Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 315: The Fourth Extraordinary Spiritual Plant: Ghost Vine and the Millennium-Old Mission

The Wester-Gau Chamber of Commerce actually already has a number of investments in Hesse, including mills, furniture workshops, silver mines, and a border outpost.

It was located right in the middle of the border military camp where Su Li had fought against the Green Dragon, forming a crucial link in the overall defense system. The Chamber of Commerce's camp was located below the Stone Mountain, while the Black Forest Territory's military camp and watchtowers were primarily located on the mountain, providing mutual support.

But it is obvious that such an outpost can no longer satisfy the ambitions of the West High Chamber of Commerce.

The investment of more than 30000 gold crowns brought by Director Charlotte is to build a large camp and stronghold belonging to their Chamber of Commerce in Hesse Territory!
Su Li naturally welcomed this situation. If they could have 1000 lumberjacks and furniture workers, plus a few hundred slaves, cooks, grooms, etc., it would be equivalent to increasing the population of the Hessen Territory by nearly 1/10.

So Su Li asked with great interest: "How does your chamber of commerce plan to invest?"

Director Charlotte got straight to the point. "I spent a day in the Black Forest Territory yesterday. I heard that the lord is encouraging all factions to expand into the Black Pine Forest. So, I plan to invest in building a large-scale development base there. This will include a camp that can accommodate 800 lumberjacks and a military camp that can accommodate 200 guards."

"We will use this stronghold as our forward base and cut down at least one million black pine trees each year. This alone will provide the Hesse Territory with approximately 100 gold crowns in tax revenue annually!"

There's no doubt that black pine is incredibly valuable. This precious wood, sold throughout the empire and beyond, fetches as much as one silver coin per tree even in its native habitat! This is equivalent to a farmer's income for one to two months. If this precious wood could be delivered to Maleburg, the interior of the empire, or even the far east, the value of a single black pine tree could increase tenfold.

Su Li still remembered that the chair that Chief Kurt gave him was worth 10 gold crowns. Of course, the value of that chair was not only in the wood, but also in various luxurious materials such as velvet, cashmere, and gold thread.

So Su Li said, "Transporting logs is too inefficient. It's better to process them into more valuable furniture. It just so happens that our territory is currently able to produce a large amount of cashmere and gold thread. Your Chamber of Commerce can integrate these specialties in the territory and use Heisen Territory as your processing and manufacturing center."

Charlotte smiled and said, "That's exactly what we were thinking. The reason this Chamber of Commerce trip attracted so much attention from our top management is because of the dramatic changes in the black pine forest. In the past, we could only send people there to cut down trees in spring and summer, and we had to hire a large number of mercenaries for protection, which was extremely inefficient."

"Thanks to your pioneering work, the black pine forest has become relatively safe. We can harvest timber year-round, and the timber supply has greatly increased. Continuing to transport it back and forth is no longer economical. The better option is undoubtedly to process it right here on your territory."

Su Li nodded slightly. What Charlotte said was undoubtedly true. The situation this year has changed a lot.

In the past, they had been able to cut down trees when they entered the Black Pine Forest, but that was mainly due to its vastness. Even though various monsters lurked in the shadows, merchants rarely encountered large herds of beasts if they were only in a short time and did not travel over a wide area.

But this year is different, they can stay inside and cut trees as they please, so the output is bound to increase greatly.

In response to this situation and Su Li's suggestion, Charlotte continued, "Our Chamber of Commerce plans to invest 5000 gold crowns to build a large carpentry workshop in the southeast of your territory, recruiting 400 carpenter apprentices to carry out production. This will ensure that the territory produces at least 20000 pieces of furniture each year, making it an important specialty of the territory."

It was indeed an ambitious investment. Su Li smiled and said, "That's great. Our territory will provide the most stable environment for your business. If your outbound transportation requires escort, the territory will also provide you with certain support. The Black Steel Atonement Knights, the Fallen Wolf Knights Mercenary Group, and the Blue Heron Mercenary Group can all provide you with escort services."

Charlotte said calmly, "Your Excellency, don't worry about us. Our Chamber of Commerce has good relationships with many lords and pioneer lords, and our caravans can basically travel freely in all territories. If we encounter raiders or beastman warbands in the wild, we also have a reliable corps of resin crossbowmen, up to 200 people, who can shoot green fire flaming arrows. We also have a corps of lumberjacks, up to 300 people, equipped with armor-piercing axes, so we can balance production and combat."

