Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 324 The God of Wealth Arrives

Have the Gray Market Merchants and the Ramsay family arrived?

Su Li instantly jumped up from her lying position. It was as if the God of Wealth had arrived!
Hilde had just mentioned that a large number of key personnel would be visiting later, but before she knew it, reality had already arrived.

Su Li asked excitedly, "How many of them came?"

"Conservative estimates put the number at 3000. They have formed a large caravan with over 1000 vehicles and several large ships. They have only just arrived in the Baran Dominion, and the Swan Riders from the sluice gates have urgently delivered this message."

"3000 people?" Su Li exclaimed instantly, his face lighting up with joy. "This must be the largest merchant caravan to ever visit our territory!"

However, he also had mixed feelings. After exclaiming in surprise, he began to worry about the situation.

Even when he was worried, he did so with a smile—a happy kind of worry. Most lords wouldn't even have the chance to worry about something like this.

"We just settled the several thousand knights and armed servants in the territory, and now another caravan of similar size has arrived. How are we supposed to accommodate them?"

Hilde could see the smile on Su Li's face, so she jokingly said, "Then, Lord, you'd better be prepared. I estimate that a similar number of outsiders will visit every cycle from now on."

With less than three cycles remaining until the celebration, the arrival of thousands of people in each cycle poses a significant challenge to the order and stability of the territory.

You have to understand that these people, who were able to traverse the treacherous terrain of the border princely territory, are no pushovers.

Civilization, law-abidingness, order, and harmony are all meaningless to them.

Fighting at the slightest disagreement is their norm, and theft, robbery, fraud, and deception are their daily routines.

Su Li couldn't even imagine how many scoundrels and villains must have infiltrated this group.

Even if it's only two percent, that's close to 500 thieves, wanted criminals, smugglers, rapists, murderers, and the like.

But a two percent probability is far too low; that's a figure only found in civilized societies. In the border princely territory, even increasing that number tenfold wouldn't be an exaggeration! After all, those who might come to this treacherous land are mostly desperate criminals.

This is like a police officer in a big country pulling over a car for a traffic violation, and seeing a black guy in the driver's seat. The first thing they'd do is reach for their gun. If these guys also have all sorts of tattoos on their backs, with dragons and tigers carved into them, the probability of them having a criminal history is extremely high.

It's fair to say that encountering a group of sword-wielding individuals in the border princely territories is like searching for criminals in a prison—they're almost all of them. Unless, of course, the other party is a knight, but even then, they're only relatively law-abiding; they've probably killed more people than the prisoners in the jail. If you treat them kindly, they might not cause trouble. But if someone challenges them, they'll absolutely show the other party who has the bigger fist in the first place.

Su Li took a deep breath and said, "Let all the champion knights in our territory get moving, take their high-ranking squires, provincial troops, and city guards to patrol the streets and deter these restless fellows. Also, borrow a few battlebands from the Sun Crown Knights and the Green Field Knights to maintain order."

Because Marshal Orstein's westward expedition was a civil war among humans, and involved many different faiths, the church knightly orders in the territory refused to send troops to help.

Su Li could understand that these church knightly orders generally did not interfere in wars between secular lords; their main role was to help lords fight against the invasion of evil and chaotic forces.

Furthermore, if different churches send troops to assist in the battle, it could easily trigger a war of faith, and Su Li does not want them to get involved, lest it cause waves and turmoil. After all, his secular army is already enough to crush other small pioneering territories, and involving the churches will only create more trouble and cause unforeseen changes.

Therefore, both the Sun Crown Knights and the Green Field Knights have large garrisons in their territories. They don't participate in secular wars, but they certainly help maintain order within their domains. After all, this grand ceremony is held in the name of the Goddess of the Sun, a unique celebration of the Church in the Black Forest Territory. Their deployment of troops to maintain order is perfectly legitimate, ensuring the smooth completion of the Church's celebration.

Hilde smiled and said, "Then, my lord, please remember to tell the two captains, Freya and Sylvanas, that with their support, the church knights will be more obedient to our arrangements."

Su Li's lips curled up. It seemed that winning over these two leaders was not only about her own happiness, but also about the development of her territory.

Freya has undoubtedly been seduced by Su Li. This sensitive frost knight has been training with Su Li every day for the past few days while wearing the Sorrowful Brass Bell. Her body trembles at the slightest touch, and she has signed countless unequal treaties every night.

