The Knight's Journey to the Empire

"My Lord Earl, I actually have another suggestion!" Andre said reluctantly in the end.

"You speak first!" Countess Katis still said gently.

"In fact, we all know that the development of new territories is indeed difficult and complicated, and our plan this time is obviously not as simple as a small fight, so we must transport tens of thousands of people there!"

"So if all these people were crowded into one place, it would definitely be very chaotic. Even people with the best internal affairs management skills would be at a loss!"

"So I suggest that we build a few more resettlement sites to disperse the population. This will not only facilitate management, but also facilitate the development of the island's land!"

Countess Katis thought about it and felt that it was indeed possible!

Of course, the main reason was that Countess Curtis wanted to disperse Woolf's administrative power and not let him hold all the power by himself.

After all, no matter what, Wolfe is also Sauron's man, which means he is an outsider!

Giving such great power to an outsider seems like digging a hole for yourself no matter how you look at it!

But Countess Katis did not say it clearly, but turned to Soran and asked: "Baron Soran, what do you think?"

"My Lord Earl, I also think that brother Andre's idea is good and can be implemented!" Soran said directly.

He was the only one present who was in a "situation", so Sauron understood his situation very well!

Therefore, Sauron had to protect himself, because if he held too much power before he was strong enough, he would be courting disaster!

After all, I am not an indispensable person. When I arrive at the Antilles, Countess Curtis can kick me away and get rid of me, and then go it alone.

So this is why Soran is looking for backers and allies, including Sir Colbert, Knight Magellan, Canard, Aldrich, and the future Plant.

Only when my relationship with the people under Countess Katis has deepened, and with their help and support, can Countess Katis kick me out directly.

Besides, he had already grabbed a position as an internal affairs officer, and that was enough!

Agreeing to this suggestion now can also ease the relationship between him and senior members like Andre and reduce potential enemies!

Also, although he was somewhat confident in Wolfe's ability, it would be a challenge to ask him to build a city from start to finish and lead tens of thousands of people to do it!

This is definitely tough! And now, arranging a few more residents can help share the pressure!

So why not?

Countess Katis nodded when she heard this, and it was unclear whether she was affirming Soran's magnanimity or praising his "knowledge".

"Okay, then as Andre said, we will build a few more resettlement sites! But the first one to be built will still be the one on [Setting Sail Island]. When the population of this resettlement site exceeds 10,000, we will build the next one, and so on, to ensure that the population of each resettlement site is around 10,000!" Countess Katis made the decision.

"Yes, lord count!" Andre responded with a smile.

Then he looked at Soran again and smiled!

Soran smiled back!

When the people around heard Countess Katis say this, they became more active!

Because according to Countess Katis, there will definitely be more than one resettlement site in the future.

This means that they also have the opportunity to arrange people they value to serve as internal affairs officers in other resettlement sites!

Thinking of this, they couldn't help but look at other people around them, because if they wanted those places, it would be impossible to rely on themselves alone, and they would definitely need help from others!

So the problem returns to the stage of finding backers and winning allies.

But this is not a good place to do things now. We have to wait until after the meeting to discuss these things with someone in detail!

"My Lord Earl, I actually have an idea..." someone stood up and suggested.

"My Lord, I also have..."

"Yes, Lord Earl, I have something to add..."

Afterwards, more and more people stood up and put forward constructive suggestions for the [Anglican Islands Immigration Plan], covering every detail and making supplements in many aspects. Ultimately, the plan became more and more perfect, and its feasibility was greatly improved!

……

After a long time, no one stood up to offer suggestions or additional comments!

Then Countess Katis stood up and said solemnly: "Well, everyone, since there is nothing else to add, I will add a few more words!"

"You have also heard that there are 48 islands in the Antilles that are suitable for development and settlement. In addition to the five largest ones, there are still 43!"

"As for these 43 places, I will make it clear to you today. If you can do an excellent job, I will give them to you and make them your family's hereditary territory. This is not impossible!"

"So, how to obtain it depends on your performance. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Everyone responded loudly with ecstasy.

The people who came to this meeting were all the retainers or confidants of Countess Katis, so except for Soran, no one among them had hereditary territory or formal aristocratic hereditary title!

At most there is a manor!

Therefore, if one could obtain an island as a family fiefdom, it would indeed be a matter of honor for the family!

"Baron Soran!" Countess Katis stood up and shouted softly.

"My Lord Earl, please speak!" Soran stood up and said respectfully.

"In view of your great contribution in proposing the [Anglican Islands Immigration Plan], I now, in the name of Count Curtis, appoint you as a hereditary viscount, and your territory will be the fifth largest island in the Antilles [Magellan Island]!"

“Thank you, Lord Earl!” Soran performed a noble thank-you ceremony to Countess Katis.

It is obvious that the enthronement of Countess Katis is illegal and non-compliant!

Because Soran is a vassal of Marquis Saladin, Countess Katis's actions are undoubtedly an attempt to steal his supporters!

Moreover, it is really hard to imagine such a hasty enthronement without any relevant etiquette and ceremony!

But the situation was urgent, and Countess Katis had no choice but to do so!

This group of people must be made to see the benefits in order to drive them to work and fully implement the plan.

Sure enough, everyone present was stunned when they saw Soran become a hereditary viscount and obtain a territory!

His eyes are full of desire and envy!

I really wish that person was me!

However, after this incident, they also knew that the Earl was telling the truth!

