Chapter 486 The Birth of an Empire! (Part 3)
The Stranglethorn Vale, located in the southwest of Idar Province, is an absolute important border town of the Principality of Idar.
It only takes less than a day to get from Stranglethorn Vale to Idar City even by horse-drawn carriage. If you use the Principality of Idar's steam train, it will probably only take a few hours.
As the largest border port in the Principality of Idar, thousands of refugees enter the Principality of Idar through the Stranglethorn Vale Customs every day.
The escalating chaos in the empire made people's lives increasingly difficult.
Even though the Church of Light has now completed its rule over the inland of the empire, the lives of the people have not improved at all.
after all……
Compared with resettling the people and improving their livelihood, it seems that only by selling indulgences and earning commissions can the local bishops gain more profits and fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the priests and bishops.
It is for this reason that, almost from the day the Stranglethorn Customs was established, the number of refugees passing through the Stranglethorn Customs inspection and entering the Principality of Idar has been increasing every day.
It is no exaggeration to say that...
Among the refugees who successfully immigrated to the Principality of Idar, more than one-third of the population entered the land in the eastern part of the continent through the Stranglethorn Vale Customs.
If they want to pass through the Stranglethorn Customs, then the Conte Territory, located on the west side of the Stranglethorn Customs, is the only way for these homeless refugees that they cannot avoid no matter what.
Even in name, the relationship between the Territory of Conte and the Principality of Idar is that of independent forces that do not interfere with each other.
But in reality...how is this possible?
As a friendly neighbor of the Principality of Idar, the Territory of Conte can be said to be one of the noble territories most influenced by the Principality of Idar.
Whether it was the work point system commonly practiced in the Principality of Idar or the serf liberation system practiced in the Principality of Idar, over time, they both became the employment system commonly practiced in the Territory of Conte.
Even the Protestant ideas have already swept across this land adjacent to the Principality of Idar.
There is no way, the County of Conte is too close to the neighboring Principality of Idar.
If Viscount Conte had not shown some sincerity to retain the local people, then the current Conte Territory would have become a wasteland! No, to correct it, the south bank of the Moore River has already become a wasteland.
Because in the north of Conte Territory, that is, on the north bank of the Moore River, the fertile land now has another name - Moore Valley Special Economic Zone (Yi)! The key point is the word in the brackets!
The agreement signed between the Principality of Idar and the Lord of Conte clearly stated the rights of the Idar people on the north bank of the Moore River. (See Chapter 154 for details) According to the content of the agreement, in addition to the relevant provisions on the joint establishment of Moore Wine Industry by Duke Bruno Stuart of Idar and Viscount Conte,
The Idar army will also be responsible for ensuring public security on the north bank of the Moore River, and Locke, the chief executive of the Moore District, will be in charge of all matters concerning the "Moore Manor" winery and the Moore River Valley Special Economic Zone.
so……
The north and south banks of the Moore River now have completely different appearances.
In fact, to be fair,
Viscount Conte was not a mean noble, nor was he cruel in governing his subjects, but... everything is afraid of comparison! Even though Viscount Conte was extremely kind compared to the nobles in the inland, he was still a far cry from the Principality of Idar on the other side of Stranglethorn Vale.
Of course, being neighbors with the Principality of Idar also has many benefits.
Precisely because of the extremely close ties with the Principality of Idar, the various disputes in the interior of the empire in recent years have hardly affected Viscount Conte's aristocratic territory, which can be regarded as a relief for the elderly Viscount.
As a friendly neighbor of the Principality of Idar, the Idar Drama Troupe's national tour will naturally not leave out the Principality of Conte.
In addition to performing the popular play "The Partners of Idar" for the refugees waiting to pass through customs in the Idar-controlled area on the north bank of the Moor River, the Idar Repertory Theatre was invited to the lord's castle of Viscount Conte to perform alone for the elderly Viscount.
In this era, drama is undoubtedly a new form of performance.
But Viscount Conte was not a pedantic and stubborn aristocrat, so he did not resist at all.
Especially when he saw that the three young people in the play had known each other since their student days, supported each other to create their own careers, and finally realized their "Idar-style dreams"...
Viscount Conte even put himself into the story from his own perspective. While he was deeply shocked, he was also amazed at the ups and downs and eye-catching new art form of drama.
"Reward! You deserve it! What a great performance!"
Viscount Conte clapped his hands and asked his personal attendant to take out a stack of brand new Idar banknotes from his pocket.
Today, the portability of paper money and the extremely high national credit of the Principality of Idar have long made the Principality of Idar's paper money widely circulated throughout the eastern part of the continent.
Even in independent territories such as the Kingdom of Cecil, Conte Territory, and Port Hobbs, or concessions of the Principality of Idar, Idar banknotes have also become one of the most popular circulating currencies on the market.
But at this moment, Viscount Conte's old butler stumbled in from the door, waving a carefully sealed letter in his hand:
"Your Excellency! This is a handwritten letter from Duke Idar!"
"letter?"
Upon hearing this, Viscount Conte was obviously a little surprised.
Even the Kingdom of Cecil, far to the west of the continent, already had long-distance communication equipment managed by the Idar people, and his own Conte Territory was naturally no exception.
If there is any information that needs to be exchanged on a daily basis, you can communicate directly with the young Duke through the remote communication device provided by the Principality of Idar.
So, since this more efficient way of communication came into being, he hasn't seen such a formal letter for some time.
Curiously shaking the letter and checking the seal, Viscount Conte, who had just finished watching a drama, opened the letter from a friendly neighboring country with ease.
then……
Before he even finished reading the first sentence, Viscount Conte stood there in a daze, his whole body tense.
"Lord Viscount?"
The old butler waved tentatively in front of Viscount Conte.
