Looking up at the towering wooden fence, stretching for thousands of meters, Jason Liu could see hundreds of simple wooden sheds clustered together. This meant that hundreds of families had moved to the logging camp, bringing their loved ones along to live and work.
Jason understood why they had done this. Here, as long as they contributed to the daily labor, they were guaranteed three full meals a day—something that was nearly impossible for many of these poor farmers, who were used to surviving on half-empty stomachs.
For them, this was an opportunity they couldn't ignore. More importantly, the lords of the East family weren't chasing them away, so they eagerly settled in, making the logging site their new home.
Most of these farmers were once thin, dark-skinned, and malnourished. Their children, little more than skin and bones, had barely enough strength to run. But after just ten days of working and eating at the logging camp, there was a noticeable difference. Their faces, once sunken and tired, now carried a healthy flush, and they had put on some weight. Even the children, once weak and sluggish, were now full of energy, running around, laughing, and helping pick up rocks and branches. Their cheerful voices filled the air, bringing life to the site.
Before long, what was once a mere logging farm had grown into a bustling community of over 4,000 people. In fact, calling it a village would be an understatement—it was more like a small town. Even the winter market towns weren't this large.
Jason Liu watched the children playing, their ragged sackcloth clothing barely covering their small bodies, their faces still smeared with dirt but glowing with health. Seeing them like this reminded him of his own childhood—wearing hand-me-down clothes, running wild with a gang of village kids, laughing without a care in the world.
Lost in thought, Jason turned to Kent. "Go fetch McCann."
Kent nodded and hurried toward the central wooden shed, which served as the main kitchen for the entire logging camp. This massive kitchen was responsible for feeding over 4,000 people, and McCann was the man in charge of overseeing the meals. At that moment, he was busy arranging breakfast for the workers and preparing a separate portion for Jason Liu himself.
McCann was there not just to supervise but to ensure that Jason's food was cooked personally under his watch.
When Kent arrived with the message, McCann quickly gave instructions to one of his men to take over before rushing off with Kent toward Jason's carriage.
"My lord, do you have orders for me?" McCann asked, bowing respectfully as he caught his breath.
Jason nodded. "There are 4,000 sets of blue work uniforms stored in the castle warehouse. I want them transported here to the lumber yard. By noon, distribute two sets to each of the 2,000 workers who have been formally registered."
His gaze swept over the men and women, their hands and feet still covered in dirt, and his brows furrowed slightly. "Make sure they wash thoroughly before putting on the new clothes. Appoint people to supervise this process. The men and women will bathe separately. Have older women and young girls oversee the women's side, while your soldiers will handle the men's side."
Jason's expression turned cold and serious. "Announce this to everyone: anyone caught causing trouble, stealing, bullying the weak, extorting others, or, worst of all, assaulting a woman will be punished severely. If someone commits murder, I will personally see to it that they are hanged at the gate of the lumber mill."
He looked straight at McCann and the other officers, his voice firm. "This includes you and your soldiers. I'm warning you now—keep your men in check. If any of them violate these laws, they will be whipped or hanged, depending on the severity of their crimes."
Jon, Bud, Marb, and McCann stood behind him, listening intently. Jason's cold stare made them uneasy. He continued, "These are the laws of the lumber mill. McCann, you are responsible for enforcing them. Marb, you will lead the executions of anyone who breaks them."
His voice grew sharper. "Whether it's the workers or my soldiers—anyone who disobeys will be punished accordingly. If any of you, as my top officials, dare to break these laws yourselves, don't expect mercy from me. If necessary, I will have you executed."
Jason's final words boomed across the clearing, making McCann, Bud, and Marb flinch. Even Jon, usually calm and steady, felt a chill down his spine.
Nearby, Jason's personal guards—dicken, Kent, Chris, and Rubin—watched in silence, their faces solemn. Kent had turned noticeably pale, while Chris and Rubin lowered their heads, clearly intimidated.
For the first time, they saw a side of Jason Liu that they had never witnessed before. He was no longer the kind and approachable lord who always smiled. Now, he was a ruler—one who commanded absolute authority and dealt with disobedience with an iron fist.
Jon was the first to step forward, speaking with unwavering determination. "My lord, I have heard your orders clearly. I swear to follow the laws you have set and to keep my men in line. If I or any of my soldiers break the law, we will accept the punishment without question."
Bud, Marb, and McCann quickly echoed his pledge. "We swear to uphold your rules and ensure that those who disobey are punished!"
Even dicken, Kent, Chris, and Rubin followed suit, vowing to abide by Jason's laws and uphold order in the lumber mill.
Jason, however, wasn't fully convinced. He trusted Jon and dicken to be honest and reliable, but he still had reservations about the others—Bud, McCann, Marb, Kent, Rubin, and Chris. He knew that words were easy, but actions were what truly mattered.
He wouldn't voice his doubts now, but he would keep a close eye on them. If any of them dared to deceive him, thinking they could get away with breaking the law behind his back, they would soon learn the hard way just how ruthless he could be.
In this brutal, chaotic, and lawless world, Jason Liu understood one thing very well—human nature could be twisted and cruel.
And when building an army, there were two qualities that mattered above all else:
Obedience and Discipline.
Only a well-disciplined force could become truly formidable.
Jason Liu was determined that his soldiers would be nothing like the undisciplined, reckless armies commanded by the lords of Westeros.
He would forge them into something far greater—an army that followed his will without question.
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