Riding and Slashing

Chapter 145 The Price of Success

"I need a million pounds of grain seeds, and send ships from the port to Mettenheim as quickly as possible to solve the famine there."

The lord really didn't hide anything.

"Food? I can't provide food to people in hostile countries. Being an enemy is a serious crime anywhere. I can't use my crime of being an enemy in exchange for the evidence of the other two governors being an enemy, right? Your Excellency Li Ang, I would rather pay both Double the price to buy..."

Kailos refused directly at first, then stared at the two IOUs, showing a hesitant expression again.

It seems that what he is hesitating is not whether to make a deal...

"Don't get me wrong, the food was not provided to me. I just helped these friends from Mettenheim solve their difficulties. The person who bought the food was Count Guderian of Mettenheim. They are not your hostile country...Of course, If you are not interested, I can go directly to talk to His Majesty the Emperor—in fact, I originally planned to go directly to His Majesty the Emperor."

Li Ang pointed to the Mettenheim man standing outside.

Indeed, Kailos is not the only customer, and he can also talk to Emperor Marius.

And it would be more secure to talk to Marius - without the middleman Kairos.

The lord put his hand lightly on the small table, pressed the parchment, and stared into Kailos' eyes.

Emperor Marius would certainly be interested...

Before coming here, Li Angben was quite sure that he could convince the Bacchus Empire.

But he originally considered a lot of routines, such as meeting Kailos in the name of Frederick, an envoy, and then using this to meet Emperor Marius, and using the factional struggle in the Bacchus Empire to persuade Marius.

The Emperor Marius would certainly be willing to resolve the famine in Mettenheim—with the wisdom of his majesty in promoting reforms, he would certainly be willing to make Mettenheim a staunch ally of Bacchus.

Convincing such an emperor is actually much easier than convincing a lord. Li Ang has always been good at taking advantage of the situation.

But after obtaining so much information along the way, he finally decided to reveal his identity directly and directly persuade Kailos with the IOUs written by the two governors.

Because the Emperor Marius represented the country of Bacchus; and Frederick, the official envoy, represented Mettenheim.

If it is in the name of an envoy, this matter is a purely diplomatic act, and the benefits that the lord himself can get are limited.

Moreover, letting a politician like Emperor Marius support Mettenheim is likely to have sequelae, such as causing Mettenheim to be coerced by the Bacchus Empire.

But if you are persuading Governor Kailos in private, you don't have this concern.

Diplomatic behavior and private transactions are completely different, but the results that Mettenheim can get are no different-even if the deal is negotiated diplomatically, Mario will still let Kairos complete the specific steps.

Because the grain seeds produced near Dilingang are the most suitable, and they have to be transported by the ship of Dilingang.

Moreover, such a private behavior will make Li Ang himself the greatest gratitude from the people of Mettenheim.

This is the lord's selfishness - he has raised his goal to a higher level.

His goal was changed from 'gaining the gratitude of some Meittenheim people'; to 'getting the respect of Meittenheim'.

Because, this almost helped Mettenheim solve a big problem with his own efforts.

Li Ang believed that Kairos would definitely be willing to trade, because Kairos' needs had been thoroughly stimulated, and now there were clearly two buyers, which belonged to a seller's market.

Moreover, 100 million pounds of grain is not too difficult for Kailos.

Kailos' territory is Emperor Lingang, a large city with a total population of more than [-] in the county, and the richest economic center in the entire Bacchus.

Dean once again carried out water conservancy construction in this area, and there is absolutely no shortage of food.

"If it's Mettenheim .

Kailos sat up straight again and looked at Li Ang.

"It's 100 million pounds of grain seeds—grain seeds suitable for planting near the port of Dilin, and sent to Mettenheim by boat. Frederick, the messenger of Mettenheim, will bring some great swordsmen back home with the boat. As long as I When you see the ship with food set off, you can send me back to Sarleon directly, so you don't have to worry about what other means I will use."

Li Ang finished speaking word by word, picked up the two IOUs and put them back in his arms, then opened the car door directly: "I really came here with good intentions, I believe you can sense it."

"make a deal."

Kailos didn't ink any more, and agreed.

But before getting out of the car, he said softly: "Agason is right, you will definitely become the enemy of the empire... This ability to read people's hearts alone is enough to stir up the situation, and now you Still so young..."

The lord turned back and smiled: "What? Is Lord Kairos planning to join me?"

Kailos also laughed loudly: "Ha, this tone is really not small... Actually, I have been hesitating just now, whether I should kill you directly."

The lord smiled and shook his head: "Lord Kailos, you probably don't know... there is a sharpshooter watching you from the window all the time."

After finishing speaking, Li Ang got up and got out of the car, standing by the door and reaching out to help.

The direction of the hand is facing a tree not far away.

Kairos got out of the car, followed the hand of the lord and looked over, only to see a man in green with a big bow standing on the branch of the tree, which seemed to be almost integrated with the tree.

Probably seeing Kailos' gaze, the archer disappeared among the leaves in a flash.

That's Risa Diran.

Kailos returned to the carriage without saying a word, and then said to the lord: "Lend me this carriage. I will wait for you at the port in three days."

