"yes……"
Su Yue readily admitted that there was nothing to hide; his future dominance of the seas required attacking the city of Qiwiel, the city of the elves and the empire… Therefore, after Joanna arrived, Su Yue also had a purpose in mind: to negotiate with her.
The goal is to gain control of the city of Chivel, which would ensure the safety of the riverside region of Canaan. However, to access the sea via the river, they would need to breach the high elves' control of the lake's entrance—the territory of the high elves known as "Mathis"!
Just as dwarves occupy the northern fortress, Su Yue's left side is the vast territory of the "Munishini" forest, all controlled by the high elves... These territories also contain countless battle buildings, as well as scattered forces such as minor lords and player lords of other races.
Joanna listened as Su Yue acknowledged the port's construction...
A strange desire arose within her for Su Yue to help her regain her noble power... She thought to herself, how could she win over Su Yue, a man with only a nominal title and influence but no real power (the troops she had gathered had been defeated and the resistance had been crushed), and get him to willingly help her regain power?
The Empire appears to have bestowed upon Joanna Rivers the title of Countess of the new heir; however, mere prestige is useless if she lacks the power to reclaim it all.
Because the rebels and heretical crusaders completely disregarded the imperial decrees, meaning the imperial orders only applied to the empire—and now, the entire territory under the control of Earl Rivers was occupied by heretics of the crusade… If she wanted to reclaim her earldom and position and regain power, she needed the support of a “powerful figure.”
The aura of "Imperial Elite General" emanating from Su Yue was incredibly captivating to Joanna.
Lord's Log: "Joanna requires your noble-level hospitality, costing 150,000 gold coins and food points per day..."
Su Yue stared in shock at the message in the lord's log.
"Holy crap, are you eating gold?"
"Eating 150,000 of my gold coins a day? That's poisonous!"
Su Yue knew the lord's log wouldn't lie to him, so he immediately gestured to Eric, the steward, who was standing nearby. Eric came over and said, "Joanna's steward has requested very luxurious treatment and living conditions..."
"Try negotiating with him properly. How dare a servant speak on behalf of his master?"
150,000 a day? That's 4.5 million in 30 days?
I could marry a whole village of wives.
Eric was talking to Joanna, the steward, and they lowered the price to 20,000 gold coins a day... There was no other way; they were living under someone else's roof and were afraid of angering the Canaan lord, Su Yue... But in any case, the daily allowance of 20,000 gold coins could not be lowered any further. He claimed that this was already the "minimum standard" for the Earl's survival, and if it were lowered any further, he would rather commit suicide.
"..."
"Alright, 20,000 gold coins a day... Elie is about that level now."
Su Yue shook his head... He was spending 600,000 a month to support this countess, hoping she could bring him enough profit and value.
"Otherwise, it would just be about luxury and enjoyment; this territory doesn't support idlers!"
"Other nobles also made similar demands."
Su Yue's expression immediately turned cold: "Tell them to get out!"
"yes!"
He could barely tolerate Joanna, but other nobles wanted to do the same thing.
climb!!
Su Yue certainly knew that supporting them would have its benefits, but that was before. Now, the entire Bato Empire's countdoms had fallen and been bloodied. Investing in them was like spending money now to invest in their future returns... and the returns on that investment were uncertain.
He might as well use that money to invest in his territory. Who knows if these nobles think he's weak and easy to bully, or even that providing them with a luxurious lifestyle is his duty?
Therefore, Su Yue naturally could not agree to their request.
As for the decrease in favorability?
It doesn't matter.
Who do you think you are?
Now I'm the local bigwig, and you all need my protection. Even if you're unhappy, you have to put up with it! That's just human nature. Even if these nobles are dissatisfied with Su Yue, they have to tolerate it and even flatter him.
—Strength! That's the true reason why you can stand tall and proud.
"What?! Twenty thousand?!"
Joanna stared blankly at Su Yue, sighed, and said, "Let's lower the price by another ten thousand. The Count of 'Kavrwit' has been engulfed by heretical shepherds and civil war, and the Lord of Canaan is also facing the threat of war. We can't possibly cause him any more trouble... We're already feeling bad enough."
“But Master, Your Excellency Joanna, if you… if you cut back on spending, you won’t be able to enjoy many fine wines and foods… and wartime prices are rising. A smoked fish used to cost 15 gold coins, but now it’s 50 gold coins. Wine has also gone up from 5 gold coins per pint to 20 gold coins per pint, and it’s still rising… We also have to deduct the tax on Imperial Marks for exchange into pints. Those unscrupulous merchants believe the Empire might be defeated and no longer recognize Imperial Marks…”
The war caused farmers to be forced to stop working, naturally disrupting the supply chain. This led to rising prices for food and produce, so the steward's claim of 20,000 gold coins a day didn't seem to be entirely unfounded... But Joanna said:
"Prioritize the overall situation..."
"Oh!! Lady Joanna, you've really gone through so much trouble!"
His food, clothing, and other necessities on the ship were all top-of-the-line...
Joanna, however, gave Su Yue the impression of a lord determined to die for his cause. She said, "Lord Su Yue, please come here for a moment."
Late at night, Su Yue was talking and exchanging ideas with a large number of nobles... learning about the situation and state of the fall of the earldom. He learned that there were still five or six isolated armies and a dozen or so small castles still resisting.
The largest of these castles is the Duke of Futenburg's fortress, but they have now been cut off by imperial rebels, and some castles are running out of food and under siege. It is unknown how long they can hold out.
