Chapter 46

"To put it simply, this food can solve Ireland's food crisis, so that all Irish people will never have to worry about starving again," Mary said.

This is actually just empty talk.

Given Ireland's current population, widespread potato cultivation could indeed solve their food problem. However, population growth is an unavoidable factor. As long as it remains an agricultural society, without the aid of chemical fertilizers and machinery, food will always be a problem.

Moreover, if potatoes are widely cultivated as a staple food, we must be careful to prevent infectious diseases, otherwise it could lead to events like the Irish Revolution.

However, since we're in the negotiation stage now, it's better to appear more confident on our side.

Long before they began to discuss serious matters, the Countess of Desmond and the other unimportant people had all left, leaving only the Scottish group and staunch anti-English figures like the Earl of Desmond and the Earl of Dillon.

Count Desmond, his breathing rapid, finally spoke after a long pause: "...Is there anything wrong with this food? Is it as unpalatable as chewing wood? Or is it difficult to care for?"

“They’re easy to take care of and don’t taste bad, at least for me. Potatoes cut into strips, fried in oil, and sprinkled with a little salt are quite delicious. If you don’t believe me, you can give these potatoes to the cook now and let him try them,” Mary said with a smile.

“If what you say is true, then this food must be a gift from God,” Count Desmond exclaimed.

“To be precise, it is a gift from the Queen of Scots. I brought with me a dozen cartloads of potatoes, as well as five skilled farmers who are willing to work here for several years. You can manage them all. If handled properly, you will no longer have to worry about the soldiers' food supply, and you will also gain high public acclaim,” Mary said.

Earl Desmond hesitated again, opening his mouth several times before finally managing to say with difficulty, "But... even so, Ireland really can no longer fight England."

Mary nodded and said, "Scotland doesn't want to go to war with England right now. We need to conserve our strength and then succeed at the right time."

After saying this, Mary and Count Desmond exchanged a smile, raised their glasses together, and drank the wine.

That's how the initial cooperation was achieved.

“Miss Emma, ​​I have one last question, and I hope you can answer it for me,” said Count Desmond.

"Please speak?" Mary said.

"Can you truly keep all the promises you made tonight?" Count Desmond asked cautiously.

“Your concerns are understandable, and I can also solemnly tell you that before I came to Ireland as an envoy, my mistress gave me great authority in this regard. All the terms I discuss with you tonight and thereafter will certainly be fulfilled, and an envoy from Scotland will be sent to deliver documents bearing the Queen’s official coat of arms,” Mary said.

The Earl of Desmond has not yet voluntarily pledged allegiance to the Queen of Scots, and Mary has not sent any further supplies or weapons. These matters require detailed discussions and several years of adjustment, but at least a preliminary agreement has been reached.

Mary mentally calculated that in the coming years, her influence in Ireland could not rely solely on the Earl of Desmond. She would need to send a reliable person to Dublin to spread the fame of the Queen of Scots among the other Irish people. She would also need to support an obedient Irishman as a backup, in case of conflict with the Earl of Desmond, so that he could be a backup to lead the Irish in battle.

Anyway, everything went smoothly tonight.

"Congratulations on your dream coming true," Albert said with a soft laugh.

...

A few minutes later, this beautiful wish was shattered.

A large number of British soldiers rode to the Earl of Desmond's castle that night. Ignoring the old servant's attempts to stop them, they rushed in like robbers and began to smash things. A fat gentleman wearing a wig walked over and announced an investigation order at the gate, saying that there were rioters here who were opposing the rule of the British Queen, and they wanted to come in to investigate specific clues and criminals.

In a sense, that's not entirely wrong.

Count Desmond made a quick decision and immediately ordered the guests present, as well as his nephew Count Dillon, to take his youngest son and hide in the basement, where there was a long-unused underground passage that led all the way to the deep forest.

Albert stood up with a furrowed brow, shielding Mary and Seton behind him while positioning the dagger at his waist and adjusting the aim and ammunition of his musket. He was prepared to fight to the death.

"So, Earl, what do you intend to do?" Albert asked.

