Two Powers Standing Side by Side

In the Mountain Territory, Hudson was busy hosting a grand banquet for his guests.

After several months of effort, although the castle was still nowhere to be seen, the temporary lord's manor was finally built.

With a suitable venue, the foundation for holding a banquet is laid.

As a member of the aristocratic group, how could they not hold a banquet?

Compared to other regions, the nobles of Leyte and Huaidun counties were representatives of frugality.

While it's rare for someone like Hudson to hold their first banquet after settling in for almost half a year, it's not uncommon for people to only hold an event once every month or two.

They were all forced into this situation by money.

Except for a few wealthy individuals, most lords are facing a financial crisis.

If you don't have money in your pocket, you naturally can't be extravagant. One important way to do this is to cut back on expenses in all aspects and reduce the number of banquets.

Although this was Hudson's first time hosting a banquet, the number of guests was still small. It wasn't that there wasn't a lack of people to attend; it was mainly that Hudson had only invited about twenty people.

Without exception, they were all from nearby places and had some degree of acquaintance with each other.

In case of an accident, everyone can look out for each other. The ability to benefit each other is the core reason for the formation of this new interest group.

Hudson was in a good mood, having already received recommendations from several friends. Although the timing was too coincidental, Lord Hudson was severely short of manpower, couldn't worry about that.

With more people comes more trouble. Compared to other village chief-level lords with only a few thousand people, the Mountain Territory is at least the size of a large town.

This large town with tens of thousands of people has only seven managers, all of whom are borrowed from outside.

Hudson was somewhat impressed with his own management skills, considering that he was able to keep the territory running smoothly with such a small number of people.

However, as the territory continued to develop, the specific things that needed to be planned and managed also increased, and there were not enough people.

Hudson did cultivate his own talent; the village chiefs and neighborhood leaders under him were the "key talents" he painstakingly trained.

It is already quite remarkable that a group of completely illiterate people can do a good job at the grassroots level. It is clearly unrealistic to expect them to grow up immediately.

Hudson needed to keep his limited trusted confidants within the military. Compared to administrative management, he placed greater emphasis on controlling the military.

This can be seen from the type of talent he recruits. He targets only administrative personnel; no matter how capable a military commander is, Lord Hudson wouldn't dare use him.

Although the family doesn't have many history books, some lessons learned have been recorded. Countless heroes and great men have failed in their endeavors, and the betrayal of their subordinates is invariably a major reason.

In chaotic times, the army is the lifeblood. If the army remains stable, there is always room for maneuver. But if the army encounters problems, then one can only rely on the protection of the Lord of Dawn.

Skills can be developed gradually, but loyalty must not be compromised. There are only so many soldiers anyway; as long as they can execute orders without fail, that's enough.

When it comes to military command ability, Hudson felt that his "armchair strategist" skills were among the best of his colleagues who only knew how to charge blindly.

If he went to the battlefield a few more times and accumulated some practical experience, he might become a famous general on the mainland.

Hudson felt that recruiting men who only knew how to lead troops into battle in a daze was irresponsible.

Among the impoverished nobles struggling to make a living, there might be outstanding military talents, but Hudson did not believe that a minor baron could recruit such geniuses.

On the contrary, recruiting administrative staff is simple; as long as they have the skills of those housekeepers, they can make do for now.

If a more suitable candidate becomes available in the future, then we can replace them. If there aren't enough talented people, then we can just wait for older officers in the military to retire.

Why did Lord Hudson dare not promote compulsory education in his territory, and could only secretly teach some officers in the army to read and write?

Regarding the dissemination of knowledge, the aristocratic group had long reached a tacit understanding that it could only circulate within a small circle.

It wasn't just the serfs who lacked access to education; the same was true for the free people outside. Many merchants, too, were illiterate.

That wasn't the worst of it. As far as Hudson knew, some impoverished noble lords had also become illiterate.

Without someone to lend a helping hand, regaining knowledge will inevitably come at a heavy price.

"Hudson, are you really going to go up against the Ciss?"

Knight Adrian's question was serious.

It's not a question of support or not; since they belong to the same family, Adrian was divided into camps from the very beginning on this issue.

Raising his glass and taking a small sip, Hudson said with considerable enjoyment, "Whether or not to argue with him isn't really about me, but rather whether everyone needs me to step forward and argue."

Having been pushed all the way to this point, it's no longer something I can simply back down from.

The farce in Laite County is just a small episode in the grand scheme of things; there's sure to be more to come.

If you don't want to be overturned by the storm, then find a way to increase your strength!

We don't have much time left. Let's try to accumulate as much as possible before the storm hits...

The voices grew softer as time went on, and even though the people around were all considered "one of their own," Hudson still didn't dare to say some things.

This gathering, which may seem like just an ordinary exchange, is actually the formation of a new interest group.

Although this group appears weak, it is already a significant force in Laite County. Excluding other influences, it is barely able to rival the Northern Nobles of the county.

"What a fucking life!"

