"Everyone, thank you for coming here. To be honest, after the war we experienced last winter, we really shouldn't continue fighting this year." On the morning of the 25th, all the vassals arrived at the Earl's Mansion in Maned Wolf City. In a hall, the Earl was sitting on the chair in the center of the hall in full dress.
The vassals stood on the left side in front of the earl. As one of the viscounts in the earldom, Lant stood behind the Viscount of Elk and before the other barons.
On the right side in front of the count are his family knights, the captains of the Maned Wolf Knights, and other branches of the Maned Wolf family.
Everyone in the hall was looking at the count, and Lant felt the dissatisfaction of the barons behind him, but everyone remained silent.
"However, no matter what we have experienced, the war in the new year will not wait until we are ready. As lords, we have the responsibility to protect the land and the people, and we must always be prepared for war," the Earl continued,
"Gentlemen, just yesterday, February 24th, our neighboring country Kirislav marched into the Frostwolf Forest on the pretext of suppressing bandits. The royal capital received the message that they were going to conduct a special operation to suppress bandits. Completely eliminate the orc forces in the forest within a few months!" The earl's words aroused the vigilance of the vassals. They knew that the so-called bandit suppression in neighboring countries was actually to occupy the forest territory and obtain larger territory.
"The eldest son Bai Xiao and I have decided that we in the Dragon Kingdom must help in this matter, and we cannot let our neighbors eat the entire forest! In addition to the three territories of Lot, Galloping Horse, and Blue Que, which were seriously affected by the war just a few years ago, In addition, other territories need to be dispatched. You don’t have to worry. My Maned Wolf Knights will set off before the end of the month. The knights of each family will set off within 3 months, that is, before the end of May. We will strive to be able to set off before the end of July. Occupy part of the forest!" The earl finally finished his entire plan, and the vassals below began to discuss it.
"Sir, each of our families suffered considerable losses in the war at the end of last year. I'm afraid we won't be able to send too many troops." Viscount Elk was the first to complain.
The viscounts and barons present were all veterans, and they all knew the current division of family power in the kingdom. The earl of the Baixia territory was held by King Duson himself. The reason why his own earl joined forces now was probably to show goodwill to the king's family.
Everyone doesn't mind if their count accepts the title, but the problem is that you have to see if you can do it before you do it.
There are not only half-orc bandits in the Frostwolf Forest. There are Kirislav, the Blue Dragon Family, the Red Dragon Family, the Palace Secretary, and the unique barbarians of the Frostwolf Forest. There are many evil forces inside. , Kirislav hasn’t cleaned it up after all these years, why are you guys rushing in?
No one in the hall was willing to say a word of support, and everyone obviously didn't want to rush into the forest and fight the orcs.
"Don't worry too much. We and the Northern Earl's army are not going to clear out the entire Frostwolf Forest. Our current idea is to pick out a tribe of half-orcs to wipe out and occupy the surrounding forest land. There is a half-ox man in this group of orcs. Leader, there are only 20-30 people in the entire tribe. Count Bai Xiao has confirmed that he will send a team of 25 knights. I will work with them to form a squadron of 50 people. As long as we can drive away this group of orcs, it will be enough." The Count said about This plan is quite confident,
"Fernando will lead a small group of Maned Wolf Knights there. Your knights will mainly serve as guards and to eliminate stragglers." The Count saw that the vassals below still did not take action, and smiled, thinking that they are really a bunch of incompetents. It does not benefit those who are early.
"Don't worry, everyone's work will not be in vain. The family that contributes the most will be rewarded with a bottle of intermediate potion."
"oh?"
"Intermediate potion?" The vassals below quickly made a move. Intermediate potion is a good thing. If the descendants of the family do not live up to expectations, they will need this potion to ensure the level of the family heir.
"Lord Earl, don't worry, we will definitely bring someone here in three months." Viscount Elk was the first to express his stance.
"That's right, Lord Earl, we will definitely bring our own people. If you need us, we can come at the end of the month to build up momentum for Fernando!" In a lively atmosphere, the meeting ended, and only Rand was a little confused.
"This... What does it have to do with me to break up the meeting? Why did you call me here? Why do you need me to come and listen to you if you don't need me to contribute?" Lant walked out in confusion, but was invited by Fernando Maned Wolf halfway. In another room of the castle.
"Viscount Lant, originally this war has nothing to do with you. I called you here for the first territorial meeting this year, and there will be a banquet in the evening. I will also hold a few dances in the next two days, so I invite everyone to come and have fun. It's lively, and you should get to know more children from other families." The Earl was still half-lying and talking. Different from his high-spirited expression just now, now he seemed to be just an old man spending his old age peacefully.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir."
"One more thing. This time to conquer the bandits in the north, I want to buy 20 sets of iron armor and 25 black scale horses from you. Of course, I will buy them at the original price, so you will not suffer any loss."
"In addition, I bought a batch of grain from Marquis Wernutt Elk. Their old grain is cheaper. It is only less than two years old, which is cheaper than the grain in my warehouse. It will be available next month. If it can be delivered, you can buy it directly when the armor and horses are delivered."
"Thank you, sir." Lant didn't quite understand why the earl could always buy old grain, but why not buy it when there was cheap grain?
However, Rand is still not sure. Even if the food from the south can offset part of the price of the armor, the total cost is still quite large. How can a stingy person like the Earl get such a large sum of money?
"In addition, you should know that the empire has a department called the Palace Department, right?" The old earl's eyes flashed when he mentioned this organization.
"Yes, I've heard of it."
"Stay away from them. What this department likes to do most is to instigate relations between nobles." The Earl watched Lant leave the room, and soon the housekeeper from the Earl's Mansion came over to report.
"Sir, those two batches of magic plants exchanged from the Frostwolf Forest have been turned into potions. According to estimates, they should be sold for 2,000 gold coins in the capital, and 2,500 gold coins on our black market. There are quite a few. It’s a magic potion suitable for monsters to take.”
"It's those two batches of magic plants that were exchanged for salt, right?" The Earl glanced at the butler and said,
"Very good. This month Derek will sell the remaining two batches of salt to the southern forests. The magic plants that salt can be exchanged for in the lizard tribe are even rarer."
"Yes, sir." The earl's butler is responsible for the finances of the entire earl family. He knows that since the end of last year, the financial situation of Earl Maned Wolf has suddenly improved, thanks to the viscount who just left.
