Convergence

That afternoon, Victor waited at the docks. As evening approached, the Golden Sunflower Territory's fleet finally arrived. Fortunately, they had met the Blue Rose Territory's fleet en route and traveled together to Brook City.

Victor personally greeted the fleet.

"James, you didn't get seasick this time, did you?" Victor teased. Last time, James had suffered greatly from seasickness during a military expedition, spending his days clinging to a bucket.

"Esteemed Baron, I, James, did not get seasick this time. I didn't disgrace you," James replied with a grin.

"Impressive, James, you've truly grown," Victor said with a smile.

"Alright, James, quickly have your men dock the ships and arrange for those staying behind. The rest of you can disembark and rest. I've already bought food and wine. Let everyone relax tonight," Victor continued.

"As you command, Baron," James said with a smile.

Victor turned to Santos and said, "You've worked hard, Santos. Also, inform our brothers that they can rest well today. We'll depart tomorrow morning."

"As you command, Lord Victor," Santos replied with a bow.

"Powell, don't leave yet. Call the guide sailors here; I have a few questions for them," Victor said to Powell, the merchant caravan manager standing nearby.

Powell nodded, bowed, and went to find the sailors.

Afterward, Victor arranged for Santos and James to take everyone to the temporary camp and prepared food for the crew members remaining on the ships. Then, he sat down with Powell and the sailors he had brought to chat.

"According to the original plan, we have two more days to reach Northwind City. After resting in Northwind City, we'll head directly east to the sea, which will take one day. Then, we'll sail north along the coastline for three days to reach my territory. Jack, Powell, do you think we can arrive on schedule?"

Jack, a guide sailor sent by the Blue Rose Territory, replied, "Powell is definitely familiar with the routes to Northwind City, he knows them better than I do. My previous ship traveled with the Iron Birch Territory's merchant fleet, mostly heading south to the Scorching Sun Islands. Our ship was special, going north all the way to the Sunset Peninsula to do business with the barbarians there. So, I'm more familiar with the routes after entering the sea. At this time of year, the north wind is blowing, so we might arrive faster than planned. However, our fleet consists of riverboats. To be safe, we should still control our speed, as there are many hidden reefs around the coastline. As long as you follow my ship closely, there shouldn't be any major problems."

Powell also said, "I've traveled the route from here to Northwind City for three years. There are no major issues with the timing. The Iron Birch Territory manages the river channels and docks very well, and they always have patrol teams. Arriving on time is not a problem."

Victor nodded. "Jack, you used to work for the Iron Birch Territory's merchant fleet. Why did you leave? The treatment should have been quite good, right?"

"My lord, a year and a half ago, in the spring, we made a trip to the Sunset Peninsula. We discovered that the barbarians there had been defeated by another group of barbarians from the north. They refused to do business with us and only wanted to rob us. Later, our ship was attacked, severely damaged, and the captain was killed. We barely made it back to port, and the ship couldn't be repaired. We didn't have a new ship, and the other ships were full. We suffered many casualties, so they simply disbanded us. Fortunately, they gave us a severance package. I then followed a southbound fleet to Suffolk County in the east to make a living. Later, I was recruited by the Blue Rose Territory and then assigned to you," Jack explained.

Victor nodded.

"Jack, do you know anything about the mouth of the Great Fish River? Is it possible to enter the Great Fish River there? The Great Fish River seems to flow through my territory."

"I apologize, my lord, we've never entered the Great Fish River. Every time we go to the Sunset Peninsula, to save time, we don't sail along the coastline. Instead, we head directly according to the explored routes, passing over the mouth of the Great Fish River. I'm not familiar with the hydrological conditions there."

"It's alright, Jack, I was just curious," Victor replied.

"It seems I'll need to investigate the hydrological data of the Great Fish River in my territory later," Victor mused, directly instructing Number 1 to add this task to the log.

"Currently, our journey is not delayed. We'll have to rely on you going forward. By the way, is nine days enough for the return trip?" Victor asked.

"The time is sufficient. The return trip will be downstream, and we'll be empty. I think it will only take eight days," Powell said, with Jack nodding in agreement.

