Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 613: Chapter 37: The Unique Powers of Manan Faith and Hesse Territory’s New Patron—The Empire’s Wealthiest Institution

Investigating surrounding intelligence is a military activity conducted by every territory.

Especially at last year’s end-of-year meeting, the Hesse Territory set a strategy for imminent expansion outward.

Further expansion to the north and east is no longer possible, so the focus for territorial expansion falls on the west and south.

This year, territories need to expand within the Border Prince’s Territory, so Hilude has some understanding of the intelligence around the territory.

After Su Li’s inquiry, she immediately replied: ”Blue Mirror Territory is a baron’s territory at the upper reaches of the Brionne River, centered around Blue Mirror Lake, covering nearby mountains, forests, and rivers. The territory is approximately 600 Empire miles wide and is a resource-rich territory.”

”Blue Mirror Lake is the core of its territory, known for its clarity and magnificence. It is said that ancient cave networks lie hidden at the lake’s bottom, where adventurers can always find various magical items. This is one of the reasons why followers of the Sea God Manan chose to build a city there.”

”To their territory’s east is Cold Wind Valley, an area covered by strong winds that roar through the canyon regions year-round, also serving as their eastern barrier.”

”To the north is the Frost Fang Mountain Range, composed of steep limestone peaks, deep valleys, and intricate cave networks, shrouded in fog year-round. In ancient times, it was a Dwarf colony, hiding ancient Dwarven mines and abandoned fortresses. Now, with the Mountain Dwarves retreating to the Gray Mountain Range, the area is desolate and mostly turned into a monster lair. It is also their territory’s main source of threat. One can find bandits, Beastmen, Chaos Eggs, and even undead frequently appearing there.”

”To the south is their Green Shore Plain, a flat grassy land mainly populated with large farmlands. Near the border, there are also some pastures. Further south is Sand Shadow Forest, marking their territory’s boundaries. This forest isn’t as dangerous as the Blood Pine Forest, bustling with thriving villages. The Beastmen often raid these human strongholds, so the local villagers are quite self-reliant and have low territorial identity.”

After hearing Hilude’s brief introduction to this territory, Su Li couldn’t help but be amazed, saying, ”It seems this territory is also full of opportunities and challenges. For Duke Grant to establish himself here and steadily rise to a baron, he likely has some unique advantage, doesn’t he?”

Understandably, although the land of the Border Prince’s Territory is fertile, creating a territory from nothing is not easy. Especially as he developed into a baron, providing food for such a large territory and maintaining a vast army to fight against evil invasions, the financial, supply, and military pressures would not be small.

Hilude turned and pointed to the sparkling and magnificent Blue Mirror Lake in the distance, saying, ”This is the key to Baron Grant establishing himself here and continually waging battles, expanding everywhere. The lake’s scale far exceeds that of Lake Reiflin, and the massive flow of the Brionne River passes through it, serving as a natural bathing area. It is said that the fishery resources are so abundant here that even if stones are placed in a basket and thrown into the lake, they can be lifted full of gleaming white carp.”

”Moreover, the Light-Scaled Fish that we must meticulously cultivate occasionally exist here, obtained in an endless stream every month. Thus, Baron Grant has close ties with many dukes and counts, providing these imperial figures with Light-Scaled Fish, which in turn has earned him some of their support and help.”

It turns out the Light-Scaled Fish on the dukes’ and counts’ dining tables are obtained through this path.

When Su Li first acquired Light-Scaled Fish, he knew that this powerful extraordinary fish was only available for the high-ranking nobles of the Empire to eat, and even then, only a few times a year.

Unexpectedly, Blue Mirror Lake was a fishery of Light-Scaled Fish.

Su Li couldn’t help but be intrigued, saying, ”If we can seize this fishery and integrate the resources of both places, we’ll surely enhance the reputation of our territory’s Light-Scaled Fish specialties! At that time, the renown of our name might far exceed that of the current Blue Mirror Territory, enjoying unparalleled scale advantages, famous throughout the entire Border Prince’s Territory, even the entire Empire.”

Su Li’s mentality has always been quite optimistic, always considering the beneficial aspects of matters.

But Hilude, responsible for execution, did not share his lighthearted thoughts, saying, ”But this won’t be easy, Lord. Baron Grant has tied many nobles through this business network. If war breaks out, many nobles may provide him with some readily available support. These major nobles will not support us because we believe in the Sun Goddess. Even if we capture the lake, we can’t transfer and sell Light-Scaled Fish. This is a method exclusive to the followers of Manan.”

Su Li stroked his chin pondering; this indeed is a problem. The style between these churches indeed varies significantly, with some churches possessing unique abilities that are difficult to replace.

If Hesse Territory truly wishes to enlarge the Light-Scaled Fish industry, addressing the transportation issue is essential.

These fish are expensive and have strict requirements, unable to tolerate insufficient Spiritual Energy, making it even more challenging to transport them alive.

”Also, their territory is very affluent, rich in salt, dried fish, pottery, timber, pearls, wine, and finished copper products, providing sufficient fiscal funds for their territory. This makes their military force fully meet the baron’s territory standard, unlike impoverished territories that merely fill with ordinary soldiers for show; they have at least 1,000 elite cavalry.”