I'm not a lord

Chapter 349 The Eldest Son's Childhood Betrothal
Lynn stood at the highest point of the riverside castle, looking out over the entire White Bear County.

The forest where he once led his soldiers on a collective hunt has been transformed into a flat public pasture.

The forest path he personally measured has been widened into a salt transport road that can accommodate three horse-drawn carriages traveling side by side.

The rows of stone farmhouses he oversaw the construction of became a model for new farmhouses in Shirakawa County, and officials from other counties came to Shirakawa County to learn from their experience.

“Three years ago, when I first arrived in White Bear County, the place had less than three thousand people. Now the population has exceeded ten thousand, and the grain produced is enough to feed twenty to thirty thousand people. The paper and salt produced are sold throughout the Swamp Territory and even the entire Northern Territory.”

When talking about his achievements in White Bear County, Lynn couldn't help but smile slightly.

Even though he now rules over a million people, he still can't help but feel proud when he sees the dramatic changes that have taken place in White Bear County.

He started his career from this small county and built a vast empire in just three years.

Incidentally, Lynn's figure of over 10,000 people actually underestimated White Bear County.

Although Shirokuma Prefecture is located at the northernmost tip of Shirakawa County, it has been able to attract a large number of people from outside the region by virtue of its first-mover advantage, policy advantages, and industrial advantages.

If the several thousand miners in the northern salt mines are included, the population of the entire county will approach 15,000.

Half of them were deserters, and nearly half of the remaining half were refugees from the Crown Territory.

Chief Secretary Victor stood behind Lynn and flattered him at the opportune moment: "With your abilities, ruling the entire North would be as easy as eating a piece of cake."

The implication is that Lynn's good governance of White Bear County was just a side effect.

After gazing into the distance for a long time, Lynn looked down at the castle beneath his feet and instructed, "On the White River County side, only retain the three palaces in White Bear County, Green Lake County, and West Suburb County. Keep the number of permanent staff in each palace to around thirty. Demolish the remaining palaces as soon as possible."

Although it's called a palace, it's actually a former baron's castle or church monastery.

When it comes to housing, Lynn has always been very frugal. He never builds new buildings, but only uses old buildings that the enemy has already repaired, at most renovating the exterior or adding some office space.

If it weren't for the need to maintain a communication channel with the wastelanders, Lynn wouldn't even want to keep this palace in White Bear County.

Victor couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what about that palace in Kawanuma Prefecture? Won't it be preserved either?"

The Baron's Castle in Rivermarsh County was once the court of Lynn and served as the political center of the entire territory. Victor also worked in that castle for a long time, so he had some affection for it.

Lynn shook his head firmly: "There's no need for that. River Marsh County is right next to West Suburb County. It would be a waste to keep two palaces. Even if the capital is established in Baihe County in the future, the royal palace will be built in West Suburb County or Sanhe City."

Preserving too many castles can easily breed local separatist forces.

On the continent of Dievas, whether in the south or the north, kings would choose to dismantle large noble castles after consolidating their power.

However, Lynn dismantled these castles more from the perspective of saving money. Every castle he kept would require a new batch of maids and servants, which he would hardly need in his lifetime. What a waste!
Even if it was to demonstrate the monarch's status and power, it would be enough to keep one or two in each prefecture.

Lynn then asked, "By the way, are the ships ready?"

After inspecting Baixiong County, he was about to embark on his journey back to Jinlubao.

As planned, he will be crowned King in the North in late November at Golden Deer Fort and Golden Deer City.

At this time, the White River and the Tranquil River had not yet entered the ice age, and Lynn was just able to catch the last 'flight' to Golden Deer Castle.

Victor immediately replied, "Sir, the ships will all be ready by tomorrow morning."

The following day, Lynn led his personal guards and a group of accompanying officials onto the ship on time, along with a group of chieftains and leaders from the barbarian tribes.

These people naturally had to attend the coronation ceremony, becoming a glorious testament to Lynn's subjugation of the nine tribes of the Wilderness.

Several large galley ships sailed down the Baihe River and arrived at Sanhe City.

Lynn disembarked at the dock and entered the city, where he was warmly welcomed by thousands of citizens. Mayor Leon led all the councilors to the dock and lined up at the ship's side to welcome the true master of the city.

"My lord, welcome to the city of Sanhe, which will forever be loyal to you."

Leon, wearing the same mink coat he had worn during his visit to White Bear County more than two years ago, removed his felt hat and curtsied.

