Chapter 493: Choosing one of the three shits to eat (Part 2)
Prince Kongdai said a single word, and the entire meeting hall was filled with the sound of lightning and thunder outside the window.
210,000 hectares.
That is not 2,000 hectares, or 20,000 hectares, but a full 210,000 hectares.
There are only a little over 1 million hectares of farmland in the entire Hotam County, and he will leave one-fifth of it as soon as he opens his mouth.
After most of the dignitaries present reacted, they all looked at Barneyforth.
But he just smiled and shook his head, his face also full of bitterness.
Since Mizam's death, he has been unable to control Prince Condai at all. To be precise, Mizam can't do it either.
He only represents the opinion of the Pope. The only person who can control Prince Condai is the former old Pope.
But the old pope is dead.
The new Pope Pugliano is still having a war of words with the new French Pope Grandivar, and his position is not stable.
Nowadays, the main attention of most nobles in Leia is on the civil war, which is equivalent to untying Prince Condai. He must form de facto rule during the golden gap period of the civil war.
Compared with the local nobles, Prince Condai believed more in the veterans of the former dynasty in his territory and the knights who lived and died together in the imperial company.
"Sorry, the thunder was too loud and I lost my composure." Galinon coughed, picked up the wine glass on the ground, and handed it to the manservant who was already waiting.
“I dare to ask, why do you need so much land?” Bishop Matteo asked cautiously.
210,000 hectares is equivalent to 3 million acres of land. On average, each immigrant can be allocated 157 acres, so a family of old and young is estimated to have 700 acres of land.
This can almost catch up with half of the knights. How can there be such a division of land?
Prince Condai smiled broadly: "There are five imperial companies and three mercenary regiments. Part of the original military expenditure was paid by the royal family, part by the church, and part by myself.
At present, the church Split, royal civil war, the sources of funds for both sides have been cut off, and the money you give is a drop in the bucket and cannot fill the stomachs of the edict knights.
So, in addition to money, we can only use real estate to motivate them. , otherwise without food and salary, they will go back to fight for several dukes, who will protect you?
It was not that each family was given hundreds of acres of land, but each lancer was given 5,000 acres of land, and the immigrants were only moved in as helpers.
As for the hiring costs of the mercenary groups, they will be borne by each town. I have calculated that there is no need to increase taxes. Last year's city tax can cover the expenses of the mercenary groups. ”
If it were someone else who said this, the nobles present would probably be a classic example of subordination.
Relying on non-violence and non-cooperation, Prince Condai wanted to push things forward. It is extremely difficult to go down.
But under the current situation, they are not the opponent of Prince Kong Dai's command company, and secondly, they are not the opponent of the northern and southern armies of Qianhe River Valley.
But just give it away for free? That's equivalent to everyone having to cut off one-fifth of their flesh.
“But all this land has its own owner. Where did the 210,000 hectares of land come from?” Count Sambori of Stonewall Ridge coughed.
"It doesn't matter." Prince Kong Dai took out a map and spread it on the table. He seemed to be prepared for it.
“First of all, if those knights who died in battle and have no heirs have adult direct male heirs, they will find a female relative to marry our knights and take care of the whole family together.
With Marriage and inheritance are a dilemma.
Otherwise, it would be a waste to raise those little brats or noble ladies with no fighting ability in these lands.
In this way, there will be almost 500,000 acres of land. This part of the land will be moved in by French and Laian immigrants.
Then, there are 2.6 million acres of land left, and my cavalry team will eat them according to a share of 5,000 acres.
You know, you will always lose a lot of money and food if you pass it through. Anyway, these knights of mine are of no use. How about just letting them collect taxes and collect their own military pay?
Don't worry, it's just a temporary loan. When I return to Lower River County and Longsand County next year, I will move my knights there.
I know you will suffer losses, but as long as I take over the entire Qianhe River Valley, I will return you double the 420,000 hectares of land and return the entire Jinhe Township to you. ”
Anyway, the current situation in Jinhe Township is to cooperate with the Salvation Army. When the entire Thousand River Valley is taken over in the future, the last bloodline of these damn Kush people will have to be exiled or killed.
< br>These fertile lands will naturally be freed up, and they can even help guard the border with Black Snake Bay.
The thoughts of Prince Kong Dai can be roughly guessed by several dignitaries.
Just sending the Lancers to collect taxes, is that still collecting taxes?
