Chapter 337
Chapter 337: Complete acceptance
Even in front of the uncommonly tall mountain people, Han Shuo’s stature of over 190 centimeters exuded a natural deterrence that made him stand out like a crane among a flock of chickens when he walked out of the house. Practicing demonic magic had also given him an evil aura, making him even more attractive.
Smiling lightly as he approached, Han Shuo took out plate after plate of gleaming, roasted shiny golden meat from his space ring and placed them onto the table in front of everyone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, these are some very rare meats from distant lands that I’ve taken pains to hunt and prepare. Would you like to have a taste?” Pulling all the dishes out, Han Shuo smiled as he invited everyone to try a piece.
Jack was pulled to the other side by Dorcas to discuss military budgets. But when he smelled the mouthwatering fragrance of roasted meat, something he hadn’t tasted in so long, his belly couldn’t control its desire for good food. Jack quickly threw off the pestering Dorcas and came running over.
Dorcas was a fanatic with a fiery thirst for war. His only interest was slowly polishing his training methods to create an even more powerful, explosive force out of the soldiers under his command.
Therefore, Dorcas became especially interested in Little Fatty Jack, since he was in charge of the budget. Dorcas used all the tricks at his disposal to pry more and more money for equipment out of Jack. To be sure, Jack was a little scared at first, but after a while grew used to Dorcas. Now, he gave as good as he got in those little discussions with Dorcas, leaving him with just what was required.
“You little brat, heh.” Han Shuo shook his head when he saw Jack quickly run over, then spoke to the five mountain chiefs in a relaxed manner, “No worries, everyone hurry up and try some, these things aren’t delicacies you’d find normally.”
Even Fulkin, who was the only one among the mountain chiefs who knew Han Shuo, felt some fear and trepidation when he saw that the latter wasn’t aloof and lofty as they’d imagined. He actually became even more cautious.
Jack was most familiar with Han Shuo since he’d been Han Shuo’s only friend over the years. Therefore, he wasn’t as polite as others. He used a fork to stab into a large piece of fragrant, tender meat, and chomped down on it. As he chewed, he let out a surprised exclamation of praise, “Mmmm, so tasty, what is this meat? It’s really so fragrant!”
Unlike the antisocial image that the five mountain chiefs had expected, Han Shuo always maintained a smile, occasionally cracking jokes. Everyone was now a bit less cautious and more warm when they sat down now. The exotic food had undoubtedly played a large role in this.
Han Shuo sat in the center, as befitting his position. He smiled and glanced at the five mountain chiefs. Seeing them settle down properly one by one with restrained smiles, he nodded and said, “Don’t be nervous. I’ve invited you here to discuss a matter of mutual benefit. You are all people from Brettel City. Maybe the former city lord couldn’t hold your trust, so you gradually severed your connections with the city.”
“This time, his Majesty has bestowed Brettel City to me, and I will not let the city bear the brunt of the ravaging from the seven grand duchies and other bandit groups. Not only Brettel City, but the five mines of your group will be protected as well. From now on I hope that we can join forces and develop the city.”
“Your Lordship, I believe you can bring peace to Brettel City. I, the chief of Mount Tali, am willing to be at Your Lordship’s disposal. I know that you will not treat us poorly.” Fulkin had already made his decision. He knew that Han Shuo alone could severely injure Mount Tali. Seeing the impressive array of defenses that Brettel City boasted had simply solidfied his decision.
Han Shuo had already expected Fulkin’s goodwill. When he heard these words, he said with a smile, “Many thanks to you, Fulkin. When Faulke faced the threat of the bandits last time, your Mount Tali had lent a helping hand. This lord has remembered this in my heart.”
“Your Lordship is too polite. I held the former city lord in disdain because he ignored his own citizens. However you are completely different from him. As an original member of Brettel City, this is what I should do. Not to mention since Your Lordship helped us break the siege against Mount Tali last time, Troda will never come back to disturb us again.” Fulkin was very sensible. Since he had decided to cooperate with Han Shuo, he spared no effort in forming a better relationship.
Seeing Fulkin make his stand, the other four mountain chiefs couldn’t help but look at each other. They knew in their hearts that this newly appointed city lord excelled in all aspects. Their only concern was that Han Shuo would take over their mines. This was the reason why they weren’t ready to compromise.
The mines were their main source of income and also the basis for their survival. According to what Han Shuo had said, everything around Brettel City belonged to the city lord, did that not mean their mines also belonged to him?
Han Shuo slightly smiled, he looked at the four mountain chiefs and said, “You four, are you willing to support me?”
