Profiting from the Crisis

Identifying a problem is easy, and analyzing the cause is also simple, but solving the problem becomes extremely difficult.

Fortunately, the nobles in the Southeast Province were divided into several groups, and their interests were not aligned.

Some wanted to drive these outsiders away, while others wanted to use them to disrupt the Dalton Family's plans and muddy the waters in both counties so they Fishing in troubled waters.

The current attempt to blockade them involves only a portion of the nobles, not all of them. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a surge in prices, but the far more extreme situation of merchants and travelers disappearing altogether.

Not eradicating them is one thing, but it doesn't stop everyone from making a fortune in the chaos. The so-called blockade is just because the profits aren't big enough.

When prices soar to a certain level, naturally some people will break the tacit agreement and do business with them.

Just like in the Northern Frontier region, despite the kingdom's repeated orders to impose an embargo on the Orc Empire, a large amount of supplies were still smuggled there.

Does the King know?

That's something we need to know, but the embargo must continue. Because under the embargo, the cost for Beastfolk to obtain resources has been increased many times over.

Strategically, the blockade remained successful. Because if the nobles of the Alpha Kingdom wouldn't do these kinds of business, other countries would.

Back when the Alpha Kingdom fought against the Orc Empire alone, its embargo on supplies was far more successful than it is now.

While it's impossible to say that no supplies ever flowed into the hands of the Beastfolk, the smuggling of strategic materials was practically nonexistent.

After all, the military commanders guarding the border at that time were all feudal lords, and none of them wanted to hand over a knife to the Beastfolk and let them come and kill them.

The situation they are facing now is similar to that in the North, except that they have changed from being the ones smuggling to being the ones being blockaded.

Judging by their own standards, the Northern Aristocrats did not believe that the nobles of the Southeast Province were so morally upright as to not even bother to make money.

The key question is—how much profit is needed to keep these local bullies fed?

There's no point in forming an alliance in this situation. We're all veteran players, and many of us have even witnessed firsthand the Beastfolk tribes fighting over resources.

When supply and demand shift, allies can become competitors. The Baron Ciss, as the nominal leader, naturally wanted to change this, but he couldn't conjure up resources either.

Although the title of Grand Duke Cavadia is prestigious, this is the Southeast Province, and his influence will most likely be negative.

If we don't raise this banner, it's fine; everyone can pretend not to know. But once we do, those nobles who have grudges against the Felix Family will probably come knocking on our door one after another.

There was no other way; although the world of the nobility was hypocritical, there were some fundamental principles that had to be upheld.

Ciss had no desire to know just how many long-standing feuds the Felix Family had existed over the countless years of the past.

After all, he was just an illegitimate child, unable to inherit the family's glory, and naturally had no need to inherit the family's hatred.

"Let's leave it at that for today! In a few days, Governor Pierce will come to Dadir City to mediate the dispute between the two counties, and we can negotiate with them then."

After comforting his underlings, the exhausted Baron Ciss rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

Deep down, he even considered giving up his position as leader, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it.

As the son of the Grand Duke Cavadia, while enjoying numerous resources, he must also bear corresponding obligations.

If he backs down now, he will not only lose face for himself, but also for Grand Duke Cavadia.

Even if he is just an illegitimate child, since he has been Grand Duke Cavadia, he represents the Grand Duke's face in the outside world.

Ciss can bow his head before nobles of higher status, but he absolutely cannot bow his head before the retainers of the five great families of the Northern Frontier.

Baron Hudson, who had just finished adjusting production tasks in the Mountain Territory, had no time to rest before receiving a notification from the Governor's Mansion.

Needless to say, a chance to make a fortune has arrived. Nobles of the Two Counties have gathered here; it's a rare and prosperous occasion.

With so many high-quality customers gathered together, if we still can't develop a market, then we really can't survive.

Especially weapons and equipment, which must be promoted. If the nobles in the two counties cannot rally after being spurred on by the Northern Nobles, they will truly be eliminated.

"Sir, Baron Katerley has come to visit."

The maid's voice interrupted Hudson's grand plan to make his fortune.

"I understand. Take him to the reception room to rest for a while, and I'll be there shortly."

Hudson didn't have many ideas about this neighbor. The other party's strength was undeniable; he was simply out of Hudson's reach.