After all, even an "outsider" like Soran could be canonized, so why couldn't the old men like them who had been loyal to the Earl of Katis's family for generations be canonized?

So some people are already preparing for a big move!

Countess Katis looked at them and nodded with satisfaction!

What could be cheaper than an undeveloped island in exchange for their hard work?

..............................

After the meeting ended and Countess Katis and Butler Mark left, everyone congratulated Soran.

"Congratulations to Baron Soran... No, Viscount Soran, congratulations to Viscount Soran!"

"Yes, congratulations, Viscount Soran!"

"Viscount Soran, if I have the chance, I will definitely have a cup of tea with you and ask you for advice on how to govern the territory!"

"Viscount Soran, I'm going to hold a party at my house in a couple of days. Can you come and attend?"

"Viscount Soran, I heard that you haven't married yet! I have a daughter who is only eighteen years old this year!"

……

All these words kept ringing in Soran's ears, and he responded to them one by one, thus establishing a preliminary friendly relationship with them.

Of course, there is no such thing as a backer or ally!

But it's okay to say a few words and give some face!

Moreover, as he is the general manager of the [Anglican Islands Immigration Program], getting familiar with him will also facilitate subsequent work.

Soon, everyone left, but six people stayed.

They were Sir Colbert, Bemenstine, Knight Magellan, Canard, Aldrich, and Plant.

"Viscount Soran, I have helped you so much this time. Tell me, how do you want to thank me?" Sir Colbert said directly without any politeness.

"Are you helping me? You are harming me!" Soran said with sobs.

"Come on! Don't be so ungrateful. Tell me how you thank me, or I'll beat you up!" Sir Colbert said in pretended anger.

"No, no, no, don't hit me, I'll treat you to a meal later, okay!" Sauron said with a smile.

Sir Colbert had certainly done him a great favour!

"Okay, the largest restaurant in Ganise City, with the best private room! Let's book it! We'll go there later!" Sir Colbert made the choice directly.

"No later, I have something else to deal with!" Soran said to the others.

"It's okay, just take them with you! Don't you think so?" Sir Colbert took charge of the matter.

Soran then asked: "What do you think?"

Soran knew that Sir Colbert was creating another opportunity for him to meet someone!

Although he already knows basically everyone, we can still consolidate the relationship!

Magellan didn't have so many scruples, he said directly: "Okay, but I want to drink the best wine!"

Bemenstin, Canard, Aldrich and Plan looked at each other and said, "Sorry to bother Viscount Soran!"

At this moment, a man in his twenties suddenly walked into the door of the conference room, looked at Soran and said, "Viscount Soran, may I bother you for a moment?"

"Oh, it's Dressrosa! Of course, as long as you are willing!" Soran welcomed him with a smile.

It's just a meal anyway. Even if you go to the largest restaurant and order the most expensive set meal and wine, it won't cost Soran much!

But it would be great if I could get to know more friends through this method!

"Thank you very much, Viscount Soran!" Dressras responded respectfully.

Dresas, the chief of the Ganise City Security Team, under the command of Countess Katis, can barely be considered as someone who can attend today's meeting!

And his immediate superior is none other than the city lord, Sir Roland.

But now, he suddenly asked to attend the dinner party organized by Sauron, which was quite intriguing!

........................

The largest restaurant in the city of Ganise belongs to the Count of Katis's family.

Thanks to the identities of Sauron and his companions, they did not need to greet each other in advance and directly occupied the best private room.

Then there was delicious wine and food, and everyone drank to their heart's content!

However, these kinds of wine are all fruit wines and the alcohol content is not high, so it will not make people drunk!

So after three rounds of drinks, everyone stopped eating and drinking and started chatting!

But we were just chatting!

We will definitely talk about our respective needs!

such as……

"Viscount Soran, I have something to ask. I wonder if you can help me?" Bemenstin spoke first.

He was specially sent by Countess Katis to assist Soran, so under the command of Countess Katis, he can be said to be one of the people who is most familiar with Soran.

So this time, it can be said that those who are close to the water get the moon first!

“You speak first!” Soran did not agree directly, nor did he refuse directly.

This is the way of the world and he can't avoid it.

And wasn't the reason he invited us to this meal just to bring us closer together?

"My son is eighteen years old this year. He has also been learning the knowledge of managing the territory for a period of time, so I want to help him with something!" Bemenstin said while observing Soran's eyes.

Although he was quite familiar with Sauron, he didn't know him inside and out!

Therefore, Bemenstine didn't know whether his actions would cause Sauron's disgust!

But for his son's future, he had no choice but to give it a try.

"Brother Bemenstin, what kind of job do you want to find for him?" Soran continued to ask with a smile.

Seeing that Soran didn't get angry directly and was still smiling kindly, Bemenstin finally put his heart at ease!

So he said directly: "I dare not ask for a job, I just hope that Viscount Soran can let him work as an errand boy under Lord Wolfe!"

Now, everyone who attended the meeting knew that the person who could land on the Antilles Islands first and serve as the interior minister would definitely have a bright future.

That's why Bemenstine said so!

Don’t think that he is just an errand boy now, he may be the successor in the future, or be sent out to become another internal affairs official!

"Are you sure?" Soran asked doubtfully.

The reason why he asked this was mainly because the position of steward of Bemenstin Castle could, in a sense, actually be hereditary!

But now, Bemenstin has chosen to train his son to become an official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which means that he wants to give up this "hereditary" position!

This is like starting over again!

"Yes, I'm sure!" Bemenstin said affirmatively.