Su Li did a simple calculation and found that the scale of the West Gao Chamber of Commerce was indeed not small. The guards and workers already numbered more than 1000 people. If they continued to recruit more than 400 carpenter apprentices in the territory, there would be about 1500 people working for the chamber of commerce.

No matter what, the West High Merchant Corps investing so many resources in Hesse County is a huge investment.

So Su Li asked, "What are the Chamber of Commerce's demands? I don't believe that Director Charlotte came all the way here just to talk to me about expanding production. If everything is a project that benefits me, I believe you must also have an important request."

Director Charlotte's expression grew serious, becoming formal. She said, "My Lord, your wisdom is truly as brilliant as that chosen by the Sun Goddess. Let me get straight to the point. The reason we, West High Merchants, are entitled to the suffix [High] is because we have made outstanding contributions to West Province and the West Highlands. And the greatest challenge facing our West Province is undoubtedly the vampire rebellion in the southeast."

"We have heard of your remarkable strength, Lord. You have led your armies to defeat numerous Chosen monsters. We look forward to your assistance."

Su Li smiled and asked curiously, "You want my help? With all due respect, it seems difficult for me to give you any help. Your West Province is still north of the heartland of the empire, and further north it will be close to Midland Province. We are tens of thousands of miles apart. What help can a small frontier development territory like mine give you?"

If he were the Elector, Su Li would certainly be happy to help him, at least to gain the Elector's friendship. The vote in Wester-Gao Province was a swing vote, sometimes voting for the Elector in the north, sometimes for the Elector in the center of the empire, and historically, they had voted for the South once.

The Mor Church's headquarters is also stationed within their territory, but the Mor Church does not have a vote in the electoral college. The politics of the empire are still very rough and realistic, and the church with the strongest armed forces and the greatest influence will have the right to vote.

Therefore, the Empire's state religion, the Church of Redmar, the northern Church of the Wolf God Ulric, and the emerging southern Church of the Sun Goddess Violet have 3, 2, and 1 electoral votes respectively.

Other churches such as the Mor Church, the Shalya Church, the Verena Church, and the Mannan Church have no voting rights.

However, the power of these churches should not be underestimated, as they will influence the voting results of many territorial electors.

But now Su Li is just a small border development leader. It is hard for him to think of what contribution he can make to the West Province that would be worth the West High Chamber of Commerce mobilizing so many forces.

Charlotte smiled faintly and said, "My Lord, you are being too modest. In fact, we have studied your territory and believe that you will be of great help to our West High Merchants Association. First of all, your military prowess is outstanding. In the upcoming wars and explorations, we will surely obtain a large number of captives. We can reach an agreement to purchase a large number of elite knight slaves from you."

Su Li raised his eyebrows, but did not deny this.

Take Blue Mirror Territory as an example. If Hessen Territory defeated Blue Mirror Territory, it would likely capture hundreds or even thousands of elite knights. However, Hessen Territory's military establishment clearly could not accommodate so many prisoners.

Even if Su Li was promoted to a baron, the size of his army was already close to that of a baron. Maintaining 1000 elite knights was enough. If there were more elite knights, his territory's finances would collapse.

This will enable Su Li to obtain a large number of elite captives for sale in his subsequent expansion.

Su Li smiled and said, "But the thing the empire lacks the least is knights. Elite knight captives can be purchased anywhere in the border prince's territory as long as you are willing to pay. I believe you must have other more important needs."

Charlotte shook her head. "It's not easy to buy hundreds or even thousands of elite knights at once anywhere. Otherwise, we wouldn't have come all this way. But your judgment is correct. We are more concerned about the extraordinary potential of your territory. I heard that your territory has cultivated an extraordinary spirit tree using the purple spirit field."

Su Li raised his eyebrows and looked at the Chamber of Commerce director. As expected, when Chief Kurt discovered the territory's secrets, there were consequences.

Seeing that Su Li didn't say anything, Charlotte took out a bag of dark green seeds that looked a bit ferocious and said, "This is the Ghost Vine that our Chamber of Commerce has stockpiled. It's only found in the southern swamps. It's an extraordinary plant. It doesn't have any special effects, and its function is very simple. Once it becomes abundant, it can transform any terrain into a swamp."

Su Li looked at her and didn't react at first, but after a moment he perked up and said, "Are you planning to use this ghost vine to turn the Land of Death into a swamp?"

Since ghost vines can transform any terrain into a swamp, the same is true for the land of death invaded by vampires.

For the humans of Wester Highlands, no price is unacceptable as long as it reduces the size of the Land of the Dead.

