85_85536 Mixed dark elves, Levantines, Berbers and orcs, goblins and other races, the territory spans the Black Sea, the Red Sea, the Azure Sea, its land area is almost equal to the countries of the human world, the Ottoman Empire, is another human enemy after the centaurs of Tartaria. It is another terrifying force with ambition and strength to conquer the entire world.

The semi-nomadic, semi-feudal empire, with its abundant grain, steel, horses, and population, currently had three enemies - one of which was the centaurs of the northern savannah.

The Ottomans coveted the wealth of animal husbandry in the vast steppes of centaurs, as well as the land rich in gold. At the same time, the dark elves, who have been repeatedly defeated by the Lombards in naval battles, are also changing their strategies, hoping to change the direction of the invasion of the human world.

In recent years, the Ottomans, whose naval power has been gradually shrinking, have gradually increased their conflicts and wars with centaurs on land. The focus of the contention was the mountainous region of Armenia, a natural line of defense for the Centaur Khanate against attacks from the south. At the same time, it was also a skirmish for centaurs to enter the rich Ottoman Empire and plunder the spoils of war.

Amenia is flanked on the east and west sides by the Black Sea on one side and the Tarta Inland Sea on the other, as well as vast expanses of barren tidal flats, wilderness and marshes. None of them are suitable directions to enter. Therefore, the war between the dark elves and centaurs that revolves around the Armenian region has become one of the daily scenes of the Old World for nearly fifty years.

"The seventh round of the Armenian War. William thanked the merchant who claimed to be a Yugoslavi merchant, but in fact looked like a robber had come to sell a little more stolen goods. And then talk to yourself like this.

"It's the eighth. Charlumi corrected William's words like this, and then said, "Are you relieved this time?"

Listening to the meaning of "you are a stupid" in Xia Lumi's tone, William couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Okay, okay, it seems that I am indeed a little ...... this time" Speaking of this, William shook his head.

Well, it's really out of his reach. It was indeed his fault that he made a mistake in anticipation. But there's no way around it. In this era of this level of communication, and the level of road traffic. Coupled with the restrictions on William's own status. It is impossible for him to have much of a situation and a big picture.

"Well, then, we can finally take it easy, right?" asked Charlumi to William. It seems that this girl is still obsessed with a relaxed and happy life: "According to your agricultural reform technology, the grain production in the territory should increase a lot." Plus the large loot harvested before. Xia Lumi is now in such a situation where she has a lot of money and has nowhere to spend.

“...... I'm afraid not. William shook his head, then said.

"Eh, why not?" asked Charumie, a little surprised, and a little dissatisfied.

"Hmm...... Let's put it this way, Charlumie. William said to her, "Do you want to be a duke?"

"Duke...... "Charlumi didn't react for a moment.

"Yes, yes, Duchess. Or rather, Archduchess Charlumi von Hereford of Mazovia. Doesn't that sound great?"

"William, what the hell are you trying to say?" said Charlumie, slightly dissatisfied. She sensed that perhaps the luxuries she hoped for were about to disappear again.

"It's a great opportunity, a great opportunity. Charlumie. A good opportunity to dramatically increase the power of our Hereford family. It would be a shame to give up now. ”

"Yes...... Is that so?" said Charlumie. Although she still didn't believe William's words a little. And instinctively resisted William's next package of various economic and military reform plans. But since William said so, she had received an orthodox knightly and aristocratic education after all. He has an instinctive understanding of things such as expanding the family's territory, increasing the family's influence, and the family's title.

That is, she is willing to make certain sacrifices for the sake of these things.

"Would you believe me if I said that the centaurs would not let the Duchy of Mazovia go, and that they would make a comeback in a short time?" asked William.

"To be honest, I don't believe it. Charlumi replied honestly.

"Then we can use the second tactic. William replied, "I remember that in the heyday of the Hereford family, we occupied more than one county, did we?"

"Of course, the Hereford family has not had a very long history, but it has been in Mazovia for almost three hundred years. Our ancestors once occupied more than half of Mazovia's territory. At the mention of this, Charlumi looked proud.

