CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 492: 3 POOPS, CHOOSE 1 TO EAT (PART 2)

Prince Kongdai’s casual remark left the entire conference hall with nothing but the sound of thunder and lightning outside.

210,000 hectares.

That’s not 2,000 hectares, or 20,000 hectares, but a full 210,000 hectares.

The entire Hotam County only has a little over 1 million hectares of land, and he immediately demanded one fifth of it.

Once most of the nobles present realized his demand, they all simultaneously turned their eyes towards Banifus.

But he only shook his head with a bitter smile, his expression equally filled with bitterness.

Since Mizam’s death, he hasn’t been able to control Prince Kongdai, to be precise, Mizam couldn’t either.

He merely represents the Pope’s opinion, and the only person who could control Prince Kongdai was the former Old Pope.

But the Old Pope is already dead.

The newly appointed Pope Puliano is still in a war of words with the New Pope of Falan, Grandiva, and his position is not stable.

Now most of the attention of the Leia’s nobles is focused on the civil war, which is equivalent to loosening the reins on Prince Kongdai. He must establish de facto governance during this golden hiatus in the civil war.

Compared to local nobles, Prince Kongdai trusts more the veteran officials in his domain and these Imperial Knights who lived and died together.

"Apologies, the thunder is too loud, I lost my composure." Gelinon coughed, picked up the wine glass from the floor, and handed it to the waiting servant.

"May I boldly ask, why do you need so much land?" Bishop Matteo cautiously inquired.

210,000 hectares amounts to 3 million acres, each immigrant would get an average of 157 acres, so a whole family together would probably have 700 acres.

This is almost half a knight’s fief, who distributes land like this?

Prince Kongdai laughed heartily: "Five Imperial Knight regiments, three Mercenary Corps, the original military expenses were partially funded by the royal family, partially by the church, and partially by myself.

Since the church split and the royal family is in civil war, both sources of funding are cut, the money you provide is like a drop in the bucket, simply not enough to fill the bellies of the Imperial Knights.

Therefore, besides money, we can only offer real estate to motivate them, otherwise, if the supplies are cut, they might run back to fight for a few Dukes, who will protect you then?

It’s not several hundred acres per immigrant family, but 5,000 acres of land per gun cavalry team, with immigrants only migrating as assistants.

As for the Mercenary Corps fees, they will be borne by each town, I’ve calculated, there’s no need to raise taxes, last year’s city taxes can cover the Mercenary Corps fees."

If someone else said this, the nobles present would likely express classic hypocrisy.

Relying on nonviolent non-cooperation, it would be extremely difficult for Prince Kongdai to push things forward on his own.

But under the current circumstances, they are neither opponents to Prince Kongdai’s Imperial Knight regiments nor to the armies north and south of the Thousand River Valley.

But just to give it away without a fight? That would be equivalent to each person losing one fifth of their meat.

"But this land is all owned, where did the 210,000 hectares come from?" Count of Stone Wall Ridge, Sanboli coughed.

"No problem at all." Prince Kongdai was prepared, he took out a map and laid it out on the table, clearly ready.

"Firstly, for the knights who died without male heirs—if there are no direct male successors, we find a female relative to marry our knights, taking care of the entire family.

Solving both dilemmas through marriage.

Otherwise, letting those young brats or unarmed noble ladies occupy the land is a waste.

This could amount to almost 500,000 acres of land, this portion of land, migrate in immigrants from Falan and the Leia Clan.

Then, with 2.6 million acres of land left, let my gun cavalry teams take it for sustenance, with 5,000 acres per batch.

You know, when money and food pass through hands, there’s always a lot of loss, since my knights aren’t of much use just standing around, might as well let them collect taxes and cover their own pay, how about it?

Don’t worry, it’s just temporary borrowing. Next year when I take back Lower Reif County and Langsande County, I’ll relocate my knights there.

I know you’ll suffer losses, but once I capture the entire Thousand River Valley, I’ll return you double the 420,000 hectares of land, restoring the entire Jinhe Town to you."

Meanwhile, Jinhe Town’s current stance is to cooperate with the Salvation Army, in the future when we take the entire Thousand River Valley, all remaining Kush people’s bloodline must either be exiled or killed.

These fertile lands will naturally be vacated, they might even help guard the borders with Black Snake Bay.

The thoughts of Prince Kongdai, a few nobles could guess more or less.

But sending gun cavalry to collect taxes, is that still collecting taxes? Isn’t that just robbery?

