Chapter 818
When Charlotte and the counts of the Round Table Council "terrorized" the dwarf messenger, the black hair wizard took the Silverhelm Mountain dwarves who followed him to the autonomy promised to them territory.
After the Battle of Silverhelm Mountain and the Battle of Centaur Assault, these dwarves who followed him are already out of ten, and the overwhelming majority are all young and strong-- The injured and the weak have starved to death long ago, and are exhausted on the road.
Byrne’s army was on the run, and they couldn’t even eat enough of their rations. When they returned to the city of Thousand Tendencies, they had to bring the remnants of Boi... Tens of thousands of dwarves when they left Silverhelm Mountain, now Only less than 20,000 are left.
To a certain extent, this is also inevitable...Although it is a bumper year right now, supplying hundreds of thousands of dwarves with food and clothing for one to two years means that all of Byrne’s reserves will be exhausted within five years. Byrne didn't spare any effort to raise troops.
Because of this, twenty thousand...just right.
As for the Dominion, it’s not a problem. The area of the Scarlet Blood Fort is three to four times that of the other counties. The cultivated land and woodland are six to seven times that of theirs, and the population is nearly ten times that of Torino. The family can't dominate the whole Boye, so that Charlotte can get absolute respect in this country that does not treat women preferentially.
It’s not too easy to find a small area for the dwarves as dominions.
The territory that Loren carefully selected for the Silverhelm Mountain dwarves is a broken wall called "Stars Fortress".
It’s not a remote barren forest, on the contrary, it’s a commercial hub; there are manors, villages, and fortresses stationed with Knights and troops everywhere. The dwarves can easily get supplies and help, and even build Do business in and around your own trading post.
But on the other hand, they are like being locked near the most elite gathering place of the Scarlet Blood Castle. The space for development is limited, and any disturbances can't be held back;
Rebellion, The probability of colluding with robbers, bandits and other forces is infinitely close to zero.
So, the Silverhelm Mountain dwarves who got a "new territory" began to build their new home with great enthusiasm and speed beyond imagination.
The grain continuously transported from the Scarlet Blood Castle was stored in the first repaired granary, and then more than 20,000 dwarves were divided into more than 100 squads, which began to operate like an army. ; The supplies allotted to them are not treated as relief, but like "military resources". Only when each squad completes its work on time can they get a day's ration.
Even in a shanty camp and ruins, they also set up a so-called “monitoring station” to monitor the progress of each dwarf; three tents formed the “Governor’s Mansion”, in the middle of the ruins. The vacant lot is the "Parliament Hall", with several ditches dividing each "street", and the number of potatoes in the dining plate distinguishes the "upper and lower classes".
Occupation, type of work, class, region, system... all this seems to be integrated into their bloodline, becoming an innate tradition, making all dwarves from top to bottom almost instinctive To execute.
This is a race that has been living in "Legion" since the rest. Parents are not family members but commanders and inspectors; orders need to be unconditionally obeyed, and systems need to be unconditionally obeyed; collectivism In their bodies, they have been played to the point of vividly and thoroughly.
For such a race, the only possibility that can restrict them is a low fertility rate, a rigid and inflexible system, and extreme xenophobia... Even if that is the case, Loren was thinking about it. It is also full of jealousy.
The system is the tradition, the ethnic group is the part, the bureaucracy is the lubricant, and the law is the console...
"It can be called...a machine-like race."
With a hint of emotion, the black hair wizard concluded in a low voice.
"Thanks for your praise."
The leader of the Silverhelm Mountain dwarves, Cisa Mihailo, with his hands on his back, stood with Loren on the lookout where the dwarves had just finished construction. On the stage, monitoring the construction progress of the entire autonomous territory.
"I'm just evaluating objectively...Is this also a compliment?"
"For the people of Yunling, there will be no higher praise than this." Miha Yiluo’s face is nodded: "even more how now you are my lord, and I am a vassal of yours."
