Chapter 387: The King Without Territory
Why did Leon ask Ramon to buy food? Because he knew that the whole continent would soon be short of food...
Large flocks of birds have appeared in the fields around Changhe Town. The birds fly in continuously in search of food, and no matter how they are driven away, the problem cannot be completely solved.
The fields in the Maixiangling area were burned by Kairos a long time ago, so there is no hope for a harvest this year.
A large-scale insect infestation was also reported in White Deer Castle in the past two days, and Leon and Amy’s corn fields were basically ruined.
There are no residents in Kwen Village and all the fields are deserted.
This year, Li Ang's land will definitely not be able to produce enough food.
Therefore, we must purchase food in advance before other countries react, not only to store food for the winter, but also to store seeds for next year.
Next year, it will be difficult to farm normally in Changhe Town or Bailubao area - bird flocks and insect pests are not so easy to deal with. Birds will gather nearby and insect eggs will remain in the fields, so the land will have to be left fallow for one or two years.
Therefore, some farmers must be moved back to the vicinity of Sarleon City to cultivate the land of Deer Heart Lake. This is also an important task that Amy will face soon.
At the same time, Li Ang prepared to invade the Bacchus Empire and attack the city of Boshi, which had a large amount of grain reserves.
The war with Bacchus was bound to go on, whether Emperor Marius captured Antony or not, the war was unavoidable - the Bacchus destroyed the Myrtles, and Leon's earliest followers lost their homes; they burned the Noldor Forest, and the hatred of the Noldor was difficult to suppress.
No matter from which perspective, Leon had to attack Bacchus and there was no possibility of peace talks.
Emperor Marius also knew this, so he just wanted to exchange Antony for a month.
As for exchanging food for the Shadow Legion, that was just a side thing - after all, they were soldiers of the Empire, and the Empire had an obligation to redeem them.
But a month later, after completing this transaction, Leon will still send troops to Bucks.
And they will do their best to send troops.
On the one hand, he had to fight a war to establish his country, let people see the combat effectiveness of the new Pendor Kingdom, and let his soldiers and civilians have enough confidence in the future.
On the other hand, he wanted to use the grain reserves in the Bacchus Empire to solve the impending famine.
In the previous two years, all countries were dragged down by the war, and only the Bacchus Empire received a large amount of money and food.
Li Ang had to make them spit it out.
Of course, war also requires a lot of food and fodder.
Therefore, in the month before the war began, Leon would use Ramon's assets to make large purchases.
"Brother, it may be difficult to buy large quantities of food now..."
Ramon was a little doubtful: "The Bacchus may not sell us food. Firdsvain and D'Shar don't have much food either..."
"Of course, that's why I'm treating you to roast lamb..."
Li Ang pointed at the roasted whole lamb on the table and said, "The Crows of Sin raise a lot of sheep. We can buy a lot of sheep... and goats are best."
"Ah? Why? It's more cost-effective to buy sheep. They can produce wool, milk, and meat... Well, the Ravenstern will do many other things with sheep..."
As Ramon spoke, his eyes became distracted.
"But goat is tastier... What do you think of the roasted goat?"
Leon was very serious. He helped Ramon cut a piece of meat.
"This roasted lamb does taste delicious...but if it's just to fill your stomach, why bother with so much?"
Ramon asked, not quite understanding.
"Because I want the Raven Stern to raise more goats... and it would be better if the Jatu could raise more goats, too. I heard that the Jatu have undergone a major transformation under Zakar's leadership, and they are even trading openly with the Raven Stern - they are transforming from a raiding group to a grassland nation."
Li Ang pointed at the roasted lamb on the table again: "I plan to make them and the Crow Man become professional goat breeders..."
"Why do I always feel that you have some conspiracy..."
Ramon scratched his scalp and muttered.
"Wheat is food anyway, and mutton is food too... just go buy them. Remember, if you meet someone selling sheep, only pay half the price, and if you meet someone selling goats, pay more than twice the price... Don't worry about the dinars, no matter how much you spend, I guarantee that you will get five times the return in two years."
Leon looked at Ramon sincerely.
"Okay. Actually, money is not important. I hope you can give me a promise... to ensure Singal's independence in the future, and let the Singalians rule Singal. Of course, I promise that Singal will always obey your decrees."
Ramon nodded to Leon.
"That's no problem. It's good to have a free trade city on the continent. In fact, if you like, I can make Singal an independent principality... Do you want to accept it? Duke Ramon?"
