lerbook #495 - Choose one of the three excrements to eat (Part 2)
#495 - Choose one of the three excrements to eat (Part 2)
Prince Condé's casual remark left the entire council chamber filled only with the sound of thunder and lightning outside the windows.
210,000 hectares.
That wasn't 2,000 hectares, or 20,000 hectares, but a full 210,000 hectares.
The entire County of Hotham only had a little over 1 million hectares of land, and he was asking for one-fifth of it with a single sentence.
After most of the nobles present reacted, they all turned their gazes towards Barney Foss.
But he just shook his head with a wry smile, his face equally bitter.
Since Mizam's death, he couldn't control Prince Condé at all; to be precise, Mizam couldn't either.
He only represented the Pope's opinion; the only one who could control Prince Condé was the former old Pope.
But the old Pope was already dead.
The new Pope, Puliano, was still engaged in a war of words with the Frankish new Pope, Grandiva, and his position was unstable.
Now, most of the nobles in Leia were mainly focused on the civil war, which was equivalent to untying Prince Condé's hands, and he had to form a de facto rule during this golden window of opportunity.
Compared to the local nobles, Prince Condé trusted the old officials of the previous dynasty in his territory and these knights who shared life and death with the decree.
"Sorry, the thunder was too loud, I lost my composure," Galenon coughed, picked up the wine glass from the ground, and handed it to the male servant who was already waiting aside.
"May I be so bold as to ask, why do you need so much land?" Bishop Matteo asked cautiously.
210,000 hectares was equivalent to 3 million mu of land, and each immigrant could get an average of 157 mu, so a family, old and young, would probably have 700 mu of land.
That was almost half a knight's territory; there was no such way to distribute land.
Prince Condé smiled broadly: "Five decree companies, three mercenary regiments, the original military expenses were partly from the royal family, partly from the church, and partly from myself.
Currently, the church is split, the royal family is in civil war, and the sources of funds on both sides have been cut off. The money you give is a drop in the bucket, and it can't fill the stomachs of the decree knights at all.
Therefore, in addition to money, we can only use real estate to motivate them; otherwise, if the food supply is cut off, they will run back to fight for several dukes. Who will protect you?
It's not that each immigrant has hundreds of mu of land, but each lancer squadron has 5,000 mu of land. The immigrants are just moving in as helpers.
As for the employment fees of the mercenary regiments, it will be borne by the various towns. I have calculated that there is no need to increase taxes; last year's city tax can cover the expenses of the mercenary regiments."
If someone else said these words, the nobles present would probably give the classic lip service.
Relying on non-violent non-cooperation, it would be extremely difficult for Prince Condé to push things forward on his own.
But under the current situation, they were neither a match for Prince Condé's decree company nor a match for the Northern and Southern armies of Thousand River Valley.
But were they just going to give it away for nothing? That would be equivalent to everyone cutting off one-fifth of their flesh.
"But this land is all owned; where does 210,000 hectares of land come from?" Earl Sampoli of Stone Wall Ridge coughed.
"It doesn't matter." Prince Condé took out a map, which he had prepared in advance, and spread it on the table, looking like he was well-prepared.
"First of all, for those knights who died in battle without heirs, if there are no adult direct male heirs, find a female relative to marry our knights, taking care of the whole family.
Marry instead of inheriting, solving both difficulties.
Otherwise, it would be a waste to raise those little brats or noble ladies without combat power for nothing.
This way, there would be almost 500,000 mu of land. This part of the land will be moved into by Frankish and Leia immigrants.
Then, there are still 2.6 million mu of land, which will be given to my lancer squadrons in portions of 5,000 mu to live off of.
You know, a lot of money and food are always lost when they pass through hands. Anyway, my knights are useless staying there, so let them collect taxes and collect their own military pay. How about that?
Don't worry, it's just a temporary loan. When I take back Lower Riverford County and Langsand County next year, I will move my knights there.
I know you will suffer losses, but as long as I take the entire Thousand River Valley, I will return double the 420,000 hectares of land to you and return the entire Golden River Township to you."
Anyway, the current situation in Golden River Township is cooperation with the Salvation Army. In the future, after taking the entire Thousand River Valley, the last bloodline of these damn Cushites must be exiled or killed.
These fertile lands will naturally be vacated, and they can even help guard the border with Black Serpent Bay.
The nobles could generally guess at Prince Condé's intentions.
