System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 960 - 286: Attack on Morgan Town (1W)_3

"..."

Observing the manor lords, their gazes gleaming with expectancy and their words dripping with covetousness, Jon felt a cold snort escape him internally. Devant, who had voiced opposition moments before, was now among them.

It was as he had suspected. Only substantial gain could sway this assembly of manor lords.

Jon lifted his right hand, and the room, previously a murmur of voices, fell silent, their attention fixed on him, awaiting his next words.

Once quiet was restored, Jon extended his right palm, placing it on Devant’s shoulder. He then inquired, "Manor Lord Devant, do you harbor any objections now?"

All eyes immediately swiveled to Devant, who felt the palpable pressure on his shoulder. His mouth opened slightly.

Before he could utter a word, Zock, seated opposite, interjected. "Manor Lord Devant, we are acting under the Viscount’s directive to initiate this war. Our aim is to neutralize potential threats, thereby ensuring our manors can focus on production and development without fear of invasion."

"Bo Xi Town is not far from Morgan Town," Zock continued, "Surely you do not wish to live in constant apprehension of raids by other lords?"

The manor lords nearby nodded in fervent agreement. "Indeed!"

Devant hesitated for a few seconds before finally responding, "I... Viscount, I have no objections."

Jon raised an eyebrow and lightly patted the hand resting on Devant’s shoulder. "Excellent."

He withdrew his hand and resumed his pacing. Devant, seated, visibly relaxed his tense posture.

Jon continued his address. "There is a third reason for this action!"

"I have discovered that the lord of Morgan Town, a certain Lynn, has been covertly luring Free People away from my Kakasong City."

The manor lords exchanged confused glances, failing to grasp the significance of this revelation.

Jon elaborated, "Kakasong City is but a minor city, with a very limited populace."

"According to the most recent census, our total population barely exceeds fifty-five thousand."

"Compared to other cities, our available labor force is critically small."

"Its remote location, coupled with insufficient production capacity and food shortages, severely restricts population growth."

"This situation affects Kakasong City, let alone the smaller settlement of Morgan Town."

"It appears this lord has overextended himself, as the labor force he commands is insufficient to cultivate all the land in Morgan Town."

"He has gone so far as to have a merchant establish a recruitment point within the Kakasong City talent market, actively hiring Free People to relocate to Morgan Town!"

"Had it ended there, it might have been overlooked."

"However, these Free People who traveled to Morgan Town have now returned, bringing their entire families to settle there permanently!"

A wave of understanding washed over the manor lords.

For every additional Free Person within a territory,

The ruling lord benefits from increased revenue through land tax, head tax, and various other levies!

Jon, completing his circuit around the room, returned to the head of the table and settled back into his leather-padded chair.

He surveyed the group once more before stating, "Therefore, this war is not merely advisable, but imperative."

"By vanquishing this lord, the open-pit salt mine at Morgan Town will fall into our possession."

"We shall jointly claim it, continue extraction, produce refined salt, and thereby secure a perpetual stream of wealth."

"Simultaneously, this action will curb the Church’s ability to amass further riches!"

The manor lords’ previously expectant faces were now alight with astonishment and elation.

"Viscount, you propose we share in its occupation?"

"Doubts? The Viscount’s word is as good as gold!"

"I wonder about the scale of this open-pit salt mine? I’ve heard even a modest one can sustain daily extraction for decades!"

"If we can profit from the salt mine... it would dwarf income from farming."

"Undoubtedly! Consider this: the current market price for a pound of refined salt equals the value of four pounds of wheat."

"Wonderful! I was just considering acquiring a new group of young serving girls..."

"..."

Jon raised his hand once more, and the excited chatter subsided, replaced by a palpable hum of anticipation.

The conference room, once tense, now thrummed with fervent energy and an easy camaraderie.

Their gazes, fixed upon Jon, were filled with undisguised admiration.

Jon posed the question again, "Now, does anyone present object to initiating this war?"

The manor lords turned, exchanging glances, a silent question and unspoken threat passing between them.

The air hung thick with a readiness to silence any dissent.

Several seconds elapsed without a single voice raised in objection.

Jon smiled, a look of deep satisfaction crossing his face. "Excellent!"

"Our next discussion, then, will concern the division of Morgan Town’s lands and the profits derived from the salt mine."

A subtle shift occurred; the manor lords’ brows furrowed slightly, their expressions turning to contemplative, almost hesitant, thought.

Jon cut straight to the chase, stating, "Even before summoning you all to the Viscount's Castle, a distribution plan had already been devised."

"I shall claim sixty percent of the refined salt output from the open-pit salt mine; the remaining forty percent is for your equitable division amongst yourselves."

The manor lords' eyebrows instantly shot upwards.

A mixture of hesitation and deep thought etched itself upon their faces, growing more pronounced.

Before any questions could be voiced, Jon pressed on.

"Naturally, the territories, the populace, and all other assets belonging to Morgan Town and that specific lord will be distributed justly among you all."

"My esteemed colleagues, let's not mince words,"

"Consider that Morgan Town's land alone spans well over a hundred thousand acres! Add to that the lands controlled by that lord..."