I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 346 Bait and Desperate Situation

It seemed that war had already begun somewhere Chris was unaware of, because he could already smell the gunpowder.

Chris now wants to figure out what he needs to do and what he can do, and where the war is going to break out, because he can't figure it out on his own, so he wants to call a small meeting.

Chris wanted to gather people, but in fact, there were people even more anxious than him.

The clerk had just left the hall when, a minute later, he turned back.

"The Marquis of Dirac requests an audience."

Chris frowned. Had something serious happened?

"Let him in."

Marquis Dirac entered in a hurry and in a great hurry. He couldn't wait for the servants outside to open the door for him and burst in by himself.

Chris's eyes widened at his first words as he entered, dressed in military uniform.

"The Minicians sailed south!"

Upon hearing this, Chris instantly understood the source of Charles's confidence... it was the Navy!

The Leterians were invincible on land, so they didn't engage in open field battles, but rather in naval warfare.

"What happened? How did you find out about this?!"

"Your Highness, it is the Tia family."

Dirac explained.

"The Tia family was dealt with by Charles. Their fixed assets, including their fleet, were seized. So, the family is now fleeing to the Tavitsky Province. They sent a messenger to me in advance, hoping to obtain the protection of the Kingdom of Bagnia."

"Are they being hunted down?"

Chris speculated.

"Maybe."

Dirac explained.

"During the winter, the Tia family engaged in a complex political struggle with Charles, and then they lost. They were forced to exchange their fleet and all their physical assets for the King's pardon. In theory, it would have been safe for the Tia family to relocate."

However, this is only in theory.

Chris understood that the credibility of any politician is like Schrödinger's cat—it may exist, or it may not.

What Charles did to rise to power is a secret, but it's not a secret to people at this level; at least Chris roughly knows what he did.

In Dirac and Chris's eyes, it was not surprising that Charles was untrustworthy, reneged on a deal after it was completed, and sent people to hunt down the Tia family exiles.

Even if Charles didn't do that, he could ignore or hint to certain nobles, causing those interested in the Tia family's wealth and members, or even those with grudges against them, to launch a campaign to hunt down or intercept the latter.

This was entirely a matter of convenience, and there was no loss involved.

The fact that the Tia family must have taken precautions, sending messengers to Marquis Dirac, an enemy state, in hopes of obtaining his protection, speaks volumes.

"What price did the Tia family offer you... or rather, what price did they offer us?"

Chris continued to ask questions.

For a great man, friendship is precious, yet it is also the cheapest thing. Dirac could not possibly be so concerned about the affairs of the Tia family just because of past friendships. Therefore, the latter must have offered Dirac some reward that he could not refuse.

"Guinea Pig Island".

"kindness!?"

"An island formed from bird droppings, half of it!"

"Really?"

Chris's voice was incredibly sharp, and he leaned forward instinctively, almost bouncing off his throne.

Guano Island—the name itself is plain and even somewhat vulgar, but to people of Chris and Dirac's stature, it was like a thunderclap, its value far exceeding its weight in gold!

"Yes, Your Highness."

At this point, Dirac, who had been calm, began to tremble slightly with excitement, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.

"It's that 'Golden Dust'... The Tia family owns a guano island that only they know about and that has never been developed. They are willing to offer half of the mining rights as a 'gift' to seek the protection of the Kingdom of Bagnia and a future home."

Chris took a deep breath and forced himself to sit up straight, but his heart was pounding violently in his chest, and he fully understood what that meant.

Guano Island is a natural mineral deposit formed by the accumulated excrement of millions of seabirds over the years.

In this era, it was the lifeblood of agriculture and the cornerstone for maintaining a large population and the fighting power of the army! Those mountains of seemingly dirty bird droppings, after simple processing, became the most efficient and precious natural fertilizer in the world... saltpeter.

In other words, this guano island is a gunpowder island and a fertilizer island.

However, the excitement was only temporary. Chris quickly calmed down, thought for a while, and came up with several questions.

"Is the existence of Guano Island confirmed?"

“The Tia family would never joke about their own future. That’s true, and it can only be true. No matter how crazy Charles is, he wouldn’t risk a guano island.”

indeed.

Chris nodded in agreement.

"Only half a seat remains..."

"dowry."

Dirac explained.

"They wanted to use the remaining half of Guano Island as Elena Tia's dowry."

"can!"

Chris's response was decisive and without the slightest hesitation.

For a guano island, marriage is a worthwhile stake to be taken, and Chris would be a complete fool if he hesitated even slightly.

With Guano Island, Chris no longer lacked saltpeter, allowing him to freely develop his firearms force.

Although smuggling routes had been established and nitrate fields had been vigorously developed within Bagnia, both sources of nitrate were extremely unstable, which made Chris uneasy about his current nitrate reserves.

If there were a guano island, this situation would not exist.

"But if we really want to have a guano island... we also need a port, and a navy that can protect the port, the island, and the shipping lanes. That's not easy."