"Under the monarchy system of this generation, praise and welcome myself The lord is also one of the vassal’s jobs, whether it’s a Byrne or Yunling people, it’s the same."
He said that he was rigorous, and his serious attitude seemed to really turn flattering and fawning into It's like a "type of work", so Loren doesn't know what to say.
"Can the Supreme King force you to flatter him?"
"Of course, in the Yunling Kingdom, flattering the Supreme King is one of the important administrative tasks of every fortress leader One." Mikhailo looked as it should be by rights nodded: "At least one hymn of the Supreme King must be written every month and handed over to the current high priest, and then His Majesty the Supreme King will personally give instructions and make a decision. One-month tone and policy."
"Excellent hymns will be distributed to each fortress for reference and promotion, so that everyone can learn; the most failed one needs to be punished, related Chief-In-Charge Need to be dismissed and fined; if it is not a nobleman, go to jail."
"..."Loren · Torino.
"But I believe that what you need, Duke, must not be our flattery." Mikhail the dwarf changed his words: "What you need is the metallurgical technology, refining technology and various The mining technology of ore."
Loren shrugged: "The steel forged by the Yunling Kingdom...I think there should be no lord in this world who is not greedy."
"Yes, but they It's not as deep as you desire." The dwarf Mikhailo increased his tone: "I've heard before coming. The entire Byrne is preparing for battle. A lot of sophisticated weapons are needed to arm your soldiers and Knights. "
"Human metallurgical craftsmanship cannot arm an army of hundreds of thousands of people in such a short time; without us, you can only have a shield and lance that cannot be uniform in specifications. The local armed forces that have been fighting for a long time."
The black hair wizard finally heard that he was bargaining.
"Your Excellency Mikhailo, what on earth do you want to say?"
"What I want to say is that you did not fully abide by the original agreement and give us a An autonomous territory similar to Helm Mountain." Mikhail the dwarf said solemnly:
"You just threw an abandoned castle to us, and exchanged a piece of deserted land for our loyalty...because We have no choice."
"This is not an abandoned wasteland. This is an important transportation hub for the Scarlet Blood Castle; once rebuilt, the land under your feet can instantly appreciate tenfold." Loren chuckled lightly. With a sound, I opened the mouth and said very relaxed:
"Besides, the largest mines in Byrne are all in the south. I'm impossible to let my counts cede the land-even Stars Fortress, I am also from What Charlotte asked for...the account has to be paid."
"So, in theory, you, Duke Byrne... don't have a real estate besides your own court?"
" p>
"No, nothing. The court borrows it. It is the palace of the Scarlet Blood Castle count." The joking black hair wizard raised his mouth: "Sorry, but your loyal duke is just a glamorous pauper. !"
"..." Mikhailo.
"A piece of land enough for your ethnic group to live in, food rations within one to two years, as well as various material assistance and political protection...This is the biggest condition I can get "
With another chuckle, Loren looked at the dwarf meaningfully: "And I also believe that no one can offer a higher price than me-they will never let 20,000 yuan The people of Yuyunling live on the same land, and you will definitely be dismantled and resettled to prevent accidents."
"They will only treat you as useful slaves, servants, and battlefields. Consumables; let you work day and night in mines and workshops, and be on the front line as a substitute for dead ghosts on the battlefield... Just because it is not my race."
The dwarf rice of this time Hailo didn't refute anything, he knew that Loren didn't lie...because the dwarves did the same.
"But I am different. I will not let you and you separate. I will even allow you to be autonomous...because I know you." Loren said categorically:
" I see you as one of my vassals, as outside of Byrne's thirteenth zone, and will never betray my subordinates, as my own people... even if you, perhaps you never thought about it! "
It was just like a joke, but Loren's face looked extremely solemn.
"Then, honorable Duke."
The expressionless dwarf Mihailo put his right hand on his back and bowed respectfully that might not exist at all. Yao: "As your vassal, what are we going to pay for this wasteland with only ruins, which is not enough to supply the 20,000 ethnic groups, and how you protect us politically...what price?"
The irony is so strong that it is clearly visible.
