ntioning Lady Karol, Yan Xing couldn’t help but reminisce about this peerless beauty.
She was the quintessential classical aristocrat, her every word and action exuding the highest standard of courtly grace. Her unique charm could easily draw n’s attention, unconsciously drawing their gaze. Even when Yan Xing t Lady Karol, he couldn’t help but admire her elegance. She was a woman remarkably adept at showcasing her most captivating qualities. Such a woman was certainly very astute.Now that she was in Nuta City, she must be making Count Theodore quite uncomfortable.
Yan Xing looked at the map for a while, then said, "I don’t understand anything about waging war. Besides, Thunderous Swamp won’t be getting involved in your three-way dispute over the Wildwind Highlands. I’m only concerned about my investnts in Nuta City. The road from the Eternal Domain to Nuta City is under construction, and the farmstead’s arable land is being reclaid. In a few days, the road will be open and the land ready for planting. So, whoever has a problem with Nuta City is having an issue with the Eternal Domain. Whoever makes you, Count, uncomfortable, I’ll make him uncomfortable."
Now that matters with Thunderous Swamp were settled, Yan Xing spoke with ample confidence. He spoke from a position of strength. This was also why Count Theodore relaxed upon seeing Yan Xing’s arrival. No matter how relations between Nuta City and the Eternal Domain might change in the future, Yan Xing was his natural ally right now.
Although Yan Xing had not made an appearance for two months, the Eternal Comrce Guild’s provision of grain to Nuta City’s workers was the foundation that had kept Nuta City stable up to this point. The grain rchants of Nuta City despised the Eternal Comrce Guild to the core, having sought trouble with the Guild multiple tis, only to be suppressed directly by the old Earl’s troops. When the Eternal Comrce Guild distributed grain, the old Earl would also send troops for protection. He had even killed a group of rcenaries hired by the grain rchants to ensure the security of the Eternal Comrce Guild’s grain supply. Now that Yan Xing had returned, they could accomplish even more together.
With Yan Xing’s support, Count Theodore’s spirits lifted. He stopped looking at the map, walked over and sat behind his desk, and after Yan Xing also sat down, he said, "Since you entered Nuta City incognito, you must have seen those rcenaries loitering aimlessly around the city."
Butler Attlee brought over wine glasses and a plastic wine barrel, pouring a glass of red wine for each of them.
Yan Xing was indeed thirsty from his journey; he picked up his glass and gulped it down in one go, then wiped his mouth and said, "I’ve seen them... those rcenaries have frightened the city’s residents into staying indoors, which is undoubtedly affecting resource production. Moreover, I see that most of the rcenaries are destitute. Once they run out of money for food, they’re bound to cause trouble."
"Indeed! The rcenary issue must be resolved quickly..." Count Theodore nodded. Nuta City faced many crises, and the rcenaries were currently a pressing concern, especially since it was certain that a portion of them, with backing from so influential figures, were colluding with Orcs and Elves. Furthermore, these rcenaries could not be allowed to run rampant and uncontrolled within the city.
Yan Xing asked, "Do you have a good solution?"
Count Theodore shook his head. "Most of the Nuta City Defense Forces are new recruits, and many are private soldiers of the nobility. We need to train them to replace losses at the front and to protect important areas. I simply don’t have enough manpower to maintain the city’s security. The key now is to find sothing for the rcenaries to do. The tasks I have here are barely enough to keep those large rcenary companies occupied. Can your Eternal Comrce Guild continue to recruit workers?"
"Recruit? Of course, we can recruit." Right now, Yan Xing lacked nothing but labor. More laborers ant more land could be reclaid. More reclaid land ant more grain could be grown in the coming year. Once the populace saw the abundance of grain for themselves, it would be even smoother for the Eternal Domain to issue its Grain Tickets. Simply assigning land reclamation and farming as tasks would be enough to keep those rcenaries busy.
"That’s great!" Count Theodore couldn’t help but slap the table joyfully. Yan Xing’s willingness to continue recruiting not only solved the problem of idle rcenaries but also signaled that he still had a very large supply of grain. This gave Count Theodore more confidence to continue his standoff with Nuta City’s grain rchants. As long as grain prices were kept under control, other commodity prices wouldn’t skyrocket. Furthermore, an increased influx of grain from the Eternal Domain into Nuta City would further drive down grain prices and stabilize the city’s overall prices. Yan Xing had presented Count Theodore with a great gift just by entering the city.
The old Earl was not stingy; he gifted Yan Xing a mansion confiscated from a noble so days prior, to serve as the embassy for Thunderous Swamp. Simultaneously, he officially recognized Yan Xing as the special envoy of Thunderous Swamp to Nuta City, permitted Thunderous Swamp to station 500 soldiers within Nuta City, and granted Yan Xing diplomatic immunity.
All along, "colluding with foreign powers" had been a point of attack used by the nobles and wealthy rchants of Nuta City to pressure Count Theodore into closing the Eternal Comrce Guild. Now... I’m laying my cards on the table! I admit the Eternal Domain is a foreign power, and I’m even granting Yan Xing the privileges of a foreign envoy. In the future, if Marquis Anderson successfully defends the Wildwind Highlands, none of the accusations you bring against will hold. And if Marquis Anderson is defeated... then one more accusation against hardly matters.
Count Theodore clearly intended to use one power to eliminate another. By granting Yan Xing the right to station troops and diplomatic immunity, he pushed him into the public eye to deal with those nobles and dignitaries harboring ill intentions. He himself could then focus on training troops and preparing supplies for Marquis Anderson. As for whether the Eternal Domain would be friend or foe in the future, that was a matter for later. For now, they first needed to conclude the war over the Wildwind Highlands.
Yan Xing was initially taken aback by Count Theodore suddenly granting him so many core privileges, but after careful thought, he understood his purpose. The Earl truly had no energy left to squabble with these contemptible people. Military power and authority weren’t given for free; they ca with the responsibility of sharing the burden of attacks.
Of course, a re special envoy from a foreign power didn’t have the jurisdiction to manage the internal affairs of Nuta City. But Yan Xing had previously held the position of Peace Officer within Nuta City, and it had never been revoked. The rank of Peace Officer wasn’t high, but its scope of authority was not small. If one was brazen and had powerful backing, there wasn’t a place in Nuta City where the Peace Officer couldn’t intrude.
Anyway... if trouble arises, I’m a foreign envoy with diplomatic immunity. If all goes smoothly, I’m Nuta City’s Peace Officer, free to swagger through the city as I please. That old fox has truly thrown caution to the wind this ti. What is there left for to fear doing!
After signing the property transfer contract and docunts related to the special envoy’s privileges, Count Theodore finally yawned and, supported by Butler Attlee, retired to bed.
anwhile, Yan Xing donned his own extrely flashy armor and, leading a contingent from the Lord’s Mansion, headed straight to his new residence. He imdiately set about several tasks: commissioning an embassy plaque; dispatching ssengers to the Eternal Domain to request troops be sent to Nuta City; arranging for the Eternal Comrce Guild to expand its recruitnt of laborers; and widely distributing invitations to the dignitaries of Nuta City for a celebratory banquet at Lord Yan Xing’s new residence.
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