Chapter 298 Sorry, This Is Not My Territory
When Young Master Frank stormed back to the inn from the City Hall, his father, Duke House, was having a private meeting with a senior official of the Black Dragon Territory.
After all, those who Ymir brought to participate in the construction of the new territory were once people from the Omar Imperial Capital, and almost all officials knew Duke House.
"I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Duke. What you just asked involves a confidential project in the territory. I cannot disclose it because of my duty."
"It's okay, it's just a casual chat between old friends, there's no need to be so reserved. By the way, Minister Simpson, have you ever thought about returning to Omagh? I remember your family is still in the imperial capital. Now your talent has been recognized by everyone, and I can promise that if you are willing to go back, at least the 'Elders' will confer you the title of Viscount..."
"My Lord Duke, thank you for your kindness. But when I left the imperial capital with Her Royal Highness the Princess, I was ready to give my life to the new territory. Now that Black Dragon City is in need of people for its development, I have no intention of leaving. I think my family will understand me."
"Oh, that's a shame."
“…”
Before coming to Black Dragon City, Grand Duke House obtained detailed intelligence from the territorial officials and selected a few familiar faces from them.
This was also a test. He wanted to see what the attitude of the "old officials" who came to Black Dragon City was towards their Omar Empire.
Before, such a petty official didn't even have the qualifications to sit at the same table and talk with me.
But after all, these were the people from Ymir's faction who were expelled from the imperial capital by the old noble families. It was already very good that a few of them gave him face and came to meet him.
After all, this time they didn't come simply to establish diplomatic relations, but to find a way to take control of the city from Ymir.
The attitude of these officials is particularly important.
Unexpectedly, things did not go smoothly.
This "Minister of Urban Construction of Black Dragon City" Simpson was once just an unsuccessful minor official, the kind of "quasi-baronet" that can be found in large numbers in the imperial capital of Omar.
"Baronet" is not a formal nobility, but a nominal title given by the high nobles to some capable subordinates. It is like a carrot hanging in front of the donkey pushing the millstone, which can never be eaten.
In the Omar Empire, such officials had a very low status, even lower than ordinary knights.
In the past, the temptation of a viscount title was enough to make these petty officials who were trying their best to get into the aristocratic circle swear allegiance .
Unexpectedly, in the face of the promise of the title, Grand Duke House actually saw a hint of disdain in Simpson's eyes?
He became even more curious. What kind of "benefits" did the newly established territory give to these people that made them serve wholeheartedly and have such a strong sense of belonging?
House Spencer was not stupid enough to act like a Duke at this time.
He then asked, "Um... Minister Simpson, can I ask you one more question? I want to ask what kind of person your Lord Ren is? What's his personality like?"
When it comes to this topic, Simpson did not hide his admiration for Ryan at all, and said: "Our Lord Mayor is a lord with great talent and strategy. The system and strategic development direction of this city are almost all from Lord Ryan's hand. Even Her Royal Highness the Princess praised him highly. With the Lord Mayor here, I believe the future of Black Dragon Territory will definitely get better and better... I have a job to do, so I won't stay any longer. Goodbye."
“…”
After seeing off the visitor, Duke Haus's expression became very solemn.
This is completely different from the information in his intelligence.
Isn't it said that this "Ryan" is just a city lord without real power?
Why do the people who met him have such great respect for the city lord who almost never participates in government affairs?
Before House could think about it carefully, his son Frank came back.
…
"Father, the method you mentioned may not work. That guy named Ren may really be Ymir's man!"
Frank looked very unhappy and he told the story of what happened in the town hall before.
He went to visit people at their homes, which was also the strategy of the Spencer family.
They thought that since Black Dragon City was Ymir's territory, the best way to seize power was through marriage!
As long as she marries Ymir, there is no need to engage in any conspiracy or intrigue. Whether it is the dragon army or the city management rights... everything will be easily obtained.
So, Frank, the most handsome man in the Spencer family, who had some friendship with Ymir in the past, came.
Unexpectedly, I got rejected.
“That’s impossible…”
After hearing this, Grand Duke Haus looked a little puzzled, and said to himself: "According to my understanding of Ymir's character, she is a dreamer who is obsessed with the 'New Deal' and doesn't care about love at all. Otherwise, with so many young talents in the imperial capital, if she wanted to be attracted, she would have already..."
Suddenly, he thought of his previous conversation with several Black Dragon City officials, and his eyes began to turn.
"Humph! Maybe she's just a bitch pretending to be nice!"
Frank was still angry and spoke viciously.
If his "rival" was any other high-ranking noble, it would be fine, but he was actually an unknown person. This was totally unacceptable to him, and he even felt inexplicably humiliated.
