Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 588 - 351: Drafts and Alchemy

Chapter 588: Chapter 351: Drafts and Alchemy

Bradley took the few drafts, his eyes immediately caught by the conspicuous title: “Draft Charter of the Northern Territory Materials Council and Joint Defense”.

“Listen while you read,” Louis spoke with a tone of thoughtful caution, “I’ll explain the key points.”

“Bradley, you know, I’m not in it for power for power’s sake. All of this is for the Red Tide and the Northern Territory to live a little longer, to live a little better.

We can’t rely on external aid or luck anymore. The Northern Territory rebuilds every year but can’t unite, only repeating the same mistakes.”

Bradley nodded as he flipped through the pages.

“The first point is food,” Louis paced slowly, “as we discussed before, unconditional relief will stop here, reverting to discounted compensation.

With this as the core, we will propose the establishment of the Northern Territory Materials Council and the Northern Territory Trade Alliance at the next Northern Territory Rebuilding Conference, setting standards for transactions and ensuring returns for aid.”

“Will they agree?” Bradley inquired tentatively.

“More accurately, they have no choice,” Louis replied calmly, the corners of his lips barely lifting.

“There might be some resistance at first, but once they secure stable trade routes and we achieve financial circulation, no one will be at a loss, and no one can operate outside the rules—that is balance.

The nobles and chambers of commerce under the Red Tide are all incorporated into a community of interest. I’m merely making them understand who can make this chain operate.”

Bradley silently took a deep breath. Such a concept required not only power but also immense influence and control.

If it were someone else, he would definitely think this is arrogance, but coming from Louis, it seemed entirely natural.

“What about the financial flow?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Louis pointed to the second page: “The Red Tide needs a sustainable financial cycle. The Council is in charge of the settlements, with the Trade Alliance ensuring trade circulation.”

He paused, smiling: “In the later stages…we can issue our own currency, the Red Tide Coin.

Not to replace the Empire’s currency, but to establish a credit system.

Let the Northern People believe they are no longer dependent on the Imperial Capital but on the production and trade of the Northern Territory itself, achieving internal circulation. Moreover, doing business with the Federation is not impossible. This way, even if the Empire collapses, the Northern Territory can still stand on its own.”

Bradley’s breath hitched, almost doubting what he heard: “The Red Tide… mints its currency?”

“It’s merely a concept for now,” Louis explained, “but getting the Northern Territory accustomed to using Red Tide’s units of measurement is part of the control. What circulates isn’t gold or silver, but trust.”

Bradley’s heartbeat quickened.

Before him, this young lord had transformed from a city-controlling pioneer to the architect of the entire Northern Territory, perhaps owning other ideas he dared not imagine.

As for trading with the Empire’s Federation, he wasn’t too surprised, as most of the Empire’s major nobles did so, and the Imperial Capital could only turn a blind eye.

“The second item, joint defense,” Louis continued, “sign the ’Northern Territory Joint Defense Treaty’, establish a military academy, integrate military supplies and training into the Red Tide system, with joint defense exercises and military supply approvals executed by the Council.”

He slowed his speech: “There are too many wars in the Northern Territory, Bradley. Every noble has their own banner, meaning every misunderstanding could turn into a battle.

It’s been quiet for a few hard years; I don’t want to see such winters again.

The purpose of joint defense is for them to learn cooperation under the Red Tide’s order, no longer fighting individually, but surviving together.”

Bradley’s hand trembled slightly: “That means handing over the military power of each noble…”

“Unified management,” Louis completed for him, his tone flat, “They are in charge nominally, we manage in reality.

Military supplies, provisions, and training come from us, and over time, their troops recognize only the Red Tide’s insignia.

Of course, this is just a future vision; the first step now is to bind them together with commerce and food.”

Bradley swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead as he realized the scope of this conquest plan.

“The third item, Beiwang Hall and the Minstrel Network,” Louis turned the page, “The former is intelligence, the latter is for public opinion.

Festivals and the historian system, all need to be under Red Tide’s jurisdiction. The songs people hear, the stories nobles listen to, will ultimately lead to one person.”

Louis clarified: “Of course, this isn’t brainwashing, but storytelling. We don’t alter the truth, just change who narrates it.

When people believe the Red Tide can provide them a peaceful living and opportunities for their children, they will naturally speak for this order.”

Bradley stared at the text, a sense of dread rising in his heart.

He had never seen such indoctrination, nor did he know if it would succeed, but even this draft was already so shocking and revolutionary.

“This…this is about reshaping the thoughts of the Northern Territory,” he murmured.

“Thoughts, order, interests,” Louis answered gently, “All three are indispensable. Order without thoughts is tyranny, faith without interests is hollow. We need them to both believe and benefit.”

Bradley put down the draft, took a deep breath, and asked again: “What about the implementation? How do you plan to make them accept it?”

Louis smiled slightly: “Start with our own allies. Implement for a year, then present the data, and expand.”

“Data?” Bradley was puzzled.

“The most powerful political weapon,” Louis’s smile deepened, “Numbers are more persuasive than speeches. If production grows and trade increases within a year, they’ll come seeking to join.”

A sense of admiration arose in Bradley’s heart, he hadn’t expected Louis to think this far ahead.