Spending! Buying People! Expanding the Army! Building a City!

Old Gordon excitedly adjusted his monocle, his eyes burning with excitement. "My Lord Baron, I require a sum of five hundred gold coins!"

Facing his enthusiasm, Raven cautiously replied, "Well... I think Eagle Fortress is in good condition and doesn't need any further renovations. And in the short term, I don't need new formal wear..."

The last meeting had left too deep an impression on Raven. More than half of the five hundred gold coin budget had been spent on superficial projects.

"It's not for Eagle Fortress, my lord!" Old Gordon's face flushed. "It's to 'resettle' people. You know, Eagle Town is really short on people right now!"

Nobles were truly hypocritical. They called buying and selling people 'resettling.'

However, Raven didn't intend to call him out. After all, he was now one of them. "Are there any suitable targets?"

Old Gordon nodded. "The Fox Family is looking to offload surplus villagers from their territory recently."

Raven thought for a moment. "They sent people during the succession ceremony. That's an Earl's family, right?"

Old Gordon said, "Your memory is truly enviable. The Fox Family's fief is southeast of Monen City. Their patriarch, Count Monteril, serves as the Governor of Nord Province."

Raven smiled in realization. "Oh, so it's him!"

It wasn't that Raven was insensitive to the power distribution in Nord Province. It was simply that the Fox Family's situation was too awkward!

Although Count Monteril was nominally the Governor of Nord Province, the most prosperous city within the province, Monen City, was the fief of the Slate Family. Its patriarch, Count Talon Silva Slate, commanded the strongest legion in Nord Province, and even in the three northern provinces of the empire – the Iron Legion.

In the world of nobles, ultimately, strength spoke louder than words.

Their economic strength was inferior to the Slate Family, and their military strength was vastly different. This resulted in Count Monteril's decrees being unable to leave his fief!

Consequently, compared to his title of Governor, another appellation for Monteril was more well-known: the Sour-Faced Fox.

Why was Count Monteril always wearing a sour expression? Because he couldn't get the grapes.

However awkward their situation, the Fox Family was still a legitimate Earl with a fief, and not someone the current Raven could afford to underestimate. "Are you confident?"

"Of course, my lord." Old Gordon said with full confidence. "For decades, this kind of villager 'resettlement' has formed a mature industry. Five hundred gold coins are enough to acquire a thousand villagers, with at least fifty percent of them being young and strong laborers."

Raven asked, "How long will it take?"

Old Gordon replied, "About two to three months."

Raven tapped his fingers on the table.

Two to three months, meaning September or October. That would be right after the autumn harvest, just as winter was approaching. While this would bring pressure on Eagle Territory for food, it wouldn't delay his plans for land distribution next year.

"I'll give you six hundred gold coins. Make sure this is done before the end of October!"

Old Gordon's face lit up with joy. "Yes, my lord!"

Seeing him take the six hundred gold coin budget, Eric's heart also grew hot. His small eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Lord Raven, I need nine hundred gold coins!"

Raven asked, "Didn't we already resolve the equipment issue? Why do you need so much money again?"

Eric explained, "I'm from the Iron Legion, and I can acquire God-Given Potions for those with awakened Steel Qi at a lower price. If Simon, Link, and Gaul take them, and even one of them becomes extraordinary, it will be a significant expansion of our strength!"

Under Eric's anxious gaze, Raven firmly shook his head. "No."

Simon's loyalty was beyond doubt, and Gaul and Link had also been tempered through blood and fire.

But human ambition would inflate with increased strength and status. Even if they themselves didn't contend, those close to them would instigate and push them to strive.

Once they became extraordinary, they would at least compete for a knightly title, wouldn't they?

If he didn't grant them anything, it would easily chill their hearts. If he did grant them something, he would have to give them land befitting a knight's status, but Raven didn't want the recently consolidated Eagle Territory to become fragmented again.

It was better to maintain the status quo.

If they were truly to be promoted, Raven would have to become extraordinary himself, able to suppress them with his strength!

Seeing Eric's mood slightly dejected, Raven asked, "You can get potions from the Iron Legion?"

"Yes, my lord." Eric thought Raven had changed his mind and explained, "Although Count Talon commands the Iron Legion, it's an official imperial establishment. The empire provides a large number of potions every year, and they basically have an inexhaustible supply, so..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Raven had already fully understood the implication.

In the end, it boiled down to four words: reselling military supplies!

Raven asked in a low voice, "Can you also buy armor, weapons, or secret military martial arts techniques?"

"I'm not sure about martial arts techniques, but armor and weapons can indeed be bought." Eric pondered for a moment. "However, these two are sold in large batches. At least five sets or ten sets at a time, unlike potions which can be bought individually."

This time, not only Raven but even Old Gordon was stunned!