"Alright, safety first. On the return trip, Powell, you must lead the fleet well. Jack, you are very experienced. As long as you do a good job, I won't mistreat you. This time, you will be the vice-captain of the fleet, and I will compensate you according to your former captain's salary," Victor promised.

"Thank you, my lord, but I was previously a boatswain. I'm not sure if I can handle this position," Jack said, a mix of happiness and apprehension.

"You can learn if you don't know. Besides, river navigation is nothing compared to sea navigation. I plan to establish a sea fleet in the future, and I'll need your help then," Victor reassured him.

"Thank you for the Baron's trust. I will do my utmost," Jack said firmly.

"Speaking of which, my cavalry captain is also named Jack. One on land and one on water, I hope you both achieve great deeds. I will not be stingy with rewards," Victor said.

"Alright, you've all worked hard these past few days. Get some rest early tonight and adjust yourselves. There's still a strenuous journey ahead," Victor told the two men before they left to rest.

Afterward, Victor pondered his recent work arrangements. Once he confirmed there were no oversights, he went out to inspect the camp, checking on the soldiers and immigrants.

He also comforted everyone, stating that half the journey was complete and success was within reach.

Victor then returned to his tent to prepare for rest.

Just then, someone came looking for him. It was James.

"James, why are you looking for me so late? Is something wrong?" Victor asked.

"It's like this, Victor. You know I'm the second son of my family. I never had any hope of inheriting a title, but this opportunity was secured for me by my father, giving me a chance to become a Baron," James paused.

"But you know, even so, the support my father can give me won't be much. I've brought all my forces this time, and some of the immigrants. On the next voyage, the supplies and the remaining immigrants will all arrive.

Victor, you're different from me. You've already inherited your title and are expanding territory for your family. You'll definitely receive much more support than I will. So, I was thinking, we can still make one more voyage before winter. I plan to have my fleet return to the Golden Sunflower Territory with yours and help you transport goods this time. What do you think?" James revealed his purpose.

"That's wonderful! You've solved a huge problem for me, James," Victor said happily. This indeed resolved many issues. Originally, the ships had limited cargo capacity. Before the end of the year, they had only planned to transport 2,000 immigrants, 800 soldiers, equipment, and enough supplies for the winter. With the Blue Rose fleet, the amount of supplies that could be transported would double, and the progress of future work could be accelerated.

"James, thank you for your help. I won't say any more superfluous words. If you encounter difficulties in developing the territory later, you can tell me directly, and I will do my best to help you successfully obtain your title," Victor assured James.

"Victor, I believe your words. Don't worry, if I have any difficulties, I will definitely find you. If you become a Count someday, my Baron title might depend on you," James said with a laugh.

Victor also laughed. In this world, high-ranking nobles had the right to enfeckel lower-ranking nobles. Counts could enfeckel Barons, Marquises could enfeckel Viscounts and below, Dukes could enfeckel Counts and below, and Kings could enfeckel Dukes and below. All these enfeoffments would be recognized by the Noble Council.

To be enfeoffed as a Baron required merit, equivalent to annihilating an enemy's entire squadron. A Viscount required annihilating an entire legion, and a Count required annihilating three legions and achieving a major victory. Count Colt's merits in the recent civil war would barely qualify him for a Count title, but his contributions also had to be shared with other northern nobles. Although Count Colt ceded much of his northern territory this time, through exchanges and reassignments, he obtained a Viscount territory and a Baron territory in the central and eastern regions. These could serve as exclaves or be distributed to his children other than his eldest son.

Basically, in this civil war, the powerful Viscounts of the north all obtained a Baron territory in the central or eastern regions. This could serve as an expansion of their power, or as a reserve force if the north became untenable, allowing their families to rise again.

Victor and James chatted for a while longer before bidding each other goodnight and retiring.

The next morning, as Victor's fleet began preparing to set sail, Vitri arrived at the docks from the city.

