Intelligence

Vitri said to Victor, "Since we're here, there's some information I can share with you. We don't choose our partners randomly; we need to go through multiple rounds of review and contact before attempting any communication."

"The first time we met you, we had already listed the Golden Sunflower Territory as one of our potential targets. Firstly, the Golden Sunflower Family has always sought a Viscount title. They are very strong, even considered beyond the norm among Barons. Plus, you have two Baron branches. As you said, the Golden Sunflower Family is entrenched in the eastern counties, with many allied and related forces, giving them considerable influence. They are suitable as a benchmark. More importantly, you'll never get a Viscount title from Grand Duke Silver Maple. Grand Duke Mora is not a competent king; he holds grudges. He has harbored resentment towards the nobles who followed his elder brother, Marquis Jora. Although Count Colt prevented his revenge, you who he considers traitors can expect no benefits from him."

Victor realized.

"This civil war also had your hand in it? Count Colt only helped Marquis Mora under your arrangement?" Victor asked two questions directly.

"The civil war's occurrence has nothing to do with us, but we did use methods to escalate its scale and make the fighting more intense."

"Count Colt leading the northern allied nobles to support Marquis Mora was his own judgment. He believed this would maximally weaken the direct military strength of the ducal house and create more friction between the nobles and the duchy. After all, more nobles supported Marquis Jora than Marquis Mora. Even many nobles in the southern counties didn't support Mora. They only sent a small force to make up the numbers, with the majority stationed at the border to defend against the East Sea Alliance. Mora also found these nobles very displeasing. In a recent noble assembly, he even demanded the council reduce their fiefs."

"In other words, as soon as Mora took office, he already offended two-thirds of the duchy's nobles. The remaining small half are the nobles controlled by Count Colt in the northern counties," Victor said, shaking his head speechlessly.

"We also didn't expect Mora to be so cooperative. Besides his remaining two relatively intact direct legions, the nobles of the western counties who supported him the most also suffered heavy losses. The western counties were originally the weakest, capable of mustering at most two more legions. Even if he rebuilds the other four direct legions, they'll just be for show. Moreover, he doesn't have enough money. Jora was very generous, scattering money like crazy before the expedition, emptying the national treasury," Vitri said with a smile.

"But that's just a temporary window. The Silver Maple Family still controls a vast number of Silver Maple trees. Relying solely on the Silver Maple trees, not their land output, they can build two legions annually," Victor retorted.

Vitri said contemptuously, "What about his officers? Baron Colt specifically targeted and executed a large number of officers, including two legion commanders with the status of court viscounts. Even if Marquis Mora is willing to accept Jora's former subordinates, he won't find enough officers to fill four legions. If he finds people from the western nobles to serve as legion commanders, the heavily damaged western nobles may not be willing to help. Besides, don't newly recruited soldiers need training? Don't they need time? These things can't be replenished in one or two years, especially experienced junior officers and elite veterans."

Victor sneered, "You've planned this far ahead, yet you still need local nobles like me as guides. If the Raine Kingdom just brought four or five regular legions and cooperated with the elite northern nobles, they could completely sweep through the Grand Duchy of Vera."

"Victor, don't say that. You know the Raine Kingdom can't produce four or five legions to cross the sea. They can't even produce two. However, 'guide' is an interesting term, very vivid. I'll add it to my subsequent report back home. We need influential nobles like you to support us and reduce our future pressure. At the very least, we can't let the East Sea Alliance benefit," Vitri's attitude softened considerably.

"The agreement has been signed. As long as there are no other changes, our cooperation will be very smooth. After all, I'm certainly not satisfied with just a Viscount title, you can rest assured about that. I will also cooperate with your actions. If you offer enough, I don't even mind leading troops to the capital."

Vitri wiped his sweat and said, "It's not that far, Victor. We still need to continue winning over local nobles. The agreement has been signed, but winter is coming soon. According to the agreement, the serfs and supplies due this year definitely won't arrive. We'll have to wait until next spring to have them delivered together. Please don't worry."

"I'm not in a hurry. After all, we'll have more cooperation in the future. I believe President Vitri, as a great merchant, certainly understands the principle of business: mutual benefit. As long as the money offered is enough, everything can be discussed. The Two Rivers Territory is in dire need of money right now, and we need big clients like you."

"Haha, Victor, you're truly suited for business. I didn't expect this to go so smoothly. If only you didn't want so much," Vitri also mimicked Victor's way of speaking to complain.

"The more I take, the more trustworthy I am to you, and the less risk there is of me betraying you. Moreover, I guarantee you'll feel it was worth every penny," Victor appeared very calm.

Vitri could only feel helpless towards Victor's demeanor.

"The two extra cargo ships this time, along with their cargo, are yours. I need to take the crew with me. After the other two ships unload, I still have to return to Northwind City to report your situation to Alex."

"You're reporting to Alex? It seems Viscount John has been abandoned by Count Colt and has become a pawn of the Iron Birch Family."

"Viscount John is, after all, a noble from Cornwall County in the south. Although the nobles in the southern counties are very powerful, they are original investors who rose with the Silver Maple Family. We can't easily trust them. Alex is the collaborator recognized by our Nightingale."

"However, it's different from what you believe. We also don't have the authority to interfere with the internal succession of the Iron Birch Family. Count Colt is very sensitive about these matters. Our cooperation with Alex is limited to his own forces. The people directly dealing with Count Colt are from the Kingdom Military Department. They are collaborators directly chosen by the Raine royal family, and he will likely become the sole Duke of this land in the future, serving as the kingdom's representative here."

Victor heard this and felt very envious. Having strong power is good. Compared to me, a small fry dragged into this, powerhouses like Baron Colt are the real partners, able to negotiate directly with the kingdom.