Chapter 272 Crack

The capital of the Andals, Essex.

The cold wind of early winter carries the biting wind from the north of the continent, passing through the endless pastures of the Kingdom of Walras, passing over the vast plains of the northern frontier of the kingdom, and finally roaring at the foot of the towering city wall of Essex.

The refugees leaning on the outside of the city wall sat around the bonfire, clinging to each other to keep warm in the biting cold wind.

With the arrival of winter, even though this is the capital of the Kingdom of Andal, the number of pedestrians walking through the streets has significantly decreased.

Even in the civil war in the Kingdom of Andal or the war in the Principality of Norton, the Andal noble group headed by Wilbert I achieved the final victory and enjoyed the fruits of victory.

But it is undeniable that the two successive wars have greatly overdrafted the national power of the Kingdom of Andal.

Even though it has a wider land, at the same time, the problems caused by a large number of refugees continue to ferment in the Kingdom of Andal.

Even in the capital of the kingdom like Essex, the most peaceful place, there are simple camps of refugees everywhere outside the city.

Even though the lives of the people living in the royal capital are much better, their living standards have barely reached the standard of surviving from freezing or starving.

Compared to the poor life of ordinary people.

The life of the nobles is much more dignified and luxurious.

Burning fireplace, warm blankets.

When you have nothing to do, you can also gather people to share emotions.

However, as the supreme ruler of the Andal Kingdom, Wilbert I's mood did not become warm and enthusiastic.

The king's cooks served exquisite and sumptuous dishes, and the servants who served the king were extremely flattering.

The decoration in the palace is extremely luxurious, and every inch of wood and every carving is enough to buy a commoner's rations for a year.

But……

Looking at the roasted suckling pig with a shiny head...

However, King Wilbert I's thoughts had already drifted to the south of the kingdom.

To be honest, this was the first time that Wilbert I felt that the domestic political situation was moving beyond his control.

Even during the previous civil war in the kingdom, he had never felt this way.

At that time, he knew very well that the Duke of Sadwind Castle would definitely rebel, and Prince Herson, who was located in the eastern part of the kingdom, would definitely not be content with being ordinary.

so……

Although the outbreak of the civil war was somewhat sudden, it did not exceed Wilbert I's expectations.

But right now...

The situation in the Andal Kingdom seems to have ushered in the long-lost peace, and the Andal Kingdom is also about to embark on another great journey under its own rule.

But Wilbert I felt a little agitated for no reason in his heart, which made him feel a little unprepared.

Wilbert knew very well the source of this irritability in his heart.

The concerns in my heart... come from the southern border of the Andal Kingdom, from the Marquis of the Kingdom who was conferred by me personally!

A model of loyal ministers and a model of nobility.

This was the evaluation that King Wilbert I personally gave to Leon during the civil war in the Andal Kingdom.

When the royal capital was under siege, at the most dangerous time, the coalition forces from the south rescued Essex, which was in danger, allowing them to focus on dealing with the Duke of Sorrow Castle in the north of the kingdom, clearing the obstacles on the way forward. .

Therefore, the position of Marquis of Leon can be said to be well deserved.

Wilbert I had no doubts about Leon's loyalty.

But……

It was precisely this Marquis who made the always keen Wilbert I smell something beyond his control.

It’s not that he thinks Leon wants to usurp, nor that he thinks Leon wants to be independent.

The only reason is that the young man from the Jimena family has developed too fast.

Its speed was so fast that even Wilbert I felt vaguely worried.

Prince Mendez of the Idrit Kingdom can obtain information about Antolia.

As the king of Andal Kingdom, Wilbert I can naturally find out.

Under Leon's rule, peace ushered in the originally chaotic southern border. Even the independent mountain tribes that had lived in Antolia for a long time swore allegiance to the Jimena family.

To a certain extent, the Jimena family, headed by Leon Jimena, Marquis of Antolia, already has a more powerful force than the Duke of Galicia in the past!

He has a wider direct territory.

From Antolia to the southwestern highlands, from the southwestern highlands to the south bank of the Meyerson River,

He has stronger military strength.

It was even enough to span most of the Principality of Norton under the heavy blockade of the Kingdom of Walras.

He is even the only noble in the kingdom who can enter the abandoned land without any hindrance! He is the only noble vassal who can trade with the elves!

Even the royal family cannot do this!

Therefore, no matter how loyal Leon is to him, the Jimena family has become a force that he must be afraid of!

after all……

Wilbert I knew it all along.

Although the royal family and the great nobles are also the ruling class of the Andal Kingdom, their interests have never been the same.

The only thing that made Wilbert I slightly happy was that the existence of the abandoned land involved most of the energy of the Jimena family, making the Jimena family always have the same attitude towards the decrees from Essex—— support!

but……

What if one day, the Jimena family can really take over the abandoned land?

Although it seems unlikely, are there not many impossible things that happen in the south of the kingdom?

Even though Leon may not have any rebellious intentions today, no one can guarantee that the descendants of the Jimena family will not have such thoughts.

Therefore, it can be said that Wilbert I felt more and more headaches the more he thought about it.

Today's Andal Kingdom is in a worse era, and a noble with normal thinking is particularly conspicuous, let alone Leon Jimena, who is devoted to the management of the territory.

Even though Wilbert I had tried his best not to think about the future of the southern part of the kingdom.

But unfortunately...

In the imperial meetings in recent days, the Jimena family has been mentioned repeatedly.

The reason is simple. Solving the long-lasting refugee problem is the current top priority of the Andal Kingdom.

Compared with the plan proposed by the princes and ministers representing the aristocratic forces in the east, north, central and west of the kingdom, the plan proposed by Count Brabant, the representative of the nobles in the south of the kingdom, forced Wilbert I to take it seriously. Consider the influence of the Jimena family.

