In a small city near the territory of Alda, Baron Hansel Abbott was sharing drinks with a man dressed as a merchant in a tavern.
“Times are tough,” said the man across the table, putting down his cup and pulling out a scroll of parchment from his coat to hand to the baron.
“So, this is our new assignment?”
Hansel took the scroll and quickly glanced over it.
“Gathering supplies and provisions? I remember the officials at the royal granary boasting that their stock could last over a year. Could it be that Harls’ few thousand men have eaten it all in such a short time?”
“Um…” The merchant-dressed liaison hesitated, then shrugged. “There was a fire in the warehouse.”
“Oh, no wonder.” Hansel nodded, suspecting it was the work of spies.
“Speaking of which, Lord Baron, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in Lakeheart Town? I had quite a time finding you.”
“Hmm!” Hansel cleared his throat, trying to control his heartbeat to keep his face from reddening.
“Alda is suffering from pirate attacks, and as the royal representative, I couldn’t just stand by. So, I’m here procuring supplies and weaponry for the lord.” He couldn’t admit that he was scared off by pirates.
The liaison gave a thumbs up: “Impressive! So, Count Grayman’s success against the pirates is partly thanks to you.”
This surprised Hansel: “Quelling the pirates?”
The liaison explained: “Hasn’t Count Grayman informed you? When I went to Lakeheart Town to find you, everyone was talking about it. The Count has already retaken Port Fran, executing many pirates, and is said to be returning to Lakeheart Town soon.”
“Is that so? Looks like I can return to Lakeheart Town too.” Hansel’s face showed joy, but he thought: That young count really has some skills. When I left, people were nearly at my doorstep.
He added, “But you know, I have to wait for an official notice from Count Grayman before I can return.”
“I think the notice will arrive soon. We’ll be counting on you for the provisions matter.”
“Of course.” Hansel readily agreed.
The liaison sighed: “I often travel in the northwest, and it’s rare to see a lord like Count Grayman who thinks of his people. The coast has been plagued by pirates for years.”
Hansel scoffed internally, quickly changing the subject: “How’s the situation in the south?”
The liaison shook his head: “The food’s all burned, what else? But please don’t spread this around, though I suppose it’ll be known everywhere soon. I didn’t follow the army into the city, but the fire was visible from miles away. It can’t be hidden.”
Hansel frowned: “So, the army can’t immediately move south to quell the rebellion?”
“There’s a saying, right? ‘Logistics first, then troops.’ Now that the supplies are gone, how can they fight? They’ll probably just send small detachments to help Duke Dodge hold Thorn Pass, preventing Jars from reaching the north.”
The liaison looked pessimistic and continued: “Fortunately, it seems that the force attacking Thorn Pass isn’t Jars’ main army.”
Suddenly, he jolted, hurriedly speaking, “Lord Baron, I was a bit drunk just now and started spouting nonsense. Please…”
Baron Hansel, smiling, raised his glass to him: “I always keep secrets. To His Majesty the King!”
The liaison also raised his glass: “To His Majesty the King.”
Jars’ main forces haven’t moved north? Then they must be dealing with the southern lords who refuse to submit. If the royal army can’t move south in time, with Jars’ strength, those lords are left to fend for themselves. If the rebels consolidate the southern territories, they’ll be even harder to deal with. Googlᴇ search NoveI★Fire.net
“Difficult times indeed!” Hansel sighed internally, deciding to meet with the young count again.
Back to the present, in the study of the Lord’s Manor in Lakeheart Town, intelligence chief Cecil was reporting his work.
“Lord, as per your request, our agents have started working in the capital. However, due to lack of experience and recent martial law, they didn’t gather much information. Now, we finally have some results.”
He respectfully handed a stack of documents to Paul.
Paul skimmed through them rapidly. He wasn’t much concerned with the capital’s intelligence as the northwest was keeping him busy enough. However, as a vassal of the Kingdom of Ordo, keeping abreast of national affairs was necessary.
“Good heavens, the granaries have been burned?” Paul was shocked, recalling what Queller had told him at Port Fran. Someone was backing Jars, and the royal side was suffering. First, the capital was taken, then recaptured, only to lose a vast amount of provisions. Perhaps the royal side really was in jeopardy.
Paul wondered if he should write a letter of surrender to Jars. As a transmigrator, he held little loyalty to the Rodney Dynasty. It didn’t matter who wore the crown, as long as it didn’t affect his industrial revolution. “Once my factories are up, all of you feudal remnants will be swept into the dustbin of history.”
However, Cecil’s next report changed his mind.
“Count, with the spread of the new paper, many are secretly coveting our invention.”
Cecil handed over the second report. Paul, now anxious, carefully read it. This was about a crucial financial source for the Alda territory.
“Robbers! Thieves! Despicable!” Paul exclaimed angrily after reading, condemning those lurking in the shadows.
The report revealed multiple powers trying to steal the new paper-making technology, including several influential guilds and neighboring lords like Count Kent of Emden and Viscount Johnston of Bordeaux.
Fortunately, Paul’s emphasis on secrecy and the high treatment of workers had fostered loyalty, keeping the paper-making technique safe. However, he couldn’t be sure for how long.
Paul didn’t intend to monopolize the technology forever. It was simple and bound to be learned by others. But it was key to his initial capital accumulation.
He was open to the spread of new technology, as he couldn’t industrialize alone. But it had to be under his control. He didn’t want his enemies getting ahead with planes and missiles, then bombarding him from the sky.
But with neighboring lords involved, things were complicated. He instructed Cecil, “Inform the steward, Philip, to invite Baron Hansel Abbott to me.”
No more hesitations; it was time to cling to a powerful ally.