A Visitor Arrives

One day later.

Victor found Boon. Aside from learning that the team sent north to buy horses would soon return, his father's letters contained nothing but everyday news. Either the two sides in the council were arguing themselves hoarse over dividing the spoils after the war, or there had been too many banquets, leaving the entire council reeking of alcohol and filled with drunken belches. Everyone was tipsy, and some noble somewhere was bound to be making a drunken scene.

It was all rather useless information. Victor could not find any hidden meaning in it. It seemed the situation on his father's side was severe enough that even useful intelligence could not be sent out.

However, the most recent letter mentioned that an honored guest would be visiting the territory. They were to receive the guest properly, preserve the family's dignity, and safeguard the family's interests.

Victor found that wording strange. He immediately reread the earlier letters, and the Calculation Module promptly gave its interpretation. Could Count Colt's envoy be coming? Why not the king's envoy? Their interests are different. That makes sense. Does this mean Count Colt truly intends to mobilize nobles to head north through territorial exchanges, just as previously predicted? That seems the most likely possibility.

"Number 1, have the Calculation Module suspend all other tasks. Put all computing power into improving Golden Sunflower cultivation techniques. Finish it as soon as possible."

"Understood, Victor. Estimated completion time has been reduced to thirty hours."

"I wonder whether this optimization can increase yields by another ten percent. Combined with the oil-pressing process that already increased extraction rates by ten percent, we could earn at least three hundred more gold coins every year."

Shaking his head, Victor gave up on thinking further. He would leave these matters to the Beacon Lighthouse.

Victor turned and boarded the carriage. He was going to Linshui Town to welcome the honored guest.

After the carriage arrived in Linshui Town, it drove straight onto the docks, drawing the attention of passersby.

"Is the Golden Sunflower Family here to receive someone? Has the baron himself returned?"

"Probably not. I just came from the Capital City. The Noble Council has meetings every day, so it doesn't seem likely that he could return. It's probably some other great noble coming."

Two merchants whispered among themselves nearby.

Victor sat quietly in the carriage, lost in thought. At that moment, a guard knocked on the door. Victor opened his eyes and said, "Come in."

A guard opened the door and said to Victor, "My lord, the ship has arrived."

Victor rose and stepped down from the carriage.

A ship was sailing along the river. It looked entirely different from an ordinary inland merchant vessel. It was clearly a seagoing ship, with a sharp prow and deep draft.

Victor narrowed his eyes. He had long heard that Count Colt's North York County bordered the sea and possessed one of the rare natural ice-free ports in the north. Rumor also said that Count Colt had established a considerable naval force. Seeing it with his own eyes now, the rumors appeared to be true.

It seemed Count Colt's strength truly stood above all others. Across the entire Grand Duchy of Vera, he surpassed every other noble and was second only to the ducal house. With this naval force alone, Count Colt could trade directly with the Scorching Sun Islands, bypassing the middlemen of the Grand Duchy of Vera and the East Sea Federation. Northern warhorses and local specialties were highly sought after in the south.

With military strength as a guarantee and sufficient wealth to support it, even the Barbarian Allied Forces might not be impossible to handle. Perhaps the old grand duke's suspicions had not been unfounded. Count Colt was indeed suspicious. After all, once a subject possessed the strength to rebel, the ruler would naturally assume he intended to rebel.

While he was thinking, the ship had already docked.

Before long, a group of guards clad in black armor disembarked and lined up neatly along both sides of the ship. Victor's eye twitched. This black armor looked far too familiar. Other than its coverage being adjusted for easier walking, its design and materials were exactly like the Iron Knights he had seen on the battlefield.

Soon, a silver-haired young man stepped off the ship. Victor hurried forward to greet him. "Welcome, Lord Alex Iron Birch."

"Good day, Lord Victor Golden Sunflower. There is no need to call me lord. You and I are both lords, so just call me Alex. After all, my elder brother John Iron Birch is the viscount. He is the one who will inherit the entire Iron Birch Territory."

