Chapter 1118 - 171: Arrival of the Noble Assessment (Part 3)

Chapter 1118: Chapter 171: Arrival of the Noble Assessment (Part 3)

It can’t be that all armies of different beliefs and factions would simultaneously be corrupted and incited to rebel.

Currently, the strength of the Hesse Territory, from a general perspective, perfectly matches the standards of a Barony, in terms of population, finances, territory, military, and influence.

Of course, he still has a gap compared to a Count; what he can mainly compare to a Count’s Territory is the land area, presently the area of Hesse Territory is not smaller than Bauhinia Castle occupying the Thorny River Valley.

However, in terms of population, he is far inferior. A Count’s Territory’s population would certainly be more than 20,000 to 30,000, while a slightly more reliable Count’s Territory would have a population around 100,000. It couldn’t be less than that of a county in the East.

At the same time, the military of Hesse Territory is also somewhat inferior to a Count’s. The standard for a Count is to have 3,000 Elite Knights, whereas a Duke’s standard is 10,000 Elite Knights.

In Hesse Territory, the number of Elite Knights just exceeded 1,000 after entering winter, which was meticulously planned by Marshal Orstein.

However, all this aligns with the characteristics of a Baron in the Border Prince’s Territory, where almost all nobles have situations similar to Hesse Territory, that is, vast lands with sparse populations, strong military power (but severe financial losses).

As long as a territory can establish itself in the Border Prince’s Territory, upon reaching the level of a Baron, the land area can rival those of Counts within the Empire, and if they wish, they can continue to expand. However, many consider the pressures of defense and troop dispersion and choose the most advantageous terrain and stop expanding.

Take Blue Mirror Territory, for example, a classic case of expanding to geographical limits and then voluntarily contracting, treating all sides as natural defensive barriers, occupying only the core hinterland of Blue Mirror Territory for farming and development.

This greatly piqued Su Li’s curiosity about how the Empire sets the standards for Pioneer Territory assessment.

After all, it’s often difficult to strictly distinguish between Kingdom Knights and Barons, and Barons and Counts, giving Pioneer Lords an aristocratic title assessment.

But no matter how it’s said, Su Li is very confident about Hesse Territory’s first end-of-year assessment.

Because all over the land governed by Hesse Territory, a vibrant scene of order and life intertwines.

Vast fields occupy large flat areas. The winter wheat seedlings stand tenaciously on the black soil covered with a thin layer of snow, forming neat, slightly sparse green grids. Fallow land is exposed, divided into regular long strips by furrows, covered with golden wheat stubble and straw left after harvesting, lying low in the cold wind. Haystacks are scattered near the farmhouses, tightly covered with thatch, storing food for the livestock to survive winter. The farm women, wrapped in thick coarse cloth skirts, patrol the fields, carefully cleaning dead grass affecting the seedlings with wooden rakes.

Pastures mainly spread over gentle slopes near rivers and valleys between hills. Flocks of hardy highland sheep are driven by shepherds, searching for roots under the dead grass and snow layers. Their thick curly wool trembles slightly in the cold wind. Robust cattle are concentrated near simple sheds within enclosures, slowly chewing on hay. Shepherds, wearing leather coats, watch the horizon vigilantly, relying on the horn and short-handled axe at their waists to deal with beasts or occasional raiders. In the distance, small groups of pack horses are seen on open grounds, cared for by stable boys.

Strewn among these farms and pastures are estates and sturdy strongholds of various sizes. Not all of them are as grand as Heisen Castle. The most common is a main farmhouse built with a sturdy stone-wood mix, usually located on a slightly raised hillock, featuring thick wooden doors and small windows. These farmhouses are surrounded by wooden fences or low stone walls, containing barns, stables, tool rooms, and longhouses for workers and serfs. Smoke rising from chimneys is a clear signal of life continuing through winter.

More sizeable estates belonging to Knights or Free People landowners have manor houses with small towers. These houses are often constructed with strong stone materials, typically having an enclosed inner courtyard. Though not as grand as castles, their battlements, iron-clad wooden doors, and wooden watch towers clearly indicate their function as defensive strongholds. The manor surroundings include small orchards, vegetable gardens, and simple tenant houses.

Further afield, at the edge of the territory or at crucial passes, small stone fortresses and watch towers stand. These military strongholds are garrisoned by Knights or senior soldiers loyal to Su Li. They guard roads and bridges, monitoring the wilderness’s movements. Black smoke columns rising from watch tower tops are the fastest way to signal alerts. These fortresses, like nails, firmly anchor the seemingly peaceful countryside under the Lord’s control.

The people working — serfs, free farmers, shepherds, artisans — form the core of this winter rural landscape. Their lives revolve around the rhythms of the land and livestock, maintaining the territory’s vitality in the severe cold. The order of the fields, movement of the herds, smoke rising from manors, and soldiers’ figures atop distant fortresses collectively weave the unique pastoral song of Hesse Territory, filled with a pragmatic and resilient spirit.

All these are evidence of Hesse Territory’s tenacious survival under orderly management in the harsh frontier.

This land may not be without danger, and hidden monsters may roam, but it sufficiently proves it is a qualified Empire noble’s Pioneer Territory, standing firm on this frontier, letting the Empire’s Griffin flag fly over this vast sky.