The Norns have started their old business and started patrolling to demand tribute, right?
Both the religious nobles and the secular nobles showed embarrassment on their faces. These fields have been managed by their ancestors for generations. Those important wells, ditches, small dams and pastures are all chickens that lay golden eggs. If these savage knights walk through them, they will probably be left with nothing but devastation.
The most important thing is that tax is not just a question of money, but also a question of who is the leader.
This is almost the reverse scale of all nobles.
"But Your Highness, can we really occupy the entire Thousand River Valley?" Bishop Matteo still asked straightforwardly.
“I have invited the Osla family from the Thorn Garden, and they will send troops to help.” Prince Condai threw a letter on the table, “The main reason for the previous defeat was that the troops were dispersed, and they focused on one thing and lost the other. As a result, we cannot exert our full strength.
With the Osla family's territorial servants and Thorn Knights, we can hold back the Salvation Army in the south, and I will lead five command companies directly into North Mound to cooperate. If Ruishiyuan's army attacks from a flank, they will definitely win."
Standing up, Prince Condai knocked on the table hard: "After I finish speaking, who agrees and who opposes?"
Wait until then. After all the dignitaries left, La Cunho walked in from the door: "Did they agree with you?"
"Yes." Holding the wine glass and watching the lightning flying in the sky, Prince Condé nodded heavily, "I agreed, everything is as expected."
"It won't be that simple." Lacunio became even more worried, After he arrived at Qianhe Valley, a sense of crisis hung over him, making it difficult for him to leave.
Prince Condai looked down at himself in the reflection of the red wine: "So what? The kingdom is in a civil war, and the only one who has the ability to support them is the Duke of Omes, who supported me.
These nobles of the Thousand Valleys are just fish to be slaughtered. They know better than me. Otherwise, why do you think they would accept it?” The prince couldn't listen, but brought up another topic: "Do you have to attack the north?"
"I will never change before I kill those traitors." The copper cup in Prince Condai's hand showed an obvious arc and dent.
After being betrayed by the people of the High Castle, Prince Condai's paranoia reached its peak. He could hardly see the bold and powerful look he once had. He had to capture the High Castle to untie his knot.
Looking at that sinister face, La Cunho seemed to have made up his mind.
He is old and has no children.
Death of old age and death in battle are both deaths, so why struggle for a few more years of life?
"I'm an old man. I'm afraid I won't be able to mount my horse and kill people anymore. If you must attack the north first, I can replace that little Mizam and be your counselor."
Swiftly turn Turning around, Prince Condai was stunned for several seconds before he went up to him in surprise and gave his former teacher a big hug.
“It would be great if you are willing to help me.”
Although I learned my skills in the Thousand Valleys, the real person who taught me the skills was Lacunio and Condé. The prince was able to return to the Kingdom of Leia, and this teacher played a great role.
“With your help, I will definitely become the Duke of Thousand Valleys and the Prince of Thousand Valleys!”
Unlike Prince Condé's surprise, La Cunho just patted him on the back with a complicated expression.
Old Gale, Old Gale, I really don’t owe you this time.
………………
“It’s raining hard.”
Standing under the eaves, Galinon felt someone tapping his shoulder and turned around It turned out to be Count Sampaoli.
This earl who sits in Stonewall Ridge has some blood from the Aiel people of the Empire, and is considered the oldest among the five earls.
"It's not as heavy as last year. If it hadn't been for the heavy rain last year, I'm afraid we wouldn't have gathered here today." Sampoli blew out a circle of white smoke from his mouth.
Looking at Galinon's curious eyes, Sampoli smiled and took out a tobacco stick: "This is a new thing from Griffin Point. It's called tobacco leaves. It can be smoked after it is dried and lit.< br>
It was originally smoked by sailors in Zealand, but it has become popular in France recently. It is said that it can enhance cardiopulmonary function.”
Gallinon tried to take a sip, but was choked. Coughing continuously.
"Hahahaha." Sampoli laughed, took a puff, and blew out a layer of smoke rings, "Since it's raining so hard, I won't be able to go back for a while, I have a villa nearby, why don't you come and sit there? "
Gallinon rubbed his nose and was about to decline, but saw Sampoli smile meaningfully: "Let's all come."
Gallinon picked it up knowingly. He lowered his hat and said: "Since it is your invitation, how can I bear to refuse?"
(End of this chapter)