Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales The Freedom Alliance's chief executive, Ledos, hurried to see Lollister the next day.
"Your Highness, did we do something wrong to offend your family?" Ledos asked directly.
"Hmm? What do you mean? "Lollister was confused.
"Then why did Baron Shredder tell me to rent land to move your family's fleet camp out of the docks?"
Lollister finally understood. Ledos was overthinking things when he told Fatty Shredder to talk to the Freedom Alliance about renting land.
"No, you've misunderstood, Ledos. I was the one who told Baron Shredder to rent land from you. Now that peace has been restored in the Mana Hill Plains, our family's armed forces have fulfilled their mission and promise. Therefore, the four armies of our family armed forces will retreat to the north before the end of the year. Originally, our family's fleet was going to leave Hidden Gold Bay, but considering that the Freedom Alliance doesn't have any armed forces at sea, and that it's impossible for the Freedom Alliance to invest a large amount of funds to build an armed fleet to protect the safety of Hidden Gold Bay and the open sea routes. Therefore, although our family's fleet is leaving Moronte City, we can't leave Hidden Gold Bay.
Moreover, Morent City and Hidden Gold Gulf have already recovered their bustling scene. At the same time, it also concerns the safety of our clan's fleet. Therefore, it's impossible for our clan's fleet to withdraw from Hidden Gold Gulf for a period of time. In order to maintain the friendly relationship between us, I personally believe that our family's fleet can't occupy your dock area for nothing. That's why I've asked Baron Shredder to discuss with you about renting a place to build another fleet camp and return the dock area to you … "
"I see." Ledos heaved a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, you're right. Our Freedom Alliance doesn't have any plans or funds to build an armed fleet to protect the safety of the sea. Therefore, the safety of the sea will depend on your family's fleet. However, I don't think we need to discuss renting land. We can rent the docks to your family's fleet for free for ten years. "
Lollister waved his hand. "No, Ledos. We can't rent the docks. Now that peace has arrived, the Freedom Alliance is an independent country, and Moronte City is its capital. Therefore, the armed forces of other factions can't appear in Moronte City to prevent the Freedom Alliance Alliance from being accused of treason. Moreover, the situation of the sea trade was getting better and better. Merchant ships from various countries in the south of the continent were gathering, and Morrent City's dock area would soon face the problem of expansion. Under such circumstances, if our family were to rent the dock's fleet area, it would have a huge impact on the dock's operations.
I'm not just guessing, Ledos. Renting the docks and fleet area from you won't be questioned by others. But what about two or three years later? As more and more merchant ships arrive, the fleet area of our concession will occupy a large area of the sea due to military control. This will cause a lot of inconvenience to your dock operations. Under the temptation of benefits, our lease will become a thorn in the side of many interested parties. What I'm worried about is that if there's a conflict, we'll still have to move out of the docks. So, it's better to leave Morrent City as soon as possible and rent another place in Hidden Gold Gulf. "
Ledos felt a little dizzy. "Your Highness, you're thinking too much …"
Laurist laughed. "Just in case. The Norton Family has always been open and aboveboard. The reason why we're thinking in the long term is to avoid disputes between our two families in the future. That's why we arranged this in advance. This is also to maintain a friendly relationship between us. "
Ledos thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright, Your Highness, you're right. Then, where do you want to rent the Hidden Gold Gulf to build your family's fleet camp? "
Laurist pointed at a map of the Hidden Gold Gulf hanging on the wall. "Here. Our family wants to rent the land at the estuary."
"What!" Ledos opened his mouth in disbelief. "But Your Highness, that's a wasteland, rocky beach, and offshore reef area …"
The estuary of the Hidden Gold Gulf was surrounded by Lantau Island and Lantau Island. It was like a strong arm hugging the Hidden Gold Gulf, blocking the wind and waves of the open sea, making the Hidden Gold Gulf look like a pool of calm spring water. Lantau Island and Lantau Island were steep rocky mountains. Not a single blade of grass grew, and the cliffs stood tall. The cliffs of the open sea were as hard as steel, and they faced the wind and waves day and night. The cliffs of the inland sea were filled with small holes, which were the nests of the sea swallows. It was said that the peaks of the Lantau Island and Lantau Island had nests of sea eagles and sea harriers. However, the mountains were high and the cliffs were dangerous, making it difficult for humans to climb them.
