Chapter 1407 - 757: Reformation

Chapter 1407: Chapter 757: Reformation

If calculated based on the peak period of Hamlet in the entire region, it can roughly be divided into three areas.

Controlled area, which includes the city developed from scratch, along with those surrounding developed regions.

Occupied area, which refers to those places invaded by surrounding lords.

The regions sandwiched between these two areas are no man’s land, referring to regions unmanaged.

Currently, there are three places in Hamlet that can be called cities: Hamlet, Ovando, Bastia, with two of them not within the controlled area. The others, even the castles of those three barons, are merely at town level.

The reason is simple: because of the limitation of productivity, which means forming a city requires external input, whether in terms of population or resources, and a pillar industry is necessary.

Hamlet lies by the sea, Ovando by the river, and Bastia near the mountains.

After Hamlet’s decline, Ovando initially thrived by leveraging its unique geographical position, attracting a wave of population due to the development of shipping and the grain industry.

Bastia monopolized the mountain paths; any resources from the mountains wanting to go out must be taxed by him, taxed again on entrance. How could that pivotal geographical location not prosper?

However, those inland Baron’s Domains, with no rivers, seas, or crucial positions nearby, are surrounded by undeveloped wilderness and dense forests.

Unless they can integrate the whole territory and invest a large sum of money, like Lance did, even then, throwing in a million gold coins is just the beginning.

But would those nobles spend a million gold coins willingly like this?

So it’s understood that the limit of control over their territory is a relatively large town, not a city.

The remaining lands must be divided and managed by those fief knights.

One could say, once these towns are defeated, the so-called noble rule would collapse into ruins.

But Lance opted for an overwhelming advance...

Out on reconnaissance, the soldiers on horseback soon discovered a village set in the wilderness, fairly large, and sent someone back to report, while the rest began to ride around the surroundings.

When a few horses simple enough to carry scouts became visible, those guys didn’t worry too much. In harsher environments, natives tend to be more rugged and weren’t scared; instead, they ran back shouting, soon gathering those capable of commanding.

"The bandits are coming!"

"Quick, inform the mayor!"

"Grab your weapons!"

Outside was a large area of fields; although the autumn harvest was complete, the haystacks were still visible.

After traversing the farmland, the reconnaissance soldiers could see the village surrounded by walls made from piled stones, slightly better than wooden or mud ones.

Inside the square walls were scattered residences and a few wooden watchtowers, roughly five or six meters in height.

No one dared to get too close because archers were already stationed atop, and getting hit by an arrow would be embarrassing.

Youths began to gather, picking up all kinds of weapons, their clamorous excitement filling the place, as post-harvest, there was not much else to do.

"Did you really see them? Don’t damn well get it wrong!"

An overweight middle-aged man was also startled by this, his appearance somewhat respectable, clearly distinguished from the commoners, as the mayor he reigned as a local despot.

"I did see them, traders don’t look like that, those riders surely are bandits scouting the area."

Hearing this, unease was visible on the mayor’s face, though he didn’t panic. After the autumn harvest, with winter approaching, such happenings were unsurprising.

They were experienced dealing with some robber bandits, if the opponent numbered around ten, then they couldn’t easily yield; most likely a fight was inevitable, or they would become easy prey.

But if the opponent had more, then they must posture as desperate fighters, negotiate to give something and send them elsewhere.

Even robbers and bandits seek food, not necessary to fight to death.

His unease stemmed from not knowing the opponent’s origins, for bandits are certainly more formidable than ordinary robbers, after all, many mercenaries cannot afford horses...

"People! Lots of people!"

Suddenly, atop the wooden watchtower, an archer shouted aloud.

Before others could react, some onlookers wall-bound were also turning and running back, still shouting.

"Flee quickly! We can’t win this fight."

The unexpected turmoil suddenly riled the mayor, if they fled, who would defend his estates?

"Grab him for me!" The mayor pointed commandingly, and naturally someone stepped forth, he controlled the entire town, surely he had enforcers.

Compared to those who might barely eat their fill, these enforcers were naturally fiercer, pouncing on the unfortunate man, dragging him to the mayor to please.

"What useless wretches, just a few bandits scare you like this." The mayor rushed forth, kicking and punching, regardless of the man’s life.

The shrill wails and the mayor’s fierce demeanor restrained the restless crowd, as the fearful surrounding gazes seemed to embolden the mayor’s face with a sinister smile.

A bunch of low-borns!

Yet no matter what he did, it couldn’t affect the other side’s situation, for the sound of hooves grew clearer, even causing faint tremors on the ground.

Not just one person was peeking over walls now, panic spread almost uncontrollably.