In every baronial castle, there are always a few or dozens of minor nobles. These nobles owned large tracts of land, and the Baron only had to collect taxes from a very small number of commoners, and the vast majority of the taxes would be paid voluntarily by the nobles who had received a large amount of land. It can be said that behind a powerful lord, there must be multiple nobles who can create great wealth.

In Sisang Castle, there were only three dilapidated small nobles, and there were originally four, and Lu Sen, the richest one, contacted a distant relative in Dulong City, and did not want to stay in Sisang Territory any longer, so he sold his family property and hired a convoy to go to Dulong City.

The Mongol Mansion in Mon Yang is an annex to the former Lucerne family.

In the mind of Lord Iniesta, there are still four nobles in his Sisang Domain, including Monyan.

When Monyan saw Andal, old Ford was looking at the paperwork on the table with Andal.

"What are you looking at?" asked Meng Yang softly as he found a chair to sit down.

Andal and Old Ford were startled, and hurriedly ran over to give a salute: "Master!"

Meng Yang waved his hand, and when he saw Andal and Old Ford blushing, he smiled and asked, "Look at your appearance, is there something good that has happened?"

Andal was about to speak, when he opened his mouth, reached out and poked Old Ford, motioning for him to speak.

Old Ford looked very excited, and said tremblingly: "Congratulations to the master, the baron has just sent someone to deliver this document, giving the master the 300 acres of orchards, 700 acres of paddy fields, 500 acres of wheat fields, and 200 acres of barren mountains of the former Lu Sen family. ”

"Oh, there is such a thing?" Meng Yang was slightly surprised, took the document and took a cursory look at it, focusing on the clause behind the document that was taxed three thousand gold coins a year. Xindao, this is not a fief given by the royal family, and the lords are clearly like a charter, renting out the resources in their hands to the nobles in disguise.

"Master, I know that this piece of land can produce more than 400 tons of apples every year, about 350 tons of slender-loin rice, and about 300 tons of fragrant wheat, of course, the master needs to buy a large number of slaves and seeds, which is also a lot of expense. Besides, the terrain is complicated, and it is connected to the Syr Darya River, which is ・・・・・・"

When old Ford said this, he suddenly paused, his face was a little difficult to look at, and it was obvious that he had thought of something.

"Say whatever you want, don't ramble. Meng Yang turned his face and said coldly.

Andal obediently didn't say a word, just as a slave girl served Meng Yang fragrant tea, giving old Ford a buffer time to brew his speech.

Old Ford wiped his cold sweat and saw that his master had taken a sip of tea for a long time, and then asked tentatively: "Master, have you seen the map of the entire Dragon Descending Territory?"

Meng Yang's eyes lit up, and he suddenly realized that this time Iniesta sent the land papers, which contained a lot of articles, and the old Ford actually had some insight and figured out what came out of it, so he hesitated.

"Map? Is it this, you can take a look. ”

Meng Yang stood up, and with a shake of his hand, a relatively large map of the volcanic plains spread out on the table.

The three of them gathered at the table, of course, Andal couldn't understand the lines and symbols of the map at all, as the head of the Mongolian Mansion and the intimate person of the master, he naturally didn't want to be completely stolen from the limelight by Old Ford. But he also knew the character of the master, so he forcibly endured it and did not interject.

Old Ford trembled and found the area of the dragon collar, first glanced at Meng Yang with an expectant face, and instantly his face seemed to be painted with a strange light, and the whole person's image and temperament seemed to have completely changed, coughed lightly, and began a large section of map speeches that impressed Meng Yang and made Andal dumbfounded.

