"Unexpectedly, Winston Province has become more desolate and desolate than the Northland. It seems that the two of you are very dedicated to the looting here." Lorist rode on the horse and turned to Baron Felim who was following behind. Speak with Baron Shaheen.
Baron Felim shook his head: "We didn't do it. We haven't done anything to Winston Province since you brought us back from occupying the royal city. Maybe you don't believe it, but in fact our two territories More than half of the people who have been added here came here by themselves. The nobles in Winston Province made a big mess by themselves. We were too lazy to intervene. In order to survive, most of the civilians in Winston Province ran to the Northland. There is no need for us to take any manpower to take refuge."
Baron Shaheen nodded, indicating that Baron Felim was telling the truth.
This was on the way to the King City of Windbury in the Iberian Kingdom to participate in the Knights Tournament. Looking around, Lorist remembered a poem from his previous life: "Bone bones are exposed and wild, and there is no chicken crowing in a thousand miles."
More than ten years ago, before the civil war broke out in the empire, Winston Province was the fourth largest province in the former Krissen Empire with a population of more than 600,000. Its area was only one-seventh of the Northland, but its commercial development was in Empire is known far and wide. This used to be the largest livestock trading market in the former empire. Merchants from the Northland, Donghuang Province, Muyeyuan Province, Southern Province and the seven central provinces gathered here. They brought in various daily necessities and commodities, and brought back countless cattle. Sheep created the bustling city of Windbury.
I remember that there was a saying at that time, which meant that being a baron in Winston Province was much richer than being a Duke of the Northland. This is the pride of the Winston people, but also a mockery of the Northlanders. After all, the Northland was the largest province in the former empire, and it was also the most desolate and poorest province.
Feng Shui turns, and in just a dozen years, Winston Province has become more desolate than the former Northland. This is not only the credit of the second prince's desperate search for wealth and military supplies and repeated defeats, but also the responsibility of Lorist for deliberately consuming the vitality of Winston Province so that it cannot pose a threat to the Northland. One of the reasons is that the queen who is in charge of the city of Windbury does not have the prestige and ability to mediate the conflicts between the nobles in the territory, and the constant war in Winston Province is also one of the reasons.
However, Winston Province has become very peaceful in the past two months, and no nobles have broken out in any territorial battles. The reason is that the Grand Duke Feisabrun returned to Windbury King City with two field ranger regiments. With this famous former imperial military god here, any arrogant nobleman in the territory had to weigh his family's Whether the strength can withstand the thunderous blow of the Grand Duke Fessabrun, all the nobles have learned how to play safe and secure.
Anyway, the purpose of Grand Duke Fesabrunn's coming to the royal city this time is very simple, that is to hold a grand knight tournament and choose an excellent knight as husband-in-law for Princess Sylvia who is twenty-five years old. As long as everyone gets through the past few months and the Grand Duke Fessabrunn can successfully end the knight tournament, then after he leaves, Winston Province will once again become a battleground for the nobles of the territory. Besides, after fighting for so long, everyone just took this opportunity to have a rest and get ready for the next attack. Of course, there are also many confident noble knights who believe in their bravery and are ready to show their talents at this conference.
The long cavalry team was walking on the dilapidated national road. Lorist led a guard battalion of 3,000 people this time, and El, who was promoted to the Golden Knight, returned to the command of the guard battalion. Pat, who was seriously injured on Hilovas Island, joined the Guard Corps after recovering from his injury. For more than a year, he was recalled back to the guard battalion by Lorist to serve as the deputy commander and concurrently the captain. Speaking of it, Pat was also blessed by his injury. During the recuperation period, he successfully embraced the beauty. After he recovered from his injury, he married Martha, a beauty from the White Bird Restaurant. Later, he gave a generous gift to celebrate his childhood rival and playmate Pat getting married.
Earl Kenmes brought a thousand guards, while Baron Felim and Baron Shaheen each brought five hundred men. Because of Lorist's request, the three allies brought all cavalry troops, this was for safety and to prevent accidents from happening. A day away from them, there are also the Flying Tiger Legion led by Tiger Ross, a Steel Armored Lancer regiment and two Chariot Steel Crossbow Battalions. In the event of a critical situation, more than 20,000 people will rush over to respond.
"It's too desolate, isn't it? We walked for three days and there wasn't even a decent castle along the way. Where did those lords go?" Joe, who left his post again and insisted on following Lorist to attend the Knights' Conference Sik said puzzled.
Baron Shaheen laughed "Puchi Puchi".
"What are you laughing at? Henned..." Josk was a little angry. He and Baron Shaheen were old rivals. Back then, the Grand Duke of the North sent Chevani, the golden knight, and Henned, who was not Baron Shaheen, to attack the Norton family's territory. Although they had never fought each other, the two had known each other since Henned was captured by Lorist. They had a good friendship and were usually informal.
