Free Web NovelChapter 94: Chapter 85: Is the Empire Finished?
"My lord, there are young men at the barracks gate every day, wanting to enlist. We can’t even chase them away."
Henry sighed and said, "Tell them to go about their business. The army isn’t short on men right now. Tell Philip and Vasco to keep their men in line. The moment they get a day off, they’re in the taverns bragging."
Henry had a headache dealing with these loyal soldiers who still retained their "humanity." They were too enthusiastic—so enthusiastic they praised Henry as if he were the sun in the sky.
’Look, a steel sword! Check it out, iron armor! Issued by the Lord himself!’
’There’s meat and rice, and all the grain you can eat!’
Just those two lines were enough to get the young men who had recently moved here all fired up.
’Damn, I want to enlist too!’
Furthermore, the salaries these soldiers boasted about were also extremely attractive.
Henry’s army paid salaries on par with the Empire’s Standing Legion. Henry wasn’t worried about wealth outflow anyway. The money he paid out would just end up being spent in the taverns or on buying extra rations from the Quartermaster.
A worker at a leather factory earned a monthly salary of between thirty-seven and seventy-three Su. A higher-paying blacksmith’s shop often paid between fifty-five Su and one Dinar and five Su.
A skilled worker at a velvet mill could earn one Dinar and one silver a month, but you usually needed a recommendation to get a job there.
A tavern hand might earn a minimum salary of only thirteen Su.
Henry’s army was different. A Skilled Infantryman’s salary could reach eight silver a month, and on top of that, there was meat to eat and warm clothes to wear.
For these listless young men, such pay and benefits meant more than just a stable income; it meant earning dignity for themselves in this unfamiliar place.
Those soldiers wore armor and carried weapons. Who on the road wouldn’t treat them with respect? That was dignity.
For these reasons, the barracks gate was crowded every day with enthusiastic young men, all eager to join Henry’s army and become one of his soldiers.
The officers at the barracks had to face these eager young men every day, patiently explaining that they simply weren’t short on recruits.
Although the recruiting officers did their best to maintain order, the young men’s enthusiasm remained high. They all hoped that one day they could put on that armor and become a soldier in Lord Henry’s army.
Henry couldn’t just forcefully disperse them either, so he let his officers deal with the headache. In any case, those young men couldn’t get into the castle.
If they found proper jobs for themselves, Henry might consider letting them form a Militia Team. He could issue them some Cotton Armor or Cloth Armor and have them maintain public order.
Henry retreated to his study to find some peace and quiet. Tommy followed him in and reported, "My lord, the latest news from the Imperial Office is that they’re on their way. The wooden building for them to stay in has been constructed, and they’ll be handling the interior furnishing themselves."
Henry didn’t say much. Everything would have to wait until they arrived.
「Several days later」
The arrival of the Imperial Office in Westwood Laine caused quite a stir, as it meant the people would now have a place to deposit savings and send letters.
The clerks from the office arrived in Henry’s domain, carrying thick files. Dressed in the Empire’s official clerical robes, they looked solemn. Henry personally received them at the castle gate.
The leading official, a rather dignified-looking middle-aged man, bowed to Henry and said, "Honorable Baron, we have come to your domain to establish an office in accordance with His Majesty the Emperor’s command."
Henry nodded slightly. "I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I thought you would arrive during the New Year festival. It’s been almost two months since then."
The official answered with a smile, "Baron, your Westwood Laine is developing rapidly. Establishing an office here will better facilitate communication between your domain and other regions." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Henry was not satisfied with the official’s evasive answer, but after the official gave him a meaningful look, Henry said thoughtfully, "I will support the office’s work and provide the necessary assistance."
The official gave Henry a grateful look. "Thank you for your support, Baron. We have already discussed some details with your Minister of State Affairs, Mr. Claude, and I believe we will be able to begin our work soon."
"Very good. I trust Claude will arrange everything properly."
The official bowed again to express his thanks. He then began discussing specific matters with Claude, who was standing nearby, including the location of the office and personnel arrangements.
After they finished their discussion, the clerks from the Imperial Office followed Claude away, leaving only the head official behind.
"I need an explanation. I’m not a very patient man."
Bogdan swallowed hard. The man before him was a true god of slaughter. Other commanders just ordered their armies to kill, but this one personally went into battle and killed countless enemies. He had also recently plundered a Baron’s fief until it was barren land. He was truly terrifying.
"H-Honorable Baron, according to our agreement, we were indeed supposed to establish our presence in your domain during the New Year festival. It’s just that there was a small... incident that delayed our procedures."
Henry frowned, watching Bogdan wipe his forehead. He asked in displeasure, "I said I need an explanation, not nonsense. Tell me the reason."
"It was the Second Prince. He believed that after you were ennobled and left the Royal Capital, you should have gone to Chai Kan to see him..."
The Imperial Office is a vast and complex institution. For... certain reasons, our procedural progress was halted.
Because the delay dragged on for too long, His Majesty the Emperor personally inquired about the matter, and only then were we able to sort out the paperwork."