Their four hearts jumped when his words resounded. The three young mountain chiefs didn’t speak and focused their gaze on the oldest, Adleman. Adleman was silent for a while, then bit the bullet and spoke respectfully to Han Shuo, “Your Lordship, we are your people. We certainly want Brettel City to develop, but we do not know how we could be of help to Your Lordship. We hope that you will clarify this for us.”
Han Shuo smiled, nodding his head, “Since you already admit to be the citizens of Brettel, this is now easy to handle. To be honest, Brettel City currently is not lacking anything except for manpower. The merchants deliver a steady stream of materials, I also have enough gold coins to support the city’s operation. Only the problem of the lack of population can’t be solved in a short amount of time.”
“I know that there are thirty to forty thousand people around the mines on your mountains. Miners excluded, that total includes a large portion of elderly, women and children. Their living conditions near the five mines are not ideal. They only left Brettel due to the incompetence of the former city lord. They did so because Brettel wasn’t secure. But now that Brettel is very safe, if you five are willing to, let them come down from the mountain. There are a lot of vacant houses in the city and living conditions are much better for them. What do you think?”
Adleman was moved listening to Han Shuo’s words. He knew in his heart that it was indeed difficult to live in the mountains. Except for the variety of ores from the five mines, the trees were sparse, the wildlife had long been hunted, and water needed to be hauled from the foot of the mountain.
The miners worked day and night in the mountains just to exchange for some food transported by the merchants. The mountain people lived in the caves all year round without seeing sunlight in order to prevent raids from the bandits. If not for wanting to ensure their own lives, who would want to live like a savage on the mountain?
Adleman was genuinely touched for Han Shuo to first think of the pitiful mountain people’s well-being. He suddenly kowtowed towards Han Shuo, speaking in a thick voice as tears spilled without end from his eyes, “I thank the city lord for your good intentions on behalf of all the mountain people. I won’t say any more unnecessary words. As long as Your Lordship can guarantee they will not lack for food and clothing and give them a stable living environment, I will do so without a word even if Your Lordship wishes us to hand over the mines.”
“Elder, please rise. They are also my people, giving them a good living environment is what I should do. The five mines are the basis for your survival, from now on they are still under your control. There is only one thing, even though we have a lot of siege equipment, there isn’t enough manpower to operate them. Once the official army of the seven grand duchies invade, I’m afraid that with just three thousand city guards, we won’t be able to control the situation even with many equipment.”
“My only request of you is that you will join us when facing common enemies and help stop them. We will provide enough siege weaponry. As long as we have enough manpower on the city wall, the seven grand duchies can never even dream of breaking our defenses. Are you all willing to work alongside me, fighting for the safety of Brettel City and her people?”
There were no longer any rifts when they’d spoken to this point. Adleman had worked hard all his life to resist the constant plundering of the seven grand duchies and bandit troops, trying to provide the mountain people with a better life.
Han Shuo’s approach didn’t conflict with his ideals. Adleman no longer held any traces of hesitation towards Han Shuo’s proposal,. He immediately shouted at the three young mountain chiefs, “You three little babies, why are you not with me thanking his Lordship for his grace?”
The three young people also no longer held any doubts at this point. Even Fulkin, who’d previously expressed his allegiance, bent one knee down to Han Shuo. Each made a vow that they would use their everything to defend the safety of Brettel City.
Helping each of the mountain chiefs to their feet, Han Shuo said with a smile, “The last time I went to Mount Tali, I saw that your equipment wasn’t very good. The bandits left behind tens of thousands of equipment this time. They would occupy too much warehouse space in Brettel City. Why don’t you take them and equip yourself?”
The mountain people were hard at work mining ores for many years to trade them all for food and daily necessities, maintaining the basic livelihood of their elderly and children. They simply couldn’t spare gold coins for weapons and armor. Some people only had rough iron bars of inferior materials to use.
Hearing this, the five mountain chiefs remembered the three thousand shiny armored city guards holding sharp, cold glinted weapons on their way here. They were red in the face with embarrassment when they compared that memory to their own shabbily dressed subordinates.
“Many thanks to My Lord, many thanks to My Lord!” Fulkin was first to react, once again falling down on his knees.
As Fulkin willingingly paid obeisance, the other four mountain chiefs did the same with complete willingness. Each were full of excitement and admiration as their eyes looked at Han Shuo, increasingly convinced.
“Haha, everyone please stand up. This is just the beginning. I think with gradual development, the future of Brettel will bloom for the better!” Han Shuo once again lifted the five mountain chiefs up, chuckling merrily.
“Wuuu, there goes hundreds of thousands of gold coins.” Only Jack, the finance minister, was sighing painfully. However, his cry didn’t garner any attention amidst the joyful cheering of the crowd.