On the map, the shape of the Lantau Island was like a huge palm, and it was slightly slanted inwards. The coast was an offshore reef area, and a few hill-like reefs faced the Lantau Island from afar. Between the two was a section of the sea that was nearly 500 meters long. This was the estuary of the Hidden Gold Gulf, and also its estuary. Regardless of whether it was a ship going out to sea or coming in, they all followed the rule of sailing on the left to avoid accidental collisions.
The terrain of the Hidden Gold Gulf was a bit like a gourd, with a small front and a large back. The estuary of the White Milky Way, the second largest river in Galinthea that nurtured the fertile Mana Hill Plains, was at the small bay in front of the gourd. Unlike the famous Mother River's estuary in Lollister's previous life, which was like a magnificent waterfall, the estuary of the White Milky Way felt more like a gentle moistening. If it wasn't for the different colors of the green river water and the azure sea water, it would be difficult to tell which was the river water and which was the sea water. Especially on days when the two moons in the sky were full, there would be the phenomenon of seawater flowing into the White Milky Way. Therefore, both sides of the estuary were uninhabited swamps.
Morent City was at the bottom of the Hidden Gold Gulf, so the most prosperous and lively sides of the Hidden Gold Gulf were at the large bay of the gourd, while the two sides of the small bay in front were more desolate. Especially on the other side of the White Milky Way, the large area by the sea was even more desolate. As Ledos said, it was a wasteland and rocky beach, and the area near the White Milky Way was also a large swamp. But regardless of whether it was the small bay or the large bay, the Hidden Gold Gulf was the territory of the Freedom Alliance. The place Ledos was pointing at was the small bay in front of them, the uninhabited wasteland by the reef area of the estuary.
"That's right. Our family wants to rent this area, a radius of thirty miles." Ledos nodded and said, "Because our family's fleet is also an armed force, avoiding the bustling city will not disturb the people, and it will be convenient for the fleet to carry out exercises without affecting the normal navigation of merchant ships. Third, it is close to the estuary, and can quickly go out to sea to carry out missions to eliminate pirates and protect the trade routes. That is why we decided to rent this place. "
"But, but that place is too desolate, and too far from Morent City. It is not convenient for your fleet to purchase daily necessities. Also, you will need to spend a lot of money and energy to build a new camp … Also, why do you need to rent such a large area for a fleet to be stationed? A radius of 15 kilometers can be conferred as a baron's territory … "
Ledos could not figure out if Laurist had other intentions for renting that wasteland. In fact, he felt that the closer the Norton Family rented the wasteland to Moronte City, the better. Just buying food for a fleet was a good business, not to mention the cost of traveling to Moronte City for the members of the fleet. Everyone knew that the soldiers of the Norton family were rich, generous, and law-abiding. They were many times better than those greedy, freeloaders, and were the most welcomed customers of the taverns and brothels.
"Because other than providing training grounds for the fleet, we are also planning to move the families of the fleet stationed here. That is why we are also planning to build farms, livestock farms, and vegetable gardens. Perhaps we will even build a town here to serve the fleet stationed here. That is why our family decided to rent such a large area. In any case, to you, this is just a wasteland. You will earn our rent, and we will develop and build for you. When the lease is up, we can return the developed land to you for free … "Buckingham made a promise that Ledos could not believe.
"This, this … How many years is your family planning to rent this place for?" Ledos finally asked a crucial question.
"Well, we have to calculate this properly. The key is how much you are renting this land to us, and how much we are investing in the development of this land. As a merchant, Ledos, you should know that we will not waste money here if there is no profit to be made. After all, after the lease is up, everything here will belong to the Freedom Alliance. So according to the lease period, we can consider distributing the development and construction funds to each year. That way, we can lease for however many years we can recoup our capital. I'll let Baron Shredder and your Parliament have a good discussion about this so that we can come up with a satisfactory result. "
Ledos bowed respectfully and left. "Your Highness, you are right. I will take my leave first to discuss with the council members and wait for Baron Shredder's arrival."
