Chapter 94： lion wide mouth

The atmosphere in the living room finally eased down.

Paul smiled and asked, "I don't know what I can do for the Earl of Kent?"

Let's all open the skylight and speak out.

Emerson was slightly surprised by Paul's straightforwardness, but since the other party had already opened his mouth, he couldn't go around anymore.

Emerson pulled out a roll of paper and handed it to Paul.

Paul took it over and unfolded the scroll, and Myron leaned his head over to look at it.

At a glance, both of them trembled with anger.

On paper, the conditions of the Kent family are listed:

1. At present, one-fifth of the income from papermaking and porcelain in the territory of Arda should be given to the Kent family, and another one-fifth should be given to Duke Ferdinand;

2. Bairdin was "co-administered" by Emden and Arda.

McLone was so angry that he was about to stand up and argue with Emerson, but was held back by Paul.

He said awkwardly: "Sir Emerson, we are a bit unacceptable to these conditions you have brought."

Emerson's expression became stiff again: "Master Greiman, these conditions have been carefully considered by the Earl of Kent. If you don't recognize the reality, I am afraid that the Earl of Kent will take some measures that you don't want to see." .”

threaten! A naked threat!

Paul resisted the urge to lose his temper, and said with a stiff smile on his face, "Let's discuss and discuss before making a decision. Come, send Mr. Messenger back to the post to rest."

"Hmph! It's better for Lord Graham to make a decision early. I don't care, but Lord Kent doesn't have much patience."

Emerson showed a very unflattering smile in Paul's eyes, and after leaving this sentence, he followed the servant out.

McLone turned to look at Paul and asked anxiously, "What should we do now?"

In the Northwest Gulf, the Earl of Kent is simply a smaller Giles, as long as he is eyeing something, he will never stop until he bites off a piece of meat from the opponent, and this guy is the direct vassal of the Northwest Duke Ferdinand. Minister, the relationship with the lord is very good, and I will never forget to honor the duke after receiving any benefits. Duke Ferdinand was also happy to see his loyal dog fat and strong, so that he could let it out to bite people when he was upset with some people.

On the one hand, Bairding is now threatened by the Kent family. On the other hand, a lot of money from the Garnard family has been used to invest in Paul's factory. Both public and private, Mellon finds it difficult to accept the conditions offered by the other party.

Paul patted Mellon on the shoulder and said comfortingly, "I've heard a saying - a car must find a way when it reaches the mountain, and a boat will naturally go straight when it reaches the bridge. Let's discuss it with everyone, and there will be a solution."

…

Soon, high-level officials from the Government Council and the army were summoned to the Lord's Mansion.

After Paul explained to everyone that the Kent family sent envoys and made many excessive demands, everyone was shocked at first, and then reacted differently.

The administrative officials were all frowning. They were all worried because of the strength of the Kent family. You must know that the other party was a powerful family that claimed to be able to easily pull out hundreds of knights.

The people in the army were filled with righteous indignation, clamoring to assemble the army and fight to Emden now.

"Master Greiman, this is clearly blackmail, it is clearly blackmail, it is simply an insult to you and us, let's start a war against the Kent family!"

"We now have three musket companies, 10 cannons, and a single salvo can blow away the peasants who have just put down their hoes."

"As for the knights, you saw them last time under the city of Butuya. Under the firepower of the cannons, they are just a pile of rotten meat."

Bryce with a loud voice stood up to express his opinions on behalf of the military, and other officers nodded in agreement. The last battle under the city of Butuya made them more confident.

Manager Ford immediately refuted them: "How can you use force lightly? Do you think that everything can be resolved by force?"

This group of warriors lost their composure just after winning two battles.

"So what if we win against a Kent family? Behind him is Ferdinand, Duke of the Northwest, the largest vassal in the northwest of the kingdom. The territory and population are more than ten times that of ours! No matter how powerful our army is, we can make up for it. Is there a large quantity gap?"

"Once the Kent family pulls Duke Ferdinand into the water, it is very possible. Don't forget that from outsiders, the Kent family has always been the Duke's loyal dog. They don't need them to send troops to attack us. Only Duke Ferdinand needs to prohibit his vassals from fighting with us. If we start trade and block our southward trade route, our income will shrink until the beginning of this spring."

"By that time, where will the money come to pay the salaries of the soldiers, and where will the money come to buy the raw materials for making weapons?"

"This..." Bryce was stumped.

Hansel also frowned and persuaded: "Sometimes, it is necessary to take a step back and assess the situation properly."

Schroeder, the chief of staff of the army, was in a dilemma and didn't know which side to support.

Paul was taken aback by Manager Ford's words. He had only considered the opponent's large territory and large population. However, with the social system of the feudal era, these two advantages could not be effectively transformed into military strength. World War I.

But what Manager Ford said later was something he hadn't thought of. It's so sad. Alda and Bairding are both in the northernmost part of the Northwest Bay. What if his trade route to the south is really cut off? ?

No matter whether it is paper or porcelain, it can only be exchanged for money by selling it. When the sea route has not been opened, once it is blocked by the surrounding lords, what I have done in the past six months will be in vain.

Paul tapped the table and listened silently to the debate between the civil and military groups.

Some of the officers were still dissatisfied proposed to concentrate their forces to fight a few beautiful annihilation battles fiercely, forcing the other party to sue for peace.

But Paul didn’t quite agree with this suggestion. During World War II, the foot basin army also thought that although the US emperor had an absolute advantage in overall national strength, after Pearl Harbor severely hurt the opponent, the rice animals would fight on their own. He ran to the door to ask for peace, but was slapped in the face by reality.

Things like war don't just develop according to the will of one side.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally made a difficult decision, patted the table, and everyone in the debate fell silent.

"Everyone, I have decided to temporarily compromise with the Kent family."

He gave Myron, who was sitting next to him, a reassuring look.

"However, Bairdin will never agree to co-manage with them. I would rather give up some of the profits."

No one objected to Paul's decision, and the arguments among the officers were just that they couldn't swallow their breath. Of course, they knew that there was a huge disparity between the enemy and us. Now that the lord had made a decision, they could only accept the reality.

Humiliation, anger, unwillingness, all kinds of negative emotions linger in everyone's mind.

"Bernard." Paul softly called his chief secretary.

The chief secretary responded immediately, "Master Greiman."

"Arrange that Emerson to come to the castle tomorrow, and I'll talk to him again."

"Follow your orders."

Paul added: "Director Ford, Hansel, Cecil, Schroeder, and Bryce come here together."

"Yes, Lord Earl." Those who were named responded one after another.