Chapter 171: The Merchant and the Transaction
Belair could more or less understand.
Those gentry had once knelt before the nobles, begging for power.
Yet now, when a merchant’s goods were destroyed, the nobles were held responsible for compensation. In that case, the gentry didn’t mind spending some money to secretly sabotage the nobles. Watching those nobles’ disgruntled expressions fulfilled some of their vanity.
Hmm, Belair himself was now suffering both open and covert humiliation from the gentry within his own territory, so he could deeply relate to Puniel.
“But in my territory, there’s still more gold. These are merely decorative items to me. I believe they should serve a greater purpose,” said Belair, almost stating his intent outright.
Puniel calmly sat down.
“I understand what you mean. However, if we are to mobilize warriors to the north, we must still negotiate with Administrator Piero,” he said. “But if it’s about certain supplies, I can introduce some merchants to you. They wouldn’t mind trading some of the food stored in their cellars.”
“What about armor and weapons?” Belair asked.
“You can also purchase those from the merchants—if they’re willing to sell. Or rather, if the price you offer is high enough, they’d even sell their own pure daughters,” said Puniel.
“If I buy enough goods, could those merchants also hire strong men to transport my goods back to my territory?” asked Belair.
“Of course. As long as you have enough gold coins, those merchants will fulfill all your needs. This is a fair and lawful employment, permitted by the laws issued by the Church.”
The two then exchanged knowing smiles.
Afterward, the four of them chatted about anecdotes among the nobles and couldn’t help reminiscing about the power nobles once held. After a brief round of pleasantries, the three of them saw Baron Belair out and had a servant escort him to the tavern that had already been reserved.
Upon returning to the Senate, the smiles on the three men’s faces disappeared as they looked at the person seated at the head, sipping red tea.
It was Piero, who according to their previous conversation, had supposedly gone east to inspect the fisheries.
“He already trusts me,” said Puniel coldly as he walked unceremoniously to his seat and sat down.
“I’ll follow your suggestion and introduce him to the Newman Family, the Morgan Family, and the Adams Family,” he said.
“Doesn’t Sir Puniel want to hire some warriors himself to head there?” Piero smiled.
But with half of his face destroyed, that smile became all the more rigid, making it look as though one side was smiling while the other glared—a grotesque sight.
“I do want to, but you wouldn’t allow it, would you?” Puniel sneered.
Their entry into the Senate had been permitted by the Church. Though Piero couldn’t prevent it, he had been constantly suppressing and limiting their power.
For example, senators should have been entitled to more than just basic lodging. They were supposed to have guards and attendants and receive two hundred gold coins each month.
Yet, due to Piero’s interference, all their benefits had been halved, and even the monthly gold was reduced to just eighty coins.
So Puniel had long harbored resentment toward Piero.
“That might not necessarily be the case,” said Piero unexpectedly.
Puniel was stunned. The coldness on his face melted instantly, replaced by a frown.
The two other silent barons also looked over with surprise.
“The Bishop only told me that the Church would go to assist him. But as everyone knows, the Church’s aid only extends to the suppression of the werewolves. The Church won’t manage or seize a baron’s territory,” Piero said.
“And Baron Belair is merely a baron. Even though the area he occupies now far exceeds that of a typical barony, his title remains that of a baron. What he holds is just territory—not a fiefdom that belongs to him…”
“You mean to devour him?” Baron Bevan suddenly interrupted Piero and said, “Not only Belair’s territory but also the land occupied by the werewolves—or rather, to swallow the entire Marquis Demitri’s Territory.”
After speaking, Baron Bevan shook his head. “That’s impossible. We’re already following a new set of rules. It’s hard enough for them to adapt as it is, and that area still has gentry.”
“Everyone can clearly see how much of a failure Baron Belair is. With a lord like him, the population and warriors the gentry are hiding must far exceed our expectations.”
“Of course, if it were just that, our forces could surely eliminate those manor gentry one by one. But what about administrative officials?”
“Even with our current holdings, it was only recently that we barely filled all the vacant positions.”
“Then there are the Church’s priests and the small churches. Even now, we haven’t staffed even half of the villages within our territories.”
“No officials, no priests, and with such harsh laws—if those areas rebel, how do you plan to handle it?”
“Don’t forget, the Church’s doctrine is that the Lord loves all people. And now the laws set by those fellows from the Monastery are tacitly approved by the Church. If we resort to past methods of slaughter again, who can guarantee that the Bishop won’t be enraged?”
At the mention of the Bishop, the entire Senate fell silent.
“Moreover, if I truly conquered a territory, would you really be at ease?” Puniel said with a grin.
The moment he had a chance to escape this oppressive life, he would never return to be mistreated here.
Yet in response to his veiled threat, Piero only let out a contemptuous laugh.
The scorn in that laugh made Puniel’s face flush red.
Piero ignored Puniel’s reaction and instead turned to Bevan.
“In no more than two months, the first batch of apprentices from the Monastery will graduate. They’re the first generation—although they haven’t undergone a full academic year, their thirst for power is no less.”
“In fact, without resorting to sheer violence, their methods already make us tremble.”
“Just the idea of building a new city caused more than half of the gentry who were originally close to you to side with them.”
“They’re like seasoned hunters, armed with laws and the influence of the Monastery, always waiting for you to show weakness, to step into their trap—then tear away your already meager power.”
“Look at the monetary reform. Just because they learned that the trade routes were cut off, they forced you to pass the policy in merely two days.”
“The Senate should be the institution governing territory affairs, yet you’re being toyed with by a bunch of kids barely in their teens…”
Bang!
A loud crash interrupted Piero’s ridicule.
It was Puniel, face flushed red with rage, who slammed his fist into the table, shattering it as he glared angrily at Piero.
Now he was truly furious. The attendants nearby collapsed to their knees, trembling in fear from his wrath.
“Piero, that’s enough. Push me too far, and even if I die, I won’t hesitate to kill you right here,” Puniel said in a low voice.
“And besides, who’s to say the Church would even care whether you lived or died?”
Given his ability to battle knights, his threat carried considerable weight.