"It doesn’t need to be too much, as long as a vassal’s duties are fulfilled... it’s all his own." Loren smiled like a child, as if he didn’t understand what he meant. It's like: "Pay taxes on time, provide adequate sources of troops, build a workshop that can sustain the supply of 100,000 troops... The last one is what you said, I didn't force you!"
Mikhail the dwarf kept his hands behind his back motionless, as if he was restraining his extremely strong urge to punch him in the face.
"There is another task, I hope you can follow it." Without realizing that I was almost being "taken off" by the black hair wizard, he continued:
"Nothing at all. The worst is just a very common project."
"A very common project?" Mikhail the dwarf narrowed his eyes into a seam, almost directly pointing out "I don't believe it."
"Yes, my wizard consultant... To be more precise, it should be my mentor, who is going to build a wizard Academy in the Scarlet Blood Castle. This requires the mobilization of a lot of manpower and equipment-more importantly Yes, he has strict requirements for the quality of the project."
Mikhailo's gaze looked towards the distance, and the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce together with the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, the little Yod who is in charge of the aid of the dwarf is facing here. Come over.
"Lord Duke, we are loyal to you, but we hope you can be honest with us." Mikhailo opened the mouth and said slowly and solemnly in an old man's tone:
"This'wizard Academy' should not only look as simple as it looks, right? What you want is not only our assistance in construction, but also the various mechanical technologies of Silverhelm Mountain Use it?"
"Don't ask me these technical questions, I am only responsible for getting you to agree to help build the Academy; the Chief-In-Charge of the project is Ain Rand, and the inspector is my tutor. , As long as they’re satisfied, whatever is on my side."
Loren waved his hand, with a smile on his face that looked like a shameless prince: "There is only one thing...this matter must be absolutely kept secret, for this me I asked you to take over this project; in the next three years, this will be the most important major event of Byrne. I want both quality and speed, and I can’t get anything done."
The dwarf Mihailo raised his eyebrows, and then he was coldly snorted.
"Yes, Lord Duke...When the basic construction on this side of the territory is completed, I will take people to your mentor and Ain Rand to report, and I promise to be our best architect!"
p>After speaking, he turned and left, passing by Jr. Yod who had just climbed up the watchtower.
"It looks like everything is going well?"
Little Yod’s expression always seems to be mocking: "The great and just Lord Duke of Byrne has let the shortness of Silverhelm Mountain People are convinced in front of you, prostrate oneself in admiration kiss your boots?"
"How about the Round Table Council?" Loren ignored his sarcasm.
"What else is going on, everything is going well." Little Yod raised his brows, with a sly smile like a businessman: "The elegant and arrogant Crimson Castle female count, threatened and comforted, let the highest Wang’s messenger recognized the reality."
"After all, when a bluffing person encounters another person’s bluffing, he will always suspect that the other person is also bluffing; but when his bluffing is seen through When bluffing, he didn't know whether the bluff on the other side was a bluff, and he just thought that the other party was also bluffing."
A tongue twister-like passage explained the situation in the round table council in detail. Again.
"It's really an outline guide, refreshing...Thank you." Loren twitched the corner of his mouth.
"You're welcome, this is what your humble servant should do." Young Jod unceremoniously accepted: "On your side, is everything going well?"
"Ain Rand has already started discussing the design with Isaac. The Silverhelm Mountain dwarves can go there when they are ready, and they can start construction in secret almost 1 month later."
Loren sighed: "Connold The crown prince will soon receive such information that the Duke of Byrne is privately building a Floating Void City that combines wizard tower and dwarf technology. When the time comes, spies from all over the empire will focus on... uh, you are What expression?"
"Oh, nothing!" Young Jod was suddenly startled, and the meaningful smile at the corners of his mouth made no secret: "It's just a word that suddenly comes to mind to describe you and the distinguished Charlotte The female count is full of tacit understanding, and the coordination is seamless."
"...isn't it a good word?"
"My lord, you really have a pair of Divine Vision!"