System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 959 - 286: Attack on Morgan Town (10,000 Words) (2)

"Even though Morgan Town’s domain does not fall under my jurisdiction, nor any of ours, it resides within the greater Kakasong City boundaries."

"Simo dared to issue an edict without seeking my endorsement as a Viscount!"

"This demonstrates immense disrespect towards my standing as a Viscount!"

"Consequently, a disagreement arose between Simo and myself!"

The Manor Lord offered a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Anyone with even a passing awareness of Kakasong City’s affairs would understand this.

Jon elaborated, "I directly questioned Simo regarding the rationale behind assigning Morgan Town to a Lord who had instigated unrest within its borders."

"Simo’s explanation was that it would streamline the governance and management of Morgan Town, thereby facilitating the restoration of its agricultural output."

"Hah! A convenient pretext for governance and management! A convenient excuse for production and reconstruction resumption!"

"Had this very Lord not been responsible for the destruction of Morgan Town’s Manor, would Morgan Town not still be engaged in productive construction?"

"My request for Simo to retract the edict was met with his justification that the Lord had paid his tithes."

"He deemed this instigator of turmoil a faithful believer, a true subject of God."

"The esteemed Bishop of the Church, swayed by a meager tithe payment, how utterly preposterous!"

The assembled Manor Lords lapsed into silence, hesitant to voice any response to Jon’s pronouncements.

Indeed, they held the esteemed positions of Manor Lords.

Yet, they too held faith in God, adhering to the tenets of the Church.

Jon’s discourse persisted, "Esteemed Gentlemen!"

"The presence of the Church within Kakasong City is an irrefutable reality."

"Setting aside the land, finances, and possessions that devoted followers willingly contribute."

"It has been an considerable duration since any Noble Lord has adhered to the practice of paying tithes."

"Yet now, this individual named Lynn has single-handedly revived the precedent of tithing!"

"Should the Church seize this occurrence as an opportunity to mandate tithe payments from all Noble Lords."

"Requiring them to surrender a tenth of their earnings to the Church…"

"Gentlemen, what course of action will you adopt?"

"Will you submit quietly, or… will you mount a defiance?"

The Manor Lords remained in a state of quiet contemplation, uncertain of their response.

Jon disengaged himself from his seat, commencing a measured pace around the gathering.

Squeak~ Squeak~

The distinct echo of leather footwear upon the stone flooring resonated with unusual clarity within the imposing conference chamber.

Jon’s resonant voice cut through the silence, "You must grasp this, it transcends mere taxation!"

"Remitting tithes to the Church will inflict an economic blow to our revenues, thereby curtailing investments in agricultural and military advancements, and ultimately stifling our potential for growth."

"Conversely, the Church, by receiving these tithes, will amass considerable wealth, augmenting its economic prowess and solidifying its political standing."

"With such abundant resources, the Church can cultivate a more commanding image among the populace, potentially overshadowing even the image of the territory’s ruling Lord!"

"This situation will critically undermine the authority and control we currently wield within our respective domains."

"Most alarmingly, the economic burden imposed by tithing will directly foster antagonism between the Free People residing within our territories and ourselves as Lords!"

"It could even escalate into open conflict and outright rebellion from the Free People."

"At such a juncture, the Church’s authority will eclipse that of the Lord. Consequently, the dynamic will shift from us governing them to them governing us."

Jon addressed the assembly, "To ensure the well-being of the populace and to maintain the momentum of productive development, it is imperative that no elements of discord persist within the vicinity of Kakasong City."

"Therefore, to preemptively neutralize any burgeoning threats, we must embark on a campaign against Lynn, the Lord of Morgan Town!"

The Manor Lords became visibly somber, their heads nodding in concurrence.

They recognized the unvarnished truth within Jon’s assertions.

Irrespective of the cascading consequences stemming from tithing obligations.

Or the formidable capabilities of this Lord, Lynn, who demonstrated the capacity to raze all Manors within Morgan Town.

The sheer military might he commanded already instilled a palpable sense of unease within them.

Had his ambitions been confined solely to the territory of Morgan Town, it might have been an issue they could tolerate.

A frontier town, a place they already held in low regard.

But what of a Lord possessing such formidable power?

How could his aspirations possibly be limited to such a modest scope?

Jon traversed the space between several Manor Lords, ultimately pausing behind Devant, positioned at the far extremity of the circular table.

Devant, seated upright in his chair, felt an palpable increase in atmospheric pressure.

Jon’s measured voice continued, "The aforementioned points constitute but one justification for initiating this conflict!"

"My subsequent investigation has uncovered a second compelling reason: the frequent passage of traveling merchants traversing the region to reach Kakasong City."

"These merchants are transporting substantial quantities of grain and assorted goods, even acquiring warhorses and indentured servants!"

"They disembark their cargo at Fisherman’s Wharf and subsequently utilize sturdy four-horse carts to transport these acquisitions away from the city."

"Given the financial resources available to the Noble Lords within Kakasong City’s territory, it is simply improbable for them to possess the sheer volume of wealth required for such extensive purchases."

"Upon their return journeys, the carts, which were initially laden with goods, are found to be completely filled with meticulously refined salt!"

The faces of the Manor Lords, which had been stern moments before, were suddenly filled with astonishment.

"The goods have transformed into refined salt? How could this be?"

"Viscount, are you suggesting that a salt mine exists in Morgan Town?"

"This is… utterly inconceivable!"

"I get it! I get it now!"

"Because there's a salt mine, this Lord Lynn consistently exchanges refined salt with traveling merchants for the resources essential for his territory's growth."

"And that's how his territory flourishes so quickly!"

"Truly enviable. How did he manage to find a salt mine? How fortunate would I be if such a salt mine were situated within my own domain..."

"It's not just a salt mine; it's practically a gold mine!"