Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 154 Joseph's Plan
Louis Calvin's inauguration banquet as sheriff and the first council meeting of Snowpeak County will be held in Red Tide Territory.

As soon as the news broke, nobles from all walks of life set off ahead of schedule to head to the fiefdom of this young nobleman.

They each had their own agenda, wanting to gain more benefits for themselves.

The Snowpeak County region just finished fighting last year, followed by the long winter in the North...

Logically speaking, everyone should be in a complete mess.

As soon as they stepped into the territory of the Crimson Tide Territory, everyone fell silent.

This is so unexpected!

They had imagined a scene of dilapidated houses and smoke, but what they saw before them were smooth cobblestone paths, streets so clean they reflected their images, and even the trees planted along the roadside were neatly arranged in a line.

"This...we've taken the wrong turn?" a southern baron murmured, leaning on his saddle.

"Are you kidding me? If this is a post-war wasteland, then our own territory is just a primeval forest!"

Another northern nobleman looked resentful, speaking stubbornly, but his eyes couldn't help but drift towards the well-ordered village.

Farmers are tilling the fields, children are running into a simple school with their books on their backs, and there are notice boards in the residential area that read "This Month's Grain Distribution Standard".

The nobles fell completely silent. Their territories were still worrying about the lack of food in the spring, while here they were actually starting to distribute food.

Occasionally, patrolling cavalry would pass by, their armor gleaming, their steps perfectly synchronized. They were clearly knights with fighting spirit, unlike any hastily assembled army. Their cloaks fluttered in the wind, and just their presence alone instilled a sense of oppression in the nobles.

It didn't seem like they were welcoming nobles; rather, it was a display of their power.

Some people clicked their tongues in amazement, some frowned, and many more gritted their teeth inwardly.

Red Tide Territory doesn't resemble a newly emerging war zone fiefdom; rather, it's more like... a well-functioning, disciplined "new type of lordly regime."

Especially those few heirs of the old Northern noble families, who hardly uttered a single word the entire way.

It's not that they don't want to talk, it's that they can't express it.

A year or two ago, some of them came here and saw what this place looked like with their own eyes.

This is a wasteland ravaged by war, villages destroyed, and even tree bark stripped and eaten by the indigenous people.

No nobles came here to painstakingly develop the area.

But now?

Walking on the smooth and clean road, you can see the repaired irrigation canals on both sides, and guards standing by the granary on night patrol.

Even the expressions of ordinary people were not the numbness of "thank God for being alive," but rather... an indescribable calm.

“This is unreasonable…” a baron murmured. “Even with money, it’s impossible to turn the North into this state in such a short time.”

But believe it or not, the facts are there for all to see.

They originally thought that as local nobles of the North, they naturally understood this land better than that young man who rose to power through military exploits.

But at this moment, that sense of superiority began to crumble.

It was just like the first time cavemen saw tall buildings, electric lights, and running water.

“This is… a complete transformation.” A baron’s gaze was complex.

What humiliated them most was that it was done by Louis, an "outsider."

…………

Joseph Carradine sat in the carriage, his gaze darkening as he watched the fleeting street scenes of Red Tide Territory outside the window.

No matter where you look, this place doesn't seem like a place that has experienced war; rather, it seems like a core territory that has been stable for several years.

He slowly frowned: "This Louis seems to be stronger than I thought."

He didn't want to admit it, but that was the truth.

The order and prosperity of this land were exactly the goals of his original "three-year plan".

A nineteen-year-old boy accomplished this in just one year?
He was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of self-comforting confidence:
"Governing your territory well is just the beginning. To be a noble, you need influence, connections, vision... and you need to know how to play politics."

No matter how well he performs, a "war hero" who doesn't know how to deal with nobles will ultimately be isolated and hollowed out.

He grew up among the various noble families in the southwest and was very familiar with the political maneuvering of "boiling a frog in lukewarm water".

Power is never seized openly, but rather gradually stripped away.

Joseph quickly put on a gentle and sincere smile and began to persuade the nobles in private, officially entering the "private operation" stage.

He put forward several "princess suggestions," each of which sounded perfectly legitimate and respectable.

It even makes people think that he is easing Louis's burden.

“The administration of the county should have the spirit of shared governance among nobles. I suggest that we establish a ‘Xuefeng County Noble Council’ to discuss important matters together. This would be more reliable.”

“Military and political nominations should also be made with caution. Important positions should be nominated by council members and approved by the county magistrate, with double checks to prevent the excessive concentration of power.”

"Since Snowpeak County is bordering the Snowsworn faction, the risk of war is always present. Why not set up an 'emergency food storage center' where we nobles can manage the supplies and share the burden of the county governor?"

On the surface, he was sharing responsibility and working together to maintain stability.

In reality, he was undermining Louis's power with every step he took.

By giving the council control over personnel, food, and administration, the young prefect was ultimately turned into a powerless "mascot."

As for resource bait?

Joseph was certainly ready.

The Silver Plate Guild has already agreed to provide several batches of supplies, including provisions and gold coins...

He can use all of these to 'make cakes'.

