The valley meeting is usually held in the Chiv Mountain, because this is the central place, and all the mountain lords come here closely.

However, Gurrissi is the owner of Mount Chif, and Qiao Tan makes it clear that he is against it.

The mountain lords moved the location to the middle of Chiv and Piri, a valley that was also relatively flat.

The mountain lords agreed that each person could only bring a maximum of twenty people to avoid fighting.

There are currently thirteen valley lords in the mountain range.

The strongest is Grusi.

Including himself, he has the support of five valley lords.

The second is the valley lord of the Snow Valley, Sibain, who has the support of three valley lords.

The third is Bergman, who also has three.

Originally, Bergman was the first to be powerful, and because of his trade with Bran, he accumulated considerable profits, but in the war against Bavaria, he was greedy for merit, not only lost his prestige, but also had bad relations with several mountain lords.

In turn, he was oppressed by Guresi.

Qiao Tan, as well as another weak mountain lord, Alessodo, are neutral.

And the thirteen lords of the valley brought twenty men each.

And each valley owner can bring two people inside to listen to the speech.

Gu Ruixi and the other valley lords arrived early in the morning, but Qiao Tan was the last to arrive.

He dragged it out until near the afternoon, when he attended the meeting.

As soon as he reached the valley and entered the chamber, he was bombarded with words.

But he was dumbfounded, his eyes looked at his position as the mountain master, and sat down.

"Qiao Tan, you have such great skills, all the mountain masters are waiting for you."

"After all, I took refuge in the group of nouveau riche in the south, so I don't take everyone seriously."

The two supporters of Guresi were the first to attack.

Qiao Tan was deliberately late, and he had been discussing with Simon what to do today, and Simon asked him to delay.

One is to give them more time to get their hands dirty.

Second, it also increases the time for sand table deduction.

Simon played out with Jotan all night, thinking about possible scenes.

Being late will be held accountable, and the two have also deduced.

So Qiao Tan took a deep breath in his heart.

Then......

Jo Tan flips the table!

"You're crazy!"

"Bastard!"

"Lao Tzu killed you!"

There was tea on the table, and after being pushed away by Qiao Tan, the cups were also scattered on the ground.

The mountain lord was not allowed to bring a sword to the table, because there had been a situation where the mountain lord disagreed with each other and drew his sword to kill each other.

But two of the two men of each mountain lord had weapons.

Desley and Simon, seeing the crowd draw their swords, also took out their weapons.

The two of them originally lowered the brim of their hats, but now they were exposed in front of the mountain masters.

"You're bringing two outsiders?"

"I don't think Qiao Tan wants to talk about it at all."

"Qiao Tan, do you have anything to say?"

As the coordinator of the mountain owners' meeting, Byrne, chairman of Snow Mountain Mountain, asked.

If Qiao Tan has nothing to say, he will immediately let Qiao Tan give a price for his rudeness just now

"First of all, these two guests have joined my valley yesterday, and here are the documents for entering the valley, and their signatures."

Qiao Tan took the latest certificate and spread it out in front of the mountain lords.

This is considered a loophole, and each mountain owner has the right to accept people into the valley, unless there are more than 20 people, they must be discussed.

"Now you don't have anything to say?" Qiao Tan snorted.

"Okay, you make sense of this, what did you say about your rude behavior just now?"

"I just wanted to hold on to the table, but I didn't expect to use too much force, could it be that at the mountain master's meeting, I accidentally knocked down the table, and it was also at fault?

On the contrary, the mountain lords who are companions are going to kill me because of my behavior? Sibein, you as convener, you say? Should I apologize, or should they?"

Qiao Tan is unreasonable, but Xi Baien feels weird, Qiao Tan is not such a character, what must he be planning?

"Okay, everyone accepts their weapons, but I warn you, there is no second time, since you have accepted the two of them, it is also a person from your valley, and they can be observed."

was interrupted by this, and the meeting was delayed for another half an hour.

In addition to the morning, Qiao Tan has been delaying for half a day.

After everyone sat down again, the supporters of Guresi stood up and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have our tradition in the mountains, and since we have been so close to the south, it has had a great impact, and many mountain people have sneaked down the mountain to the peninsula and never returned.

There are also men and women who elope.

And the benefits that Bran and Florence have given us seem to be a lot, in fact, they can take it back at any time if they want.

The so-called trade is just that they unilaterally take our gray bamboo.

Instead, we had to send out the mountain people to help them cut down and lead the way, and even transport some of them to the peninsula.

In exchange for woollen fabrics, wheat, wine, sugar, etc.

In the meantime, we have no room to spare, and we owe more and more raw materials, and I propose to terminate the contract with Florence. ”

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

The three mountain lords immediately expressed their support, and then Qiao Tan objected.

