Chapter 10: The Banquet

Taxation not only requires investment, but it is likely that Prince Andrei will have to contribute a considerable amount as well. However, once the natural roads of Kairal are constructed, merchants will come as promised. Compared to other territories that suffer from resource scarcity and muddy roads, the abundant specialties of Hongye Ridge, along with its comfortable travel conditions, will yield greater profits. In this comparison, it is clear where merchants would prefer to go. Once the merchants develop the habit of treating Hongye Ridge as a free trade hub, the commercial tax rate will ultimately be determined by Prince Andrei.

Prince Andrei has managed the Hongye Ridge with great success, adhering to this principle. With its economic strength and appeal to merchants, Hongye Ridge is making significant strides forward, showing a trend towards advancing towards Hongye City

Once or twice this is acceptable, but when Kaieral repeatedly comes up with ideas, it inevitably becomes exposed to the eyes of his father's ministers

Kailar is an intelligent person, so he decisively fell silent and followed Prince Andrei into the splendid carriage to attend the banquet

This time, he is also going with the intention of making a remarkable impression. Although this may turn him into a coveted figure, stirring the hearts of those lords with daughters, it will at least allow him to enjoy a few years of stability, free from concerns about marriage or romantic entanglements until he turns seventeen.

Upon hearing Kairal's words, Cyber smiled slightly and bowed, responding: "Yes, I hope that you, my master, can bring back a beautiful lady."

The current Hongye Fortress has undergone a complete transformation, surrounded by streets designed in the style of a Dutch town. The two-story houses represent the maximum safe height for contemporary stone and wooden structures. The second floor is lined with flowers, while below it is a row of oak trees, arranged symmetrically. The central thoroughfare allows for the simultaneous passage of two carriages and six cavalrymen.

"Yes, the Duke said that you must definitely go this time." This statement naturally placed Prince Andrei in the second position of loyalty, while Keral was positioned first.

But everyone knows that Hongye Fortress is the coveted residence for all.

That was all a matter of childhood; now that Kairal has grown up...! ... There are just too many troublesome matters!

This area is entirely residential, while the commercial district is located on the other side. The commercial district is quite large, developed entirely for business purposes, and there are no residents within it. Instead, there are security personnel patrolling alone to prevent any disturbances from the merchants

While marveling at the little duke's extraordinary talents, they eagerly anticipated his future contributions to the development of Hongye Ridge. The several old ministers, however, harbored no jealousy or malice. In this world, knights hold the six virtues of knighthood in the highest regard. Despite their many years in politics and being quite shrewd, they have indeed not abandoned the six virtues of knighthood.

Thanks to the interactions among merchants, the tax revenue of Hongye Ridge has significantly increased. Proposed by Kairal and approved by Grand Duke Andrei, this tax revenue was directly invested into the construction of roads, a project beneficial to both the country and the people. In this world, where even gunpowder is absent, road construction is an exceedingly laborious task, comparable to the manual excavation of canals

"A banquet." Kairal frowned slightly as he looked at the invitation in Cyber's hand, unable to find the words. This was already the fifth invitation sent by his father this month, and it seemed this time it could not be declined. Sigh, with such social obligations, it would be better to focus more on agriculture, ensuring that the rye and barley have enough growth so that this year's farmers can have enough to eat.

Hahaha... Duke Andrei laughed heartily: "I don't have that much clout; the host of this banquet is His Majesty the King"

Kai wwwhetushucomcom Laar's actions in recent years will certainly not be used as a bargaining chip by Grand Duke Andrei, but the situation for the other children is less certain

This banquet will likely make countless lords envious of the economic prosperity of Hongye Ridge, whether they wish to share in the profits or seek to learn from it, this banquet... is quite troublesome

Nobles, merchants, and commoners constitute the prosperity surrounding Hongye Ridge, while the number of people entering Hongye Fortress has, conversely, diminished

However, as he grows older, the innocent childhood of Kairal is no longer present, and the time he has for freedom and autonomy is increasingly limited. Kairal must use his clever intellect to help his father resolve these troublesome matters

Once again shaking his head, Keral glanced at the exceptionally excited Duke Andre sitting in the carriage and sighed. He couldn't fathom what his father was thinking, being so enthusiastic. However, thinking of his mother's eager gaze and her longing for a daughter-in-law left Keral at a loss for words, knowing that such matters were absolutely not to be discussed with the old lady, as it would lead to an incomprehensible argument.

"Cyber, I leave the house to you." Time is a butcher's knife; the once carefree and smiling Cyber, after several years of immersion in Kairal and literature, has now transformed into a middle-aged man in a tailored tailcoat, wearing a black bow tie, with a serious expression on his face.

The so-called economy is circulation

Indeed, these are matters that the lordly class must concern themselves with. For these second-generation nobles, there is but one thing they must do: as pawns in a marriage alliance, they have already been betrothed by their parents in a state of ignorance, and their future lives have become mere political bargaining chips

With a laugh and a scold, Kairal stood up, donned his robe, and rode his now towering white horse, heading towards Red Leaf Fortress.

Since the majority of people moved out three years ago, Hongye Fortress has begun a major transformation. This renovation not only sustains the three thousand workers within Hongye Fortress but also attracts a large number of merchants to buy and sell construction materials. The arrival of these merchants has further invigorated the economy of Hongye Fortress, and the various specialties of Hongye Ridge have delighted the merchants. The money they earned here is quickly spent on several local specialties, benefiting Hongye Ridge, which has become even more prosperous thanks to these merchants.

Dear Father, why not hold a banquet at Maple Leaf Fortress? This would not only allow those lords to see the new appearance of Maple Leaf Ridge, but it could also serve as a means to extract some funds from them. By encouraging those lords to contribute, we can improve the roads, which would be beneficial for everyone.

"Very well, let us go once, so that my father can give up on this idea." Kairal understood that such gatherings were entirely aimed at two purposes: first, to meet new political allies and lords, with trade or marriage serving as means of interaction; second, to maintain connections with old friends, ensuring that relationships do not grow cold as people go their separate ways.

At the age of ten, Kaier has already transformed from a little brat into a young boy. At least judging by his development, standing at 1.34 meters, he can be considered tall among children of the same age.

Since Grand Duke Andrei discovered that Keral handled matters better than he did, he consciously involved Keral in political affairs. From a young age, he began to allow Keral to establish his own authority in Hongye Ridge. However, Keral was naturally disinterested in such matters, and merely by paying a little attention behind the scenes, he managed to increase the GDP of Hongye Ridge by several percentage points.

The bait must be large

His Majesty the King? Kairal's eyes lit up with eagerness, for he was curious to see what the father of a remarkable king like Arthur would be like