Chapter 402: Multi-pronged Attack! (Part 2)

Chapter 402 -275: Multi-pronged Attack! (Part 2)

“The income from this part isn’t staggering, but its strength is in its stability. We project it to increase the fief’s revenue by twenty percent.”

He paused, then continued, “The export of handcrafted goods was the centerpiece of these negotiations. Our craftsmen are highly skilled, and the pottery, jewelry, and weapons they produce are extremely popular on the market.

As you know, my lord, your policy of attracting commoners to immigrate was incredibly effective. Across the entire steppe, only the major cities can compete with the artisanship of Westwood Laine. The handicraft industries of other noble fiefs are like children playing in the mud compared to ours.

Through trade cooperation with these Viscounts and Barons, these handcrafted goods will be transported to more distant places, even reaching the ports of Xilonia, Danustika, and even Vostrom.

The profit from this is quite considerable, likely adding another fifteen percent to the fief’s revenue.”

Claude’s voice carried a hint of pride, and his eyes grew brighter.

Henry nodded lightly and replied, “And we can also use these nobles to break the emperor’s trade blockade. The emperor can forbid those merchants from trading with me, but he can’t stop them from trading with all the nobles of the steppe.”

“Exactly!”

Claude picked up another contract and continued, “Finally, there’s the extraction and sale of mineral resources. Many noble fiefs contain rich deposits of iron and coal that have never been fully exploited.

For them, even if they mined it, they couldn’t sell it at a high price. They might even attract the envy of others, sparking wars over the land. This is good news for us.

We’ve signed long-term mining contracts with them. They will be responsible for extraction and transportation, while we provide the capital and purchase the ore. In return, we’ll collect a substantial share based on production.

The income from this part is the most astonishing, projected to bring a ten percent increase in the fief’s revenue.”

He placed the contracts back on the table, his gaze fixed on Henry, and said firmly, “My lord, once these trade agreements are implemented, your fief’s income will increase by at least… forty percent of its current total! This means the territory will no longer have to rely on your army’s plunder. It will become a truly rich and self-sufficient fief.”

Claude was thrilled. In his view, a lord should ultimately focus on developing his fief. ‘No matter how strong you are, you can’t be out fighting wars all year round, can you?’

Many people had jokingly called Henry the “Bandit Noble” or the “Greenwood Bandit Chief.” Now, Henry was finally on the verge of shedding those titles.

Of course, Henry was unaware of this, as he paid no attention to such things. If he had known he had such nicknames, he would have roared with laughter.

After listening, a flash of surprise appeared in Henry’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by deep thought. He gently stroked his chin and said in a low voice, “Forty percent… That is indeed a staggering number. However, implementing these contracts will require a great deal of manpower and resources. Can we really handle it?

Claude, our focus is still on military matters for now. If this requires too much of our energy, it could interfere with my upcoming plans.”

Claude said earnestly, “Rest assured, my lord. I have already considered these issues. We have enough craftsmen and… experienced miners. Moreover, implementing these trade contracts will stimulate economic development within the fief, attracting more merchants and workers.

This will not only increase our income but also make the fief more prosperous.”

Henry nodded. “Alright, I trust you, Claude. Since these contracts can bring such huge returns, let’s go all in. However, you must also ensure the implementation process doesn’t slip from our control, lest we do all the work just for someone else to reap the benefits.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Claude nodded, a glint of confidence in his eyes. “Don’t worry, my lord. I will personally oversee it. Your fief will become one of the wealthiest in the entire kingdom.”

Henry pursed his lips. ‘Richest? That’s boring. It should be the strongest.’

Time slipped by quietly amidst the hustle and anticipation. Day by day, a scene of tense but orderly activity unfolded across Henry’s territory.

The nobles who had signed the contracts quickly returned to their own fiefs and began urgently assembling their armies and preparing provisions.

Filled with enthusiasm and hope for the future, they gathered together with High Morale as per their agreements and plans, ready to set out for their respective destinations.

‘How could a siege be harder than storming a city?’

On the steppe, the scale of this unusual movement was immense. Almost overnight, the situation in the entire kingdom was thrown into turmoil.

A Count makes a move? Wow, that’s interesting… The whole steppe is on the move? Has the sky fallen? Did the emperor die? Has the empire finally collapsed?

Except for the nobles in the western regions and the mountains of Battania, who were somewhat slower to react due to their remote locations, nobles from all other areas turned their eyes toward the churning steppe.

They were displeased, envious, wary, or secretly scheming, but without exception, they were all watching the movements of Henry and the other nobles.

Autongard, Makabe, and Baltahan declared martial law. They never imagined that nobles would just show up with their armies without so much as a word of warning!

‘So uncivilized! Do you have no noble honor?!’

The most nervous of all was Count Akakarat. He was extremely thankful for his foresight in starting to move his wealth and some key family members early on.

This way, even if the city fell and his fief was lost, he could quickly establish himself as a noble in exile and make a comeback!

The only thing making him tense now was his reluctance to abandon Akakarat City.

He knew very well that even if he were given another two years to prepare, he still wouldn’t be able to withstand Henry’s attack.

Unless the emperor issued an explicit decree right now, ordering all the empire’s Legions and noble Private Armies to unite in an attack to encircle and destroy Henry.

Those who were close would send troops, and those who were far would send money and grain. Otherwise, not a single noble could stand against that animal, Henry.

What was more despairing was that you might be able to hold off Henry’s army, but the moment Henry himself appeared, you had better start running.

At this very moment, the city of Odoche was also witnessing a scene common to Westwood Laine: an army marching off to war.

Ever since Henry had brought this place under his rule, the residents of Odoche had gradually grown accustomed to his methods.

Although some did not like it, faced with Henry’s powerful military and iron-fisted tactics, they could only choose to endure it silently, bottling up their discontent.

‘The heads on the four city walls are still hanging there!’

On this day, the armies of nobles like Henry, Boman, and Fass gathered together. When the grand army of tens of thousands had finished assembling in Odoche and was preparing to depart, the city’s residents were utterly stunned by the magnificent sight.

From the first rays of dawn until sunset, the common folk were allowed to stand on the city walls or crowd the sides of the narrow streets, watching the soldiers in their armor, swords in hand, marching out in formation.

Their eyes were filled with shock. When the army had first entered the city, all they knew was that soldiers were running all over the streets.

Only at this moment did they realize just how many troops were actually stationed in the city they lived in!

Odoche had been at peace for a long time. For generations, there had been no war, and pleasure and stability had long become the main themes of life here.

The residents here were used to a comfortable life. They were used to waking up each morning without worrying that the flames of war would reach their homes.

Roving bandits couldn’t get in, and it was impossible for Half-Beastmen to reach Odoche. They were used to haggling in the marketplace and singing merrily in the taverns, but they had long since forgotten the cruelty and bloodshed of war.

Many had even forgotten that there was a group of people in the world, clad in armor and carrying swords, who could easily shatter their peaceful lives. They had forgotten that there were people who held the power of life and death over them.