I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 80 Unexpected News

Because the Silver Dove family only had women in this generation, he took his mother's surname to continue the family bloodline.

His father was said to be a wandering knight, but Mansh had never met him.

Merchants in this era did not have a high social status; they were similar to ordinary people.

In some places, businessmen are even discriminated against, viewed as speculators or people who do not produce value.

Although some merchants were wealthier than nobles, they still found it difficult to obtain any noble titles or ranks and remained of low social status.

They cannot buy any land and can only lease it.

Unless you're in a city where you can buy property as shops and warehouses, but that usually comes at a high price.

Furthermore, such merchants must maintain good relations with noble lords, otherwise they may be stripped of their rights at any time.

— That is, dependence.

Merchant guilds are merchant organizations that are dependent on lords, and are often managed by the most powerful and closest merchants within the noble lord's household.

After joining a merchant guild, merchants not only have to pay taxes but also abide by certain rules, and then they will be protected by the lord.

The fact that Manshu's mother was able to become the president of the merchant guild shows that she is quite capable, and the Silver Dove family must have a good relationship with the lord of Oak City.

After performing the ritual, Manshu took out an item resembling a gold coin and presented it to Rhodes.

"This is the gold badge of our Silver Dove family. It may not be as good as your first family badge, but it is the first one I have given away."

Manshu presented the shimmering gold badge with both hands, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and respect.

Rhodes took the badge, feeling the cool touch of the metal on his fingertips.

Looking at the exquisitely carved patterns, Rod felt a little guilty.

He suddenly realized that he had underestimated the significance of the gift he had given to Manxiu.

Rhodes felt that Mansh had witnessed the battle with the wyverns and had also contributed to the successful capture of Blackrock Mountain.

At the same time, Rhodes also needs a stable merchant to cooperate with, to obtain the necessary goods and information from other places.

Therefore, Rhodes gave Menshu a small fang of a wyvern as a gift, the family crest on it merely representing his own baronial status.

Now, however, it is regarded by Menshu as an extremely precious gift.

Of course, Rhodes did not show any guilt, but accepted the gold coins with the same solemnity.

"I will cherish this precious gift."

Rhodes' voice carried a hint of solemnity.

"Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Lisa. Please convey my greetings and goodwill to her when you get back."

Rod nodded slightly, his words revealing his sincere gratitude.

Manshu nodded. "I will."

Rhodes raised his hand to signal, and Manshu sat down again.

After carefully placing the gold badge away, Rhode asked, "How was the journey? Was it safe?"

"The empire is relatively safe. There are no large bandit groups. Two groups of ordinary rioters are no match for my caravan's guards."

Manxiu described it in a few words in a light and casual manner, but you could actually tell that it was not easy.

Then, with a hint of regret on his face, he said, "Unfortunately, some wars broke out between nobles when we were nearing the northern border, which reduced my opportunities to do business."

"You mean the Falcon family and the White Deer family?" Rhodes asked in surprise.

"Yes."

Manxiu nodded. "However, it is said that Marquis Hanren has begun to mediate, and it should be over soon."

Rhodes smiled and reminded him, "Then when you leave, you can go to their territory to trade. I will prepare enough goods for you."

"I'm starting to get curious about the products you've prepared for me."

"Don't worry, I'll take you there tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."

Manxiu nodded, then changed the subject, "But I don't plan to go to Eagle Ridge."

The war has just ended, so it must be very chaotic there.

When I arrived, I heard that Earl Falcon had begun to purge the rioters and bandits in his territory, arresting anyone suspected of being a criminal.

Anyone who disrupts the order of the territory will be arrested, even some traveling merchants.

"Businessmen will be arrested?"

Rhodes was very surprised.

How come the wealthy Earl of Falcon is just like me, a poor lord?

When Rhodes first came to the Northern Wastes, he did so with a do-or-die mentality, forcibly detaining the Lawrence caravan. It's important to remember that Rhodes was skirting the edge of the law and didn't actually do anything to Lawrence.

But Earl Falcon doesn't need to do that!

"it is true."

Manxiu confirmed, "Even his name has been leaked; it's said to be Simon."

It turned out to be him.

Rhodes suddenly realized.

That makes sense.

This guy is spreading rumors in Earl Falcon's territory; it's bound to attract attention.

Previously, Earl Falcon hadn't had the energy to pay attention to him, but now that the war is almost over, he'll inevitably take care of him.

I just don't know how Earl Falcon will deal with him.

Rod squinted slightly as he pondered, and couldn't help but think of the deal he had made with Simon.

Will this guy try to blame everything on himself?
After all, it was Simon himself who wanted to recruit more slaves.

But if it really came down to him, Rod felt a little wronged.

I sent him to collect slaves, not to spread rumors and make money from both sides.

Rod felt this was a potential problem.

However, Rod didn't make a sound and quickly came to his senses.

Then he chatted with Mansh about other territories in the North.

In fact, many places are not peaceful.

"By the way, when I came here I saw that your wheat field was growing very well, it looks like this year will be a bumper harvest."

Manxiu praised, "You are truly amazing. You have only been here for less than half a year, and you have already completely transformed the town, attracting more and more people."

"Fortunately, I still have a lot of things to do."

Rod said calmly.

He wasn't pretending; he genuinely felt that this was far from enough.

Manshu believed Rod's words and nodded seriously in agreement.

"I'm really looking forward to the future of Frostleaf Town."

"Let's look forward to it together."

Rhodes raised his glass and smiled as he drank with Manshu.

The dinner did not last long.

There were important matters to discuss tomorrow, so after a brief chat, Rhodes sent someone to escort Manxiu back to his hotel.

After everyone left, Rod kept Durant by his side alone.

"What can I do for you?" Durant asked.

"There is indeed one thing."

Rod solemnly said, "Have the patrol team pay close attention to the situation at Eagle Ridge, and report any unusual activity immediately."

"Are you worried about Simon?" Durant asked.

He had overheard what Manxiu said at the banquet, so he immediately realized what was going on.

"The autumn harvest is just around the corner, so Earl Falcon probably won't be in the mood to bother with such trivial matters, will he?"

The "small matter" Durant was referring to was Rodman's purchase of slaves and the acceptance of refugees from Eagle Territory.

"probably not."

Rhodes frowned slightly and said frankly, "But we have gradually taken over a lot of people from the Falcon family's territory, so we have to be careful."

Rhodes certainly won't return those people.

If Earl Falcon can manage to cross the narrow pass between the two places and travel a long distance to demand his return, then Rhodes will ensure that he never leaves.

By now, Rhodes's guard, well-equipped veterans and new recruits, the hunting party led by Raine, the two small two-legged dragons Frost and Thunder, and the militia reserves, all combined, are no pushovers.

Invading others might be difficult, but Rhodes is fearless when faced with an enemy on a distant expedition.

　After a busy day dealing with discharge procedures, it's finally all sorted out...

　　Sorry for the lateness, things should be back to normal soon.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)