As the shamans shouted, more and more natives gathered on the street, and they all knelt down. They were not very intelligent, so they had absolute trust in the shaman's decision.
"Good opportunity. Aren't you worried that the indigenous people will not be able to work hard? This is the best time to recruit them."
The Cheap God encouraged Downton. If he had to choose the best military force in the world, it would be neither the Celestial Legion, which is said to be invincible in all planes, nor the cruel and cold-blooded Abyss Demon Legion, which regards death as fun, nor the hundreds of soldiers who dominate the Western Continent.
Thousands of years old Titan army, but fanatical believers.
These religious lunatics with fanatical beliefs have dedicated everything, including their lives, to the gods. They live for gods and die for gods. It is pure to a terrifying level.
"Do you think Charlotte might do such a thing?"
Downton rolled his eyes. Even if Xian Lang agreed, he wouldn't be happy with it. He would rather spend money to hire people than deceive these natives. This is his code of conduct.
"Hey, if you are not sinister enough, you will never become the king!"
Cheap gods despise.
"We are not a wise wolf, nor are we your prophet. If you need a better life, you can go to Downton. At least I guarantee that he will not waste you cheaply!"
After Charlotte announced to these shamans with a cold face, she looked at Downton.
"Downton, Duke of the West, hereby swears an oath to the goddess of flame!" Downton raised his right hand with a pious expression, "If I capture Frankfort, I promise to give you one-third of the West and establish a free trade zone.
, the tax rate is halved!”
The shamans looked excited. Xia Luo was indeed Lord Wise Wolf. With just one sentence, Downton had made so many concessions. You should know that Bloodmaul had only reached a few small towns before he had spent so much time talking.
"Why did you change your story?"
Bloodmaul questioned.
"Leave me alone?"
Downton frowned. Not to mention that he liked Xia Luo. He wanted to increase his favorability and establish a free trade zone. It would also be good for him. If the local specialties of Dragon Hills are properly developed, it would also be a huge amount of income.
"I'm very busy, so excuse me!"
The cross-light door leading to the Hive Laboratory opened, and Xia Luo walked in. A group of shamans wanted to chase her, but they did not dare to offend her.
"Sign the contract!"
Although Downton has already sworn an oath, Bloodmaul, who has been traveling in the human kingdom for several years, still likes to put the contract into words in black and white.
"Abagong, talk to him!"
Downton left a word and turned back to the mayor's office. He still had a lot of work to deal with.
In the brightly lit study room of the Duke's Mansion in the South, a middle-aged man sat behind the desk, looking through the information that had been sent urgently by the scouts ahead.
The ministers and generals who were summoned overnight were not in the mood to drink tea. They were all discussing the changes in the war situation in low voices.
"That native Duke actually defeated Blackbeard? It's incredible. What do you think?"
Duke McHale put down the battle report, pinched his eyebrows, and asked everyone.
Everyone looked at each other. Finally, their eyes fell on Mike's most trusted general, Kevin, who spoke first. This was already a meeting convention.
"Duke, I think the plan should be advanced. Blackbeard is not an idiot. Such a defeat can only mean that Downton is more powerful than expected!"
Kevin made thick eyebrows and big eyes, and added a Chinese character face. He was very domineering.
"Isn't it time? Although the Duke of the North suffered heavy losses, he still has a few main legions, and the strength is still superior. As for the king's army, it has not been damaged at all!"
McHale hesitated.
"According to intelligence records, Downton has a regiment composed entirely of magicians with very strong combat effectiveness. Moreover, the Blood Hammer has also begun to recruit indigenous people. Coupled with the territory-wide mobilization order, the military strength will soon exceed that of the Northern Territory.
If we let it go, the Duke of the North will be defeated sooner or later!"
Kevin's analysis.
"You think too highly of that native Duke. Even if he wins, his strength will be greatly reduced, and we can just reap the benefits."
The finance minister retorted, saying that once troops are sent out, money and food will be spent, so we should delay it as long as we can.
"Wrong, when the time comes, you won't even be able to grab a feather."
Kevin shook his finger.
Just as the Finance Minister was about to ask why, there was a knock on the door.
"Master, urgent report!"
The loyal old servant didn't wait for the Duke to answer, then opened the door and walked in with a carrier pigeon. After confirming that no one else had touched the small bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's feet, he took it off and asked the Duke to take a look.
.
Snapped!
The Duke crushed the bamboo tube, and purple smoke immediately floated out. He took out a pair of glasses from the drawer. After putting them on, he could see that the smoke had been arranged in the shape of words.
"Is the Duke of the East Territory out of his mind? He actually sent troops at this time?"
Not only Mike, but also General Kevin, all had surprised expressions on their faces. What do you think? They should be waiting for Downton and the Duke of the North to fight to death!
"Why are we conquering the Western Region?"
Kevin suddenly spoke.
"Nonsense, of course it's for land and population."
The Minister of Finance rolled his eyes at Kevin. No matter how high-sounding he said, for the people of the Western Region, in the end, it was still about interests.