I don't know whether to envy you or pity you. But it's clear you're enjoying everything you have right now.

So, can I understand that you've prepared for dealing with Baron Ciss, or rather, found a way to counter the Felix Family's intervention?

The question that Knight Adrian are looking forward to.

From the perspective of the Coslo Family, they naturally hope that Hudson can win this dispute.

Once Hudson seizes the position of sheriff, with the support of his family's various branches, it won't be long before he can establish himself among the middle nobility.

Having taken this step, the Coslo Family could now be considered a prominent family in the Southeast Province. Even within the entire kingdom, they had gained a basic voice.

The threshold for joining the Kingdom's Noble Council is at least viscount, and one must also hold real power to be eligible.

Although its actual say is limited, it is still the highest authority in the Alpha Kingdom in name, capable of making decisions on major matters of the kingdom.

The most direct benefit is greater security; if suppressed by powerful nobles, one can still voice their opinions in the Kingdom Council.

It's uncertain how much of an effect it will have, but once things are brought to the forefront, many things will have to be done according to the rules.

This is also why, despite their power, the Dalton Family could not completely dominate the Southeast Province.

"Don't make wild guesses, I didn't say any of those things. If word gets out and causes any negative consequences, I won't admit it."

Now, all I want to do is continuously strengthen my own power. I don't ask for anything else; as long as my two infantry regiments are trained, does it really matter who the prefect is?"

Hudson said with a sneer.

Confidence is built on comparison. The lack of support from his colleagues made Hudson increasingly confident.

All that talk about strategic planning and planning is utter nonsense. Most noble lords have no plans at all; they just drift through life like ordinary people.

Hudson's chosen teammates were basically all like this, with Knight Adrian being the most ambitious among them.

Those formidable figures, unfortunately, were not within Lord Hudson's sphere of influence. Simply put, he wasn't including them in his plans.

Ability is not the same as strength. Before completing the initial accumulation, even the most awesome person is no different from an ordinary person.

Excluding them from the circle and denying them the opportunity to accumulate initial wealth will quickly teach them a lesson.

The situation in Whitton County remains unclear, but the two-way rivalry in Laite County is already quite evident. Anyone who dares to aspire to become a third power will face a joint attack from both major forces.

Hudson had already offered his condolences for Baron Ezekiel. His abilities were indeed remarkable, but unfortunately, his strength couldn't support his ambition.

This is a tragedy for ordinary people. If he hadn't taken that gamble, probably no one would have known he Laite County.

Despite painstaking planning, meticulous preparation, and immense effort, he chose the most opportune moment to make a desperate gamble, yet ultimately he could not escape being overwhelmed by Baron Ciss's overwhelming power.

He was a master strategist outside the battlefield, but a complete loser in actual combat.

A valiant resistance only makes the story more tragic. Perhaps a wandering poet might appreciate a tragic hero, but the aristocratic world has no sympathy for the defeated.

In contrast, Hudson was much more cunning. Knowing his own weakness in the early stages, he stayed within his territory and ignored the outside world.

The only significant thing he accomplished was boasting. Not by boasting himself, but by having his former colleagues do it.

The stories, a mix of truth and falsehood, were interwoven, yet they fooled many people.

Only after completing the initial accumulation and transforming fame into strength did he gradually step into the limelight.

Half of the two infantry regiments were incapable of fighting, but this did not affect the fact that, in the eyes of outsiders, both infantry regiments were elite forces.

People tend to believe what they see with their own eyes, so Hudson showed everyone "two elite infantry regiments".

After all, how could the high and mighty noble lords care about the transfer of their subordinates?

The first group has already performed; the second group is the one that frequently appears in the public eye now. In everyone's perception, the first group, formed last year, is still considered more impressive.

Little did they know, Hudson was merely playing a word game. The current First Regiment was the new recruits, while the Second Regiment, deployed outside, consisted of 90% soldiers from the original First Regiment, with only minor personnel changes.

The First Regiment stays deep within their territory, conducting military training while overseeing the Beastfolk slaves' work. They won't show themselves until they've trained them to a high standard.

This bluff was successful once again, directly establishing the two-way rivalry in Laite County.

If Hudson didn't have two "elite infantry regiments" under his command, he wouldn't be able to compete with the Northern Nobles in the county with just his allies in the hall.

The biggest reason they dared to have such a blast was naturally the tacit understanding they'd reached with Baron Ciss. It was all just a war of words anyway; whoever backed down was the coward.

Even if Hudson discovered something was wrong, he didn't think Baron Ciss would dare to take the risk, after all, he was a bastard.

If the judgment is wrong, it could result in a lose-lose situation. Even if Grand Duke Cavadia's beloved son is in a good mood and wants to increase investment, his half-siblings will try their best to hold him back.

The banquet was an unprecedented success.

The guests who witnessed Hudson's military strength firsthand seemed to have regained their confidence overnight, which had been shaken by the defeat of the Northern Frontier.

