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"That's right, Laing. Your hunch is right. The situation is indeed not right." François nodded. The father-in-law looked at his son-in-law who was standing in front of the sand table and his daughter who had just walked in. He had a thoughtful expression on his face. "This is also what we've been arguing about."
"That is, even if there was a slight mistake in strategy and insufficient preparation, Kislöw could still lose more than 20,000 people. It's still very abnormal." Laing nodded as well. The regent of the kingdom walked to the sand table. "We've been arguing about this. According to Voroshilov's strategy, he was just too rash and overestimated the power of the Bear Cavalry. But in general, with the advantage in numbers and a large number of firearms, there are still many suspicious points about this battle."
"The casualties were too high." Laing looked at the military flag on the sand table. "I think I can understand why Voroshilov insisted on fighting. The reason is simple. In the process of attacking Oszhorsk, Kislöw lost more than 10,000 people. If they paid such a huge price only to kill a thousand barbarians and take down a fortress, it would be impossible to explain. Therefore, instead of giving up, it's better to drive the barbarians out of the troll country in one go. At least after this battle, the Behrsonlins won't dare to casually cross the mountains."
"Yes, that's right." Berchemund nodded. The Red Dragon Duke frowned. "But the problem is that no matter how much we calculate, no matter how much we underestimate Voroshilov's leadership ability and overestimate the barbarians' tactical ability, Kislöw's army still can't afford to lose more than 20,000 people. It's too many. This army was left behind by the previous Tsar, Boris Borkaha! It's simply unimaginable that they would be wiped out just like that! "
"So, there are only two explanations. The first is that Kislöw lied about the casualties. The second is that the northern barbarians who believe in chaos have become stronger." Laing nodded. He understood what François and the others were implying. "Kislöw has no reason to lie about such a high number of casualties. The only explanation is that the barbarians in the north have become stronger. They have received the blessings of the Evil God. The winds of Chaos from the Chaotic Wasteland in the far north are blowing across the mortal world. The Kurgans, Huns, Mongols, and Nosikas are all preparing for a true God of Chaos to lead them south."
"No, this is impossible!" Duke Adahad of Lyonasser said loudly, "Impossible! The great Holy War only happened 160 years ago! How many years had it been since the previous' anointed 'chosen by the Eternal God of Chaos, Isaac Kuval? How could a new Eternal Chosen One be born so quickly? "
"Nothing is impossible." The wrinkles on Duke Bodrick's face were squeezed together. "Don't forget, there is no concept of time in the realm of Chaos. As long as a Chaos bastard can pass the test of the Evil God, he can become the Eternal Chosen One. Maybe there won't be a single Eternal Chosen One in hundreds of years. Maybe there will be two in ten years. Adahad, don't use logic and common sense to judge Chaos."
"I'm sorry. Recently, the northern coast of Lyonasser has been harassed by the Nosikas. If it wasn't for your relative leading an entire fleet of pirates to rob the coast of Nosika and plunder large amounts of gold and silver ores, Lyonasser would have been in a mess." Duke Adehard was only fifty years old, which was considered young among the dukes. He clutched his head as if he had a headache. "I have to say, these pirates are indeed generous, but every time they come ashore, I have to worry about security."
"Are you talking about Salt Grudge? Ironasa Saltwater was never my relative. She never was. She was just … the daughter of Mannen, the God of the Sea! " Bodrick grumbled unhappily. The old duke, who was in his nineties, got angry when he thought of this. "I just received an oracle. Mannen's will asked me to introduce her to you."
"Oh, yes, Mannen. That damn God of the Sea. He made the wife of a barbarian chieftain pregnant with his child." Berchemund was also dissatisfied. "In the whole kingdom, you Bodrick trust Mannen the most. If you ask me, that female pirate is not trustworthy. She only wants revenge. Who knows if she will turn around and target us after her revenge?"
"Oh, my dear Bohemond, have we ever killed all the Noskas, even for a day, just for a day?" Bodrick mocked Berchemund's shortsightedness. "If Salt Grudge can really kill all the Nosikas one day, I'll be overjoyed."
"Okay, stop quarreling." Laing finally spoke. He said to Berchemund, "No matter what, the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Ironasa Saltwater has destroyed more than twenty fishing villages and strongholds along the way. Based on this alone, she has brought us far more benefits than harm. Bodrick is right. Even Emperor Charlemagne and Ludwig the Savior could only attack and destroy the coastal villages and harbors of Nosika. No army dares to enter the interior of Nosika. The Nosikas can't be wiped out."
