Although Qilin Port was the only seaport city on the northern cursed coastline of the former Cressen Empire, its scale was not large, with a population of only about 20,000, and the port facilities were not complete. After the establishment of the Antinac Kingdom, it inherited the tradition of the former Krissen Empire not paying attention to shipping. Although because of the civil war in the empire, the land route was not stable, Qilin Port was once densely populated by sea ships and prospered for a period of time, but because of the people in charge of state affairs His Royal Highness implemented a policy of paying heavy taxes on seagoing ships that came to trade, and Qilin Port gradually became deserted again.
After those smuggling merchant ships stopped going to Qilin Port, the rest of Qilin Port was the seafood trading market, which was also the largest fishing trading place in the Kingdom of Antinac. The fishermen of Qilin Port come back every evening to sell the seafood they caught to the fishmongers for gold coins, and the fishmongers pick out the more precious fish and send them to the tables of the nobles in the Kingdom of Antinac who love food overnight. .
In the past, the fishing team organized on Hilovas Island also sent their catches here for trading, and they were squeezed by those fishmongers. However, the fishing fleet on the island now sometimes catches less than 60,000 fish for the Rock Army on the island. For human consumption, even if there is a lot of catch, it is used to make salted fish or dried fish in the sun, and there is no need to go to the seafood market in Qilingang for trading. There is only one ferry that goes back and forth every three days between Hilovas Island and Qilin Port.
Lorist has always had thoughts about his Lin Gang. Although Hilowas Island is good, it is an island after all. It can be used as a transfer station, but if you want the products produced by your family to have a sales base that can radiate to the mainland, then it is not as good as Qilin. port. Now in the northeast region of the former Krissen Empire, the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce hosted by Earl Kenmes is grabbing the market, and has already included the entire Kingdom of Iberia and half of the Duchy of Madras. At present, Earl Kenmes is ambitious I want to open a trade route to the four central duchies.
To the south of Hilovas Island, Lorist wanted to sell the goods produced in the territory to the sphere of influence of the commercial alliance through the Peterson Chamber of Commerce, but he did not expect that a glass war would greatly reduce the sphere of influence of the commercial alliance. The country is in the same position as the enemy country, the trade routes are cut off, and the Peterson Chamber of Commerce is also seriously injured. It is too busy to take care of itself. It will take two or three years to recover.
And from Northland to Hilovas Island, this coastal area is the Cursed Coastline of the North. They are all shallow seas and dark reef areas, and there is no port for sea ships to berth. So Lorist took a fancy to Qilin Gang. If Qilingang can be brought under the family's jurisdiction, Lorist is confident that he can develop Qilingang into a large commercial seaport city in just a few years, and expand the trade route to Switzerland through Qilingang. South of the Kingdom of Delis.
Lorist sent Governor Hansk as an envoy to the imperial capital, nominally to care about His Majesty the King, that is, the unfavorable situation of the war that His Royal Highness was trapped in the Kingdom of Ridleys, but in fact, he volunteered to help the kingdom and save the two Your Highness is surrounded. Of course, there is no free lunch in the world, and if the Norton family wants to send troops, they must give benefits. In view of the fact that the Kingdom of Antinac and the Kingdom of Ridleys have been at war for a year and a half, and the rats in the treasury of the Kingdom of Antinac are all starving to death, Lorist’s condition is that he hopes to get Qilingang jurisdiction.
Originally, Lorist wanted to make Qilin Port his family territory, but then he thought that it would be difficult for the Second Highness to agree to such a condition, so he took a step back and just obtained the jurisdiction of Qilin Port. If the imperial capital agrees, the Norton family will send troops to capture the province of Campona and re-establish contact with the Second Highness. It's just that Marquis Reid, who was in charge of state affairs in the imperial capital, simply rejected Lorist's request, and ordered the garrison in Lingang to strictly guard against the Norton family's armed forces.
If such an order was issued secretly, there was nothing Lorist could do. Unexpectedly, in order to vent their personal anger, the few knights who escorted Governor Hanske back and went to Qilingang to issue orders even issued an order to the garrison of Qilingang in front of Governor Hanske not to let the armed soldiers of the Norton family go ashore. The order was intended to humiliate the Norton family, so this gave Lorist a reason to make use of it.
The former garrison at Qilingang was the Third Corps of the First Reserve Corps of the Royal Guards of the Antinac Kingdom. Its commander, the Golden Knight Feiwenmante, once led troops to Hilovas Island, nominally to assist that Yas Viscount Lan was actually collecting taxes to extort money, but he happened to run into Lorist and was severely punished. Later, although the Second Highness rescued him, he was also worried that Lorist would not let it go, so he transferred the Third Corps and reorganized a 2,000-strong Qilingang Garrison.
As a local garrison, the Lingang garrison is treated like a stepmother's child. The number of 2,000 people has never been sufficient. The weapons they are equipped with are spears and wooden shields. There are three pieces of leather armor in total. It's tattered, and it can only be equipped by the captain of the garrison and his two deputies. As far as the allocated funds are concerned, the salary of the defense team is also monthly. Those defense players hang around the seafood trading market every day, because there they can get a little extra money...
