The Knight's Journey to the Empire

Sauron's bloody and cruel threat frightened Sir Jacques so much that he took two or three steps back, his face full of horror.

He felt that the hand of Soran that patted his shoulder could break his neck in the next moment.

But he had already gotten the benefits and he didn't want to let go.

He didn't want to let the cooked duck fly away.

So he quickly regained his composure and said meaningfully: "Baron Soran, you should sign it! His Royal Highness has ordered me to return to the capital as soon as possible to report, and he has also assigned me an important task!"

Sir Jacques has brought out his backer.

He tried to use the power of His Royal Highness the Prince to suppress Soran.

But Soran didn't buy his tricks and said directly: "Don't worry, Sir Jacques, His Royal Highness the Prince and I are very good friends, otherwise he wouldn't have given me this rich territory."

"I think His Royal Highness will understand my friend's actions, and he won't mind you staying here for two more days."

Soran and Prince Leo II only met once, so they were definitely not friends.

But Sir Jacques was just a tax collector in a remote place.

Soran was sure that His Royal Highness would not mind him staying for two more days.

Even Soran boldly thought that Prince Leo II might not know that there was a tax collector named Sir Jacques here.

He didn't even know how many gold coins in taxes could be collected here in a year!

If he was really a confidant, he wouldn't have been placed in a place like this to live out his retirement.

Therefore, Sauron might as well use chicken feathers as a token of authority to blast him.

For some things, it is best to win without fighting.

Of course, it’s okay if the conflict gets bigger!

Sauron was sure that he would not be the one who suffered in the end.

In fact, just as Soran expected, this greedy tax collector was not sure of Soran's true background.

Moreover, he did not dare to gamble his position with His Royal Highness the Prince.

Because he had never even seen the honor of His Royal Highness Prince Leo II, let alone his status.

The person who appointed him as the tax officer of this territory was actually the previous lord.

The lord fell into poverty for some reason, so he sold his territory to His Royal Highness Prince Leo II.

Because he used money to bribe the prince's cronies in time, he was able to continue serving as a tax officer and civil servant here and become a local emperor.

Therefore, Sir Jacques did not dare to confront Soran to the end.

"Well, since Baron Soran is so dedicated, I will just wait a few more days!" Sir Jacques's momentum obviously weakened. "When Baron Soran is free, send someone to notify me?"

"Oh, it seems that Sir Jacques wants to leave here!" Soran looked directly at Sir Jacques and asked.

"Yes, Baron Soran!" Soran looked directly at Jacques with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes, which made Jacques sweat and tremble. "There is a banquet hosted by Viscount Molson in Baden tonight. I have received an invitation and need to rush over to attend!"

Viscount Molson is the hereditary viscount directly appointed by the king in the eastern part of Soran's territory - White Bear Territory.

Baden is the main city of this viscount's territory.

Jacques was already very regretful at this time. Why did he come here in person to take over?

The extremely ironic thing is that the reason he convinced himself to come here in person was that he wanted to see with his own eyes this great hero who saved the kingdom on the battlefield!

Sir Jacques was almost in tears!

Now he just wanted to leave quickly and didn't dare to have any thought of staying.

Who knows if this murderous god full of evil will suddenly stab himself in the stomach.

As for the appointment contract for the handover of the territory, you can just send one of your subordinates over when the time comes.

Of course, Sauron would never hit him with a sword. After all, beating a dog also depends on its owner.

No matter what, Sir Jacques's identity is there; he is a dog raised by His Royal Highness the Prince.

Although Soran didn't know, in fact, Prince Leo II didn't even know the existence of this dog.

But it is absolutely impossible to let him go like this.

In other words, Sir Jacques must not be let go until he spits out the benefits he has taken in.

The sky is high for birds to fly, and the sea is wide for fish to swim.

If he leaves, it will not be easy to catch him again.

"What, Sir Jacques? You want to leave before the task of handing over the territory assigned by His Royal Highness the Prince has been completed? Are you worthy of the trust that His Royal Highness the Prince has placed in you by doing this?" This time, Soran used a questioning tone.

"No, how could that be possible? How could I betray the trust of His Royal Highness the Prince?" Sir Jacques quickly refused, his face already covered in cold sweat.

He dare not wear this compliment casually, otherwise he would be really finished.

"In that case, please stay here with peace of mind, Sir Jacques! Once I have fully understood the specific situation of the territory and have signed the handover contract, you can leave and report to His Royal Highness the Prince. How about that?" Although Soran said this with the intention of negotiating, he used an unquestionable tone.

Sir Jacques's face was filled with astonishment.

But he didn't say anything else. Instead, he turned around and silently returned to the team.

Soran looked at his figure and sneered disdainfully.

He is just a greedy and selfish tax collector who only bullies the weak and fears the strong, and yet he is under control.

……

The town of Flanders is small and is surrounded by a wooden wall.

Although the wall is a bit rotten, it still provides a certain degree of safety protection.

At least you don't have to worry about being attacked by wild beasts.

In the undeveloped wasteland outside the White Bear Territory, wild beasts still appear from time to time.

For example, wolves...

There are nearly 150 households living in the town, with a total population of 600 to 700 people, accounting for three-fifths of the population of the entire territory.

Densely built buildings and lack of planning.

Thatched huts and bad roads, poverty and backwardness,

Sewage everywhere, feces and urine dumped everywhere,

The stench is overwhelming and the environment is dirty.

This was Soren's first impression when he entered the town of Flanders.

Fortunately, it is still winter now. Soran dare not imagine what kind of "happiness" it would be to live here in summer.

Perhaps only the northern area of ​​Flanders has a better environment.

Because this is the center of the entire town, the tax officer's villa, the mayor's residence, the town's daily office, as well as some shops and stores are all located here.

Of course, this is only relative.

If you look at it from Sauron's perspective, the so-called better environment, except for the better building materials, is actually not much different from the slums.

Sir Jacques does not usually live in Flanders Town. His home is in the neighboring city of Baden, which is owned by Viscount Molson.

He only comes here to stay for a few days during tax time every year.

Or when he has the leisure time and wants to go hunting, he will come here and stay for a few days.

But he did not leave this villa idle, but used it to keep a mistress.

The mistress was the daughter of the mayor of Flanders Town, and was a gift from the mayor to the tax collector.

As soon as Soran arrived here, he immediately took over the tax collector's villa, which covered a large area.

As for Sir Jacques' mistress, she hurried back to her parents' home.

Sauron saw that the mayor's yard was not small!

And now Sir Jacques is also under house arrest in the mayor's house, which is a good opportunity for them to reunite.

As Baron Sauron, I have always been praised for my ability to help others achieve their goals!