I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 174 Imperial Edict
……

……

Rhodes explained to Tucson the characteristics of the patrol: they would wear white cloaks embroidered with black family crests.

Rhodes even showed Tucson his family crest so he could memorize the design.

The Tucson eagle took flight again, soaring southwards.

Eagles are very fast, usually reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour.

Of course, this is not the fastest the eagle can go.

When hunting, eagles can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour during a swoop.

Rhodes's gaze followed the dark figure. He turned to Tucson and asked, "Your tribe has some stories about the ancestral contract with the falcon, right?"

Tucson nodded slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Do any of your stories involve giant eagles?"

Rhodes looked at Tucson with some anticipation, "Like the Wolfhooves tribe, breeding giant wolves as mounts?"

Tucson pondered for a moment, then finally shook his head.
"No, there is no mention of giant eagles in our ancestors' legends."

Tucson paused, then continued, “In our tribe’s traditional stories, there are very few tales about armies charging into battle.”

"Our task is more about searching and exploring, and then reporting what we see to the leader."

Rhodes nodded slightly; this was just as he had imagined.

However, Rhodes did not completely give up.

If we can cultivate giant eagle riders, it will open up a new battlefield for warfare in this era.

The power of the air force is self-evident; it can turn the castles that nobles are so proud of into nothingness.

Unable to rely on the Eagle Feather Tribe's heritage, Rhode prepared to gather information from other sources to see if he could find an opportunity.

Rhodes remained silent as he pondered, while Tucson continued to connect his eagle.

Tucson's pupils dilated slightly as an image flashed through his mind of a group of warriors riding giant eagles, soaring through the sky.

Tucson took a deep breath, and as he murmured something, his eyes turned blood red again.

The manor fell silent as everyone awaited the results of the Tucson test.

After a short while, Tucson's body began to sway involuntarily from side to side, as if he had been pushed by a force.

Upon seeing this, Us immediately stepped forward and grabbed Tucson's arm.

Tucson took a few breaths, and his eyes gradually cleared.

He raised his head and looked at Rhodes with unwavering eyes.

"The Great Holy Lord..."

Tucson reported, panting, "Your two patrol soldiers are rushing toward us, followed by a knight without a cloak."

……

……

border town.

In the spacious hall of Rose Manor.

Lady Rose stood before Marquis Coldblade, her head bowed, her beautiful face filled with helplessness.
"My lord, the men I sent... failed to find any information about Black Pine Ridge."

Marquis Hanren, who had been reclining in a leather-covered chaise lounge, sat up straight.
"what happened?"

"That little guy is as guarded as a hedgehog."

Lady Rose knelt down beside Marquis Coldblade, gently massaging his calves, and continued her report.

"The caravans that were sent out were all restricted in their movements, just as you said."

She paused, glanced up at the Marquis's face, and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, continued:
“He even guards against refugees, prohibiting their activities, and we can’t get any useful information.”

"However, my men have sent me the latest news: it seems that the little guy is... building a city."

"Build a city?"

Marquis Hanren gave a dismissive sneer, his voice laced with mockery.

"How many people does he have? How many supplies does he have? How dare he build a city?"

He stood up, slowly walked to the window, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the snow outside.

"Furthermore, considering the weather conditions for building a city, he was quite cruel to his slaves."

Without turning his head, Marquis Hanren asked, "No slaves have defected?"

"My people asked, and there was no answer."

Lady Rose replied, "I am also puzzled. My men explained that the slaves are well fed."

"Ah,"

Marquis Hanren scoffed, "How good can slave food be?"

"A newly ennobled baron is lucky to survive in the desolate North."

Marquis Hanren commented, "No matter what, building a city is a foolish act."

"How many people can be fed with that little bit of farmland in Black Pine Ridge?"

"If it were me, I would expand farmland, stockpile grain, increase the population, and finally build a city."

Lady Rose nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Based on information I gathered from other sources, there are probably more than 1,500 people in that little guy's territory."

"It would take tens of thousands of acres of farmland to support 1,500 people."

Marquis Hanren shook his head. "How much arable land does Black Pine Ridge have now? Four thousand mu? Five thousand mu?"

