Chapter 321 Taming the Baron, a Money-Making Machine! (5800)

"Fitz Walker is finally here!" Cao Xing said excitedly.

Last night, this guy said he would come to see me today, but I didn't expect that he would not come until after dark.

The corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

Cao Xing agreed to Fitz Walker's application.

Soon, a thin figure sneaked into Cao Xing's territory.

As Fitz walked, he looked around carefully.

He also saw that this territory had suddenly expanded several times compared to the last time.

There was also a slight shock in his eyes.

But at this moment, he was not in the mood to pay attention to these things. He just wanted to quickly find the bishop and ask him for help.

The other night watchmen, when they saw Fitz Walker come in, pretended not to see him and allowed him to search around the territory.

But now, there is a problem facing Fitz.

That is, the territory has become so large and there are many buildings inside.

Where is he going to find that adult?
Just when Fitz was at a loss, a figure appeared in front of him.

"Fitz Walker, why are you so impatient?"

After seeing Cao Xing, the new young baron felt like he had seen a savior.

Just get ready to kneel down on both knees.

But when I thought about it, this place was outside the territory and there was a group of polar people working nearby.

Fitz stopped himself from kneeling.

He quickly said, "Sir, I came here this time to talk to you about something important!"

Cao Xing nodded. He didn't ask anything and just said, "Come with me."

Soon, the two arrived at the tavern.

The stove in the corner emitted heat and the wood was burning with a crackling sound.

Warm yellow lights illuminated the entire pub.

In the light of the fire, Fitz was the first to put on the mask of the black robe priest.

And Cao Xing also put on the mask of the red-robed bishop.

The young baron immediately knelt on his knees and kowtowed respectfully, "Greetings, Your Excellency the Bishop!"

Cao Xing nodded slightly, "Tell me, what's the matter?"

He pretended to be unaware.

Fitz Walker on the ground began to complain.

I told him about what happened last night when the white-robed priest found me.

He also explained to them that he had successfully inherited the title of Baron, had great power in this area, could provide a lot of help to the church, etc...

After hearing this, Cao Xing's expression did not change, but he nodded calmly.

"I see. The situation in Duolun Lake City is tense and we really need a lot of personnel."

Hearing this, Fitz Walker's face froze.

But Cao Xing's next words gave him hope again.

"But your side is equally important."

"I will contact the Seed of Light and ask the high priest not to interfere with your operations so that you can develop with peace of mind."

Fitz Walker was immediately surprised!

He was moved and said, "Thank you, Bishop. You are indeed a bishop with foresight!"

“Only if I don’t expose myself can I bring more value to the church.”

"Please rest assured that I will make great contributions to the church in the future!"

After saying that, Fitz Walker took out a box from his backpack and revealed a golden corner inside.

Cao Xing's expression changed slightly.

"Fitz, what is this?"

The young baron in front of him smiled flatteringly and said, "My Lord Bishop, this is a small gift from me, please accept it."

Cao Xing pretended to be reserved and thought for a moment.

Then he said, "Okay, then I will accept it on behalf of the God of Light."

[Obtain: Gold Bar (1000g)*10]

[Obtain: Freshwater Pearl (Gold)*1]

...

Seeing the system prompt, Cao Xing's expression changed slightly.

There are actually 10 kilograms of gold bars, which is worth about 50 kronor.

Although we don't know the value of that [Freshwater Pearl], since it is of golden quality, it must be of good quality.

This kid is quite generous.

He nodded slightly, "You are thoughtful."

After hearing this, Fitz said with a smile on his face: "You are too polite, sir. If you like, I will send some to you every once in a while."

After hearing this, Cao Xing curled up his lips into a smile.

"Fitz, you're a smart man."

"Then in return, I will give you something."

Hearing this, Fitz was about to wave his hand and say no.

But when he thought about it, the last time the bishop took out a strange thing, it made him an elite creature directly.

This time, maybe there will be something magical?

In his expectant eyes.

He saw the bishop in front of him and suddenly took out a scroll from his backpack.

"Bishop, what is this?" Fitz Walker asked with confusion and curiosity in his eyes.

Cao Xing did not answer, with a faint smile on his lips.

