Undercurrents in Cornwall County

"Alright, everyone, quiet down!"

Veronica drew everyone's attention with applause, and after hearing her direct supervisor's words, everyone quieted down.

"I am very pleased that we were able to complete the preparation and purification of soda ash and caustic soda so quickly and smoothly. This is inseparable from the hard work of each and every one of you. I will report this to the Viscount, and I believe he will give you a sufficient reward."

Veronica paused for a moment, "However, I also have a reward for you here, consider it an early payment. Each person will receive 3 gold, and each member of the Octavia group will receive an extra 1 gold, with the group leader receiving double."

As for the holiday, it will have to be postponed for now. After all, our construction period is too short, and there is still a lot of work to be done. At the very least, we can start the first round of trial production of industrial production by next spring.

"Yay!" Octavia rushed forward and hugged Veronica. Everyone else was also very happy. Compared to a holiday, money was more tangible and more needed by them.

"Okay, Octavia, let go of me, I haven't finished speaking yet." Veronica pushed Octavia away and patted her clothes.

"The next key tasks we need to confirm are as follows: Lysander, your group can begin designing the entire paper production process in addition to studying the properties of long-stemmed reeds; Octavia, your group can begin studying Salt-leaf Tree to maximize the yield of soda ash per unit area, and also participate in the design of the entire paper production process."

If you need anything, please let me know!

As soon as Veronica finished speaking, Octavia raised her hand. "Miss, actually we have a big problem with Salt-leaf Tree. We've found that our climate here isn't suitable for growing Salt-leaf Tree. The Salt-leaf Tree we can currently buy is mainly used as an additive for ship paint coatings."

The quantity circulating in the market is not large; it's fine for trial production now, but once large-scale paper production begins, it will definitely severely restrict output.

Veronica thought for a moment and asked Octavia, "I remember this plant is a specialty of the Southern Commanderies. There seems to be a viscount whose surname is Salt-leaf Tree cultivation is a pillar industry for his family!"

Octavia nodded. "Yes, Miss. The Salt-leaf Family of Cornwall County, the current lord is Viscount Saltwood, who seems to be a direct vassal of Count Lloyd in the south. Their territory is the largest Salt-leaf Tree plantation in the Duchy, and the Salt-leaf Tree produced can be used to extract salt and is also a raw material for varnish."

Veronica remembered Alex, recalling that her cousin was supposed to marry Count Lloyd's daughter.

"Leave it to me. You guys continue with your research. I'll take care of these arrangements."

After finishing her sentence Veronica left the paper mill and returned to her villa in Wood Fort Town. There, she began writing to Alex. After all, she was not familiar with the current political landscape of the duchy, so it was better to leave these matters to Alex, since the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce under his control was the largest trading company in the Northern Three Commanderies.

At this time, Cornwall County in the southern part of the Duchy was also the largest county in the entire Duchy, with an area of over 1,000 square kilometers. There were 23 noble families of all sizes, the largest of which was the Iron Vine Family, which occupied one-fifth of the entire Cornwall County.

The county seat of Randolph is also located within the territory of the Iron Vine Family. At this moment, in the largest building in the city, Count Lloyd is holding a meeting with his vassals.

"Nio, who else hasn't arrived yet?"

"Count Excellency, there are only four at the moment: myself, Ferri, Eamon, and Kailan!"

"Glimmer Orchid, Salt-leaf Tree, dill, and chicory! Of the original eight vassal states of the Iron Vine Family, only half remain. I truly feel ashamed before my ancestors!"

At this moment, an elderly woman with white hair spoke up, "Count Excellency, please rest assured, our Chicory family will always be a loyal vassal of the Iron Vine Family."

"The Glimmer Orchid is one too!"

"Like dill!"

"Salt-leaf Tree!"

Several others followed suit and expressed their opinions.

Count Lloyd smiled with satisfaction and then asked Baron Nio, "Any news coming from Silver Maple City?"

"No, Count Excellency, I suspect the news of our departure from Silver Maple City has already been suppressed."

Count Lloyd asked curiously, "You didn't declare me a traitor too?"

"There's been no news at all, as if nothing happened at the Noble Council!"

The old lady, Baroness Kailan Chicory, said somewhat uneasily, "My lord, shouldn't we make some preparations? After all, Mora has already ordered the clearing of the enclaves of the Northern Frontier nobles in the interior!"

They might target us next; if necessary, we can strike first!

"Sister Kailan, I don't think we need to worry for now. At least until next spring, Silver Maple City won't dare to attack us!" a plump middle-aged man comforted her.

"Eamon, your Dill family is perfectly safe in our heartland, but our Chicory family faces those rebellious territories head-on. I dare not let my guard down."

"I don't think they'd dare to make a move, after all, these guys are most obedient to Silver Maple City's orders!"

"It is utterly foolish to entrust our safety to the actions of others, we..."

Just as the two were about to continue their discussion, Count Lloyd interrupted them.

"Kailan, Eamon, stop talking. I've already thought about it."

No matter what, I will not let this go. Mora has dared to interfere in my family's affairs, and I must make him pay the price.

"Everyone, listen up!"

"Yes!" ×4

"I am mobilizing my troops to launch an attack on those four traitors before winter arrives. If we can take them down before winter, we can fill the gaps in the defense of all our territories."

We can use a winter to reorganize the four territories and rebuild the forces within each of them that are loyal to me.

"Next spring, I will fulfill my agreement with Count Colt, continue the marriage alliance, and attack the loyalists among the southern nobles!"