Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 358 F Celebration Review and Huge Profits
Upon hearing Fandral's introduction, Su Li's eyes lit up, and he asked, "A large number of medical knights have joined our territory?"

Fandall nodded solemnly and explained, "This is also an unexpected gain for us. When we first started this Glorious Arena, we all thought it would be more attractive to the followers of the Sun Goddess. But we didn't expect that, in absolute terms, the number of Healing Knights joining the territory would be overwhelming. We suspect that this is very likely related to the territory's huge herb production."

This conjecture makes sense, since the knights of the Goddess of the Sun can undergo trials anywhere. Members of large knightly orders like the Flame Sun Knights even have dedicated trial routes, dispersing to places like farms and horse stations to test their abilities. Furthermore, after the Holy Great Expedition began, they were more inclined to join the Bauhinia Expeditionary Legion rather than directly joining the Black Forest Territory.

On the contrary, the members of the Medical Knights preferred to find a large territory and settle down peacefully. In this regard, the Black Forest Territory had a great advantage. Whether it was the rich Jilun wind from the Blessed Wisteria Tree or the territory's abundant fields of spiritual herbs, both were suitable for the Medical Knights to improve themselves.

Fandall then provided a very encouraging statistic: "During the Radiant Arena alone, as many as nine elite medical knights, 14 official medical knights, and 23 apprentice medical knights joined our territory, while the number of followers of Sharya is as many as a hundred."

This is truly a delightful number; the size of the Medic Knights is almost that of a warband (60 people).

If their followers are included, this could help the territory open another hospital; at least the hospital in Flashspear City would have a basic structure and core.

Then Su Li asked, "How many other knights and people have joined the territory?"

Oliver replied, "Since the day before yesterday, the number of people applying to join our territory has been steadily increasing. To date, we have recruited over 500 knights and over 2000 people."

This is a truly remarkable scale, representing roughly one-tenth of the total number of visitors.

Undoubtedly, the territory held immense appeal for the followers of the Sun Goddess. Faced with such an exemplary land, numerous knights were willing to settle here and bask in even greater divine favor.

The population increased by more than 2000 in one cycle, which is a huge gain that Su Li could not have imagined last year.

Su Li immediately instructed, "Try to disperse these people as much as possible. Allocate some land to them in White Castle, Flashspear City, and Bloodpine Forest to encourage them to expand our strongholds."

The construction in Baibao is progressing rapidly, and a more substantial livestock industry can be developed around it.

The shepherds of the Black Forest Territory are now considered an important military force in the territory. The territory is currently only not mobilizing them. If they were mobilized, the shepherd legion could have several companies. They use slings to throw stones from a distance, and in close combat, they carry a shepherd's long axe, which is popular in the eastern provinces of the empire. It has a small and light axe head and a long handle. For thousands of years, the mountain people of the Black Mountains of the empire and the edge of the world have carried this long axe as a hiking stick and used it as a weapon to fight against wild beastmen and bandits.

The key is that once White Castle is fully established, animal husbandry will flourish on the highlands to the north. These shepherds can serve as a maintenance-free force for the territory, capable of being mobilized at any time. Under such circumstances, the territory can be said to have firmly established itself on Crimson Heights.

Oliver took this very seriously and immediately replied, "My lord, our provincial council will do its utmost to arrange everything and strengthen our comprehensive control over the entire territory."

Su Li still trusted Oliver's abilities, so he nodded and said, "These specific administrative matters will be handled by your provincial council. You continue to report on our financial revenue during this Glorious Competition."

This was his most important achievement, so he immediately straightened his chest and introduced it in detail as if reciting a familiar story: "First of all, our profits from this competition came from the casino. We earned more than 21000 gold crowns directly from the casino."

Su Li gasped in shock. Over 21000 gold crowns in direct earnings alone? That would mean an average daily earnings of around 3000 gold crowns?

The total betting amount must be at least 80! It could even be in the millions.

Seeing the shock written all over Su Li's face, Oliver explained, "My lord, the wealth circulating in our territory certainly doesn't reach a million. According to the provincial council's estimate, the total amount of gold coins and wealth generated in our territory since its establishment is estimated to be only around 30."

"The reason we're able to collect so many gold crowns is because these bets circulate constantly within the arena every day, allowing us to collect commissions multiple times. It's like a sieve sifting fine sand; it's filled with a lot of dirt, and as it keeps moving back and forth, it always sifts out a lot of fine sand. This fine sand is the commission we collect. After multiple rounds of sifting, the wealth circulating within the arena will obviously shrink, and a large amount of wealth will be taken away by us."