"Guys, how many years has it been? Before we didn't make paper, what was the majority of our income?

In addition to hunting and planting, there is also a war for foreign nobles.

I've been to North Africa by boat, I've fought with the natives, and I've been in the desert drinking my own urine.

Bergman's father had been to England, and one leg was scrapped there.

You have been to the Holy Land, and you are all right, but your two sons, who went with you, fell ill with a fever there, and their bodies were burned to ashes before they were brought back.

At that time, how many people could be supported by the entire mountain range?

How many children are born in a year, and how many children are not yet high enough to start practicing fighting?

The great powers of the north saw us as mountain barbarians, just like the Vikings.

The Southern Peninsula, say we are all robbers, savages.

Teutonic took away our paper materials, but we only used them to build houses.

Now we can exchange the necessities of life, and they are all below the current price for us.

Now His Highness Bran has said that we will establish a trade route, and the goods will be cleared directly, and we will be assisted in moving some of the mountain people down the mountain to develop the fertile land in the south, and only a part of the agricultural harvest will be paid for the first three years.

They gave us farm tools and land, and housing.

From the fourth year, forty percent was given, and until the tenth year.

Do you have the brains to calculate this account?"

These were taught to Joe Tan by Simon, and he said them almost unmistakably.

"Could Florence be stronger than Frank? What Bran can give, they can.

Ally with them, they will send troops to help me guard the checkpoints, recognize our identity, and allow us to go to the Franks for business, life, etc. ”

Another lord of the mountain spoke.

Qiao Tan also practiced this question, and replied directly, "Are you stupid?" Or do you take us all for fools?

Words are unfounded, what about treaty instruments?

What about the edict of the Emperor with the seal of the Lord of the Franks?

Which of the contracts we signed with Teutonic that never materialized?

Yes, for more than a year, we have also been affected by the war in the north because of the turmoil on the peninsula.

It's not easy for everyone, but His Royal Highness Bran has come back, and for a short time, he has taken control of the commercial power of Florence, and now he has to join forces with the Counts of Northern Italy to help me deal with the ambitious Duke Never.

We're all going to Franks.

And what about the South?

In the future, the goods that enter the Piri Hill from the south will be tripled, five, and tenfold by tariffs?"

Bang!

Guresi slapped the table angrily and pulled his attention over, "Qiao Tan, don't confuse everyone, from the time you brought the Florentine people to the mountain, and now you still bring their people into the council, you have already been bribed." ”

"Haha, you're right, I was indeed bought, but is that because I have the ability?

No! How many people are there in my valley?

Even the donkeys and poultry are less than two thousand.

From the beginning of Chaisu's attack on Rome to the invasion of Venice by Ashclei, do you know how many people have lost their land and fled away from disaster?

There were beggars and vagrants everywhere.

Just give them food and you can do your bidding.

These mountain people, only one or two thousand people, farmed and fought, and Florence did not look down on them.

But if we are united, it will be the great powers of the North who will buy us.

The thirteen valley lords, all the mountain people combined, now there are more than 50,000 people.

Pull out all the strong men, even if you don't have weapons, you can get six or seven thousand people.

The mountains are easy to defend and difficult to attack, and in winter, the winter snow is covered, and those who dare to go up the mountain to fight us are fools, as long as there are 3,000 people, we can defend the northern exit, regardless of how many people come from the Franks.

If we are not united and lose the entrance or exit, we will soon be annexed.

Gurisi you keep saying that the Franks are good, but their request is to provide access to the mountains.

Allow their armies to enter the valley.

As long as we do this, all of us mountain people will have to change to French!"

Qiao Tan is small, but what he said makes sense, Guresi is a bit wishful thinking, but he is powerful.

But the truth can never compare with the benefits, and whoever gives more benefits to the mountain owner will be counted.

Sibein was in his sixties, and he didn't have the ambition of a young man, what he needed was stability and prosperity.

He looked at Guresi first, "According to what you said, the Franks are going to protect us, so can you take our people to the Imperial Palace in Paris to get legal documents?"

Even if it is made public, to protect all our mountain people, when we are invaded by foreign enemies, recruited by powerful countries, and when the border is blocked, the Franks will help us without hesitation?"

"I ......" Guresi couldn't answer

Siebene knew that the Franks could not be trusted, so he seemed to be neutral, but in fact he was more on the Teutonic side, so he had to change the meeting and cancel the wedding feast yesterday.

However, the attitude of the Italians was arrogant, and he did not like it, and if the interests did not meet the conditions in his heart, he was not willing to maintain the previous alliance with Bran.

"Qiao Tan, what about you?" Sibeon turned to look at him, and even at Simon behind him, "What can the South give us?"

