No Room for Two Tigers on One Mountain

From afar, in the Salam Mountain Range, watching the busy pioneers, Lord Hudson nodded with satisfaction, while the Young Bear perched on his shoulder eagerly followed suit.

With the land reclamation progress greatly accelerated, the plan to reclaim 20,000 mu of land before spring plowing is likely to be exceeded.

Lord Hudson was naturally pleased with his men's hard work. However, he couldn't understand why the Young Bear was also so excited.

Asking questions makes Mr. Beldens happy; pressing further makes Lord Bear pleased.

Forget it, you can't guess Bear Kid is thinking. A little toy can make him happy for days on end, so you obviously can't judge him by normal standards.

Human limits are not reached under duress. Ever since Hudson ordered the division of areas into units of garrisons for independent land reclamation, the garrisons below quickly followed suit, distributing tasks to the various units.

The system of passing tasks down from one level to the next seems to be innate, with tasks quickly broken down and passed on to the lowest level. The more clearly tasks are defined down to the lowest level, the harder it is to slack off.

The ten households in one unit knew each other so well that they knew each other inside and out. Everyone knew exactly who was who and what kind of person they were.

When it comes to food rations, everyone keeps an eye on each other. It's immediately obvious who does more work and who does less.

Even if we don't get the top honors and the lord's reward, we can't be at the bottom and get punished!

The village head at the top was afraid of being punished, the head of the household in the middle was equally afraid, and the serfs at the bottom were even more afraid. Once you've experienced prolonged hunger, no one wants to go through it a second time.

What may seem like a mere five-pound reduction in rations per month actually represents a shift from barely having enough to eat to going hungry. Even if the ration were increased by another five pounds, everyone would still be able to finish it all.

In times of scarcity, everyone had a voracious appetite. It seemed that young and strong men received 1.5 pounds of grain daily, but in reality, two-thirds of that was coarse grains.

It wasn't that Hudson was stingy, but rather that this was the standard of living for serfs at that time. A lord like him, with ample supplies, was already a paragon of virtue among lords.

If you want more food, you have to work more. For example, miners and blacksmiths in the mines are rationed 1.8 pounds a day, and their other food rations are even higher.

With skilled chefs and soldiers, not only did the daily rations reach two pounds, but the proportion of staple food also increased from one-third to two-thirds, and even a small amount of wheat was supplied.

Compared to the initial food rations, the current situation is much better. After all, initially, because there were fewer people, cooked food was distributed, which seemed like a larger quantity, but food expands during the cooking process.

One pound of rye, along with some wild vegetables and leaves, can easily make two pounds of rye bread. With a few more ingredients, three pounds of rye bread is also possible.

Other grains are slightly inferior, but they are all for filling one's stomach, so there's nothing to be picky about.

The difficulties are temporary. The current shortage of oil and meat is mainly due to the underdeveloped state of animal husbandry and agriculture. Relying solely on meat from hunting is, of course, a drop in the ocean for a population in the five figures.

While the expansion of the livestock industry is limited, the rapid development of crop farming is remarkably straightforward. Hudson plans to use the newly reclaimed land for planting soybeans, peanuts, flax, and more...

Once the oil extraction technology is established, the oilseed supply in the territory should improve significantly starting next year.

For now, we'll just watch from the sidelines. When it comes to experience in clearing land, the serfs working in the fields are far more experienced than Lord Hudson.

With farm tools and livestock provided, the lord's task was complete. The remaining work was left to the serfs to do as they pleased; Hudson would only look at the results in the end.

Involution can unleash productivity, and this is now being proven. The unscrupulous Lord Hudson is already preparing to expand and promote this experience.

For example, grain planting can also use the same task allocation method, where yields are compared at the end; mines can also adopt a grouping model, where output and scrap rates are directly compared later...

A complete plan to guide his subordinates to compete internally is taking shape in Hudson's mind, and it will be fully implemented across the territory once the plan is perfected.