Lorist would like to know how the Marquis of Red, who is in the imperial capital, has such confidence that the garrison of Qilin Port will pose a threat to the Norton family's armed forces, and effectively prevent every single soldier armed by the Norton family from going ashore. .
At this moment, Lorist was already standing on the pier of Qilin Port. Behind him, a thousand guards were disembarking and regrouping. Beside him were nearly a hundred soldiers from the Qilin Port Garrison, laughing and watching. All he saw was envy for the excellent standard equipment on these guards, and no one was overpowering to prevent the Norton family from continuously going ashore with armed forces.
But soon someone hit the rock with an egg, and two half-armored knights rushed out of a tavern on the pier. Board the ship and leave, and do not set foot on the Qilin Port Wharf.
As soon as Lorist raised his head, several guards came over and grabbed the two drunks and beat them up on the pier. After a while, the two guys started crying.
"Let them confess, why did they stop Earl Norton's trip, whether it was an assassination or conspiracy, let them write the confession and press their fingerprints, and then throw them to me in the jail in Qilingang. Now follow me to the Santo's Mansion, I want to see That order from the imperial capital." Lorist said.
As a nobleman, it is justifiable to travel with guards. Although Lorist brought a guard brigade of 1,000 people and a regiment of 15,000 people, it can only be said that the Norton family is rich and powerful, and the Earl is greedy for life. For fear of being harmed, he brought more family armed guards, but it cannot be said that he has any mistakes in violating the rules. As long as he's not harassing the place, buying or supplying supplies himself, that's reasonable behavior.
Lorist took advantage of this loophole. As for the order from the imperial capital, it is purely a joke not to allow the Norton family to disembark armed soldiers. The Norton family didn't raise their troops to rebel, so why didn't you let Earl Norton take his guards when he went out? Want to harm him? Emotion and reason are unreasonable, even if the lawsuit reaches the Second Highness, Lorist will win the case.
As the city guard of Qilingang, Baron Funston has always been very satisfied with his position, and he paid a lot of money to bribe the people around the Second Highness to get this position. As an aristocrat, Baron Funston has always believed that it is a fool's thing to only make money from his fief. How big is the baron's fief? The baron knows very well how much oil and water there are in those impoverished citizens. Only with investment can there be output. Instead of investing money and hard work in developing the territory, it is better to spend money to buy a position, so as to get a big return.
It has only been five years since he became the city guard of Qilingang, but Baron Funston has already recouped the money he spent. The income has exceeded the investment several times. Now he is thinking about forming a small fleet of seven medium-sized armed sea ships, and buying some luxury goods and fashionable clothes that the nobles of the Antinac Kingdom urgently need from Morente City. On the one hand, it happened to unite the aristocrats and wealthy merchants in Qilingang by organizing the fleet. Everyone who has money can make money. Give them some shares, so that they can control Qilingang better without their own capital. It is really a good thing to kill two birds with one stone. ah.
However, Baron Funston also has troubles. Two days ago, the emperor came to an order inexplicably, asking Qilin Gang to strengthen its defenses and strictly guard against the Norton family on Hilovas Island.
Baron Funston thought that those in power in the imperial capital must have been suffering from mad dog disease. His Majesty the King was trapped in the Kingdom of Ridleys when he saw whoever was biting. Reminiscent of the fact that the Norton family had just sent envoys to the imperial capital some time ago, Baron Funston believed with certainty that the envoys from the Norton family must have offended the dignitaries of the imperial capital, either because the gift was not delivered or there was some conflict.
Baron Funston wanted to throw this order into the wastebasket, but after thinking about it, he put away the order. Because the imperial capital came not only with this order, but also with six knights. They not only wanted to take over the Qilingang garrison, but also expanded the Qilingang garrison into three brigades of 3,000 people.
Baron Funston decided to go with the six knights. Anyway, he wanted money, equipment, equipment, and the salary allocated to the garrison every month. He wanted to look at the knights from the imperial capital. What the hell can they come up with. Besides, is the Norton family easy to bully? His confidant family members went to Morente City some time ago and brought him a newspaper with a sensational news, saying that Norton armed forces went to the kingdom of Haneyabada, not only destroying this slavery country , He also chopped off all the 170,000 citizens of the Kingdom of Haneyabada, and built a huge pyramid with human heads.
Baron Funston immediately believed that this news was not a fabrication but a fact. As the city guard of Qilingang, he also received an order from His Majesty the King who secretly sent guards to him, which was to monitor Hilovas Island and Norton The movement of the family and any abnormal situation had to be reported to the imperial capital. It was not until the second day of last year that His Royal Highness set off for an expedition. However, Baron Funston still did not forget his duty. The sailors and the captain of the ferry who come back and forth every three days are his trusted eyes and ears, and the information reported to him on Hilovas Island has been accumulated. present it.