Have the Norn people resumed their old ways and started patrolling Sogon?

A look of embarrassment appeared on the faces of both religious and secular nobles, as these lands had been cultivated by their ancestors.

Those vital wells, ditches, small dikes, and pastures were like hens laying golden eggs; should these barbaric knights pass through, only devastation would remain.

More importantly, taxation isn’t merely a matter of money; it’s also about determining who the true lord of the domain is.

This is the almost untouchable scale for all the nobility.

"But Your Highness, can we really occupy the entire Thousand River Valley?" Bishop Matteo still straightforwardly asked.

"I’ve already invited the Oslar Clan of Thorn Garden. They will send troops to assist us." Prince Kongdai flung a letter onto the table, "Our previous defeat was mainly due to scattered forces, attending to one thing while neglecting another, leading to an inability to exert full power.

With the Land Servants and Thorn Knights from the Oslar Clan, we can hold back the Salvation Army from the south, while I will lead five Imperial Knight Corps directly into North Mande, coordinating with the Shattered Stone Plain army to attack from both sides, guaranteeing victory."

Standing up, Prince Kongdai forcefully knocked the table: "I have spoken, who approves and who opposes?"

After all the nobles had left, Lakunio entered from outside the door: "Did they agree with your opinion?"

"Yes." Holding a wine glass and watching the lightning racing across the sky, Prince Kongdai nodded heavily, "They agreed, everything as desired."

"It’s not going to be that simple." Lakunio was more worried. After arriving at the Thousand River Valley, a sense of crisis enveloped his heart, making it difficult for him to leave.

Prince Kongdai looked down at his reflection in the red wine: "So what? The kingdom is in civil war, the only one capable of supporting them is Duke Omes, who supports me.

These nobles in the Thousand River Valley are like fish on a chopping board, even more aware than I am, otherwise why do you think they would agree?"

With a long sigh, Lakunio did not persuade further, as Prince Kongdai wouldn’t listen, and instead brought up another topic: "Do you really have to attack northward?"

"I will not change course until those traitors are dead." An obvious arc and indentation appeared on the copper cup in Prince Kongdai’s hand.

After being betrayed by the people from High Castle, Prince Kongdai’s obsession peaked, leaving no trace of his once bold and unrestrained demeanor; he had to conquer High Castle to settle his mind.

Seeing that sinister face, Lakunio seemed to have made a decision.

He was old, with neither sons nor daughters.

To die of old age or in battle were both deaths, so why struggle for a few more years of life?

"I’m just an old bag of bones now, probably can’t mount a horse and kill anymore. But if you must advance north, I could replace Little Mizam and serve as an advisor."

Suddenly turning around, Prince Kongdai was stunned for a few seconds before rushing up with joy to give his former teacher a big hug.

"If you’re willing to help me, that would be wonderful."

Though skilled in the Thousand River Valley, it was truly this Lakunio who taught him; Prince Kongdai owed much to this teacher for his return to the Leia Kingdom.

"With your help, I’m certain to become the Duke of the Thousand River Valley, the Prince of the Thousand River Valley!"

Unlike Prince Kongdai’s delight, Lakunio merely patted his back with a complicated expression.

Old Gail, oh, Old Gail, I truly owe you nothing this time.

.........

"The rain is heavy."

Standing under the eaves, Gelinon felt someone tap his shoulder, and turning back, he found it was Count Sanboli.

This count, stationed at Stone Wall Ridge, had some imperial El blood and was among the oldest in rank among the five counts.

"Not as big as last year’s. If not for last year’s heavy rain, we might not all be gathered here today." Sanboli exhaled a ring of white smoke.

Seeing Gelinon’s curious gaze, Sanboli smiled and pulled out a pipe: "This is a new thing out of Gryphon Horn, called tobacco leaves, which can be dried and lit to smoke.

Originally, it was Xilan sailors who smoked it, and it has only recently become popular in Falan, said to enhance heart and lung function."

Gelinon tried a puff, only to cough repeatedly from smoke irritation.

"Hahaha." Sanboli laughed, taking a puff and blowing out a smoke ring, "Since the rain is so heavy and it won’t stop anytime soon, I have a villa nearby; why not come over?"

Gelinon rubbed his nose, about to politely decline, but saw Sanboli give a meaningful smile: "Let’s all go together."

Understanding at once, Gelinon took off his hat: "Since it’s your invitation, how could I bear to refuse?"