"Master, the Ironware production data for this month is in. A total of 41 suits of plate armor, 1,324 broadswords, and 1,300 iron hammers were produced..."

As you instructed, we have notified the noble lords to come and collect the goods. We expect to complete half of the previous orders before the Descent of the Gods, and the rest should be ready before the beginning of next spring.

However, the recent new orders are not included in this calculation. Our production sequence always follows a first-come, first-served principle, based on your preference.

The number of new orders isn't large; they should be completed in about two weeks. If all goes well, the production pressure at the mine will gradually decrease starting next spring.

The old butler's words immediately made Hudson's expression serious. A decrease in production pressure was not a good thing.

While it can send surplus miners to land reclamation and avoid wasting labor, land reclamation is a long-term investment, and it is difficult to see returns in the short term.

If this situation continues, the territory's revenue will inevitably decline significantly next year. For Lord Hudson, who is already heavily indebted, reduced revenue is undoubtedly dangerous.

Although creditors won't come knocking on the door to collect debts anytime soon, having money to borrow and not having money to borrow are two completely different concepts.

The situation is stabilizing, and there will be no more explosive market growth. Going forward, our own products must be transformed.

The arms trade cannot be abandoned, but its proportion must definitely be reduced. The main reason is that our own strength is too weak, and we can only operate in the low-end market.

The market for serf soldiers may seem vast, but in reality, only a minority of nobles are willing to pay for them. Most place orders only after personally experiencing the danger.

Looking at the distribution of customers, it's clear that the Nobles of the Two Counties Laite and Huaidun, who weren't exactly rolling in money, actually contributed 70% of the weapons orders.

If the Skull Society hadn't caused trouble in Qiaomu County, prompting the local nobles to hastily strengthen their military, the percentage would have been even higher.

In contrast, sales of agricultural tools and daily necessities are more balanced. Overall, Laite and Huaidun counties still dominate, but this is mainly due to market development issues.

Since the outbreak of the Skull Society rebellion, the Salam Mine Area have stopped selling iron to outsiders, and due to supply and demand, the price of iron in the Southeast Province has skyrocketed.

The price doubled at one point, and even after a later decline, it was still 30% higher than before. Despite this, the market remains short of stock.

Against this backdrop, directly purchasing finished iron products has gradually become a new option for lords.

Orders come in even when you just sit at home and wait for business to come to you; if you actively stock up on goods for others, the situation will only get better.

To smoothly weather the impact of declining orders on local revenue, building a sales network and distributing goods throughout the province is undoubtedly the best option.

Undoubtedly, such a network is not easy to build. Currently, only the Dalton Family's salt sales possess a complete commercial network in the Southeast Province.

Hudson had no idea how lucrative the profits were, but the profits of just one of his counties were higher than the output of the entire Mountain Territory.

After all, iron products can be replaced by a series of tools such as bronze, pottery, and wooden tools, but salt is irreplaceable.

From lords to the lowest slaves, everyone needed salt. Not only did people need to eat it, but even livestock needed a small amount of salt.

A product that is 100% a necessity, coupled with a monopolistic business model, will naturally result in huge profits.

The Hudson, who sold iron products, often had to offer discounts to their major customers, whereas the Dalton Family never offered discounts on their salt.

Not only do they refuse to offer discounts, but they also frequently add additives to the salt. The inferior coarse salt used by ordinary people is not only yellow in color, but you can also easily see sand, soil, sawdust and other contaminants attached to it.

Want high-quality salt? No problem, just pay more. Salt that costs two Silver Coin a pound is of much better quality; not only are the impurities gone, but the color is also whiter.

If the price continues, the magic salt, costing one gold coin per pound, will be of even better quality. It's said to contain magical activating factors, which, when consumed, can slightly increase one's affinity with magical elements, making it a favorite among mages.

As a pseudo-magician, Hudson can solemnly declare that this is all false propaganda.

