I, the heir of the great Eastern nation

Liu Zhao neither agreed nor disagreed with Roth Lance's praise.

"You flatter me. In my hometown, almost everyone my age knows this. It's not a particularly remarkable skill."

Liu Zhao smiled slightly and spoke the absolute truth.

Upon hearing this, Roth couldn't help but show a shocked expression.

"Wow~ Really? That's unbelievable."

While feeling moved, he also muttered something to himself.

This so-called "Han Dynasty" royal family, I don't even know which country they are from. If every member of the royal family is really so outstanding, that would be too exaggerated!

Looking at it this way, it seems understandable that he, as a prince of a country, would take the initiative to travel so far to develop in the Kingdom of Os.

In an instant, these few people who had volunteered from the Lance family gained a deeper understanding of Liu Zhao.

After a brief introduction, Liu Zhao had the Knight of York arrange accommodations for the group.

After finishing most of the work, he returned to the manor's living room and sat down, only to find Christine alone beside him.

Seeing the blue-haired girl's thoughtful expression, Liu Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

"What's with that expression? If you have something to say, just say it. It's late at night, so get ready to sleep after you're done."

Upon hearing this, Christine frowned slightly and spoke decisively.

"I don't quite understand. If you just want to eliminate evil and intimidate those below so that you can smoothly consolidate power in Blackrock Territory, then you only need to list the crimes and cut off the heads of the three of them. That would achieve the same effect."

But you, of all people, chose such a clearly more troublesome approach, having that kid Russell carry out the executions and forcing the villagers to testify. What exactly was your purpose in doing all this?

The blue-haired girl frowned, her eyes filled with confusion.

Liu Zhao did not answer immediately, but instead asked a question.

"Why do you think I'm so eager to come to this place and become a lord?"

Christine was taken aback.

"What else could it be? Didn't you say it yourself? It's for prestige and great achievements, and to better advance your career?"

Liu Zhao shook his head.

"Of course not, this is just a small, incidental goal."

Christine looked curious.

"So your real purpose is...?"

Liu Zhao looked up and smiled slightly.

"I will cultivate and build this place into my first foundation in the Kingdom of Os! I will transform the people here into loyal allies who can help me achieve my great cause!"

"To achieve this, I need to gain the trust of the people here and make them willing to listen to me. Everything I do is to earn their trust."

Christine was taken aback at first, then looked at Liu Zhao with some suspicion.

"Here? This remote and impoverished place, Blackstone Territory?"

"This place is so small, with so few people, most of whom are ignorant serfs and commoners. Even if they all trust you, what can you possibly accomplish? Aren't you overthinking things?"

Liu Zhao shook his head.

"Words are useless; seeing is believing. You'll know whether it can be done or not in the future."

Christine gave a soft hum.

"Fine, I'm sticking with you for now. As long as it helps me improve my magic, I'll help you with anything!"

"And you must never forget our promise!"

Liu Zhao smiled slightly.

"Don't worry, I remember. As long as you're willing to follow me and learn carefully, I'll definitely help you become the most legendary mage on this continent in the future!"

Christine gave another soft snort, then got up and left.

"I'm not talking anymore, I'm going to sleep. I'm exhausted after a long day."

Goodnight, Christine.

……

The next day.

Although he went to bed very late, Liu Zhao, whose physique had already been greatly strengthened, woke up after only three or four hours of sleep.

He looks incredibly energetic!

He had only walked a few steps out of the room when he ran into Roth, who was also up early.

Good morning, Your Highness.

Roth bowed respectfully.

Liu Zhao smiled.

Good morning, Roth.

Roth glanced at Liu Zhao.

"Your Highness, you were busy so late last night, why don't you rest a little more today?"

Liu Zhao smiled and shook his head.

"There's nothing I can do. So many things have happened in Blackstone Territory, and I have a ton of things to deal with. How can I possibly sleep?"

Upon hearing this, Roth's eyes lit up.

"Your Highness, do you mean we should officially begin handling the administrative affairs of Blackstone Territory today?"

Liu Zhao nodded.

"good."

"Could I come with you and get familiar with the work I'll be doing in the future?"

Liu Zhao laughed heartily.

"sure."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After exchanging a few words with Roth, Liu Zhao also called York and Simon over.

"York, take men and search their homes immediately. Once you have a complete inventory of the property and land of the three men executed last night, report back to me immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The Knight of York left with his men.

Liu Zhao looked at Simon.

"Simon, take some men and make sure all the victim girls who were rescued from the three manors last night are safely taken home."