This also vividly explains why gamblers, gamblers, always end up with nothing. The house always welcomes gamblers, and no matter how much they win, the wealth ultimately flows to the house.

And if taxes are added, this effect becomes even more pronounced.

Oliver continued, "And through taxes, we have reaped more than 85500 gold crowns."

"So from this Glorious Games alone, we earned as many as 10 gold crowns."

"But that's not all. We also earned more than 16000 gold crowns from ransom and loans. Of course, the loans are actually a financial figure. We didn't actually increase our gold coins, and there is a certain risk involved, which will need to be offset in the future through salaries."

“That’s still quite a lot.” Su Li smiled broadly. “This means that the 11 gold crowns we gained from this Glorious Arena are no less than those from a Green Dragon War. We paid a huge price to get 10 gold crowns in ransom from Ariria.”

Oliver nodded: "In that sense, it is true. Our Glorious Games is one of the most important events and celebrations in the territory."

"In addition, we have another source of income, namely operating income, including land sales and property sales, which amount to more than 29500 gold crowns."

"If we include future trade in military equipment, weapons, and armor, our Glory Arena will generate at least 17 gold crowns in revenue! It could even reach as high as 19 gold crowns."

Upon calculating this, Su Li was immediately filled with excitement. Based on a minimum of 17 gold crowns, the territory's financial crisis had been greatly alleviated.

Su Li waved his hand generously and said, "Everyone has worked hard these past few days, day and night. From this revenue, take 10000 gold crowns as an incentive for the success of this celebration. Your provincial council should draft an incentive and reward plan and send it to me. I will approve it and distribute this money to every minister, official, and attendant who has devoted themselves to this grand event as soon as possible!"

10000 gold crowns?

The ministers present cheered; this was an enormous fortune.

It should be noted that when their bishops apply for donations and grants for their own church, they can only obtain 1000 or even just a few hundred gold crowns at a time.

Su Li's generous gesture is enough to ensure that everyone participating in this grand event receives a salary incentive of several months or even a year.

At that moment, everyone was full of energy and couldn't wait to have another Glorious Arena celebration.

Su Li also wanted to use this incentive to maintain everyone's enthusiasm and ensure that when the Glorious Arena is held again next year, the ministers and servants of the territory will be enthusiastic and full of energy.

This Glorious Games Festival is a key project he's been pushing hard; it's a unique feature of the territory and must succeed. He wants to ensure that, no matter how much time passes, whenever people mention the Blacksem Territory, they'll remember this distinctive and vibrant festival.

After Oliver and Fandral finished their reports, Su Li waved for them to leave. The grand celebration was over, and they could relax and rest.

After they left, Su Li couldn't contain his excitement. He hugged Hilde's soft body and laughed excitedly, "Hahaha, we're rich! We're rich! My darling! The profit of tens of thousands of gold crowns is enough to make up for the profits from a bloody battle and the war reparations we signed!"

Hilde smiled and said, "It has indeed greatly reduced our stress. We also have savings now."

For Su Li and Xilude's little family, the current situation is undoubtedly like finally paying off the loan, and even receiving a large year-end bonus, the family finally has some savings.

At present, the territory can undoubtedly be considered to have accumulated some wealth. Although it is still not as prosperous as the empire at its peak, when the capital's wealth was so vast that the strings holding the strings would rot and the granaries were overflowing with grain, which was left to rot and become inedible.

However, this windfall is enough to ensure that Su Li's territory's finances remain stable for a whole year. In other words, even if Blue Mirror Lake were to close its borders and raise tariffs now, causing Black Forest Territory's revenue to collapse, the territory wouldn't immediately cease to function. This money is enough for Black Forest Territory to sustain itself for over a dozen months.

The huge weight that had been pressing on Su Li's mind for so long could finally be lifted off his feet, how could he not be excited?

"We'll also prepare a banquet tonight to celebrate at home first. After Oliver submits the incentive plan, we'll host a grand celebration for our heroes and servants."

Hilde had witnessed Su Li's hard work during this time, and he had restrained himself greatly for this celebration and the championship. Now that he had won, of course he had to celebrate and let loose.

He then said, "I will inform Freya and Hela to come over in a while, and gather all the female courtiers to have a drink with you."