Li Ang smiled and nodded: "What are you talking about borrowing, I will give you this carriage as a souvenir. Klose, go and help the governor drive."

Kailos shook his head in the car: "How much dinar is this carriage worth?"

"Since you know that it can block all arrows and spears, it obviously cannot be measured in dinars. Governor, I hope you can understand my friendliness and sincerity."

Li Ang smiled and waved goodbye to Kailos.

Kailos' guard guarded the carriage and left towards Emperor Lingang, and Kailos did not refuse to let Klose drive. He knew that this was the contact person Li Ang gave him.

Watching the carriage go away, the lord nodded to Frederick who had been watching him eagerly: "Your mission can be completed, go to the port and wait, and you can return to Mettenheim with food in three days. "

Frederick became tearful within two seconds and knelt down on one knee facing Li Ang.

"My lord, before you set foot on the land of the Iron God, your virtues will be widely praised. As the envoy of Mettenheim, I declare that all the people of the Iron God who hear your name will agree with your will, Glory and authority, and fighting for you will be regarded as a supreme honor."

At this moment, Frederick is representing an independent country as an envoy.

This is not taking an oath of allegiance, but representing the people of Mettenheim, expressing their approval of the lord's right to rule.

From now on, no matter whether Li Ang has a territory or not, no matter whether he is loyal to others or not, he will be regarded by the people of Mettenheim as a ruler equal to the Earl of Mettenheim.

This meant that the people of Mettenheim no longer regarded him as an ordinary noble lord.

Rather, it is regarded as the king of the allies.

……

Three days later, Emperor Lingang.

Kairos sent an ocean-going fleet to Mettenheim carrying a large amount of food.

All the people of Mettenheim temporarily bid farewell to the lord, and embarked on the journey home.

They want to protect with the ship, and they also need to keep an eye on the captains not to make small moves.

But in fact, those sea-going ships would definitely not make any small moves, because Lord Dean also boarded the ship with Frederick.

He is going to Mettenheim to build water conservancy facilities to help Mettenheim solve the famine.

This is his belief.

After all, Dean is the lord of Bacchus, and it is impossible to abduct him to Sarleon - this is treason.

This is a person who can even abide by such small laws as the age of marriage. He is loyal to the Bacchus Empire, and he will not commit treason.

And the plague exorcists sent by Kryon are still following.

But going to Mettenheim, he didn't feel any pressure at all.In fact, even the exorcists felt that it might be the best choice for Dean to go to Mettenheim.

This allows him to avoid the guilt of not marrying.

But for Dean, this is what Amy told him-her teacher will definitely give him a place where he can research and promote high-yield crops without any scruples, so that tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, Even the entire continent will no longer have famine.

"Your Excellency Li Ang, it is the responsibility Goddess Damia gave me to solve people's famine... I will continue my career in Eisenberg, thank you for your help."

Dean waved goodbye to Leon and Amy: "Miss Amy, I said I would send you a carload of seeds—but I'm going to take this one away. You can go to my house and remove all the remaining seeds in the cellar, give me It is enough for the housekeeper to leave enough grain for my [-] mu of land.”

Amy had dragged a truckload of potatoes and corn seeds from his house, and Dean was going to take the truckload directly to Mettenheim.

Dean gave Leon and Amy a handwritten letter, which was addressed to his steward, and at the same time, to his father, General Kryon.

There are more left in his cellar.

After bidding farewell to the fleet, only Amy and the exorcists were left beside the lord.

While seeing the fleet leave with his own eyes, Li Ang handed over the two IOUs to Governor Kairos.

Afterwards, Kailos sent troops to send them all the way to Yimer Village, and gave Li Ang a sum of money when they parted.

Not much, two thousand dinars.

It was the money that Kailos bought the carriage.

The governor did not accept the gift, but paid a reasonable price for the boxcar.

Probably he was worried that the lord would use the same logic to trap him...

After all, accepting gifts from the lord of an enemy country is also easy to attract suspicion.

The other two governors wrote two IOUs and were used by Li Ang, so if they accept his carriage, there is no guarantee that they will not be used again.

Simply ask your subordinates to pay to avoid being cheated.

After seeing the archer on the tree, Governor Kairos was quite wary of the lord.

However, the lord just needed cash, and Li Ang spent all of these two thousand dinars in the blink of an eye.

He used the money to buy five ordinary wagons and dragged most of Dean's potatoes and corn seeds back to his territory.

More than 3000 pounds of corn, and about a thousand pounds of potatoes.

When we returned to the territory, it was already June.

This is no longer the season for planting potatoes. The weather is too hot and the soil temperature is too high. Potatoes will not germinate, so they can only be stored in a dry and light-proof cellar until autumn.

But corn can be planted in June and July—the corn seed here in Dean is suitable for autumn corn.

What to do with wheat, the lord has absolutely no idea.

But he knew about corn, much more than Dean did.

In order to compare corn and wheat, Dean planted corn according to the cycle of wheat, and used the same irrigation method, which is actually a bit problematic...