Baron Shaheen pointed to Lorist's back: "This is your lord's idea, you can ask Baron Felim to understand. When Locke asked our two families to raid and plunder Winston Province, it was to make this place The people are in trouble, especially this national road leading to the city of Windbury, which has been swept back and forth by us several times. You said where are the lords, they have been hanged by us long ago. So the lords of other countries For the territory close to the national road, which symbolizes the wealth, in the Kingdom of Iberia, it means a dead end and death."
Josk stopped talking. Lorist's move was obviously a different kind of fortified wall to clear the country, which increased the difficulty and trouble for the Kingdom of Iberia to send troops to the north. Although the nobles in Windbury City are ineffective, the Fesabrun family stands behind the Kingdom of Iberia. It is necessary for Lorist to be so vigilant a few years ago.
Baron Shaheen comforted: "Don't worry, Joe, we will reach Walker Town tomorrow, which is the territory of Viscount Eddis, and his castle is also there. Last time we sent troops to the royal city, this Viscount Eddis is very He is acquainted, and paid a large amount of ransom and food so that his territory did not suffer much damage. Because his reputation is not bad, we let him go. I heard that his territory has developed well in the past two years. A rare and good lord in Ston Province, but he doesn't have a good relationship with the queen. For this reason, he gathered some nobles from the territory to protect himself, which is considered a bit of strength.
When we arrive in Walker Town tomorrow, we can have a hearty drink. It's all Locke's fault. Drinking is not allowed during the march. Not to mention you, even I can't stand it. For the past three days, my mouth has been terribly pale, eating dried meat and bread every day, keeping vigilant... We are going to a knightly tournament, why do we have to put on such a fight look! "
Baron Shaheen complained that Josk was not happy: "What are you talking about, Henned, my lord is also for your own good. This time, the four of us from the Northland are going to participate in this knight tournament together. My lord has to be so careful, so as not to What omissions have occurred. Otherwise, it will be fine for the adults to take me and El. You have arranged so many horses to protect you, and you don’t appreciate it... "
Baron Shaheen was angry: "You, I was kind enough to comfort you just now, but now you're blaming me instead. You started the conversation first..."
When my younger brother arrived in Walker Town at noon the next day, the envoy who went to Windbury King City to report also rushed back, and brought a noble envoy sent by the Grand Duke Fessabrun, Earl Richard.
Earl Richard warmly expressed to Lorist and others the welcome of the Grand Duke Fessabrun to the four great nobles of the North who came to participate in the Knights Tournament together, and on behalf of the Grand Duke Fessabrun conveyed a shocking news to Lorist. Proposal: In view of the shortage of troops, the Grand Duke Fesabrun is willing to entrust the south gate of Windbury to the four nobles of the Northland, and they will send troops to defend the south gate of the palace during the conference.
It was only at this time that Lorist was finally relieved. The proposal of Grand Duke Fessabrunn was obviously to make the four nobles of the Northland put down their guard. The Knights Tournament did not harbor any conspiracy and tricks. Being able to hand over the south gate of the royal city also showed that he was upright and kept a retreat for the four nobles of the Northland.
Earl Kenmes expressed his gratitude to Earl Richard for the news brought by Earl Richard on behalf of the four nobles of the Northland, and praised the upright behavior of the Duke of Feisabrun and his admiration for the Feisabrun family. The two just stood outside Walker Town and talked nonsense back and forth for a long time. There was no way, this is the diplomatic etiquette of the nobles. No matter how impatient they were, they had to show their demeanor and politeness with a smile on their faces.
In the end, the negotiations ended with Earl Kenmes accepting the proposal of the Grand Duke of Feisabrun. He and Earl Richard held hands very closely, just like two brothers who have been reunited for a long time.
The landlord, Viscount Eddis, who stood aside and waited for a long time, came up at the right time, first welcomed the arrival of Lorist and others, then greeted Earl Richard, and then invited everyone to his castle to join him. A welcome banquet held for these nobles who went to the royal city to participate in the knight tournament.
Walker Town is very prosperous, with an estimated population of 20,000 to 30,000 residents. What surprised Lorist was that the streets here were lined with colorful shops, and there were signs and banners to attract customers everywhere.
Perhaps seeing Lorist's doubts, the accompanying Viscount Eddis said that since the second prince established Windbury as the capital of the Iberian Kingdom, one was the outbreak of the Imperial Civil War and the severance of trade routes The second is that the second prince disliked the stench of the cattle and sheep livestock market, and the livestock market that was originally in Windbury City was ordered to be closed by the second prince. In those years when wars were raging everywhere, no one did any livestock business anymore, which was helpless.