Also tell their parents and relatives that the culprit is dead, and those illegal slave contracts are naturally invalid. Remember to reassure them and tell them not to worry about this anymore.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Simon led his men away.

After sending out his two closest subordinates, Liu Zhao looked at the somewhat empty manor, thought for a moment, and then called out to the guards at the gate.

"You, go and fetch Russell for me, the young man who beheaded Webber last night."

A short while later, Russell appeared before Liu Zhao with an excited expression.

"Sir, you wanted to see me?"

Liu Zhao nodded and looked at the young man with flaxen curly hair in front of him.

"You did a great job last night. I admire your courage and sense of justice. I'm currently short of capable people. Would you be willing to work for me?"

Upon hearing this, Russell was overjoyed and immediately knelt down on the spot.

"My lord, I do!"

Liu Zhao smiled slightly.

"Very good, get up."

"By the way, don't kneel before me anymore. I don't really like seeing people kneel before me."

Upon hearing this, Russell was taken aback at first, then immediately bowed.

"Yes, sir, I will do as you say."

Liu Zhao nodded.

"Alright, let's put everything else aside for now. I have a task for you to complete."

"Go now and quickly notify the village chiefs of the other four villages. Tell them to bring a few influential villagers to my manor gate for a meeting in two hours. I have something important to tell them."

After hearing this, Russell bowed very respectfully once again.

"Yes, sir."

He turned to leave.

Liu Zhao suddenly remembered something and called out to him again.

"Oh, and remember to remind them that there's a lot to say in the meeting later, and standing for a long time can be tiring, so tell them to bring their own small stools so they can sit down and listen."

Upon hearing this, Russell was stunned and subconsciously asked another question.

"Sir, are you sure it's a small stool?"

Liu Zhao nodded.

Russell then realized he hadn't misheard. Although he was full of questions, he didn't ask any more and turned around and ran out.

Not only him, but also Roth, standing behind Liu Zhao, looked equally surprised.

He swore that in his entire life, he had never heard of any lord who would invite people to a meeting and then have them bring their own chairs!

But he didn't ask any more questions, and just silently followed behind Liu Zhao, observing him with a mixture of novelty and curiosity.

Soon, during his lunch break, Liu Zhao took the opportunity to browse through the various documents left by the previous lord regarding the territory.

"Tsk tsk, they took almost everything they could carry away, except for the land. They're really ruthless."

While Liu Zhao was expressing his feelings, Roth also looked through these things.

"Your Highness, it seems that Blackstone Territory is now a complete mess."

He frowned.

"Excuse my bluntness, but it will be very difficult for you to govern this place well."

Liu Zhao, however, laughed indifferently.

"It's okay. The worse the mess, the easier it is for me to break it down and rebuild."

Roth was somewhat surprised.

"Do you already have a solution in mind?"

Liu Zhao nodded.

"I'm not very good at scheming and backstabbing, but when it comes to farming, development, and improving people's livelihoods, I'm sorry, I do know a little bit about it."

Before Roth could ask any more questions, he heard Russell's voice from outside.

"My lord, the village chiefs have all arrived."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhao immediately stood up and stretched vigorously.

"Perfect! Let's go, Roth, come with me to the meeting."

Upon arriving at the open space in front of the manor, some of the bloodstains from last night had not yet been completely cleaned up.

But Liu Zhao didn't mind at all, and simply carried a higher chair over.

It was still the same makeshift stage, and the same large wooden table that was wobbling a bit from being struck with the gavel.

When Liu Zhao arrived, all the villagers stood there nervously.

Liu Zhao smiled.

"Didn't I tell you all to bring benches? Why are you all standing? Sit down."

No one dared to sit there.

Even Old John, who was most familiar with Liu Zhao, only dared to stand there holding a small stool, looking very nervous.

Liu Zhao smiled and shook his head.

"You really need me to give the order, huh? Everyone sit down right now. I'll count to three, and anyone still not seated will have their tax increased by 30%!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened immediately, and they hurriedly put down their stools and sat down.

Upon seeing this, Liu Zhao revealed a satisfied smile.

"That's more like it."

"Alright, let's begin the meeting now. I've called you all here today mainly to discuss two points."

"First, land rent and taxes."

"I know you all have it tough, especially since Baishui Village was just attacked by bandits, so after careful consideration, I've decided to make the following arrangements."

"First, all previous tax laws and leasing regulations were abolished, and the new tax law is called: Equalization of Land Tax and Labor Tax."