Because compared to the way the nobles from other parties put the blame on each other, the views of the nobles in the south can be said to be quite consistent.

That means sending all the refugees to Antolia!

The argument given is also quite reasonable.

That is, the Marquis of Antolia is a model of loyal ministers and nobles, so he is naturally willing to share the worries of the kingdom.

This is exactly what I said before!

As for the purpose...

If the Jimena family wants to develop the abandoned land, what they need most is population.

The best way to slow down the development and influence of the Jimena family is to restrict the flow of population to the south.

Looking at the stern look on Count Brabant's face, King Wilbert I really couldn't think of any reason to refuse.

When the nobles from other parties saw that someone was willing to take the initiative to share the refugees, they naturally voted in favor of this plan.

so……

Has that young marquis even integrated the aristocratic forces in the entire southern part of the kingdom?

This made Wilbert I feel quite troublesome.

But for a while, I couldn't think of any better way.

The only thing he can hope for is that the dangers of the Abandoned Land are completely beyond the imagination of others, which makes the Jimena family struggle to develop the Abandoned Land.

…

Compared with the hesitation and hesitation of Wilbert I, the Antolians obviously had no such concerns.

As the new governor of Port Idar, Bello has been faithfully implementing the development plan tailor-made for Port Idar by his Marquis.

for example……

From time to time, some rumors are artificially created about the relics of the restoration of the country, in order to paralyze the hearts of those who covet it, enhance the perception of the local people, and make them unite more closely around the Jimena family.

This is not moaning for nothing, nor is it holding on after being full.

The south bank of the Meyerson River, close to the ocean, has always been the hardest hit area by the remnants of the restoration of the country.

Over the years, the remnant believers of the restoration of the country who came across the sea have never failed to cause massacres and spread their presence on this land.

so……

Some measures are obviously necessary.

Among the territories under the Jimena family, the south bank of the Meyerson River is indeed the only area where an organization called the "Committee to Resist Resistance of Resurgence Relics and Other Rebels" exists.

Of course, the reason why Leon sent Bello here was not just to maintain order.

Build ships, fish, build roads, build bridges.

It can be said that Bello has not forgotten any of these things ordered by Leon.

As Count Felden returned to the Kingdom of Idrit with a large box full of bonds, the secret agreement between Leon and Prince Mendez was officially concluded.

therefore……

Bello has long received feedback from the Kingdom of Iderit - the most advanced shipbuilding blueprints.

Coupled with the craftsmen previously stolen from other coastal towns, the Idar Shipyard was officially completed last week and has even entered the preparatory process of building ships.

Leon wanted to build ships.

He never shied away from others about this.

Because this is not only an important step in guarding the territorial waters of the Jimena family and resisting the maritime invasion of the relics of the country, but it is also a prerequisite for the Antolian people to explore the ocean.

And as Leon's most loyal subject.

As the governor of Port Idar, Bello naturally has to implement Leon's request.

The raging waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, and the water vapor from the ocean added a little moisture to this dry winter.

Bello walked on the seaside accompanied by his accompanying guards and felt the surging power hidden in the sea.

Shipbuilding is shipbuilding, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to build such a magnificent warship from the beginning.

Bello, who was deeply influenced by Leon, is particularly clear about the principle of gradual progress.

so……

The first step to looking at the ocean, and also the first mission of Idar Shipyard, is to build fishing boats.

He never had too many fishing boats.

Bello has always had deep expectations for the development of the fishing industry in Port Idar.

If you rely on the mountains, you will eat the mountains; if you rely on the sea, you will eat the sea.

Even as an Antorian who had never seen the ocean before, Bello understood this simple and easy-to-understand truth.

In the mining towns of the southwest highlands, the massive mineral deposits, pink salt lakes and running tall strange birds have injected unprecedented vitality into the development of that land.

Therefore, Bello firmly believes that the boundless ocean will also give a different color to the development of Idar Port.

Fish from the sea enriched the Antolian table.

The income from fishing enriches the pockets of local people.

According to the Marquis, this will gradually become a virtuous cycle.

not to mention……

Compared with farming, fishing is often not affected by the seasons, at least in Port Idar.

There are spring catches in spring and winter varieties in winter.

The development of fisheries and the construction of roads not only provide jobs for refugees migrating from the north, but also make Idar Port full of vitality in winter.

Those who know how to fish will go to sea to find their way out.

Those who had the strength were sent to build roads.

As long as you are willing to work, the Jimena family will not let you starve to death.

During his tenure as the governor of Port Idar, Bello has been working hard to instill such a signal in the hearts of the local people.

And clearly, the results are great.

The shouts on the pier are endless, and pedestrians are constantly passing through the streets.

Whether it is being able to get enough food to satisfy their hunger in winter, or finding a job that can take care of food, this is enough to make the people living here feel the hope of life.

And for those fishermen who don’t have fishing boats.

Bello also fully mobilized existing resources to open up the development of the industry. By introducing the business of Antolia Bank to Idar Port, it provided special loans for local residents to purchase fishing boats.

The interest rate is reasonable and no one is deceived.

Even at the beginning, local residents thought this was another way for the noble lord to make money.

But……

Looking at the money that was solemnly handed over to their hands and the fishing boat that was gradually taking shape under the work of the craftsmen, they couldn't help but disbelieve it.

How can anyone distribute money to the people before making money?

In short, everything in Port Idar is on track, and most of Leon's instructions are being implemented one by one.

The only shortcoming is that there has never been any definite news about the road leading from Port Idar to the south.

However……

It was also when Bello was pacing on the beach that the Antolian soldiers sent out brought him a shocking news.

"Mr. Governor, something happened in the south!"

No more today.