Chapter 493: Choose One from Three Poops (Part )

Prince Kongdai's light words reduced the entire conference hall to the sound of lightning and thunder outside the window.

21 hectares.

That's not 2000 hectares, or 2 hectares, but a full 21 hectares.

There were only a little over 100 million hectares of farmland in the entire Hotam County, and he was going to take one-fifth of it right away.

After most of the dignitaries present reacted, they all looked at Barnifors.

But he just smiled bitterly and shook his head, his face still full of bitterness.

Since Mizam's death, he has been unable to control Prince Condé at all, or to be more precise, Mizam cannot do it either.

He only represented the Pope's opinion, and the only one who could control Prince Condé was the former Pope.

But the old pope is dead.

The new Pope Priano is still in a war of words with the new French Pope Grandivar, and his position is not stable.

Now the main attention of most of the nobles in Leia is on the civil war, which is equivalent to freeing Prince Kongdai. He must establish de facto rule during this golden period of civil war.

Compared with the local nobles, Prince Condé trusted the old ministers of the previous dynasty in his territory and the knights who lived and died together in these imperial orders more.

"I'm sorry, the thunder was so loud that I lost my composure." Garignon coughed, picked up the wine glass on the ground and handed it to the butler who had been waiting on the side.

"May I ask, why do you need so much land?" Bishop Matteo inquired cautiously.

21 hectares is equivalent to 300 million mu of land. On average, each immigrant can get 157 mu of land. So, if you count the old and young in a family together, it is estimated that they will have 700 mu of land.

This is almost half of a knight's territory. How can land be divided like this?

Prince Condai smiled carelessly: "Five imperial companies and three mercenary groups. The original military expenses were paid partly by the royal family, partly by the church, and partly by myself.

Currently, the church is divided and the royal family is in civil war. Both sides have cut off their sources of funding. The money you give is just a drop in the bucket and cannot fill the stomachs of the Knights of the Imperial Decree.

Therefore, in addition to money, we can only use real estate to motivate them. Otherwise, if their food and wages are cut off, they will run back to fight for the dukes. Who will protect you?
It was not that each immigrant household was allocated several hundred acres of land, but that each lancer team was allocated 5000 acres of land, and the immigrants only moved in as helpers.

As for the cost of hiring mercenaries, it will be borne by each town. I have calculated that there is no need to increase taxes. Last year's city taxes can cover the cost of the mercenaries."

If someone else had said this, the nobles present would probably have acted in a classic manner.

It would be extremely difficult for Prince Condé to push things forward through non-violent non-cooperation on his own.

But under the current situation, they are no match for Prince Kongdai's imperial command company, and they are also no match for the northern and southern armies of Qianhe Valley.

But are we just going to give it away for free? That would be like everyone having to cut off one-fifth of their flesh.

"But these lands all belong to someone. Where do the 21 hectares of land come from?" Earl Sampoli of Stonewall Ridge coughed.

"It doesn't matter." Prince Kongdai took out a map and spread it on the table, looking well prepared.

“First, for those knights who died in battle without descendants and have no adult direct male heirs, we will find a female relative to marry our knights and take care of the whole family.

By replacing inheritance with marriage, the dilemma is resolved.

Otherwise, these lands would be wasted to support those little brats or noble ladies who have no fighting ability.

This means that there are about 50 acres of land, and this land was moved to by immigrants from the Frankish and Leonian ethnic groups.

Then, there are still 260 million acres of land left, which will be distributed to my cavalry in portions of 5000 acres.

You know, a lot of money and food will always be lost when it passes through hands. Anyway, these knights of mine are useless, so why not just let them collect taxes and get their own military pay?
Don't worry, it's just a temporary loan. When I fight back to Lower River County and Longsand County next year, I will move my knights there.

I know you will suffer losses, but as long as I take over the entire Qianhe Valley, I will return you double the 42 hectares of land and return the entire Jinhe Township to you."

Anyway, the current situation of Jinhe Township is to cooperate with the Salvation Army. After taking over the entire Thousand River Valley in the future, the last bloodline of these damn Kush people will have to be exiled or killed.

These fertile lands must naturally be vacated, and they can even help guard the border with Black Snake Bay.

Several dignitaries could roughly guess what Prince Kongdai was thinking.

