The Root of Black Earth Territory's Problems Was a Lack of Money

Black Earth Territory was not actually very large. Altogether, it was only about the size of a town.

Fortunately, it was located in a relatively fertile yet remote area, so self-sufficiency was not much of a problem.

Its total area was not even comparable to the former Bronze Tree Tribe, though it had quite a few more people.

It lay on a great plain, surrounded by resources such as forests and lakes, as well as fairly abundant mineral deposits.

After Lu Xingshi arrived in Black Earth Territory, he quickly took over the entire territory with the Butler's help, but he also learned a truth.

They had no money.

Not only had his predecessor's cousin run off with all the Gold Coins, Silver Coins, and so on, he had also collected taxes fifty years in advance. Thus, not only was he, the Black Earth Viscount, poor enough to rattle when he walked, but Black Earth Territory was as well.

And he could not keep collecting taxes, either, or it would provoke a rebellion.

"This viscountship is truly shabby..." Lu Xingshi quickly tossed the territorial accounts aside and turned to examine its military strength.

There was one Conferred Knight, a knight who had been granted a Knight Territory.

Lu Xingshi's previous identity as a knight had been that of a wandering knight, something akin to a mercenary who had graduated from a military academy.

Nobles, meanwhile, could confer knighthood again and grant Knight Territories. In other words, the knight and his descendants would have to be loyal to that noble, while the noble would provide ten households of subjects to support the Conferred Knight.

It was equivalent to having ten households support the knight through their production.

This Conferred Knight was also the Security Officer of Black Earth Territory.

As a viscount,