"Lord Victor, I heard you were leaving this morning, so I hurried to see you off. Look, I've brought a few carts of fruit. These are specialties from Bria County and aren't worth much. Please distribute them to everyone," Vitri said, gesturing to the carts of fruit brought by his servants.

"Guild Master Vitri, you're too kind. How much are these fruits? Consider them purchased by me," Victor said, while having his men load the fruit onto the ship.

"You are a major client of our guild. These fruits are nothing. We hope you will continue to patronize our guild's business in the future," Vitri said quickly.

"What kind of business does the Gorn Trading Company have that requires my help? My territory hasn't even been developed yet," Victor asked.

"After our guild discussed the method of transporting timber that you previously discussed with Lord Macut, we felt it could greatly improve timber transportation efficiency and save on costs. However, the Blackwater River, being a vital waterway of the Grand Duchy of Vera, isn't very suitable for this method of timber transport. We plan to start with the Great Fish River. We'll build a dock at the mouth of the Great Fish River. Once the timber from upstream arrives in rafts at the river mouth, we'll load it directly onto seagoing vessels and transport it to the Scorching Sun Islands or the East Sea Alliance. Those regions, having been developed earlier, have a strong demand for shipbuilding and are lacking in large timber. Meanwhile, in the north, near the Frost Fury Mountains, there are vast black forests that are rarely visited, containing all sorts of high-quality timber. Our guild believes this business has great potential, so we're communicating with the nobles on the southern bank of the Great Fish River to jointly develop this venture," Vitri explained.

Victor thought to himself, The Gorn Trading Company has a very dynamic approach, able to extend their thinking upon seeing a good method. However, this is currently just a concept. After all, many lands on the southern bank are not under the control of the northern nobles, and there are still many Barbarian tribes roaming between the southern and northern banks. But I can leverage the Gorn Trading Company's strength to complete the hydrological survey of the Great Fish River. My future expansion direction could also focus towards the river mouth. If a sufficiently powerful inland river fleet can be established on the Great Fish River, it could completely turn the river into an impassable barrier for the Barbarians' southward advance.

Victor shook his head, realizing he was daydreaming again. He hadn't even seen his territory yet and was already dreaming of an inland river fleet.

Victor quickly said to Vitri, "The Gorn Trading Company's idea has a high degree of feasibility, but we don't have complete control over the southern bank of the Great Fish River, nor do we understand the hydrological conditions at the river mouth. How about this: I suggest we take it step by step. I happen to know an old captain who has been to the Sunset Peninsula. We can organize a team together to explore the hydrological conditions at the river mouth and share the information."

Vitri understood Victor's intention. "Of course, Lord Victor. We merchants love to cooperate; that's how we do better business and ensure it lasts."

Soon, Victor's fleet set sail.

"I will visit your territory later. Please take care," Vitri said, waving goodbye to Victor.

Victor waved back from the stern of the ship. After they were far from the dock, Victor called Powell and Jack over and asked them to brief him on the coastal situation.

They sailed for two days like this.

They finally arrived at the largest city on this trip, Northwind City in York County.

They rested there for a night. During that time, Victor took the opportunity to go into the city. He had originally wanted to see Alex, but the steward of the Iron Birch Territory informed him that Alex had not yet returned, and Count Colt was also not in the city.

He had to give up the idea of meeting them. Afterward, he conducted a transaction with the steward who received him, purchasing a batch of Iron Birch logs as materials for his territory's construction. Iron Birch was very suitable for structural support and reinforcement in buildings. Coupled with the light teak wood he purchased, Victor was confident he could build an incredibly sturdy defensive fortification.

After paying the deposit, Victor left Northwind City. The Iron Birch family would later deliver the wood through a merchant caravan.

After a simple stop to purchase some food, the ship continued its journey eastward along the river. In a day and a half, they reached the river mouth.

It was already evening, and the sun was setting behind them. The fleet slowly docked near a sandbar at the river mouth. Jack confirmed there were no hidden reefs and then ordered the fleet to anchor for the night.

Navigation technology that relied on constellations for direction had not yet been developed in this world; sailors could only rely on the experience of old captains and coastal routes for seafaring.