Chapter 82: Chapter 73: Preparations for the Fiefdom’s Major Infrastructure
Henry stepped out of the room and looked at his team, all ready to depart. His mind raced as he began to question himself.
’Is it wrong to enjoy the praise and admiration of others?’ Henry quickly found his answer.
’I’ve done nothing wrong. Slaanesh is the one at fault! I’m just living my life, so why is it messing with me?’
’It’s only natural to enjoy the praise and admiration of others. Just as a lion displays its magnificent form on a rocky cliff, it too has its own pride and self-esteem.’
Henry donned his Cotton Armor and Chain Armor, then mounted his horse. As he looked at Bain, who stood proudly with his head held high and chest puffed out in his Square Banner Knight Armor, a question couldn’t help but surface.
’Why are two Holy Spirits serving me, of all people?’
Henry shook his head and led his team on the journey home. They rode out of the city, following a wide road as the sound of their horses’ hooves echoed in the cold winter wind.
On the way back, Henry kept a sharp eye out for small business opportunities.
In a small village near Feikawen, the headman was selling a batch of refined salt at a low price.
Henry haggled with him for a while, and with several of his skills activating, he ultimately purchased the salt at a very satisfactory price.
By the time they reached Onira, they encountered a merchant who was fretting over a batch of pearl rice seeds that wouldn’t sell.
After some negotiation, Henry acquired the goods at a low price. Once he returned to his fief, he could have his serfs plant them in the spring. This would reduce the consumption of wheat and other grains, representing a very handsome profit.
As their journey progressed, Henry and his men drew ever closer to his fief.
By the time they arrived in Odoche, their bags were filled with various goods—all the fruits of Henry’s low-ball purchases and aggressive haggling along the way.
Henry led his team into Odoche and went straight to Count John’s Earl’s Mansion to find his steward.
"Knight Henry, it’s a pleasure to see you again."
Bain reminded him from the side, "It’s Baron."
The steward blinked. "Honorable Baron Henry Bro, please forgive my offense. News of your promotion has not yet reached us... Perhaps the staff at the records office are aware, but I truly did not know."
Henry urged his horse forward a few steps, until his warhorse’s head was nearly touching the steward’s face.
"No matter. I’m here to make a deal."
At a wave of Henry’s hand, his soldiers—now fully re-equipped and upgraded to steppe riders—opened the chests on the carriages, displaying a dazzling array of luxury goods.
Magnificent silks, exquisite jewelry, precious spices, and all sorts of rare works of art.
The same silk might sell for a hundred Dinars in the imperial capital, but here, it could easily fetch six hundred!
These goods were cheaper the farther west one went, and more expensive the farther east. You could say this was a grand procurement package, tailor-made for John!
Count John’s steward inspected the goods. They were certainly items the Count would desire. Nobles needed all sorts of luxuries to flaunt their wealth and their family’s prestige.
"Baron Henry, Count John has taken his Personal Guard to inspect his domain. These goods are too valuable; I don’t have the authority to decide on a trade."
Henry pointed to the carriages. "This stock could fetch at least six thousand Dinars at the open market. You can’t make a decision for that amount?"
The steward’s mouth fell open. He wanted to ask Henry how he could say that so casually—that was over six thousand Dinars!
The steward’s gaze swept back and forth over the goods in the carriages, mentally calculating their value again and again. He found that Henry was right; in the east, this haul would fetch at least six thousand Dinars. There was no room to haggle the price down.
"Baron Henry, I can prepare a payment of four thousand two hundred Dinars. For the remainder, we can trade in goods."
Henry considered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Four thousand two hundred Dinars in cash, and you can cover the remaining two thousand with physical goods."
The steward thought quickly before replying, "We can provide some quality Traveling Horses, as well as some disciplined serfs, shepherd slaves, seeds, tools, and a large quantity of potatoes and pearl rice."
Henry considered for a moment. These resources would indeed be valuable for his fief, which was about to begin a major infrastructure build-up. All of these items would be useful.
"I accept the proposal, but we’ll need to work out the specific terms. I want this notarized at the public records office. It’s better for both of us that way."
The two began a detailed discussion of the specific terms. Henry insisted that the horses must be healthy; no old ones would be accepted.
The serfs and shepherd slaves also had to be young and able to begin work immediately. As for the seeds and tools, he demanded they be from the newest batch and completely undamaged.
After some intense haggling, the two finally reached an agreement.
Henry received four thousand two hundred Dinars in cash, plus two thousand Dinars’ worth of horses, serfs, shepherd slaves, seeds, and tools. The goods would be sent directly to his fief, and the cash was paid on the spot.
The two went to the public records office in Odoche to notarize the contract. The steward signed and stamped it, using his status as an honorary lord of the Hoyland Clan.
"This has been a pleasant transaction. I trust we’ll have more opportunities to cooperate in the future."
The steward also smiled in response. "Honorable Baron Henry, your wisdom and decisiveness are impressive. When Count John returns, I will report this transaction to him in detail."
Henry nodded. That same afternoon, he led his team out of Odoche. They set off on the road back to his fief, carrying the low-priced refined salt and spices they had purchased in the central lands, as well as their newly acquired resources.
As required by the contract, the steward temporarily assigned two Militia Teams as an escort, solving Henry’s manpower problem for transport. This deal would allow his fief to develop much faster.
As the sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance, Henry’s figure disappeared down the road outside of Odoche.
Escorted by the two Militia Teams, Henry and his party made their way toward his fief along a winding dirt road.
The midwinter sun filtered through sparse clouds, casting a sliver of warmth upon them during their cold journey.
As they drew closer to Westwood Laine, Henry began to ponder how best to utilize his newly acquired resources.
These resources wouldn’t bring any development to the domain if they weren’t put to use.
Now he had three new villages in knight’s demesnes to build up. Their coordination, resource allocation, and taxation all required him to draw up a master plan.
The sun sank lower and lower until night fell, and the party made camp in an open field. The Cavalry fanned out to scout the area, while the Militia set up camp and started fires with the serfs.
Henry sat by a bonfire, map in hand, carefully planning the future of his fief.