Leon asked.
He did not forget Ramon's true identity. Ramon himself was qualified to be called Grand Duke.
"I... Never mind. I am just a businessman and don't want to be alone. I just want my brothers to live more comfortably in the future."
It seems that Ramon still has some concerns and is unwilling to become a lord.
But he was willing to do his best to support his friend as a big businessman - he was not loyal to Leon, and so far he was just Leon's partner.
…
A few days later, the flags of the new Kingdom of Pendor were hoisted over all the castles in Sarleon.
The Noldor lords such as Islandil and Aldarian also came to the Long River Town.
But they did not come to see the new king, but to quarrel...
Felgoth-Anr, the Elf King of the House of Finwë, convened a meeting of the four major families of the Noldor. At the meeting, he demanded that all the Noldor elves swear allegiance to Wendilf.
But the proposal was rejected...
"We must unite and obey unified command. This is related to the life and death of the entire race. Aldarian, you should understand this!"
Felgoth'an tapped the table with his cane. He did not expect the Noldor to reject his proposal.
"I understand, of course I understand... But, father, many people in the tribe are unwilling to be loyal to an underage child... You can let Wendy become the queen of the Finwe family. I will respect her, but I'm afraid my subordinates cannot accept fighting under the command of a child. They hope to choose another adult queen to marry His Majesty Leon..."
Aldarian actually respected Felghathir very much, after all, he was his adoptive father.
"Humph... an underage child? This underage child has fought against demons! This child has wiped out the tribe of Juda the Destroyer! This child has saved countless tribesmen! Her contribution to the tribe is ten times that of you! Aldarian, you are the good-for-nothing child!"
Felgoth'anr tried to hit Aldarian on the head with his cane. "Choose another queen? Do they want to choose Vendatil? But you adore Vendatil, everyone can see it! Do you want her to marry someone else?! You fool... Is your brain all muscle?"
"Don't, don't, don't... Don't do it, Your Majesty Felghath'ar . Aldarian was only speaking about the opinions of his subordinates. He himself did not mean that..."
Islandir quickly stopped the cane.
"Hmph...Islandil, what about you? Why don't you agree?!"
Felghath'an tapped Islandil's shoulder with his staff.
"I don't disagree... I am willing to support Wendy. His Majesty Leon's help to us is obvious to all. Wendy is also the only candidate who can be recognized by both humans and the Noldor..."
Islandil spread his hands and shook his head: "But you also know that any resolution made by the Aino family needs to be voted on in a family meeting... and the result of the vote in our family meeting was four votes to four, and no result was reached..."
"Don't you have nine family elders?! How come it's four against four?!"
Felgas's face was twisted with anger.
"Because one of the elders has disappeared and given up his power... After the fire, he led his people to seek revenge and never came back. But I think you can guess what his opinion is..."
Islandir sighed, "I personally support Wendy, but I can't convince others."
"Keller von Ir, what about you? Tell me about your decision..."
Felgoth'an frowned and looked at another old Noldor of the same age as him in the meeting hall, that was the Elf King of the House of Finarfin.
"I abstain...you three decide."
Keller von Ir shook his head. It was obvious that the attitude within the Finarfin family was probably half and half.
Oh no, out of the four family leaders, two opposed and one abstained. Felgus'an sat in the chair depressed.
"At this time, your family is still arguing... Leon will only accept Wendy, and only Wendy can be recognized by both humans and the Noldor. The elders in your family are all idiots! But you are the leaders of the family, you should make a stronger decision, the elders' council system is not suitable for times like this!"
Felghath'an looked at the three with contempt.
"A tough ruling... We did it three hundred years ago. But the result was that Aldarian became an independent tribe, and your Finwe family lost most of its warriors... Aldarian, I'm not saying that you did anything wrong back then. We just had different ideas..."
Keller von Ir said slowly.
Aldarian lowered his head and said nothing, while the others sighed in unison.
“Boom boom boom…”
After a few knocks on the door, Li Ang pushed open the door and poked his head in: "Well, everyone, I think... your meeting needs to have an additional observer."
The four Noldor leaders turned and looked at him in confusion.
Li Ang stretched out his hand and pushed the door open completely, making a "please" gesture towards the inside.
An elf walked in and looked at the four Noldor leaders with a frown.
"I'm Maltis."
In the room, the four family leaders fell into a daze at the same time.
Of course, they had heard of Martis's name, but they didn't know that Martis was "working" for Leon. This was also the first time they met Martis.