Bogdan stammered through his explanation. Henry didn’t quite understand. ’He’s just the Second Prince, a man who will likely be sidelined after his older brother inherits the throne. How does he dare act so arrogant?’
"Does he not know who I am?"
"Ah?" Bogdan looked at Henry, completely baffled and unable to process the question for a moment.
’Isn’t that backward?’
Henry placed his left hand on his hip and said sternly, "I want you to deliver a letter to him for me. Tell him that within the borders of the Empire, only the great Emperor can command his Vassals."
The authority in Henry’s voice made Bogdan tremble with unease. Not daring to defy him in the slightest, he quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, Honorable Baron. I will be sure to convey your words to the Second Prince in Chai Kan."
After dismissing Bogdan, Henry took a walk within the castle walls.
’He’s just a mere prince, not even the heir to the King’s title. Even if he did inherit, it’s not guaranteed he’d be crowned Emperor. Why would he dare to cause trouble for me? Is he looking for a beating?’
’Someone that arrogant is not allowed to exist in the eastern grasslands!’
"Baron, your letters." Henry had only been strolling for a short while when a Record Keeper ran over with a stack of mail.
Henry took them and saw letters from Daimon, Yiduo, Boman, and Fass.
Henry returned to his study with the bundle of letters, lit the stove, and began to read through them.
Boman’s letter wasn’t very interesting. He was just showing off his newborn child and bragging about how much he and his wife loved each other. ’Hmph, how boring.’
Fass’s letter was full of praise for Henry, saying it was incredibly badass of him to plunder a Baron’s fief until it was barren.
Henry smiled unconsciously. If their fiefs weren’t so far apart, he really would have wanted to invite them over for a gathering during the New Year festival.
Henry picked up Yiduo’s letter. His expression turned serious after reading it.
’Remnant forces of the Grand Duchy of Kyiv Rus have been discovered in the northeast. The Emperor has summoned his ministers to discuss the matter.’
’Something seems to have happened in the overseas kingdoms. The trade volume of the merchant caravans has decreased.’
This was useful information, especially the second piece. Henry had always been very interested in the overseas kingdoms.
Unfortunately, information about the overseas kingdoms was tightly controlled. Even people in the western coastal regions had no idea what the situation was like there.
Henry took a sip of black tea and continued reading. After he finished going through all of Daimon’s letters, he held his breath for three seconds.
’The First Prince has been granted the title of Legion Commander by the Emperor. He is to reorganize the Third Legion and prepare to head toward Tiyaer.’
’The Third Prince was attacked by Lizardmen on the desert border, in the Iyakis region. From what I’ve heard, these Lizardmen seem to control some kind of terrifying mount, but the specifics are unclear. The desert trade routes are threatened, and the Southern Legion is on high alert.’
’The state of war on the eastern border has dissipated. The merchant guilds are canceling some temporary trade agreements.’
’The Second Prince is making contact with the Counts of the grasslands. The Emperor has found out about this.’
Henry pressed the letters down on his desk with his hand, lost in thought. ’Is the Empire finished?’ The thought made Henry laugh at himself.
’How could that be possible? My Caladia Empire has countless gold and silver, and wave after wave of new subjects. We are at the peak of our national power. How could we be finished?’
When combined, the letters from Yiduo and Daimon gave Henry the illusion that the Empire was beset by enemies on all sides.
Henry’s unease was not unfounded. Although his domain was located in the southeastern part of the Empire, far from these sources of turmoil, the stability of the Empire directly affected everyone.
Henry immediately prepared to write his replies. He would also pay Dinars to strengthen his sources of information from the heart of the Empire and the border regions.
This kind of intelligence gathering was addictive. If you suddenly enabled a person to receive news from all corners of the world, they would think, ’Wow, this is amazing.’
But if that flow of information were suddenly cut off, they would surely go crazy.
Henry also began to place more importance on his "cooperation" with the Imperial Office. This giant institution was not just the Emperor’s eyes and ears; it was a shortcut connecting him to the heart of the Empire.
If he could corrupt Bogdan, Henry would be able to gain a better understanding of the Empire’s intelligence and gather more information for himself.
The temperature on the grasslands rose day by day. A peal of thunder that shook the heavens and the earth announced the arrival of spring.
The newly built and widened dirt roads of Westwood Laine were spacious and flat. Like the veins of a leaf, they connected the various settlements of Westwood Laine and stretched out into the distance, making transportation for merchant caravans much more convenient.
The caravans’ wagons traveled smoothly on the dirt roads, free from the bumps of the past, and their cargo was more secure.
The newly introduced agricultural tools had significantly improved the efficiency of farming. The hoe blades were sharp, penetrating the soil with ease, saving labor and increasing efficiency. The plowshares were well-designed, turning the earth evenly and to a suitable depth. The scythes were sharp, allowing for a fast, neat, and clean harvest.
Two months passed. In some ways it felt fast, in others, slow.
"Tommy, send letters to the surrounding nobles. I’m going to hold a competition and celebration for the Wolf Hunting Festival. They had all better attend."
