"Lord Marquis, the Earl of Wales has come to meet you."

At the court of Besançon, the court guards reported to Flender, the new ruler of the Marquis of Burgundy, who was dealing with internal affairs.

"Art? He came anyway. Flanders was not surprised by Yat's arrival.

In the previous court meeting to announce the fiefs of the heroes of all parties, those who had made great contributions to their own servants fought for a few village estates, and they almost fought hard. Only the new earl had a calm face, and did not show any dissatisfaction in the slightest. Presumably, in his eyes, there is something more important than a fiefdom. How could this little bit of caution escape Flender's eyes.

"Call him in."

Flender got up and moved his muscles, and told the servant to prepare the drink.

As the first marquis of the Marquis of Burgundy, Flender was still a little uncomfortable for a while. After all, he has been riding horses all his life and is used to military life on horseback. Letting him stay in the palace all day to deal with complicated affairs really gave him a headache. Especially when Hou Guo was first established, everything was waiting to be rebuilt, and the official table was full of Wen Ce, and he needed to decide on all matters.

"Lord Marquis!"

In a few moments, Art, who had come under the guidance of the palace guards, appeared at the door.

"Come in."

Flender turned and walked slowly towards Art.

"Lord Marquis, this is what I specially ordered the people of the European Merchant House to bring back from Provence half a month ago."

After Art's salute, he instructed Ron, who was standing outside the door, to bring in a beautifully wrapped box of gifts.

"I heard that the Marquis has been working day and night for the affairs of the marquis lately, and he has not slept well. This product is produced in the eastern country, and comes by sea, and has the effect of calming the nerves and reducing dryness. Please also take care of your health, Lord Marquis. ”

"Art, it's not easy for you to be considerate of me, a marquis. I have accepted your wishes. ”

Flender turned his head and motioned for the servant to take the gift.

"Yat, sit down."

"Lord Marquis Xie."

After the two of them were seated, Flender glanced at Art and looked at the mind of the new earl in front of him.

"Tell me, is there something you want me to do again?"

Flender leaned his right hand on the armrest and stared at Art with his chin propped up.

"This~"

Art was silent.

"The day before yesterday, you didn't say a word in the court meeting, and you didn't respond to the territory I rewarded you, I'm afraid you have your own careful thoughts. I thought you should come to me in the next two days. ”

Seeing that Art was embarrassed to speak, Flender got straight to the point.

"Lord Marquis, I don't have too many requirements for the territory."

"This battle, in addition to the military exploits of the Liberation Army, is your greatest, and those territories are indeed inconsistent with your military exploits. I'm sure you've heard that those old-fashioned ministers have been clamoring to enter the palace for three days because they have too little fiefdom. I have to deal with the affairs of the marquis on the one hand, and on the other hand, I have to deal with them, and it is not easy for me, the marquis. ”

Flender rubbed his swollen eyes, then picked up his glass and motioned for Art to clink glasses.

"Just tell me straight, what conditions do you want to exchange your territory for? That's what I do to make it up to you. ”

"Lord Marquis, then I'll be straight to the point." Art didn't intend to hide from the smart people.

Flender nodded.

"Lord Marquis, the war that the Marquis has just ended has led to the withering of people's livelihood and the decline of national strength. If you hadn't turned the tide, I'm afraid the Hou Kingdom would still be in danger of being carved up by the surrounding forces. In front of Flender, Art never hesitated to praise him.

"I believe that the most important task in restoring national strength at present is to organize farmers to reopen up farmland that has been abandoned for a long time and grow food. Otherwise, I don't know how many people will die of hunger in the coming year. ”

"You're right, Hou Guo is currently the weakest, just like a piece of fat in the mouths of other principalities, everyone wants to take a bite while it's messy. If we do not hurry up to restore our national strength, there will be no hope for revival. ”

Flender drank the wine from his glass and sighed lightly. The servant hurried to fill it with a flask.

"Lord Marquis, my territory is the most remote and barren in the entire marquisal state. In addition to the wars of recent years, the population has declined, and most places have long been deserted, and food production has also decreased. If we don't have a lot of farm tools and livestock, it will be difficult to recover in a year or two. ”

Judge looked at Flender and continued.

