"It is necessary to purge the undead. Considering the difficulty of purging, I suggest hiring the Blazing Sun Mage. In order to save costs, you can promise him a forest where we can continue to collect Warcraft materials."
"Don't worry about clearing out the undead. We have a professional team."
"I see. I forgot that you have a very good relationship with the church... Then there is no problem with this. In addition, there is the proposal to build a road. I agree with this proposal, but I am a little confused. That is, why do you want to build it directly to the border of the Roman Principality? Although it is convenient for trade, it is a bit dangerous..."
"This concerns the trade of Betel Territory and also concerns Castel's next plan. As for the security issue, Betel Territory is easy to defend but difficult to attack, so we can just strengthen the fortress."
"I understand. As for the sustainable management of the forest, I know a few elves, Drew Yin, with whom I have a good relationship..."
"That would be great, Your Excellency the Baron. Could you introduce him to me?"
"Of course, I'm happy to help you."
"Don't worry about the funds. I, Castel, will pay for it."
"That's great. Bethel alone would not be able to raise enough funds..."
…
Baron Bertel and Charlotte had more and more enjoyable and detailed conversations, and later on, Charlotte even called her maid Shirley over, and every time they finished discussing a measure, Shirley would immediately make changes on the parchment scroll.
Before they knew it, time had passed in the discussion, and by the time Baron Betel and Charlotte had finished sorting out the development plan for the barony, it was already dark.
Charlotte picked up the scroll and read it again, feeling very satisfied.
She looked at Baron Bethel and said with a smile:
"Sure enough, this kind of plan still needs to be improved by the parties involved to make it more feasible. Your Excellency Baron, thank you for your support."
Baron Bethel waved his hands quickly:
"My Lord Earl, you are too polite. This is all for the Barony of Bertel. Compared to that, I should thank you more."
At this point, Baron Bethel hesitated, looking somewhat puzzled:
"However, I have a question: why are you so concerned about Bethel? Although Bethel is in a special location, it is still a small barony. Yet, you have spent so much energy to design a development plan..."
After hearing what Baron Bethel said, Charlotte smiled and said:
"The key is that the situation in Betel Territory is special. It is an important trade route, but it has been in decline for many years due to historical reasons. It is very suitable as a pilot for revitalization and development..."
Baron Bethel's heart moved:
"Pilot? You mean... Betel Territory is just a trial. If everything goes well here, you plan to apply a similar planning model to other territories?"
Charlotte nodded slightly:
"That's right. A small ship is easier to turn around. In my opinion, the Barony of Bethel is the most suitable place to be promoted because of its location and resources. It is also easy to achieve results."
Then she sighed again:
"Although Castel has a good foundation, I have also discovered many problems since I took office as lord for more than a year. There are problems in food production, urban construction, public security management, education, military supplies, the gap between the rich and the poor... etc. The nobles are independent and the power of the territory is fragmented. In addition to the direct jurisdiction, the lord's influence on the entire territory is also very limited."
"It's just that Castel is a wealthy family with a great business. With its advantageous geographical location, it has enjoyed the development of trade. The prosperous trade has temporarily covered up some problems."
"I hope that there will be a long-term plan for the future development of the entire territory. However, it is too difficult for the current aristocratic system to formulate a development plan for the entire earldom and implement the plan to the territories of each vassal. It is also unrealistic to rely solely on the funds of the Castel family."
"Castel is not a centralized earldom. If we want the nobles to support the development plan and pay for it, we must let them see the benefits..."
After listening to Charlotte's words, Baron Bethel suddenly realized:
"I see. I know what you mean. You want to use the Barony of Bethel as a breakthrough point to formulate a long-term development plan for the entire territory, and you need to gain the recognition, cooperation, and implementation of the nobles in a substantial way."
"Think about it carefully. This is not impossible. As long as the plan can bring enough benefits to the nobles, and as long as the interests of the nobles are tied to the development of Castel, they will most likely support it..."
Baron Bethel suddenly stopped talking halfway.
Because he suddenly realized a problem.
If the Castel family's long-term plan can be recognized by the nobles in the entire territory, and if this long-term plan can be truly implemented and carried out seriously, doesn't it mean that the Castel family's ability to control the entire territory will also steadily improve
This is inevitable, because the implementation of such a comprehensive plan must be accompanied by meticulous management of the entire territory.
Perhaps at the beginning Castel needed the nobles to implement the plan and obtain their approval, but as time went on and the plan was smoothly implemented, Castel's influence on the entire territory would inevitably increase.
And when the nobles adapt to this development model dominated by Castel, it is entirely possible that Castel will replace them, step by step, replacing the role played by the nobles, reshaping the management model of the entire territory around this planning model, and even... completely sidelining the nobles!
This is not impossible, or in other words, it is possible if Castel is determined to work in this direction.
Moreover, as long as the operation is done properly, as long as the nobles enjoy the benefits brought by the development plan led by Castel, they may jump into this sweet "trap" unknowingly...
There are not many nobles with foresight, and most of them are short-sighted. Baron Bethel is very sure of this.
Thinking about this, Baron Bethel has already thought of the deeper meaning behind this plan...
This is not only a plan for the development of Castel, but also for the centralization of the Castel family in the future!
Of course, in order to achieve Castel's goal, the Castel family must have a lord with high enough prestige and enough faith in the nobles, and also a long enough ruling time.
Does Castel have such a lord
Of course.
In Baron Bethel's opinion, the girl in front of him was her.
A smart, powerful, and young lord who fits the bill perfectly.
The only drawback is probably the issue of offspring, but the other party is so young and the future is full of variables. Baron Bertel does not think this is a big problem, even though... the other party once declared celibacy in front of the statue.
Thinking of this, Baron Bethel's expression changed completely when he looked at Charlotte.
Facing the Baron's complicated gaze, Charlotte smiled:
"Your Excellency Baron Bethel, I wonder if you are willing to help me complete this first step in Baron Bethel's territory?"