Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 108: Chapter 92: Can Hiring Out an Army Develop the Economy?

The contingent of Senior Infantry swept through the town of Westwood Laine like a storm.

’These are no ordinary citizens. We have to strike hard!’

At Henry’s command, the operation proceeded swiftly, unerringly storming the gangs’ gathering places.

These soldiers had been forged in countless battles, and their combat skills and teamwork were honed to perfection.

Facing the gang members was almost effortless.

Without a trace of hesitation or mercy, One-Handed Staffs cracked down and shields bashed. Every attack sent the gang members screaming in agony.

The gang members, who normally lorded over everyone in the streets, were like fragile branches in a gale before these well-trained soldiers, powerless to resist.

Some gang members tried to draw crude weapons and fight back, but they were met with even swifter blows. The Senior Infantry soldiers, though outnumbered, handled the fights with ease.

The soldiers didn’t even need to bother defending. The gang members’ attacks couldn’t even scratch them.

"Drop your weapons! Surrender immediately!" The soldiers’ shouts struck fear into the heart of every gang member.

The gang leaders had initially thought that by gathering a force of able-bodied men, they could bargain with the soldiers. They quickly discovered how ridiculously wrong they were.

If the local nobility didn’t permit gangs to exist, then there was no fertile ground for them to grow in!

Under the blows of the soldiers’ One-Handed Staffs, the gang strongholds were dismantled one by one. The once-arrogant gang members could only flee like beaten dogs.

Their so-called "prestige" and "influence" proved utterly fragile in the face of real power.

For the Free People, who had recently suffered from the gangs’ bullying and intimidation, the arrival of the Senior Infantry was like a welcome rain after a long drought.

When they saw the gang members who had terrorized them beaten to the ground, their hearts swelled with immense relief and joy.

"We’re finally free from those thugs’ oppression!"

A Free Person working as a laborer on a construction site watched the gang members being led away and said excitedly to the carpenter beside him.

"That’s right! The Baron’s soldiers have come, which means better days are ahead!" a young blacksmith exclaimed, brandishing his hammer.

With the gangs eliminated, order was quickly restored in Westwood Laine without any further disruption.

The open-air market began to thrive once more. Small merchant caravans could conduct their business in peace, and the artisans could focus on their crafts.

"My lord, we’ve captured seventy-one in total."

Henry didn’t glance at the list in Claude’s hand. "I don’t care who they are or what skills they have," he said directly. "Send them all to the silver mines. If anyone tries to hide ore, they can eat it for dinner."

Henry showed no mercy. A firm hand was necessary to deal with these saboteurs.

The gang leaders were arrested, their smuggled goods were seized, and all their recent illicit earnings were confiscated.

The merchants who had participated in the smuggling and tax evasion were also severely punished.

For Henry, it was a welcome windfall—enough to buy a dozen head of cattle.

News of his actions quickly spread throughout Westwood Laine, and the people were full of praise for Henry’s decisiveness and justice. They saw his concern for his subjects and his commitment to maintaining order.

In the wake of this operation, merchants became more compliant with the rules, and artisans could work with greater peace of mind.

Henry’s authority was solidified, and his reputation among the people grew even stronger.

With high approval from his people, Henry could reduce expenditures on peacekeeping and maintaining stability, freeing him from having to spread his forces too thin.

「Meanwhile」

After successfully stabilizing their new knightly fiefs, Baron Edmund and Baron Calvin were not satisfied with their recent gains.

Their eyes turned to the surrounding lands, where more knightly fiefs waited to be annexed and plundered.

’We’ve hired elite soldiers, so we should make the most of them, right?’

Edmund launched another meticulously planned war. He chose a fief with relatively weak defenses as his target, one that was situated along a main road in Odoche and profited from tolls.

Through secret alliances and diplomacy, Edmund successfully isolated the fief and cut off its external support.

He then led a powerful army of elite Cavalry and Henry’s infantry, launching a lightning-fast attack.

Within just a few days, the knightly fief was annexed, its lands and resources absorbed into Edmund’s domain.

Not to be outdone, Baron Calvin selected a knightly fief rich in livestock but ruled by an incompetent noble.

It was an old knightly family whose descendants were resting on their ancestors’ laurels, living an idle and degenerate life, having long lost the noble virtue of Bravery.

With astonishing speed and power, Calvin’s army swiftly broke through the enemy’s defenses and occupied the heart of the fief.

Under Calvin’s iron-fisted rule, the fief was quickly stabilized, and its population and food resources were effectively integrated into his domain.

These two successful military campaigns not only greatly increased the size of Edmund’s and Calvin’s domains but also brought them more people and food supplies.