Although he got twice the yield of wheat, the yield of two to three hundred pounds per mu is still not the data that corn should have...

Wheat is best sown when it is more than ten degrees, that is, when spring begins.

But when the temperature is around [-] degrees, that is, in summer, it is the most suitable temperature for cultivating corn.

After Dean dried and preserved the corn seeds, he planted them directly—wheat was indeed planted directly.

But corn is different. Sun-dried corn seeds should be soaked for a day before planting. Otherwise, not only will germination be slow and the efficiency will be low, but the quality of the grown corn will not be good.

In relatively cold places in the north, it is even necessary to use pots and [-]-degree warm water to urge seeds, and then plant them in the ground after they germinate.

Although the lord's understanding is indeed limited, he knows that as long as the correct method is followed, even this kind of corn that has not been improved and optimized can reach a production capacity of more than [-] pounds per mu.

In order to ensure the safety of this land, the two opened up a woodland behind White Hart Castle, which was planted by Mai Xiangling's troops-these soldiers with shares are more trustworthy.

More than 3000 pounds of corn seeds became nearly a thousand acres of cornfield within a few days, and this land belongs to the joint property of Li Ang and Amy.

The seeds were given to Amy by Dean, and the land was planted by someone sent by the lord, but the land belongs to Godric... This really belongs to the joint industry.

Potatoes are actually stored in the cellar of White Hart Castle—Mai Xiangling did not find a dry enough and completely dark environment, and the cellars of White Hart Castle were actually converted from prisons.

For these precious lumps, the lord also stayed in White Hart Castle.

So, just like Godric said, Leon was officially stationed at White Hart Castle to take charge of military affairs.

Amy will help him with those trivial matters, and Li Ang will manage the affairs of the two territories together.

The people of White Hart Castle also quickly got acquainted with the young lord, and gradually got used to reporting various important matters to Li Ang.

And the leaders and businessmen of Mai Xiangling are also used to looking for Li Ang for big things, and Miss Amy for small things...

Even the officials in Changhe Town know that if they have any official business, they can go directly to White Hart Castle and find Li Ang and Amy—it's the same anyway.

In addition, there is basically no boundary between Maixiangling and White Deer Castle. Wheat has been planted on both sides of the road now, and the residents of the township have also scattered among them, with one or two farms every few hundred meters.

Territory has been completely linked together.

White Hart Castle and Mai Xiangling gradually became difficult to distinguish from each other.

……

Siyuan City.

In the side hall of the palace, there were only two people.

Emperor Marius sat on his throne, twirling his bushy brown beard on his chin.

In front of him was Governor Justus.

"Justus, my old friend, that Baron Leon sold the IOU you wrote down to Kailos, you should know what it means..."

Emperor Marius glanced at Governor Justus meaningfully, with some jokes among friends.

Justus bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, I swear that I have never done anything to betray the empire..."

"I know you won't. You told me before...I just want to tell you that Leon entered the empire alone a few days ago and transferred the debt between you and Levius to Kairos. This makes I have to use a bigger price to 'acquire' your debt again, otherwise your reputation will be ruined..."

The communication between Emperor Marius and Justus was very direct.

The two appeared to be true, staunch old friends.

"Your Majesty, my reputation was originally irrelevant... The Shadow Legion is the problem that must be solved. You should not continue to let Kailos be the marshal..."

Justus shook his head.

"But the problem is that Kailos got these two IOUs, which can prove to outsiders that you and Levius had a deal with the enemy during the war... If I don't compromise with Kairos, what will the Shadow Legion think? ?Now let anyone other than Kailos be the marshal, the Shadow Legion will riot, and they may even directly raise the rebellion flag. You should know that there is also a rebellious Augustus in the empire, he is a member of the Council of Elders, Shadow The Legion is already leaning towards him!"

Emperor Marius reached out and tapped the armrest of the chair, looking anxious.

"Your Majesty, since this is the case, you can demote me, Kailos, and Levius...and then let General Agathon be the marshal. This will be fair and aboveboard, and no one will object..."

Justus seemed to be loyal to Mario, and he was willing to make such self-harming suggestions.

"You are the only one who can support my reforms, Justus... Our reforms will be difficult to sustain if you are viewed by most as an incompetent traitor who is sympathetic to the enemy. I cannot do this, Jasus Tess, people believe in reforms because they trust their leaders. If you are regarded as an incompetent person, I will be regarded as an incompetent emperor, and our reforms cannot be carried out..."

Mario stood up and waved his hand: "It's okay to let Kailos continue to be the marshal. I can let him be responsible for destroying Augustus! And the person who kidnapped you must be an irresistible enemy! Only in this way, Only then can the civilians and soldiers understand that you could not resist the kidnapper at that time. And we must also carry out reforms in order to deal with powerful opponents..."

After finishing speaking, he looked at Justus: "We want to make that Baron Leon a more powerful general than Agathon, so that people will forgive the fact that you were captured by him."

"But he is really just a little baron... Alas... unless His Majesty does it himself at the expense of his reputation."

Governor Justus sighed.

"That's why I called you here. I want to write him a letter, and you arrange for a secret agent to send it over..."

(End of this chapter)