System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 951 - 284: Gold Pounds Pave the Way (10,000)

The Church serves as a conduit for people to express their spiritual yearnings through its clergy. The Church's very existence directly addresses the fundamental needs of the common folk, resulting in an incredibly vast following. While recruiting these followers for outward expansionist wars might present some challenges for the Church, in times of existential crisis, a decree from a Church Bishop is enough to send these followers charging forward without hesitation. This is precisely why all Lords harbor resentment towards the Church, yet find themselves powerless against it. Even if a Lord were to dismantle all Church officials within their domain and raze every Church building, a new Bishop would invariably arise from the ranks of ordinary believers before long. This new leader would then guide followers to rebuild the Church and re-establish the clergy, proving impossible to eradicate, much like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. This resilience stems from the Church being the most crucial spiritual anchor for residents, surpassing even their material sustenance. The sole method to genuinely dismantle the Church lies in establishing a territory where residents no longer require external spiritual solace. A place where every inhabitant is well-fed, lives a life of happiness, and is free from the anxieties of war. Their spiritual anchor would become their very selves, or perhaps, the Lord who bestows such an enriched existence upon them. Residents would then cease to feel the need to confide in or seek refuge within the Church. At that juncture, even without the Lord's active efforts to dismantle it, the Church would inevitably crumble due to the cessation of donations and offerings from its followers. As a member of the Church hierarchy, Samuel possessed an understanding of how to contend with the Church, perhaps even better than an outsider. However, Samuel recognized with even greater clarity that achieving such an ideal state was nearly impossible! Neither Viscount Jon Zuck of Kasong City, nor Marquis Mark Duca, nor even the former Emperor Charlemagne VI of the Empire had managed to accomplish this feat! This is because the fundamental role of a Lord is to be a landowner, a political administrator, an economic exploiter, and a military commander. Their actions are perpetually geared towards safeguarding their own interests and authority. How could any Lord possibly be willing to relinquish their own gains for the benefit and well-being of the ordinary residents within their territory? Such an altruistic notion would never cross the mind of any Lord. Consequently, the Church persistently endures within the territories of these Lords, even managing to influence their power and status! Suppressing these thoughts, Samuel glanced at a Church Guard standing nearby. He then spoke, "After deducting the fifteen Gold Pounds for tithing, the remaining fifteen Gold Pounds will be distributed as one Gold Pound per person." A flicker of delight could be seen in the eyes of the four accompanying Church Guards. Before they could voice their thoughts, Samuel continued, "What you just witnessed, I believe you understand what needs to be done without explicit instructions, correct?" The four Church Guards responded in unison, without a hint of hesitation, "Naturally, Captain Samuel." "We were only instructed by Bishop Semo to accompany you to this territory and collect the fifteen Gold Pounds for tithing." "We have no knowledge of anything else that transpired!" Samuel nodded in satisfaction. "That is good." "As long as you accompany me here, you will receive one Gold Pound each time." "As for the origin of your Gold Pounds, what they are used for, or how they are utilized, I also know nothing." The four Church Guards affirmed once more, "Yes, Captain Samuel." Samuel's normally placid expression brightened slightly as he listened to their words, tinged with evident joy. This month, a total of fifteen Gold Pounds was collected. However, he was only allocating one Gold Pound per person to the four Church Guards. This generous gesture was indeed a show of his benevolence towards them! Starting this month, he would personally gain an additional thirty Gold Pounds each month. A substantial portion of twenty-four Gold Pounds would be his, marking a considerable increase in his personal income! For these Church Guards, their situation was similar! Samuel tightened his grip on the reins and instructed the four Church Guards, "Increase our pace and return to Kasong City." "If we delay too long, Bishop Semo might suspect we have absconded with the funds." A smile touched the faces of the four soldiers upon hearing Samuel's seemingly jesting words. They quickly echoed his sentiment with smiles of their own. As Samuel pressed his legs firmly against his horse's belly, his steed let out a pained whinny and suddenly surged forward. With a sharp clatter of hooves, the warhorse moved with purpose, galloping down the dirt path ahead. The four Church Guards following behind, without any hesitation, spurred their own warhorses onward, keeping pace with Samuel. Perhaps it was the successful collection of tithes, or perhaps it was the anticipation of extra income, but the group seemed to move with renewed vigor.

The journey back to Kasong City for Samuel's group felt considerably lighter in atmosphere.

...

Darkness had fallen by the time they arrived.

After a brief respite, Lynn rose from his seat and turned back towards the castle.

As he walked, his mind was consumed with devising a plan to confront Viscount Jon Zuck of Kasong City.

By this point,

he had managed to obtain a reasonable understanding of Jon Zuck's military strength.

Eighty Manor Lord retainers, commanding a total force of seven thousand men.

Of these, fewer than two thousand were equipped with cavalry and armored infantry.

Less than two hundred were archers, with the remainder being mere foot soldiers.

This force seemed insignificant when compared to his own nearly four thousand fully equipped soldiers.

However,

Viscount Jon Zuck held ownership of Kasong City and its formidable walls!

Breaching those defenses and eliminating Jon Zuck's standing army presented a formidable challenge.

Firstly,

in any siege scenario, the defenders gain a significant advantage from the fortifications provided by the city walls.

They could utilize the walls for cover, maintaining a strong defensive posture.

This inherent advantage

could substantially offset their disadvantage in cavalry and armored troops.

Secondly,

the soldiers under Rose's command were only undergoing the most rudimentary physical conditioning and weapons instruction, along with basic defensive drills.

Deploying them in a siege operation would likely lead to a grim spectacle.

It would simply see these soldiers, heads down, blindly rushing up cloud ladders, attempting to scale the walls.

Clearly,

such a method of assault, while potentially possessing some efficacy, would inevitably result in grievous casualties among his soldiers!

Even with his current four thousand troops, he could not countenance such a reckless expenditure of lives.

To conquer Kasong City, an effective strategy that minimized soldier losses was imperative!

As Lynn stepped into the castle and ascended the stairs towards the reception hall, his eyes suddenly brightened.

He had conceived a brilliant tactic!