On the walls of the city of Alandler.

A brand new double-headed eagle flag flutters.

The stubborn peasant soldiers, led by the knights of the Imperial Decree, lined up in an orderly queue and patrolled the city walls and streets.

These peasant soldiers, for a short time, Lothar did not intend to send them back to the land of Hebron to continue their farming work.

They were going to have a new round of military training in Alandler, and they were even going to move their families and settle down.

Inspector Ulm reported to Lothar: "Your Excellency, the wealthy merchants and landlords of Alaandler are clamoring to see you and swear allegiance to you. ”

Lothar couldn't help but laugh: "You want me to protect their property." ”

"You go and tell them that you don't have to swear to me, but they must maintain the military needs of the whole city for the next period of time, and if there is a shortage of food, water and other scarce materials, I will send someone to their house to fetch it."

Lothar has always had little affection for these local tycoons.

They were the equivalent of the gentry of the East, eating the most and paying the least taxes, because they were the only ones who could avoid taxes.

The so-called wealth is hidden in the hands of these "people".

"When I get back, I will send someone to clarify the land and distribute all the land that should be divided into the hands of the 'converts', and Alaindeler will be completely occupied by me."

Lothar leaned on the throne of the lord with silk cloth, and thought to herself.

Jeanne walked into the castle and said, "My lord, the messenger sent by Zahn is already waiting outside. ”

"This Zahn seems to be determined to negotiate peace - he is so perverse when he is obviously provocative, and he is as honest as a chicken after a little beating."

Lothar frowned.

This is the third wave of messengers sent by Zahn, which shows that this thing is really full of sincerity in suing for peace.

As soon as the messenger in white robe entered the door, he respectfully presented the gift box: "My lord, my lord, the honorable Zaan Aladdin, I offer you a box of delicious seven cheek eels and a bottle of precious fermented grape juice as a welcome gift. ”

"Huh."

Lothar picked up the food box and saw a dozen live eels that were entwined together and looked rather abstract.

Seven cheek eels are a very valuable ingredient, and it is said that Henry I of Albion died because of his love for this delicacy.

Jeanne took the food box and took it down: "I'll cook for you." ”

"Why didn't Zahn come to see me in person, didn't he even have the guts?"

Lothar's expression was slightly cold, and he had been in a high position for a long time, coupled with the fact that he was carrying the bloodline of the Dragonborn, which made his majesty instantaneous, and actually made the messenger feel a sense of trembling all over his body.

"Your majesty, Lord Earl, is so high that anyone would look in awe when they see you."

The messenger said sincerely.

"Earl, please make a price, as courtiers, we should not break the peace treaty between King Baldwin and King Saladin because of a mere woman."

Lothar raised a finger: "Tariq is a talent, he is worth three hundred Souleds, you have no objection to this, right?" ”

The messenger thought for a moment, then agreed, "No problem, my lord. ”

Lothar continued: "In addition, you must return to me Lady Eleanor of Longidok, for she is a pure maiden, but I know very well that you must have defiled her chastity, and therefore you must pay another compensation, which is tentatively set at five hundred Soulades. ”

The messenger opened his mouth slightly, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

"No, it's blackmail!"

"How, Lord Count, did you speak in good conscience that this dissolute lady was a chaste maiden? As far as I know, she's been involved with your vassal Renard for many years! ”

Lothar raised an eyebrow slightly: "Yes, you can understand this as a blackmail. ”

"Go back and tell your master, once the fire of war is ignited, it is not so easy to extinguish, the city of Alandler is now my military station, I can send troops to harass and plunder your village at any time, and I can also lead troops into Ira Harbor again at any time while your master is asleep."

"If he doesn't accept it, I'll wait here for him to gather an army and fight me."

The messenger looked at Lothar's indifferent expression, and couldn't help but feel a strong sense of grievance in his heart: "Okay, my lord, we are willing to pay this 'chastity fee'. In addition, my master is willing to give 1,000 Souledes in exchange for the right to rule the city of Aramdelor, and as long as you withdraw from the army, Eleanor and Eleanor will give it to you. ”

"The city of Alaandler is my domain, and I would not consider returning it to the infidels."

Lothar said in a deep voice.

In fact, Zahn Aladdin's proposal is indeed very rich, if you don't consider occupying the city of Alandler, but sack it, and then count the indemnity of this thousand Souledes, it can be called a lot of money.

"It seems that your sincerity towards peace is very limited, can it be said that you have only teased us in these few encounters?"

The messenger's face suddenly calmed down.

He had realized that Lothar had not intended to talk properly from the beginning.

"Because I'm a person of credibility, once I say something, I won't easily regret it."

Lothar stared at the Courier's face, which looked a little distorted with anger, "At the very least, Zahn Aladdin is not worthy of my lies. ”

The messenger said in a deep voice, "In that case, then we can only redeem Lord Tariq, right?" ”

"Take the hostages, and tomorrow, you bring Lady Eleanor, and I'll send Tariq back."

"Yes."

The messenger bowed perfunctorily and withdrew.

Jeanne stood aside and asked, "If you say that, aren't you afraid that they will take precautions early?" ”

"Only a thousand days to be a thief, how can there be a thousand days to prevent thieves?"

Lothar asked rhetorically.

Alain is like a sharp knife to the throat in the port of Ayla.

As long as the city is in Lothar's hands, the port of Ayla will never be safe.

Zahn Aladdin will either choose to gather troops from all walks of life, besiege and break through the city of Alandler.

Or you have to endure the risk of being cut off at any time by the sword of Damocles above your head.

Lothar didn't think he could put up with the latter, and in the end, it wasn't some conspiracy, but a conspiracy.

He had no choice.

"These seven-cheeked eels are so fat, if you say she can take care of these little ones, she has already handed them over to the kitchen."

Jeanne licked her lips and said with some anticipation, "This is the first time I've tasted Miss Pranya's craftsmanship. ”

Lothar was a little puzzled: "This ugly thing that looks like an alien is so delicious?" ”

Jeanne said with a straight face: "Of course, this is the most popular delicacy in the medieval court!" The lords who can't afford to eat lampreys are all poor ghosts. ”

(End of chapter)