

Only it has the qualifications to come in without permission.

Only this time, it seemed to have brought back something different.

Rhodes looked at the girl in front of him. He didn't expect to see her again.

Lily walked closer with light steps, brought out the pancakes and fish soup, and placed them in front of him. "Here, this is the dinner I prepared for you."

"Although I don't know swordsmanship, I can cook and wash clothes. I, I can also..."

Holding the pottery jar in her arms, Lily spoke nervously, and suddenly she got stuck. Her mind went blank and she closed her eyes in pain, not daring to look.

The countless words that I had prepared in my mind were once again stuck on my lips when I actually saw the other person.

She cursed herself inwardly for being so useless, and was so anxious that tears came to her eyes, fearing that she would be driven away in disgust once again.

Seeing this, Rhodes looked at the white bread in confusion.

The latter had just laid down, but when he saw him looking at him, he jumped up excitedly and stuck out his tongue at the food on the table.

What are you doing? Are you going to give me food? The current owner is really a good person!
Rod smiled, picked up the fork and put the muffin into his mouth.

Whitebread whined in disappointment at this.

Everyone is playing with dogs!

Ignore this greedy dog ​​who only cares about eating all day.

After feeling the sweet taste in his mouth, Rhodes, whose experiment was already successful, felt even happier.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to hire you as my personal assistant." Rod put down his fork.

"Life assistant?" Lily quietly opened her eyes, a little confused.

"You can understand it as, um, my maid. It's a similar job. The daily salary is only 30 copper coins for now. You can ask me to reimburse your monthly expenses."

"Really? I do!"

Instead of showing disdain as she had imagined, Lily looked at him with surprise when she saw that she had achieved the first step towards her goal.

"of course it's true."

Rhodes notified his knights and followers to let them know about Lily's work so that it would be easier for her to make arrangements in the future.

At the same time, he gave her 50 silver coins as temporary funds for her own living.

Unlike before, a large number of villagers and serfs have joined the team. Soldiers are no longer the bottom layer, and more clear identity classes are gradually forming.

They began to get used to their upper-class status, enjoy the services of the villagers and take pride in it.

Having established his prestige, there was no need for Rhodes to continue eating and living with them.

He had a good impression of Lily. She probably wanted to become his maid in order to relieve the pressure on her father. Rhodes remembered Luke's poor performance in the militia.

She is a kind-hearted girl who knows how to repay kindness and is brave enough to try new things. She deserves the opportunity he provides her.

(End of this chapter)