And in Count Theodore’s hands... was that magic?
As Yan Xing watched with keen interest, the magic in the old Earl’s hands dispersed. Droplets splashed everywhere, and many turned into wisps of white smoke before vanishing.
"Lord Earl, it seems you ca well-prepared for this eting."
Yan Xing knew what Theodore ant when he spoke of strength.
Seeing is believing.
While Nuta City was plunged into an elusive and unknown storm, large numbers of the Northern Swamp Tribe left the swamp to gather and build their territory. The implications of such a move were certainly worth speculating about.
In the past, the presence of the Swamp Tribe groups from the Thunderous Swamp was not prominent on the Wildwind Highlands, yet no one dared to ignore their existence.
Although it was generally believed that the Swamp Tribe was a disorganized force, incapable of causing significant turmoil, the sight of so many Werewolf Warriors coordinating to build a territory and excavate canals hardly supported that view.
What had happened within the Thunderous Swamp?
Count Theodore probably wanted to know this more than anyone else, but he was in peril himself and couldn’t afford to investigate his northern neighbors in depth.
At least on the surface, the swamp was showing signs of no longer being content to remain silent.
Yan Xing’s mind raced, rapidly analyzing the situation. He now had a rough idea of his standing in Count Theodore’s eyes. He had reason to believe that from the mont he led his team into the city, this old fox had been monitoring his every move. Then, by a sheer fluke, he had entered the Lord’s Mansion and pitched windproof goggles and watches to Miss Hibel. He had attributed the manufacturing of these two industrial products entirely to the Swamp Tribe, which must have given the old fox quite a scare. And then there was the equipnt on those Werewolf Warriors outside. All of it signified that a formidable power lay hidden within the Thunderous Swamp—a power possessing superb weapon manufacturing capabilities, extraordinary alchemy, and artisan skills. It was clearly not content to remain dormant in the swamp any longer. And I, he mused, I am the spokesperson for the Thunderous Swamp. The old fox wasn’t wrong. This was my true strength. It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but as long as the old fox believes it, that’s all that matters. If he believes it’s real, others will too. It seems I’m still capable of playing a few hands at Nuta City’s card table. It’s worth taking a gamble; a bicycle might just turn into a motorcycle. Let’s see how this old fox, in his urgency to draw into the ga, plans to have help him cheat.
The old Earl said, "If I wasn’t careful in everything I do... they wouldn’t even need to kill Priest Temple; my bones would have been picked clean by them long ago. Now I know your situation, and you know mine. You want to develop your territory and need to collect a large number of God-given gold coins and resources. Ice Jade Porcelain, flight goggles, and watches are your commodities for accumulating these God-given gold coins. If we allow those people to disrupt Nuta City, it will be very difficult for you to gather them. Therefore, you need Nuta City to stabilize quickly. I believe our interests align, and we have a basis for cooperation."
Now that he had correctly assessed his position, Yan Xing’s mind was clear, and his thoughts flowed smoothly.
He said to Count Theodore, "Nuta City’s stability benefits you the most. We... the Thunderous Swamp is right there, visible to all. No matter who rules Nuta City in the future, they will have to seriously consider their relationship with us. We have a basis for cooperation, yes, but on the Wildwind Highlands, we have a basis for cooperation with anyone. Lord Earl, you just told , ’Without the appropriate strength as a backup, intelligence can sotis make you a clown.’ I return those words to you."
Yan Xing’s words caused Count Theodore’s expression to change abruptly.
This negotiation seed to be spiraling out of control... He also realized he had revealed too much to Yan Xing. Yet, he couldn’t afford not to be clear. The road was short, and upon reaching the Temple, he would face a group of people ready to flay him alive. The Thunderous Swamp was the only high-quality external support he could find right now; he had to convince this knight, who could represent the Thunderous Swamp, in the shortest ti possible. After he had shown his hand, many of his previous rhetorical tactics seed hollow. Ti was too precious; ti was life!
"Yes... although I am the Lord of Nuta City, in this situation they have initiated, I am but a helpless old man," the old Earl said, not angered by Yan Xing’s sarcasm. "If you are willing to help stabilize Nuta City, I agree to use the midline between our territories as the boundary. The land north of this line will belong to the Eternal Domain, and the land to the south will be Nuta City’s. We shall not infringe upon each other and will coexist peacefully. Lord Yan Xing, are you satisfied?"
Yan Xing replied, "The midline between our territories as the boundary? Isn’t that a given? Non-aggression and peaceful coexistence—aren’t those the very basis of our negotiation? Lord Earl, perhaps offer sothing with more sincerity."
Count Theodore said, "What else do you want? As long as it does not involve my fundantal interests, please speak plainly. We are almost at the Temple."
Yan Xing didn’t stand on ceremony with the old fox. "I want the managent rights to a portion of the land between Nuta City and the Eternal Domain. Your side will retain ownership, but I will convert this large tract of land entirely into farmland and hire farrs from Nuta City to cultivate it. For every hectare of farmland, I will give Nuta City 100 kilograms of grain as a land use fee."
Although there were manorial farms north of Nuta City, the vast majority of the land was barren.
Leasing it to the Eternal Domain for cultivation and collecting fees would also be a source of inco.
Moreover, clearing the land and employing farrs from Nuta City could solve employnt issues, increase urban prosperity, and attract more farrs to migrate to Nuta City. That ant increased tax revenue.
Count Theodore responded, "I can lease you a portion of Nuta City’s land. But it can only be used for farming, and we can reclaim it at any ti."
That was considered an agreent.
After discovering that the chickens and horses raised at the Eternal Domain showed a high probability of Demonization, Yan Xing planned to convert its entire grassland area into pastures.
If he were to engage in magical beast husbandry, then he had to be self-sufficient in feed.
Additionally, the grain-based standard the Eternal Domain planned to implent in the future also required substantial grain reserves.
Agriculture was a necessity.
By leasing farmland from Nuta City, even a small portion of the harvested grain would be more than enough to cover Count Theodore’s land use fee.
Moreover, given the yield per acre of the improved seeds Yan Xing possessed, once the scale of this farmland expanded, it could cause grain prices in Nuta City to plumt.
The cost of growing their own grain would beco more expensive than buying it. Who would bother to farm then?
The agriculture of the Eternal Domain could quickly destroy Nuta City’s own agricultural system, turning Nuta City’s southern farmlands into the Eternal Domain’s farms.
Nuta City’s farrs would effectively beco agricultural workers for the Eternal Domain.
And once Grain Tickets began circulating, Nuta City’s farrs would be paid their wages in Grain Tickets issued by the Eternal Domain.
The grain standard challenging the gold standard. HMPH. HMPH. HMPH. Old fox, my political acun might be a tad inferior to yours, but your economic sense lags behind mine by a light-year!ŸŸŸ
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