"Then it's easy to do. Charlumie, then, you should remember that in this 'half' of the realm, Baudelaire, Vitra, and Sandomitz - and it just so happened that all three counties had been attacked by the bandits, and the poor count of Baudelaire had the castle breached by the bandits, and then pulled to have his head cut off. ”

“...... Do you want to do anything to the three counties, William?" asked Charlumie. At the same time, she recalled the map of the Grand Duchy of Mazovia, which she had once seen.

One of the three counties was in the east of Chersk, in Baudelaire, where the count had just died. Vitra and Sandomit, on the other hand, are both north of Chersk. It borders the Barony of Hereford, owned by William's father.

Together, these territories occupy a fifth of the total area of Mazovia. To the northeast is Ruthenia, the kingdom of the Slavites, and to the north, through vast wilderness and coniferous forests, the Republic of Polotsk can be reached.

If they could really occupy this territory, then the status of the Hereford family in the Grand Duchy of Mazovia would inevitably skyrocket. As long as it is managed properly, it is not a dream to take the throne of the Grand Duke of Mazovia as a foundation. After all, the current Grand Duke of Mazovia also occupies only about one-fifth of the territory of the Grand Duchy.

Moreover, this fifth of the territory belonged to the "Trieste" family, and not to Duke Leszek alone. His two younger brothers each occupied a county and threatened his succession, his archduke's title, and his domain.

Under such circumstances, if William can really control more than four earldoms, then the comprehensive strength of the Hereford family will definitely surpass that of the Trieste family.

"But that premise is that we can really control those areas. Charlumi said, "The whole family of the Count of Baudelaire is dead." Immediate family severed. And although there are still quite a few distant relatives there. But the succession order is not too high. In this case, we claim nothing wrong with that territory in the name of the Hereford family. But Vitra and Sandomit, the counts of these two realms, are still alive and well......"

"There's a way. William was optimistic: "At the very least, it is the annexation of the county of Baudelaire...... Well, it's not too oily and watery, though. And a layer of land has just been scraped away by the displaced people. But land is land. In a few years, we will be able to resume production. It even takes Baudelaire's production to the next level. ”

"Hmm...... Well. Charlumi nodded, agreeing with William's statement. But at the same time, Xia Lumi was still hesitant:

"But even if that's the case, you don't need to spend too much money......

"Be prepared, Charlumie. And now is not the time for harvest at all. Would it be good to endure for a few more years? If we endure for a few more years, we will certainly have a lot more money on our hands. ”

"I haven't had a ball or anything in a while......" Charlumi muttered quietly.

"So what? You're an earl, and no one else is. They need to come and talk to you, not you to talk to them. You have to remember that well, Charlumie. ”

“...... All right. William. I think you convinced me. We...... Let's go according to the original plan. Eventually, Charlumi said this with some helplessness.

"Very nice and thank you very much, Charlumie. William said this as he kissed Xia Lumi's forehead: "Don't worry." I'm going to do things well. ”

"I hope so......" replied Charlumi puffed up.

In this way, after William became the military governor, his official rank rose by one level, and he became the military governor and the treasurer.

Therefore, William has always felt that the feudal aristocracy was very unscientific in setting up the official positions of courtiers. In addition to managing the lord's finances, economy, and treasury, the so-called financial governor was also responsible for managing the domain, manor, trade, and other affairs. It can be said that he has taken on the duties of an administrative officer in the territory.

Basically, everything that has to do with money and income is under the jurisdiction of the Treasurer. This power is actually not much different from that of the court minister. Therefore, some of the larger nobles, such as dukes, or the great nobles of independent principalities such as the Grand Duke of Mazovia, generally had only one official position, either leaving the treasurer or the court.

This choice will vary depending on the expectations of the host family. Generally speaking, in the absence of enough trusted clergy, court priests, the great nobles would rather leave the position of court minister vacant than allow someone they could not trust to get such an important position.

In addition, if the nobles trusted the local bishop or archbishop, or the courtiers, the courtiers were too powerful...... Or, to put it another way, if the power of the local archbishop is strong, then "according to tradition", it is natural for the bishops, or archbishops, to serve as court ministers. In such cases, the position of the treasurer is usually cancelled, or his authority is significantly reduced.

Of course, there are times. There will be a conflict of power between the Holy See and the nobility. And the court minister and the treasurer, these two officials with conflicting powers will become the clergy and the king...... Or the front line of the aristocratic power conflict