Three days later, Fatty Shi appeared in front of Ledos. "Your Highness, it is settled. This is the lease agreement. The ruling council of the Freedom Alliance will rent the land on the other side of the White Milky Way to the Norton Family for 99 years. The annual rent will be 3,000 gold coins. I originally wanted to rent it for 150 years, but Ledos and the others were worried that such a long lease would be accused of selling out the Freedom Alliance's territory. Therefore, they changed it to 99 years. However, Your Highness, isn't it too much of a loss for us to spend 300,000 gold coins to rent this piece of land for 99 years? Also, we will need to invest a lot of development funds … "
Ledos smiled with satisfaction. "Haha, the Freedom Alliance has rented this piece of land for 3,000 gold coins for 99 years. I can only say that we have taken advantage of them. 3,000 gold coins a year, and Ledos and the others are renting it to us as the annual income of an ordinary Baron. To our family, this is a strategic location to control the Hidden Gold Bay. The piece of land on the coast is just an addition. The most important thing is this reef area. It is worth a lot of money! "
Picking up a charcoal pencil, Ledos casually drew a few lines on the map of the Hidden Gold Bay. "Look, Shredder. Do you understand now?"
On the map, Ledos connected the reef area on the coast of the Hidden Gold Bay like a fist reaching into the sea. Fatty Shi immediately understood. "Your Highness, you mean to fill up this reef area and build a fortress on the sea like the reef area at Cape Romani?"
Ledos nodded. "The area of this reef area is not large. The most important thing is the few reef mountains that go deep into the sea. If we connect them together and set up a fort on them, the entire estuary will be under our control. Whether it is out at sea or entering the Hidden Gold Bay, not a single merchant ship can escape the firing range of the cannons on the fort. Controlling this place is equivalent to controlling the entire Hidden Gold Bay. "
"Your Highness, then who are you going to appoint to be in charge of the construction and development of this base camp? Also, how big is this base? "Fatty Shi asked.
"In my original plan, I was only going to build a base for the family's fleet, allowing the members of the fleet to rest here for a short period of time. However, I did not expect the Freedom Alliance to agree to rent the 180 square miles of land on the coast to our family. I was originally going to use that to bargain with them. This is a pleasant surprise. A lease of 99 years is enough for us to invest funds to fully develop and build this place. At the very least, it will be enough for the family's fleet to be self-sufficient in terms of food and other daily necessities.
For the sake of full development, we have to send people to survey and map this area. We will choose a suitable location to build a town for the families of the members of the fleet and the armed soldiers stationed here. In addition, I am going to set up a corps here. There will be four battalions of 12,000 people, a cannon battalion, a cavalry battalion, a garrison battalion, and a steel crossbow battalion. They will be the garrison of this territory. With this garrison, I believe that no matter what happens, they will be able to hold on until our family's reinforcements arrive.
As for the development and construction of this territory, I am going to hand over the responsibility of this fleet camp to Shihuard. Last time, he completed the construction of the castle at Romani Cape very well, and I am very satisfied with him. In addition, Shihuard is persistent, serious, cautious, and easy-going. He will also be the commander of this Garrison Army, I want him to gain more experience, so I will let him take charge of this area by himself. What do you think? "Loriste asked.
Fatty Shi nodded in agreement. "Your Highness, Shihuard is indeed a very suitable candidate. We have all watched him grow up and know him very well. With him in charge, we can rest assured. How about this, Malek and I will bring people to carefully survey this place and design a blueprint for the development and construction. When the time comes, we will hand it over to Shihuard, and he will be able to carry out the construction according to our blueprints. However, we lack labor here. How should we solve this problem? Should we transport a batch from the family's territory? "
"There is no need to transport labor from the family's territory to carry out the construction." Loriste thought for a moment before saying, "We can contract the most basic construction to the large and small construction companies in Morent City. However, we can transfer a group of technicians from the family's territory over. When it comes to the final secret defensive facilities, we can let the technicians guide our family soldiers to carry out the construction. This way, we can speed up the construction and complete the development and construction of the territory earlier. "
"Alright, then I will take my leave first. Your Highness, I will go with Malek tomorrow to take a look."
"Wait, Shihuard, I have nothing to do tomorrow. Let's go together."
… …
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