"I agree with Laing's suggestion. Since the Nosikas can't be wiped out, let the female pirate plunder and destroy as much as she can." Laing agreed with Laing's suggestion. The regent looked at the sand table on the table and said to everyone, "Our information is still limited. No matter how we guess, this is the result of the winter war. After so long, we have almost forgotten why we are here."
"Oh, yes, that's right." Berchemund seemed to have woken up from a dream. He said, "I almost forgot. We came here to ask Laing about the serf redemption system."
"That's right, Laing. You always surprise us." Laing sat down. His eyes were filled with reminiscence and sadness. "Do you still remember when we met on Skarville Mountain?"
"Of course. I still remember. I had just managed to chop down a Four-Armed Ox Demon with great difficulty. I was seriously injured, and you were riding an elven warhorse that made me drool. I really wanted to rob you back then," Ryan said with a smile.
"You really are a bastard." Laing smiled and didn't say anything else. "A great bastard."
"Thank you for the compliment." Laing and Suria looked at each other and smiled. Duke Musillon coughed a few times and said to the other dukes, "I know you have a lot of questions and opinions about the redemption system. Don't worry, we will take it one step at a time."
"Okay." Except for François, the other dukes were all waiting for this. Hearing Laing's words, they all nodded. As the hostess, Suria clapped her hands. The servants outside immediately came in and took the sand table away. Everyone took their seats one after another.
"Now, let's talk about the issue of the redemption system for serfs." Laing pulled Suria to sit down. The other five dukes took their seats one by one. Among them, Duke Bodrick was the most eager, while Duke Adehard's face was full of unspeakable difficulties. Duke Lauen and Duke Berchemund couldn't help but look expectant and hesitant. As for François, the old guy sat proudly next to Suria and didn't want to talk either. Laing felt that his father-in-law was probably thinking about how much more money he could have in his treasury.
The conference hall fell into a temporary silence. In the end, as Laing expected, Duke Bodrick of Bordero was the first to ask, "Laing, I've seen your redemption system for serfs. I don't think there are any problems. I also plan to start a trial of this system in Bordero. When will you send someone to guide us?"
"Anytime, as long as you need." Laing nodded and said with a smile, "If Duke Bodrick is still worried, you can ask Fedmond to come to my territory to observe."
"Very well. When I return from the meeting, I will immediately ask Fedmond to come over." Bodrick was eager to give it a try.
Suria was wearing a classic black belted dress with a wood-patterned ginger pattern, paired with thick black velvet stockings and knee-high boots. The duchess looked at Bodrick's eager expression and thought that it was normal for the Duke of Bordero to be so interested in the redemption system for serfs.
The Duchy of Bordero was one of the smallest duchies in the Brittany Kingdom. Its total area was only slightly larger than when Laing had just recovered Musillon and had yet to take back Musillon's old territory in the south of Lyonnesse. Due to historical reasons, the Duke of Bordero had always believed in both Mannen, the god of the sea, and the Lady of the Lake. As a result, the implementation of the serf system in Bordero was not particularly thorough. The inland areas of Bordero worshipped the Lady of the Lake, but the coastal areas obviously held more belief in Bordero. Although the Sea Knights also followed the chivalry, they were not as rigid as the Brittany. The Sea Knights generally believed that the land given to Brittany by the Lady of the Lake stopped at the place where the river turned into the sea. Not many of the Sea Knights had land, but they had always reaped great benefits from the sea.
Therefore, before Laing's arrival, Bordero was the most commercialized and industrialized area in Brittany. The Mannen Dry Dock was also the only port in the entire Knight King's Kingdom that had the ability to manufacture large artillery warships.
There were more people than land, and business and industry were developed. In addition, ever since Laing's arrival, Bordero had opened up trade routes with Marienburg, as well as with the High Elves, the Ashes Army, the Lizardmen, and Estalia. The huge dividends brought about by trade allowed many sailors on Bordero's dock to accumulate a lot of wealth. The vault of the Duke of Bordero's house was also filled with gold.
Similarly, shortly after Laing's arrival in Brittany, he had made Duke of Bordero a key target to win over. The reason was simple. The Sea God Fleet owned by Bordero was the only blue-water navy in Brittany.