In the past few years without the desperate toss of the second prince, coupled with the stability of the situation, even though the nobles in the territory of Winston Province were bloody, the caravans from the four central duchies who came to purchase livestock still had occasional changes. See, it's just that re-opening the cattle market at Windbury has become unlikely. No one can bear to be extorted a large amount by the tax officials sent by the queen who asked for money when entering and exiting the city gate. Viscount Eddis was keenly aware of this opportunity, so he opened a livestock trading market in Walker Town, his territory, which really made his territory prosperous.
Viscount Edis said with a wry smile that although the current livestock trading market is not large and the transaction volume is not high, the most scarce materials in the market are all kinds of furs and animal tendons. These are expensive military supplies, so There are so many shops that process and sell these commodities on this street.
Viscount Edis's vision made Walker Town prosperous and developed, but it also attracted greedy eyes. For this reason, he had several territorial wars with several lords. Walker Town's profitable lord alliance to protect itself. The same is true of a bad relationship with the queen, because the queen sent her tax officials to demand that 70% of all business transaction turnover be taken as the commercial tax rate, which was sternly rejected by Viscount Eddis.
Lorist said in surprise: "The queen is crazy about asking for money, and such a request can be made..."
"Yes." Viscount Eddis was a little distressed: "Although the territory has been developed and commercially prosperous, I have made some money, but in order to protect myself, I have to invest all this money in the defense of the territory. Basically, the money It's just a turn in my own hands, and I have to spend a lot of energy training the territorial defense team, repairing the defense of my castle and the city wall of Walker Town, and I am so busy that I can't even sleep peacefully. I really don't understand how much I spent. Why do you want to develop the territory so hard..."
Lorist can only express his sympathy for Viscount Eddis's complaints. If it was a time of peace, Viscount Eddis would definitely be able to make a difference. He has a good business vision and is very kind to the citizens. Excellent reputation among the nobles of the province. It's just that he is in a troubled world now, and the better his family's territory develops, the more wolves it attracts, forcing him to invest all his wealth to form a territory defense team to protect himself.
Walker Town was originally only more than 100 meters away from the family castle of Viscount Eddis, but due to the rapid development in the past few years, too many civilians who came to settle down had to expand, and now Walker Town has been integrated with the castle. Two more city walls were built in the open space, and four stone circular arrow towers like blockhouses were erected. Whether Walker Town or the castle is under attack, the Territory Guard can provide support at any time.
The family castle of Viscount Eddis also has a history of nearly a hundred years. According to the Viscount, his grandfather took root here after he became a viscount for his military exploits and became a nobleman in Winston Province. This castle was built by his grandfather. , There are still portraits of his grandfather and his father hanging in the spacious hall.
Viscount Edis laughed at himself and said that both his grandfather and his father were famous golden knights, and his father was very famous in Winston Province. Later, he also died in the last conquest of the Ford Business Alliance by the former Christen Empire. It was more than 30 years ago, and the Viscount was only sixteen years old when he inherited the title. However, his qualifications are mediocre, and he is now a silver two-star, so he doesn't have to think about being promoted to the gold rank in this life.
In the castle hall, Lorist saw what Viscount Eddis said was the portrait of his grandfather with a white beard and the portrait of his father wearing knight armor. At the entrance of the hall, Viscountess Eddis brought two sons and a daughter, and three nobles to welcome Lorist and the others.
Lorist and the others saluted the Viscountess, and then presented the gifts they carried. Since the Kingdom of Haneyabada was destroyed, Lorist has many precious gifts in his hands. Sure enough, the platinum necklace inlaid with sapphires was amazed by the nobles present. Although sapphires and platinum are precious, the nobles are more knowledgeable. What they marveled at was the craftsmanship of the craftsmen who made this jewelry. Because they don't know that in the Kingdom of Haneyabada, slave craftsmen who are not skilled in craftsmanship cannot survive.
After the Viscountess expressed his thanks, Viscount Edith introduced his two sons and seven-year-old daughter to Lorist. His two sons are 24-year-old, a brave three-star silver knight, and 21-year-old, one-star silver knight. The Viscount now places his hope of becoming a Golden Knight on his two sons.
The three nobles are the allies and neighbors of Viscount Eddis. Baron Claus's territory is a pasture, Baron Wade's is a farm, and Viscount Schindler's is planting grass. They have formed an effective market with the livestock trading market in Walker Town. Complementary relationship and become an ally with the same interests.
At the welcome banquet, Viscount Eddis asked Lorist to allow the four nobles to follow them to the King City of Windbury to participate in the knightly tournament. The main reason is that their relationship with the queen is really bad. Although they hoped to bring their nephews to see it, they couldn't make a decision because they were worried that the trip with the queen would be dangerous. If you can go with Lorist and his party, at least you don't have to worry about their safety, and you can withdraw to the family territory from the south gate controlled by Lorist under any circumstances.
Lorist pondered for a while and agreed to Viscount Eddis's request, and the banquet lasted until the evening before breaking up happily.
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