Feints and Truths

With food on hand and resources at home, there's no need to panic.

At the current rate of cleanup, production could resume as early as next month. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of able-bodied young workers in the territory, making it difficult to increase production capacity.

Thick blue smoke rose, a sight particularly pleasing to the eye for Hudson. This was a necessary prerequisite for resuming mine production: charcoal making.

The miners skillfully placed the cut pieces of wood neatly into the charcoal kiln, covered them with soil to leave a ignition opening, and then poured in the burning charcoal.

There were two workers nearby, fanning the bamboo leaves with huge leaves.

It is evident that, given the current level of productivity, charcoal-making technology has reached a mature stage.

The air supply method was primitive because it originally used magical technology, a device similar to a blower.

Because of the damage caused by the war, and the inability to find a replacement in the short term, the air supply mode has regressed to a primitive state.

Magical technology was out of the question; it simply couldn't be bought anytime soon. Hudson had no choice but to settle for a bellows instead.

He had already explained the process of making the manual bellows and arranged for people to carry it out, but unfortunately the technology was not yet mature and the practicality of the product needed to be improved.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, it will be difficult for mines to utilize advanced technologies for a considerable period of time in the future.

It all comes down to cost; compared to expensive magical devices, manual labor is far too cheap.

Installing an alchemical blower is enough to buy ten able-bodied slaves. The worst part is that this thing requires Magic Crystal Stone to operate, and Hudson is desperately short of Magic Crystal Stone.

With the baron's limited quota, it's not even enough to supply his own cultivation, so why waste it here?

It's okay if the efficiency is a little lower, since the labor cost is cheap enough anyway. Using a manual bellows would be even cheaper.

Before there was time for further planning, Hudson received news from his family that the officials who were drawing the boundary lines had already set off and would arrive in Wright County soon.

I don't know where to start, and I'm not sure when I'll arrive in my own territory. The only thing I can do is stay home and not wander around.

If someone arrives and the master isn't home, that would be quite a mess. Given the way those bureaucrats in the Governor's Mansion operate, they won't wait for the master to return. If the master isn't home, they can get the job done just by looking at the map.

As for the parties involved, whether they are satisfied with the outcome is never within their consideration.

Those with strong connections can use those connections to redistribute the spoils. Those with no connections, no background, and no ability—the "three no's"—have no choice but to accept their fate.

While Hudson wasn't exactly nobody, he wasn't exactly powerful either. He did have some connections and background, but not enough to warrant a special trip from the Governor's Mansion.

As for actual skill, that's purely a matter of mutual hype in business. Hudson's reputation as the "Divine Bow Knight" was mainly due to his teammates' vigorous promotion.

To make their war achievements seem real, they exaggerated their battle records as much as possible. In particular, the battle in which they annihilated the Holy See Cavalry was exaggerated to three thousand when they actually killed only five hundred men.

Perhaps feeling it was too exaggerated and no one believed it, a supplementary explanation was eventually given: the Church's elite cavalry of one thousand and the main force of the Rebel Army of two thousand were completely annihilated.

The so-called "divine command" is purely based on the fact that the Rebel Army' command ability is too incompetent, and this cannot be hidden from those who are interested.

If he were really as powerful as the rumors suggest, then Hudson could tremble in the Southeast Province with a single stomp of his foot.

Without a doubt, the Southeast Province, ruled by the Dalton Family, would not tolerate such powerful beings. If they did appear, they would either be absorbed into the family or exterminated.

The fact that Hudson can still live such a carefree life is enough to prove how exaggerated the rumors are. They might be enough to intimidate the lower and middle nobility, but they certainly won't fool the Governor's Mansion.

"Uncle Sicorari, Uncle Baggins, Shirudi..."

Hudson felt a chill run down his spine as he heard the string of uncles being called out. Those who came to oversee the division of fiefdoms were all people the Coslo Family had connections with; he didn't believe it was a coincidence.

Either the Governor's Mansion was engaging in entrapment, or the Governor's Mansion deliberately created opportunities for them to act favoritism in the allocation of fiefdoms.

After a moment's thought, Hudson quickly made his judgment.

Entrapment isn't done this way. For privileged nobles, merely abusing their power in the allocation of fiefdoms isn't even a serious crime.

The most serious consequence would be losing one's official position and having the boundaries redrawn.

If one is careful and does not leave any obvious loopholes in the procedure, there will be no punishment.

Unless someone's completely out of their mind, no one would go to such lengths to orchestrate a plan just to achieve a meaningless punishment.