[Do you want to use the Soul Contract Scroll on Fitz Walker? ]

[After use, the scroll will be signed forcibly, with a success rate of 100%, making the favorability or loyalty of the other party reach the maximum value directly, and the other party's soul can be extinguished at any time, controlling life and death. ]

(Note: The contract target level must be 10 levels lower than your own, otherwise the contract will fail!)
"Yes."

The next moment, the scroll in Cao Xing's hand disappeared.

Fitz Walker suddenly felt that something seemed to have changed in his body.

A feeling of emptiness from the depths of my soul came over me!
He even felt that his soul no longer belonged to him!

It has been firmly controlled by the red-robed bishop in front of him.

There was a look of fear on his face and he looked at Cao Xing in horror.

"My Lord...My Lord Bishop, what did you just do to me?"

Cao Xing squinted at him and asked, "Fitz Walker, this is the gift I was talking about."

"Then let me ask you now, between me and the God of Light, who would you choose?"

When Fitz Walker heard this question, he wanted to subconsciously answer the God of Light.

But the next moment, another figure appeared involuntarily in his mind.

"My Lord...My Lord Bishop, why do you ask?"

Cao Xing shook his head and said, "Don't worry about it. Just answer truthfully."

Fitz's eyes flashed with struggle, and then he said: "Although my belief in the God of Light is extremely firm, if I have to choose, I choose you."

Hearing this answer, a smile appeared on Cao Xing's lips.

Because this means that Fitz chose to give up his faith and believe in himself.

The effect of [Soul Contract Scroll] is indeed as overbearing as described.

Just make a cultist obey you 100%.

"Very good, then from today on, everything you do will be subject to my arrangements."

"You must report any contact between you and the Church of Light to me. Do you understand?"

Fitz had a puzzled look in his eyes, "What does your Excellency mean?"

Cao Xing smiled and said, "I will help you so that you will have more powerful strength and greater rights."

"You will be promoted all the way to become a viscount, earl, or even higher in the future!"

Hearing this, Fitz's breathing became rapid.

What was his purpose in joining the Church of Light?
Isn't it just to use their power to give yourself more power?
And now, this adult told him that he could have all these without the help of the church!

How could this not excite him!
And the most important thing is that he believes that the man in front of him has this ability.

Because he actually did it!
Fitz knelt respectfully again and said, "Please help me, sir. Fitz is willing to give you everything I have!"

Cao Xing smiled, then directly took out a leader-level soul.

"Take it, this thing can help you go further."

Fitz took it respectfully.

Since his favorability has been forced to reach the maximum value, there was no news of favorability improvement this time.

And Cao Xing promoted him because he naturally wanted this kid to work better for him.

Because he knew how to use the soul, Fitz Walker also slapped it directly on the body.
The aura on his body began to grow rapidly!
His breakthrough was smooth.

Soon, Fitz Walker became a leader-level creature, and his aura soared!

There was a look of surprise in the young baron's eyes.

"I succeeded, sir! I am now a leader-level figure!"

"Great! Even the knight captain in the Baron's Mansion only has the potential to be a leader!"

"And now, I also have this level of potential. It won't be long before I can even surpass him and become the strongest person in the Baron's Mansion!"

Seeing his excitement, Cao Xing also smiled and said, "Then from now on, you will continue to act as a member of the Church of Light."

"Of course, you must not expose me."

"You have to remember, I can give you power, but I can also take away everything from you."

As soon as he finished speaking, his mind moved.

A sense of death-like crisis directly enveloped Fitz Walker's whole body!

It was as if his soul would be extinguished in the next second, and his whole body was cold.

Fitz fell to his knees and pressed his entire face to the ground.

He said in great fear: "My lord, Fitz will never have any second thoughts. Even if I die, I will not betray you!"

Cao Xing nodded, and then withdrew the feeling of oppression.

"Get up."

At this moment, Fitz recovered from the state of impending death and was gasping for breath.

It took a long time to regain peace.

Then, with a nervous look, he asked tentatively, "Sir, what do you think of the matter of the white-robed priest coming to see me tomorrow?"

Fitz already knew in his heart that the lord from another world in front of him was not a member of the Church of Light.

But I don't know why, I didn't have any resistance.