Getting her to support this event is no problem at all. But Sylvanas, that little green tea b*tch, is a bit of a thorn in my side. It's not that she won't support it; she definitely will. It's just that, given her manipulative nature, I don't know how many demands she'll make this time.

However, Su Li quickly adjusted his mindset. No matter how much this little green tea girl asked for, she would eventually have to pay it back with interest. Wouldn't she eventually be devoured by him?

So Su Li said, "No problem, I'll talk to the two of them. But you also need to make sure these caravan members are settled."

Hilde nodded, very calm and confident: "These caravan members are much less troublesome than the knights. They are a cohesive unit and can camp in the wild. Basically, as long as we maintain order, they don't require much of our attention."

This is also a major reason why the situation in the territory hasn't spiraled out of control yet. Those who come to the territory generally have ample wilderness survival experience. Unlike pampered tourists, they can fend for themselves and set up camp even without the territory providing food, clothing, and shelter. However, this situation can lead to some waste and disorder, since if you leave them unattended for a long time, they will genuinely seek survival in the territory's orchards, pastures, and warehouses.

Su Li also hoped that the arrival of these gods of wealth would alleviate this problem.

Not long after he finished arranging for everyone in the manor to prepare for the welcome, the head of the Chamber of Commerce and the people from the Gray Market Trading Company arrived at the manor together.

Upon seeing the visitor, Su Li's eyes lit up, and he immediately went to greet him: "President Roger! It is an honor for us that you have personally graced our territory with your presence."

"Hahaha!" Guild Master Roger laughed heartily as always. "Bauhinia Knight, you are too modest. I didn't know your martial spirit was so abundant until I came to Blackforest Territory. You don't know how nervous my guards were. From entering Blackforest City to crossing the Blackforest River Bridge and entering the Bauhinia Palace, we encountered two thefts, three fights, and a gang that tried to extort us. Fortunately, we were encountered by the patrolling city guards, who chased them all away. I must say, the city guards of your territory are truly brave. They swung their clubs so fast they left afterimages against a group of elite knights."

Even the well-informed Chairman Roger learned a great deal today. Although this territory is full of the ruggedness of a border princely territory, it is truly brimming with martial spirit. Not only are there knights everywhere, but the knights' interactions are also full of boldness and passion. It is normal for them to fight at the slightest disagreement, but stronger force can suppress all of this. It is also full of violence and primal, wild aesthetics.

Witnessing all of this firsthand, he instantly gained immense confidence in his partner! With so many knights around, it was impossible for them to be easily wiped out. This greatly diminished the resentment he felt towards the auction house for ripping him off.

Back then, Su Li spent a fortune to bid on that useless piece of jewelry! Her extravagance shocked the entire auction house. Even now, at high-level salons and banquets in Maleburg, people still can't help but praise Madame Bayonetta, believing that her move and bidding that time was a perfect and unparalleled move.

As the one who paid the money and was taken advantage of, Chairman Roger was ridiculed more than once. One of the main reasons that Chairman Roger insisted on coming in person this time was that he wanted to see what he had actually bought with his payment.

He still remembered Su Li's confident and composed smile, and his words to Mrs. Bayonetta.

That kind of behavior—calm, wise, confident, and composed—definitely didn't seem like someone who had been tricked.

So after he finished speaking, he couldn't wait to ask, "My friend, there's a question that's been on my mind for a long time. You have to give me an answer. What exactly did you get from Mrs. Bayonetta last time? You wouldn't say then, but now that you're back in your territory, can you finally tell me?"

There's nothing wrong with talking about this; after all, it enhances one's strength and deterrent power, making others less likely to act rashly or plot anything malicious.

So Su Li replied with a smile, "Actually, it's nothing, just a drop of Sharya's tear."

"So it's just a tear of Sharya." Guild Master Roger was somewhat disappointed. "This thing is valuable, but can't you just buy it with money? The Church of Sharya produces this kind of thing every year. It's hard for merchants to buy, but it's not a problem for lords, right? It's worth at most 100 gold crowns, but you've spent a fortune."

Su Li said with a smile, "President Roger, you may be mistaken. The potion that the Salya Church can produce is called [Tears of Compassion]."

The Larnold believer did not believe in mercy, so he knew very little about the various things in the Sharya church, and therefore felt almost nothing when the topic of tears of mercy came up.

