Nonviolent Noncooperation
Looking at the diplomatic documents from the Mountain Territory countries, Hudson knew that his plan to build a monster army was about to suffer a major blow.
The dramatic shifts in the international situation eventually affected the Mountain Territory. Provoked, the northern nations sought various pretexts to prematurely repatriate pregnant female animals.
As for the Warcraft cub that belonged to Hudson, everyone used the simplest and most direct method—spending money.
Ultimately, it was the kingdom's unethical actions that caused everyone to lose trust. Now, people are willing to risk the mother beast miscarrying halfway rather than linger any longer.
Although no one explicitly stated it, everyone knew that with the disappearance of their last common interests, the Northern Alliance was effectively dead from this day forward.
After much hesitation, Hudson finally abandoned the idea of taking advantage of the situation. Such a thing would be too dishonest and detrimental to sustainable development.
"Kane, go and tell them that everything is proceeding as agreed beforehand, and that the Mountain Territory welcomes them to visit at any time."
People from the County of Corubia were also allowed to leave with their mothers.
"Pass down the order to strengthen security throughout the territory from this day forward. I don't want any of them to meet with misfortune before leaving the Mountain Territory's sphere of influence!"
Hudson said with a serious expression.
There was nothing he could do about it. At this point, all Hudson could do was try to minimize the economic impact of losing the Magical Beast Base on his territory.
Without this group of high-quality consumers, Dadir City, which prospered because of the establishment of the Magical Beast Base, will inevitably face an economic depression.
Hudson's only solution was shock therapy. With people gone, the market disappeared, and naturally, the supporting businesses and service industries would also suffer.
The Mountain Territory is simply too small to support a bustling metropolis. Even with the purchasing power of some nobles from neighboring counties, it is not enough to maintain the current prosperity of Dadir City.
Even if all the nobles were included, if they could gather a thousand customers with purchasing power, then Lord Hudson would still lose.
With a limited number of customers and operating on a primitive territorial economy model, where everyone is self-sufficient in all aspects of life, their demand for commercial services is indeed very limited.
The most in-demand commodity was salt, followed by iron farm tools. Luxury items such as monster meat, spices, tea, and silk had very limited sales.
They all came from humble beginnings as nobles, Hudson was very clear about the purchasing power of this group, which had virtually no potential for development.
Even if they have money, they will save it to buy Life Essence, knight equipment, and wedding preparations for their descendants.
Perhaps in the future, another standard feature will be added – Magical Beast Mount.
In short, people have too many expenses. There's simply no extra money to squander.
"My lord, it would be fine if you let the people from other factions leave."
The Corubia are the masterminds behind the attempt to instigate a war between the Kingdom and the Hessians. Letting them go like this is far too lenient on them.
If word gets out, it will be difficult to explain to the Royal Capital.
Even if they are allowed to leave, they probably won't go far. Too many people are eyeing them, and they'll likely encounter trouble as soon as they leave the Mountain Territory.
Rather than letting others profit, it's better to keep it cheap...
Before Kane could finish speaking, Hudson interrupted, "Any faction could take advantage of this, but we are the only ones who cannot."
The Magical Beast Base is a landmark of the Mountain Territory. Even if it is temporarily vacant, it will surely prosper again in the future.
Money can be earned back; Warcraft can be reproduced; but once fame is gone, it's truly gone.
Send someone to inform Governor Pierce that the Corubia were going to leave with the monsters.
Years ago, I owed him a favor, and this is a good opportunity to repay it.
Choosing to curry favor with the Dalton Family at this time was actually a matter of having no other choice.
A quick glance at the map reveals that if the Corubia want to leave the Mountain Territory, they either have to cross the Black Stone Mountain Range and pass through the Black Forest Kingdom, or they have to wander around the Southeast Province.
The Black Forest Kingdom is a mortal enemy, so they definitely won't go there. That leaves only the Southeast Province as an option.
Hanging around the Dalton Family's doorstep, it's hard to avoid being spotted. Since he can't touch it himself, Hudson wouldn't mind giving it away as a favor.
Everyone knows that the Corubia are a big piece of meat, but they're not exactly a delicious piece of meat.
These days, nobles are quite spirited. If the Corubia are certain they can't escape, they'll most likely just kill the mother beast.
They were slaughtering their own magical beasts; no one has the right to interfere. Even if the Dalton Family is furious afterward, they can't do anything to them.
"Robbery" is something that can't be discussed openly.
If the Corubia could anger Governor Pierce and get them to kill a few nobles, that would be quite a sight.
In the County of Corubia, Louis Vuitton III, having made arrangements for the future of his descendants, quietly awaited the arrival of disaster in the palace.
The kingdom's ministers had long since vanished. If nothing unexpected happened, they were currently busy mobilizing their connections and seeking favors to protect their existing interests.
Loyal ministers may exist, but when even King Louis Vuitton III chose to lie low and directly ordered the county army to let the enemy in, they lost their fighting spirit.
Marquis Relian, commander of the Black Forest Kingdom's expeditionary force, was also feeling the same headache. He had finally managed to secure this mission, hoping to make a name for himself through the war, but the enemy simply gave up.
Before launching the campaign, Alexander V repeatedly emphasized the need to seize the opportunity on the battlefield to clear away as many obstacles as possible for the kingdom's future rule.