This time, Simon endured the pain in his buttocks and stood up, "Everyone, the Franks have already helped you a long time ago, that is, in the era of the French Emperor Pilon An, how majestic the Franks were at that time, they shocked the countries and ordered the three seas. ”

Afraid that the mountain people would not understand, Simon paused and explained, "The three seas refer to the Mediterranean, the North Sea, and the West Sea.

Frank was so powerful at that time that he hadn't helped you, so why would he suddenly give you benefits today?

Heyderian was once expelled from the scoring, and the Duke of Lyon committed a great crime.

They are blasphemers in the hearts of the clergy.

His Royal Highness Colebrand, who began his studies in the convent.

He also joined the famous Knights Templar and served as a member of the Holy Father's Guard.

Possessing the eight virtues of knighthood, acting fairly and uprightly, being generous to the outside, gregarious to the inside, and generous to the subordinates, before the age of nineteen, he has actually controlled a country, and in the future he will surely lead us to the land of light.

Isn't it trustworthy to do all this?"

The words are nice, but not appealing enough.

Seeing that the mountain lords just nodded their heads and did not actually say anything, Simon gritted his teeth and decided to make his own decisions.

After Bran disappeared, he also handled many things on his own.

As a vassal, if everything has to be judged by the lord, what are the benefits of being a lord? What is the use of such subordinates?

Simon said, "I'm already a member of the mountain people now, but don't worry, I'll negotiate and give three hundred gold rubles to the valley every month, how about it?"

After the war, prices fluctuated dramatically, and one gold ruble could now be exchanged for thirteen silver rubles.

A blacksmith in the city of Meath can support his family with a salary of about thirty silver rubles a year.

"And this is just for you, other benefits can be counted separately."

Simon continues to double up.

Bang!

Two more mountain masters slapped the table, but not to turn it over, but, "You bastard said what you say!"

Simon was overjoyed, but Bergman, who had not spoken, raised his hand to express doubt, "Simon, can you call the shots?" What if the time comes, you're coming up with a bunch of strings attached?"

"I can stay, even leave the soldiers I brought, I write to Your Highness, I believe Your Highness will understand my heart."

As one of Bran's financial assistants, Simon is well aware of the finances of the collar.

Bran issued a city debt, asked Hilde to go to Rome to find a loan from the Chamber of Commerce, mortgaged everything that could be suppressed, and even sent someone to contact the pirates and start smuggling.

Bran had to use the quickest way to unify everyone's opinions, and reach the established facts when the Byzantines did not react.

As long as it takes half a year, Nefer can be wiped out.

After the Teutonic consolidation of Northern Italy, its strength will be more than tripled.

The unification of northern Italy, the Hanseatic League, the sword is aimed at Venice......

These are all Brand's plans.

The mountain lords began to exchange heads, if they were about to vote, Gu Ruixi felt that he would lose, he glanced at one of the mountain lords, ready to make a move, if he lost, he would kill Qiao Tan and the others......

The mountain lords took out a small piece of sheepskin, circled it with a yes or no endorsement, and threw it into a box, ready to open the ticket.

Every time the vote is sung, the breathing of the crowd increases, and the final vote is issued, seven to six.

Glossy himself has five votes, and this vote is given to Glossy by Bergman for fear of being retaliated against by Bran, and he wants to go all the way to the dark.

But he didn't expect his own men and Sibyne to vote for Bran!

Simon was also nervous in his heart, in case he lost......

Seeing the invoice, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Guresi decided to do it, and he got up and scolded that the vote was invalid.

A sword slashed in front of Qiao Tan, if Qiao Tan hadn't dodged in time, his face would have split in half.

"Do it!"

The mountain lord inside the house was the first to turn his face, and the soldiers outside also began to surround and kill Teutonic and Qiao Tan after hearing the movement.

But after a few beatings outside, the movement suddenly stopped, and the mountain owners inside kept their distance and leaned out of the window

One of the mountain lords shouted, "Teutonic has captured the Franks!"

That's it, everybody went outside.

At this time, I saw Paulaline, Durham, the guide, and a few Teutonic warriors.

They took the deformed Guntrand, whose face had been wounded, and showed it to the people.

"Don't fight, the Franks are here."

Durham asked Guntrand to put him down, and looked at Simon, "It's a little late, because we've gone and grabbed a few more amulets." ”

As he spoke, Durham threw out several bracelets.

They are owned by the daughters of the two mountain lords, and there are inscriptions on them

"Thanks to the help of Lord Qiao Tan's men, we were able to capture the daughter and mother of these two mountain lords at the cost of a few injuries."