Chris sighed, while Dirac hesitated for a moment.

"This may be the purpose of the Tia family,"

Dirac nodded, his voice lowering, carrying a hint of understanding.

"They offered up Guano Island not only to survive and make a comeback, but also to show us, and to you, the irreplaceable value of their family."

A glint flashed in Chris's eyes, and he instantly understood what Dirac had left unsaid.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest as was his habit.

"That's right..."

Chris felt he wasn't good at politics, but as a former Chinese, how could he possibly know nothing about politics?

"I don't know much about the Tia family, but since you said they once had a fleet, then this family must have started with navigation and trade and accumulated wealth and influence over several generations."

Charles took away their fleet and property, but he could not take away their generations-old seafaring skills, their knowledge of the sea routes, and the experience and connections deeply ingrained in the minds of their family members.

He paused, then looked at Dirac with a calm gaze that seemed to have seen through the ways of the world.

"A hidden, priceless guano island is their pledge of allegiance, and also their family's 'ticket' to the future."

They were well aware of what the Kingdom of Bagnia, a landlocked country known for its mountains, would face if it acquired such a strategically important island at sea.

Dirac interjected, his tone tinged with a mixture of admiration and wariness.

"They will face a huge challenge: how to safely reach, control, and develop that island? How to continuously transport the island's precious nitrates and fertilizers back to their homeland? How to defend against threats from the sea, especially... the Kingdom of Minicia with its powerful navy?"

"exactly."

Chris laughed... The Tia family definitely didn't expect the players to exist.

"This is the true value of the Tia family. They offered up the island, but left us with the more thorny issue of 'how to own it,' along with the future of their family."

They were betting that the Kingdom of Bagnia, or rather, I, Chris, would be willing to do anything to overcome this challenge when faced with the immense temptation of profit… to build ports, create a navy, and control shipping lanes.”

He stood up, walked to the huge map, and pointed heavily at the two blue areas still under the control of the Retalia Empire… Omdul and Lev, the two port cities. “And once we decide to do this, the Tia family, a family with a century-old maritime heritage, will become an indispensable arm for us.”

From port site selection, ship design and construction, sailor training, and route planning to the construction of maritime trade networks, and even tactics and strategies for combating pirates and enemy navies… they have accumulated generations of professional knowledge and network resources, which are precisely what we urgently need and what is most difficult to cultivate in a short period of time.

“They are using this island to buy themselves a ticket to the core of power in Bagnia, and to make sure that ticket is ‘for life’.”

Chris's laughter was slow and gentle.

"These are a group of smart people because they know that without them, even if we get the island, it will be difficult to truly 'own' it, let alone realize its full value."

We will be firmly bound to their expertise in the ocean, and they will become our guides in this unfamiliar territory, perhaps even... one of the future leaders.

Dirac's expression also turned serious.

"Your Highness, this means that we will not only take over the Tia family, but also give them a very high status and considerable say in the future kingdom's structure, especially in the unprecedented naval power we are about to establish."

This could... alter the power balance within the kingdom.

"Change?"

Chris turned around, his calm and composed demeanor returning, his confidence radiating from him.

"No, the Tia family won't have that opportunity, or rather, they made a mistake from the very beginning... As for why, you'll find out later, I can't explain it now."

He took a deep breath, his tone resolute.

“Go, take the Hegland Legion to meet the Tia family. Their conditions are not only to accept half of Guano Island and a bride, but also their maritime heritage… we’ll see. They can’t blackmail us.”

"Understood."

Dirac said this, but Chris certainly knew that the former did not understand; it was only his authority that prevented the Marquis from voicing any objection.

That's enough. There are many things Chris can't explain, and there's no need to explain. He knows what he's doing.

Where is the Tia family now?

"They left in batches, and some are now in a small branch of the Casro Mountains..."

Chris immediately understood. Clearly, the Tia family also knew that Charles's credibility was questionable. Secondly, hiding in the mountains would also allow them to avoid the Retalians.

"Marquis, please arrange for someone to pick them up."

……

On the edge of the Casro Mountains, at the junction of Baghnia and Minicia, in a secluded valley known locally as "Eagle's Beak Valley," the air seems to be thick with heaviness and unease.

The mountain winds of early spring were still biting, blowing across the jagged rocks and sparse, hardy shrubs with a mournful sound.

Several rough-looking wooden and stone houses built against the mountainside served as the temporary shelter for the Tia family's fleeing group.

This place was one of several reserve points secretly set up by the Tia family in the early years to deal with sudden crises, where some non-perishable food, weapons and medicines were stored in advance. However, the hasty escape disrupted all plans.

Elena Tia, wrapped in a thick woolen cloak, stood at the entrance of the largest stone house, gazing towards the valley entrance.

Her once captivating radiance in the capital's salons had vanished from her young and beautiful face, replaced by deep weariness and undisguised worry; her turquoise eyes were now filled with gloom.

