The Lion’s Demands

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

The atmosphere in the reception room finally eased.

Paul smiled and asked, "I wonder how I can assist Earl Kent?"

Let's all be straightforward.

Emerson was slightly surprised by Paul's directness, but since Paul had opened the door, he didn't beat around the bush.

Emerson pulled out a scroll and handed it to Paul.

Paul took it and unfolded the scroll. Malon also leaned in to read.

Upon seeing it, both men trembled with anger.

The paper listed the conditions of the Kent family:

Twenty percent of the income from papermaking and porcelain in the current Alden territory should be given to the Kent family, and another twenty percent to Duke Fraule. Byerldine is to be "co-administered" by Emden and Alden.

Malon was immediately enraged and about to stand up and argue with Emerson, but Paul held him back.

He awkwardly said, "Sir Emerson, we find these conditions difficult to accept."

Emerson's expression stiffened again. "Lord Grayman, these conditions have been carefully considered by Earl Kent. If you cannot recognize the reality, Earl Kent may have to take measures you won't like."

A threat! A blatant threat!

Paul resisted the urge to explode and maintained a stiff smile. "Let's discuss and decide lightly. Someone, escort the envoy back to his inn to rest."

"Hmph! Lord Grayman, it would be wise to decide early. I don't mind, but Earl Kent doesn't have much patience."

Emerson gave Paul what he saw as a disdainful smile and left with the servant.

Malon turned to Paul anxiously, "What do we do now?"

In the Northwestern Bay, Earl Kent was like a smaller version of Giles. Whenever he set his sights on a target, he wouldn't relent until he had taken a bite out of them. Moreover, as a direct vassal of Duke Fraule, his relationship with his liege lord was very good. After gaining benefits, he would definitely remember to honor his liege lord. Duke Fraule was also happy to see his loyal hound fat and strong, especially when he let him loose to bite certain people.

On one hand, Byerldine was now under threat from the Kent family, and on the other, a lot of the Ganard family's money had been invested in Paul's factories, making it difficult for Malon to accept the conditions they had set.

Paul comforted Malon by patting him on the shoulder. "I've heard a saying — when the cart reaches the mountain, there must be a way forward, and when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight. Let's gather everyone to discuss. There must be a solution."

...

Soon, the high-ranking officials of the administration and military were summoned to the Lord's mansion.

After Paul explained to everyone about the envoy sent by the Kent family and the excessive demands made, they were first shocked, then their reactions varied.

The administrative officials were all furrowing their brows, worried about the Kent family's dominance. After all, they were known to command several hundred knights at their beck and call.

The military personnel, on the other hand, were filled with righteous indignation, clamoring to mobilize the army and strike at Emden immediately.

"Lord Grayman, this is clearly extortion, blatant blackmail! It's an insult to you and us. We should go to war against the Kent family!"

"We already have three musket battalions, ten cannons. One volley and we can scatter those newly set-down farmhands of theirs."

"As for their knights, you saw at the Battle of Buteya City last time—they're just piles of meat under the cover of our cannons."

Bryce, with a booming voice, stood up to speak for the military, and other officers nodded in agreement, their confidence boosted by their recent victories.

Marshal Ford immediately countered them, "How can you advocate for war so lightly? Do you think everything can be solved with force?"

These warriors, winning two battles and getting cocky.

"Even if we win against the Kent family, what then? They have Duke Fraule of the Northwest behind them—the largest vassal in the kingdom's northwest, with territory and population ten times ours! No matter how strong our army is, can it compensate for such a vast numerical disparity?"

"Once the Kent family pulls Duke Fraule into this—and it's very likely—remember, to outsiders, the Kent family has always been the duke's loyal dog. They don't need to send troops to attack us; Duke Fraule can simply forbid his vassals below him from trading with us, and block our southern trade routes. Our income would shrink back to what it was last spring."

"At that time, where would the money come from to pay our soldiers' wages, to buy the raw materials for making weapons?"

"This..." Bryce was stumped.

Hansel frowned and advised, "Sometimes, a step back is a step into the wide ocean. It's necessary to gauge the situation."

General Schroder was torn between the two sides, unsure whom to support.

Marshal Ford's words startled Paul. He had only considered the size and population advantages of the opponent's territory, but in this feudal society, these advantages might not translate into effective military strength. He might indeed be able to contend with them in battle.

However, what Marshal Ford said next was something he hadn't considered. How miserable, Alden and Byerldine were both in the northernmost part of the Northwestern Bay. What if their trade route to the south was really cut off?

Money only comes from selling paper and porcelain. Without sea routes being established, once the surrounding lords block them, everything done in the last half-year will be wasted.

Paul tapped the table lightly and listened silently to the arguments of both civil and military factions.

Some military officers were still unwilling, suggesting concentrating forces for a decisive battle to force the other side to negotiate.

But Paul didn't quite agree with this proposal. During World War II, the Japanese military department thought that although the United States had an absolute advantage in comprehensive national strength, once they were severely injured at Pearl Harbor, the Americans would come to beg them for peace. However, the reality slapped them in the face.

War doesn't just develop according to the will of one side.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally made a difficult decision, slapped the table, and silenced the arguing crowd.

"Everyone, I've made my decision. We'll temporarily compromise with the Kent family."

He gave Malon, sitting beside him, a reassuring look.

"But Byerldine will never agree to be co-administered with them. I'd rather give up more profits."

No one opposed Paul's decision. The arguments among the officers were just their inability to swallow their pride. They certainly knew the huge disparity in strength between the enemy and us. Since the Lord had made a decision, they could only accept reality.

Humiliation, anger, and unwillingness lingered in everyone's hearts.

"Bernard." Paul called his chief secretary softly.

The chief secretary immediately responded, "Lord Grayman."

"Arrange for Emerson to come to the castle tomorrow. I need to have another talk with him."

"Your orders will be followed."

Paul continued, "Marshal Ford, Hansel, Cecil, Schroder, Bryce, all of you, come together."

"Yes, Earl." The named individuals responded in unison.

(End of the Chapter)