Intelligence

Vitri said to Victor, "Since we're here, I can reveal some intelligence to you. We do not choose our partners casually. Only after multiple rounds of review and contact can we attempt to communicate."

"When we first met you, we had already listed the Golden Sunflower Territory as one of our potential choices. First, the Golden Sunflower Family had always been seeking a viscount title. Its strength was considerable, exceptional even among barons. With your two baronial branch families as well, just as you said, the Golden Sunflower Family had entrenched itself in the eastern commanderies, with substantial allied and kinship forces and no small amount of influence. You were suitable as a model. More importantly, it was impossible for you to obtain a viscount title from Grand Duke Silver Maple. Grand Duke Mora was not a qualified king. He held grudges, and he had always hated the nobles who once followed his elder brother, Marquis Jora. Although Count Colt stopped his retaliation, people like you, whom he saw as rebel subjects, should not expect to gain anything from him."

Victor understood.

"This Civil War had your hand in it as well? Count Colt only aided Marquis Mora because of your arrangements?" Victor asked two questions directly.

"The outbreak of the Civil War had nothing to do with us. However, we did use certain methods to expand its scale and make the fighting more intense."

"Count Colt led the Northern Frontier nobles' coalition army to support Marquis Mora based on his own judgment. He believed this would weaken the Ducal House's Direct Corps to the greatest extent, while also driving a deeper wedge between more nobles and the Grand Duchy. After all, far more nobles supported Marquis Jora than Marquis Mora. Even in the Southern Commanderies, many nobles did not support Mora. They only sent a small force to make an appearance, while most of their troops remained stationed at the border against the East Sea Alliance. Mora found these people equally displeasing. At the Noble Council not long ago, he even demanded that their fiefs be reduced."

"In other words, Mora had only just taken power and had already offended two-thirds of the Grand Duchy's nobles. The remaining small portion consisted of nobles from the northern commanderies controlled by Count Colt." Victor shook his head speechlessly.

"We did not expect Mora to be so cooperative either. Apart from his two relatively intact remaining Direct Corps, even the nobles of the western commanderies, who supported him most, had suffered grievous losses. The western commanderies had always been the weakest, and at most they could raise another two legions. Even if he rebuilt the other four Direct Corps, they would merely be hollow shells. Besides, he did not have enough money. Jora had been generous, scattering money lavishly before setting out and emptying the treasury."

"But it was only a temporary gap. The Silver Maple Family still controlled a vast number of Silver Maples. Without even relying on the output of their lands, their Silver Maples alone could fund the formation of two legions a year," Victor countered.

Vitri said disdainfully, "What about his officers? Baron Colt had specifically targeted and killed a large number of officers, including two Legion Commanders who held court viscount titles. Even if Marquis Mora was willing to accept Jora's former subordinates, he would not be able to find enough officer corps members for four legions. If he sought Legion Commanders among the western nobles, those western nobles, who had suffered such severe losses, might not be willing to help. Not to mention that newly recruited soldiers would need training, and that would take time. These shortages could not be replenished in a year or two, especially experienced junior officers and veteran elite soldiers."

Victor mocked, "You have already planned things to this extent, so why seek local nobles like me to serve as guides? As long as the Raine Kingdom transferred four or five standing legions and paired them with the Northern Frontier nobles' elite forces, it could sweep across the Grand Duchy of Vera."

"Victor, do not put it that way. You know the Raine Kingdom cannot send four or five legions across the sea. It cannot even send two. Still, the term 'guide' is quite interesting and vivid. I will include it in a later report back home. We need the support of powerful nobles like you to reduce our pressure later on. At the very least, we cannot let the East Sea Alliance profit from this." Vitri's attitude softened considerably.

"The agreement has already been signed. As long as nothing unexpected happens, our cooperation will proceed smoothly. After all, I definitely will not be satisfied with a mere viscount title. You can rest assured of that. I will cooperate with your actions from now on. If you offer enough, I would have no problem leading troops into the Capital City."

Wiping away sweat, Vitri said, "It has not reached that point, Victor. We still need to keep winning over local nobles. The agreement has been signed, but winter is about to arrive. According to the agreement, the serfs and supplies due this year certainly will not arrive in time. They will be delivered together after spring next year. Please do not worry."

"I am not in a hurry. After all, we will have much more cooperation in the future. I trust that Chairman Vitri, as a great merchant, understands the principles of conducting business as business and mutual benefit. As long as the price is high enough, anything can be discussed. The Two Rivers Territory is short of money right now. We need a major client like you."

"Haha, Victor, you really are suited for business. I did not expect this to go so smoothly. It would have been better if you did not ask for so much." Vitri imitated Victor's manner of speaking as he complained.

"The more I take, the more worthy I am of your trust, and the less risk there is that I will report you. Besides, I guarantee that you will find it worth every coin." Victor remained remarkably calm.

Vitri could only feel helpless in the face of such a Victor.

"The two extra cargo ships we brought this time, ships and cargo alike, are yours. I have to take the crew with me. After the other two ships finish unloading, I must make a trip back to Northwind City to report your situation to Alex."

"You report to Alex? It seems Viscount John has been abandoned by Count Colt and has become a discarded piece of the Iron Birch Family."

"Viscount John is, after all, a noble from Cornwall County in the south. Although the Southern Commanderies' nobles are very powerful, they were the original backers who rose alongside the Silver Maple Family. We cannot trust them easily. Alex is the partner recognized by our Nightingale."

"However, unlike what you believe, we have no authority to interfere in the Iron Birch Family's internal succession. Count Colt is highly sensitive about such matters. Our cooperation with Alex is limited to his own forces. The people directly liaising with Count Colt are from the Kingdom Military Department. They are partners personally selected by the kingdom's royal family. In all likelihood, he will become the only duke of this land in the future, serving as the kingdom's representative here."

Victor was deeply envious upon hearing that. Strength truly was a wonderful thing. Compared to small fry like him, who had been dragged into the water, only a powerhouse like Baron Colt could be considered a proper partner—someone who could bargain directly with the kingdom.