He sat back in the recliner, crossed his legs, as if somewhat disappointed with Rod's performance.

Lady Rose was equally puzzled and commented, "You're right, but that little fellow doesn't seem that stupid."

"Now that all the intelligence has been put together, I've found that he seems to have never suffered a loss when he clashes with others."

"He only encountered bandits, so naturally he wouldn't suffer any losses."

Marquis Hanren seemed to remember something, and let out another sneer.
"The only time was when that fool Earl Falcon fed him."

Lady Rose bit her lip and couldn't help but ask, "But how did he defeat Earl Falcon's army? We still haven't figured it out."

"Forty elite soldiers plus militia are not a match for the newly promoted baron."

Marquis Hanren narrowed his eyes and did not answer immediately.

Lady Rose's words also puzzled him, which is why he sent someone there.

Unfortunately, nothing was found in the end.

After a moment, Marquis Hanren waved his hand and said in a cold tone, "Forget it, there's no time to think about these things now."

"No matter how powerful Rhodes is, he can't threaten us."

Marquis Hanren stood up, his tone resolute, "Don't waste too much energy on him."

"Ok."

Lady Rose bowed her head and responded, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart. She asked, "What is it, Your Excellency Marquis?"

"The Empire's call to war has arrived."

Marquis Hanren's voice was deep and solemn, "The disadvantage on the western battlefield is too great. The empire has ordered all nobles to assemble their armies and form a coalition."

"Yes, there are many refugees fleeing from there recently, as well as deserters."

Lady Rose frowned slightly and said, "There are many deserters from the Western Alliance inside. They are all new recruits and seem to have been forcibly conscripted."

"Ha, those barbarians from the Western Alliance are like they're possessed by evil spirits, attacking like madmen. I really don't know what they're trying to do."

Marquis Hanren shook his head slightly, unable to fathom the true purpose of the Western Alliance.

Winter is never a good time to wage war, no matter where it is; in Marquis Coldblade's eyes, it is extremely foolish.

"The Empire has ordered me to provide a thousand soldiers, ten knights, and to personally lead the troops."

"A thousand soldiers? And you want to personally lead the expedition?"

Mrs. Rose's eyes widened, and her voice involuntarily rose slightly.

She stepped forward, somewhat worried: "Can't you not go? Find a reason, or... let your eldest daughter go in your place?"

"The Empire has appointed me as the commander of the Northern Provinces' Noble Alliance."

Marquis Coldblade turned around, his gaze fixed intently on Lady Rose: "This is an opportunity."

"The empire is using me, but am I not using it in return?"

"In this war, I have access to all the nobles in the northern provinces and can give them direct orders."

"If I can seize this opportunity..."

Marquis Hanren's expression was serious as he slowly said, "The Hanren family may be able to take another step forward."

"While I'm away, gather all your forces back and send more people to keep an eye on the border town and the castle."

Marquis Hanren looked at Lady Rose and instructed her, "The Empire's war order forbids civil war, but it's inevitable that some people will try to sabotage things."

Lady Rose nodded immediately, her tone firm: "Yes, my lord, you can rest assured."

A sly glint flashed in Lady Rose's eyes: "I will be watching everyone, including your sons."

Marquis Hanren did not speak, but nodded solemnly.

"And my younger brother and sister."

In fact, Marquis Hanren was not very worried about the other nobles in the northern provinces, after all, he was the most powerful here.

Unless several counts join forces, no one would dare to deliberately cause trouble for him.

On the contrary, the internal affairs of the Hanren family are what deserve the most attention.

Marquis Hanren knew that none of his three sons and two daughters were easy to deal with.

Marquis Hanren's first child was a daughter, and his second child was a son.

The siblings have been secretly competing with each other.

Marquis Hanren didn't want them to make a mess of the territory while he was away.

"Perhaps you should take them all with you."

Lady Rose suggested.

Marquis Hanren nodded. "Yes, I will consider it."

Lady Rose smiled slightly, leaned against Marquis Coldblade, and her tone suddenly became gentle: "You will be leaving soon, so stay a few more days."