Charlotte's lips curled up as she said, "My Lord, you are indeed quick-witted. That's right. We must isolate the vampire counts southeast of the plateau east of the swamp, while continuously using the swamp to erode their deathbed."

"In fact, we have been carrying out this project for nearly 1600 years. It has formed a ghost vine swamp and a desolate forest in the area, separating the Vampire Earldom from our highlands along the West River."

"A project that lasted for over 1600 years?" Su Li exclaimed in amazement. He knew of only one such project that lasted for nearly 2000 years. "Isn't this just a man-made Great Wall?"

"The Great Wall?" Charlotte nodded thoughtfully, then said, "Your analogy makes sense. Indeed, the defense line formed by this swamp and forest is the Black Great Wall built by our West Province to defend against vampires and undead outside the city."

"For thousands of years, our province of West has passed down the torch, with each generation determined to reclaim the prosperous territory of the Vampire Count! It was once one of the most prosperous and glorious territories in our province of West, its emblem being the plantagenet, a symbol of purity. The first Earl was renowned for his piety and military prowess. The territory boasted fertile farmland and sturdy castles, serving as a vital barrier against the forest elves."

"Until around 1813 Imperial Year, a horrific red pox plague ravaged this beautiful land, killing many residents. At that time, the Count was still a Merovingian Knight, a proud warrior who yearned for his family's glorious past. During the red pox plague, he fought the plague, drove out the ratmen, and became the savior of the entire West Province. But at the victory celebration, the guests shuddered at what they saw and heard. Dinner was served by shambling servants who resembled corpses, and various criminals impaled on iron bars were placed around the hall. Clearly, the Merovingian Count had been corrupted by his use of black magic." "After his death, the domain became overrun with undead creatures, becoming a 'cursed land' where lakes ran black and farmland withered. Horrifying tales of 'corpse banquets' and 'the iron shackles of penance' spread among the people."

"And all of us in the Province of Wester will never forget the teachings of our ancestors. We must purify this cursed land and bring it back under human control."

Upon hearing this, Su Li was filled with amazement. He admired everyone who was determined to fulfill the ambitions of their race and power for thousands of years.

The empire was able to last for thousands of years and stand firm under the siege of countless monsters, demons and monsters, precisely because there were a large number of such steadfast and ambitious human beings who dedicated themselves to it with unwavering determination!

Su Li actually envied such people, who had a grand ideal and were willing to devote their lives to it.

So he immediately said, "How can I help you?"

Charlotte handed the ghost vine seeds to Su Li and said, "We need you to help us stockpile a large amount of these ghost vines. I know your territory has an unparalleled advantage in farming. If you can cultivate these ghost vines in the purple spiritual fields, their abilities will be further enhanced, and an extraordinary variety, the dark green ghost vine, will emerge. It will attract undead creatures to approach, then devour their flesh and blood, transforming them into a swamp."

"My Lord, this is also beneficial to you. Although you haven't come into contact with vampires and the Undead Legion yet, you will one day. Whether it's the expedition of the Tomb King of Araby or the rampage of vampires and necromancers, they are inevitable and powerful enemies in your expansion of the border princes' territory. These ghost vines will be of great assistance to you."

Su Li frowned and thought for a moment. If he accepted it, it would undoubtedly greatly benefit the West Province.

If we continue to sell this ghost vine to the nobles in the West Highlands, they will definitely be very fond of the Hesse Territory.

At the future Electoral Conference, they are very likely to support Hesse and Scotland.

To be honest, relationships and friendships are gradually accumulated and formed through long-term transactions.

If Su Li doesn't make efforts now, he won't be able to gain the friendship of other electors after becoming an elector. He must make efforts early.

And even if we don't consider the future, and only look at the present, there are a large number of evil undead creatures and necromancers in the Oka Mountains in the upcoming Great Expedition, and selling this ghost vine can also make a lot of money.

But the purple spiritual field is indeed very precious, and there is no extra space now.

If you choose ghost vine as the fourth extraordinary spiritual plant in your territory, you must consider its economic value.

So Su Li said, "Director Charlotte is very frank, and I've also been frank and open about it. We do have purple spiritual fields in our territory, but they're already planted with important plants. If we want to replace them with this ghost vine, we must consider its economic value. We must also consider whether it will change the geology of our purple spiritual fields."

"Don't worry about this," Charlotte said immediately. "We've already stockpiled a considerable amount of ghost vines in the southern swamps. Once they mature, we'll use Ji Lun's magic to catalyze them, and they'll gradually transform the land into a swamp."