Victor's eye twitched. This man is sour enough to make vinegar. It seemed complicated internal affairs were standard for great families. The intelligence reports had indeed said that Count Colt did not care about the open and covert struggle between his eldest and second sons, and even seemed rather expectant of it. As the eldest son, John had been granted the title of viscount by Count Colt long ago. Unfortunately, his maternal family was weak, merely from a baronial territory in southern Cornwall County. His mother had also died early, leaving him with a title but little real support. Alex, the second son, was different. His maternal family was a newly elevated viscount family from northern Durham County, and his mother was Count Colt's second wife. Though her family lacked deep roots, it was powerful. Being local to the north, it also had the support of the Northern Frontier nobles. Alex had substance but no title. The two brothers were like fire and water. To win over the Northern Frontier nobles, John had fashioned himself into the image of a rough northern knight and gained a group of followers. Alex, meanwhile, presented himself as a noble in every respect, emphasizing grace and refinement. He was gentle and courteous, with an excellent reputation and great prestige among nobles throughout the country.

As Victor considered the intelligence gathered by the territory, he realized neither brother was ordinary. He only hoped their struggle would not drag the Golden Sunflower Territory into it.

Victor said to Alex, "You jest, Lord Alex. I am merely the heir to a barony, while you are the son of Baron Colt. How could my future status compare with yours? Please just call me Victor."

Alex laughed. "I heard long ago that Victor Golden Sunflower handled everything flawlessly and possessed outstanding talent. You are the foremost figure among the younger generation in the eastern commanderies. The Golden Sunflower Family's hopes of becoming a viscount family rest on you."

The two began exchanging commercial compliments. After chatting for a while, Victor led Alex into the carriage and headed toward the manor, with both their guards following behind.

"Victor, you have probably guessed why I came. Baron Wembley must have sent you a letter."

"You jest, Lord Alex. How could we possibly know your purpose?"

"Let us speak plainly, Victor. There is no need to play dumb. I am not asking you to choose a side. I only want you to cooperate with the Iron Birch Family in battle."

"Lord Alex, the Iron Birch Territory is powerful. Why would you need the strength of a small barony like ours?"

"Do not underestimate the Golden Sunflower Territory. Your population and military strength would qualify as a viscount territory even in the north."

"In the future, we may have to fight hundreds of thousands of barbarians. Not a shred of strength can be wasted."

"So the barbarian southern invasion will basically begin early next year. The first wave will likely number around one hundred thousand, but it would not be impossible for the numbers to double afterward."

"Lord Alex, we are willing to help Count Colt, but we truly need some benefits to guarantee our rights."

"Of course. As long as you are willing to exchange territories, there is plenty of land in the north. If you are willing to go, we are prepared to offer five times the land in exchange."

The moment Victor heard that, he felt he should immediately join Count Colt's camp. A fivefold territorial exchange was actually quite favorable. Exchanging that enclave would give them more than four hundred square kilometers of northern territory, increasing their total territory by seventy percent.

However, he quickly suppressed the impulse. Their enclave might seem somewhat poor by comparison, but it was still eastern land, with a mild climate and four distinct seasons, suitable for growing crops. Northern land could at best grow a single crop of barley, with snow covering the ground for half the year. Five times the land was still a little too little.

Alex noticed Victor's hesitation. "I met Lord Wembley in the Capital City, and we discussed this matter. Over the past few years, aside from Bria County at the southernmost edge, which has remained largely unchanged, Durham County and North York County have continually expanded northward. Their current areas have more than doubled from what they were originally. North York County alone, directly governed by our family, has gained nearly square kilometers of territory in recent years, while Durham County has expanded even more wildly, nearing square kilometers. Yet the Northern Frontier nobles lack the strength to properly develop this land. Therefore, someone proposed to my father that nobles from elsewhere in the duchy be brought north to help develop these territories."

Alex paused before continuing, "We divided the land according to its type. Baron Wembley also mentioned the Golden Sunflower Territory's enclave. I looked into this place before coming. I believe that enclave can be exchanged for a coastal grassland-and-forest territory in North York County. You should know that among the northern commanderies, only North York borders the sea. Coastal territories have the best climate, relatively warm winters, and are suitable for construction and immigration. Its total area is five hundred and ten square kilometers."

Upon hearing this, Victor nearly slapped the table and agreed on the spot.