Qiao Tan's guide said with a sad face, "My lord, it's none of our business, Teuton first arrested your wife and children, and forced us to lead the way to find the daughters of other mountain lords, and we led the way." ”

Qiao Tan didn't react, Du Lun and they even calculated themselves.

Duren first pointed to Guntrand, and then looked at the mountain lords, "Outside the valley, our people have captured the wives and children of the three mountain lords, if you dare to harm us, then they will all die, including this Frank, you can go to clean up the aftermath yourself."

And once His Royal Highness knows that we have been killed, he will also join forces with the other earls to seal your mountain road, and if you have the ability, you will eat snow all winter, right?"

Bran is a man who can really do things, and the Franks can't reach it.

Everyone's hearts are in turmoil, how to solve it now?

Now whoever answers, the other side will be desperate.

Simon watched the scene calm down again, limped close to Sibein's side, and whispered, "They are all warriors, just fight to solve it, as long as you hurt one person, it is better than so many people dying." ”

"Tournament?"

When Simon uttered this sentence, he felt absurd, but it seemed that it could be so.

But who's compared to whom?

Let Desley or Bolarin fight, Grushi definitely doesn't want to.

Gurussy sneered, "Want to compete? That's a duel between lords, but does your Highness dare to compare with me? If he dares to fight with me, I will agree to the ruling!"

This sentence was originally just sarcasm, but he didn't expect Simon to suddenly hold his face and exhale, "Okay!"

Bran's force, when Grussy tried it two years ago, was made by Jack.

He didn't think that Brandor could fight, since he opened his mouth, Simon answered, so his heart hardened and said, "You lost, the Valley of Reparations, Gana is mine, and ......"

Glossy put forward a bunch of conditions, Simon pretended to think about it, and when Glossy persecuted again, he shouted, "Your Highness is protected by the God of Light, if you lose, I will kill myself, he will not lose." ”

So, Blamben asked the mountain lords to go down the mountain, and in the end, he became a jousting player.

All the mountain owners had to take people down the mountain to watch, but the valley was not so fast.

Nearly 1,000 people walked out of Pirui Mountain, and it was almost noon the next day.

Gana was ordered to follow Sibeon and not to go near Bran's side or Grussie's side.

By the time the mountain people reached the village below the valley, Bran was already on his third day.

He was in the tent, and he was still talking with the earl.

Since the envoy was unable to call the shots, Bran spoke separately.

In the past two days, he has tested the bottom line of the interests of the Quartet.

The first to arrive Barcelonal Quentie negotiated the conditions first, and Quinche wanted the northern territory of the Duchy of Barcelona.

If they are all given to Quent, Quent's actual comprehension will be more than 20%.

Next to Quent's domain, the Earl of North Carolina, who also came to meet Bran, demanded that all the quarries in the Duke of Never's territory be incomed, and that he could not have the territory, but if he wanted to send more than a thousand people, the excess funds should be absorbed by Florence.

Two other envoys, one whose territory borders Never, and the other who borders three.

The two envoys were vague, but there was a bottom line, they could not send troops to use their territory.

At the same time, even if they did not participate in the war, all debts arising from trade with Florence were written off.

Four people, four schemes, inextricably linked.

The Earl of North Carolina seems to be generous, but the forest farm and the quarry are important incomes in the Niver Kingdom, and Quinck's northern territory is to take a fancy to most of the forest farms here.

The account still had to be settled, and when Bran returned to the camp and immersed himself in the accounting, one of the servants ran over, "Your Highness, the people of the valley are coming......"

He followed Desley up the hill, or was allowed to go down the hill first, and walked up alone, breaking away from the troops, much faster.

When Bran asked about the process of Desley and the others in the mountains and forests in the past two days, he first asked, "How many of our people died?" Instead of asking the mountain girl.

"Eight." The man replied.

"Okay, take good care of their families."

Bran tidied up his appearance and waited quietly for the mountain people to arrive.

An hour later, it was a refreshing moment when the wind was moving and the cicadas were singing, and the mountain lord arrived.

Bran's men all surrounded him.

He was like a king waiting to be seen by his subjects.

There were a lot of mountain people, and it took more than ten minutes for the group to completely walk out of the mountain path and come to Bran.

The Earl and the envoys saw this posture and kept their men far away.

If the mountain people want to do something, they can leave immediately.

Seeing that the mountain lords were all coming, Bran took a look, and there were a few unfamiliar ones, probably new mountain lords.

He got up and walked over, followed by eight servants to protect him from a sneak attack.

Then, Gana broke free of control and was about to burst out of Mount Chairman Byrne's ranks.

Sibaine pretended not to see it, and as soon as his eyes moved, his subordinates would also come to his senses, and they were suddenly let away by Gana.

In front of thousands of people, she ran all the way to the lover she missed.

"Bran!"