But sending lancers to collect taxes, is that still collecting taxes? Isn't that robbery?
The Norns are doing their old business again, patrolling and demanding tribute, right?

Both religious and secular nobles were embarrassed, as these fields had been managed by their ancestors for generations. The important wells, ditches, small dams and pastures were all gooses that laid golden eggs, but if these barbaric knights passed by, they would probably be left with only scars.

Most importantly, tax is not just a question of money, but also a question of who is the leader.

This is almost the Achilles' heel of all the powerful.

"But Your Highness, can we really occupy the entire Thousand River Valley?" Bishop Matteo still asked honestly.

"I have invited the Osra family of the Thorn Garden, and they will send troops to help." Prince Kongdai threw a letter on the table, "The last defeat was mainly due to the dispersion of the troops, which resulted in the inability to exert their full strength.

With the Osra family's land servants and thorn knights, we can hold back the Savior Army in the south, and I will lead the five command companies to charge directly into North Mound, and cooperate with the Stonebreakers army to attack from both sides, and we will surely win."

Standing up, Prince Condé knocked on the table vigorously: "I have finished speaking. Who is in favor and who is against?"

After all the nobles had left, Lacunio walked in from outside: "Do they agree with your opinion?"

"Yes." Holding the wine glass and watching the lightning in the sky, Prince Condé nodded heavily, "I agree. Everything goes as I wish."

"It won't be that easy." Lacunio became even more worried. After he arrived at the Thousand River Valley, a sense of crisis loomed in his heart, making it difficult for him to leave.

Prince Condé looked down at himself in the reflection of the red wine and said, "So what? The kingdom is in civil war, and the only one who has the ability to support them is the Duke of Omes who supports me.

These nobles of the Thousand River Valley are all fish waiting to be slaughtered. They know this better than I do. Otherwise, why do you think they would accept it?"

With a long sigh, Lacunio did not give any more advice. Prince Condé would not listen anyway, so he brought up another topic: "Do you have to attack the north?"

"I will never change until those traitors are killed." An obvious arc and dent appeared on the copper cup in Prince Kongdai's hand.

After being betrayed by the people of High Castle, Prince Condé's paranoia reached its peak. It was almost impossible to see the bold and generous side he once had. He had to capture High Castle to resolve his worries.

Looking at that sinister face, Lacunio seemed to have made up his mind.

He is old and has no children.

Death from old age and death in battle are both death, so why struggle for a few more years of life?

"I am an old man, and I am afraid I can no longer ride a horse and kill people. If you must attack the north first, I can replace that little Mizam and serve as your counselor."

Turning around suddenly, Prince Kongdai was stunned for several seconds before he walked up to him with surprise and gave his former teacher a big hug.

"It would be great if you would help me."

Although he learned his skills in the Thousand River Valley, the one who actually taught him was Lacunio. This teacher made a great contribution to Prince Conte's return to the Kingdom of Leia.

"With your help, I will definitely become the Duke of Qianhe Valley and the Prince of Qianhe Valley!"

Unlike Prince Condé's surprise, Lacuno just patted him on the back with a complicated expression.

Old Gail, old Gail, I really don’t owe you anything this time.

………………

"It's raining heavily."

Standing under the eaves, Gellinon felt someone patting his shoulder, and when he turned around, it was Count Sampoli.

This earl who sits in Stonewall Ridge has some Imperial Aiel blood and is the most senior among the five earls.

"It's not as big as last year. If it weren't for the heavy rain last year, I'm afraid we wouldn't be gathered here today." Sampoli exhaled a circle of white smoke from his mouth.

Seeing Garinon's curious eyes, Sampoli smiled and took out a pipe: "This is a new thing from Griffin Horn, called tobacco leaves, you can smoke it after it is dried and lit.

Originally, it was smoked by sailors in Zealand, and it has only recently become popular in France. It is said to enhance heart and lung function. "

Garignon tried to take a sip, but was choked and coughed repeatedly.

"Hahahaha." Sampoli laughed, took a puff and blew out a layer of smoke rings. "Since it's raining so hard, I can't go back for a while. I have a villa nearby, how about coming and sitting down?"

Garinon rubbed his nose and was about to decline, but he saw Sampoli smile meaningfully: "Let's all come."

Garinon took off his hat and said, "Since it's your invitation, how can I refuse it?"

(End of this chapter)