The cost of a navy was extremely high, and the investment was huge. It took a long time to build a navy, and the return period was very long. Laing did not have the money or energy to build a navy from scratch. The reason he chose to win over Bordero was precisely because of the blue-water navy, not to mention that the Sea God Fleet had the blessings of the Sea God Mannen.
Over the years, due to the needs of ocean trade and security, the Sea God Fleet had been constantly expanding. New warships were launched from the Mannen Dry Dock every month, and there were also huge orders from the Ashes Army in Forgen.
After Bordero's questions were asked, Laing gestured for everyone to ask next.
"Laing, your serf household registration redemption system, I always feel that …" Berchemund, Duke of Bastogne, asked. As the most legitimate descendant of Arthur, Berchemund was both envious of the benefits brought about by the serf household registration redemption system, but deep down, he was also very worried. "I always feel that you are not thinking about the nobles of the kingdom on this issue, but are biased towards the serfs."
"That's right." Laing admitted generously. "I am indeed biased towards the serfs on this issue, but Berchemund, you have seen the problems of the kingdom before and after. We have been constantly decaying. The kingdom needs to change, and the lives of the serfs need to change. And it's not that I don't protect your interests, but the serfs have to pay such a large sum of money to redeem their household registration. This is actually unfair to the serfs, but I still want them to pay this sum of money. Isn't this my compensation to you?"
As soon as he said this, all the dukes present nodded in agreement. Indeed, they had no reason to object fiercely. It was the ransom of the serfs. A large sum of money could shut the mouths of the knights and nobles. After all, there were not many knights and nobles like Laing, François, Bodrick, and Lauen who had the ability to govern the kingdom.
"I understand what you said." Berchemund was still hesitant. "But … I mean, it's good to have money, but … if one day, all the serfs pay the ransom and become free people, then who will farm the land? We can't farm the land, right? "
"Boxi! What kind of unrealistic thinking is this? " François's face darkened. Before Laing could say anything, Boxi continued, "Bastogne has 200 thousand households of serfs. 200 thousand households! How many serfs do you think can afford to pay the ransom? Will it affect the farming? Not to mention, if all 200 thousand serfs pay the ransom, that'll be 30 million crowns. Isn't 30 million enough for your household? "
"But … money will run out one day, and the land's output is limitless." Berchemund was still conflicted. "If the money runs out one day and there are no more serfs to farm the land, what will happen to the food? What about the duchy? "
"The land will still be yours. You can hire people to farm it, or contract it to the freedmen. The only difference is that the tax rate will be much lower. You've also seen Laing's tax reform. More work, more pay. You don't have to worry about no one farming the land at all!" François added, "You can also encourage the freedmen to build new villages and open up new land. Even if the new land isn't yours, the extra tax will be yours!"
"Wait, wait." Laing gestured for François to stop. He smiled at Berchemund. "Sir Berchemund, let's give you an example. After the Great Holy War, the Empire's new emperor, the Messiah, reformed the land, right?"
"Yes, I do. His Majesty said that everyone has the right to be paid for their labor." Berchemund nodded.
"Then is there a shortage of people to farm the land in the Empire?" Laing asked, "Is there a lack of people who want to farm the land? Why was I able to get three hundred thousand immigrants from the Empire? Why does Karl-franz still have a headache over the crowding in Brunswick to this day? Don't the beggars, sailors, handymen, and scavengers in the city want to earn a living by farming? "
"I understand, Laing. You've convinced me." Berchemund thought carefully for a few minutes before nodding with a relieved smile. "Alright, I'll go back and start preparing for the implementation of this system."
Before he could finish, Lawen, who was sitting across from Laing, raised his hand. "Laing, I have a question as well."
"Please." Ryan stretched out his right hand, clasped his five fingers together, and faced his palm up, making a gesture of raising his hand.
"We all know that the income from farming cash crops is higher than the income from growing food, such as grapes, canes, olives, and so on." Lawen interlocked his fingers on the table and said seriously, "After the serfs become freedmen, they will definitely prioritize the pursuit of income. It's very likely that most of the freedmen will plant cash crops. Then what about food?"
"This is indeed a problem." Laing nodded. "But I have a solution."
"A solution?" Lawen asked with interest. "What is it?"
"A plan."
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