Joseph's lips curled slightly, his eyes full of calculation: "Once these people take their first bite, they won't want to let go."

…………

Before the banquet had even officially begun, Joseph approached Miss Grant.

She stood in a corner of the garden, like a forgotten decoration.

She wore a somewhat outdated dress, tightly cinched at the waist but unable to conceal her plump figure. Her rounded fingers nervously twisted a handkerchief, her eyes darting away from Joseph's scrutinizing gaze.

She hates occasions like this.

She knew she was too fat, too timid, and not "the kind of person an aristocrat should be."

She knew that she was invited only because "the Grant family name" still existed, not because of herself.

“Miss Grant, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Joseph approached with a smile.

Her tone was as gentle and polite as ever, as if she were the star of the banquet.

She was taken aback for a moment, then responded softly, somewhat flattered, "...Hello."

No one had ever spoken to her so proactively, at least not with respect.

“You are the rightful heir of the Grant family, a bloodline that cannot be ignored among the old nobles of the North,” Joseph said calmly.

Her tone held a hint of pity, "But do these people really respect you?"

Her plump cheeks twitched slightly; she wanted to retort, but couldn't bring herself to say it.

His few words, though simple, pierced the softest and most vulnerable part of her heart like needles.

"They don't invite you, don't drink with you, and don't mention your title... Even though you're sitting right here, it's as if you don't exist."

Grant lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes were somewhat moist.

She endured it for many years.

Her father passed away, her family declined, she was married off to another family, and was ostracized by her husband's family.

And after returning to the North, she was never truly "accepted".

She wanted to revive her family, but she knew nothing about it and no one would teach her.

“But I am not them.” Joseph’s voice brushed against her ear as gently as a night breeze. “I know the glory of the Grant family, and I know the place you deserve.”

Her heart was pounding.

The long-lost feeling of being taken seriously overwhelmed her defenses like a tidal wave.

Joseph leaned forward slightly and whispered as if sharing a secret, "Join us, and the Noble Council will give you a seat. Not just for show, but a real voter with a voice."

Grant was somewhat stunned, looked up at him, and for the first time, a hint of expectation appeared in his eyes.

But she still hesitated; she wasn't sure if she really deserved to stand at that conference table.

“Moreover,” Joseph smiled slightly, “we are about to receive a batch of medicinal herbs, grains, spices, and rare fabrics from our family.”

“I will give you priority in managing a share of it. It’s not just about wealth, but also an opportunity to prove that I’m not useless.” “Of course, I’m not giving you charity.” He paused, his tone softening, “It’s just…respect.”

Grant gripped the handkerchief tightly, his heart pounding with turmoil.

She wasn't stupid; she knew he had an ulterior motive.

But could she refuse?
All these years, she has been waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity to stand up again and no longer be seen as a "poor married-out woman".

She bit her lip, her eyes glistening with tears, and finally nodded, whispering shyly, "Then I... will trust you this once."

Joseph showed no sign of pride, simply nodding politely in thanks before turning and leaving.

But deep down, he almost laughed out loud.

"The old nobles of the North are nothing special." He sneered inwardly. "Even if they pride themselves on their noble lineage, once they've been ignored for a long time, a little kindness and resources are enough to make them grateful."

Grant was the first brick. Once this corner was pried open, the old nobles' collective defenses would begin to crumble, falling one by one.

Relying on these three tricks
A simple statement that "you deserve respect," a promise of a position that "you too can have status," plus a few tangible benefits.

Joseph won over several hesitant nobles in just two days, almost like conquering a city.

Each conversation was like a precisely positioned chess piece being moved forward.

Some nobles, feeling guilty about the decline of their family's power, dared not defy the new order, so Joseph gave them the illusion of having a "voice".

Some nobles were short of money and unable to exploit their own territories, so he promised them generous quotas under the guise of "family support".

Several seemingly unruly old nobles also nodded repeatedly after he said, "You are the true foundation of the North and should not be marginalized."

But the most important prerequisite for these methods to be effective was Louis Calvin's silence.

In the days leading up to the banquet, Louis hardly showed up and did not personally receive any of the nobles; the reception was arranged by his butler, Bradley.

Joseph had assumed that he would at least speak to him privately, arrange for someone to pull strings, or at least make a show of it.

There wasn't even a polite remark.

It was as if the arrival of these nobles was nothing more than a routine "procedural meeting" arranged by him.

This made Joseph both annoyed and amused.

He felt that his opponent was too weak.

"How could someone like this become a prefect?" He sneered inwardly, his contempt almost making him roll his eyes.

"What good is good governance if you don't know how to win people's hearts and how to navigate power struggles... then you are not worthy of standing in the position of prefect."

His gaze fell upon the strange castle, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"You think showing them clean streets and impeccable military bearing is enough? How naive!"

“Nobles are not ordinary people. If you don’t give them real power or dignity, they will come and take it themselves.”

He felt he had seen through this young, newly rich aristocrat.

He was not good at political maneuvering or networking; he had a favorable position, but he was destined not to hold onto it.

Before the banquet even started, he was already certain that the outcome was already decided.

