After receiving Otto's invitation, the Earl of Zurich did not hesitate and quickly came to Eagle Castle.
The communication between the two parties was very pleasant. After a frank and sincere exchange, Otto learned that the other party really wanted to exchange territory.
Previously, Zurich was a vassal directly under King Louis and had a relatively high degree of freedom. After the Kingdom of Colotalingia was destroyed and the Principality of Alemannia was established, several counties such as Zurich and St. Gallen were also included in Alemannia.
The Duke of Alemannia became a vassal of the Duke of Swabia and Alemannia.
Since Otto had gained the favor of the Duke of Swabia through this war and diplomacy (giving gifts), and the Sighard family to whom he was married was a trusted minister of the Duke of Swabia, the Count of Zurich naturally felt tremendous pressure.
He knew very well that Otto would never give up the opportunity to expand his territory and power, and there would definitely be a war with the surrounding lords next.
Although the strength of the Zurich Territory has recovered in recent years, it is still not as good as the rapidly developing Aargau Territory, not to mention that Otto also has the support of the Sighard family.
The Count of Zurich also thought about joining forces with the Grotonning family of Bern to contain Otto's Aargau Territory.
Although the Grodunning family suffered heavy losses in the battle with Otto, it is not known whether it was the Duke of Swabia who wanted to suppress Otto, or whether it was due to the political enemies of the Sighard family, who fought almost the entire war.
The Rodoning family unexpectedly obtained the Earl of Neuchâtel, and their strength not only recovered, but even increased.
However, when faced with the Count of Zurich's alliance proposal, the new head of the Grodunning family, Count Adar of Bern, refused without hesitation.
The reason for Adal's refusal was apparently that he had a good relationship with Aargau, but in fact everyone knew that this cowardly Count of Bern really did not have the courage to confront Otto anymore.
The Grodunning family, which had the most hope of reaching a cooperation, refused to agree. Other surrounding lords also followed the alliance between Otto and the Sighard family and refused to join forces with the Count of Zurich.
When the knife was not placed on their necks, these short-sighted nobles did not care about the life and death of their neighbors. Many lords even wanted to take advantage of the situation and rob them.
Who has kept the Zurich Territory from having territorial conflicts with them, and who has kept Zurich between Allgäu and Swabia. No matter how ambitious Otto is, and there are many directions for expansion around him, it may not be their turn yet.
The Earl of Zurich was desperate. He also knew very well that it was precisely because of Zurich's important position that Otto could not let go of the Zurich territory.
It just so happened that while collecting information about Otto during this period, he also heard rumors that Otto didn't seem to want the Earldom of Navel. It just so happened that he had also acquired some land in the Principality of Upper Burgundy before. With a turn of his head, in an instant,
Came up with this perfect solution.
Didn't Otto want Zurich but not Nevers? Then he would go to Nevers and give Zurich to Otto. Not only would he avoid conflicts between the two parties, but he could even be on good terms with Otto. It would kill two birds with one stone.
Besides, the land in Upper Burgundy is a large plain. Is it not better than the mountainous area in Zurich? It's a profit no matter what.
The Earl of Zurich was so sincere and wanted to exchange sincerely that he even did not hesitate to tell Otto the unknown information about some nobles around Zurich. Otto was naturally relieved.
How could Otto refuse such a deal that benefits others and himself?
As the saying goes, one more enemy is worse than one more friend. Otto thinks it is good to be able to expand without resorting to war.
If word spreads, everyone will just think that Otto is a bit stupid. He exchanged a rich territory for a poor one, and they will be much less wary of him.
As for the Grodunning family, Otto has plenty of time to slowly eat away at the timid Count Adal.
"Since His Excellency the Earl has said so, there is no reason for me not to agree. It's just that the Honfried family in Zurich has been running the business for many years. Although the land in Nahuel is relatively flat, it has not been developed on a large scale. This transaction is still You have suffered a loss.
However, I do have a pretty good deal, which can properly make up for your family’s losses, and it’s a little bit of my appreciation.”
Otto's words surprised the Earl of Zurich. He had suffered a loss in this transaction. But he was not stupid. He immediately understood that the other party was actually showing goodwill and wanted to be on good terms with him.
"My Gods, this transaction between me and Count Otto was completely taken advantage of by me. Your Excellency said this, and I feel a little sorry. Since Your Excellency the Count has a profitable business and is willing to take me with him, I will certainly not It will make you suffer."
The business Otto was talking about was, of course, soap.
After successfully making soap in the Swabian territory, Otto took the craftsmen involved in the production to Lafite Manor. The production process of this thing is so simple, so naturally you have to be careful about leaking it.
The few craftsmen who have mastered the method are safe at Lafite Manor.
This kind of high-end product for the aristocratic class does not require a high production volume. Otto is planning to use the profits from the soap to subsidize the Swabian territory, and does not say that it must be produced in Swabia.
Of course, at the beginning, Otto did want to make both high-end soap and low-end soap, making Berg the "home of soap." However, when he later learned about the difficulty of obtaining animal fats, Otto I gave up the low-end route.
Large-scale pig farming has not started these days, and the German region is not a pastoral area, so how can there be so much animal fat available. Without a large amount of animal fat, it means that not only is the price of this thing high, but the output is also very limited, then the only choice is to go The high-end route.
Otto took out a soap sample packaged in a beautiful wooden box and handed it to the Count of Zurich, and explained to him the specific uses.
Count Zurich opened the wooden box, sniffed it gently, and smiled on his face.
"I think many noble ladies will fall in love with this thing. By the way, what is this thing called?"
"Soap!"
"Soap? Lafite soap?" Count Zurich thought of something.
"No, no, no." Otto shook his head. "This is Berg soap!"
Otto quickly reached an agreement with the Count of Zurich. The Count of Zurich helped Otto sell soap in the Principality of Upper Burgundy and the Kingdom of West Francia. The profit was 64% to both parties, and at the same time, he helped Otto purchase some raw materials, pigs, cattle, etc. at low prices. Otto promised to only supply goods to the Count of Zurich in West Francia.
As for the East Frankish region, Otto naturally left it for his allies, the Sighard family. Of course, there is also the Kingdom of Italy and distant Rome. These areas have to rely on the church.
When the Count of Zurich left with a lot of satisfaction, Otto took the soap with him and went to visit Bishop Valens of the church.
After being back for so many days, Bishop Valens was so calm that he didn't come to see him. Then he would have to come to him himself.