But seeing the smile on Su Li's face, he finally realized what was happening. His face froze, and then his movements seemed to slow down, as if time had stopped on his face. Unparalleled horror appeared on his face. His eyes, wrinkles, and mouth widened exaggeratedly under everyone's gaze until his eyes were almost bursting open and his mouth could fit an egg.

Finally, with an exaggerated, jaw-dislocating shout, a violent tremor roared from his throat: "You mean a drop of Sharya's Holy Tear!? The kind that Lanod... drank!?" As a follower of Lanod, he knew nothing about Sharya's Church, but he couldn't possibly be unaware of Sharya's Holy Tear. After all, everyone knew perfectly well how their god ascended to godhood.

He only gained divine status by deceiving Sharya and drinking a bottle of her tears.

So after Su Li confirmed it, he was so shocked that his whole body trembled, and his body and mind trembled with excitement. For the first time, he felt so close to the two gods! It was as if they were friends, and everything that had happened was right beside him. He was so close that he had only brushed past the props in their story!

So he immediately grabbed Su Li's shoulder excitedly and asked, "So, my brother, you bought a single drop of Her Majesty Sharya's Holy Tear with just 20000 gold crowns?"

"Hahaha! I can just imagine how ugly Mrs. Bayonetta's face will be when she hears this news. Hahaha, this self-proclaimed shrewd woman has truly done the most foolish thing in history! Hahaha, when I get back, I'll definitely tell everyone about this. The brighter her smile was before, the uglier her face will be then!"

"If you ask me, my brother, Lady Bayonetta will hate you to death. Haha, that stupid woman actually sold Sharya's Holy Tear for just 20000 gold crowns. If she hadn't been so greedy and had given it to her husband, perhaps she could have created a Holy Knight herself!"

Perhaps. This only shows that the city lord was not destined to have this opportunity, otherwise this thing would have existed in his possession for years, even decades, without him noticing it. It can only be said that he was simply not meant to be with this sacred object.

As for Chairman Roger's promotion, Su Li naturally didn't refuse. To quote a melodramatic line from a romance drama, "I'd rather you hate me and curse me than ignore me and forget me."

The term "love-hate relationship" exists for a reason. Because women can't be pursued; they need to be attracted. The first step to capturing a woman's interest is to evoke emotional responses in her.

It's better for her to grit her teeth in private and mutter your name in bed than for her to have no recollection of you at all.

Because a woman may fall in love with a man who once made her grit her teeth, but she can't fall in love with a man she doesn't even remember.

Of course, this is the most unreliable method. The most reliable way to start a relationship and satisfy your sexual desires is always to get out of the house and meet more beautiful women.

Sometimes, the woman you can't win over, even after sleepless nights and endless agonizing over her, isn't necessarily because you're not good enough. It's highly likely she's already established a psychological advantage and higher expectations. No matter how much you pursue her, you simply can't have her.

The more women you meet, the more you realize that women are really just like that—not beautiful creatures, lovely porcelain pieces, or delicate fairies. In fact, their feet can smell quite a bit when they take off their stockings, and they can be very lustful, fantasizing about being with men and living a shameless life.

Some women appreciate your style, while others don't.

It has been said that a person may fall in love at first sight with 20,000 people in their lifetime. Some people may be lucky enough to meet such a person, while others will never encounter their own soulmate.

But no matter what, you first need to meet a lot of women. Even if the probability of this is one in ten thousand, the probability of meeting this one you fall in love with at first sight among 10 women is definitely different from the probability of meeting one woman you've been pursuing relentlessly.

Even in casual conversation, you'll find that some women are easier to talk to, easier to engage with, and easier to connect with. Others are as stubborn as mules, covered in thorns. So sometimes, the right choice is a thousand times more important than hard work!
Choosing the right goal and path makes success easier. Why insist on one thing and think you're some kind of Casanova? Reality isn't a romance novel; think positively, no one is indispensable.

Even with Lady Bayonetta's immense power, Su Li remained open-minded and didn't try to force himself on her.

While it's true that being able to latch onto a rich woman can save you years of hardship, if she doesn't allow it, forcing it won't make it sweet.

