Imperial Crown.

Chapter 26 Spend money! Buy people! Expand the army! Build a city!
Old Gordon pushed his monocle excitedly, with a flame of excitement burning in it: "Baron, I want a payment of 500 gold coins!"

Facing his excitement, Raven said cautiously: "Well... I think Eagle Castle is in good condition now and doesn't need any more repairs. Besides, I don't need a new dress in the short term..."

The last meeting left such a deep impression on Raven that more than half of the budget of 500 gold coins was spent on face-saving projects.

"It's not for Eagle Castle, sir!" Old Gordon blushed, "It's for... 'deployment' of population. You know, there are too few people in Eagle Town right now!"

The nobles are so hypocritical. It is clearly human trafficking, but they insist on calling it "deployment".

However, Raven did not intend to point it out. After all, he was now also a member of the nobility: "Do you have a suitable target?"

Old Gordon nodded: "The Fox family has recently been interested in getting rid of the extra people in the territory."

Raven thought for a moment and said, "They sent someone to the succession ceremony. They were from an earl family, right?"

Old Gordon said, "Your memory is really enviable. The Fox family's fiefdom is in the southeast of Monen City. Its head, Count Montreal, serves as the governor of Nord Province."

Raven suddenly smiled: "Oh, it turns out to be him!"

It’s not that Raven is not sensitive to the division of power in the Nord Province, it’s because the situation of the Fox family is too embarrassing!

Although Count Montreal is nominally the governor of Nord Province, the most prosperous city in the province, Mon City, is the fief of the Slater family. Its head, Count Tyrone Shiva Slater, controls the strongest legion in Nord Province, and even in the three northern provinces of the empire - the [Iron Legion].

In the aristocratic world, strength is ultimately what matters.

The economic strength is not as good as that of the Slater family, and the military strength is even more disparate. This means that the Earl of Montreal's decrees cannot leave the fiefdom at all!
This also led to another nickname for Montreal that is more famous than the Governor General: the Sour-faced Fox.

Why the Count of Montreal always had a sour face - because he couldn't eat grapes.

However, no matter how awkward the situation was, the Fox family was still a legitimate earl of the fiefdom, and it was not something that Raven could despise now: "Are you sure?"

"Of course, sir." Old Gordon said confidently, "Over the past few decades, this kind of 'deployment' of citizens has become a mature industry. Five hundred gold coins are enough to exchange for one thousand citizens, and at least 50% of them will be young and strong laborers."

Raven asked, "How long will it take?"

Gordon Sr. said, “It will take about two to three months.”

Raven drummed his fingers on the table.

In two to three months, that is, September or October, the autumn harvest will be completed and winter will be approaching. Although this will bring food pressure to the Eagle Leader, it will not delay his plan to divide the land next year.

"I'll give you 600 gold coins. You must finish the job before the end of October!"

Old Gordon's face was filled with joy: "Yes, sir!"

Seeing that he took away the budget of 600 gold coins, Eric's heart became excited, and his little eyes glowed with anticipation: "Lord Raven, I need 900 gold coins!"

Raven asked, "Hasn't the equipment issue been resolved? What do you need so much money for?"

Eric said, "I come from the Iron Legion. I can buy the God-given potion that awakens the Iron Fighting Spirit at a lower price. I will give it to Simon, Link, and Gore. As long as one of them can become a Transcendent, it will be a great expansion of our strength!"

Under Eric's anxious gaze, Raven shook his head firmly: "No."

Simon's loyalty is unquestionable, and Goyle and Link have both been tempered by blood and fire.

But people's ambitions will expand as their strength and status increase. Even if they themselves don't want to fight for it, people who are closely related to them will instigate and force them to fight for it.

Once you become a transcendent, you should at least fight for the title of knight, right?

If he doesn't give it, it will easily make people feel disappointed; if he gives it, he must give a territory that is worthy of the knight's status, but Raven doesn't want the Eagle Territory, which has just been completed, to become fragmented again.

It's better to keep the status quo.

If they really want to be promoted, Raven himself must become extraordinary and be able to suppress them in strength!

Seeing that Eric was in a low mood, Raven asked, "Can you get potions from the Iron Legion?"

"Yes, sir." Eric thought Raven had changed his mind and explained, "Although the Iron Legion is commanded by Earl Tyrone, it is an official organization of the Empire. The Empire provides a large amount of potions every year, and the potions are basically inexhaustible, so..."

Before he finished speaking, Raven had already fully understood the meaning.

It all comes down to four words: reselling military supplies!

Raven asked in a low voice: "Can I buy armor, weapons, or the secret martial arts of the army?"

"I don't know about martial arts, but armor and weapons are fine." Eric thought for a moment and said, "But these two are sold in large quantities, at least five or ten sets at a time, unlike potions that can be bought individually."