“I’m not sure if these Englishmen are just here for trouble as usual, or if they’ve actually discovered your presence. If they’re just here to cause trouble, then I can handle them. If I haven’t opened the basement door, then you should all run away…” Earl Desmond’s face was anxious and uneasy, then he suddenly sneered, “…Heavens, fate is such a cruel bitch, Miss Emma. One second I was discussing the bright future with you, and the next second I might be on the guillotine by the English!”

His gaze then turned to his nephew, and he said fiercely, "If I die, you will carry on my last wish. Remember, avenge the Irish and fight against the brutal English!"

After saying this, the bear-like red-haired Irishman hurriedly left the banquet hall to deal with the British soldiers outside.

Now was no time for idle chatter. Mary and Albert acted swiftly, and even Seton suppressed his panic, quickly following Earl Dillon through the dark corridors and hiding in the castle’s basement, listening intently to the chaotic noises from the British soldiers above!

...

Let's turn the clock to the present.

Mary waited carefully for a while longer, and after confirming that there was no further movement from the British soldiers and that the Earl of Desmond had not come to open the door, she said, "There's no need to wait any longer. Let's go out first and then find out how the Earl of Desmond is doing."

Mary relit the candle with a flint, then examined the old wooden door closely. After confirming that it was rotten from being soaked in water, she told Albert not to be afraid of making noise and to try kicking the door open.

The blond youth nodded, took a few steps back, carefully assessed the position, and then kicked out hard!

"bump!"

The rotten wooden door collapsed with a thud, revealing a deep and narrow cave, its destination unknown in the darkness.

Mary waited a while to allow the air to circulate, then put the candle back into the tunnel to make sure there was enough oxygen and the flame could burn properly before she and the others slowly walked into the tunnel.

The tunnel led directly to a small hill near the castle. After climbing out of the cave, a few meters away, there was an abandoned forest ranger's hut. Earl Dillon led the Scotsmen inside and then shared his spare food and water with them.

After taking a few bites, Seton asked her what to do next.

“Perhaps we should go back to Scotland, miss, it’s too dangerous here,” Seton said timidly.

Mary remained noncommittal, tapping her fingers rapidly on the dusty wooden table as she pondered whether to stay or leave.

This unexpected event disrupted her entire plan, forcing her to start all over again.

“My esteemed Miss Emma, ​​though I am unworthy, I beg you to uphold the covenant I made with my uncle and help me rescue him. I have a hundred soldiers at my disposal, and with your help…” Seeing the hesitation of the Scottish group, Earl Dillon mustered his courage, knelt before Mary, and said through gritted teeth, “…I swear to God that if you extend a helping hand, I will from this day forward be wholeheartedly loyal to the Queen of Scots and govern the lands of Ireland for her. If I break this vow, may I be condemned to hell and suffer the torment of being burned alive!”

Mary's expression shifted slightly, but she didn't make a promise rashly. Instead, she walked with Albert into the dense forest outside.

"If there were a hundred Irishmen, plus the finest weapons I could immediately procure from Scotland, could you find a way to disguise yourself as local Irish bandits and kidnappers and rescue the Earl of Desmond in an unexpected manner?" Mary asked.

Before Albert could answer, Mary continued, "...You must answer this question carefully. I wish to help the Irish, support them in forming secret factions, and then provide me with military assistance at crucial moments. But your life is equally precious. If you cannot do this, I will find another way to seize this land."

This time, Albert remained silent for a very long time.

“A hundred soldiers are absolutely not enough, and even if we rescue them, the Earl of Desmond, who has already been targeted by the English, will have nowhere to stay in Ireland and will be unable to gather local forces. But…” Albert said, “…if we can get tens of thousands of Irish people to revolt, once again stirring up a wave of resistance against British rule, and if they are not defeated by the British army and establish a stable stronghold in Ireland, then the outcome will be very different!”

Even the Queen of Scots couldn't help but show a look of astonishment upon hearing the blond youth's answer.

“This is dangerous,” Mary warned.

“Please believe that I can do it,” Albert said, kneeling down on one knee and kissing the Queen’s hand.