Speaking of these female courtiers, Su Li couldn't help but think of Phyllis and Avril.

After being separated for so long, he also missed the two female courtiers and his daughter whom he had not yet met.

After his initial excitement subsided, he calmed down and said, "I'm planning to take half of it, 10 gold crowns, to support Phyllis. What do you think?"

Hilde pondered for a moment, then said, "My lord, I support all your decisions. However, I suggest you be more cautious with your subsequent support. The Surland Province is merely a side move for you, and whether it will be effective is still uncertain. Your true strength lies in the Black Forest Territory."

Su Li immediately hugged Hilde tightly, holding her slender waist, and kissed her spirited cheek, saying, "You're right, my darling. This support for Phyllis will be my last support for her this year. With the strength of a border colony like ours, it's impossible to continuously provide support to such a large electorate. For Phyllis to secure her position as Grand Prince, the most important thing is for her to rely on herself."

Of course, it's normal for her husband to provide her with an annual allowance. So far, the Hessian territory has given her two installments of financial support, which can be considered an annual payment. Moreover, Phyllis always reciprocates.

A strategic treasure like the Earth Vein Compass is so valuable that even 200,000 gold crowns might not be enough to buy it. Right now, its value might not have been recouped, but its effectiveness will only increase as the territory grows.

Hearing Su Li's reply, Hilder smiled and said, "It's not that I don't want you to support Phyllis. If the territory had 50 gold crowns, I would definitely support you in providing her with 20 or even 30 gold crowns. However, our territory's finances haven't turned a profit yet; it's just that this extra income has given us a small surplus. And soon, a large-scale war will be waged, so the financial pressure will remain. Therefore, it's better for us to be cautious."

"Of course, I understand." Su Li gave her a firm kiss on the cherry lips.

Once war breaks out, money is spent like water.

The territory's finances were already in deficit, and with the expansion of the army and the war, this surplus will likely be quickly depleted.

Therefore, this is definitely the last aid given to Phyllis this year.

Phyllis could probably understand all of this. If a high princess like herself needed the support of a border lord who was not yet a noble, that was clearly not Phyllis's original intention in making her firm decision to go to the Surland Province.

However, despite having a sense of urgency, Su Li and Hilde were still in good spirits. Even with the support of 100,000 gold crowns given to Phyllis, plus their previous savings, the treasury still held more than 100,000 gold crowns.

Even if war breaks out, this wealth will be enough to support the territory's expenses for half a year.

Moreover, this rate of expenditure is based on the financial situation estimated at the beginning of the year. Currently, the territory's finances have improved significantly, with the monthly deficit decreasing markedly. Perhaps in six months, the territory will completely turn a profit.

By then, the territory had firmly established itself here. This is why the empire chose to conduct the assessment two years later. Basically, for a territory to gain a foothold, stabilize in all aspects, and flourish, it needs at least two years.

Su Li accelerated this process, aiming to skip the Kingdom Knight stage and become a Baron of the Empire.

If his only goal is to recruit the Kingdom Knights, he could quickly achieve a surplus and improve the financial health by reducing the army to a few hundred men.

When Su Li returned to the manor after talking with Hilde, the manor was already brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful flowers. The entire Bauhinia Manor was decorated with gorgeous vermilion ribbons and colorful flowers.

Sylvanas, the little green tea girl, was enthusiastically directing her attendants and servants to decorate everything.

Su Li was in a good mood, and even the little green tea's delicate face seemed to be bathed in a hazy, bright glow.

On the summer solstice, she participated in the baptism of her female courtiers. Through her wet clothes, one could see her slender waist, as supple and powerful as a leopard, with beautiful and alluring abs.

However, the glorious ceremony was just after the summer solstice baptism, and Su Li hadn't had a chance to devour her yet.

Today is the perfect day to win her over!
Su Li then walked up and asked, "Why are you setting all this up here?"

Sylvanas widened her beautiful emerald eyes, sighed softly with a helpless expression, and said, "If I don't come to direct and arrange these things, who else can share your burdens, my lord?"

"Your female courtier, Steward Hilde, is in charge of the strategic affairs of the territory. Ingrid, with her aloof nature, does not concern herself with politics. Ariria is asleep, and Thranville is cultivating in the Gem Pool."

"I have no choice but to take over, otherwise it would be too bad if the manor were deserted on such an important day."

"I just want to share your burdens, brother. I hope you won't blame me for meddling."

