Author's note: Second update! Please vote!
"There's been some unrest in the north recently. A famine has swept through many duchies," Connet merchant Jacques said, "As a result, some roads aren't as safe as before."
Suria nodded and said, "I know about that."
There was no way the nobles wouldn't know about the waves of rebellions and runaway slaves. In fact, many of the nobles in the kingdom had already received news of it.
That was why after Berchemund discussed it with Laing and Morgiana, he immediately came to an arbitration. The royal family would pay ten thousand crowns, and the rest would be raised by Casfern's wife. The price of the captured knights would be negotiated between the Brittany and the Empire.
While the nobles still had some opinions about the outcome, it was a compromise that they could barely accept. Secondly, the negotiations would drag on for a long time. Continuing on like this wouldn't benefit anyone.
Many nobles' dominions were showing signs of instability and unrest. The poor harvest this year had a huge impact on everyone. The nobles knew that they couldn't allow this to continue.
The political upheaval finally came to an end. Richard managed to keep his throne amidst the chaos, but his influence in the kingdom had decreased.
"So, Mister Jacques, you're saying that the northern trade route is blocked because of the rebellions?" Suria asked.
"No, the situation is a bit strange. Some merchant ships can pass through, but some can't. According to the merchants who successfully passed through, there was a hurricane on the surface of the sea, and many merchant ships were destroyed by the hurricane." Jacques continued the topic.
"Here's the problem, Madam," Hadrian said. Hadrian added, "There are frequent riots in the north. Even if it's just a coincidence, the security in the north will only worsen in the future. Madam Sulia, we need to open up a new trade route."
The future countess understood immediately after the merchants pointed it out.
As the risks of the northern trade routes increased, the profits of the merchants and nobles were affected. They urgently needed new trade routes, and the biggest one was the one with the Empire.
So, the merchants came to Laing to ask for his help in finding a new and reliable trade route. After all, Laing was the biggest beneficiary of the golden trade route.
At the same time, the second biggest beneficiary was Suria's father, François. Out of consideration for her family, she would try to help the merchants.
Laing's reputation in Brittany was naturally high. He also had a good relationship with the Empire. Emperor Karl-franz of the Empire had met Laing many times. Both sides needed each other's help in trade.
After going through everything in her mind, Suria's thoughts became clear. She said in a dignified voice, "If the trade routes in the north don't work, the only reliable routes are the Axe Bite Pass and the Gray Lady's Road, right?"
"Yes," Oliver replied. Oliver immediately replied, "That's where the problem lies. The Gray Lady's Path isn't safe, and the Axe Bite Pass … the taxes are too high. It's very difficult for us to bear such a high tax."
Sulia nodded, and the count's fiancée continued her thoughts. Most of the income of the Duke of Montfort's dominion came from the customs duties of the Axe Pass. Even if Duke Fulcade was caught and a sword was held to his neck, he would not agree to a tax reduction.
"The Gray Lady's Road isn't easy either. Compared to the Axe Bite Pass, it's not that difficult. The problem is that it's not safe." Ismail, the great merchant of Bordero, said, "Duke Palawon also imposes heavy taxes on the Gray Lady's Road. Although it's less expensive than the Axe Bite Pass, this trade route is too unsafe. There are many green-skinned tribes and dark creatures on the mountain path … It's hard for merchants to make it through alive."
"I know about this. In the depths of the Gray Lady's Road, there's a vampire castle called the Eternal Dragon Rock. There are many dark creatures living there," Suria said thoughtfully.
The female knight admired her fiancé's foresight from the bottom of her heart. She smiled and said, "In fact, Laing has already discussed the issue of the taxes with Lord Casfern in the Empire's camp. Lord Casfern agreed that if you have Laing's trade license, you can enjoy a large tax reduction."
"Oh! That's great! "A few merchants sitting at the end of the meeting room couldn't help but exclaim.
This matter happened when Laing met the captive Casfern in the Empire's camp. Laing took advantage of the fact that Casfern had lost a battle and was discouraged. As a defeated general, he didn't have the courage to speak.
Laing requested that the merchants in his territory enjoy a tax reduction when they passed through the Gray Lady's Road.
Casfern also calmed down and began to consider Laing's suggestion.
The tax reduction wasn't unacceptable to Casfern. Duke Palawon had been jealous of Laing's ability to trade with the wood elves for a long time.
If he didn't agree to Laing's request, he wouldn't get a single cent. If he agreed to Laing's request, the tax reduction would be his loss, but at least he and his family would get a share of the profits of this golden trade route.
Casfern knew that after he was captured, his family would have to pay a shocking ransom. The same went for the knight families in his territory. He needed money, and the situation was more powerful than him. Under Leon's threats and promises, Casfern had no choice but to use his ring to stamp the contract. He then swore to the Goddess of the Lake. The Goddess had upheld the contract on the spot, not giving Casfern a chance to go back on his word.
