Submission

He needed to keep a close eye on this young Lord from the south until Sauron regained his strength, searching for his weaknesses and preparing for the inevitable next thunderous strike.

Of course, as the Great Chieftain of the Sauron Tribe, he knew better than anyone that although the Sauron army was brave and skilled in battle, and almost invincible on the front lines (Carnford being the only exception), it had a fatal weakness: extreme backwardness and chaos in its internal affairs.

The Sauron originated from the harsh northern grasslands. They revered bravery, were plunderers, and were accustomed to sustaining themselves through war.

They had virtually no knowledge or experience in governing vast occupied territories, developing sustainable economies, or appeasing and effectively utilizing the conquered population.

Apart from a few large tribes whose core towns have rudimentary management systems, most areas remain in the primitive stage of tribal division and brutal plunder.

The severe shortage of grassroots management talent led to constant resistance in the occupied territories, low resource utilization, and difficulty in converting plundered wealth into sustained war potential.

Although the southern expedition ultimately failed at Carnford, it captured a large number of the Goldflower Kingdom officials during its sweep of Broomflower Northern Territory. These included civil scribes in charge of money and taxes, judges well-versed in the law, engineers familiar with city defenses, and even some lower-ranking nobles and knights who were forced to surrender.

In Harald's eyes, these people were originally just "spoils of war" that could be exchanged for ransom or used as slaves.

But now, Carnford's lesson has made him realize the truth.

The Sauron might win battles by their own brute force, but they could not win a protracted war, much less build and consolidate a powerful empire. He needed the knowledge and experience in the minds of these "spoils of war."

"We Sauron are good at destruction and conquest, but when it comes to building and governing... we need teachers," Harald frankly told his trusted general beside him, his tone tinged with a pragmatic ruthlessness. "It's too slow for us to learn from scratch, while the teachers are right here in our hands."

He was well aware of the risks of employing surrendered officials, with loyalty being the primary concern. However, he was absolutely confident that he could control them.

The Sauron's blade was the ultimate deterrent, but granting these surrendered subjects far greater status, wealth, and power than they had in the Goldflower Kingdom was an even more effective means of winning them over.

Faced with a choice between survival and self-interest, he was confident he could make these intelligent people make the "right" choice, even more "loyal" than some of his own tribal leaders with ulterior motives.

Harald said in a deep voice to the guards beside him, "Order that all the Broomflower officials we have captured be immediately categorized and listed according to their original status and abilities. I want to summon them personally."

"Yes, Great Chieftain!" the captain of the personal guards replied sternly.

The atmosphere in the leader's hall, a symbol of supreme power, was heavy and oppressive.

Harald sat atop a massive stone seat covered with a complete snow bear skin, his cold gaze sweeping down upon those below.

A dozen or so chosen former subjects of the Goldflower Kingdom, escorted by Sauron elite warriors, staggered into the hall, which exuded a wild and untamed atmosphere.

These officials, who might have once been influential figures within the Great Wall, now appeared incredibly humble and terrified.

They didn't even dare to look Harald in the eye. As soon as they entered the hall, led by a former Count's scribe, they all knelt down, pressing their foreheads to the cold, rough stone floor, uttering disordered, trembling cries. "Your sinners... pay homage to the Great Chieftain!"

Harald's gaze slowly swept over the group of figures prostrate on the ground, a barely perceptible smile of satisfaction curving his lips.

What he noticed first was their bald heads; everyone's hair had been shaved off, revealing blue scalps. This was a sign of the Sauron' treatment of important prisoners and a declaration of submission, signifying a complete break with their past identities.

Secondly, their clothing was different. The silk robes that originally symbolized the status and position of the Broomflower had been stripped away and replaced with clothing in the Sauron style.

These garments were mostly made of rough fur, poorly tanned leather, and thick homespun cloth. They were simple in style, monotonous in color, and chaotically matched, full of clumsy imitations of nomadic peoples who had just evolved from the animal skin stage. To the Goldspur, they were extremely ugly.

But on these surrendered officials, wearing these clothes now was a silent declaration of submission and a new identity.

Harald carried out the order to "shave one's head and change one's clothes" without any mercy.

He knew that destroying a person's inherent cultural symbols and pride was the first step in making them submit spiritually, and judging from the submissive and fearful attitude of the group in front of him, this step was remarkably effective.

The dozen or so people kneeling on the ground came from diverse backgrounds, including a former clerk of Count who was proficient in money, taxes, and document management; a judge familiar with law and trials; an engineer skilled in city building and road construction; and even a few low-ranking nobles and knights who had been forced to surrender during a border conflict.

What they have in common is that they all possess practical experience in governing local areas and managing people, which is exactly the kind of talent that the Sauron Tribe urgently needs right now.

"Rise, all of you," Harald began. To everyone's surprise, his voice wasn't the savage roar expected of a barbarian chieftain. Instead, it carried a deliberately slowed, slightly low yet clear tone, even revealing an inappropriate gentleness. "Please take a seat."

Upon hearing this, the kneeling officials trembled, almost unable to believe their ears.

They cautiously raised their heads, exchanging bewildered glances. Only at the silent signal of the Sauron warriors did they dare to stand up carefully, moving to the simple wooden or stone stools placed on either side of the hall. They sat with half their buttocks on the ground, their backs ramrod straight, still not daring to relax completely.

Harald took in their fear and surprise, and continued in that calm yet subtly authoritative tone, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be so reserved. You are all capable officials selected by the Goldflower Kingdom, each with your own expertise."

"This defeat and capture, the loss of our homes and lands, is not due to your dereliction of duty or lack of effort." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone carrying a condescending yet impartial assessment, "It is truly the fault of the incompetent and corrupt King Broomflower, the corrupt court, and the unclear system of rewards and punishments, which has incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people, leading to today's defeat. You have already done your utmost."