Because of the faction they belong to, it's not appropriate to befriend them. At least until the relations between the Northern Aristocrats and the local nobles ease, the best way to deal with them is to keep a respectful distance.

The two had no prior relationship, and even though they had a pleasant conversation during the last mediation, it was only for "business purposes".

Hudson needs to establish his reputation as a "Divine Bow Knight" among the Northern Aristocrats; similarly, Baron Katerley needs to make his presence felt within the local nobility.

By sheer coincidence, the two clever individuals engaged in a round of mutual flattery, essentially a transaction where each got what they wanted.

Once the boasting is over, that's it; taking it seriously would be going too far. This uninvited guest has suddenly appeared at his door, Hudson really can't understand what he wants.

As a guest, Hudson couldn't be impolite. After a quick wash and a change of clothes, Hudson went to the cabin.

There was no other way; the castle construction was nowhere in sight, so they could only build a few small wooden huts to make do for now. That's just how miserable the nobility were; there was nothing shameful about it.

We were just acquaintances, nothing much to talk about. After a few simple pleasantries, we got straight to the point.

"Baron Katerley, if you want to buy grain, go find a grain merchant."

If you find them too greedy, you can directly purchase from nobles in neighboring counties. The Southeast Province is renowned as the kingdom's granary, and almost every lord or noble has a large stockpile of grain, so you won't be disappointed.

I arrived in the territory a little over a month earlier than you, and we're all in similar situations. Last season's harvest was almost a total loss, and this season's planting has just begun. Where are we going to get any food to sell?"

Baron Katerley nearly vomited blood upon hearing Hudson's shameless reply. If the nobles of the neighboring counties were willing to sell their grain, would prices have skyrocketed?

In an effort to procure food, the Northern Aristocrats employed various methods. Some bribed grain merchants, others offered large sums of money to lords and nobles, and some even targeted free citizens, but all to little avail.

Even in the provincial capital Beda City, a food rationing system was implemented. Residents and taverns could buy grain at a fixed price each day according to their rations, with not a single grain exceeding the quota.

Despite their best efforts, the Northern Aristocrats were unable to extract much grain. It wasn't that the merchants didn't want to sell; it was simply that their superiors had ordered them not to sell grain to the Northern Aristocrats.

The nobility has much greater autonomy, but the arrival of the Northern Aristocrats was quite grand, making everyone uncomfortable. Their recent dominance on the battlefield has further humiliated the local nobility.

We must find a way to regain the face lost on the battlefield, or at least let everyone vent their anger.

As for money, apart from nobles who need to open up new territories and whose families are a little short of money, most feudal nobles are not short of money.

Those who lack money have no grain to sell; those who have grain are not poor.

It's not that we can't bribe these feudal nobles, but a few hundred or a thousand gold coins are not enough to make them abandon their principles.

Since food is a necessity and the Northern Aristocrats have to buy it to avoid going hungry, the longer the delay, the higher the price of food will be, and they will only make more money. They are not in a hurry at all.

"To be honest, Baron Hudson, perhaps due to some unnecessary misunderstandings, no one is willing to sell grain to us now."

I had no other choice but to come and bother you. If you would be willing to help me purchase it, I think no one would refuse.

Regarding the price, you can rest assured. We'll go for the current market price; I absolutely will not haggle.

As Katelai said this, her heart was bleeding. The current market price was more than double the normal price, much more expensive than grain in the Northern Frontier border regions.

But now he's offering himself up, begging to be ripped off, and he's even worried that the other party won't make the cut.

"I'm sorry, Baron Katerley. As a nobleman of principle, I cannot do such a deceptive thing, so I cannot help you with this matter!"

If you are truly short of food, you can consider purchasing it from outside the province. It's only a few hundred miles away; you can bring your own people to transport it, it won't take long.

Hudson rambled on in a serious tone.

It sounds perfectly reasonable, but putting it into practice would drive anyone crazy. Regardless of what others think, Baron Katerley is unwilling to try.

He could never forget the countless scornful looks he had endured since setting off from the North.

Although the hatred was instigated by the Five Great Families, their underlings were also accomplices, and there were many nobles who disliked them.

If we hadn't been traveling as a group, it would have been uncertain whether we could have successfully reached the territory.

Going out to buy grain at this time would be like inviting trouble! Since the grain is already incredibly expensive, it's better to buy it from the local nobles; at least that would ease tensions.