The moment they saw Maltis, they all realized that this was a true Sindarri elf...
"I heard that some of you are dissatisfied with Wendy becoming the Elf King? I have never seen a Noldor who refused to pledge allegiance to the Sindari... Isn't it natural for a Sindari like Wendy to become the queen of all the Noldor elves?"
Maltis glanced around, his purple eyes flashing with coldness: "Who is dissatisfied? Tell me..."
Leon was behind Maltis, winking at Aldarian.
Aldarian glared at Leon, but with Maltis right in front of him, he dared not say anything.
"Huh? Didn't you say someone was dissatisfied?"
Maltis curled his lips.
"Ahem... I, Felgus'anr, propose on behalf of the Finwe family to recognize Wendelf as the queen of the entire elf race, and suggest that from now on, all races will be loyal to the only Elf King Wendelf. If you have any objections to my proposal, please speak up!"
Felgas'an immediately put forward his suggestion again. This time, he did not ask "Do you agree or not?", but let those who disagreed speak.
No one spoke ...
After a few seconds of silence, Felgas Aner made the decision directly: "Since no one has any objections, then it is decided! We will crown Wendy tomorrow! If there are still those in your tribe who are dissatisfied, let them die!"
…
July 12, 358 Pendor .
His Majesty Leon, King of the New Pendor Kingdom, appointed Amy Sonard as the Duke of Sarleon in Changhe City, and granted the entire Sarleon Territory to Amy as an autonomous territory, and the Duchy of Sarleon was established.
At the same time, the new Elf King Wendilf Finwë accepted the canonization from His Majesty Leon and became the first Duke of the Noldor. The Noldor Forest, White Hart Keep and Shieldwind Fortress were all incorporated into the Noldor territory, and the Duchy of the Noldor was established.
These are two autonomous principalities, that is, two independent countries.
The two duchesses will also be addressed as Queen - the head of an independent principality is always addressed as 'Your Majesty'.
The superior motherland of the two principalities, the New Pendor Kingdom, currently does not have an inch of territory, and Leon has become a king without direct jurisdiction.
Although everyone obeyed Leon's leadership, in name, Godric was the Prime Minister of the Principality of Sarleon. Lords such as Hereward and Fothert were still loyal to Amy, and even Leofric was considered a subordinate earl of Amy - his territory was within Sarleon and was directly governed by the Principality of Sarleon.
The four families of the Noldor elves also swore allegiance to Wendy.
Since this loyalty ceremony had nothing to do with Leon, he did not participate. However, he assigned a special employee to witness the elves' loyalty to Wendy.
That special employee was, of course, Maltis.
So these things ended smoothly and no one expressed any dissatisfaction.
There was no way, she dared not disobey, Wendy had a strong backer, Leon, Wendatil and Maltis were all Wendy's teachers...
Of course, Maltis still did not pledge allegiance to anyone, and she herself had no interest in power. She cared more about whether the Sindarin elves could continue to be passed on - she only cared about Wendy.
So, Maltis left after the ceremony, trying to find a way to restore sanity for her men.
Maltis's subordinates were of course those horned viper vanguards, but they had been changed back to their original name by Maltis - the Second Royal Guards of the Sindarin Empire.
The name Horned Viper Vanguard was given by the Snake Worshipers, but Martis did not recognize it.
Currently, all members of the Guards are living dead, but their bodies are still active and they still retain the subconscious of being elite soldiers.
Maltis believed that the soul-gathering technique she used when she froze herself and her troops might have had a certain effect on these warriors - their souls might still be there, but they had become incomplete and difficult to wake up over a long period of time, so they looked no different from the undead.
But no one knows how to wake them up.
So Leon gave her a suggestion, asking her to go back to the ice field of the Wengedarian continent and take a look at the underground base where they were originally located - perhaps those broken souls were still there.
He suggested that Maltis could try using the soul gathering technique there to see if he could recover some of the people's souls.
Martis thought this idea was reasonable, so she led her troops south to Dilingang.
She wanted to find the ironclad ship that Klose had hidden in the Imperial Port, and then form a fleet with the ironclad ship as the main body to go to the continent of Wengedarian.
If an ironclad ship is in the hands of ordinary people, it is indeed not suitable for ocean voyages and problems may easily arise.
But if it was in the hands of Maltis, or in the hands of the undead, there would be no problem at all - even if the mast broke in a storm, Maltis's tireless men could row the ship away.