"The tax reduction is a good thing, but we still have to find a way to solve the security problem of the Gray Lady's Road." Suria didn't show too much joy. The female knight calmly said, "This requires us to send troops. Gentlemen, we need to start a war and solve the problem of the Eternal Sovereign Dragon Rock once and for all."
After saying that, Suria's sea blue eyes shone brightly. The female knight calmly said, "If we want to send troops, we will have to pass through Palawon Duchy. This can only be considered after Casfern has been ransomed. Moreover, if we want to open this trade route …"
After saying that, Suria slightly lowered her voice. The female knight sat upright and still, her body emitting the great majesty of a noble's daughter.
The female knight's majesty was like the tight silk cloth in front of her chest, bringing a strong sense of oppression to all the merchants present.
"Yes, of course. We will help His Excellency Leon and his army deal with the threat of the Eternal Sovereign, Long Yan. Everyone has the money to contribute and the strength to contribute. Since His Excellency Leon opened up a trade route for us, we should repay him." Olivier took the lead. This merchant from the Empire was Laing's biggest supporter. He was the first to stand up.
Olivier took the lead. Hadrian was the first to respond. "No problem, it's our duty."
The rest of the big merchants nodded in agreement.
The army and military force were in the hands of the nobles. Merchants were not essential to the nobles. If a merchant couldn't show their value to the nobles, it was only a matter of time before they were replaced or even killed. There were plenty of merchants who could replace them.
No matter how strong the merchants were, they couldn't fight against the nobles. This was especially true for a Holy Grail Knight like Laing. People like Laing would only make the merchants beg to cooperate with him, but Laing didn't need to beg anyone.
Only in Marlin Castle did the merchants have some status. However, when the Griffin Duke Ivan appeared with the Griffin Knights, they could only admit defeat.
"Very good." Suria's every move made the merchants bow their heads and admit defeat. This was destined to be an unfair battle. The female knight won completely.
After the meeting ended, the female knight stood up and performed a perfect bow to everyone. The merchants hurriedly responded politely.
"Miss, you're amazing. These merchants are all obedient to you." Suria's maid, Sylvia, said excitedly in the corridor, "It's all because of your wisdom."
"Actually, it's not." Suria shook her head. Her golden hair swayed, and her tall and perfect golden figure moved along the corridor. "The merchants aren't afraid of me. They're afraid of Laing and my surname."
"Miss …" Sylvia whispered.
"It's fine … Sylvia, do you know why I agreed to be engaged to Laing so quickly?" Suria brought her maid to a window in the castle.
In the distance, the Oracle Mountain Range and Chalon Forest were shrouded in cold wind and fog.
"Mr. Laing, he respects you very much. It's not that a knight respects a woman's virtue, but … it's the respect of a true equal. In the kingdom, a knight's virtue is to respect women, but in reality, it's mostly a form of courtesy. Many knights don't really respect women, but their virtue requires them to follow the knight's etiquette." Sylvia said in a low voice, "But Mister Ryan is different. He's willing to let you do whatever you want and support you from behind. In fact, he's given you a lot of things in the territory to do."
"Yes, I like it."
The female knight revealed a beautiful smile, and the entire corridor was lit up.
… …
Suria stayed at Laing's side with the excuse of helping Laing deal with internal affairs. Suria had great prestige in Laing's territory. Even though they weren't married yet, Suria already considered herself the mistress of the territory. Almost all the people, Laing's courtiers, and knights had already acknowledged Suria as his wife. The female knight had won everyone's respect and love through her own abilities and valiant strength.
It was a quiet night in the master bedroom on the third floor of the castle.
The maid Emilia, the dark elf Olica, the maid Sylvia, and Marchioness Suria were all in the master bedroom. Emilia and Olica were both wearing maid outfits, making tea for the count and his future wife. Sylvia was sitting by the fireplace.
"Is the famine in the north so serious?" On the soft white leather sofa, Laing held a long list in his hand and sighed. "In the past few months, we've taken in almost ten thousand escaped slaves. Many sources say that there were riots in many villages when the knights and nobles were having a meeting in the capital. The serfs killed the village elders and the butlers left behind by the knights and robbed the food and money."
"The weather in the north of the kingdom is not good this year. There's a crop failure." Suria shook her head slightly. "It's not strange that there are escaped slaves. The riots … should be suppressed soon. Laing, what are you concerned about?"
"I'm concerned …" Laing thought for a while and shook his head. "Forget it. Many things can only be judged when it really happens. What happens in the north is the matter of the dukes and kings in the north. We have no reason or excuse to interfere."
"Yes."
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