Chapter 95 The lion opens his mouth
The atmosphere in the living room finally relaxed.
Paul smiled and asked: "I wonder what I can do for the Earl of Kent?"
Everyone, please open the skylights and speak out.
Emerson was slightly surprised by Paul's straightforwardness, but since the other party had already spoken so, he couldn't go around any longer.
Emerson took out a roll of paper and handed it to Paul.
Paul took it and unfolded the scroll, and Myron also leaned his head to look at it.
At first glance, both of them were shaking with anger.
The conditions of the Kent family are listed on paper:
1. One-fifth of the current income from paper and porcelain making in the Alda territory must be given to the Kent family, and then Give one-fifth to Duke Ferdinand;
2. Baierding is "shared" by Emden and Arda.
Myron was so angry that he wanted to stand up and argue with Emerson, but Paul stopped him again.
He said in embarrassment: "Sir Emerson, these conditions you have brought are a bit unacceptable to us."
Emerson's expression began to stiffen again: "Sir Grayman , these conditions have been carefully considered by the Earl of Kent. If you can't recognize the reality anymore, I'm afraid the Earl of Kent will take some measures that you don't want to see. "
Threat! A naked threat!
Paul resisted the urge to get angry and maintained a stiff smile on his face and said: "Let's discuss it lightly before making a decision. Someone, come and take Mr. Messenger back to the inn to rest."
"Hmph! Gray! Mr. Man had better make a decision early, I don’t care, but Mr. Kent doesn’t have much patience.”
Emerson showed a smile that looked very weak to Paul, and then said this. Followed the servant out.
Myron turned to look at Paul and asked anxiously: "What should we do now?"
In the northwest bay, the Earl of Kent is simply a smaller Giles. No matter what target he has set his sights on, he will never give up until he bites off a piece of flesh from the opponent. Moreover, as a direct vassal of Duke Ferdinand of the Northwest, this guy has a very good relationship with his lord. After receiving any benefits, he will never forget to show his filial piety to him. One for the Duke. Duke Ferdinand was also happy to see his loyal dog fat and strong, so that he could let it out to bite someone when he was unhappy with someone.
On the one hand, Bailding is now also threatened by the Kent family. On the other hand, a lot of money from the Gardner family has been used to invest in Paul's factory. It is difficult for both public and private parties to accept the terms offered by the other party.
Paul patted Mellon on the shoulder and comforted him: "I have heard a saying - there must be a road for a car to reach the mountain, and for a boat to reach the bridge. Let's discuss it with everyone, and there will definitely be a solution. There is a way."
...
Soon, the top officials of the Government Affairs Council and the army were summoned to the Lord's Mansion.
After Paul explained to everyone that the Kent family sent envoys and made many excessive demands, everyone was shocked at first, and then had mixed reactions.
The administrative officials all had frowns on their faces. They were all worried about the strength of the Kent family, which was a powerful family that claimed to be able to recruit hundreds of knights at will.
The people in the army were filled with indignation and shouted that they should assemble the army and fight to Emden now.
"Lord Graiman, this is clearly extortion and extortion. It is simply an insult to you and us. Let's go to war with the Kent family!"
"We now have three members. A musket company, 10 artillery pieces, and a single volley can scatter their group of farmers who have just put down their hoes."
"As for the knights, you saw them at the gate of Butua last time. It’s just a pile of rotten flesh under the cannon fire.”
Bryce, who had a loud voice, stood up and expressed his opinions on behalf of the military. The other officers nodded in agreement. The last battle under Butua City made them more confident.
Director Ford immediately retorted to them: "How can you use force lightly? Do you think everything can be solved by force?" These warriors got carried away after just two victories.
“So what if we defeat a Kent family? Behind him is the Duke of the Northwest, Ferdinand, the largest vassal in the northwest of the kingdom. The territory and population are ten times ours. How many times! No matter how powerful our army is, can we make up for such a large numerical gap?"
"Once the Kent family pulls Duke Ferdinand into trouble, it is very possible. Don't forget that in the eyes of outsiders, Kent The family has always been the Duke's loyal dog. They don't need to send troops to attack us. Duke Ferdinand only needs to prohibit his vassals from trading with us and block our southward trade route. Our income will shrink until the beginning of this spring. ”
"At that time, where will the money come from to pay the soldiers' salaries and where will the money come from to buy raw materials for making weapons?"
"This..." Bryce was stumped.
Hansel also frowned and advised: "Sometimes, it is necessary to take a step back and properly assess the situation."
Army Chief of Staff Schroeder was in a dilemma, not knowing what to do. Which side to support.
Controller Ford’s words shocked Paul. He had only considered the opponent’s large territory and large population before, but with the social system of this feudal era, these two advantages could not be effectively transformed into military strength. , I may not be able to fight with it.
But what Director Ford said later was something he had never thought of. It was so sad. Alda and Bailding were both in the northernmost part of the Northwest Gulf. What if his trade route to the south was really cut off? ?
Whether it is paper or porcelain, you have to sell it to get money. Before the sea route is opened, once it is blocked by the surrounding lords, all the work you have done in the past six months will be in vain. .
Paul tapped the table and listened to the argument between the civil and military groups without saying a word.
Some of the officers were dissatisfied and proposed to concentrate their forces and fight several beautiful battles of annihilation to force the other side to sue for peace.
But Paul did not agree with this suggestion very much. During World War II, the military headquarters also believed that although the United States had an absolute advantage in comprehensive national strength, after it severely hurt the opponent at Pearl Harbor, The rice beasts would come to sue for peace, only to be severely slapped in the face by reality.
War will not develop solely according to the will of one party.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally made a difficult decision, patted the table, and everyone in the argument fell silent.
"Everyone, I have decided to compromise with the Kent family for the time being."
He gave Myron, who was sitting next to him, a reassuring look.
“But Bairding will never agree to co-manage with them. I would rather give up an extra part of the profits.”
No one objected to Paul's decision. The officers' argument was just that they couldn't swallow this breath. Of course, they knew that the strength of the enemy and ourselves was very different. Now that the lord had made a decision, they could only accept the reality.
Humiliation, anger, unwillingness, and all kinds of negative emotions linger in everyone's hearts.
"Bernard." Paul called his chief secretary softly.
The chief secretary immediately responded: "Lord Graiman."
"Arrange for Emerson to come to the castle tomorrow, and I will talk to him again."
"I am following your instructions."
Paul said again: "Controller Ford, Hansel, Cecil, Schroeder, and Bryce are coming together."
"Yes, Lord Count." The people whose names were called responded one after another.
(End of this chapter)