This time, not only Raven, but even old Gordon was shocked!

They looked at each other, all of them were shocked by the news.

Reselling military supplies has always been a serious crime punishable by the guillotine.

But the Iron Legion, the strongest legion in the northern border of the empire, was so rampant in speculation that even a simple-minded warrior like Eric could find a way to do it.

A glimpse of one spot reveals the whole leopard.

This shows how corrupt the empire’s army has become!
If there were a massive invasion from the Insa Empire in the north and the Bloody Highlands in the west, could they really fight?

Yes, the empire has enjoyed peace for a hundred years, but that doesn’t mean it will always be stable.

Things must be reversed!

Raven secretly made up his mind that he must strengthen his own strength as soon as possible, as well as the strength of his private soldiers, so that no matter whether there will be major chaos in the future, he will be able to deal with it calmly.

"Eric, can you buy the divine potion from the Iron Legion that can awaken a person to become a mage?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Eric said, "Sir, do you want to become a wizard?"

Raven nodded.

Of course, there are many advantages to becoming a wizard - a respected status, elegance and nobility, not only can you cast all kinds of magical spells, but you can also create all kinds of expensive and magical enchanted props.

But this is not the reason why Raven chose to become a mage. The real reason is -

fear death!

It would be fine if we didn't encounter a major war, but if a large-scale war really broke out, as a lower-level noble, you would be required to lead the troops in the charge!

It is really cool and handsome to become a knight, wearing heavy armor, riding a monster, leading the troops, and taking the heads of enemy generals among thousands of troops, but it is also dangerous!
On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. No matter how good the armor is, it can sometimes fail. It is not uncommon for a knight in full helmet and armor to be killed by a group of peasants with pitchforks. This is when the magician's advantage comes into play.

Stand behind the team, without direct contact with the enemy soldiers, just cast some magic casually. If you win, it’s because of the magic support. If you lose, it’s because of the poor combat capability of the army. It highlights the non-stick pan.

Once the battle goes against us, the rear team will become the front team and advance victoriously, then the survival rate will be very high!

What is a strong person? The one who survives to the end is the strong one!
"Sir, you can go find Priest Lux." Eric suggested, "The Church of Light has always been a big seller of God-given potions, so there shouldn't be a shortage of potions for mages."

Raven's eyes were full of anticipation: "I will discuss this matter with Lasi alone later, let's continue the meeting."

Eric was somewhat depressed because his proposal was rejected.

Raven did not intend to disappoint his retainer: "I just said that I don't plan to give Simon and the others the God-given potion, but I didn't say that I don't plan to spend money on military affairs."

Eric scratched his head and said, "But, apart from this, there is really no need to invest a large amount of gold coins at the moment."

"Yes." Raven said firmly: "Now that Shining Gold Town has returned to our hands, it is time to continue to expand the army. The current private soldiers will be upgraded to a personal guard platoon, and I will command them personally. Eric, you will be the leader of my personal guard!"

"After that, recruit three more platoons of soldiers, commanded by Simon, Gore, and Link respectively. For these three platoons, I need a row of sword and shield soldiers, a row of crossbow archers, and a row of spearmen! In addition, I also need you to select twelve people with a certain talent in riding to form a scout squad!"

The imperial military system was crude and archaic, with ten men in a squad, a hundred men in a battalion, a thousand men in a column, and five thousand men in a legion.

In contrast, Raven trusted the great man's vision more and chose the "three-three system", with twelve people in a class, three classes in a platoon, three platoons in a company, and so on.

Judging from the results of the battle against the bandits, this system has not failed to adapt to the local conditions in this world, so continuing to expand it is a natural choice.

Eric's eyes also lit up. After the last actual combat test, his belief in the three-three system was even deeper than Raven's.

The three-three system is flexible in organization and has clear organizational structure. It can be broken down into smaller units and reorganized into a whole at any time, making both command and combat clearer and more convenient.

And this is not just an advantage of the system, it also complements Raven's almost abnormal and strict training!

Before this, Eric had never seen a team that attached so much importance to discipline and obedience. During the two-month training, more than two-thirds of the time was spent on queue training.

This can only be said to be a matter of adapting to local conditions and different people. The lazy armies of the empire can only adopt a rough decimal formation. Only well-trained and disciplined teams can give full play to the advantages of the three-three system.

"My Lord Baron, does your personal guard platoon need reinforcements?"

Raven shook his head. "It is an honor to be able to join the Royal Guard Platoon. Whether considering morale or combat effectiveness, I do not intend to replenish it this time."