If possible, Kateley would not have wanted to choose the troublesome Hudson as a breakthrough point, but unfortunately, he was the only one among the native nobles with whom he could speak.

He had offended all the remaining neighbors because of the issues with the local people. Going to them to buy grain at this point was a recipe for disaster.

As for the nobles in the neighboring counties, Baron Katerley had already paid them a visit. Unfortunately, the outcome was quite touching; he was turned away more than a dozen times, and he really didn't want to continue tormenting himself.

"Baron Hudson is joking. Even if grain from outside the province could be transported in, there wouldn't be enough time!"

Thousands of people in the territory are now starving, and if they run out of food, it will be another human tragedy. Please, for the sake of the Lord of Dawn, extend a helping hand to save our poor people!

"Baron Katerley said excitedly, as if he were truly desperate and about to take a gamble."

Unfortunately, the Lord of Dawn has virtually no influence with Hudson. Relying on the Lord of Dawn's influence is less effective than simply sending a few chests of gold.

As long as the profits are large enough, feeding several thousand people is not a big problem at all.

Unfortunately, Baron Katerley was clearly not at his wit's end. Because, as is the custom of the Northern Nobles, when it came to a desperate gamble, they always took their armies with them.

If you can't buy food, can't you just rob it? When people are starving, they're capable of anything.

"Baron Katerley, you really don't need to worry too much about the people. If you're unable to care for so many people due to food shortages, you can always ask your neighbors for help!"

Your territory is short of food because there are too many people. If everyone helps share the burden, the problem won't be so big.

Hudson said without changing his expression.

Although it is somewhat unethical to take advantage of a crisis at this time, when profits are at stake, one cannot care about such things.

Even if Hudson doesn't play the villain, someone else will.

Weakening the power of the Northern Aristocrats is now a consensus among the local nobles. Until this goal is achieved, they can forget about having a good life.

Without the tacit approval of the local nobles, even if they managed to buy grain from outside, they couldn't possibly bring it in.

As far as Hudson knew, several nobles had announced increases in transit taxes, with taxes on all goods transported to the territories of the Northern Nobles being doubled or even tripled again, and some lords even announcing that 99 percent of the goods would be taxed in kind.

It's practically time for them to confiscate everything. If nothing unexpected happens, many of their ordered goods will be out of stock for a long time to come.

"Baron Hudson, don't you think it's excessive to make such a demand on a noble lord?"

Kateley angrily questioned.

If looks were knives, Hudson would already be covered in wounds. Unfortunately, looks are just looks; although Baron Katerley's fighting prowess was slightly superior, this was Mountain Territory.

"Please calm down, Baron Katerley!"

"We're all smart people, so there's no need to hide anything. I'm sure you already know why things are like this."

When you first arrived, people weren't very welcoming, but they didn't target you either.

There's nothing wrong with taking back your own people. The problem is that you've become too greedy. Not only have you taken back your own people, but you've also taken over your neighbors' lands.

Leaving aside other nobles, the Maple Leaf Territory alone has more than six thousand people, right?

Let's do the math.

Maple Leaf Town is one of the major agricultural towns in Wright County, with a population of over 18,000 before the Skull Society rebellion broke out.

Maple Leaf Territory inherited one-third of the area of Maple Leaf Town, and its population at its peak was estimated to be only over six thousand.

Don't tell me that Maple Leaf Territory is completely unaffected by the Skull Society rebellion that has engulfed both counties.

A little investigation would reveal that a large portion of them were not locals, but rather people who had migrated from neighboring counties from the original lords.

As far as I know, a certain unfortunate baron relocated half the population of the Knight's Territory, and now his lands are practically deserted.

Hudson bluntly exposed him.

The Northern Nobles did indeed restrain their desires, but they took advantage of their previous experience of leading troops to plunder people to wreak havoc, without provoking public outrage.

The problem is that they got too carried away and even threw away the roots of the chives, just like those guys did before.

Double standards exist everywhere. When the local nobles do it, no one thinks anything of it, but when the Northern Nobles follow suit, everyone immediately becomes unhappy.

A combination of factors has led to the current situation. If Baron Katerley hadn't come to him of his own accord, Hudson wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess.

Because these migrants are too difficult to deal with, even if you manage to acquire them, it will be hard for them to consume.

How many people do you want?