Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 490: Chapter 305: Territory Exchange

Inside the Government Hall, the map on the long table was pressed flat, and the candlelight reflected on the parchment, making the various markings clearly visible.

Bradley held the pen and marked a spot, his voice steady: “Most of the territories that need to be exchanged are around the Red Tide Territory.

This way, all the key areas can be woven into a complete road network, making future travel convenient and defensive points easier to establish.”

Several officials nodded in sequence, continuously adding information on the side.

However, their eyes occasionally fell on a few red markings.

Those places were remote and barren, neither near waterways nor connected to trade routes.

Compared to the prosperous areas around, they held no value.

Finally, a young official couldn’t help but speak softly: “Those places seem rather unremarkable…”

Before he finished, the elder official beside him coughed lightly and said sternly: “Be cautious with your words, these marks were made personally by Lord Louis. Have you ever seen the lord make a mistake?”

The young official was taken aback, then immediately lowered his head, his face flushed.

Bradley observed this, his expression unchanged, and said: “Lord Louis’ orders are beyond our comprehension, which only shows our lack of vision. Remember, our duty is to execute, not to question.”

The hall fell into a momentary silence, and everyone bowed and nodded.

Of course, Louis did not mark randomly. Through the Daily Intelligence System, he mastered most of the secret resources of the surrounding areas and only marked places with strategic value.

Some had veins of Demon Marrow buried underground, some harbored rare magic plants, magical beasts, or concealed transportation hubs.

These seemingly barren wastelands could very well influence the future of the entire Red Tide Territory.

Of course, Louis wouldn’t tell these officials the actual reasons but let them interpret it themselves, just like the Sun never explains why it shines.

After a brief silence, Bradley spoke again: “Our negotiation strategy is divided into three steps. First, diplomacy.

Use other territories, food, and gold coins as bargaining chips to exchange with those small nobility. Make them feel like they’re getting a good deal and willingly sign the contract.”

He paused, his fingertips gently tapping on the map.

“Second, if they still have doubts, cut off their lifelines, like food, iron, or raw materials needed by workshops.

All these essentials are controlled by Red Tide. Let them taste the loss, and eventually, they will come to us.”

Finally, Bradley’s voice grew colder: “Lastly, if there are still those who refuse to understand, report to Lord Louis, and under the guise of ’defending against the Barbarian Race,’ send troops to take it.

One strike should be enough to show others the cost. But it’s best not to reach this point, as it would make Lord Louis feel we are too incompetent.”

After listening, all the officials lowered their heads, solemnly responding: “Understood.”

After a final precise deduction and calculation, the list of special envoys was finalized.

They would set off with contracts symbolizing goodwill, embarking on this journey of ’diplomacy before force.’

……

East of the Red Tide Territory, along the solitary cliff of the Wind Howl Heights, there was a small territory called “Ghost Vine Slope.”

It was dry and barren, with no trade routes surrounding it, and aside from vines suitable for making ropes, it lacked resources, with just over a hundred residents.

But according to the Daily Intelligence System’s prompt, a rare magic plant called Abyssal Silk Flower was hidden near the cliff’s edge.

This is a magic plant that only grows in extreme environments.

If carefully refined, it becomes the core ingredient for the next generation of ’Magic Explosion Bullets.’

The land belonged to a baron named Garris Wei Lan.

He was, like Louis, a family outcast sent to the Northern Territory due to the Northern Territory Expansion Order.

Upon learning that a special envoy from Red Tide Territory was coming, Baron Wei Lan prepared the grandest feast since the territory’s inception in his old dilapidated fortress.

The shabby hall was temporarily adorned with brocade from the South, and sacks piled in the corners were covered with straw mats, appearing somewhat decent from afar.

He ordered the household’s last three bottles of wine mixed with honey and slaughtered the few remaining fat sheep.

Cut into portions, they were made into charcoal-grilled and fragrant stews, lavishly seasoned, as if trying to mask the cold drafts from the unrepaired roof cracks and wall gaps over the past three months with that spicy fragrance.

Even the damaged silver cups were polished to a shine and neatly placed on the table.

Not to show off, but to show respect.

Wei Lan was well aware that the livelihood of his land had long been quietly tied to the grain carts of the Red Tide Territory.

Food, seeds, ironware, salt… almost all supplies that sustain the livelihood and maintain the Knight Order’s operations come mostly from Red Tide trade routes.

If he lost favor with Red Tide, his so-called noble status would not be worth even half a copper coin.

Moreover, the envoy this time was Horn Grayland, reportedly a person highly trusted by Lord Louis.

Even if Wei Lan harbored doubts, he could only respond with a smile now.

After all, in the Northern Territory rebuilt amidst wind, snow, and bones, he knew too well who truly held the power in these circumstances.

Knight Horn Grayland, tall and upright, with attire simple yet elegant, never parted from his sword.

As he entered, he said little, merely opening several wooden boxes carried by the accompanying soldiers, revealing jars of golden honey wine inside.

“This is newly brewed honey wine from the Red Tide Territory. It can enhance the activity of fighting energy within… consider it a token gift for you, Baron.”

Wei Lan was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t expected that the envoy, instead of putting on airs, had brought a gift, slightly easing the tension he felt.