"Look, master, the entire volcanic plain, the richest and most extensive territory in the north belongs to Duke Bard. This is the largest and liveliest city in the Volcanic Plains, Fire Dragon City, where Duke Bard and his 100,000 troops are stationed. It is home to well-known warriors, magicians, and thieves from the three major guilds, as well as countless noble lords with a net worth of tens of millions. Duke Bard is in complete control of the entire Volcanic Plains region. ”

"Although there are more than forty lords of all sizes in the entire Volcanic Plains region, the most powerful one is Duke Bard. He had two sons, who were in charge of his territory. You see, this is the city of Huilong, the domain of the Marquis of Bartley. This is the Grey Dragon City, the domain of the Marquis of Battery. ”

"Believe me in this comparison, you have basically seen clearly, in the entire volcanic plain, the Duke and his two marquis' sons occupy two-thirds of the territory, and the northern and central parts are basically under their complete control. ”

"Next, master, please see, this blue area in the northwest is the territory of Earl Bill, and there are four viscounts adjacent to his territory, and four cities have been established around his Flying Dragon City, namely Flying Flowers, Flying Birds, Flying Insects, and Flying Fish. Earl Bill's territory was able to organize more than 30,000 troops, and recruited many warriors, magicians, and thieves. ”

"Master, look over here, this black area in the northeast is the territory of Count Blanche, he lives in this silver dragon city, and Count Blanche's army is almost 30,000 people. There were three viscounts in the same black area as him, all of whom were close associates of the Earl. ”

"Then master, look, the remaining gray area is Lord Amanda's Dulong Territory, this is Dulong City, there is Viscount Bert's Bronze Dragon City in the east, and Viscount Bote's Golden Dragon City in the west, have you noticed, but our Baron's father's Dragon Descending Collar is in a narrow and twisted arc, twisting and turning, and the farthest place is here!"

Meng Yang listened to Old Ford's explanation, his eyes fell to the area he pointed to, and his super eyesight made him easily see the words "Syr Darya", and then he realized that Old Ford's explanation was very informative.

Needless to say, the place where old Ford's finger pointed, it was the land given by Iniesta, more than a thousand acres, which was only a thumb-sized piece on this large map. But Monyan immediately saw the precipitousness of the place.

"Old Ford, next to the Syr Darya River, this large fiery area, and here, here, what do these fiery areas mean?" asked Monjan calmly.

Old Ford took a deep breath and said slowly: "The fiery red area represents the undeveloped area, that is to say, whether it is a duke, a marquis, or an earl and viscount, no matter who it is, as long as it can be occupied, it will become an independent fief and be protected by the laws of the empire." ”

"I suppose there must be a lot of barbarians and a lot of ferocious beasts in these fiery areas, like the lava fields, right?" Meng Yang asked again.

"Nice, host. Old Ford seemed to have exhausted all his passion at once, and replied indifferently.

Meng Yang let out a long sigh and said, "Our baron is really generous, give me such a good place, maybe I stand by the Hill River, and at a glance, I can see the flags fluttering on the castles of several lords, right?"

Old Ford's eyes flashed with stars, and he didn't make a sound, just nodded slightly.

Meng Yang raised his head, shifted his gaze from the map to Old Ford's weather-beaten face, and looked directly at the slightly cloudy eyes for a full breath, and then said softly: "Old Ford, you are not simple. Luckily, I didn't treat you like a slave from the very beginning. ”

Old Ford's lips moved a few times, and his wrinkled face twitched a few times, but he looked at Meng Yang's eyes very resolutely, but he didn't say a word.

"Old Ford, I am not interested in your origins at all, you can see through my heart at a glance, except for the fact that Andal is a man of many tongues, which shows that you have a unique vision that is different from ordinary people. I won't ask you what you have to do, but as long as you keep me the master for a day, I'll keep you safe for a day. Whoever it is, even if the king is coming, I will protect you, you are a wise man, you know what I mean. ”

Old Ford's eyes lit up.

"Andal does have a super thief talent, I hope that during this period of time, you can teach him with all your heart, as for the secrets and potions needed for cultivation, I will give you gold arrangements. If I just say one word, follow me, and you will never be disobedient to me, and I will never allow anyone around me to betray me. Now and in the future, I want you both to remember this statement. ”

"Alright, old Ford, tell me your truest opinion on the matter. Meng Yang's face relaxed, Meng Yang sat back in his seat and continued to drink tea, and the burning sky consciously flashed to the side and dozed off.

Old Ford's face was extremely solemn, and he stepped forward and whispered: "Master, in the past ten days, the Lord's Mansion has been recruiting sergeants, I heard that recently Lord Amanda had a conflict with Bill and Blanche, and the conflict place was the Longquan Forest area on the north bank of the Syr River. ”

Meng Yang continued to drink tea and motioned for Old Ford to continue.

