Never Let the Duck in Hand Fly Away

However, the situation has improved slightly since more than a decade ago.

Someone discovered a plant similar to a sweet potato that can thrive in such extreme environments and has been widely promoted.

This plant seems to be a special gift from nature to this land. It has a strong ability to adapt and has great vitality. Even under the torment of alternating heat and cold, it can still take root in the soil, try its best to absorb the meager nutrients, and reproduce in considerable numbers.

Its appearance was like a ray of dawn in the darkness, bringing new hope to the people living on this land and providing them with a large amount of food.

Although this plant is difficult to eat, it is able to sustain people's basic living needs.

Not far from Baron Stan and his group was a field used to grow this plant.

Dozens of farmers were working diligently in the fields. They were all bent over, their heads under the scorching sun, their clothes soaked with sweat. Their movements were skilled and coordinated, creating a simple yet touching scene on the land.

Of course, Baron Stan and his entourage had no interest in such things, nor did they find the scene simple and touching.

They simply lack that capacity for empathy.

Because the obese Baron Stan was less resistant to the heat, large beads of sweat kept sliding down his greasy forehead as he stood there, while his men, surrounding him, were also flushed from the heat.

However, none of them dared to speak out of turn, and they watched Baron Stan cautiously, afraid of causing trouble.

These people were all administrators of Hope Town, and in the eyes of the residents, each of them was a high-ranking and important figure.

Here they wield great power, and every decision they make can affect the lives and destinies of their people.

However, in front of Baron Stan at this moment, they all put away their arrogance and became respectful, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.

They held their breath, standing ramrod straight. Despite the unbearable heat that made their breathing rapid and heavy, they dared not slacken or show the slightest disrespect.

In this suffocating atmosphere, the only sound was the rolling heatwave. Under the dual pressure of the heat and fear, the administrators of Hope Town dared not even breathe.

For decades, everyone has forgotten Baron Stan's role as the interim administrator of Hope Town.

They naturally assumed he was the lord of Hope Town.

After all, that Earl was of noble status and owned many territories; she would never have looked down on such a small piece of land.

Baron Stan is only one formal investiture away from becoming the true lord of Hope Town.

Baron Stan only needs to find a suitable opportunity and offer Her Earl enough money, and he will be able to annex Hope Town and completely control the land.

His men were also eagerly anticipating this moment, hoping to gain more benefits and glory as Baron Stan's status rose.

After all, if this plan works, Baron Stan's territory will reach the minimum required to become a viscount.

If Baron Stan were to offer the king another sum of money at such a time and obtain a formal investiture, he would be transformed into a noble viscount. At that time, he and his men would have an even more glorious future, with higher status and more power.

Everything has entered its final stage, and everyone is anxiously waiting.

But at this very moment, the offspring of the original lord of Hope Town was found.

Just recently, a young man submitted evidence to the Noble Council proving that he was the only son of Earl Lindsay Monroe's second husband and had obtained the territory from Earl.

The man who calls himself Doug Forbes is about to arrive.

Upon receiving this news yesterday, Baron Stan was so enraged that he smashed up the entire house.

He was furious; his obese body trembled with rage, his eyes practically spitting fire, and his teeth grinding together.

He had painstakingly built his business for so long, and success was within reach, but at this crucial moment, this unexpected obstacle appeared.

No one could remain calm in such a situation.

It is said that he even personally beat a maid to death in revenge.

But now he has finally calmed down.

Leaving aside the fact that Doug Forbes is the adopted son of Earl Lindsay Monroe.

As the son of Countess Lindsay Earl's second husband, regardless of what others thought, he was nominally Countess Lindsay Monroe's Earl son.

In other words, Doug Forbes could now be considered a foreign descendant of royalty.

If we're really talking about status and position, they're far above me.

Even disregarding all that, he was still an alchemist with immense power.

Alchemists are a type of magician who can create various magical items and potions through alchemy.

Compared to ordinary magicians, Doug Forbes' abilities are not to be underestimated.

This made Baron Stan even more wary of such an opponent.

In terms of both background and personal ability, they are no match for him.

"But... I'm not someone to be trifled with either!"

Baron Stan gritted his teeth.

The appearance of Doug Forbes ruined his years of planning, and he naturally hated Doug Forbes to the core.

He turned his head and looked at the group of people surrounding him.

These people were all his close associates, and each of them had a deep bond with him.

These people were all extremely loyal to him and controlled everything in the town.

"What good would it do to hand over the territory?"

"Does Doug Forbes, a magician, really think he can manage the territory?"

Baron Stan sneered.

He had met many magicians and knew that most of these guys who dealt with magic all day long were not good at handling worldly affairs. They were often immersed in their own magical world and knew nothing about managing territory or handling interpersonal relationships.

Even if Doug Forbes gains control of the territory...

"He wants to manage the territory, and he needs my men to do so."

"He's just a mage; he probably can't even read an account book. What kind of lord is he?"

However, he and his men had extensive experience and methods in this regard, and even if Doug Forbes obtained the territory, Baron Stan would still be in charge.

"We need to incur a deficit in the territory for several years to teach this guy a lesson."

"He will definitely give up the territory on his own initiative when the time comes."

"Then I'll step in and accept it..."

Baron Stan revealed an Insidious smile, as if everything was already under his control.

He had already begun to plan how to implement this plan step by step, putting Doug Forbes in a difficult situation so that he would obediently hand over the territory.

He firmly believed that with his own methods and wisdom, he would eventually be able to reclaim everything that belonged to him and continue to carry out his previous plans.

Once you've got the duck in your hand, you can't let it fly away.