Winter Honeysuckle and Gold-and-Silver Honeysuckle

As for whether Victor felt sorry for these people, that's not necessarily true. After all, he was a feudal lord and was immune to such practices.

Victor felt it was a pity that so many people were wasted. In this era, the Freemen could establish themselves in the city were all capable and skilled. They would all be talents if they were taken to the Northlands, but these guys wasted them.

Even if these refugees were taken away by slave traders, many would surely die during the trafficking process, which is such a pity.

Victor can only hope that Count Colt can lead the Northern Frontier Allied Army to Blackwater City as soon as possible, so that he can send these people back to Two Rivers Territory as spoils of war.

While Victor was gathering information, Alex entered a bar in Blackwater City.

In the bar, he showed a metal plaque to the waiter, who then respectfully led him into a room.

Alex took out a bottle of wine and two glasses, poured two glasses of wine, and sat in the room to wait. Less than twenty minutes later, a man wearing a black hood pushed open the door and walked in.

"You've finally arrived. I was wondering if you were planning to betray us."

Alex gestured for him to sit down.

"How could I dare? I am naturally sincere in cooperating with you, the future Count or even the Duke. It's just that some trivial matters have stopped me."

The man lifted his hat and sat down opposite Alex.

"Oh, what could possibly stop you? Is there any place in Blackwater City that you can't handle?"

"I'm neither the consul nor the commander of the Third Legion, so how can I have the right to be the only one in Blackwater City?"

Alex hesitated, then picked up his glass, took a sip, and gestured for the person opposite him to drink as well.

"When I arrived, I found that the situation in Blackwater City was not very good. Is it because of the Third Legion's occupation?"

The man also picked up his glass, took a sip, and then said.

"It's related, but not by much. It's just some worms devouring the flesh and blood of the duchy. I don't think you need to delve into these things. The more they go too far, the easier it will be for you to attack."

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, I have ways to find out. I know you still have illusions about the Silver Maple Ducal House, but Mora won't give you the chance. You can't realize your ambition to rebuild your family by relying on him. You can only have a chance by cooperating with us."

"I've already provided you with a lot of intelligence. What more do you want? You want me to betray you in the face of battle? It's impossible for me to just open the city gates and let you in. Besides, you haven't raised an army yet, so you might not even have a chance to reach Blackwater City."

Alex clapped his hands, then looked up at the other side, his gaze intense. "It seems your family's intelligence network is quite strong, having managed to uncover some information. But since I'm here, aren't you curious why I'm here?"

"Judging from your tone, it seems you've already resolved the issue. As for our intelligence channels, my family is one of the most prominent noble families in the Central Region, so we naturally have our own network of connections."

"That sounds great. If you have any important information to provide us, I will still give you appropriate compensation. Your family's financial situation is not good right now, so it must be difficult to maintain this network of relationships."

"No need for you to worry. The Honeysuckle family is best at overcoming difficulties. Just like honeysuckle, neither severe cold nor scorching heat can harm it."

"Impressive, the Honeysuckle family. I just hope Count Sibeth doesn't think that way, otherwise he will definitely contact Count Lagos to continue to suppress you. After all, now is the best opportunity. Which family should take the lead between the two families with the same bloodline? Honeysuckle or Honeysuckle?"

"Don't go too far. In the end, if you hadn't suddenly intervened, Grand Duke Jola wouldn't have failed, and our family wouldn't be in this predicament. What are you pretending to be so sympathetic for?" the man said, barely suppressing his anger.

"We're all gamblers, but we won the last round while you lost. How about we gamble again? If we win this time, you can turn your fortunes around."

"Heh, if you lose this bet, you'll lose your entire family. Who would dare to do that?" the man sneered.

"We, along with all the nobles of the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier, are all gambling anyway, and I think our chances of winning are quite high. But if you don't plan to gamble with us, you'll really have a hard time turning your life around."

I know that the tax collectors sent by the Count Lagos to your territory did a lot of haggling, and most of your serfs were probably sold off.

Now you can't even maintain the standing army in your territory. I heard that you've assigned your family's private army to the Third Legion.

Using the duchy's direct troops to support your own private army? You're really bold. Aren't you afraid that Count Sibeth will find a weakness in you? He might already know and give you a hard time later.

Besides, given your personal prestige and the previous lord's favor, these private armies are still obedient to you now. But after a while, when they're living off the duchy's resources, will you be able to bring them back to your territory as your private army?"

After Alex finished speaking, the whole room fell silent, and the man did not continue speaking.

Alex waited a while, and seeing that he didn't react, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp and got up to leave.

When Alex pushed open the door, he suddenly turned his head and said, "Don't waste that bottle of Tears of the Black Pearl. There's still more than half left. You can continue to consider it. We also need time to prepare."

"When I return to Blackwater City next year, you must give me an answer, or the Honeysuckle family will be buried along with its past glory."

After saying that, Alex closed the door and left the room.

At noon, Victor returned to the ship first. He bought a lot of wine and food, and also prepared some fresh fruit, intending to give the soldiers a good meal. This was his long-standing habit as a leader of troops; if conditions allowed, he would always provide the soldiers with ample and plentiful food.

Alex returned to the ship after distributing the supplies to the soldiers.

Alex told Victor that the fleet could set sail normally, and that all the necessary arrangements had been made.

Victor then told Alex what he had seen and heard. When Alex heard about the commotion at the city gate, Alex stroked his chin and said, "So that's what caused the delay."

"Who delayed things?" Victor, somewhat curious about Alex's sudden, seemingly nonsensical statement.

"It's nothing. I know this Taros Regimental Commander. He is a viscount, an independent nobleman from Derby County in the central region. His family is quite special. For many years, they have preferred to serve in the Duchy's Direct Legion. Among the past heads of the family, there have been many who have served as commanders of the Duchy Legion."