"Lord Viscount Ebreth, who has been harassed by bandits all these years, and is often worried about the large-scale invasion of the lords' armies on the left and right, has to take refuge in Lord Amanda. Although it seems that the territory is kept for the time being, more than half of the income of the Dragon Descending Territory every year rolls into the pockets of Lord Amanda. This time, the three counts confronted each other with troops in the Longquan Forest at the same time, and the bronze dragon, the golden dragon, and the descending dragon, relying on Lord Amanda's territory, were bound to follow the troops, and I think that our lord must have received an omen order from his father. Master, this does not bode well. ”

Meng Yang sighed lightly: "In this way, it is very likely that the three major earls have a big scuffle? ”

"Yes, master, there's something you don't know. If Lord Ebreth really ordered the three barons to send troops to support Lord Amanda, then the land you just got would be the only way to send troops to the Longquan Forest, which is only eight hundred miles away from the Longquan Forest. ”

Meng Yang muttered, "You mean, the land I just got my hands on will not only allow the army to pass through, but once Lord Ebreth's support annoys the other two powerful Earls, I will be the latest place for them to attack?"

Old Ford said hatefully: "Yes, according to the relevant laws and regulations of the empire, if the lord gives his subjects more than 1,000 acres of land, the people will be automatically promoted to small lords." Within 10 days of receiving the paperwork, it is necessary to move to the given territory. In other words, after ten days, the master will no longer be able to stay in Sisan Castle and will have to live in your small territory. ”

Andal scolded angrily, "Master, we live well here, why should we accept any of his land? ”

Old Ford snorted coldly: "It would be nice if it were that simple. I'm afraid that Lord Baron has already reported to the Descending Dragon City, and the wood has already been completed, how to return it? Besides, after all, the master is settled in Sisang Territory, and if he wants to successfully get the noble disc, he can only take over this small territory. ”

Meng Yang sneered: "I didn't expect that Lord Baron really takes me very seriously, and he is scheming and pressing step by step, do you want me to be cannon fodder?"

Old Ford's eyes rolled a few times, and he suddenly said in a very low voice: "I guess that on the one hand, Lord Baron wants to try his best to win over his master, and on the other hand, he values his master's ability, or wants you to do a difficult thing for him, or go to war?"

"Ahh

When Andal heard this, he exclaimed, and his face turned white.

Meng Yang glanced at Andal coldly, but asked Old Ford: "Old Ford, in your opinion, if I gain a foothold in that small territory, is there any prospect for development?"

Old Ford hesitated and said, "What does the master mean by the prospects?"

"Hmph, you know what I'm asking you!" Meng Yang said displeased.

"Master, if you really have that kind of thought, I only have eight words to send it: dangerous and strange, there is a lot to be done!"

"Hahaha! What an old Ford, what a dangerous and strange promising, just say to you, I have accepted this territory, by the way, it has a place name?"

Meng Yang laughed and stood up, arrogant.

"Master, that place was originally called Dragon Ruins. ”

"Old Ford, I want you to draw up a detailed and perfect plan for the construction of Dragon Ruins for me within today, Andal, you will follow Old Ford, no matter what happens, you have to listen to his arrangement, I will go to the Lord's Mansion for a trip!"

After Meng Yang gave a loud command, he waved his hand, and Burning Sky flew up his shoulder and strode out of the door.

Andal's heart was cold, and he looked at the old Ford who suddenly became unfathomable, and said in his heart: "It's over, the chief manager has only been in office for a few days, and he is still a slave, alas, he is still a slave of this old antique, it is really ・・・・・・"

was in a daze, but saw old Ford write a few words on a piece of paper, and then handed it to Andal with a solemn expression: "You quickly hand over this letter to the Zigg Chamber of Commerce, and you must hand it over to the shopkeeper Dylan, and then you come back quickly without delay." ”

Andal answered and hurried away.

"The flying dragon is in the sky, the hidden dragon is out of the abyss, and the volcanic plain is lively now. ”

Old Ford walked over to the table, his eyes shining with a strange look, and muttered softly.

Without warning, a gust of wind blew up through the hall and went through the hall without touching anything in the hall.