If it's the latter, then Wright and Hutton Prefectures are likely to be in for some turmoil. Conflicts between neighbors are already common, and with a Governor focused on digging mines and planting bombs, it's no wonder there's so much strife.

The welcome banquet was very meager. Although Hudson had tried his best, the food in the territory was too monotonous, and even the banquet was held outdoors.

There was no other way; the mining area was simply too remote and was not valued by the previous lord. There were no decent buildings nearby at all.

The few stone houses they owned were mainly used for storing food and pig iron, and were completely unworthy of a noble's status.

Fortunately, everyone who came was considered "one of us," otherwise, this kind of treatment alone would have made me look bad.

They were already old acquaintances, and after a few drinks, they became more and more relaxed.

"Hudson, your territory is far too remote. Why didn't you choose a wealthy, large town?"

Baron Sikolari asked, puzzled.

This was also a question on the minds of many in aristocratic circles. Their impression of the Salam Mountain Range was limited to two things—barren land and mineral deposits.

Having mineral resources is certainly an advantage, but it cannot compensate for the disadvantage of infertile land. Similarly, in agricultural production, the yield per acre in the Salam Mountain Range is only 70% of that in the plains.

With comparable, or even greater, labor inputs, the yield gap is so huge that the cost-effectiveness of growing grain is clearly not high.

While the income from mining alone may be advantageous in the short term, it is a disadvantage in the long run.

Once the mines are depleted, the surrounding land will be almost completely polluted. It's likely that even 70% of the grain production will be difficult to maintain.

For nobles accustomed to permanently establishing themselves in one place, the long-term development of their territory must be considered. Some nobles, in order to preserve sustainable agricultural production, will not mine even if they know there are mineral deposits underground.

"Uncle Sicorari, the Salam Mountain Range are indeed a bit remote and the grain yield is relatively low, but they have the advantage of a large area!"

Aside from the mining areas marked on the map, only the three outer Knight's Territory are visible on the map. The remaining hundreds of hilltops are unclaimed land, covering an area almost half the size of Wright County.

Although the development cost is relatively high and the cost-effectiveness is not great, it still has development value. If it is fully developed, and the quantity compensates for the quality, it will definitely not be a loss.

Of course, this requires a huge investment of human, material, and financial resources. Without decades of long-term investment, it's difficult to see results.

The real reason I chose the Salam Mountain Range was the upcoming situation in Wright and Hutton Prefectures.

The Northern Aristocrats were willing to offend the Dalton Family in order to move south, clearly indicating that a few baronies were not enough to satisfy their appetites.

The Coslo family was just a small family, and once they clashed with these northern military nobles, they would hardly gain any advantage militarily.

"A prosperous central town is desirable, but it must be defended. If the families behind them continue to increase their influence, I can't outlast them."

A half-truth, half-lies explanation is the most convincing. Ultimately, they're working for the Governor, and in terms of information, these people are still superior.

Count Pierce's apprehension towards the Northern Aristocrats was laid bare, and his underlings naturally dared not let their guard down.

The more you know, the more you come to revere. No one was surprised by Hudson's statement.

After all, the Coslo Family also originated from the North. It's perfectly normal for them to have some understanding of the strength of the Northern Aristocrats.

"Indeed, those guys in the north are annoying, but their strength is still quite astonishing."

If they gain a foothold, not only will the Wright and Hutton Prefectures be in turmoil, but the entire Southeast Province will likely find it difficult to maintain peace.

But Hudson, you're being too cautious. Even if those guys from the Northern Frontier come to cause trouble, they won't target your Coslo Family first.

As the most prosperous family in the kingdom, your many branches combined are quite powerful, and you also have the support of local nobles in the Southeast Province.

If a conflict were to break out between the two sides, it's uncertain who would ultimately prevail!

Baron Sikolari said with a chuckle.

They practically told Hudson to go for it, that the Governor's Mansion would support them.

Of course, saying it out loud wouldn't make a difference. The Coslo Family isn't stupid; war kills people. Fighting to the death with the Northern Nobles are moving south would only be a waste of the family's manpower, resources, and wealth, benefiting the fishermen on the sidelines.

Even if they win, they might collect some ransom, which wouldn't even cover the war expenses. With their family background and connections, handling the aftermath won't be a problem at all.

Losing would be even worse, with heavy casualties and the possibility of losing the entire business.

No normal person would touch a deal that's destined to lose money.