It's just that sending lancer squadrons to collect taxes, was that still collecting taxes? Wasn't that just robbery?
Was he starting the old business of the Normans, starting to patrol and demand tribute?
Both the religious nobles and the secular nobles showed embarrassment on their faces. These fields were all built up by their ancestors.
Those important wells, ditches, small dikes, and pastures were all gold-laying chickens. If these barbaric knights passed through, there would probably be nothing left but a land full of wounds.
Most importantly, taxes are not just a matter of money, but also a matter of who is the master of the territory.
This was almost the reverse scale of all nobles.
"But Your Highness, can we really occupy the entire Thousand River Valley?" Bishop Matteo still asked bluntly.
"I have already invited the Osla family of Thorns Garden, and they will send troops to help." Prince Condé threw a letter on the table. "The previous failure was mainly due to the dispersion of troops, which led to the inability to exert full strength due to losing sight of one thing and paying attention to another.
With the Osla family's domestic servants and Thorn Knights, they can hold back the Salvation Army in the south, and I will lead five decree companies directly into North Mander, cooperating with the Gravel Plain army to attack from both sides, and we will surely win."
Standing up, Prince Condé slammed the table hard: "I have finished speaking. Who agrees? Who opposes?"
After all the nobles had left, Lacunio walked in from outside the door: "Did they agree to your opinion?"
"Yes." Holding a wine glass, watching the lightning flashing in the sky, Prince Condé nodded heavily, "Agreed, everything as desired."
"It won't be that simple." Lacunio was even more worried. After he arrived in Thousand River Valley, a sense of crisis enveloped his heart, making it difficult for him to leave.
Prince Condé looked down at himself in the reflection of the red wine: "So what? The kingdom is in civil war, and the only one who can support them is Duke Omes, who supports me.
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These nobles of Thousand River Valley are fish to be slaughtered. They know it better than I do; otherwise, why do you think they would accept it?"
Lacunio sighed and didn't try to persuade him further. Prince Condé wouldn't listen anyway. Instead, he brought up another topic: "Are you sure you want to attack the north?"
"I will never change my mind until I kill that group of traitors." A noticeable arc and dent appeared in the copper cup in Prince Condé's hand.
After being betrayed by the Highfort people, Prince Condé's paranoia reached its peak. He almost couldn't see his former heroic appearance. He had to take Highfort to untie his knot.
Looking at that sinister face, Lacunio seemed to have made up his mind.
He was old, with no children.
Dying of old age and dying in battle were both death, so why struggle for a few more years of life?
"I'm an old bone and probably can't ride a horse to kill people anymore. If you must attack the north first, I can replace that little Mizam and be your strategist."
Turning around abruptly, Prince Condé was stunned for several seconds before he greeted him with joy and gave his former teacher a big hug.
"If you are willing to help me, that would be great."
Although he learned his skills in Thousand River Valley, it was Lacunio who truly taught him. This teacher made a great contribution to Prince Condé's return to the Kingdom of Leia.
"With your help, I will definitely become the Duke of Thousand River Valley, the Prince of Thousand River Valley!"
Unlike Prince Condé's surprise, Lacunio just patted him on the back with a complicated expression.
Old Gale, old Gale, this time I really don't owe you anything.
………………
"The rain is getting heavy." Standing under the eaves, Galenon felt someone pat him on the shoulder. When he turned around, it was Earl Sampoli.
This earl, who was based in Stone Wall Ridge, had some imperial Elven blood and was one of the most senior among the five earls.
"Not as big as last year. If it hadn't been for the heavy rain last year, we probably wouldn't have gathered here today." Sampoli exhaled a puff of white smoke from his mouth.
Seeing Galenon's curious gaze, Sampoli smiled and took out a smoking pipe: "This is a new gadget from Gryphonhorn, called tobacco. It can be smoked after being dried.
Originally, it was smoked by sailors from Zealand, but it has recently become popular in Frank. It is said to enhance cardiopulmonary function."
Galenon tried to take a puff but was choked into coughing repeatedly.
"Hahahaha." Sampoli laughed, took a puff, and exhaled a layer of smoke rings. "Since the rain is so heavy, we can't go back for a while. I have a villa nearby. Why don't we go sit for a while?"
Galenon rubbed his nose and was about to decline when he saw Sampoli's meaningful smile: "Let's all go."
Galenon understood and took off his hat: "Since it's your invitation, how can I bear to refuse?"