After Yan Xing threatened the werewolves, he walked out of the prison. The iron door, covered with a barbed wire net, swung shut. Inside Thorn Prison, Eddie remained alone, guarding lunch and facing the ferocious werewolves.
By Eddie's side, boxes filled with food were piled into three stacks. On one side was a barrel filled with egg flower soup, on the other an insulated box with steamed buns, and there were ten large iron bowls for drinking the soup.
Eddie opened the soup barrel. The fragrance of egg flower, the umami of seaweed, and the aroma of sesame oil blended, instantly filling the entire prison.
The scent teased the noses of the werewolves, making the hungry pack restless.
Eddie picked up the ladle and tapped the barrel, speaking haughtily, "Listen up. My Lord is merciful. He's letting you eat delicacies you could never afford in your lifetimes.
"I'll untie your ropes in a moment. Don't cause trouble, and don't fight over food. Line up one by one and come to me to get your meals. Whoever misbehaves won't even think about getting dinner!"
After finishing his speech, Eddie put down the ladle and walked over to the Great Werewolf Gang Ya.
Gang Ya was bound and sitting on the ground. Eddie looked down on him before fearlessly squatting to untie his ropes.
The other werewolves were also unbound.
The werewolves looked at Gang Ya, who in turn inspected the cell that encircled them.
The wire mesh fence seemed very flimsy. Through its grid, one could clearly see outside.
Most of the farmers were busy working. The prison had very few guards, and those present were farmers wielding shovels, not human warriors.
If they could break through this wire fence, these farmers could never catch up to them, swift-running werewolves that they were.
However, the wire fence was covered with iron thorns, and the trench in front of it was also filled with these spiky things.
Once snagged, it would be difficult to free oneself.
Moreover... The Great Werewolf Gang Ya looked fearfully at the iron beast parked next to the shed.
The quieter it is, the tamer it must be!
After quick consideration, Gang Ya waved his hand and commanded his subordinates, "Line up for food!"
Werewolf packs have their own hierarchy, and as the leader of a small team, Gang Ya naturally took the first place in line to get the food.
Eddie placed a food box filled with dishes into Gang Ya's hands.
Gang Ya looked at the transparent food box, something he had never seen before, then opened the lid.
The fragrant and rich aromas made his mouth water rapidly.
The four dishes included tomato scrambled eggs, potato stewed beef chunks, stir-fried zucchini, and several pieces of soy sauce spareribs.
This... This is prisoner's food?
Gang Ya stared at Eddie, saying, "Did you grab the wrong meal? Did you give me my Lord's food?"
Eddie took a chicken leg from a small pot at his feet and placed it in the food box in Gang Ya's hand. He smiled and said, "No... My Lord ordered this for you. Of course, we eat the same. My Lord eats the same as us, and as you."
As he spoke, Eddie picked up three large, white-flour steamed buns and placed them on the food box in Gang Ya's hand. He then ladled a full iron bowl of egg flower soup.
This... Is this really meant for prisoners?
Holding the food, Gang Ya felt like two hands weren't enough.
The dishes were exquisitely prepared; the mere smell whetted one's appetite. There were eggs, spareribs, and a chicken leg.
Three steamed buns, soft as bread, were even made of white flour.
In the past, he had only ever heard of this kind of flour; he knew it existed, but only the privileged could enjoy it.
Now, looking at these three large, round, snow-white buns, Gang Ya felt that taking a bite from any part of such refined food would be a desecration.
And the soup was filled so full it was nearly spilling over.
Gang Ya felt his worldview collapsing. If he wasn't absolutely certain he was a prisoner locked in a jail, he would have believed a human noble was hosting him with the highest honors.
Swallowing hard against the constantly pooling saliva, Gang Ya asked in confusion, "Why does your Lord provide us with such exquisite food? We are very puzzled, especially since we are currently captives of your Lord."
Seeing Gang Ya's utterly bewildered expression, Eddie was quite pleased. He said, "This is because my Lord is generous, my Lord is wealthy.
"Even my Lord thinks you have big appetites and has specially prepared extra food for you. If these aren't enough, you can ask me for more.
"My Lord said... if it's not enough this time, you'll just have to make do. He will instruct the kitchen to make more for dinner.
"Whether they're his subjects or captives, everyone must eat well and be full.
"He doesn't want you to return and say that my Lord was not a gracious host."
Eddie wore a proud expression as he spoke.
But Gang Ya found this human Lord even more enigmatic. It was rare enough to find a lord willing to feed captives and prisoners their fill, but one who provided such exquisite food was truly unprecedented.
Gang Ya couldn't figure it out, so he stopped racking his brains. The werewolves behind him were growing restless, enticed by the delicious food. Each one eagerly awaited their share.
"Thank you, Lord!"
After thanking him, Gang Ya took his portion and walked away. The werewolves, tongues lolling and drooling, quickly grabbed their meals. Without even finding a place to sit, they began to wolf down the food with their hands.
While the werewolves were eating, Yan Xing observed them from the shadows.
After eating and drinking their fill, they didn't attempt to climb the wire mesh fence, seemingly aware that the iron spikes covering it were not to be trifled with.
Once Eddie was safely out of the prison, Yan Xing began to inspect the construction in his territory.
The most pressing matter now was to construct the defensive wall.
The prison's construction could be considered a successful trial run.
Yan Xing marked out an area 100 meters long and 100 meters wide around the farmers' huts. The territory's first defensive perimeter would be built along this line.
The perimeter was a bit small, but there were only so many people in the territory currently. A larger one would certainly be indefensible.
After all, these fortifications were easy to build and dismantle. Once they had a secure footing and their numbers grew, it wouldn't be too late to expand the territory.
The process was similar to the prison's construction: the farmers first excavated a trench two meters wide and one meter deep, built up an earthen wall, and then installed the wire mesh fence.
Finally, they laid out the concertina wire.
If time permitted, the trench could even be dug deeper.
The farmers, equipped with gloves and iron shovels, worked with high efficiency after eating their fill. As if by some hidden talent, they automatically coordinated their efforts. The entire project unfolded in a highly standardized manner.
After becoming somewhat familiar with the new tools and materials, the farmers could construct the walls at a very fast pace.
Yan Xing had this feeling even during the prison's construction. Now, looking at the entire worksite, he was certain that human farmers received a definite boost from the world's laws regarding production and construction.
This meant that human farmers were not just capable of generating a weekly income of Gold Coins through farming; they possessed even greater value.