"call--"
After a long while, Viscount Conte finally came back to his senses and said with a complicated expression: "The son of my old friend is truly an extraordinary person!"
"From now on... the Stuart family may be the future ruler of the continent!"
This letter written by Bruno himself was naturally an invitation letter.
The content of the letter can be summarized in one sentence - in the name of the ruler of the Principality of Idar and the patriarch of the Stuart family, Viscount Conte is invited to attend the independence celebration of the Principality of Idar!
Upon hearing this,
The old butler said, "That's a good thing! The Principality of Idar is now very powerful, and you have helped Lord Bruno a lot in the past."
"It's one thing to help, but Bruno is now carrying the entire Principality of Idar on his shoulders! So... he is inviting me to participate in the independence celebration, but at the same time he is also asking for my decision..."
"Decision?" The old butler was slightly stunned.
"Now the Church of Light dominates the inland, the Principality of Idar dominates the east, and together with the Kingdom of Cecil and the Odin Empire..."
"These forces will have a head-on conflict sooner or later. If the Principality of Idar wants to advance inland, there are only two ways to go. One is through the Valens Plain, and the other is..."
Viscount Conte paused and continued, "...the other way is naturally to go through Conte Territory and go west along the Moore River."
As he spoke, Viscount Conte couldn't help but smile: "Although I already understand that joining the Principality of Idar is the most appropriate choice now, but... if I really have to give up this family land, I will still feel a little reluctant."
only……
No matter how reluctant he was, Viscount Conte had already known in his heart that the Territory of Conte and the Principality of Idar had long been inseparable.
Not only the special economic zone on the north bank of the Moore River and the Moore Winery, which was making a fortune, but even Viscount Conte's youngest daughter, Isabel, was now teaching at Idar Public University! Therefore, although the Conte Territory had always maintained its nominal independence, its relationship with the Principality of Idar was inseparable, and the interpersonal relations were even more complicated.
"My Lord Viscount, although we may have to give up the land, but... you know Lord Bruno's character best, and he will definitely not treat our family unfairly." said the old butler.
"It's natural..."
Viscount Conte sighed deeply: "Independence is a good thing. I just hope that the Principality of Idar can clear all obstacles on its way forward as soon as possible. Only in this way can the status of the family rise accordingly."
…
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Almost in the blink of an eye, the new year has quietly arrived amidst everyone's attention.
January 1, 540 of the new calendar! For all Idar people, this will surely become an unforgettable day in their lives.
It was almost daybreak.
The agents of the Idar CIA and the police officers of the Idar Public Security Bureau have already arrived at their designated locations fully armed, looking at the surrounding streets and alleys with vigilant eyes.
This is an important moment for the Principality of Idar and all Idarians! There is absolutely no room for error! Almost since a week ago, any slight movement in Idar City would set off alarm bells in the hearts of many security personnel.
Whether it is Idar Avenue running through the city from north to south, or Jingshi Road running from east to west, the two most important main roads in Idar city have long been declared under martial law with the assistance of the Idar military.
According to the plan made by the Idar City Hall, the Idar Independence Celebration will be officially held at 10 am that day.
but……
At this moment,
Even though it was only early morning, people who had heard the news had already gathered in the previously designated viewing area and were waiting quietly.
The people of Idar have waited too long for this day.
Many of them came all the way from the Plains of Valence, the Province of Basel, and even from Port Hobbs and the Province of Padilla.
Just to witness with my own eyes this glorious moment that belongs to the Principality of Idar and all the people of Idar!
Today, they will say goodbye to their past selves! Together with this country, they will usher in their own new life! The palace is majestic and the flags are flying.
At the urging of the Idar City Hall, the Idar Palace, located in the center of Idar City, was basically completed a few days before the independence celebration.
At least... the main building exposed on Jingshi Road has been completed, and only the interior of the palace needs to be carefully carved.
This building, with Buckingham Palace as its main body, combines a variety of palace buildings and incorporates the design concepts of countless great engineers of the Principality of Idar. It is a spectacular building that suits Bruno's heart and has become the second [SSSSS]-level wonder of the Principality of Idar!
Both its land area and number of buildings are far beyond the ordinary buildings of the previous life.
Under Bruno's personal guidance, this palace, which symbolizes the power and status of the Stuart family, continued to use Western architectural styles, but also absorbed some symmetrical and integrated design concepts from Chinese architecture.
This also makes the Idar Palace no longer just a palace, but an entire palace complex covering a vast area!
all in all……
Even Bruno himself couldn't help but exclaim in amazement when he saw this spectacular complex of buildings.
There is no doubt that
The Idar Palace is a comprehensive palace.
It can be regarded as the epitome of various palace buildings! In addition, in the square in front of the Idar Palace, which is the intersection of Idar Avenue and Jingshi Road, a building that has been shrouded in a layer of dark curtain for several months finally stood in the flickering morning light on this day, showing in front of everyone.
Idar Heroes Monument!
This is an obelisk-like building forged from steel.
The marble at the base of the monument was dug from the main hall of the Royal Palace of Basel, and the main structure above was reforged from various melee weapons captured from several wars.
On the front of the monument,
These are two lines of golden words written by Bruno himself:
The heroes who fought for Idar's independence will live forever! The heroes who fought for the future of Idar people will live forever! Perhaps to others, this monument is puzzling.
But……
In Bruno's heart and in the hearts of all Idar people, those heroes who are not afraid of life and death when facing danger deserve this honor!
Today,
Bruno Stuart, the ruler of the Principality of Idar, will stand on the super-large terrace of the Idar Palace, opposite the Idar Heroes Monument, and announce the independence of the principality and the birth of the empire to all Idar people!
(End of this chapter)
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