Even, I am willing to obey everything he says from the bottom of my heart.

Cao Xing smiled and said, “If he comes looking for you, take him out of the Baron’s Mansion.”

"Leave the rest to me."

Fitz's expression changed slightly. He probably knew what Cao Xing meant.

He hadn't known that before.

However, only now did he understand how terrifying this adult's strength was!
The aura on his body is much stronger than that of the white-robed bishop!

"I understand, sir. However, if the white-robed bishop comes, how can I contact you?"

After hearing this, Cao Xing waved his hand and threw a [small communication device] to him.

"Take it. Once you learn how to use it, you can contact me."

As for the listening device on the shadow cloak, Cao Xing naturally did not tell him.

He placed this thing in a very secret place and it has not been discovered yet. It can be regarded as his second layer of insurance.

Fitz took it respectfully and learned how to operate it.

Then he looked at Cao Xing with excitement.

Cao Xing continued to ask: "Fitz, now tell me what rights you will have after becoming a baron."

Although he had understood some of it.

But in each world, the system of each kingdom is different, so the rights these nobles have are also different.

After listening to this, Fitz thought about it for a while, and then told Cao Xing everything in detail.

It’s pretty much what I expected.

Barons mainly have three kinds of rights: land ownership, military power, and economic power.

These three rights encompass a lot of things.

To put it simply.

Land ownership means that one can levy various taxes within one's own territory, including land tax, head tax, trade tax, etc.

At the same time, he also has the right to distribute the civilians in his territory, and even the right of life and death.

The second military right is that the baron can form his own knightly orders and soldiers and establish his own armed forces. Of course, he has to pay for this himself.

As for the third economic right, it includes trade monopoly, such as salt industry, iron industry, etc. They can control the production and sale of goods and obtain huge profits.

There are also some political rights later, such as the right to attend parliament when the king convenes parliament.

Of course, they must be some relatively important barons.

Generally speaking, only the Viscount has this qualification.

In addition, there are some details, big and small, including inheritance rights, representation rights, command rights, etc.

Cao Xing nodded after listening.

I also gained a deeper understanding of the aristocracy in this world.

He continued to ask: "What is the annual income and expenditure of the Baronial Palace?"

This issue involves the secrets of the Baron's Mansion.

Most barons would not even tell this to their confidants and family members.

Fitz thought for a moment and then said, "My father has been the baron in this area for nearly twenty years, and many resource points have been invested in development."

"After deducting military expenses, agricultural output costs, and construction costs, the current annual income is about 47 billion kronor."

Hearing this number, Cao Xing was shocked.

Good guy!
More than four billion!

He had previously estimated that they could earn hundreds of millions a year, but that was an underestimation.

A baron has such a high income a year, no wonder these nobles are so rich!
Fitzwalk added: "However, part of the income will be contributed to Earl Poniar and Viscount Mordred."

"In the end, only about 4% of it fell into our hands."

The corners of Cao Xing's mouth twitched.

Sure enough, is it still the same in this world?

Not bad though.

The annual revenue is about tens of billions.

Moreover, it is not just the income from crowns, there must be a lot of other resource income, such as precious gems, mithril, etc.

After 20 years of accumulation, the resources in the Baron's Mansion must be beyond imagination!
And now, the baron is under his control.

This means that these resources are all yours.

Thinking of this, Cao Xing almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

He continued to ask a few more questions, almost asking about the baron's entire family background.

And Fitz answered truthfully.

It was not until half an hour later that Cao Xing stopped asking questions.

Then he asked one last question.

"My territory needs a lot of manpower recently. Do you have any way to help me get them?"

Fitz thought for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Sir, do you just need someone who can work, or do you need someone with a certain level of combat ability?"

“Anything that works.”

Hearing this, Fitz's face suddenly lit up.

"Sir, it just so happened that some time ago, my father took in a group of villagers from the Barony of Augustus, more than two hundred people."

"They didn't pay enough taxes, so the village was disbanded and sold to my father."

"I'm worried about finding a suitable place to put them."

"If you need it, my lord, I will have someone bring these villagers here in the next two days."

Cao Xing's eyes lit up instantly.

"Very good, let's do it then."

Fitz nodded respectfully.

