Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start - Chapter 298 - 296: Breakthrough and Cooperation

Chapter 298: Chapter 296: Breakthrough and Cooperation

The sound of horse hooves rang out. David, who had gone ahead to announce their arrival, had returned, and with him was Baron Hammett.

It wasn’t until he saw the man in person that Ronin remembered what he looked like.

“Hahaha, Count Ronin! I never expected you to visit my territory!”

Hammett swung himself off his horse, his welcome full of excitement.

Ronin was currently the most celebrated noble in Wushan Territory; he would likely receive a warm welcome wherever he went. Hammett himself had been promoted to Baron thanks to his military achievements in the recent war, and to a certain extent, he had Ronin to thank for it.

“Congratulations, Hammett!”

Ronin dismounted and greeted him, “Under your rule, Thorn Valley will surely become a prosperous city.”

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Hammett led Ronin into his castle—a wooden one.

Hammett explained that it had been left by his predecessor in Thorn Valley. He planned to build his own castle, but that would take several years.

After learning what Madam Rice and Pick had endured on the road, Hammett thanked Ronin profusely.

“This whole affair is my fault.”

Hammett’s tone was heavy. “My ex-wife and son tragically passed away. During this time, I’ve had to arrange their funerals while also managing Thorn Valley’s affairs. The few Attendant Knights under my command have been so busy they haven’t stopped, so I had no time to go to Willie to pick up the mother and son.”

He glanced apologetically at Madam Rice and Pick, who were sitting to the side. A flash of anger crossed his eyes. “Count Ronin, do you have any idea who hired the Wolf Slaying Mercenary Corps to do this?”

Ronin shook his head. Since it wasn’t his business, he hadn’t paid it much mind. Otherwise, he would have captured one of them last night for questioning.

“In matters like this, you just have to see who stands to benefit the most.”

Ronin looked toward Pick. “If all of your sons were to die, who would inherit the barony?”

Hammett froze. Then, as if he had realized something, a look of shock and rage flashed across his face.

“Thank you for the reminder. I think I know who it is now.”

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. “My younger brother, Yoni… I truly hope it wasn’t him.”

Although Hammett was nearly fifty and still capable of having more children, if he had no male heir, it was entirely possible that his younger brother would inherit the title of Baron of Thorn Valley.

Ronin wasn’t particularly interested in other people’s family drama.

“Baron Hammett, I came here this time for more than just escorting Madam Rice. There’s something else I need your help with.”

Hammett immediately perked up. “Please, go on!”

“Thorn Valley borders Sharp Horn City, so you must be quite familiar with it. I’m hoping you can recruit some artisans for me who are skilled in port construction.”

Hammett was taken aback. ’Wubei Territory can build a port?’

’But then again,’ he thought, ’Wubei Territory faces the sea to the north and east, so building a port does seem reasonable.’

’But what’s the use of building a port there?’

’Across from Sharp Horn City are the Royal Capital and other cities, but to the north and east of Wubei Territory is nothing but open sea. With no land on the other side, where would the trade come from?’

’Would they sail all the way around to the Kingdom? Or travel south along the eastern coast to trade with the Villa Duchy, with whom they’ve always had poor relations?’

’Building a port costs a fortune. With that kind of money, it would be better to just use land routes.’

Although he didn’t understand, Hammett still agreed.

“Rest assured. I grew up in Sharp Horn City and have been out on the Screaming Sea more times than I can count. I’m very familiar with seaports, so you can leave this matter to me without any problem.”

Ronin smiled his thanks and then moved on to a second matter.

“I have an Alchemist in my territory, and one of the materials he requires is thorn. It’s not very common in Wubei Territory, so if you’re interested, you could send someone to Swamp Town in my territory to find Great Physician Elron.”

Hammett’s eyes lit up. He realized this was a business opportunity.

Although he was a Baron, Thorn Valley had no special resources, and its economic development was a major headache for him.

The only solution he had come up with so far was to clear more farmland for crops like grain and flax, raise internal taxes slightly, and sell the surplus for profit.

Ronin’s mention of thorns, however, gave him a new idea.

Thorn Valley covered a large area. Whatever else it might lack, it had thorns in abundance.

Thorns had to be cleared away when preparing farmland anyway. If he could turn that waste into profit, why wouldn’t he?

“To be honest, I have too many expenses right now. Building the castle, recruiting soldiers, forming a Knight Squad, and even purchasing farming tools for the territory—it all costs a great deal of money.”

Not all barons came into money as quickly as Ronin.

Although Hammett had accumulated some savings from his years as an Honorary Knight, it was clearly not enough to manage a territory and form a Knight Squad.

He needed to make money.

So when Ronin mentioned that even worthless thorns could be a business, his gaze grew fervent.

“Once the autumn harvest in my territory is complete, I will personally make a trip to Wubei Territory. If we can establish a partnership, it would be an honor for both me and Thorn Valley!”

“Wubei Territory welcomes you anytime.”

Ronin smiled. “Also, you just mentioned purchasing farming tools and forming a Knight Squad. I think we may have room for cooperation there as well.”

“Oh?”

Next, Ronin turned into a salesman.

He had now taken over Chishan Town, the Chishan Iron Mine had officially begun operations, and he had brought the Artisan Feng Si under his command.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com