"Of course, otherwise why would I come here?"

Marquis Hanren put his arm around Lady Rose: "If I wasn't worried about being left unattended here, I would have taken you with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis Coldblade pushed Lady Rose onto the chaise lounge. The flames in the fireplace flickered, casting blurry shadows of the two of them, as if foreshadowing the coming storm.

……

……

Nobles in the northern provinces successively received the imperial edict for war, and the news swept across the land like a storm.

Including Falcon Territory.

However, the war decree from Falcon Territory was not only sent to Eagle Town, but also to Eagleeye Manor.

Baron Harlan was still figuring out how to respond to the imperial decree, and this was a direct opportunity given to him.

He immediately began to gather an army and mobilize all those in his territory who were involved in the war.

Sir Frank accompanied Baron Harlan on his campaign, while his wife, Olaya, remained at the manor.

Each noble family was mobilizing its own army, and the entire northern province was in a tense state of preparation for war.

Marching through the northern winter is no easy task, and it is a severe test for every lord.

Everyone needs to prepare not only armor, but also thick, warm fur coats.

They also needed to carry light clothing and food for fighting in the south.

The nobles who provided hundreds of soldiers had to haul several wagons full of supplies, while the lesser lords joined together to travel to the city designated by Commander Marquis Hanren.

Of course, not every nobleman actively responded to the empire's call; some simply went through the motions.

Some minor nobles, in particular, would conscript new soldiers, such as the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled, in response to the imperial edict.

They left their elite troops behind to protect their territory and property.

They would send their sons or knights to war in their place while they themselves stayed in their territory, continuing to enjoy a comfortable life.

Imperial war decrees were also sent to the northern wastelands.

The knights following the patrol that Tucson saw through Eagle Eyes were the messengers of the war decree.

The imperial messenger could not be negligent.

Rhodes invited him to the manor hall, with Durant and Lawrence accompanying him.

The messenger appeared to be a knight, dressed in the imperial standard armor and carrying a sword, with a golden badge symbolizing authority on his chest.

The messenger did not look down on Rhodes because he was a "Baron of the Wilderness," and bent down to present the scroll of the edict to Rhodes with both hands.

His bowing gestures were exceptionally precise; he was unsmiling and his face showed almost no emotional fluctuation, as if he were a machine.

Rhodes received the imperial edict and calmly said to the messenger, "Your Excellency, please go and rest."

Rhodes turned to Lawrence beside him and instructed, "Arrange a room for His Excellency the Messenger."

"Yes, sir."

Perhaps influenced by the messenger, Lawrence responded with a serious expression and then gestured an invitation to the messenger.

"grateful."

He nodded and bowed, then followed Lawrence away.

After the messenger left, Rhodes opened the imperial edict.

After reading it, Rod clutched the parchment scroll, his brow furrowed.

Durant, standing to the side, couldn't help but ask, "What's with your expression...? Were we wrong before? The Empire wants us to send troops?"

"unnecessary."

Rhodes threw the edict scroll on the table and sighed, "His Majesty 'understands' the plight of us lords of the Northern Wastes, so he exempts us from military service."

"Oh, that's good news."

Durant breathed a sigh of relief, but then sensed something was off: "Then why were you frowning just now? It can't be that simple, can it?"

"Well, you guessed right."

Rhodes couldn't help but chuckle. "No need to send troops, but you'll have to pay fifty gold coins."

"Fifty gold coins? War tax?"

Durant's eyes widened suddenly, a hint of displeasure in them.
"Didn't the summons say we were exempt from taxes?"

Why should we have to pay?

"You're wrong. This isn't a war tax."

Rhodes pointed to the edict and said, "The edict refers to it as 'Imperial War Aid Fund'."

"Then isn't it still the same?" Durant said with a wry smile.

"The decree says that this money was an advance payment from the empire, and we will be compensated with prisoners of war after the war ends," Rhodes explained.

Durant frowned, his tone full of doubt: "Compensation with prisoners? Sounds good, but... is it feasible?"

"Whether it can be achieved or not, that's what it says above."

