Ulrich squinted his eyes and shook his head, stretched out his hand and pressed it, indicating to several people to listen to him.
"Baron Li Ang, based on the achievements you have made in Eagle Claw Fortress, Eagle Claw Fortress should be your legal territory. Of course, that is what you deserve, and this is not a reward."
There is nothing to discuss about the fiefdom of Eagle Claw Fortress. It was conquered by Li Ang, and no one will have any objections.
But killing thousands of Gatu people, taking back the occupied land, and forcing Raven Kingdom to apologize and retreat, it would be unjustifiable not to reward him for such achievements. So everyone knew that the king had something to say, and no one said anything.
"Originally, I was supposed to promote you to Earl as a commendation, but you withdrew Long River Town a few days ago... Frankly speaking, considering your qualifications and age, taking charge of Eagle Claw Fortress and Long River Town at the same time will cause a lot of unnecessary controversy..."
Ulrich said and shook his head, "So I let you choose. Do you want a higher hereditary title or more fiefs?"
The king was certainly candid when he was sober.
A young lord in his twenties has achieved relatively great achievements. It is normal for a king to have such considerations.
If there are too many seals, what will be done to collect credit if this young man makes more achievements in the future?
But everyone present knows that Ulrich is probably not actually considering this issue...
"Your Majesty, can you still choose this?"
Li Ang showed the typical symptoms of a villain's success with a cheerful smile, and even glanced at Godric sideways. "So, can I be Earl?"
The greedy look was unabashed and looked very annoying, but the king smiled, "Of course, you earned it yourself."
"Earl? Hum hum..."
Godric snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Aha, it's not easy to be Earl..."
Li Ang glanced sideways at Godric, smiled triumphantly, and then covered his face with a grin. It looked like his injured area would hurt when he smiled.
"In this case, I think we can discuss it like this...Godric, I heard that your daughter is in Eagle Claw Fortress. I plan to transfer you to the position of military chief of the northern region, and transfer your title from White Deer Fortress to the lord of Eagle Claw Fortress. And Li Ang, you will Promote to Earl and serve as Commander of Eastern Military Affairs. Long River Town will become your territory, but you have to give up Eagle Claw Fortress. Malbert and White Deer Fortress will be taken over by you as a reward for your father's achievements..."
Ulrich smiled even deeper, "That's why I said this matter needs to be discussed. This is also to resolve your conflicts...Li Ang, do you have any opinions?"
If Eagle Claw Fortress, which was beaten to pieces with few people, was exchanged for the prosperous and prosperous Long River Town, and could also be promoted to Earl, if outsiders were to judge this matter, the king was indeed very fair to Li Ang.
As for Godric, Long River Town was once defrauded by a traitor in his hands, so he was punished and transferred from White Deer Fortress to Eagle Claw Fortress, and there seemed to be no problem.
Brennus led the troops to put down the rebellion, which is meritorious, but the Duke has reached the top and can no longer reward him, so his son was awarded White Deer Fortress as reward.
On the surface this arrangement is indeed very fair.
But the problem is that this is not resolving conflicts, but intensifying them...
This arrangement seems to be good for all three parties, but in fact it will inevitably cause a struggle among the three parties.
Li Ang tilted his lips towards Godric, his mocking look very obvious. "Your Majesty, of course I have no objection."
"Godric?"
King Ulrich turned to ask his brother-in-law.
Godric's nose twitched a few times, and there was a fierce light in his eyes. "Hmph... No objection, it's fair... But Your Majesty, I want to sue Count Li Ang for not paying back the debt!"
The Lord Lord turned around and glared angrily.
"This is your private matter, and private matters should be settled privately... Since you have no objection to my arrangement, it has been decided..."
King Ulrich stopped Godric from collecting debts in public, then nodded with satisfaction and stood up to prepare to end the meeting.
"Wait... Your Majesty, can I speak?"
Malbert shook his head feebly and stood up. Originally, he was simply receiving the award on behalf of his father, so the king did not ask him.