They exchanged glances, both feeling shocked by this news.

Reselling military supplies had always been a capital offense.

Yet, the Iron Legion, the strongest legion on the empire's northern frontier, was so brazenly engaged in such trade that even a simple-minded martial artist like Eric could find a way.

Seeing one, one could infer the whole.

This showed to what extent the empire's army had become corrupt!

If the Insar Empire to the north and the Bloody Highlands to the west were to launch a large-scale invasion, could they really fight?

That's right, the empire had enjoyed peace for a hundred years, but that didn't mean it would always be stable.

Extremes give rise to their opposites!

Raven secretly resolved that he must strengthen his own power and the strength of his private soldiers as quickly as possible, so that no matter whether great chaos ensued in the future, he could calmly deal with it.

"Eric, can you buy a God-Given Potion that awakens someone into a mage from the Iron Legion?"

"That... I'm afraid not," Eric replied. "My lord, you wish to become a mage?"

Raven nodded.

Becoming a mage certainly had many benefits—a respected status, elegance and nobility, the ability to cast all sorts of magical spells, and the capability to craft various expensive and wondrous enchanted items.

But these were not the reasons Raven chose to become a mage; the true reason was—

Fear of death!

It was fine when there were no major battles, but if large-scale warfare broke out, as a lower-ranking noble, he would be required to lead from the front, charging into battle!

Becoming a knight, clad in heavy armor, riding a magical beast, and charging into the fray to slay enemy generals was indeed exhilarating and dashing, but it was also incredibly dangerous!

On the battlefield, swords and spears had no eyes. No matter how good the armor was, there were always times it couldn't defend. It wasn't unheard of for knights in full plate armor to be killed by peasants wielding pitchforks.

This was where the advantages of being a mage became apparent.

Standing at the rear of the formation, without direct contact with enemy soldiers, one could simply cast spells. If they won, it was due to the contribution of magical support; if they lost, it was because the army's combat effectiveness was poor. It was a situation where one couldn't be blamed.

If the battle turned unfavorable, one could simply turn the rear into the front, retreat victoriously, and the survival rate would skyrocket!

What defined a strong person? Those who survived until the end were the strong ones!

"My lord, you could try speaking with Priestess Laxus," Eric suggested. "The Church of Light has always been a major seller of God-Given Potions, so they likely have mage potions as well."

Raven's eyes were filled with anticipation. "I'll discuss this with Laxus separately later. Let's continue the meeting."

His suggestion being dismissed left Eric feeling a bit dejected.

Raven, however, had no intention of disappointing his retainer. "I only said I don't plan to give the God-Given Potions to Simon and the others; I didn't say I don't plan to spend money on military matters."

Eric scratched his head. "But, currently, aside from that, there really isn't any need to invest a large sum of gold."

"There is," Raven stated decisively. "Now that Shining Gold Town is back in our hands, it's time to expand our army. The current private soldiers will be upgraded to a personal guard platoon, which I will command personally. Eric, you will be my head of personal guards!"

"After that, we'll recruit three more platoons. They will be commanded by Simon, Gaul, and Link respectively. For these three platoons, I need one platoon of sword and shield soldiers, one platoon of crossbow archers, and one platoon of spearmen! In addition, I need you to select twelve individuals with some talent in horsemanship to form a scout squad!"

The empire's military system was crude and ancient: ten men formed a small squad, a hundred men a large squadron, a thousand men a column, and five thousand men a legion.

In contrast, Raven trusted the vision of great men and chose the "three-three system" for organization: twelve men per squad, three squads per platoon, three platoons per company, and so on.

Judging by the outcome of the battle against the bandits, this system had not encountered any incompatibility in this world, so it was natural to continue expanding it.

Eric's eyes lit up as well. After the test of the last real battle, his conviction in the three-three system was even deeper than Raven's.

The three-three system organization was flexible and had clear lines of command, allowing for easy division and integration of units, making command and combat clearer and more convenient.

And this was not just the advantage of the system; it was complemented by Raven's almost abnormally strict training!

Before this, Eric had never seen any unit place such importance on discipline and obedience. More than two-thirds of the two-month training period was dedicated to drill formations.

This could only be described as adapting to local conditions and individual circumstances. The lazy armies of the empire could only adopt the crude decimal system of formations, while only well-trained and disciplined units could leverage the advantages of the three-three system.

"My Lord Baron, does your personal guard platoon require additional personnel?"

Raven shook his head. "Being able to join the personal guard platoon is an honor. Considering both morale and combat effectiveness, I do not plan to supplement it at this time."

"Understood, my lord. Then, the estimated budget for this time..." After a brief mental calculation, Eric listed the specific figures in detail:

"We need to supplement a total of one hundred and five people. Accounting for potential losses, we need to purchase one hundred and twenty sets of leather armor, costing approximately sixty gold coins; forty sets of longswords and shields, about fifty-five gold coins; thirty spears, one gold coin and fifty silver coins; forty crossbows and five thousand crossbow bolts, estimated at ninety gold coins."