Then he asked tentatively: "Sir, do you have any questions?"

Cao Xing thought for a moment and found that he had asked almost all the questions he should have asked, so there was nothing to worry about now.

"Nothing much for now, but my territory will continue to grow, so you must remember to cover for me."

Fitz nodded quickly and said, "Understood, sir!"

"Very good, you can go back now. If you have any problems, remember to contact me."

After hearing this, the young baron immediately saluted respectfully and left Cao Xing's territory.

Along the way, Cao Xing monitored for a while, and when he found no problems, a smile appeared on his face.

"Very good, we have solved another hidden danger and completely controlled a baron!"

"Now I can develop my business with peace of mind, without having to worry about being disturbed or taxed by those nobles."

"Of course, taxes from other survivors in this area will still be collected."

"After all, the Baron's things are my things. I can't let them go to waste."

Thinking of this, Cao Xing felt better.

I took a look at the properties of the pearl.

【Freshwater Pearl (Gold)】

【Quality: Treasure】

[Additional attributes: Charm +20, All attributes +20]

(Note: It requires an expert blacksmith to inlay.)
...

"Oh? The properties added by this pearl are more than those of the black diamond."

"That is to say, this thing is worth at least more than one million kronor."

Cao Xing laughed. Fitz Walker was quite generous. Something worth one or two million was easily given to him.

Satisfied nodded.

Cao Xing walked out of the tavern.

On the way to the [Intermediate Mage Tower].

The sound of electricity buzzing in my ears again.

After a moment, a middle-aged man's voice sounded.

"Respected Lord, I am Yaskin."

When he heard this name, a look of surprise appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

After participating in the fishing competition in Annohe Village, Cao Xing asked Yaskin to take more than 100,000 crowns and go to Melinde City for development.

He hasn't reported much progress recently.

Now that he suddenly contacts me, there must be some progress.

Cao Xing asked cheerfully, "Yaskin, how are things going lately? How are you doing out there by yourself?"

Hearing this, Yaskin was moved and said, "Thank you for your concern, Lord. I am living well outside."

"Melinde City is very prosperous, and the business model here is also very mature. I have been staying in a hotel recently."

"With the funds given to me by the Lord, food and accommodation will not be a problem at all."

"But... no matter how prosperous the cities outside are, they are definitely not as comfortable as living in our territory..."

Cao Xing also smiled.

"By the way, Lord, I came to you to report something."

Yaskin said, "According to your suggestion, I have observed their business model in Melinde City these days."

"Then, through some connections, I spent about 15 kronor and successfully bought a shop."

"This shop has a good location and is in a busy area. It should be good for doing some business."

"But this 15 kronor is only one year's rent. I'm worried that the owner of this shop will raise the price later, so I'm still dragging my feet and haven't signed the contract yet."

"If you have time, Lord, you can come to Melinde City and have a detailed discussion with this person."

After listening to Yaskin's report, Cao Xing's eyes also showed a thoughtful look.

Did you buy a shop for 15?

That's not bad.

This way, he could go to Melinde City and do business on his own.

There are so many popular things in Cao Xing's territory.

Whether it is selling the weapons looted from the hunter camp or opening an arms shop.

Whether you open a food store and sell Yuncai Yak milk or even Guangfeather chicken eggs, you can make a lot of money.

You know, even Hilton, who has a good relationship with him, would definitely pay below the market price when he came to Cao Xing's territory to purchase these supplies.

Only by producing and selling by yourself can you earn more profits.

Therefore, I shouldn't lose money if I buy this store.

Of course, the specific situation still requires an on-site investigation to observe the flow of people near the shops and the situation in the city of Melinde.

However, although Yaskin has a calm personality, he is not a stupid person.

He won't do business that will lose money, so there is no need to worry about the situation of the shop.

Cao Xing replied: "Okay, I understand. I will go to Melinde City to take a look when I have time."

"If you have any other shops in the back that you think are good, you can buy them first."

"If you don't have enough funds, go back to the territory and ask Cao Yi for money. Then tell him that I said so."

After listening to Cao Xing's instructions, Yaskin replied respectfully: "As you command, Lord."

"Then I won't disturb you."

……

(End of this chapter)