Just like what Ryan said, you need as much food as you have.
For Mihai, the same is true for the demand for weapons. Just as Ryan guessed, there is more than just a noble lord behind Fragoso.
Because he was worried about the empire intervening in the kingdom's conflicts, Mihai did not dare to go directly to other nobles of Northwind Province, but he also suggested that Ryan could buy it from those nobles and then sell it to them.
Northwind Province is more than Iron Ore, everyone in the surrounding area knows this.
After sending Mihai away, Ryan wanted to collect information about the Andara Kingdom from within the empire, but he really didn't have much manpower, so he could only give up for the time being.
A few days later, Ryan had already given orders to the blacksmiths in the territory to forge armor, and also arranged for Bilder to go to Northwind Province to purchase weapons.
Less than two days after Bilder left, a Divine Steed Territory Lordship from Baron Hatton appeared in Frozen Earth Territory.
"Dear Lord Frozen Earth Territory, my Baron Hatton sends you my regards."
Rayo Haton, the uncle of Baron in the Hatton Family, was lucky enough to become a noble because of Baronet System. When facing Ryan, he looked particularly confident and high-profile.
"Baron Hatton Want to invite me as a guest?"
Ryan couldn't help but be surprised when he heard Rayo's intention. After thinking for a moment, he finally agreed.
"Go back and tell Baron Hatton that I will visit as promised."
Ryan waved his hand, and Old Steward took away Rayo, who wanted to stay for a while to communicate with a fifth-class noble.
"Baron Hatton actually invited me. It seems like there's nothing good going on."
After Old Steward came back, Ryan asked him to notify Brandt.
The next day, Ryan led an army of thirty people to Divine Steed Territory. After the road was roughly clear, his speed became much faster.
Arriving at Divine Steed Territory, Ryan could feel that the atmosphere in this territory was somewhat tense.
"Ryan You are finally here."
Haton greeted Ryan with a smile from afar, as if they were good friends who hadn't seen each other for many years.
"Mr. Haton."
Ryan nodded and staggered away from Haton's hug.
The two came side by side to Haton's castle banquet hall. There were more beautiful maids here than when Ryan arrived last time. It seems that Haton's enjoyment here has not diminished at all.
"You can take whatever you like directly, or you can test the moisture first tonight."
Haton winked at Ryan and said.
"Mr. Haton, let's discuss business first."
When Ryan saw Haton before, he could feel that the other party's eyes stayed on his army for a long time.
Sure enough, after hearing Ryan's words, Haton also frowned.
"Ryan You don't know, Walter that brat is already starting to get restless."
"He didn't know where he purchased a large number of slaves to fill his Knightdom, and his mother, the woman from the Mayers Family, spent a lot of money to help her son purchase a group of young and strong slaves to form an army."
"If it's just like this, forget it, but that insidious and cunning Roach, that damn ugly crow, actually arranged for his army to be stationed in Walter's Knightdom, and he said it was to support his own Lordship to expand territory."
"You also know that Northwind Province's winter has come earlier, so the autumn harvest is coming soon. Watt Knightdom has not cultivated so much food this year to feed the purchased slaves."
"In the past few days, that little brat from Watt Knightdom has started boldly leading soldiers to steal my food."
After saying this, Haton looked at Ryan.
"Ryan, my neighbor, we must not allow Watt Knightdom to trample on the honor of the nobles and plunder the nobles' sacred wealth like this!"
Ryan nodded and said with a smile:
"Of course, a Lordship dares to start a war with the noble Baron. This is something that will never be allowed."
"However, Mr. Haton, my territory is very busy, and this winter may be colder than before. If we rashly start a war with Baron Roach's territory, I will lose a lot of things."
Ryan said with some embarrassment:
"But if Mr. Haton can support me with some food to survive this winter, then I will help you even if a group of slaves freeze to death in the territory."
This was the deal, Haton couldn't help but glance at Ryan.
"Ryan, I remember that you bought a lot of food not long ago, why are you running out of food again?"
"Frozen Earth Territory can't grow much food. Mr. Haton, you also know that, so we can only hoard it."
Ryan said helplessly:
"Besides, you also know that I have to keep so many knights, and they are very good to eat."
"Same."
Haton nodded and agreed directly. This year, the food grown in the fields in his territory was relatively abundant. In addition, he purchased a batch before, which was enough to survive this winter.
But he will never allow Knight Walter and the Baron Roach behind him to steal even a grain of wheat from him!
"Then, my army will be stationed here."
"No, no, no, Ryan, I hope you can stay too, Frozen Earth Territory it's too cold, it's warm here."
Haton shook his head, he hoped Ryan could support more troops.
"No one can cross your mountain road to reach Frozen Earth Territory, so you don't have to worry too much if you stay here."
Ryan instinctively sensed that things here were not simple.
He asked Haton. Baron looked a little hesitant, but he still said it.
"Not long ago, Baron Barnes secretly sent people to find me and said that they would form an alliance with me. Northwind Province... may become chaotic."
Haton said worriedly. He was a little panicked, so he wanted Ryan's powerful military strength to protect himself.
"Barnes?"
Ryan still remembered that this baron, whose military strength in Lingdu County was only inferior to the two viscounts, had shown favor to him in the North Wind City Council.
After a moment of silence, Ryan probably understood the problem.
The tragic impact caused by Orcs's move south finally broke out.
Because there was no obstruction from the fortress and Black Goat Orcs was powerful, Orcs robbed Northwind Province of too much wealth, including but not limited to food, clothes, and even livestock.
This also resulted in every Northwind Province noble needing to purchase food supplements from South this year. However, because the empire gradually gave up on Northwind Province, the Chamber of Commerce also reduced the resources leading to Northwind Province.
In addition, the most important thing is that the empire no longer pays attention to Northwind Province and the huge tax of 1.5 million Gold Coin.
Everyone in Northwind Province said very well at the beginning, I will pay as much as you pay to make up this huge amount of Gold Coin.
But when it comes time to pay, it is really difficult for every family. Every noble is unwilling to squeeze out the huge amount of Gold Coin from his own pocket. So, if you can grab it from other people's pockets, why not?
Finally, the territorial conflicts, without the empire over their heads, everyone understands that the empire has half given up on Northwind Province. As long as many things that happen here are not too extreme, the empire will not care.
Where is this tolerance? Will the empire not care if the nobles' territory is invaded?