He turned to look at his father and asked, "Father, what should we do now?"
"I think the situation might not be that bad. What you saw was probably just what she did for us to see..."
Grand Duke Haus narrowed his eyes slightly and expressed his thoughts.
He speculated, "Ymir couldn't possibly be unaware of the significance of our visit. Now the two great empires are blocking Black Dragon City. With the support of our Spencer family, once the border of Omar is lifted, the development of Black Dragon City will immediately take off. Maybe in the next few years it will develop into the Third Empire... Ymir is such a smart person, she will definitely not miss this opportunity."
Marriage among the top aristocratic class has always represented an exchange of interests.
For people at his level, relationships between men and women are not worth mentioning at all when it comes to interests.
Thinking of this, Grand Duke Haus's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said, "Besides, even if it's true, what does it matter? I think that Ymir will make the right choice for the future of the territory..."
After hearing this, although Frank felt a little bit resentful, he also understood what his father meant.
He thought for a moment and then asked, "But... why did she do this? Do it for me to see?"
It is not uncommon for the top aristocracy to have a chaotic private life. Before getting married, which of those ladies didn't have three or five ambiguous lovers? Which of the young masters was not an expert in prostitution?
Their marriage is about transferring benefits, not really loyal love.
Grand Duke Haus's eyes flashed with a gleam of brilliance: "Maybe... it's just to add bargaining chips for tomorrow's negotiations."
…
The next day, Ryan, as the city lord, received the visiting delegation from Omar.
In the magnificent conference hall, twenty to thirty officials from Black Dragon City and Omar sat on both sides.
Ryan sat in the main seat, looking a little bored.
There are many courtesy procedures to go through when a delegation visits. After a long chat, normal conversation begins.
After all, the Grand Duke of House is Ymir's distant uncle. Omar sent him this time, of course, because he is an acquaintance.
Ryan also knew that Ymir probably called him here because of this relationship.
At first, the meeting was normal.
However, the atmosphere became less harmonious after one sentence.
Because at this time, an official from the Omar side spoke up.
"This time, we are here on behalf of the 'suzerain' to congratulate His Majesty Ymir on the establishment of his city and territory... Of course, as is customary, we also brought His Majesty's letter of appointment, appointing Kofi Spencer as the [Special Inspector] of the Black Dragon Territory."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the officials in charge of the negotiations from Black Dragon City changed slightly, becoming a little gloomy.
The harmonious atmosphere in the parliament hall suddenly dropped to freezing point because of these words.
No one spoke, and you could hear a pin drop.
The suzerain state means that if Black Dragon City recognizes it, it will become a vassal state of the Omar Empire.
Not to mention anything else, at least it lacks independent sovereignty.
For example, in addition to the lord, the Omar royal family would also arrange an "inspector" to participate in some territory management matters and directly represent the royal power.
If this city is Ymir's private territory, there is nothing wrong with saying this.
To establish diplomatic relations, the other party must first recognize that you are a "kingdom."
After all, Ymir is the eldest princess, and her territory is "regulated by the kingdom". Only when Omar recognizes the legitimacy of the territory can diplomatic relations be established.
This is the premise.
But... Black Dragon City is not a private territory.
…
Duke House had expected that these words would make the atmosphere of the meeting awkward.
He was also testing Ymir's bottom line to see if she still had feelings for Omar.
This move is amazing.
After all, Ymir is from the royal family of Omar. Even if Black Dragon City is now in its heyday, she can never deny her bloodline!
If it is recognized, the Black Dragon Territory will become a vassal kingdom of Omar, and the role of this "Special Inspector" will be even greater.
Even if the marriage fails, this move will be enough for them to slowly erode the power of Black Dragon City.
Now it seems that the other party has nothing to say, it seems that he has agreed?
At this time, Grand Duke Haus was already somewhat confident in his heart. He smiled and said, "Your Highness Ymir, this time... I came here to congratulate you on the order of His Majesty. His Majesty was very happy to know that you have established a new territory in the Alcolon Mountains. He specially asked me to bring some capable officials and craftsmen to participate in the construction of the territory..."
Originally his plan was very good. As long as his officials and craftsmen got involved, half of the plan would be accomplished.
"No……"
But before he could finish his words, Ymir interrupted him.
She said calmly, "Uncle House, I think you may have misunderstood."
House was stunned: "???"
Ymir's expression was very calm, and she said calmly: "You are wrong. This Black Dragon Territory... is not my territory."
When House heard this, the words that were stuck in his throat suddenly became awkward.
Not only that, Omar's side was also surprised.
Are you lying with your eyes open?
You are obviously the highest-ranking person in the territory...the Prime Minister.
