No...... It should be said that compared to the entire human world, the Duchy of Mystia is a little too calm. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

During this era, the Goths reaped a great harvest of ocean colonization, opening up new shipping routes, and gaining new land and wealth. However, this was confined to the oceans, overseas, in battles against pure barbarians who had few metal weapons.

And on the mainland, that is, in the Old World, the human world has always been on the defensive. It is the same whether you are facing the Ottoman Empire of the Dark Elves or the Tartarian Khanate. This time the crusade was successful, and it was the first time that the human world had recorded the land of the Old World.

So, the empire itself went crazy. Even further afield, the Visigothic kingdoms, the kingdoms of Asturias, and the kingdoms of Briton were the same.

A large number of adventurous aristocrats, or who have been carried away by romantic novels. As well as a large number of civilians who want to try their luck, or who really can't survive, and a large number of mercenaries who want to make a windfall and want to fish in troubled waters. All are constantly moving towards the east bank of the Vistula River, and ever, and ever, and ever. Join the crusaders, then conquer, then plunder, and get those things they deserve.

That's pretty much it. William thought to himself. At the same time, we are glad to see that the stronger the Crusaders, the greater the tactical effect they can achieve. The more they were able to defeat and the more Tartarian troops they killed.

At the same time, the Duchy of Mystia was able to acquire more property.

- Barren, deserted for two quarters, and at the same time in a state of disarray, Ruthenia and Pyrem were unable to provide enough food for the growing crusaders.

This has led to a spike in food prices in Ruthenia and Pyrm.

As a result of the soaring food prices, the Duchy of Mystia, with its abundant summer grain harvest, made a large sum - not a small one, but a large one.

"The madmen threw out the last of their copper plates to buy food. And those nobles worked hard to maintain their right to speak in the coalition. When they don't have enough money, they mortgage their estates, castles, and even fiefdoms. Of course, I only take the land within the kingdom of Wende. William smiled and said:

"So, guess what, guys, how much do you think the Duchy of Mystia has gained from this feast?"

"I don't know. But certainly more than those crusaders. Isn't it?" replied Shalumi.

"Yes. That's true. William shook a stack of title deeds in his hand: "Small makes big." We borrowed money from the newly opened banks to the Crusader nobles. The aristocrats mortgaged their estates. The money that was brought back to us to buy food. So we got our money back. And then go and lend money to other fools. That's all we've done this summer. ”

"But...... Is it really worth it?" said Princess Elise, "I'm not sure, William. But if at that time the Hereford family advanced towards Kiev. Is it not possible for the Duke to be King of Ruthenia......? Well...... A lot has been gained in this crusade. But I'm not sure we're getting as much as a kingdom. ”

"Of course not. William nodded: "But how can you be sure that the king of Ruthenia will be in his father's hands? The Hereford family is not likely to emerge victorious if they join the fray. On the other hand, we just sit in the castle and give some aid to the lovely crusaders. We can make a lot of money safely. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Yes, we made a lot of money. property, but also land. But there is a group of people who earn more than we do. Opposite William, Freya said, "The merchants. Our Polotsk merchants from the North. Their financial strength is much stronger than ours. At the same time, they have a lot more resources to offer than we do. ”

"Yes, but they are also much more risky than we are. William replied: "We are very careful that only those who can provide sufficient collateral and cash will give loans." However, they are different. They're making venture capitals. Very little, if not any, collateral. The merchants of Polotsk have also gone mad. Of course, what they ask for is not the same as ours. ”

"What are they asking for?" asked Elise.

"It's a trade right. William replied: "Trade privileges within the territory of the Kingdom of Ruthenia." In addition to this, Ruthenia has iron ore, copper mines, and coal. I've heard that the merchants of Polotsk seem to be interested in the steam engine. The Hanseatic League planned to build a series of steam engine factories. And the steam engine needs those things. ”

"Yes......" Elise seemed to understand.