The high-ranking officials in the Royal Capital also hinted to him to take drastic measures, in order to contribute to the long-term stability of the kingdom.
Aside from not directly ordering him to find an opportunity to massacre the nobles of Corubia, it can be said that everyone has done everything they could.
Marquis Relian originally planned to use underhanded tactics on the battlefield to severely damage the ruling class of the County of Corubia and bring glory to the kingdom.
Unfortunately, after entering the County of Corubia, Marquis Relian discovered that while his ideas were admirable, reality was harsh.
Armed resistance did not exist; the only thing the Corubia did was invite the envoys of various countries to act as witnesses.
Let alone massacring nobles, he was also berated by a group of ministers for accidentally killing a few serfs during a march.
It's not that everyone has a strong sense of justice; it's purely out of human instinct. Everyone else is abstaining from meat, but the entire Black Forest Kingdom is eating it—who can accept that?
If we don't find an opportunity to annoy them, everyone's thoughts won't be clear. That's why the tragedy of a group of ministers traveling with the army, specifically to find fault with them, occurred.
Arriving in the Royal Capital smoothly, Marquis Relian felt a mix of emotions as he gazed at the royal palace that appeared before him.
We've won the war?
But he didn't fight a single battle!
Conquering the County of Corubia was easy, but what about the subsequent rule?
To solve this problem, we must address a core issue: how to deal with Alexander V and the nobles of the County of Corubia.
Killing them is definitely out of the question. Slaughtering thousands of nobles at once would be a responsibility that not only he, as the commander-in-chief, couldn't bear, but the Black Forest Kingdom also couldn't afford.
If we don't kill them, then figuring out how to deal with these people becomes a big problem.
It's fine to have a nominal noble title; it's just a title anyway. Even if it's kept exactly as it is, it won't affect the interests of the Black Forest Kingdom.
We can't just take all those nobles with fiefdoms under our control, can we?
Even disregarding the loyalty of these people, one should consider the many nobles in the Royal Capital waiting to share the spoils, as well as the group of noble officers who came with him, all of whom are now eagerly anticipating their turn.
"Your Highness Louis Vuitton, the Marquis Relian sends his greetings!"
Though he spoke politely, deep down he felt contempt. From a high-ranking King to his current predicament, Louis Vuitton is undoubtedly the biggest culprit.
If he had even a little more political acumen, he wouldn't have rushed to become a traitor and pledge loyalty before the situation was clear.
Standing on the side of the victors is the right thing to do, but Louis Vuitton messed it up. Nobody likes a traitor, and what seemed like a simple decision to take sides disgusted both the Alpha Kingdom and the Black Forest Kingdom.
This sowed the seeds of a bitter future.
Alternatively, they might focus on developing military capabilities and training a fighting force of 30,000 to 50,000 men. This would provide them with an opportunity to maneuver on the battlefield should an enemy invade.
"Forget it, Marquis Relian. You are the victors now. As the losers, I have no right to be treated equally."
"Tell me, that bastard Alexander V, what do you want to do with me?"
Louis Vuitton III said dismissively.
That's the good thing about King; no matter how big or small the country is, or how strong or weak it is, a monarch is always a monarch.
No matter how outrageous Louis Vuitton was, the Marquis Relian could only watch helplessly and still had to treat him with the courtesy befitting his status.
While serving him well, they also had to protect Louis Vuitton III's personal safety. Even suicide was not allowed.
Because no matter how he dies, if an accident occurs within his controlled territory, Marquis Relian will be in deep trouble and face severe consequences.
"Your Highness, please calm down. In recent days, the Cult of the July Association infiltrating your country very effectively, and has even taken control of the government."
His Majesty is concerned for your personal safety and has specially requested that Your Highness bring your family documents and come to our Royal Capital to reside together.
Once everything has settled down, Your Highness is welcome to return to reside here at any time.
Marquis Relian spoke in the most amiable tone possible.
He's not afraid of Louis Vuitton III causing trouble now. If this King can cause trouble, he can save himself a lot of trouble. He's just afraid that this guy might do something stupid and commit suicide.
"Do as you please. The County of Corubia is yours now. Do whatever you want with it!"
I'm not going anywhere now. Even if I die, I'll die in this palace!
Louis Vuitton III sneered.
In the County of Corubia, to appease the people, they couldn't afford to mistreat their King. But once he went to the Black Forest Kingdom, he would have absolutely no say in anything.
"Your Highness, I think it's better for you to go. If you insist on staying here, and something unexpected happens, none of us want to see that happen."
By the way, your prince and princess are both very cute. They've already been brought to the Royal Capital, and we're just waiting for you to join them.
Marquis Relian threatened.
"Is that so? Then I'll have to trouble your King to take care of them. We're relatives after all, and I'm sure Alexander V, as their uncle, won't mistreat them!"
Faced with Louis Vuitton's mockery, the Marquis Relian was seething with anger but had nowhere to vent it. There was no other way; the King were indeed related.
If we were to list them all, every monarch on the Aslant Continent could be related to one another.
Acquiring Louis Vuitton's children early was indeed a bargaining chip, but they could only hold onto it and couldn't actually use it.
Faced with Louis Vuitton's utter disgrace, Marquis Relian was truly powerless to do anything about it under the existing rules.