Most nobles were pessimistic about the civil war, and morale was low due to the death of the old Earl of Bartogar in the "Kavlwit" County!
"Oh? What brings Lady Joanna to me?"
This was Su Yue's first time dealing with these nobles, and he found that they liked to speak in a grandiose and roundabout way. For example, they would insist on using several fancy adjectives to describe a corpse; and they had a lot of rules about holding a glass. Just now, the two nobles had subtly and evasively described the correct way to hold a wine glass.
Su Yue is also learning, but she doesn't deliberately try to change.
Strength is the true source of confidence.
If he is strong enough, these nobles will have to grit their teeth and follow his lead. Moreover, the customs of the Empire, elves, dwarves, and orcs are completely different. The reason he learns these court etiquettes is purely to fulfill the promises Abraham has made for him, and to prepare for contact with or even marriage with the future "Imperial Princess".
Once Su Yue is able to marry a woman from the imperial family, and even form a politically intertwined relationship and rule, possessing a certain blood relationship, he will become a relative of the empire!
His path to advancement will be smoother—after all, Su Yue is a human lord.
Of course, his faction is still marked as "The Great Old Ones".
There are some subtle, nuanced differences and things involved, waiting for the right moment in the future to react and change!
Joanna looked at Su Yue and said, "I brought part of my dowry. This refuge has caused you a great deal of trouble. Once the rebels find out I am in your Canaan territory, they will surely launch a large-scale attack and cause trouble, creating a crisis..."
"hehe……"
Su Yue curiously sized up the blonde beauty in front of him.
Her shoulders and collarbone were exposed.
A slightly strong fragrance of perfume wafted to Su Yue's nose. The wine glasses and the aristocratic dining table and residence were arranged perfectly.
Joanna said, "I will give you this part of the dressing case in my personal capacity. I hope you will accept it."
—To win them over.
Social maneuvers commonly used by high-ranking nobles when dealing with lower-ranking nobles.
On the one hand, the emperor promised power and status. He often awarded his subordinate nobles war medals, such as Imperial Heroes and Iron Cross medals, as well as titles of nobility, monetary rewards, and marriage alliances with beautiful women.
Joanna, standing before him, was clearly trying to "win over and bestow favors" upon her subordinate!
Lord's Log: "Joanna has gifted you a list of cosmetics, totaling 5.87 million gold coins!"
"!!!?"
"What the heck?! It's so expensive?"
Su Yue stared in shock at the lord's logbook. Not far away, he saw many valuable items filled with rubies, sapphires, and various jade and agate, which Eric had taken into the council's treasury... Because of 100% loyalty and mutual supervision, Su Yue's territory's property was not afraid of being embezzled.
Su Yue was initially somewhat dissatisfied with Joanna's extravagant spending, but now that she's offering him money, he's quite pleased.
"Thank you, Your Excellency..."
Joanna said, "Your territory needs to recruit troops. I will write to the other nobles in the 'Kavrwit' Count territory to issue a statement to the entire territory, hoping to have a positive impact on your territory."
"..."
Lord's Log: "Joanna has officially settled in the Canaan Territory and received your protection. During the protection period, the Canaan Territory will be temporarily regarded as the central area of the "Kavlwit" Earl's Domain. Imperial attraction +50%, refugee attraction +50%."
—The remnants of the Empire will view your Canaanite territory as Joanna's mobile palace and gathering point… Your territory has an 80% increased chance of gathering the remaining Imperial forces!
"Your legitimacy in Canaanite territory +4!"
"You have protected Lady Joanna, Imperial reputation +5!"
"Emperor Henry VII of the Batho Empire's favor towards you +5!"
Holy crap!!!
"This is getting interesting..."
The Soviet Union and Yue became the very foundation of the Bato Empire, the flag and center of the "Kavrwit"...
"That's right, Joanna's advantages outweigh her disadvantages."
"And most importantly, I see that she doesn't have any clergy accompanying her... which is quite good."
If any remnants of the Holy See's power remain around Joanna, Su Yue must carry out a bloodbath against the Holy See, no reason why!
If you really have to ask why, it's because the main sect in his territory is the Dominican Order, a spiritual sect of "devil cultists"...
"You should get some rest. I'm going to take a nap too."
Su Yue bids farewell to Joanna.
Joanna gestured for her servants to draw the curtains, then dismissed the protection of the noble knights and servants not far away, her jewel-like pale blue-black pupils fixed on Su Yue.
"I'm also very tired tonight, but there are still many things I want to talk to you about alone."
Her eyes sparkled with a seductive and alluring hint.
Her aloofness and her pale, almost imperceptible skin!
And then there's that alluring collarbone and slender waist.
At that moment, she pulled the splint off her chest and handed it to Su Yue...
Su Yue's pupils suddenly contracted...
The countess's fair, delicate hand actually reached towards his neck and armor...
"The nobles outside are still holding a banquet..."
Joanna leaned down and whispered gently in his ear, "Isn't this better?"
"..."
“Raise your head.”
As Joanna touched Su Yue's chin, a mysterious smile of interest appeared in her eyes. At that moment, Joanna was startled!
“I have no intention of offending you, but this is a war you started.”
"I have only one attitude towards the enemy in war."
Joanna's rosy nose and scarlet lips parted slightly, the gemstone necklaces clinking together, gleaming with a creamy white light...
"What attitude?"
"Completely conquer it!"
"!!!"
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