…………

Of course, Joseph's approach was not effective for all nobles.

Especially when he tried to persuade Jon Harvey, it was like hitting a brick wall with his head.

He had long known that Jon and Louis were close friends, but he firmly believed in the saying: "No nobleman can resist temptation."

If Jon is willing to relent and help persuade Louis to "open up power" and delegate some authority to the so-called "noble council".

"Then you will be the third in command, second only to me and the Prefect." He made this promise with such certainty that he seemed to already see Jon nodding in surrender.

Not to mention he also brought out a whole set of resources as leverage: food quotas, troop coordination, and even priority access to the Southern Chamber of Commerce.

He added a meaningful remark at the end: "With Louis in complete control, you and I are nothing more than pawns... If he fails, we will all be sacrifices."

After saying that, he poured himself a glass of wine, waiting for Jon to hesitate, weigh his options, and be tempted.

Yorn took the glass, a half-smile playing on his lips, but his tone was relaxed and agreeable: “What you said makes a lot of sense. Indeed, it’s time to think about the future.”

He nodded, and even added, "Louis should also relinquish some of his power so that we can all share the burden, since we are all concerned about Snow Peak County."

Joseph smiled, his eyes growing increasingly resolute; he felt this was the answer.

Of course, what he didn't know was that the upturned corners of Jon's mouth weren't a sign of agreement.

I simply found it funny.

The resources Joseph just mentioned are probably not even worth a hair that his old man Deng sends him every month.

The third in command? You're dreaming too much.

And also, the reason I'm sitting here today is entirely because of the boss, the one you said 'holds absolute power'.

Six or seven years ago in Beijing, he was already protecting me. I've almost made it an art to cling to his coattails. Who would turn around and sell out their own brother for a leg that just appeared out of nowhere?

However, your way of speaking sounds quite like that of a southern nobleman.

Although he was extremely disdainful inside, and even wanted to laugh out loud, Jon maintained his usual composure and dignity on the surface, and even deliberately showed a bit of "slowness" and dullness.

He pretended to listen attentively, occasionally revealing an expression of "Ah...I see."

He seemed to have developed a strong interest in the "reforms" and "council" system that Joseph had mentioned.

Then their conversation quietly veered into another dimension.

Wine, women, festive balls, which noblewoman's daughter has an affair with her groom, which countess makes a fool of herself after getting drunk at a banquet.

Joseph became more and more relaxed as he spoke, even patting Jon on the shoulder, as if to say, "We have something in common."

“Baron Harvey is no bookworm after all! I knew someone like you knew how to enjoy life.” He smiled smugly, as if he had already brought the other man under his command.

Yorn laughed along, a somewhat silly laugh: "Ha... I don't really understand either, I've just heard it a lot."

"That's alright. I'll treat you to some plum wine that my family sent another day. I heard it's something even the emperor loves to drink."

"It would be an honor."

Once the conversation had completely fallen apart, Joseph checked the time, stood up, and said, "We've talked for quite a while today. I won't disturb your rest any longer. Let's discuss this in detail another day."

"Hmm... I am indeed a bit tired today." Yorn nodded in agreement.

He even looked dazed, as if his mind was still stuck on the "merchandise" and the "incident of the rich girl and the groom".

Joseph walked away satisfied, his steps light, as if he had just won a bet.

"It's so easy it makes me question my existence. I thought Harvey would be a tough guy, but he's not so bad after all. In the end, how many young nobles can resist the temptation of power and profit?" he thought to himself in the corridor.

Because everything had been going so smoothly lately, he had no doubts whatsoever.

But when he stepped out of the house, the eyes of the two people who had been slightly dazed were now as clear as a knife.

Jon chuckled softly, a smile tinged with sarcasm, but more so with the realization that he had already anticipated the tedium of it all.

"Hmph, 'third in command,' he really thinks he's someone important."

He casually straightened his clothes, then walked briskly but unassumingly out of the study and into Louis's office.

"Boss, that Joseph doesn't seem to be up to any good. He offered me a ton of prices... You should be prepared, he might have a lot more to offer."

Louis sat by the fireplace drinking tea, and after listening, he simply smiled faintly: "Let him be."

"Aren't you worried?"

“What are you worried about? I have my own plans, so you can rest assured.” Louis’s tone was as indifferent as if he were talking about the weather.

Jon blinked, seeing that Louis understood, and didn't say anything more. He had 100% faith in his boss's methods.

Meanwhile, Willis, being Louis's older brother, didn't need anyone to try and win him over; he sensed something was amiss on his own.

"That Joseph... he's always whispering to people, and he's making too many movements."

He approached Louis with a frown, his tone unusually unease: "I suggest you stay calm. You should make an appearance before the nobles you need to meet. Don't let them think you're too aloof, or you'll be in a passive position."

Louis simply nodded slightly: "Understood. Don't worry, I have my own plans."

Seeing his calm demeanor, Willis didn't say much, but he had a feeling that a storm was brewing.

Joseph was still happily setting up his chessboard, unaware that he had already been pinned to the edge of the board by an unseen hand.

(End of this chapter)