"Yes, if Downton and the Duke of the North fight to the death, what will be the final result?"
Kevin asked rhetorically.
Everyone thought on their knees and knew that the Western Territory would be beaten to pieces, with countless young and middle-aged people killed and injured.
"So, now that we can send troops, we can seize as much territory as we can. Don't forget, no one likes war, especially families who have received mobilization orders. Even if men are not afraid of dying in battle, their wives, daughters, and parents will work hard to stop it.
of."
Kevin sneered, "What do you think will happen when we come to the city and tell them that they can farm their fields without worrying about anything?"
"Of course you support us!"
The expressions of the ministers softened and they all laughed.
"Yes, this is different from the invasion of an enemy country. We are all from Delankfurt. Under whose rule, we don't have to live the same life? We don't want to be slaves to the subjugation of the country!"
Mike clapped his hands and said proudly to himself, but little did he know that these words made some ministers curl their lips involuntarily.
Among the four major realms, the Western Region is tax-free for three years. With the same income, you can live better there, of course. For the sake of your own life, ministers don't care about talking nonsense.
"Downton is destined to fail in this war. In the end, it is a game between the three dukes and the king. If we seize a large area of land now, we will increase our strength and our right to speak!"
All of Kevin's words were promoting the sending of troops. Without him, as a general, war was the only opportunity for them to make a fortune.
The Chancellor of Finance originally wanted to refute, but was blocked by Kevin's words.
"Don't forget, those flame oats were planted in the Western Region last year. This year's harvest was bumper, and the civilians' wallets and granaries are very full. If we go a little later, those gold coins will flow into Downton's pockets and become war materials."
"I agree to send troops!"
The Chancellor of the Exchequer changed his tune and finally reached a consensus.
"What should we do now?"
Mike looked at his number one general eagerly.
"Immediately send troops, and at the same time let the spies spread rumors in the Western Territory to slander Downton and reduce his personal influence. The Duke made a written commitment to capture the Western Territory. All civilians in the occupied areas will enjoy a three-year tax reduction policy. Reduce the income of Westerners.
Resist desire."
Kevin has a well-thought-out deployment plan. As a commander, he has already considered these issues.
"Write it down quickly, but it will only take three years. Isn't it too long?"
After Duke Mac finished giving instructions to the clerk, he hesitated a little.
"This is temporary. As long as we conquer the Western Territory, it's not just a matter of saying that you want to change the tax rate?"
Kevin shrugged his shoulders, and his teasing tone made the nobles who occupied the upper echelons of power in the North all laugh. Commoners? Aren't they just there to fool them?
"There are rumors. The economy in the Western Territory is definitely in turmoil, prices are soaring, and Downton's logistics are absolutely ruined. It will never be able to survive this war with its usual reserves."
The Chancellor of Finance always looks at problems from the perspective of economics, "Then the next question is, what if Downton diverts his troops to attack us?"
"Let's not talk about the mortal feud between Downton and the Duke of the North. Even if he dies, I'm afraid he will be dragged to hell with him. When the time comes, we can take the initiative to win over him who is desperate, provide supplies, and let him be our vanguard!"
After Kevin finished speaking, everyone showed a satisfied smile, as if the Western Territory was within their grasp.
In the Eastern Residence, the Duke was alone in a deserted room, without even a maid. After leaning on the railing in front of the window and watching for a long time, he went to the bedroom to sleep. Before leaving, he did not forget to burn the letter asking him to send troops.
Secret message.
In Qingmu Town, Downton, who had been awake all night long on business, looked at the rising morning light, stretched out, took a sip of coffee, and found that it had gone cold.
Celes was lying on the table next to her, sleeping soundly,
Downton didn't pay attention, drank the coffee, and helped Celes cover herself with a blanket.
"Master, something serious has happened!"
Jackson ran over like crazy and banged open the door.
"Quiet!" After glaring at Jackson, Downton looked at Celes who woke up, "Why don't you go back to your room and sleep?"
"I'll make you a cup of black tea!"
Celes shook her head, folded the blanket and put it on the chair, and walked out. She knew that Downton didn't want her to worry.
"explain!"
Downton sat behind the desk.
"The effect of the mobilization order is very poor, the recruitment rate is less than 2%, and people's hearts are unstable, and there are many families who are fleeing!"
Jackson put the urgent information on the table.
"go on!"
Looking at Jackson who was hesitant to speak, Downton snorted, picked up the information and looked through it.
"Rumors have broken out in all medium-sized and above towns in the Western Territory, saying that you have hilly natives and orc ancestry, so that's why you will let natives and orcs live on the border. After you have completely secured your position as Duke, you will issue a decree to abolish racial discrimination.
We even let human girls marry indigenous people with outstanding military exploits!”
As Jackson spoke, he peeked at Downton's face and found that there was not much change. He just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the master smashing the desk with a punch.
"Damn it!"
Downton's face is distorted and he cannot recruit troops. He can also use indigenous people to replace him. However, the rumors that he is a hybrid will completely uproot his foundation in the Western Territory. (To be continued...)