But in fact, he is the representative of Duke Brennus, and he is certainly qualified to express his opinions on the round table...
"You said."
Ulrich seems to be quite amiable now.
"Your Majesty, with my military strength, it may be difficult to defend White Deer Fortress..."
Malbert's eyes kept looking left and right. Obviously, he didn't feel that he couldn't hold on, but he didn't want to get involved in the conflict between Li Ang and Godric.
Now that he has seen Noldo Elves appear in Li Ang's guard, Malbert can naturally realize that whoever dares to take over White Deer Fortress will be in danger - anyway, it is normal for humans to die in the hands of Noldo Elves...
"Then you should learn from Li Ang and get some Noldor mercenaries or something to enhance your military strength. Okay, that's it!"
It seems that Ulrich obviously doesn't care whether Malbert is in danger or not. He would probably be happier if the three parties fought, so he terminated the 'discussion' directly.
Li Ang is expressionless, Godric is angry, and Malbert is frowning.
A few hours later, the edict was officially announced.
Baron Li Ang was promoted to Long River Town Earl, and concurrently served as the Chief of Military Affairs of the Eastern Region.
Baron Godric became the lord of Eagle Claw Fortress, and Eagle Claw Fortress's subordinate village Biglen was also granted to him. He also served as the military commander-in-chief of the northern region - Northern Bay Nowadays, there is no powerful lord, so this is indeed the arrangement.
Lord Malbert was awarded White Deer Fortress.
After completing the imperial seal, King Ulrich met Li Ang alone in the Lord's Hall.
"Count Li Ang... No matter what conflicts you have with Godric, I hope you will restrain each other and not affect the security of the kingdom..."
Ulrich kept looking at Li Ang's swollen face, seeming to be considering whether to make peace between the two of them.
After all, this kind of public brawl and slap in the face can easily turn into a life-and-death duel for nobles, and it is very likely to trigger a war.
It is a good thing for the king that two powerful nobles are at odds, but if a civil war breaks out because of this, it will not be safe. The king did not bring many people here...
"It's all trivial matters... nothing more than minor disputes over money, Your Majesty."
Li Ang rubbed his face and shook his head sensibly.
"I'm afraid it's not just a small dispute, right? I heard that you used to be inseparable from Godric's daughter, but now that there are so many beauties around you, I'm afraid it will be difficult for your two families to reconcile... You'd better return the dinars you deserve to Godric, you are not short of money..."
King Ulrich sighed. After hearing this, he seemed to want to control the situation. He probably felt that the situation could not escalate before he left...
After hearing Godric say that Li Ang was a prostitute, and seeing two stunning beauties appearing next to Li Ang, the king certainly understood that this was definitely not just a matter of money.
This is both a relationship issue and an economic dispute. Coupled with the mutual domination of territory, it is obvious that the conflict between the two families has become extremely intense and may start a war at any time...
Although the king didn't care about their grudges, he definitely didn't want to be involved in the battlefield before he left.
"Your Majesty, of course I will try my best to restrain myself. As you can see, I didn't even fight back today! But I really can't pay him back the money... Sigh..."
Li Ang also sighed, "I wanted to raise one hundred thousand dinars and pay it back to you first! Your gold seal is not there Long River Town..."
The lord covered his face and looked up at Ulrich pitifully.
Ulrich's face twitched twice, and it looked like he had a lot to say in his mouth.
"I do have to take that money with me... but no matter what, exercise restraint! I will go and talk to Godric too."
It seems that the king cares more about the one hundred thousand dinars than the hatred between his lords...
I don't know how Ulrich negotiated with Godric. Anyway, after the conversation, he immediately set off to return to Lion City on the same day, and also took away the 100,000 dinars that Li Ang had prepared in advance.
It feels like running around all night.
Lord Malbert also couldn't wait to leave Long River Town.
--Everyone seems worried that there will be a fight in Long River Town.
But Li Ang and Godric are toasting at the Long River Express company headquarters...
"You hit me too hard. Didn't you tell me not to slap you in the face?"