President Roger, on the other hand, seemed quite excited. He'd probably secretly tried to woo Lady Bayonetta; that woman's charm was simply too great. Seeing her made it clear why some people would choose beauty over power. But clearly, Lady Bayonetta hadn't given him a friendly look, which explained his agitation upon hearing that she'd suffered a loss.

Fortunately, he didn't lose his composure. After laughing for a while, he regained his composure and continued to introduce the woman next to him to Su Li, saying, "This is the representative of the Ramsay family, and also Senator Zoe's sister, Meryl Ramsay."

Like Xiao Mei, the name Mei Li is one of the most commonly used names for women in the world.

Meryl Ramsay inherited her mother's beautiful looks. Meryl's features include large red eyes and peach-pink lips, with soft and lovely facial contours. She wore typical Imperial fashion front attire: a white shirt, a red cape, and a white hat, revealing her slender shoulders. The overall look was both innocent and slightly sexy.

Unlike her sister Zoe Ramsey's sharp and assertive nature, she appears more gentle, perhaps because she is always overshadowed by her sister's domineering presence, making her relatively quiet.

Although Su Li and President Roger had been exchanging pleasantries for some time, she stood quietly to the side the whole time.

She only extended her hand when President Roger introduced her: "It's a pleasure to see you again, proud Bauhinia Knight."

A slight hint of surprise flashed in Su Li's eyes. Seen again? We've met before?

Although he concealed it well, Meryl Ramsay still sensed his surprise and said with a smile, "We met at a banquet when you visited our Ramsay family. It's normal that you don't remember me, after all, with your sister's strong presence, she always manages to dominate the room. No one would notice the dust in the corners."

Su Li smiled and said, "How could that be? With your style and beauty, Madam, no one who sees you would dare to ignore you. How was your journey?"

Speaking of the journey, Meryl's face showed undisguised disgust: "We've encountered so many rude guys along the way. We should have drowned those stinky, hard bastards in a bathtub full of spices."

Good heavens, this is truly brimming with aristocratic arrogance and prejudice.

Although she was as insignificant as dust in the shadow of her sister Zoe, it didn't stop her from despising and loathing those of even lower status. That's very much in line with the style of this world.

Su Li turned to look at Chairman Roger and asked, "What happened during the journey that made Ms. Ramsey so angry?"

"Oh, it's nothing serious. The main problem is that a lot of knights and mercenaries swarmed around us like ants along the way. You know these guys aren't exactly well-behaved; some of them aren't exactly honest either. The caravan lost quite a bit of stuff, and there was even one disgusting fellow who defecated in a bag of spices."

No wonder Meryl's disgust is so undisguised. These guys are truly wicked; they could steal things but choose not to, they just leave a mess. It's purely evil, without any reason. But it could also be that they're unhappy with Meryl Ramsay's condescending attitude and are deliberately trying to sabotage her.

Su Li didn't delve into the matter further, but instead asked, "Are there many knights on the road?"

“That’s a tremendous number,” President Roger exclaimed. “The last time I saw so many knights was when my caravan got caught up in a war. Along the way, we would frequently encounter long lines of knights by the roadside, and every now and then, several knights in fine clothes and riding spirited horses would gallop past our caravan. It was practically a wave, with tens of thousands of knights heading this way. And behind us, there are still quite a few.”

This may not be good news for Melly, but it is undoubtedly the best news for the Black Forest Territory.

Su Li hoped that the more knights who came, the better.

He said with a smile, "You two have come at just the right time. We are about to hold a grand ceremony in our territory, and I sincerely invite you to participate. When you arrive in my territory, I will make sure you are both satisfied with your journey."

Meryl Ramsay nodded, and said sincerely, "This awful journey is finally over. We've handed the Eternal Spear into your hands, Bauhinia Knight, and that's it. We've completed our mission and have one less thing to worry about."

The Eternal Spear is also a key strategic item in the Black Forest Territory's creation of the City of Flashspear.

Su Li even signed a large number of treaties with the Grayrock Clan for this city and hired a large number of dwarf engineers in order to build the city as quickly as possible.

Now that this strategic treasure has finally arrived, Su Li immediately said excitedly, "Why don't we go take a look together?"

Chairman Roger was also quite interested. The Ramsey family had kept the item tightly sealed off the entire way, forbidding anyone from getting close. He was also very curious about what the legendary relic of the God-King would look like.

So he immediately replied, "With pleasure."

(End of this chapter)