I'm not a lord

Chapter 185 Taking Down the Golden Deer Flag

Mayor Jürgen sat alone in the meeting room, deep in thought.

Surrender to Lynn?

Naturally it is impossible.

Jürgen had a close relationship with the Duke of the Marshland and had also made enemies with Lynn. After surrendering, Lynn would certainly not allow him to occupy the mayor's seat again.

Logically and emotionally, he could not possibly switch allegiance to Lynn.

Are we waiting for the Duke's reinforcements?
What use is it if the Duke's reinforcements are right inside the city?

The predicament facing Sanhe City cannot be resolved by this insignificant reinforcement.

On the contrary, these three hundred cavalrymen would completely cripple the city's food supply.

If the cavalry are fed, the city dwellers and serfs outside the city will go hungry.

When a large group of people go hungry for a long time, they might do anything.

Buying grain at high prices?

LOL, it's impossible to buy food anywhere else except in Baihe Territory.

South of Sanhe City lies Jingtie Territory, which had just taken in a large number of refugees last year.

Even Earl Mirror Iron is short of food, so he sends messengers to Three Rivers City every few days to buy grain and ale.

To the east lies the Crown Territory, ravaged by war.

Although several territories that are relatively close to Sanhe City have gradually begun to resume production, the earliest they can sell the surplus grain is this autumn.

These two months are enough time for the citizens of Sanhe City to starve to death three or four times over.

To the west lie the territories of various noble families, both large and small, which have also suffered from multiple rounds of war.

Last autumn, these territories were either looted by rebellious refugees or subjected to the "intensive farming" of the other two dukes. It was a miracle that they could even feed the original population of the territories, let alone have any surplus grain to sell.

Heading southwest, the Duke of the Valley's direct territories will surely have surplus grain.

Although that area is mountainous and has deep valleys, and its grain yield per acre is nowhere near that of the fertile marshland duchy, it still manages to have some surplus grain.

But why would they sell it to Sanhe City?
Last time, the Duke of the Valley's envoy passed through Three Rivers City, and it was just a passing through, causing the city council members to have nothing but anticipation.

Jürgen was confused, and then he made a choice that most people would make.

That's just giving up.

Since the conflicts between the various forces are irreconcilable and since there are no effective solutions to the city's problems, what else can we do but give up?

He stood up, straightened the mayor's dark green robe, and then left the meeting hall without looking back.

Since things have come to this, I'd better go home and have dinner first.

Three days later, two merchant ships arrived in Sanhe City, immediately bringing a new storm to the city.

The reason was simple: the ship was carrying a royal delegation.

Due to the unique geographical location of Three Rivers, royal delegations would choose to dock and rest at the pier when visiting the three dukes.

However, due to the current situation in the North, the delegation disguised as merchants caused a huge uproar in the city as soon as they revealed their identities.

King Maurice is currently being held captive in Amber Harbor by the Duke of the Marsh, so how does he have the leisure to send envoys?
The knowledgeable citizens were abuzz with discussion.

Some believe that the royal family intends to join forces with the other two dukes to besiege the rising Duke of the Marsh.

This conjecture was immediately accepted by most citizens.

However, a few politically savvy citizens believed that this delegation was most likely heading towards the White River Territory. The royal family was about to formally bestow upon Lynn the title of Earl of White River!
Just as the citizens were speculating and discussing, Mayor Jürgen, along with the city's top officials, arrived at the pier to warmly welcome the royal delegation.

Although the Duke of the Marshland was engaged in a heated physical exchange with the King, this did not prevent Jürgen from welcoming distinguished guests from Amber Harbor.

Commercially, Amber Harbor is considered a downstream channel of Three Rivers City.

Goods transported from Three Rivers to the South must first pass through Amber Harbor.

Jürgen also served as the president of the fur guild, and the high-end furs he acquired relied heavily on this trade channel.

His trading partners in Amber Harbor were among the members of this mission.

Even setting aside politics, from a purely business perspective, he must demonstrate sincerity.

Amidst peaceful laughter, Jürgen welcomed the key envoys into the town hall.

But he soon stopped laughing.

The court count, representing the king's will, solemnly read Maurice's decree in the city hall.

In essence, Lord Maurice of the North officially bestowed upon Lynn the noble title of Earl of White River and appointed him Royal Envoy of the North, granting him the privilege of raising troops and suppressing rebellions.

At the same time, Maurice publicly declared that the Duke of the Marshland had violated the Royal Law of Treason and stripped the traitor of all privileges and lands.

Those who continue to be loyal to the Duke of the Marshland and all their forces will be classified as traitors, and any plundering of the traitors will be considered legal.

After reading the decree, the Earl of Brunn Court smiled at the assembled councilors and announced in a loud voice:
"Congratulations, Three Rivers City is now free! You no longer need to pay taxes to the traitor Duke of the Swamp, nor do you need to send troops to aid his rebellious acts."

Congratulations?

A group of councilors subconsciously twitched the corners of their mouths. They wanted to laugh but couldn't, and wanted to cry but had no reason to. For a moment, they didn't even know what expression to make.

Bishop Rothegi's expression was particularly remarkable.

How could Lynn, that devilish bandit leader, become an earl?

Being a count is one thing, but to even get the position of royal executive officer?
Why should he?
And doesn't this perfectly match Kuno's prophecy?
Did those three forces really form an alliance?

Will Three Rivers really be attacked by the Duke of the Valley?
Now how to do?
Rotegi's brain seemed to freeze.

Actually, it wasn't just him; most of the councilors' brains had shut down.

Morris's decree not only granted Lynn a legitimate title, but also stripped him of the Duke of the Marshland of his privileges and lands.

Although this may not seem to have much impact.

However, if the Golden Deer Banner of the Marsh Duke still flies over the city of Sanhe, then any attack on the city will be considered legal.

This is what the lawmakers fear most.

In the end, it was Mayor Jürgen who stepped in to save the councilors from the predicament. He stood up, bowed, and gestured for them to proceed.
"Your Excellency the Earl and your envoys have come from afar to spread His Majesty's good news throughout the Northern Territory. I have prepared a sumptuous dinner, please follow me to the restaurant."

But Jürgen was merely carrying out the duties of a mayor unconsciously.

His mind was also a complete mess.

At the banquet, he mechanically delivered his opening remarks, mechanically toasted the envoys, and mechanically cut mutton into pieces and stuffed them into his mouth.

"By the way, isn't the Golden Deer Banner still hanging on the walls of your Sanhe City? To show your loyalty to the royal family, I think you should send someone to take it down as soon as possible."

It wasn't until Count Brune's words rang in Jürgen's ears that he finally regained some composure.

He then tilted his head back and drank the glass of scarlet wine, which completely sobered him up.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Brun, I will not take down this flag. Three Rivers will always be loyal to the Golden Deer Banner.”

(End of this chapter)