Li Ang was still rubbing his nose, and the redness and swelling on his face had not gone away.
"Isn't that just convenient... Well, besides, it would be more effective, wouldn't it? The king also said that I had hurt your dignity and was worried that you would assassinate me..."
Godric looked at Li Ang's injury and smiled, "Are you sure Malbert is willing to give up White Deer Fortress?"
"He is an extremely smart guy. He was not even willing to enter Long River Town at first, let alone White Deer Fortress now... He must know that no one in White Deer Fortress will listen to him. Stationing troops in White Deer Fortress is equivalent to providing you with free labor. At most, he can come here to collect taxes symbolically once every quarter. Anyway, the tax collection will give him a sum of money every year, and the dividends will also give him a sum of money every year, so why not just exchange it for shares? There is no need to bear any responsibility..."
Li Ang raised the cup. "The east is now safe, and the king will not come to trouble us again for the time being. At worst, if we collect more taxes, maybe we can live a peaceful life for a while."
"I can also retire... I will live in Bigren Village from now on. I will look at the inland sea of Lion Lake, fish and hunt every day. It will be a dream life..."
Godric raised the cup and clinked it with Li Ang.
A few days later, the kingdom's tax officer came to Long River Town and informed Li Ang of the tax amount that the territory needed to pay to the kingdom.
The lord's fiefdom will predetermine a tax amount to be paid to the country. This is an obligation that the lord must fulfill. After paying the national tax, what is left is the lord's own, but the king does not care how much tax the lord himself has to pay.
Anyway, it is the lord's own territory. It doesn't matter how much trouble he wants, as long as he pays enough taxes to the country...
Long River Town is not a pioneer. Of course, there is no preferential policy of tax exemption for one year, and Wheat Fragrance Territory also needs to pay taxes to the Kingdom starting from this quarter.
However, the specific amount of national tax to be paid for each lord's territory will not be publicly announced, because each lord's fiefdom has different circumstances, and Lionheart Kingdom will separately determine the amount of tax to be paid for each lord's fiefdom.
Territories with the same population size and territories in safe areas in the hinterland must pay full tax; and the border requires war preparations, and war preparations can be used to deduct taxes - it is not tax-free, but taxes are actually paid, but part of it is deducted on-site with military defense expenditures.
For example, when Godric was in White Deer Fortress, the annual tax payable was about 15,000 dinars, but the actual tax paid was usually only 2,000 dinars, and most of the tax was deducted from city defense construction.
Generally speaking, the tax amount will be adjusted according to specific circumstances every year, and there will not be an overly fixed ratio. However, in principle, it will still match a collection range, generally based on population, and the annual national tax will be between one and two dinars per capita.
Some are deducted for border areas, and some are reduced for famine-stricken areas. In addition to some losses, the final amount that falls into the national finance is basically about One Dinar per capita.
The national taxes of various countries are almost within this range.
But the territory of Li Ang goes far beyond this scope...
"...Wheat Fragrance Territory will be merged into the jurisdiction of Long River Town, Count Li Ang. The annual tax amount of your territory is tentatively set at 150,000 dinars... The tax payable for this season is 75,000 dinars. Please Count Li Ang complete the tax amount for this season before January next year."
After reading a long paragraph of clichés and nonsense, the kingdom's tax official announced a terrible tax amount to the lord.
Each season here actually refers to each harvest season, which is usually two seasons a year, in April and October, and half of the tax is completed in each season.
Normally, the latest period for tax payment is between July and January of the following year - sorting and transportation take time.
In other words, from now on, Li Ang will pay 150,000 dinars to Lion City every year, starting from this October.
You know, the entire eastern region, including White Deer Fortress and Brave Shield Fortress, actually paid only 200,000 in total taxes last year...
In fact, the tax amount of 200,000 in the eastern region is not high. The entire eastern region has a population of about 200,000, and on average, each person per year is One Dinar. This is a very normal national tax amount.
But now, the tax required for the direct jurisdiction of Li Ang is too high.