Then Alex quickly changed the subject. "However, many people think this territory is excellent, especially my elder brother. He wants to divide it into several pieces and grant them to his knights. That would be such a waste."

The moment Victor heard that, he understood what he needed to do.

"Lord Alex, the Golden Sunflower Territory is very willing to exchange territories. My father thinks the same way. If you need anything in the future, the Golden Sunflower Territory will follow your lead without hesitation."

Alex finally smiled. "I am also seeking support for the Iron Birch Family. If the Golden Sunflower Territory is willing to take this land, I doubt anyone will divide it up. In the future, simply support my father."

Victor nodded in agreement. Later, at the manor, the two also discussed the domestic situation. Alex focused on introducing the state of affairs in the north, giving Victor an opportunity to better understand those northern lands.

After that, things became simple. Once their tacit cooperation had been settled, there was little left to discuss.

Alex also explained that the enclave would eventually go to his third brother, Daven. Victor had wanted to say that it was too small, but after Alex meaningfully asked about the Green Oak Family's recent situation, Victor understood. It seemed his enclave was merely incidental.

After staying in the Golden Sunflower Territory for two days, Alex continued on his journey. He would likely visit all the influential nobles in the east, and many more negotiations probably awaited him. After all, a consensus had to be reached. Before leaving, Alex specifically reminded Victor that the Iron Birch Family would soon send someone to sign the exchange agreement. Once it was signed, Victor should head north as soon as possible, or someone might start getting improper ideas.

Victor understood perfectly. He knew he was about to be used as a weapon. But since he had accepted their benefits, he would have to step up at the critical moment. After all, they had delivered what they promised.

Over the following days, Victor strengthened the troops' training while also beginning to allocate manpower and prepare to head north.

Fortunately, he had previously bought a large quantity of military supplies while the market prices were low. With this round of territorial exchanges, the prices of supplies, especially cotton cloth, would likely soar again.

At the same time, Victor organized an advance team and sent it ahead to North York County. Men from the northern merchant caravan served as guides, while Jack led a hundred-man squad carrying some goods to scout the area and gather intelligence in advance.

Before long, the unrest in the east would probably end. The newly trained troops could then be brought north to fight a few low-intensity battles and gain experience through real combat.

Victor was also arranging for the people and supplies from the enclave's two farms to withdraw. Developing the north would require vast manpower and resources, and all of them could be put to use. There was no need to continue building the Serf Soldier settlement either. Victor intended to take the newly formed Serf Soldier units and their families north with him.

Therefore, Victor also had the Beacon Lighthouse's Calculation Module formulate an immigration plan. They were currently in the first stage, proceeding in two steps. First, they needed intelligence about the destination, which was why the squad had been sent out. Second, they needed to prepare supplies and deploy personnel. Everything was progressing smoothly.

Baron Wembley would soon return to the territory. By then, their intelligence would be more comprehensive and the situation clearer. He also needed to return to sign the exchange agreement and remain behind to guard the territory, while Victor would personally lead the people north.

One week later, Victor waited at the docks with his mother and younger siblings. Baron Wembley was returning home today. It had been exactly three months since he departed with the army, and autumn had already arrived.

At least the two little ones missed him terribly. After waiting for some time without seeing him, they began crying impatiently.

"He's here! The master's ship has arrived!" the lookout atop the watchtower shouted.

Irene stroked her younger siblings' heads and said happily, "Stop crying. Father is back."

The two little ones quickly wiped away their tears and ran to their mother, waiting anxiously.

Victor was happy to watch the scene. At least in this world, despite being a noble family, the warmth of family brought him great joy. That was why he was willing to charge ahead and protect them.

Soon, Baron Wembley's ship docked safely. The first to disembark were the accompanying personnel. The ship was also carrying a great deal of cargo that needed to be unloaded.

Baron Wembley stepped off the ship under the guidance of several guards. When he saw his family waiting at the docks, he smiled and waved to them.

When he reached them, the two little ones cried out, "Father!" and rushed toward him. The baron bent down and embraced them, soothing them for a while. Then he stood, hugged his wife, and embraced his eldest daughter.

Then he walked over to Victor and said, "You've worked hard during this time."