"This plant has a high yield, with approximately 2000 plants per acre. We are willing to purchase each plant at a price of 10 Golden Crowns. If dark green ghost vines appear, we are willing to pay a high price of 50 Golden Crowns for them."

There are more than 2000 plants per acre, so the yield is somewhat similar to that of the Extraordinary Ear.

A 100-square-meter purple spiritual field can also bring thousands of gold crowns to the Hessen Territory.

Su Li thought about it for a moment, then stood up and said, "I need to discuss this matter with my ministers. In any case, the purple spiritual fields will not appear until summer. I will give you a reply then."

Charlotte immediately stood up and extended her hand to shake Su Li's. "I understand. This is as it should be. Our Chamber of Commerce will stay in your territory for a while, awaiting your good news. We have also brought a group of slaves with us. Would you like to take a look? They are mainly serfs for production and some craftsmen."

Su Li had to decline her offer politely: "I won't go to see the serfs. I already have 3,000 slaves. I'll sell them to the various estates and farmers in our territory, okay?"

Charlotte immediately said tactfully, "Then I won't bother you any longer, Lord. Kurt and I will take our leave."

Not long after seeing off Kurt, Hildreth entered the room, carrying a thick stack of books that was half a meter high.

"My Lord, the negotiations between the Minister of the Seal and the Pilgrims went very smoothly. Here are the design drawings of the [Yangyan Horse Armor] that the Pilgrims gave us."

Su Li took a look and felt a little dizzy. "This information, more than half a meter thick, contains the shooting drawings for the Yangyan Horse Armor. How can there be so much?"

This is completely different from his impression that one can create powerful equipment with just a blueprint!
"Oh, that's not the case." Hildreth shook his head. "These are just the main contents and catalog. The leader of the pilgrimage group said that many of the specific contents don't need to be given, as the dwarves who built them understand the technical principles. If you don't understand, you can ask them for detailed information on the corresponding parts. They will stay in the territory for two months to help us clear out the beastman warbands and goblin camps north of the Amethyst Vineyard."

"Forget it, forget it." Su Li waved his hand and said, "Let Boros Dragonhammer come over to study it."

He had wanted to take a look, but the sheer volume of information immediately dampened his interest. The design drawings for the horse armor, if all the details were included, would probably weigh a ton.

Soon, Boros Dragonhammer arrived in front of Su Li. Su Li spread his hands, pointed at the blueprints, and asked, "My forging master, take a look at this Yangyan horse armor. Can you forge it?"

Boros Dragonhammer immediately flipped through the book, exclaiming as he did so: "Huh? Ha! Granny's beard! What a tricky idea!"

"Wow, wow, what the hell! I'm so pissed! Where did this blueprint come from? It's completely unorthodox, a betrayal of classic dwarven technology, a blasphemy, and a provocation to authority!"

"Alas! This is such a mess! It's a complete eyesore. What a waste of materials! What a waste of natural resources! But it looks like there are still some precious grains of gold hidden in this talisman. It's better than those idiots who can only copy the secret code of the furnace - but only a little bit! Just a little bit!"

He marveled and cursed for a long time before adjusting the single-frame glasses on his left eye and saying, "Although the concept is very tricky, the principle is not difficult. Of course, powerful dwarves can create these horse armors."

"Great." Su Li said with a smile, "I will support you in forging rune armor and horse armor. How much vibranium do we have left in our territory?"

"There are about 260 pounds left. A batch of vibranium has just arrived from the iron mine watchtower. Lord, would you like to forge these horse armors immediately?"

Su Li frowned. "Only 260 kilograms of vibranium left? I hope to gather at least 500 kilograms of vibranium for you, so you can go all out and sprint to the championship level."

Boros naturally looked forward to reaching the Champion level, but he shrugged helplessly and said, "You know, vibranium is something that can't be smuggled or purchased. Every pound of vibranium in our territory comes from mining in our mines. If you want to have enough vibranium, you have to spend a certain amount of time to accumulate it."

"Is there no other way?" Su Li was also aware of the situation, but he still hoped to speed up the process a little.

He needed the Knights to be equipped with a batch of Yangyan horse armor as soon as possible so as to gain a greater advantage in the next war.

Before Boros could answer, Hildurde, who had just left, returned to the room. This high-ranking steward was rarely in such a hurry, and her arrangements were always well-organized.

Su Li looked at her in surprise and asked, "What happened?"

"My Lord, good news! The Chosen of Durmster has returned, and he has brought with him an envoy from the Greystone Clan."

(End of this chapter)