All these officials were brought by Omar in the past. You say this is not your territory?
Ryan held his head with his hand, taking in the expressions of Omar and his companions, and thought to himself: These guys really have bad intentions.
Ymir glanced at Omar and his group, and explained, "You may not be familiar with the policies of our Black Dragon Territory. This is not a private territory. We are a 'parliamentary system'. In short, I, the 'Prime Minister', am just an official elected by everyone. In the future, our Black Dragon Territory may be a federal kingdom, but it will never be anyone's private territory."
At this point, she looked at Ryan beside her and gestured, "Besides, the current city lord is not me, but Lord Ryan. If you are here to establish diplomatic relations with sincerity, I think you'd better ask the city lord for his opinion, not me."
…
"this……"
After these words were spoken, the Spencer family father and son felt like a dead mouse was stuffed in their throats, and they suddenly didn't know how to speak.
All assumptions and plans are based on the premise that Ymir is the lord.
But now, she actually said that she was not, but just an official?
In that case, doesn’t it mean that Omar’s claim of being the “suzerain state” is no longer valid?
One sentence instantly brought the memories to a standstill.
Duke House was stunned for a moment, and his reason told him that this was Ymir's plan.
Now that things have come to this, there is no point in testing him further.
"Ymir... According to seniority, you should call me uncle. As an elder, I have something to say that may not sound nice, but I have to say it anyway."
He frowned and said earnestly, "You just said that. Don't you know that it will disappoint His Majesty? It will bring shame to the honor of the Spugreen family? At the beginning, His Majesty poured a lot of resources and granted you a title to build the city. Now you have handed over the city to outsiders and are not willing to recognize Omar as your suzerain. If your relatives and friends in the imperial capital hear this, won't they be disappointed?"
"No, no, no, you misunderstood again."
Ymir shook her head and interrupted him again, saying, "To me and to everyone in Black Dragon City, Lord Ryan is not an 'outsider'."
After a pause, she continued, "Besides, this city was not built by me. From beginning to end, it was all the credit of Lord Ryan."
Grand Duke Haus's eyelids twitched as he listened.
Whether true or not, this statement brought the meeting to a dead end.
Omar and his companions didn't know how to start.
At this time, Ymir spoke, but she asked Ryan: "Lord City Lord, this is the alliance contract submitted by the Omar Empire. What do you think?"
Ryan had no interest in engaging in intrigue with a group of conspirators.
Their Black Dragon City does not need any allies now, and of course, it never had any.
The glory is the enemy. Omar and Sid have closed their borders, hoping to never have any contact with each other again.
Now there are so many visitors, and they all have bad intentions.
He said directly: "We in Black Dragon City welcome any friendly neighbor. However, since it is an equal alliance, I think your country should open its borders, allow residents of both sides to communicate and allow free trade..."
…
The meeting ended in a very unpleasant atmosphere.
Naturally, no covenant was signed.
Unless Black Dragon City becomes a vassal territory of Oma Oma, how dare they open the border?
The plans of the old nobles of Omar also fell through.
Their original plan was to restore the aristocratic system in Black Dragon City's second Glorious City, but they never expected that the plan would fail in the cradle.
The marriage failed, and the plan to send a "supervisor" also failed.
The system of Black Dragon City was far ahead of its time, and it was completely incomprehensible to old-fashioned nobles like House whose ideas were deeply rooted in their minds. How could a territory have no private lord?
If you are not a lord, why would you work so hard to build such a large territory?
Moreover, the law also stipulates that not only Ymir, but even Ryan, has no right of hereditary inheritance?
…
This is also one of the reasons why Ryan does not want to get involved in government affairs.
Even if you know that the other party has bad intentions, you still have to talk to these guys.
From his own point of view, if the problem can be solved by action, don't rely on words.
After sitting in the conference room for a long time, Ryan felt a little depressed that his practice was delayed for half a day.
Just as he was about to leave the meeting room, he was stopped by Ymir.
She looked at Ryan and asked, "Walk with me?"
"OK."
On the rooftop of the city hall, Ryan and Ymir leaned on the railing and looked at the bustling crowd on the street.
The city's development is on the right track, and Heilong City will get better and better.
The two didn't say a word for a long time, and Ryan could see that Ymir was not in a good mood.
The breeze blew, and the hems of their clothes swayed in the wind.
I heard the sound of a whirring breeze in my ears.
Ryan tilted his head to take a look, and the breeze blew up Ymir's beautiful golden hair, revealing her melancholy profile.
After a long time, she finally spoke.
"My brother is critically ill. He probably won't survive this period of time. They brought news that my brother wants to see me before he dies."
"Oh, let's go then."
"I want you to come with me."
"good."