"I understand, sir. Then, the budget needed this time..." After just a quick calculation in his mind, Eric listed the specific data in detail:
"A total of 105 people need to be recruited. After allowing for losses, 120 sets of leather armor need to be purchased, which will cost about 60 gold coins; 40 sets of swords and shields, which will cost about 55 gold coins; 30 spears, which will cost 50 silver coins for one gold coin; 40 crossbows, which will cost 5,000 crossbow arrows, which will cost an estimated 90 gold coins."

A few seconds later, Old Gordon stopped writing and concluded, "A total of 206 gold coins and 50 silver coins are needed."

Raven said, "Buy another forty crossbows. In addition, I need one hundred crossbow arrows enchanted with [Primary Penetration]."

Yorick said, "In this case, we will need to add another 280 gold coins."

Everything related to magic is very expensive. An ordinary crossbow arrow only costs twenty copper coins, but an enchanted crossbow arrow requires two gold coins, a thousand times difference!

But this is also an extremely necessary expense. Ordinary crossbows can hardly penetrate enchanted armor, but when thirty-six enchanted crossbows are fired at the same time, even a knight or warrior with fourth-level fighting spirit will probably suffer a bitter defeat!
"Now that you have said what you want, it's my turn." Raven said seriously, "Old Gordon, from today on, organize people to level out a piece of land of at least four acres along the upper reaches of the Jinsha River."

"Build a stone wall around the perimeter, about three meters high, for people to stand guard and keep watch! The interior is mainly made of earth and stone, divided into living areas, work areas, and warehouse areas. The work area must be large enough to accommodate at least ten workshops that can accommodate at least ten people!"

Old Gordon asked, "What's the duration, sir?"

Raven said, "The sooner the better!"

"This is almost a small town..." Old Gordon frowned. "Although the busy farming season has passed, we will definitely have to hire extra people according to your request. Counting the cost of materials... I think it will cost at least 430 gold coins."

"I'll give you a budget of 600 gold coins. No matter what method you use, the construction period must be within one month!" Raven said, "In addition, I need at least ten sets of distillation equipment, as well as a large amount of baking soda, quicklime, roses, oil, and the cheapest alcohol!"

Gordon asked as he recorded, "Sir, how much of this large quantity do you need?"

"Five hundred kilograms of baking soda per month, one thousand kilograms of quicklime per month, and the more roses, oils, and alcohol, the better. I hope the former two are no less than three thousand kilograms, and the latter..." Raven recalled the alcohol concentration of the alcohol in this world: "More than one thousand kilograms!"

Old Gordon lowered his head to count the number, then raised his head and said, "Sir, the other items are easy to deal with, but as for Rose..."

"Is it expensive?" Raven asked.

"It's really hard to buy..." Old Gordon said, "Our Eagle Territory is remote, and no one nearby grows flowers on a large scale. There isn't even a flower shop in Shining Gold Town."

"How about you go and discuss this with Madam Denise?"

Raven rubbed his nose.

Denise had said before that once he took back Goldshire, she would be willing to wash his feet. Raven was willing to enjoy this pleasure, but he did not want to tie his business empire too closely to Denise.

"Aren't there a lot of merchants in Shining Gold Town? It shouldn't be difficult to ask them to buy it for you, right?"

"Well..." Old Gordon said carefully, "Until now, Baron Donald still owes the Shimmering Gold Town Chamber of Commerce 3,748 gold coins for goods. I don't think they would be willing to accept this kind of commission again."

"What!?" Raven was stunned. He didn't expect that Donald had a surprise for him.

Of course, this surprise needs to be put in quotation marks: "What on earth did he buy to owe so much money?"

Old Gordon flipped through his notes: "In fact, the original loan was 937 gold coins, but Master Donald promised an annual interest rate of 30%. Now ten years have passed..."

"Okay..." Raven dragged out his voice helplessly: "Then go and inform them. On the day when I officially take over Shining Gold Town again, I will personally meet with the representatives of the Shining Gold Town Chamber of Commerce to discuss the settlement of the debt and the issue of long-term supply!"

Old Gordon frowned and said, "Sir, are you going to repay this debt immediately?"

Raven shook his head: "Of course we have to pay it back, but not all at once. If we really want to fill this hole, we can do nothing else!"

"They are just a bunch of snobbish businessmen." Eric said in a deep voice: "Golden Town is yours, and they have no choice but to obey the orders!"

Old Gordon was worried. "I also think we shouldn't rush to repay the debt, but these merchants are backed by great nobles and are not considered your subjects. If you force them, they will probably boycott all business exchanges with us, or even move away en masse, which will destroy the business foundation of Shining Gold Town!"

"Don't worry, I'm not that ignorant." Raven rubbed his chin and said, "Notify them. I will officially take over Goldshire Town in two days."

"When the time comes, I will naturally find a way to make them more obedient than rabbits!"

……

(End of this chapter)