"Therefore, I hope that the Marquis will provide me with the agricultural tools and livestock I need to cultivate the land."

"You are right, Tignets is indeed inferior to other places, and you are also a little aggrieved. I will ask the court to prepare all the farm tools and materials for you, and you can go and get them when the time comes. ”

Flender readily agreed to Art's request.

"Lord Marquis Xie."

"What else? You're not just coming to me for such a trivial matter. ”

Since Flender was so straightforward, Art went on to shake out the other demands as well.

"Then there's the issue of business privileges. I hope that the Marquis will give my territory some tax relief in recent years......"

……

"Finally, as a royal chartered firm, the European Comptoir should be exempt from paying commercial tax on other territories along the way......"

Art discussed with Flender in the court for a long time, and finally said goodbye to Flender happily with a satisfactory result.

The various benefits and privileges that Yate has exchanged for the land this time will create more wealth and obtain more benefits for him and his territory in the years to come. While others were still arguing over those lands, the new earl had woven a vast web of wealth waiting for a steady stream of wealth. It was much easier to earn money through commerce than to obtain wealth by exploiting serfs on the land.

Of course, Flender will not give Yat so many benefits in vain. Once the territory of Art has been restored and developed, it must not only pay the same tax rate as other territories. The court was also to take a share of the profits of the Continental Comptoirs in return for granting them a trade charter.

…………

After coming out of the palace, Art did not return directly to his mansion in the south of the city, but walked towards the Basilica of Besançon in the north of the city with the personal guards waiting outside the palace with 30,000 gold coins. Since returning to Besançon, Art has not had time to visit Archbishop Orlov, who is now in charge of the affairs of the Hou State.

Art is not an ungrateful man. From the time he was a hunter, this noble man began to spare no effort to help him, until today he is the proud Earl of the Marquis. Bishop Orlof undoubtedly played an important role in this.

As a "devout" believer and a nouveau riche of the Hou Kingdom, Yat should have paid a visit. Now Olof has become the archbishop in charge of religious affairs in the kingdom, and his influence can be seen.

Escorted by the crowd, Art made his way through several lively streets to a city square not far from the cathedral. Then he dismounted and walked on the wide road that led to the church.

When the group arrived in the square in front of the cathedral, the voices of the clergy praying could be heard from time to time.

"Sir, according to the clerical guards around the bishop, Bishop Orlof is in the nave on the right side of the church."

While Art was looking around, Ron ran from the side of the church to report to Art.

"You guys stay, you guys take your things, take off your swords, and go back with me."

"Yes, sir."

In a short time, several people had already arrived at the gate of the side hall, and the guards who had been waiting here for a long time bowed deeply to Arte. After receiving Art's reward, he led a few people inside.

"Lord Bishop, Lord Art, Earl of Wales, is here." The guard knocked on the door.

"Invite Count Art in."

Chirping~

The door to the bishop's chamber in the side hall opened.

"Your Excellency."

As soon as Art saw Bishop Orlov, he hurriedly met him on his knees, took Bishop Orlov's outstretched right hand with both hands, and gently kissed the ring.

At this time, this ring symbolizing the identity of the bishop is no longer the ring worn by the district bishop at the beginning, but the ring that only the supreme bishop of the Hou country is qualified to wear.

"Yat, my child. I'm glad to see you back safely. ”

Bishop Orlof said excitedly, his body trembling slightly, this Archbishop of the Hou Kingdom has consumed too much energy in this battle for the successor.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your concern. As devout believers in our Lord, this time, God is on our side. ”

As he spoke, Art placed his hands on his chest and drew a holy cross, muttering the scriptures in his mouth.

"Son, get up."

Bishop Orlof stretched out his hand to help Yat, much to Art's gratitude.

"Ron."

Art turned and motioned for Ron to place the consecration he had donated to the church in front of Bishop Orlov.

"Your Excellency, as a devout believer in God, please accept a little of my heart."

Orlov looked at the glittering gold coins in the bag, showing little excitement. Not because there is too little, but because the Cathedral of Besançon is not short of money.