"All in all, if the crusade had failed, how many of the merchants in Polotsk would have committed suicide because they had gone bankrupt?" asked William.

"I don't know, but, absolutely, a lot...... That's why you're going to repair the canal to the north, and build the road to the north?" asked Shalumi, "After you've made enough money from the crusaders, then take Polotsk after the defeat of the crusaders?"

"Yes, that's it. William nodded: "The Polotsk United Province is the most important commercial center in the Polotsk Sea and the North Sea. Even if I can't fully grasp him, I have to occupy a significant share of it. William said this, a sickly flush appeared on his countenance: "Land, property, the new army." The defeat of the crusaders is equal to my victory!"

Looking at his appearance, Xia Lumi's empathy also became excited. Freya, on the other hand, was somewhat worried—and even more worried, of course, Elise. But her worries were completely useless. She had written to her father, Archduke Lescheck, in her personal capacity, telling her the news she had heard from William about the defeat of the Crusaders.

However, the vast majority of these letters were lost. It was only at the very beginning that Grand Duke Leszek hastily wrote a reply, telling Elise not to worry. After that, there was no follow-up.

Elise also understood that in this case, Grand Duke Lesek, her father would not give up. And he, who had fallen into a frenzy like everyone else, would not have thought her counsel justified.

That's it.

Therefore, Elise is the most tangled and uncomfortable of all the people here. Especially in the case where William offered to reap the benefits of her father's failure.

So, before William wanted to say anything more, Elise shook her head, then smiled reluctantly and stood up: "I feel a little unwell. So...... I want to take a break. ”

"Do you need to call the priest?" asked William.

"No, just take a break. With that, Elise turned and walked towards her room.

"So, aren't you going to chase after you?" asked Freya after she was gone.

"No, it won't. William shook his head: "I made it clear to her before this. And after she married me, she was the woman of House Hereford, my lady, not the princess of House Mystia. She should learn to think from the perspective of her husband's family and for the benefit of her husband's family. And not like it is now. ”

"Are you being too strict, William?" Freya couldn't stand it a little, "She's just a child. ”

"Strict? I hold myself to at least ten times stricter standards than hers. She's the same age as me. William replied.

"But not everyone is like you—"

"Yes, it shows that they should keep trying, and not feel sorry for themselves!" William stood up after saying this, "Then I will go back to my room too." I only get five hours of sleep a day and half an hour of rest. Don't interfere with me. At least for the sake of the Herefords, can you?"

As he said this, William walked out of the conference room and towards his room. At the same time, Charlumi chased after him and grabbed his arm: "Yes William, I can understand. ”

"Hmm. William nodded, no comment.

"Not everybody understands all of this. But I believe in you, William. Things are going to get better, right?"

"Yes, of course. Under my control, the Great Frontier will rightfully get better. ”

"But not everyone will understand you, even the people around you. ”

"It's not that they don't understand. It's just that their own interests do not correspond to them, so they are blinded. William said this as he stopped, then turned around and reached out to wrap his hand around Charlumie's waist, while his left hand hooked her chin: "But luckily, at least I still have you." Shalumi, you're not going to let me down, are you?"

"Of course, I will always stand with you. Charlumi replied. After that, it's a kiss as a matter of course.

At the same time, in the room belonging to Duke Otto.

"So...... You're just watching this kid do whatever he wants?" asked Freya.

"In a sense, he did a lot better than me. Duke Otto replied, "He founded a principality, and then provoked a great war between two of the most terrible enemies of mankind." Helped the Crusaders easily capture two Slavic states. He earned money that I could not earn in a hundred lifetimes, and acquired land and property that I could not obtain in a hundred lifetimes. The Hereford family will be better in his hands. ”

"But you're the Duke of Mystia. Moreover, you are his father. Think about what you did with that woman? If you could put out a tenth of your energy, then this shouldn't be the way it is!"