Emma Abbey, this time Bishop Valens, after learning the news of Otto's arrival, finally did not pretend to let Otto wait for him like the previous times, but came to the door of the monastery to greet Otto.
This time, Otto's identity is different.
Although Otto was actually the master of the Allgäu Territory before, because the Count of Allgäu was still alive and his status was only a baron, Valens, as a regional bishop, had a higher status than Otto, so it was naturally impossible for him to surrender. I went to meet Otto.
Nowadays, Otto has been awarded the title of earl. Compared with the status of the regional bishop, there is actually not much difference between the status of the earl and the status of the regional bishop. Considering the geographical location of Emma Abbey and considering the recent crazy growth of Otto's reputation, this time, Wallis The bishop has lowered his status.
"Count Otto, it's been a long time since I last saw you. Gods bless you for returning safely from the battlefield." Valens' smile was still the same as before, and he looked so kind. The only difference was that he looked a little older. .
Otto also sighed in his heart. Sure enough, no matter which world he is in, identity and strength are the capital to be respected. Compared with the scene when they first met, now the other party even used respectful words.
Otto came to Emma Abbey this time to seek cooperation with Bishop Valens. Naturally, he didn't know how to deal with it. He quickly dismounted and saluted respectfully.
"Thank you for the blessings of the gods! Your Excellency the Bishop is already old, so why bother coming out to greet him in person? Just leave such a small matter to Dean Gonzalo."
After Otto became the earl, his status as the abbot of Emma Abbey was naturally inferior to him, so he could make fun of him at will.
"Are you old?" Bishop Valens shook his head with emotion, but his eyes were fixed on Otto, with an inexplicable light flashing in his eyes. "Does the Earl think I am old? But I feel that I am still young and can continue to serve His Majesty the Moon Goddess."
"Huh?" Otto was a little confused, and he casually asked why Valens had such a big reaction.
Glancing at the expressions of the surrounding priests, Otto noticed Dean Gonzalo who was hesitant to speak. After looking at each other again, Otto understood.
Good guy, it turns out that this Bishop Valens is old-hearted. Could it be that the other party thinks that the position of regional archbishop is not enough and wants to climb up?
If this is the case, then you really came to the right place to find Valens in the church this time.
Otto is not afraid of being ambitious. What he is afraid of is that the other person has no desires and needs.
Lu Xun once said that as long as a person is defeated, he will be invincible.
Being ambitious, doesn’t it prove that there are opportunities for cooperation between the two parties?
"Hahaha, I said something wrong. With the blessing of the moon god, Bishop Valens is getting younger and younger as he lives. I'm afraid my body may not be as good as the bishop's.
Having a devout believer like you is a blessing to the church and also a blessing to the Moon Goddess. "
Otto joked with a smile and decisively apologized for his previous inappropriate words.
Valens's face also became much better, and he smiled and invited Otto to enter the monastery.
"My lord, the count, has made many military exploits in this war, and his reputation for bravery has spread all over the country. Even many priests and nobles in Italy are asking me. My lord, the count, if it weren't for the fact that my lord is married, I'm afraid I would like to find him." I’m afraid all the nobles married to the Earl can now fill the Eagle Castle.”
In a secluded room in the monastery, Valens joked.
"Hey, the bishop is joking. I'm just following orders. I rely on the good command of His Majesty the King and the Dukes. I'm just a little luckier than others. I'm not as good as you said." Otto Very modest.
"I heard that after the Earl occupied Basel, he seemed to have reached a deal with the local church?" Varus asked casually.
Otto naturally knew what the other party was worried about, and it was nothing more than Argol's business tax, which Otto had already rejected once before.
Seeing that Otto was already willing to share the profits from the local business tax with the church in Basel, Valens naturally wanted to test whether Otto was willing to change his mind and also use the Allgäu business tax to share with the church.
However, Otto originally handed over the land to make up for the church in Basel. Now, does the church in Aargau have so much land in exchange for commercial tax revenue?
If so, Otto wouldn't mind being generous. Land is the well-deserved means of production in this era.
"Yes." Otto nodded. “Bishop Michael used the church’s land in the Basel area as shares to invest in the construction of the Basel area, so he is naturally qualified to share the dividends of Basel’s development.
I am a person who always knows my grudges clearly and acts fairly. If someone can help me develop the territory, he will naturally get a share of the dividends from the development of the territory. "
Bishop Valens narrowed his eyes slightly. He understood what Otto meant. The church in the Basel region was able to share the commercial tax in exchange for a large amount of land. So what would the church in the Allgäu region prepare to exchange for it? ?
In fact, the church in Allgäu does not lack much land. Not to mention the land occupied by several monasteries in Allgäu, let’s talk about the land that nobles of all sizes have donated to the church to collect rent over the years in order to show their piety. That's not a lot.
The scattered land combined was more than Otto's barons occupied. If there was an exchange of these lands with Otto, Otto would certainly not refuse.
The question is how Valens would be willing. Otto is collecting this business tax. How many cents are collected every year? That is not a matter of Otto's words. Could it be that the church can really check the accounts?
Compared with the unknown income that is uncertain and dependent on others, this land tax is a real and stable income. Valens is not stupid.
Besides, the land situation of the church in the Allgäu region is completely different from that in Basel. Most of the land owned by the Church of Basel was seized as the local area lost control of the nobility. When Bessel was occupied by Otto, it was appropriate for these illegally occupied lands to be vomited out.
As for Argolan, the land occupied by the church is legal and legal, and even the king cannot find fault with it.
Valens did not want to give up the land, nor did he want to give up the benefits of commercial taxes. In addition to the land, the church also had many things that could be exchanged.
"I really didn't expect that the church in the Basel area would be so wealthy and own so much land. Bishop Michael is really quite capable. I must write a letter to Rome to express my gratitude to him.
It's a pity that in the Aargau region, even if I want to give land to the Count, the church doesn't have it.
However, the church really wants to cooperate with the earl and is willing to help in other aspects to help the development of Aargau. I wonder if the earl is willing to give the church such an opportunity. "
"Really?" Otto pretended to be flattered. "Thank you so much, Your Majesty the Bishop. I happen to have a little something that needs help from the Church, and I am also planning to do business with the Church. I wonder if Your Majesty the Bishop is interested?"