Although the jurisdiction of Long River Town is large, it belongs to the territory of Li Ang. In fact, there are only Long River Town urban area and surrounding farms, Wheat Fragrance Territory, and Fletcher Village.
The lords in other places within the jurisdiction are not loyal to Li Ang, and Li Ang cannot control them...
There are only more than 8,000 residents living in the city of Long River Town, and there are more than 16,000 people living in the surrounding farms of Long River Town. The current population of Wheat Fragrance Territory is close to 3,000, and Fletcher has less than 1,000 people.
In addition, there is a remote Dark Falcon Fortress-that place is regarded as a pioneer territory and does not need to pay national tax within a year...
In other words, the territory belonging to Li Ang has an actual population of less than 30,000, but it has to bear an annual tax of 150,000.
5 dinars per capita and 1 dinar per capita, a five-fold difference.
But the lord accepted it calmly - the king would set a higher tax for him. This was expected and a normal operation.
It's understandable if you're a big fan.
However, what Li Ang didn't expect was that he was not the only one to bear such heavy taxes.
Not long after the tax officer left, Malbert arrived at Long River Town.
Lord Malbert did not officially take over White Deer Fortress. He did go to White Deer Fortress himself, and then immediately returned to Long River Town to find the lord and plan to negotiate a business deal.
"You mean, you want to trade White Deer Fortress for my business in the northwest of the kingdom? Is this your intention or your father's?"
Li Ang looked at Malbert in surprise.
He didn't expect Malbert's sense of smell to be so sensitive, and he made such a determination after just one trip to White Deer Fortress.
"Of course I mean it. White Deer Fortress is my fiefdom in name after all..."
Malbert smiled and turned around to look at various locations in the Lord's Hall.
"Don't worry, there is no one else here. Malbert, this is not a trivial matter. Are you sure you want to do this? I must first state that those casinos and entertainment venues are not easy to manage. Moreover, after those shops are separated from my Wheat Fragrance International, the business may not be so good."
Li Ang is more honest with Malbert. He always tells the truth when discussing specific business matters.
Moreover, it is really difficult for ordinary nobles to make such a decision to abandon a well-built castle. Malbert's mind is indeed quite flexible.
"I understand this, and what I want is not the Wheat Fragrance International sign. My family has enough influence in the northwest region, and I will use the family's sign. What I want is just stores that customers have become accustomed to."
Malbert nodded.
"Exchanging territory like White Deer Fortress for some shops, are you sure you want to do this?"
Li Ang once again took a high look at the movie king. Based on customer habits, he acquired existing stores and then established his own family brand in the region. This is already a market acquisition with modern business thinking.
His attitude towards Malbert now is more serious than facing the king.
"I know my own weight, Lord Li Ang. I can neither control those Noldo Elves, nor can I resist the attack of the Bacchus Empire... stay at White Deer Fortress can only worry about it every day, so it is better to change it to something more practical. I have visited most of the casinos opened by Wheat Fragrance Company in the northwest of the kingdom, and I know that they will definitely make more money than I did at White Deer Fortress."
Malbert didn't act this time, and he spoke very sincerely.
"But the king and Noble Council will not agree to this deal... Malbert, you should understand the king's intention."
Li Ang shook his head gently.
"Of course I understand, I can even see that you and Lord Godric are acting together..."
Malbert smiled, "You guys acted very well. You almost deceived me too. I didn't realize it until White Deer Fortress."
Li Ang curled his lips and said nothing. He could tell even if he was really beaten. Malbert is indeed a born actor.
"Lord Li Ang, to be honest, I don't dare to ask for White Deer Fortress. It's not just a matter of military strength... Do you know how much tax the king has set for White Deer Fortress? Fifty thousand dinars per year! Then the total number of White Deer Fortress's people is only ten thousand, how can I collect so much tax?"
Malbert spread his hands and did not mention acting again.
"White Deer Fortress also charges such a high tax? That's the border!"
Li Ang was also shocked. White Deer Fortress also had an average per capita of 5 dinars?