"Art, your arrival says it all, why did you come to the church with such a huge amount of money."

Bishop Orlof said, clasping Art's hands tightly.

"Your Excellency, the kingdom has just been established, and everything is waiting to be done, so I can only take these things out to serve God, and may his love and mercy shine on the world."

"Amen~"

"Amen~"

"Well, I will use this money to help those poor families, may God bless this war-torn country and heal the pain among the people as soon as possible."

In the cathedral's office, Arte talked with Bishop Orlof for a long time, recounting his conquests for nearly half a year. From time to time, Bishop Orlof praised Yater's bravery and intelligence, admired the upstart in front of him, and was satisfied with his choice and decision.

At noon, at the kind invitation of Bishop Orlov, Yat and Bishop Orlof had communion and gossip.

After dinner, Yat bid farewell to Bishop Orlov and returned to his mansion in the south of the city with the group. Prepare to entertain guests who come in the evening.

…………

Knock ~ Knock Knock ~

Knock ~ Knock Knock ~

"Sir! Old~"

Ron, who was standing outside the door of Art's bedroom, kept banging on the door.

"Ron, didn't I tell you? Don't disturb me with anything when I'm resting. ”

"Master, I think this person is definitely worth seeing you."

Ron said mysteriously, a smug expression.

"Who?"

……

"Count Mormont, I've kept you waiting."

Dressed in armor, Art, who followed Ron as he hurried to the reception hall, greeted the visitors.

The person who came was none other than Count Mormon, who used to be in the province of Kodor.

"Count Art, I'm really sorry to disturb you during your rest time, please forgive me."

Mormont said apologetically, respectfully. Then he ordered his men outside the door to carry two or two large boxes of objects in.

Looking at the two heavy boxes, Art asked "puzzled": "Count Mormont, who are you?" ”

Mormont hurriedly explained, "Count Art, here are 200,000 pfennigs, and I ask you to accept it with a little care." If you hadn't spoken for me in front of the Marquis, I would have died. ”

Art understands that this guy's real purpose is not to come to thank him. Because his life was bought from Flender for five million Fennig, it didn't have much to do with himself. If you want to say that there is, it's just that you didn't slaughter the city in the first place.

"Count Mormont, you are so polite."

"Count Art, I have one more thing to ask for."

Sure enough, this guy had another purpose. Art thought for a moment, then thought of Mormont's two sons.

"Count Mormont, please."

"Look, my two sons who went with you are still in your army, is it time for them to go home?"

Mormont said hesitantly, for fear that Art would be treacherous.

Art pretended to be surprised, "Look at my memory, I forgot about it so much. Rest assured, Lord Count, that my legion is on its way to Besançon, and I am sure that you will soon see your two sons. When the time comes, I will personally send someone to send the two young masters to your mansion. ”

"No, no," Mormont hastily refused, "thanks to Lord Arte, I'll pick them up myself." I won't bother you~"

After sending Mormont away, Arte ordered Ron to open the two wooden boxes, only to see the silver coins with white flowers shining silver~

Mormont's move surprised Art. He originally planned to send his two sons back like this, but he didn't expect that this rich guy would take 200,000 fennig to "ransom people". In his eyes, Art was like a kidnapper. But Art doesn't care what others think of him at all, as long as there are real gold coins flowing into his pocket, he won't care so much~

…………

In the evening, Art arranged a sumptuous family banquet and invited his old friend David to come as a guest. The two discussed the various difficulties faced by the current Hou State, and also exchanged views on their respective conquests in recent months.

Looking at Yate, who is now famous, David couldn't stop praising him, and his eyes showed great envy. Even if he himself had led his army to fight on the front line, he was still far behind compared to Arter's Wells legion.

Looking at the Hou Kingdom, except for the Midsummer Legion, there is no army that can match the Wells Legion. A battle for the successor completely turned over Arter and made the Welsh Legion famous.

The two drank until late at night, when David was sent back by the guards.

Art himself was drunk, wrapped in a woolen blanket and asleep, enjoying the rare peace since the war~