Hilovas Island was attacked by pirates, and the island was like hell. At that time, the ferry to Hilovas Island was also affected. Fortunately, the captain saw that he was about to die and three sailors escaped on the ferry. There was chaos at that time, and I was afraid that the pirates would turn around and come to sweep up. After guarding against it for more than a month, it wasn't until the Norton family's armed fleet came to the shore to purchase supplies, that the people in Qilingang knew that the pirates had retreated, the rest were wiped out by the Norton family, and Shirowas Island had been recovered.
Later, the Norton family armed forces assembled a large number of soldiers and sea ships on Hilovas Island. Only then did Baron Funston know that the Norton family armed forces had such a powerful force. Then these soldiers and sea ships suddenly disappeared. Two months later, these sea ships reappeared. When returning, a lot of supplies were brought in. Although the captain and sailors on the ferry were ordered not to go to the island, they still judged how huge the supplies were, and the number of personnel was nearly tens of thousands.
Now reading the newspaper Baron Funston, you can understand that the Norton family really sent troops to destroy the Kingdom of Haneyabada, otherwise, how could they have captured so many. No wonder His Majesty the King was so afraid of the Norton family's armed forces and ordered himself to monitor their movements. Baron Funston recalled a previous rumor. It was said that the love between Earl Norton and His Majesty the King turned Earl Aslan against him. Earl Aslan and His Majesty dispatched nearly 10,000 people to besiege Earl Norton with 500 people, and they were beaten to death. Not to mention the great defeat, it cost his own life. His Majesty the King confiscated Earl Aslan's house and exterminated his family in anger, but he had nothing to do with Earl Norton.
So when Baron Funston heard the report that Earl Norton had come to the City Lord's Mansion, he was keenly aware of Lorist's purpose. He not only welcomed Lorist into his study with enthusiasm, but also took out the The order was handed over to Lorist, and he hated the irony and criticized the stupidity and ignorance of the nobles in power in the imperial capital.
Lorist fiddled with the order book in his hand, and said with a smile: "Since the imperial capital ordered Qilingang to expand its garrison, and Qilingang is currently unable to support it, the Norton family is willing to contribute to the kingdom and support the garrison of Qilingang. Formation, Lord Baron, do you see this?"
"That's great!" Baron Funston was overjoyed: "The earl is loyal to the country, regardless of gains and losses. It is really admirable. I entrust the Lingang garrison to my lord."
"Is it okay even if I take the Qilin Port garrison team to Hirovas Island for three months of training?" Lorist asked.
"Of course it doesn't matter. Since everything is entrusted to the adults, of course it will be done according to the adults. I heard that the Norton family's armed forces are unmatched. I just use the hands of the adults to rectify the garrison. I am dissatisfied with the adults. The current Qilingang garrison is really serious. Some are not decent, they are good at bullying civilians and peddlers, and they turn into pustules when they see blood in battle. The adults have to train them, and you can beat or kill them as you like. You should take care of these bastards. You know that once in a day I've had over two dozen complaints against the garrison and I've been running around all day wiping their ass..."
Seeing Baron Funston's expression of gratitude, Lorist laughed loudly: "Actually, there is no secret to improving combat power through training. Full salary and salary, good food and clothing, and good equipment for the soldiers. Training Their ability to fight makes them no longer think that they are cannon fodder to die. At the same time, educate them to strictly observe military discipline and value the glory of soldiers, and their combat power will naturally increase. Let’s go to Xirowas Island for training in Qilingang Garrison During the period, I will first let my family take over the defense of Qilin Port with armed forces. I happened to bring a regiment with me during this trip, so I will let them garrison Qilin Gang for three months. How do you think this is good, Lord Baron?"
Baron Funston slandered in his stomach, which nobleman went out to lead a regiment, armed parade, it is really rich to eat, how much gold coins a day for a regiment of more than 10,000 people. This side has a smile on his face: "It's really great. I was worried about what to do if the garrison went to the defense of Naqilin Port on Hilovas Island. I am relieved that there is an adult corps here. It's just the Earl. The people in Lin Gang are exhausted, I'm afraid they can't afford the supplies and supplies of your family's regiment, so can we garrison less troops?"
Lorist smiled and shook his head: "Lord Baron, it doesn't matter, you only need to provide food and grass supplies for the 3,000-man garrison, and the rest will be borne by our Norton family. In fact, we stationed a corps here for another purpose. , I heard that there are a lot of refugees in the kingdom now, and we are going to take the refugees to work in the north, which can be regarded as lightening the burden on the kingdom."
Baron Funston looked reverent: "Your Majesty Earl is so benevolent and righteous. He is willing to gather those fleeing refugees and give them a way out. He is really the pillar of the kingdom. Well, I will issue the order of the city lord to let your family take over Qilingang The garrison and the official letter inviting the armed forces of your family to come and garrison."
Lorist nodded, and since Baron Funston is so sensible, then don't make things difficult for him: "Master Baron, you can ask our Norton family for help in the future, and we will do our best. This is my promise, Norton Lorist. .”
"Thank you..." Baron Funston was really overjoyed this time.
On July 3, Qilingang was taken over by the Norton family's armed Rock Legion.
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