After visiting his two liege lords, Roman could finally focus on developing his territory with peace of mind.
One day, Lady Helaena of House Hoare found Roman to discuss the issue of road development with him.
"Child, the techniques and materials you use to build roads are too complex. Setting aside the question of whether there is funding, Harrenhal is already running low on manpower. If this continues, it will affect normal farming."
The roads Roman built were not cheap goods like the Kings Road that turned to mud whenever it rained. He would dig out the soft soil along the planned route, stop once he reached the hard soil layer, and level the surface soil.
Then, he would spread larger stones evenly over the hard soil, followed by a layer of gravel.
At the same time, he would place loose soil into a kiln to be calcined with dragonflame to remove weed seeds, then add mineral alkali to prevent foreign seeds from taking root.
Finally, he would spread it evenly over the gravel and compact it with a stone roller.
This process also required solving issues regarding drainage, road planning, and the construction of underground water channels.
Roman dared not claim that this set of techniques was the best in Westeros, but it was certainly among the top tier.
However, this brought about a few problems: no money and no people.
Money was easy to handle; Roman always brought people directly from the territory to do the construction.
Because Roman guaranteed that once these roads were built, everyone could use them for free. Aside from the public being responsible for maintenance, no other fees were charged.
Furthermore, Roman's reputation had spread, and everyone was willing to trust him and volunteer for the labor service.
And all Roman had to pay was grain, which was essentially worthless during the Long Summer, especially in the fertile land of the Riverlands.
However, the second problem immediately emerged: no people.
Harrenhal occupied the land around Harrenhal, but the Riverlands were a land of constant warfare; being attacked by outsiders was one thing, but there was also constant infighting.
All the villagers on both sides of the main road who could come out to help had already done so. Now was a busy farming season, and Roman could not delay agricultural work to have his subjects perform labor service.
"In the end, I still have to go and 'fish' for people. My Lady, I intend to make another trip to King's Landing."
Lady Helaena of House Hoare frowned and asked worriedly, "Are you going to King's Landing to recruit commoners?"
Roman nodded. Outside the walls of King's Landing, there were many poor people who had come looking for a way out, but they couldn't even enter Flea Bottom and could only set up shacks outside, living in hardship.
Compared to the ghouls in Flea Bottom, this group was much friendlier, and with a little screening, a large number of usable talents could be found.
"Yes, My Lady. Our territory still has many plots available for cultivation. If fully developed, it could support even a million people. Now that the iron production in Harrenhal has greatly increased, we can grow enough food. I intend to recruit tens of thousands of people to settle down first."
Scholar Tom had already discussed this with Lady Helaena of House Hoare, so she naturally had no questions.
What Helaena of House Hoare cared about was Roman's safety: "Child, it is fine for you to go to King's Landing, but I advise you to be careful. Do not interact too much with those people!"
Roman naturally understood this principle. This time, he only intended to contact Robert, and he didn't even plan to enter King's Landing; he would just 'fish' for people on the outskirts and run once he had enough.
However, Roman still planned to wait until the blacksmiths of Harrenhal had gathered 200 sets of armor for him before heading to King's Landing.
Roman then went to Scholar Tom's room. "Scholar, excuse me, I would like to ask you to make something."
"My Lord, what do you need?"
"I need oil and paint that can set quickly. I want to make a type of cavalry lance."
"Uh, we have many cavalry lances, Lord Roman."
"I am not talking about those straight, fragile lances. What I want is a reusable, two-handed lance that has toughness and elasticity and can withstand impact."
Roman told Tom his idea, which was inspired by the ancient Ma Shuo (which is essentially a cavalry spear, but to distinguish it, let's call it a Shuo).
A Shuo could actually be made using just a high-toughness wooden shaft and a spearhead, but it was easily damaged.
To increase its lifespan, it had to be soaked in oil, wrapped in linen, and painted, all while being dried in the shade. It was extremely time-consuming and costly.
Roman had once racked his brain for a solution until the armory blacksmith, Ben, offered a reminder.
"My Lord, your White Flame has smelted good steel and fired bricks, so could it be used to make what you need?"
That was why Roman thought of Scholar Tom. This fellow had been obsessed with researching dragonflame for some time, and Roman estimated that he should have a solution.
Scholar Tom listened carefully to Roman's requirements and gradually frowned.
"My Lord, you must be looking for two types of coatings that can dry and set quickly, right? I can try, but your White Flame will be indispensable."
"Of course. As long as you can create these two things, I will do my best to help. Once successful, your reward will not be lacking!"
Scholar Tom nodded, though what he cared about most was actually the chain of The Citadel; his grades at The Citadel were truly not presentable.
This was also the reason why he was so excited when he saw that Roman had survived; he saw an academic report floating toward him.
Coming back to his senses, Tom saw Roman's excited expression again.
In just a few short months, the magnitude of the change in Roman's status was astonishing.
But he was still the same as before—approachable, kind, and benevolent.
Thinking of this, Scholar Tom's old face could not help but turn red; he remembered his own greedy expression when Roman was in a crisis.
"Scholar, why is your face red?"
"Hm? I am just in high spirits, My Lord!"
"...Hahahaha!"
The room was instantly filled with cheerful laughter, and Scholar Tom could only begin his research with a red face.
Bidding farewell to the Scholar, Roman came outside Harrenhal. Now, a main road had been built between Harrenhal and Harlen Town, making travel back and forth very convenient.
Roman, accompanied by his Guards, moved along the main road. This avenue was based on the gate of Harrenhal, so its width was astonishing; this was also the reason why it was connected later, despite Harlen Town being closer.
Pedestrians and horses were traveling on the main road. A rain shower had just passed, and the air was hot and humid, with rising water mist visible everywhere.
However, because the main road adopted an angle that was higher in the middle and slightly sloped on both sides, all the rainwater was drained away.
Moreover, the workers discovered during construction that as long as some unique binding agents were added to the fine soil, sprinkled with water, and then compacted, this type of road could effectively prevent water seepage.
The main road was higher than the ground, and there were drainage ditches on both sides, so there were only water stains on the road surface, which was much better than muddy ground.
The Guards also happily tugged at Roman: "My Lord, look! The people are quite satisfied with this road!"
Looking over, the pedestrians on the road all had expressions of surprise, and many were full of praise for the new road.
When people encountered Roman, everyone would respectfully bow.
Several elderly people even asked Roman tremblingly: "My Lord, can we really use this road for free?"
"Of course, this is my promise. You can tell others this news; everyone can use it with peace of mind. Do not worry that I will suddenly collect taxes."
Roman answered the elder's doubt seriously, but at the same time added a sentence with a light tone.
"When the road needs maintenance, you will still have to pay; otherwise, no one will repair it, and it will eventually turn back into that mud on the Kings Road."
"Unless you like soaking your feet in muddy water, then I cannot help you."
As soon as these words were spoken, they drew loud laughter from the surrounding pedestrians.
Accompanied by the praise of the masses, Roman continued to patrol the avenue. In the eyes of the Guards behind him, Roman was simply the gospel of the Seven descending to the world.