The troops Henry had dispatched played a crucial role in Edmund’s and Calvin’s battles.

They performed exceptionally on the battlefield, not only helping the two barons achieve swift victories but also seizing a large quantity of spoils, as per their agreement.

These spoils included precious gems, works of art, armaments, and food.

Most importantly, while Henry sat comfortably at home, Overlord Training points rained down from the heavens!

This gave him more resources to train and expand his army!

The successive wars in this region sent shockwaves through the surrounding areas.

Sharp-eyed observers noticed one name that kept appearing in connection with these events: Henry. After all, everyone in the region knew what the local nobles were typically like.

After attending the Wolf Hunting Festival hosted by Henry, both Edmund and Calvin had suddenly acquired several hundred elite, professional soldiers!

Many lesser nobles and small merchants began seeking alliances with Henry, hoping to join his rapidly growing faction to find new opportunities for themselves.

Major merchants from regions like Odoche and Akakrat began to take notice of the land’s potential and value.

They investigated the order and progress in Westwood Laine under Henry’s governance. They also noted the new developments on the southeastern border brought about by Edmund’s and Calvin’s expansion.

These shrewd merchants began sending envoys to contact Claude, discussing the possibility of investing in factories and Workshops. They saw the region as an ideal place for investment.

The large, untapped labor pool would allow them to scale up production, expand their influence, and forge ties with a rising noble house.

Claude was put in charge of negotiations, ensuring any cooperation would be mutually beneficial.

After a series of discussions and negotiations, several major merchants decided to invest in building factories and Workshops in Westwood Laine.

They brought with them advanced technology and management experience. These new facilities not only provided numerous jobs for the Free People of Westwood Laine but also stimulated the growth of related industries, raising the overall economic level of the town.

Henry was fully supportive of this, as anything that increased his fief’s production and tax revenue was a welcome development.

At the same time, more merchant caravans began to sign long-term trade agreements with Westwood Laine.

They recognized the region’s market potential. The influx of caravans brought a greater variety of goods and culture, enriching Westwood Laine’s open-air market.

Land lease and stall fees flowed into Henry’s coffers, providing an immediate boost to Westwood Laine’s fragile finances.

As the prestige of Westwood Laine grew, Henry’s sphere of influence began to attract many Independent Knights seeking patronage.

These Knights were eager to find a powerful leader who could offer them protection and support in these turbulent times.

Henry warmly welcomed these Knights who came to pledge fealty, promising to protect their lands.

In return, these Knights pledged to provide Henry with a certain number of high-quality horses and fine weapons annually.

The horses would be used not only for Henry’s Cavalry but also to improve transportation and communication. The weapons would bolster his armory, allowing Henry to train new recruits whenever needed.

After a long day of receiving guests, Henry finally finished his work and sat down at a long dining table with Claude and Tommy.

Candlelight flickered across their faces, and silver cutlery gleamed in the glow. As they enjoyed a delicious meal, the three of them discussed the current situation.

Henry held up his wine glass, gently swirling the contents. "Edmund and Calvin have made remarkable gains in their recent expansions," he said, "but it is time for them to halt their advance and begin consolidating their new territories."

Claude nodded in agreement, setting down his bread. "True," he said seriously. "Anyone paying attention can see that the two barons have had your help, my lord. If they continue, I’m afraid it will attract the ire of Count John."

Henry shook his head. He wasn’t worried about the Count, but rather that their actions might draw the attention of the impatient emperor.

After dinner, Henry returned to his study. He sat at his wooden desk, spread out a fine sheet of parchment, and picked up a quill. After a moment of contemplation, he began to write...

’My dear Baron Edmund, I trust this letter finds you and your family in good health.

First, I must offer my warmest congratulations on your recent military campaigns. The victories you have won not only bring you glory but also add to the splendor of our alliance.

However, as a wise man once said, all things in moderation. While expansion brings short-term benefits, if left unchecked, it can provoke the vigilance and even retaliation of neighboring powers.

Our goal is to build a stable and lasting power, not a fleeting local hegemony.

Therefore, I suggest you now slow your pace and turn your attention to internal affairs. Consolidate your existing territories and strengthen your governance. I urge you to consider my advice carefully, lest you attract the attention of his majesty, the great Emperor.’

After sealing the envelope, Henry wrote another letter to Calvin using the same template and arranged for a messenger to deliver them first thing in the morning.

He hoped Edmund and Calvin would understand his intent and accept his advice. As independent lords, they had their own thoughts and plans, but Henry trusted they were no fools.

Henry picked up the flickering candle and gazed at the map on the wall...