Southern Developments
Perhaps at the behest of Count Colt, Alex then briefed Victor on the situation in the Southern Four Counties.
"You should know that the largest county in the entire duchy is Cornwall County. The Southern Four Counties combined are more than twice the size of the Northern Three Commanderies. It has a dense population and a large number of nobles, basically one-third of the country's nobles."
"The Iron Vine Family, to which Count Lloyd belongs, was once a branch of the Silver Maple Family. They were responsible for guarding the many independent nobles in Cornwall County. However, due to some court secrets, they parted ways with the Silver Maple Family and even changed their surname and coat of arms."
"Currently, the loyalist nobles of Cornwall County and the local faction led by the Count Lloyd are locked in a fierce battle, with the Count Lloyd's side even at a disadvantage."
"As for why this is the case, it's quite a mystery, Victor."
"When Mora and Jorah were fighting the Civil War, perhaps in order to break the deadlock or change the status quo, Lloyd's faction of nobles, together with some nobles in Hampshire, supported Mora and mobilized most of their army to participate in the Civil War. As a result, they were defeated by Jorah and besieged in Lavork. Although they eventually managed to break the siege, they still lost a lot of troops."
"The loyalist nobles did not participate in the Civil War at all. They did not care who became the Grand Duke, as long as he was surnamed Silver Maple. They led troops to guard the border and confront the East Sea Alliance. As a result, after the Civil War ended, their strength actually surpassed that of Count Lloyd's faction."
"After the war, Count Lloyd wanted to demand spoils and compensation from Grand Duke Mora, but as you know, Mora is struggling to rebuild even his own legions. How could he possibly compensate the southern nobles? Even if he could, he would definitely compensate his core group of Western nobles first."
"Now, Lloyd's faction is getting colder and colder with Grand Duke Silver Maple, while the loyalists are getting better and better with the Grand Duke. As a result, Count Lloyd's life is getting more and more difficult. It was through this opportunity that my father was able to establish a basis for cooperation with Count Lloyd."
"It's unbelievable. Count Lloyd has really lost more than he gained." Victor hadn't expected there to be so much going on.
"Trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead, well said, I have to write that down." Alex quickly took out his notebook and wrote down the sentence.
"However, this old fellow is very cunning. Even my father couldn't judge how sincere he was in cooperating. I married his third daughter. He had a total of four sons and six daughters. Apart from the two sons born to his wife, the others were born to his court ladies."
Victor also praised Count Lloyd for being so fertile.
"By the way, Victor, the second fleet of ships is about to set sail. Is there anything you'd like to buy? I can have them help us find it."
Victor thought for a moment, "There is indeed something. Can you help me find a product from a tree, a flaky solid that is between light yellow and dark brown, very elastic, can be stretched very long without breaking, lighter than water and insoluble in water."
Indeed, what Victor asked Alex to help him find was Natural Rubber, and what he described were the characteristics of Natural Rubber.
"This is strange. Is it edible?" Alex was also curious, since Victor was very good at making delicious food.
Victor was speechless for a moment. He wondered if this person was a reincarnation of a Chinese person, and was very curious about food and novel things that could be eaten.
"I can't eat it. I need to use it to make some important parts." Natural Rubber is an important industrial raw material. Not to mention, it can be used in many places in the territory. According to Number One's calculations, the possibility of Natural Rubber existing in this world is extremely high.
Unfortunately, Sulfur Mine seems to be very scarce in this world, and it is estimated that it will be difficult to produce ordinary vulcanized synthetic rubber in large quantities. It is likely that silicone rubber or chloroprene rubber can only be relied upon as the main types of synthetic rubber.
"In that case, I see it's getting late. I've been busy leading the fleet these past few days and I'm quite tired, so I'll go and rest first. You two can continue your conversation." With that, Alex left the reception room.
Veronica was surprised. "Alex sleeps on the ship all day long. Captain Vellas is in charge of the fleet. And it's only a little past three in the afternoon. He hasn't even had dinner yet."
"I think Alex has been really tired lately. He has just been confirmed as the heir of the Iron Birch Family, so he must have a lot to do and a lot to think about."
"Is that so?" Veronica asked Victor.
Victor smiled, but it was a mischievous smile.
Veronica seemed to understand something, her face flushed, "You guys are so mean."
After saying that, he made a move to leave the reception room, but Victor grabbed him, asking, "Where are you going?"
"I'm tired too, I need to rest."
"Alex can walk straight here because he has stayed here before and knows where the guest rooms are. Since this is your first time here, you don't know where the guest rooms are. Let me send someone to tidy up your room and then have someone take you there."
Veronica turned to look at Victor, her light blue eyes fixed on Victor as if trying to ascertain the truthfulness of Victor words. Victor's expression remained unchanged, his eyes fixed on Veronica's, seemingly very sincere.
Veronica quickly became unbearable under his gaze, turned her head away, and whispered, "Then I'll do as you say."
Victor nodded in satisfaction.
"Beautiful lady, would you like to change your clothes in the dressing room over there? This leather armor doesn't seem to fit you very well."
Veronica blushed. "My personal maids are still on the ship and haven't come down yet. My clothes are all in their hands."
"Don't worry, when I left the dock, I instructed my men to bring your personal maids to the residence. They should be here by now. I'll have someone take them to the dressing room."
After saying that, Victor rang a bell and summoned a servant to make arrangements. Three minutes later, the servant returned to inform him that the person was in place, and Victor then led Veronica to the dressing room.
After seeing Veronica off, he returned to the reception room to wait.
About half an hour later, Veronica returned to the reception room. This time she had changed into a dress. Victor looked her over carefully and nodded in satisfaction. Veronica blushed again.
Victor was also puzzled. When he first met Veronica, she was a very spirited girl who was decisive and efficient. But the longer they spent together, the more shy and timid she became. However, Victor was still happy about this and considered it a cute side of Veronica.
Afterwards, Victor took Veronica on a carriage tour of the entire built-up area of Wood Fort Town, giving Veronica a separate introduction. The two continued until Sun before returning to the mansion.