A few seconds later, Old Gordon stopped writing and summarized, "A total of two hundred and six gold coins and fifty silver coins are needed."

Raven said, "Buy another forty crossbows. In addition, I need one hundred enchanted crossbow bolts with 'Primary Penetration'."

Yorick stated, "This will add another two hundred and eighty gold coins."

Everything related to magic was very expensive. A normal crossbow bolt cost only twenty copper coins, but an enchanted crossbow bolt cost a full two gold coins—a thousand-fold difference!

However, this was a necessary expenditure. Normal crossbow bolts could hardly penetrate enchanted armor, but a volley of thirty-six enchanted crossbow bolts could make even knights and warriors with fourth-tier Battle Qi bite the dust!

"You've all stated what you need, so now it's my turn," Raven said seriously. "Old Gordon, starting today, organize personnel to level at least four acres of land near the upper reaches of the Golden Sand River, along the riverbank."

"Build a stone wall around the perimeter, about three meters high, with space for guards and sentries! The internal structures should be primarily earth and stone, divided into living quarters, work areas, and warehouse areas. The work areas must be large enough to accommodate at least ten workshops, each capable of accommodating at least ten workers!"

Old Gordon asked, "What is the construction period, my lord?"

Raven replied, "As soon as possible!"

"This is almost a small city..." Old Gordon frowned. "Although the busy farming season has passed, we will definitely need to hire additional personnel according to your requirements, not to mention material costs... I estimate it will cost at least four hundred and thirty gold coins."

"I'm giving you a budget of six hundred gold coins. No matter what method you use, get the construction done within a month!" Raven continued. "In addition, I need at least ten sets of distillation equipment, as well as a large quantity of baking soda, quicklime, roses, oil, and the cheapest alcoholic beverages!"

Gordon recorded as he asked, "My lord, what is considered 'a large quantity' for these?"

"Baking soda: five hundred kilograms per month. Quicklime: one thousand kilograms per month. Roses, oil, and alcoholic beverages: the more the better. For the first two, I hope for no less than three thousand kilograms, and for the latter..." Raven recalled the alcohol content of the beverages in this world. "Over one thousand kilograms!"

Old Gordon lowered his head to calculate the numbers. After a while, he looked up and said, "My lord, the other items are manageable, but regarding the roses..."

"Are they very expensive?" Raven asked.

"It's just very difficult to buy them..." Old Gordon said. "Our Eagle Territory is remote, and there are no large-scale flower plantations nearby. There isn't even a flower shop in Shining Gold Town."

"Perhaps you could discuss it with Madam Denise?"

Raven rubbed his nose.

Denise had previously said that once he took back Shining Gold Town, she would willingly wash his feet. Raven was quite willing to enjoy that pleasure, but he didn't want to tie his commercial territory too closely to Denise.

"Aren't there many merchants in Shining Gold Town? It shouldn't be difficult for them to purchase it on your behalf?"

"This..." Old Gordon said, choosing his words carefully, "Up until now, Baron Donald still owes the Shining Gold Town Merchant Association 3,748 gold coins for goods. I don't think they'd be willing to accept such a commission again."

"What!?" Raven was stunned for a moment, not expecting Donald to have left him such a surprise.

Of course, this surprise needed quotation marks: "What did he even buy to incur such a debt?"

Old Gordon flipped through his notes: "Actually, the original loan was 937 gold coins, but Master Donald promised an annual interest rate of 30%. Ten years have passed now..."

"Alright..." Raven said, drawing out his voice in resignation, "Then inform them. On the day I officially retake Shining Gold Town, I will personally meet with the representatives of the Shining Gold Town Merchant Association to discuss the settlement of this debt and the issue of long-term supply!"

Old Gordon frowned, "My lord, you plan to repay this debt immediately?"

Raven shook his head, "Of course, I'll repay it, but not all at once. If we were to fill this hole entirely, we wouldn't be able to do anything else!"

"They're just a bunch of snobbish merchants," Eric said in a deep voice. "Shining Gold Town is your Shining Gold Town. Where your blade points, they have no choice but to comply!"

Old Gordon worriedly said, "I also don't think we should rush to repay the debt, but these merchants are backed by powerful nobles. They aren't your subjects. If you use force, they might resist all commercial exchanges with us, or even move away collectively. This would destroy the commercial foundation of Shining Gold Town!"

"Don't worry, I'm not that reckless," Raven said, rubbing his chin. "Inform them. I will officially begin taking over Shining Gold Town in two days."

"At that time, I'll naturally find a way to make them more obedient than rabbits!"