Chapter 1136 - 176: Interesting Mercenaries and the Well-Deserved Count’s Territory

Chapter 1136: Chapter 176: Interesting Mercenaries and the Well-Deserved Count’s Territory

Su Li chose a strategy, and the effect quickly manifested.

Even in the harsh season of winter, when everything should be dormant, and roads hard to travel, the Hesse Territory unusually became bustling. Like hyenas catching the scent of blood, a large number of various characters surged into this land that had just endured the flames of war and was struggling to recover: mercenary corps with fierce gazes and whom licked blood from their blades; desperadoes living off raiding in groups of three or five; and "rogue knights" adorned with faded emblems, having long lost their fiefdoms and honor, leaving behind only endless greed for wealth.

Their target was singular: the "legitimate" privateering licenses issued by Lord Su Li, and the rumor gnawed upon repeatedly in taverns, guilds, and even church corners—over fifty thousand dazzling Imperial Golden Crowns stored in the treasury of the Swamp Territory!

No one knows for sure which drunkard’s mouth or which dark corner this astonishing figure originally slipped from. But as it spread like the plague, reason was completely scorched by greed.

Fifty thousand golden crowns! Enough to make the humblest beggar become a noble, wealthy as a nation in a single night; to help the most down-and-out knight rebuild a glorious castle; to enable the fiercest mercenary corps to purchase a small kingdom! In the face of enormous wealth temptation, the dangers of the swamp, possible traps, even the terrifying reputation of Swamp Lord Viktoria Green seemed insignificant.

The taverns of Hesse Territory were packed, the air filled with the stench of cheap barley beer, sweat, and fervor. The coarse noises and clashes of weapons never ceasing. Mercenaries loudly boasted of past "achievements" in corners, rogue knights feigned modesty showing off rusted armor, trying to recruit or find a team. Raiders scanned everyone with sinister eyes, calculating potential collaborators or competitors. Long queues stretched in front of each privateering license distribution point; the faces of recipients laden with excitement and feverish dreams for the future, as if that thin piece of paper was the key to unlocking the gates of a gold mountain.

Bauhinia Castle, study.

Hilude stood in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, his brows slightly furrowed, watching the obvious increase of uninvited guests carrying weapons on the street outside. "Sir, the influx is larger than expected and more... chaotic. Our border post reports indicate that some impatient small groups have tried to cross the border into the swamp without waiting for official permits, ending up... fed to swamp monsters or shot into porcupines by the Swamp Territory patrol troops."

Su Li sat behind a spacious desk with a detailed map of the swamp spread in front of him, his head not lifted, fingers gently tapping the tabletop, emitting a rhythmic, light sound.

"No matter." His voice was calm, "Greed blinds people’s eyes, making them overlook danger. These impulsive fools are perfect to scout the path for us, drain some of the Swamp Territory’s alert forces, also... clean out some overly hasty, uncontrollable scum. Saves us the trouble."

"The bigger the commotion they cause, the better. Let the Swamp Territory’s Lord run herself ragged, overwhelmed. Let her troops be constantly harassed, exhausted in the cold mud. Let her subjects be plunged into panic, questioning her protective ability. Let her allies waver, pondering if she is worth relying on."

"What we need to do is control the pace of ’license’ distribution, ensuring this fire burns continuously and evenly. Meanwhile, keep our troops alert at the border, preventing the flames of war from spreading to our side, also... preventing some ’big fish’ from attempting to fish in troubled waters sneaking in."

"Understood." Hilude comprehended Su Li’s intention—to let these wolves tear at each other, consuming some overly rebellious forces, meanwhile these performances by the mercenaries would help sift out truly usable talents.

Su Li also paid close attention to this point, asking: "With so many mercenaries and raiders having arrived, are there any usable talents?"

"Speaking of these mercenary corps." Hilude sighed: "It’s really hard to sum up. Their demands are diverse, for example, the last Alcatani Companion Corps impressed me—they came against our policy."

"Against our policy, what do you mean?" Su Li asked curiously.

"This is a famous warhound mercenary, coming from a quiet corner of a village in the war-torn Border Prince’s Territory. This corps is unique because, besides being exceptionally powerful, they also have their hearts set on farmers and common folk. It is said they are the only mercenaries not entirely driven by profit, and they sympathize with the people, thus their leader Rodrigo Delmonte is highly popular among the common folk."

"His personal history is remarkable, initially he was just a farmer. The origin occurred in an accident where he was tallying food losses, with his heart full of despair. Just the previous day, he stood in the same place, basking under pastoral sunshine, gazing at the fruitful Alcatani’s extensive farmland. Once dense with apples, citrus, grapes, and olives, now only barren land with scorched stumps remained. Everywhere the green skins of Alcatani’s violent army passed, they left notorious pillaging and destruction. Farmers’ hard work and toil immediately destroyed, yielding not a grain."

"In the frequently war-torn Border Prince’s Territory, farmers’ lives are always tough, even those wealthy landlords are no exception. When Rodrigo Delmonte recognized his impoverished situation, he took the only way out—enlisting. His laborers, to avoid starvation, decisively signed up along with him. In Lima, Rodrigo sold his last, and most treasured mule, sparing no effort compiling money to purchase some poor quality armor, several second-hand helmets, and a batch of slightly bent long lances. After some effort hammering and a few steams with a kettle, Rodrigo’s crew set off for their first battle. After some patching, they actually looked reasonably decent!