Rhodes said with some helplessness, "If you don't return our prisoners in the future, we'll have to pay you."

Rhodes, a mere lord of the northern wastelands, had no power to defy the empire's decree.

Durant lowered his head and said somewhat unwillingly, "You're right. It's not worth disobeying the Empire's orders for fifty gold coins."

"However, this is also a good thing for us."

Rod smiled and turned to walk to the wooden table in the center of the hall. He reached out and took the map off the wall, spreading it out on the table.

Rhodes pointed to the border town and White Rock Canyon: "Now we don't have to worry about all this mess here."

"Other lords are busy with war and don't have time to bother us."

Rhodes shifted his gaze to the north.

"Our main focus now is on the north. We'll take this opportunity to nip those restless alien races in the bud."

"Yes, this is indeed an opportunity."

Durant nodded. "Then I'll write a letter later and ask Gunle to come back?"

"Yes, there's no point in him staying in White Rock Canyon any longer."

Rhodes instructed, "Let him go back to Frostleaf Town to rest for a few days. The patrol team should head north to familiarize themselves with the terrain of Razorfen Downs and find the man."

"Yes, we're not familiar with the environment there, so we should refine the map first."

Durant looked at the blank map and said, "This may take some time, otherwise we won't be able to find those alien races if they hide."

"No, those alien races cannot be hidden."

Rod smiled and briefly explained the situation in Tucson to Durant.

Bang!
Durant's eyes widened and he slammed his fist on the table. "That's fantastic!"

Rod couldn't help but laugh as he watched Durant lose his composure in front of him for the first time.

Durant realized his rudeness and quickly bowed in greeting.

"I apologize, Your Excellency, for my rudeness..."

"It's alright, there are no outsiders here."

Rhodes shook his head slightly. "I know how important this is for marching."

"Yes, this is very important!"

Durant was still excited.
"With Tucson there, we can clearly know the enemy's movements and respond at any time."

Durant knew that the Eagle Feather tribe had appeared in his territory, and he had also heard some news about it.

He originally thought it was just an ordinary falcon, but he never expected it to be a method similar to wizard magic.

Durant, with his military background, is all too aware of the terrifying nature of such tactics.

Especially in such a wilderness, it can completely influence the course of a war.

"By the way, Baron, is there a range limit to Toussaint's ability?"

Durant quickly asked, "He can see wherever his eagle flies?"

"This might disappoint you."

Rhodes shook his head slightly. "We tried it shortly before you came. The furthest distance Tucson could use Hawkeye was about ten kilometers."

"It's alright, it's enough."

Durant nodded.

A distance of ten kilometers is enough to prevent enemy attacks.

For tracking targets, a distance of ten kilometers is more than enough.

"That……"

Durant suddenly blushed, and with a shy smile, he looked at Rod.

Rhodes felt a chill run down his spine, goosebumps rose all over his body, and he couldn't help but back away.

"Durant, stop looking at me like that. Say what you want to say."

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency."

Durant, somewhat embarrassed, quickly said, "Could you assign this Tucson to me?"

"I can't give you this Tucson."

Rod said, "Next, Gunle will go north as the vanguard to scout ahead, and Tucson must go with him to find out the situation there."

“However, Renn is still hunting falcons, and he will definitely equip you with such people later.”

Rod said to Durant again in a serious tone, "From now on, just say what you need to say, and don't give me that look again."

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will not."

Durant nodded quickly, looking a little embarrassed.

"Alright, when Lawrence gets back, have him arrange some people for you."

Rhodes pointed to the northern border of Black Pine Ridge and instructed, "Establish a sentry post here, which will be expanded into a fortress in the future, to watch over Razor Plains."

"Shall we begin now?"

Durant asked, somewhat puzzled, "Isn't it a bit early?"

"It is late."

Rhodes looked at the sky outside and said, "Let's get started soon, or we'll have to start clearing land and cultivating it."

If this trend continues, Heisongling will run out of food again.

The war in the south will inevitably lead to a rise in food prices.

It's a pity I can't predict the future, otherwise I would have stockpiled more food.

(End of this chapter)