Theoretically, it can indeed increase elemental activity and affinity, but only if consumed in large quantities. If one could eat several pounds of magic salt every day, it would probably increase affinity by one-tenth or one-twelfth, but only at that time.

The problem is, how can one consume large amounts of salt? Putting aside the financial burden, one's health simply won't allow it!

It's fair to say that the "IQ tax" exists in every world. The only difference is that in the Aslant Continent, the "IQ tax" only targets the wealthy.

Frankly speaking, given the wide distribution of the Coslo Family members, establishing a business network would not be difficult.

The problem is that Hudson always kept in mind a truth—never do business with friends or family.

One or two transactions are fine, but in long-term business cooperation, friction between interests is inevitable.

One mishandling can not only damage your business, but also ruin your relationships with relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are out of the question, and other nobles are even less of a possibility. After all, this is a profitable business; if we give it to outsiders instead of our own people, what will our relatives and friends think?

In fact, even if Hudson were willing to abandon his principles and cooperate with his own family, it would be extremely difficult. After all, he has so many relatives and friends.

Everyone's happy to get involved in a profitable business. But no matter who gets the money or who doesn't, you're bound to offend someone in the end.

The best approach is to organize your own workforce to do it. Undoubtedly, implementing direct sales in feudal times would have been extremely challenging.

Security is secondary; the key is the staffing. Having so many salespeople who might interact with wealthy and powerful individuals at any time isn't something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can handle.

"Understood. Continue organizing production according to plan. I'll handle the rest."

Hudson replied expressionlessly.

Such a complex and important matter shouldn't require the trouble of a borrowed butler. One's position dictates one's stance; if they were to bring back information they shouldn't know, it wouldn't be good for anyone.

Although immersed in the troubles of building a business network, Hudson did not ignore the major changes happening in the outside world.

First, the Alpha Kingdom and the Church reached a preliminary reconciliation under the mediation of various countries. According to the information he gathered, Hudson summarized it simply in one sentence:

"Let bygones be bygones; as for what's to come, let's each go our own way and not interfere with each other."

With limited information, Hudson cannot make an accurate judgment at this time as to whether the Alpha Kingdom is at a disadvantage or gains from this agreement.

The only certainty is that the two major powers will not go to war in the near future, the peaceful years of the Alpha Kingdom can continue, and the Mountain Territory still has time to develop its economy.

Another major event, though somewhat distant from Hudson's life, has the most tangible impact.

Prince Alex, as expected by all, ascended to the position of Crown Prince of the Behemoth Imperial Court.

It was truly the popular choice. Apart from the fierce opposition within the Behemoth Imperial Court, everyone from the Orc Empire to the entire Alpha Kingdom was singing its praises.

Alex is unprecedented in history for having such a strong appeal as a crown prince even before ascending to the throne.

The arrival of a dissolute crown prince in the Behemoth Imperial Court is a good thing for all parties, including the Mountain Territory.

At the very least, it is certain that after he becomes the Behemoth Emperor, the balance of power between the pro-war and pro-peace factions within the Orc Empire will not be reversed.

The title of "Crown Prince" does not only mean the heir, but also wields immense power and influence within the royal court. If a young and vigorous pro-war Crown Prince were to be appointed, the Behemoth Imperial Court might very well transform from an anti-war faction into a pro-war faction.

This situation is undoubtedly the best one. The elderly Great Emperor Behemoth is unable to lead an army into battle, and Crown Prince Alex, who is also in poor health, is not capable of leading troops either.

Neither of the two imperial court leaders was suitable to lead an army into battle, and the others were not of high enough status to compete with the four imperial courts for leadership.

Starting a war would mean handing over dominance to the Orc Empire, and driven by self-interest, it would be difficult for the Behemoth Imperial Court not to oppose the war.

Regardless of how many years these two guys can hold out, it will be a rare opportunity for Hudson to farm.

