Chapter 242 - 18: Grain Trade (Part 2)
Chapter 242: Chapter 18: Grain Trade (Part 2)
Of course, forging them into a single, cohesive group would certainly require a number of stratagems...
Robson glanced around. Among the nobles present, himself included, how many would still be smiling a year from now? For newly enfeoffed nobles, especially those on the border, it was commonplace for their borders to shift within the first year.
Few people were considering this problem right now. Or perhaps, everyone was still immersed in the joy of their impending ennoblement.
"Viscount Robson is here..."
"I heard Viscount Jeffrey has privately acknowledged Viscount Robson as his sworn brother. I wonder if it’s true."
"Sworn brother? Have you seen who’s beside the Viscount? That’s Count Valentino, Marquis Oscillate’s own granddaughter..."
"I heard Viscount Robson was the first to choose our current province. As for the future of these four northeastern provinces... it’s hard to say."
Quite a few people came forward to greet Robson upon his arrival, many of whom he had met at Marquis Oscillate’s manor.
There were many familiar faces among them, such as Knight Bo Yang, who had previously served under Robson. He should be called Baron Boyang now.
That was right. Since Robson left Thermopylae, all the high-ranking officers in the army had been replaced. The first regiment was now under Ais’s command.
Robson was still scouting for candidates to lead the other regiments and planned to hold selections later.
Earl Kifri’s Soldiers would also be arriving soon. Just in time. Robson could use these men as a practical training ground to develop the leadership skills of his subordinates.
This was one of the serious problems Robson currently faced: a talent shortage.
In an era where knowledge was monopolized, families would not easily let go of anyone who was literate.
Of course, it wasn’t that Robson couldn’t find talented people at all. However, his own finances would likely be insufficient to support them, and it would surely introduce elements detrimental to unity within his domain’s leadership.
In comparison, Robson still preferred to cultivate his own talent. Coincidentally, he still had a batch of literacy tutorials brought over by Master Fu’an.
Of course, these materials would need to be improved in the future before they could be widely implemented.
"Viscount Robson, Count Valentino! It’s been a long time."
To Robson’s surprise, he ran into Viscount Luke in the altar garden. Viscount Luke looked as slick and prosperous as ever.
"Viscount Luke, long time no see. You seem to be doing well lately..."
"That’s all thanks to the Patriarch’s and your support. If you need anything in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask," Viscount Luke said with a smile.
"Really? As it happens, I do have a few things I could use some help with." Upon hearing this, Robson immediately took him up on the offer.
This put Viscount Luke in an awkward position. He was just being polite, not expecting Robson to be so direct.
But there was nothing to be done. He couldn’t take back what he’d said.
Besides, his successful investment in Robson was a major reason he had gotten to where he was today. He had actually sought Robson out this time to ask him to look after a junior member of his family.
"My lord, please speak freely," Viscount Luke said, forcing a smile.
"As you know, Viscount, I will soon be enfeoffed, but there are still some basic resource problems in my territory that need to be resolved...
I need some grain and seeds, preferably cabbage leaves and purple wheat. Of course, it would be even better if I could get some Magic Grain.
After all, I’ve entrusted all of my territory’s commerce to you.
"This is a big deal, and I thought of you first because of our friendship," Robson said with a smile, patting Viscount Luke’s shoulder.
The two biggest problems in his territory right now were food and population. The Fengman Clan would help solve a part of it, but he figured it wouldn’t be much.
After all, Robson and Valentino were only just engaged. And from the Fengman Clan’s perspective, it was best that Robson didn’t become too powerful before the wedding, or even before their first child was born.
If Robson were content to be a live-in son-in-law, idling away his life within the Fengman Clan, that would be the best possible outcome for many inside the family.
If Robson wanted to get involved in military affairs, it wouldn’t be entirely unacceptable. But if he wanted to establish his own independent house after marrying in, the obstacles would be immense.
This wouldn’t fundamentally affect Valentino and Robson themselves. Their bond was one of affection and the next generation; a husband and wife were a community of shared interests. If Robson became powerful on his own, their children would inherit an even wealthier family.
But for some people within the Fengman Clan, the impact would be huge.
If the future male head of the house grew too powerful, the resulting consolidation of political power would inevitably encroach upon their own authority.
Anyone in the Fengman Clan with half a brain would think this way, and Valentino couldn’t act against the wishes of everyone.
Listening to Robson’s words, Viscount Luke couldn’t help but scoff internally.
’He makes it sound so grand, entrusting his territory’s commerce to us. That place is a barren wasteland right now—what commerce is there?’
’For the Guterres Family, this initial investment is basically a losing proposition.’
"Magic Seeds? Obtaining those is no small feat...
"I wonder, how large is the army under Viscount Robson’s command now?" Viscount Luke asked out of the blue.
Magic Seeds, as the name implied, produced crops that contained magical substances. The great families more or less all had some.