Planning the Return North

"Father, what's going on with these horses?"

Oberon asked Viscount Isold a question, while Tira was admiring one of the white horses.

Isolde smiled wryly, "It seems Viscount Golden Sunflower doesn't want our favor!"

Viscount Leo also came over. "We're bound to be indebted to those who accept our gifts. It seems we'll have to wait and see this time!"

"Yes!"

The reason why Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo had their son bring more ransom was because they had some doubts about Victor's suggestion and did not want to delay for five days as Victor suggested next spring.

However, after being defeated by Victor, the two were treated as honored guests and warmly received by Victor. Victor also took the initiative to reduce the ransom and even relaxed many conditions. The two were both concerned about their reputation and naturally did not want to shamelessly accept the benefits.

So they both instructed their respective territories to prepare more ransom and supplies, partly to repay the favor and partly to politely decline Victor's suggestion.

Unexpectedly, Victor discovered this Victor even prepared these fine horses for them. The value of these warhorses alone exceeded the extra ransom and supplies they had paid.

Seeing this, Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo had no choice but to follow Victor's advice, and the two led their team away from Golden Sunflower Territory.

Victor returned to Stone Castle with his Guard Cavalry, where Steward Boon found him.

"My lord, the supplies and gold and silver sent by the two territories have been put into storage, and the 5,000 serfs sent in addition have also been settled."

"Including the original Serf Soldiers, how many households of serfs originally belonged to the two territories? According to the previous agreement with the two territories, these serfs were all in family units."

Steward Boon nodded. "Yes, sir. Both territories are cooperating very well. The serfs sent are mostly in family units, and many are relatives of the captured Serf Soldiers. So far, we have counted more than 2,800 households."

"So many households? I remember there were only 2,100 households among the Serf Soldiers we captured. Are all these serfs small families?"

"That's right, sir. The nobles in our Eastern Region have different ways of managing their serfs. Some, like the Baron Red Ginseng's territory, exploit them to the death; others, like us, treat their serfs fairly well; and still others, like the Olive Territory and White Asparagus Territory, treat their serfs in a more conventional way and like to divide them into separate households."

The serfs of both territories were separated directly upon reaching adulthood; this facilitated management and relocation, and could be considered a management method.

Victor was also learning about this for the first time. Whether he should say it or not was a good thing. No one else would mind how you managed your serfs. Whether you treated them like animals or human beings was entirely up to you.

"In that case, Steward Boon, I'll trouble you to distribute them to the various farms, and then take a batch of serfs from the farms and gather them together by family. I want to take them back to the Northlands."

"Understood, sir, I will arrange it immediately."

Two days later, the merchant fleet that Count Black had assembled from Sunset City arrived at the docks of Linshui Town, consisting of five ships.

After the remaining military equipment was loaded onto the ship by the Dockworkers, Viscount Ferry prepared to board and depart.

Victor personally went to the dock to see Viscount Ferry off.

"Viscount Victor, it is all thanks to you that I was able to procure enough military equipment and iron."

During his stay in the Golden Sunflower Territory these past few days, Viscount Ferry learned that the Two Rivers Territory was rich in steel, and he took the initiative to ask Victor to purchase a batch of iron.

Victor naturally agreed, and the two eventually purchased 200 tons of pig iron at a price of 5 gold per ton, which was then loaded onto the ship.

At the same time, Victor also reached an agreement with Viscount Ferry on the purchase of Salt-leaf Tree. Victor would buy 5,000 gold worth of Salt-leaf Tree from Viscount Ferry, and in addition to providing the raw materials, Viscount Ferry would also send people to Golden Sunflower Territory and Two Rivers Territory to try planting Salt-leaf Tree.

Both sides were very satisfied with the deal, and Victor sincerely wished Count Lloyd success in the Southern Four Counties, which would help him make his way south next year.

After Viscount Ferry leaves Golden Sunflower Territory, he will pass by Sunset City by ship. The day before, the Cornwall County contingent had arrived at Golden Sunflower Territory and brought a deposit for the transaction. Viscount Ferry will dock in Sunset City, disembark, and return the deposit provided by Count Black.

Upon learning of Viscount Ferry's itinerary, Victor also entrusted Viscount Ferry to deliver a letter to Count Black, informing him that he would soon be returning north.

Two Rivers Territory the Wood Fort Town, Old Baron Wembley was having dinner with his family, including Veronica.

Lady Ellie cared deeply for Veronica. During this time, Veronica worked diligently, leaving early and returning late, which made Mrs. Ellie quite resentful of Victor, who assigned tasks to Veronica.

"Ronnie, eat more. Look how thin you've become. I don't know how Victor turned out like this. I'm so sorry to have put so much work on you, a girl."

"No, Aunt Ally, Victor trusts me a lot. He entrusted me with such an important task, so I will definitely do my best. Besides, I really enjoy this research, and this work can also help Victor's career."

Lady Ellie looked at Veronica's happy face and couldn't help but sigh. She knew that her son was devoted to his career.

But I never expected him to treat the girl he liked like this, and after being away from the territory for so long, he hasn't even written a few letters to Ronnie. He's hopeless.

"Alright, ladies, dinner is ready. Can't you see how impatient the two little ones are?"

Knowing his wife's personality, the Old Baron Wembley was sure she was complaining about Victor's lack of romantic understanding, so to avoid getting into trouble, he quickly changed the subject.

Just then, Enrique and Wendy were also drooling over the delicious food on the table. After hearing their father's words, they quickly nodded to indicate that they were both starving.

Irene also urged her mother, "Mom, Sister Ronnie, come and eat too!"