If possible, it would be best to let these two live to a ripe old age...

This is awkward. One of these old guys is over 300 years old, and the other is almost 200. It doesn't seem appropriate to talk about how long they've lived given their age.

In short, Lord Hudson needs them all to live to maintain the existing order of the Orc Empire. Ideally, they should all live for another ten or twenty years, extending the peaceful years until the entire Mountain Territory is developed.

Compared to these two major events, the southward migration of Beastfolk slaves seemed insignificant.

Although he had never seen what Beastfolk looked like and was eager to see for himself, Hudson, being rational, ultimately refrained from doing so.

His relationship with the Northern Aristocrats was already quite ordinary, and since they hadn't extended an invitation, it would be very impolite for him to come and watch the spectacle.

"My lord, Baron Ciss has sent an invitation to the trade fair to be held in Dadir City next month."

Hudson was speechless as the servant handed him the invitation. Was this a case of delivering a pillow just when you're sleepy, or a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken?

Although there is no direct conflict of interest, Hudson and Baron Ciss are indeed hostile forces. The previous dispute in Dadir City had pushed both of them to the brink.

Perhaps Baron Ciss acted impulsively at the time, but in the world of nobility, there is no room for regret. Once a choice is made, one must bear the consequences.

Dadir City boasts a superior geographical location and convenient transportation, and has long been the commercial capital of the southern region of the Southeast Province.

Any lord who wants to establish himself here and quickly become wealthy must prioritize commercial development. Baron Ciss has certainly shown considerable patience by waiting until now to take action.

Hudson hesitated about whether to attend the event. Although he was now interested in what Beastfolk slaves looked like, he and Baron Ciss were ultimately enemies.

As one of the leading figures among the native nobles, Hudson wielded considerable influence among the Nobles of the Two Counties of Laite and Huaidun. His actions not only represented his own position but also influenced the choices of a segment of the native noble community.

At a time like this, going to support Baron Ciss would be tantamount to aiding the enemy. Even if a new order is secured at the trade fair, the biggest beneficiary would be the other side.

Can simply not participating ruin this trade fair?

Hudson was very skeptical.

Ultimately, the Laite and Huaidun counties, which were recovering from their decline, needed a trading place to facilitate trade among the nobles of the two counties.

If possible, Hudson would also like to place the commodity trading venue on his own territory.

Unfortunately, the Mountain Territory is too remote, and even though it is the largest iron products production base in the Southeast Province, it does not have the potential to become a commercial center.

No matter how strong your personal connections are, it won't work if you want customers to buy your products. No matter who you are, they have to travel hundreds of miles to get you to buy something. No amount of personal connections will help!

Deep down, Hudson cursed his noble colleagues as utterly useless. While Dadir City's location was indeed advantageous, it didn't mean the other territories were remote.

In the past, the main reason why Dadir City was able to become the commercial center of the southern province was because its former lord was the most powerful noble in the southern region.

Within the two counties, there are quite a few areas that have the potential to rival Dadir City as a commercial center. Although their reputation is not as widespread as Dadir City's, they certainly possess the inherent advantages.

Since everyone is rebuilding now, no one's foundation is much stronger than anyone else's. As long as you plan carefully and are willing to invest, you can definitely step out and compete.

Whether it succeeds or not is not important; as long as someone can step forward and cause trouble for that Baron Ciss, that's enough.

If military force is insufficient, Lord Hudson is willing to lend his support. He is willing to provide any verbal assistance as long as it does not involve his own interests.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain; the small Wright County is destined to be unable to accommodate two powerful dragons. The rise of either one will inevitably squeeze out the political resources of the other.

Unfortunately, Hudson and Baron Ciss were rivals. Especially after the last conflict, when their differences were laid bare, there was no room for further discussion.

As for the other nobles in the county, although they all had great ambitions, they were limited by their own strength and were simply unable to participate in the competition in the short term.