Lynn glanced at Leon, who had lost some weight, and casually stepped off the ship's railing. He lifted Leon up with both hands and said with a smile, "No need for formalities, my loyal mayor."

Back then, when the two met at the dock in Shirokuma County, their social status was roughly equal.

Although Lynn controlled a territory, he was a fake baron; although Leon wielded considerable influence in the black market of Three Rivers, he was firmly suppressed by Mayor Jürgen.

After that, Lynn used Leon's business channels to smuggle salt and earned his first pot of gold to develop his territory, quickly rising to prominence.

With Lynn's military support, Leon finally turned the tables, rising from a lowly black marketeer to become the powerful mayor of Three Rivers.

Hearing the familiar, deep voice, Leon looked up, his face beaming with joy, and gestured for him to enter: "My lord, please follow me into the carriage. A sumptuous banquet has been prepared in the city hall."

The carriage carrying Lynn traveled smoothly along the main thoroughfare in the center of Three Rivers, with enthusiastic citizens watching from both sides of the road.

They sang songs that celebrated Lynn's glory, in which Lynn's name was even followed by the title of 'King'.

Sitting in the carriage, listening to the songs of the citizens outside the window, Leon sighed, "When you visit Sanhe City again, I should address you as Your Majesty."

On the continent of Dievas, the citizens of Free City do not always oppose the lord.

However, in most cases, lords are looking to extract as much profit as possible from the city, which leads to resistance and rotten eggs from the citizens.

Although Lynn collected a self-government tax regularly after taking over Three Rivers, the benefits he brought to the city far exceeded that tax revenue.

As Lynn conquered new territories, goods from Three Rivers City were also being marketed in the new lands.

At the same time, he also brought more high-profit trade goods to Mikawa City, such as various furs from the wasteland, various types of paper from Shirokuma County, and abundant and cheap agricultural products from Shirokawa County.

Although trade between Three Rivers and Amber Harbor was temporarily suspended due to the war, the lives of the city's merchants and citizens were more prosperous than before.

Putting aside practical interests, Lynn's continued success in the political and military fields brought even more glory to Three Rivers City.

People always admire the strong.

Lynn's continued victories in wars, his successive defeats of various nobles, and even his crushing and expulsion of the Southern invaders who had encroached upon the northern interior, naturally filled the citizens of Three Rivers with pride. Administratively, Three Rivers currently belongs to White River County, and the office of County Chief Soward is located next to the City Hall.

Lynn's hometown, White Bear County, also belongs to White River County.

If we round it up, isn't Lynn just a fellow townsman of the citizens of Sanhe City?
It's no wonder the citizens are overjoyed and excited that their fellow countrymen are about to become King of the North.

Lynn sat side by side with Leon in the car, holding the latter's arm at the same time.

“After my coronation, you will still be the mayor of Sanhe City, but you will have heavier responsibilities. A new university will be built in the western suburbs next to the city, and more troops will be stationed around Sanhe City. If Otto were to launch an offensive against me, he would most likely make Sanhe City his primary target.”

In the bureaucratic system built by Lynn, the mayor of the municipality is not yet a regular civil servant; at most, he is an unofficial staff member. If he wants to be promoted, he can only become a senior advisor, similar to a noble court advisor in the past.

Lynn cannot promote Leon to a high-ranking position with real power for the time being, but he needs Leon and Three Rivers City to shoulder more responsibilities and obligations.

Feeling the warmth from Lynn's large hand, Leon replied somewhat nervously, "My lord, the city council, the citizens, and I are all ready. We are not afraid of war and are willing to contribute to the new Northern Kingdom."

On the surface, Three Rivers City only needs to pay Lynn a fixed self-governance tax.

Beneath the surface of the water, unseen by most citizens, the city council, led by Leon, bears the vast majority of the expenses of the General Craftsmen's Union.

The city council paid for all fifty-odd bronze mortars previously provided by the foundry guild.

In addition, Three Rivers City provided Lynn's army with a large amount of military supplies free of charge, including chainmail, armor, and various dyes and robes.

Not to mention the dozens of merchant ships that participated in the transportation of military supplies free of charge.

Without the city's strong support and continuous financial assistance, Lynn's conquest of the swamp territory over the past year would not have been so successful.

To make the divided city council obedient, it takes not only Lynn's physical intimidation, but also Leon's political maneuvering.

“Your first term as mayor will end this summer, but rest assured, the city council will unanimously elect you as the next mayor.” Lynn said, still holding Leon’s arm.

