I'm not a lord

Chapter 171 The Emissary of White Eagle Fortress

The Duke of the Valley sent two groups of envoys on two ships, both of which docked at the Three Rivers City pier.

A ship was to sail up the Baihe River, and the title of Earl of Lynn was officially conferred.

The other ship was to sail east along the River Stillness toward the capital, Amber Harbor, and to persuade King Maurice to also bestow the title of Earl upon Lynn.

The Duke of the Valley, considering the possibility that the Duke of the Marshland might block the Tranquil River waterway, also sent several groups of envoys on land.

In any case, he was determined to help Lynn become the Earl of White River Territory, so as to make things difficult for his arch-enemy.

If we could instigate Lynn to wage war against Three Rivers, giving our arch-enemy another brutal backstab, that would be even better.

Since the Duke of the Valley's ships were not disguised, officials immediately informed the city council as soon as the white eagle flag appeared at the dock.

The city council had just finished an argument and was preparing to adjourn and go home.

Upon hearing that the Duke of the Valley's ship had arrived, the group of councilors decided to forget about going home and returned to their seats, awaiting the arrival of the Duke of the Valley's envoy for guidance.

It seems that the Duke of the Valley is not yet at war with the Duke of the Swamp, and is practically at war with the Three Rivers City.

However, Sanhe City is an autonomous city after all. Although there is a war going on in the city, it does not prevent them from doing business with others.

Moreover, Sanhe City is currently lacking many things, including grain, timber, honey, sheepskin, and various raw materials produced in rural territories.

The Duke of the Valley was poor, but he was still a duke.

As long as the Duke is willing to do business, the city of Three Rivers welcomes all comers.

The Duke sent two middle-aged Trinitarian priests who were well-versed in aristocratic customary law and canon law.

Because of the frequent wars in the North, the major nobles often preferred to send priests as envoys.

The reason is simple: safety.

The priests' special status endowed them with natural 'neutrality'.

Even if captured by the enemy, these envoys would most likely receive some courtesy and wouldn't simply disappear without a trace.

Of course, if you are unfortunately caught by thieves or bandits, that's a different story.

As soon as the two envoys disembarked, they immediately sensed a tense atmosphere in their surroundings.

Even at night, they could see large numbers of fully armed soldiers patrolling the dock.

Two more ships, fully loaded with soldiers, left the dock and headed north.

However, these soldiers were dressed very differently, and they were clearly civilians or boatmen who had armed themselves at their own expense.

Armed citizens? The North?
The two exchanged a glance, and both could see a fleeting hint of joy in each other's eyes.

To the north of Sanhe City, isn't that the newly established Baihe Territory?

Could it be that these two forces have already started fighting?

If that's the case, then the Duke's task has already been half completed automatically.

Filled with surprise and doubt, the two followed the official leading the way toward the city hall in the center of the city.

As soon as they set off, they couldn't wait to try and get information out of the officials.

This just opened up the conversation of the dock official.

"Lynn of White River Territory? That devil is fighting us right now!"

"You ask why he is the devil?"

"It's because he imposed a trade embargo on us that no merchant ships have docked at this port for almost two weeks, and the prices of grain and ale in the city are changing every day!"

"It's said that he also sent troops to loot farms in the western suburbs today, so the price of grain is going to rise even further!"

"Who knows how many more people in this city will die because of him in the future? If he's not the devil, then who is?"

This official was responsible for collecting taxes at the docks. Apart from his meager fixed salary, his main source of income was bribes from the merchants. Now that the merchants had no business to conduct and the merchant ships had no goods to transport, his income naturally plummeted.

But the prices of grain and ale in the city were soaring, and seeing that his income this month was no longer enough to support his family, how could he not hate Lynn?

In the eyes of a low-level urban official like him, Lynn, a country lord, only needed to obediently endure the exploitation of the city.

Hasn't that been the way things have been for the past hundred years?

Why would you rebel if you were the lord?

Why?

Compared to the petty officials who only complained, the two worldly envoys were naturally able to glean more information from their words.

The rise of rural territories will inevitably lead to conflicts with cities.

The former needs more gold coins and respect, while the latter only wants to extract as much profit as possible.

Both envoys agreed that Lynn's vision and skills were far beyond those of an ordinary bandit.

What kind of bandits would dare to turn against a city as soon as they occupy its territory?
They even know how to impose trade embargoes and disrupt spring planting!
Such speed and such methods, wow! If His Majesty the Duke knew the current situation in Three Rivers City, he would probably open a barrel of fine wine to celebrate.

If it weren't for the presence of locals from Three Rivers City, they would surely have applauded Lynn's spirit of rebellion.

Yes, fight like that, fight to the death!
Upon entering the city hall, both envoys simultaneously suppressed their smiles.

The city councilors who met them looked disappointed.

Logically speaking, messengers who are priests usually carry political missions.

If the Duke of the Valley wants to do business with Three Rivers, he will at least send two or three merchant representatives.

As the city councilors had predicted, an envoy claimed to be heading to the newly established White River Territory, and that the ship had stopped in Three Rivers City only because it was too late and the ship dared not proceed further.

Mayor Jürgen's attitude cooled quickly, and he simply said indifferently:
"I'm sorry, but due to the war, the Baihe River has been blocked, and no ships are allowed to pass. If you want to go to Baihe Territory, I suggest you take the land route in the northwest."

Of course, as you may have already heard, the northwest has also become a battlefield, and the city council cannot arrange protection for you; you will have to go there on your own.

Jürgen could certainly guess most of the envoys' intentions.

It's simply that the Duke of the Valley wants to contact Lynn of the White River Territory in order to delay the Duke of the Swamp's eastward advance.

Thinking of this, Jürgen couldn't help but scoff inwardly:
This action is pointless. At this very moment, His Excellency the Duke should be mobilizing troops to besiege Amber Harbor. In at most another month, His Excellency the Duke will be able to wear the crown of the North!
Whether it's that damned Lynn or the so-called Duke of the Valley, they will all eventually bow down at the Duke's feet!
And I, Jürgen, will also share in some of the glory, becoming a minister who can control the fate of countless people!
The two messengers had no idea what the mayor was fantasizing about.

They politely took their leave and found a high-end hotel in the city to stay in.

Then they witnessed the current price level in Sanhe City.

Whether it's porridge, mutton, or beer, the price is three times higher than in the Valley Duchy.

It is indeed the season of spring famine, but such high prices have exceeded the influence of the season and are clearly affected by war and trade blockade.

The next morning, the two messengers parted ways at the dock.

"I wish you all the best. I'll be waiting for you at White Eagle Castle."

The priest named Kalebo bid farewell to his companions at the dock and, with a retinue of attendants, crossed the city of Three Rivers, carrying the white eagle banner of the Duke of the Valley, embarking on his journey to the White River Territory.

Once outside the city, he headed northwest along the road. It was quiet all the way, and even the fields on both sides were empty. The only sounds were the soft rustling of the spring breeze and the joyful chirping of birds.

Oh, and you can even see black smoke rising up.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, he finally saw a living person.

Or rather, a troop of light cavalry clad in leather armor blocked their path.

"I come on behalf of the Duke of the Valley, and I have a letter to deliver to Earl of the White River!" Caleb showed no fear, the white eagle flag behind him fluttering in the wind.

(End of this chapter)