The situation in the valley was worse than she had anticipated.

The group that fled here consisted of many people, but most of them were female relatives of the family, young children, and some loyal old servants and guards.

The true core of the family, her father, the old Marquis Tia, and several uncles who held real power, chose a more dangerous route to cover their escape and confuse their pursuers. They may even... still be stranded in Minicia, attempting to transfer or destroy some core secrets and last remaining wealth that must never fall into Charles's hands.

Father is still in danger!

Elena's breathing quickened whenever she thought about it.

The escape was too hasty. Many of the supplies and valuables that were originally planned to be taken were not taken.

The valley's supplies were limited, enough to sustain the team for only ten to fifteen days. To make matters worse, several young children and frail elderly people in the team had caught a cold while traversing the rugged mountain path and were running a fever; their coughs sounded particularly distressing in the silent valley. The medicine they brought was limited and ineffective.

"Miss, it's windy outside, why don't you go inside?"

An elderly woman with gray hair and a serious face walked up to her and whispered her advice. This was Elena's wet nurse and one of the few elders in the group who could take charge.

Elena didn't move, but simply wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, as if that would ward off the chill in her heart.

"Mother Martha, has anyone come back from the person you sent to contact Marquis Dirac?"

Her voice was a little hoarse, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Not yet, Miss."

Mother Masha sighed, her wrinkled face filled with worry.

“The messenger is the most clever and fastest young man in the family, but there are many obstacles and bandits along the way. Even if we successfully make contact with Marquis Dirac’s men and bring back the message, it will take time. We can only wait.”

and so on.

A word that evokes a sense of powerlessness.

Elena knew that what her nanny said was true, but every moment she waited increased the danger to her father and deepened the predicament in the valley.

She knew Charles's methods all too well; that man would never allow the Tia family to leave with any valuable secrets or wealth.

The so-called "pardon" is nothing but a poison to lull them into a false sense of security. The hunt could begin at any moment.

She lowered her head and looked at her slender fingers, which were somewhat rough from days of hard work.

As the eldest daughter of the Tia family, she received the highest level of aristocratic education from a young age, learning diplomatic rhetoric, art appreciation, family history, and... how to secure the greatest benefit for her family in a series of political marriages.

She always thought she was ready to marry anyone who needed her to for the sake of her family.

But when the "dowry" turned into half of a guano island that could change the fate of the kingdom.

When the "groom" becomes Chris, the crown prince of an enemy kingdom.

When this marriage was entrusted with the weighty responsibility of the survival of the entire Tia family.

Elena's trained composure and shrewdness were shattered by the immense pressure of reality and a profound sense of powerlessness.

She didn't know what kind of person Prince Chris was. Rumors said he was young and tyrannical. The fact that he was the crown prince of an enemy country meant alienation and danger, and the possibility of him being a tyrant made Elena even more afraid.

She offered not only herself, but also the only hope for the revival of her family...that guano island.

If Chris breaks his promise, and if Bagnia is unwilling to stand up for the Tia family against the pressure exerted by Charles and Minisia, then the Tia family and she herself will be doomed.

The cold, hard truth of political marriage had never been so clearly and cruelly revealed to her.

She was no longer the eldest daughter of the Tia family, but an expensive commodity carrying the family's desperate gamble, about to be sent to a strange and hostile court.

"Mommy."

Elena's voice was as soft as the wind in the valley.

"Do you think... Prince Chris will keep his promise?"

Mother Masha was silent for a moment, then gently patted Elena's cold hand with her calloused hand, trying to convey a tiny bit of warmth.

“Miss, we can only trust now. Trust in the Marquis’s wisdom, trust in the old friendship of Marquis Dirac… and trust that His Highness Chris can see the value of that island and is willing to protect our Tia family for it.”

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"As for the future... Miss, you are the daughter of the Tia family. Your intelligence and resilience will be more valuable than any dowry, because only by surviving can you have a future."

live.

Elena chewed on those three words.

Yes, at this moment when we have lost our fleet, our industries, our homes, and even our loved ones, "to survive" is the humblest yet strongest desire.

She gazed at the somber horizon beyond the valley, a place of unknown fate, and the only path to survival.

The sounds of children crying and suppressed coughing could be heard intermittently from within the valley.

Elena took a deep breath of the cold air and forced herself to straighten her back. Worry and fear wouldn't solve anything.

As the person with the highest status in the group at this moment, she must hold on until reinforcements or pursuers arrive.

She turned and walked toward the simple stone house, intending to check on the sick child.

Every step was incredibly heavy, but a resolute light gradually gathered in her eyes. For her father, for the people who depended on her, and for the last glimmer of hope for the Tia family, she had to play her role well in this high-stakes gamble, no matter the cost.

Meanwhile, Chris, her distant and unseen "fiancé," was like the only rope hanging over an abyss, which she could only hold on to tightly, even if the rope might cut her until she bled.

(End of this chapter)