He regarded Leon as a comrade-in-arms, and Leon's younger sister, Lia, was the mother of his eldest son. The two were naturally in the same trench and were close comrades who could entrust their backs to each other.

If Lynn gets a bite of meat, he'll get a bowl of soup from Leon.

After the two discussed the subsequent strategic arrangements for a while, Lynn suddenly changed the subject: "You may have heard some rumors recently that I may make Sanhe City the capital in the future. This is not a rumor. I am indeed considering the matter of establishing a permanent capital. You may very well become the mayor of the capital in the future."

When it comes to making empty promises, Lynn is definitely a professional.

The citizens of Golden Deer City had been so engrossed in the prospect of becoming the 'capital' that they even wrote a letter urging Lynn to be crowned as soon as possible.

Leon was no exception. A glint suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he replied excitedly, "My lord, it is an honor for the city council and all the citizens to become the capital of the new kingdom!"

As the two talked, the carriage arrived at the city hall in the center of the city.

At the banquet, Lynn mingled with a group of citizen representatives and casually revealed the news of establishing a capital city.

This naturally caused a sensation among the representatives, and by tomorrow morning, this explosive news would spread throughout the city.

However, Lynn did not stay overnight in Sanhe City, but rode out of the city and arrived at the imperial palace in the western suburbs.

The fifth brother, Andrei, had been waiting there for a long time and had even prepared hot mead and various snacks to go with it: "Brother, I know your drinking capacity. If the banquets in the city can't get you drunk, you can definitely have a few more drinks with me!"

Andrei's current specific position is 'Commander of the Garrison of Baihe County and Commander of the Reserve Corps', which sounds impressive, but in reality, he can only mobilize a thousand soldiers under his command at any time, mainly responsible for the defense of the western suburbs and the city of Sanhe.

Lynn's Wilderness Legion, which remained in White River Territory, was stationed in several counties along the White River to prevent Otto from sending small groups of troops across the river to launch surprise attacks.

Speaking of which, the reserve legion under Andrei's command was established by Lynn last year. Its soldiers were carefully selected from the refugees in the royal territory, with the aim of building an elite heavy infantry legion.

However, the production capacity of high-grade armor in Chixi County was somewhat disappointing, and these soldiers were still generally equipped with chainmail, unable to wear the plate armor they had envisioned.

Of course, this is not Lynn's fault. All the parts of the plate armor were hammered out by blacksmiths, and the specific output was closely related to the number of skilled blacksmiths.

With so few talented people, Baihe County simply cannot increase its production capacity.

Furthermore, the plate armor produced must be prioritized for the more valuable cavalry legions and the core officers of each legion, with very few slipping into the hands of the reserve legions.

However, Lynn had already issued an administrative decree to select skilled blacksmiths from several counties in the Swamp Territory and relocate them to Red Creek County for collective production.

The production capacity of plate armor will inevitably increase in the next year or the year after.

Lynn unceremoniously picked up the wine jug and poured wine for himself and Lao Wu, saying cheerfully, "I deliberately saved room for this late-night snack with you!"

Among the brothers who joined the army, the fifth brother's military achievements and status are relatively low, but he is at least a corps commander and has also obtained the title of second-class baron, so he is not bad in any aspect.

However, the fifth brother didn't care much about this. He knew that his abilities were somewhat inferior to his older brothers, and he was already quite content to become the legion commander.

Moreover, Lynn's initial task for him was to train soldiers, and he had been doing so diligently for the past year, personally leading his soldiers in drills every week.

However, neither of them wanted to talk about business tonight, so after a few drinks, they naturally started talking about personal matters.

Lynn spoke first: "I remember, didn't your wife give birth to a daughter?"

"Yes, just last month, the midwives all said that she will definitely grow up to be a beautiful girl." The fifth son spoke of his precious daughter with pride and affection.

Aside from Lynn, the fifth brother was the first among the brothers to get married and have children.

His wife was Finn's sister, the new governor of Turbulent County. The girl was beautiful with a head of smooth blonde hair, while Andre, though stout, had very regular features. Naturally, their daughter would not be too bad off.

However, Lynn did not care about Andrei's daughter's specific appearance. In his eyes, this girl was already his eldest son's wife.

“In a couple of years, Leah will find some good teachers for Albert. You can send your daughter over then, and I’ll have them both go to school together. What do you think?”

Lynn still remembers the promise she made in the past and wants to finalize the marriage between her children now.

Andrei had no reason to refuse, and he downed the whole cup of hot mead in one gulp, replying with delight, "Of course this is a good thing! My wife certainly won't refuse either!"

(End of this chapter)