Everyone believed that if they united, they would have the strength to stand against the Northern Nobles in the same prefecture.

Even with the addition of Whitton County, the native nobles were still at a disadvantage. But that didn't matter; there was still a baron from the Dalton Family on the other side.

Within their own sphere of influence, even a small amount of support from the family is enough to turn the tide.

The nobles, especially those who had been forced to exchange land, were filled with resentment and wanted to vent it immediately.

In a direct confrontation, people weren't as impulsive, but they immediately gained the confidence to speak louder.

"Lord Longxi, you see, the Mountain Baron didn't even invite me to his banquet. I, as his neighbor, have no status at all."

"Or you could try looking for another angle, find a nobleman who holds sway in his eyes to act as an intermediary, perhaps that would be more effective..."

When the time came, Baron Keterai, unwilling to become a pawn, struggled with his last ounce of strength.

Although he didn't know what kind of big business it was, based on his understanding of these people, it definitely wasn't a legitimate business.

Getting involved would be absolutely detrimental to him, with no benefit whatsoever.

If he learns something he shouldn't know, it's not entirely impossible that these guys would just kill him.

The First Evolution

"Enough, kid. Just lead the way. If you say another word, I'll break your third leg."

"How dare you say that! We've been neighbors for almost half a year, and we've even done business together several times, and you can't even get a single invitation to a banquet? I'm ashamed for you!"

Longxi coldly reprimanded him.

I originally thought this was an important piece, but I never expected that it would turn out to be a useless piece.

It's like looking at something that looks like a "chariot," only to find out upon closer inspection that it's actually a "pawn" being passed off as one.

Under the menacing gazes of the crowd, Kelley steeled himself and led his group into the Mountain Territory. He could only swallow his bitterness and tears alone.

The atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became extremely oppressive, as if the sky were about to collapse.

Since the visitor was a guest, Hudson had assumed that Kelley had brought a group of people to discuss the issue of picking up the goods, and he had treated them with great hospitality.

But after a brief encounter, he quickly realized that wasn't the case.

Baron Kairait, in particular, was now following a man in purple robes with the utmost care, as if serving an ancestor, which made him realize that something was amiss.

"Distinguished guests, you are not like people from the Southeast. May I ask what brings you all here in such great detail?"

Hudson asked, feigning surprise.

As for Baron Kairait, he was completely ignored by Hudson from the moment he entered.

His intuition told him that this wasn't going to bring business, but trouble.

However, since they had no past grievances or recent conflicts, Hudson couldn't understand what trouble had come his way at this time.

Even if the Coslo Family had connections in the North, that was over a hundred years ago. No matter how much hatred they might have stirred up, it wouldn't warrant them sending someone to retaliate a century later.

"Lord Hudson, you are too kind. We have come here in large numbers today, and we are sorry to bother you, but we mainly want to discuss a big deal with you."

"A huge deal worth over 300,000 gold coins! Once this deal is completed, all your current financial difficulties will be resolved."

Upon hearing the purple-clad man's words, Hudson's expression instantly turned grim. It turned out that news of his mounting debts had spread from the Southeast Province to the north.

It was obvious that someone had leaked the information, and he glared fiercely at Baron Kairait.

Among the dozen or so people present, he was the only familiar face, and he also happened to know about the Mountain Territory's heavy debts, making him the prime suspect.

"Three hundred thousand gold coins is indeed a big deal. But why should I get such a good deal?"

The only things the Mountain Territory could offer were some Ironware.

Looking across the entire Alpha Kingdom, it lags behind in both Ironware production capacity and Ironware quality.

Hudson said expressionlessly.

He does like big business, but those are all legitimate businesses. As for deals with dubious origins, although he has taken them before, those are all small orders.

Even with some issues, the overall risk is still manageable. This time, the situation is clearly different; it's a large order of 300,000 gold coins, and I estimate that once the order is delivered, it will immediately cause a huge stir.

There are quite a few people eyeing the Mountain Territory right now, and Hudson doesn't think he can complete this huge deal without anyone noticing under the noses of a group of people with ulterior motives.

"Baron Hudson, there's no need to get too excited. It's normal to be worried about the risks when you're dealing with such a big deal."

The reason we've approached you is very simple: we need to order a large quantity of weapons. Throughout the entire Alpha Kingdom, the weapons produced in the Mountain Territory are of the worst quality!

Upon hearing this explanation, Hudson nearly coughed up blood.

Can't we have a pleasant conversation if you expose someone's shortcomings as soon as you meet them?

Is it because he doesn't want to sell good weapons?

I'm just too scared!

He could have produced better quality iron, but for safety reasons, Lord Hudson chose to earn less.

If it weren't for his selfless dedication, the serf soldiers in the Southeast Province would have been dreaming if they had ever used iron weapons.

Without weapons, how can everyone fulfill their dream of fighting on the battlefield?

It's important to understand that in past armed conflicts, serf soldiers were always excluded. Even if they participated, it was at most considered a group fight.