Chapter 52: Chapter 43: Cooperating Again, Freeloading Logistics and 1 Cannon-Fodder Army
A more elite army tempered by the fires of war, valuable Half-Beastman heads, the glory of Bravery...
’It’s all so tempting!’
Henry put down his wine glass, took his leave of Count John, and then brought Bain and Ailia back to rest.
"My lord, why’d we stop eating? The food was great," Bain asked, wiping his mouth, utterly perplexed.
’Henry gave a gift of eighty whole Dinars—enough to buy over two thousand pounds of wheat! But I only got to eat one little golden lamb shank and drink three glasses of apple juice. I definitely didn’t eat my money’s worth!’
Henry gave Bain a speechless look. Ailia, in her formal gown, was a much more pleasant sight.
’Her figure and looks were already quite good, and after becoming head maid, she no longer had to do the menial, tiring chores. Now, in a formal gown, she was a far cry from Bain, who was stuffing his face.’
"Bain, take five Grassland Warriors and leave first thing tomorrow morning. Go back and tell Claude to prepare the army’s grain for a campaign. We might be going to war again."
Bain nodded and, seeing there were no further orders, took his leave.
As Ailia made Henry’s bed, she asked, "My lord, why are we staying here? We didn’t bring any of your other clothes. Should I buy a few new sets?"
"You can. Oh, and buy some quality pajamas and underwear. This set I’m wearing is warm, but it’s scratchy and uncomfortable."
’A man’s got to take care of his privates!’
Henry changed his clothes, fell into bed, and enjoyed a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next morning, when Henry woke, he found a lemon cake made by Ailia waiting for him, along with a breakfast sent over by the Count’s butler.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Henry said to Ailia with a sigh, "Ailia, the lemon cake is delicious, but I’ll get tired of it if I have it too often. I’d prefer it as an occasional treat, not an everyday thing... I’m not criticizing you."
"Yes, my lord. I’ll try learning to make other desserts."
After Henry finished eating, Ailia took the Grassland Warriors temporarily assigned to her protection and went out to buy him some personal garments.
Having Light Cavalry really made a difference. He had more men on hand at all times, and it didn’t slow down his travels.
"Sir Henry, the Count wishes to speak with you in his study."
Henry, of course, would not refuse. Odoche was the Count’s domain, and for the foreseeable future, Henry’s fief would need to source supplies, people, and more from here.
"Henry, you’re far too generous! Eighty Dinars as a gift for my son’s celebration! Haha, some Knights only gave fifty, and it clearly pained them to part with even that."
Henry smiled and settled into a nearby armchair. "We’re friends, so of course the gift had to be fitting," he said with a chuckle. "But things aren’t easy for me, either. The price of serfs and shepherd slaves is starting to climb, and grain prices are fluctuating as well.
Damn those desert and coastal merchants. They’ve started to think their money gives them the right to threaten the nobility."
Count John agreed completely. "Those big merchants are getting more and more brazen."
"Exactly, my thoughts precisely. Our great King recently launched a major audit. In the western coastal regions, all the nobles and merchants who were colluding have been purged. His Majesty is truly wise! The deaths of those fools will free up more land."
The way of the empire now is that nobles can engage in commerce to make money, but they must maintain their authority to rule and never relinquish their military strength.
Great merchants are forbidden from having more than two thousand armed guards. The amount of armor they can possess is also strictly limited, and they are subject to higher taxes.
Did no one resist? Of course, they did. But the nobles across the empire loved it when great merchants rebelled. It gave them a legitimate reason to seize their immense fortunes.
"Count, what did you want to discuss? A new partnership?"
"Correct. The Half-Beastmen have been sighted again."
"I’m aware. I’ve already sent a man back to prepare our grain stores. I will lead my army to Autongard and join this feast."
John shook his head. "It’s not just Autongard. They’ve been spotted in Tiyaer in the snowy plains of the Northern Territory, in Danustika at the hub of the Inner Sea, and in Housen Fulger in the southern desert."
After hearing what John said, Henry first felt a pang of nervousness, but it was quickly replaced by excitement.
"Are the Half-Beastmen launching a counter-offensive?"
"Possibly. The Eleventh Legion recovered a number of parchments. The intelligence deciphered from them suggests the Half-Beastmen intend to reclaim their lands."
Henry nodded. ’So that’s how it is. Humans and Half-Beastmen have been at each other’s throats for centuries. It looks like this conflict won’t end until one side is completely crushed.’
"So, a partnership?"
"Of course. My second son will go with you. I have only one condition: keep him safe. His army will also be under your command.
I will supply your army with grain—at the standard wartime allotment for a Legion. I will also provide you with twenty warhorses, thirty sets of Cotton Armor, ten sets of Zha Armor, ten sets of Chain Armor, two hundred iron-tipped spears, twenty Imperial Long Swords, and twenty grassland sabers."
As he said this, John rubbed his eyes and sighed. "I’m his father. This is as much as I can do for him. He’s never been to a battlefield... I’m worried."
After a moment of quick consideration, Henry agreed.
’The number of troops mobilized this time would be enormous. John’s offer to provide grain was better than anything else; that alone was a handsome reward.’
’As for the rest of the armaments, only the twenty warhorses were particularly appealing.’
"You dote on your younger son."
"Of course. My eldest son will inherit my Countship, but my second son cannot. I can only help him as much as I can without incurring the great King’s wrath."
Henry didn’t haggle. It was a win-win situation.
’All I have to do is babysit one "little prince," and in return, I get a huge amount of logistical support and a "cannon fodder" army. Asking for more would just be offensive.’
With the terms of their partnership settled, the two chatted about other matters, like the changes in Henry’s fiefdom.
Henry’s expansion had been completely open and aboveboard; he made no effort to hide it. Anyone paying attention knew that Henry had occupied three unclaimed knight-level fiefs.
"There aren’t many who’ve done what you have. It is indeed compliant with imperial law, but it bends the rules of decorum. We’ll have to see what our great King decides."
"That’s exactly why I plan to stay here for a few more days—to wait for news from the Royal Capital."
And so, Henry remained in Odoche for another three days before the news he was waiting for finally arrived.
The Count’s eldest son’s wedding banquet had merely been a coincidence. What Henry truly cared about was the news from the Royal Capital.
"Sir Knight, you have been granted legal dominion over Hernlei Village, Tixilei Village, and Taienlai Village. Furthermore, the status of your holding at Westwood Laine has been officially changed from a village to a castle.
You have received the royal certification of our great King. It has been officially recorded and entered into your noble family’s genealogy."
The official from the Imperial Office was the very picture of reverence, though clearly shocked by this outcome!