After hearing her say that, Su Li realized that although this Green Knight was a bit too smooth-talking, a family really needed a woman like that to make it more lively.

Otherwise, like the other female courtiers, they were all too aloof, and the manor was usually quiet. Only when they were practicing did the atmosphere become lively and the voices become loud.

Su Li smiled and said, "How could that be? Your idea is very kind. Let's have a drink tonight, you should come too. And let's invite Vice Commander Freya as well."

This Vice-Captain Freya is the complete opposite of Sylvanas. In real life, she is extremely aloof and arrogant, lacking any warmth or humanity.

However, during the practice, she became extremely sensitive and high-pitched. Her voice was so powerful it made people blush and their hearts race; even a cool and aloof witch like Ingrid couldn't control herself.

Therefore, Freya is extremely suitable for creating the right atmosphere, which will help him win over the little green tea. I bet that little green tea won't be trembling with fear when the time comes.

Sylvanas, unaware of what this meant, decisively said, "Then I'll send someone to invite Vice-Captain Freya over right away, and we'll have a good celebration tonight."

"Where is she now?" Su Li asked curiously. Shouldn't she have come to the manor after watching her match? With her intelligence, she should have realized that she would be having a big celebration that night.

“Her?” A glint of light appeared in Sylvanas’s emerald eyes. “She’s handling some official business with our captain. As you know, Vice Captain Freya places great importance on the development of the Suncrown Knights. Unlike me, who only has eyes for the lord and prioritizes his affairs above all else. I even missed the important ceremony when Champion Knight Eldrick joined our Rangers. She came specifically to help decorate your manor, Lord.”

Upon hearing what Sylvanas said, Su Li's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Eldrick has joined our territory?"

Su Li had a deep impression of this knight. His title was also very long: Eldrick Stephen, the Guardian of the Lone Forest and the Bow of the Sun.

This is a powerful lone wolf knight who, at the age of 18, managed to infiltrate the Chaos Cult's camp alone and wipe out the entire camp.

Let alone 18 years old, even if you asked the 28-year-old elite knights of the territory, they couldn't do this.

After all, if the dozens of cultists in the entire territory were alerted, they would have already cut down an elite knight. If there were also several powerful Chaos Knights wearing heavy armor, the situation would be even more dangerous.

The addition of such a powerful champion knight to the Black Forest Territory will undoubtedly greatly enhance the territory's control over the Bloodpine Forest.

As of now, the territory's control over the western Bloodpine Forest remains fragile. Beneath the massive canopy and among the twisted roots, goblins, gnomes, beastmen, and all sorts of sinister monsters lurk, seemingly impossible to eradicate.

They would frequently raid human strongholds in the western part of the Bloodpine Forest, ambush transport caravans, and even plunder various mines.

Sending troops to be stationed and clean up for a long time would obviously be a huge burden on the territory. Having such forest rangers who constantly patrol and clean up would undoubtedly be a good thing.

Sylvanas nodded happily and said, "Yes, Eldrick joined our Greenfield Knights, so you didn't hear about it."

Su Li didn't mind that he joined the Church Knights. He didn't think that the Green Field Knights had poached his talent.

Even if he joined the secular army of the Black Forest Territory, Su Li still placed him in the forest to clear out monsters.

In this way, his joining the Church Knights would serve the same purpose, and would also save Su Li hundreds of gold crowns in salary each year.

If an invasion by Greenskins, Beastmen legions, or similar forces were to occur, there would be no fear that they would not fight for the territory.

Su Li asked curiously, "Isn't he a famous lone wolf? How did he end up joining your Knights?"

"Because we signed some special conditions with him. For example, he can only serve as a member of the Rangers, and the Knights will not interfere with his activities. Unless there is a major war, the Knights cannot conscript him."

Sylvanas puffed out her cheeks and said with a hint of resentment, "But in order to attract him, we also have to provide him with 50 exquisite arrows, one Earth Blood potion, and no less than twelve catties of wind-attribute magical beast meat (such as moose and sparrow meat) every year to meet his needs for his falcon mount."

"This comes at a huge price, and I don't know why the commander insisted on agreeing. It seems like our knights are the ones who are at a disadvantage in this agreement."

That's typical of a manipulative woman. She only sees the immediate benefits and misses the hidden advantages.

Su Li sighed, "Can this be called a loss? It's an absolute windfall! The prestige and strength gained from having one more champion knight in a knightly order are far beyond what these resources can measure."

(End of this chapter)