Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence

It seems that every monarch, when facing financial difficulties, can't help but wonder where all the wealth has gone, considering the vast territory, numerous taxes, and once abundant riches they possessed!

Su Li was no exception. His impression of wealth still came from the war reparations the green dragon paid him, amounting to tens of thousands of gold crowns. Even after paying off the loans and making investments, he still had two to three thousand!

However, by the end of the year, the territory would once again rely on issuing territorial bonds for investment and development.

But this kind of borrowing and investment is relatively normal. The interest rates that merchants offer to the territory are only 4.3%, which is completely different from the crazy interest rates of that war loan.

The main reason is that merchants can see that the territory is now booming and has a demigod sitting in charge, so they are not afraid of any danger.

Moreover, this is a two-year loan, which means that Su Li basically doesn't need to worry about repayment before the territory's rank assessment.

The territory also has a five-year territorial bond with an interest rate of only 6.5%.

But it still attracted enthusiastic purchases from wealthy merchants, large landowners, and knight families.

Don't underestimate the interest rates of 4.3% and 6.5%. This is a return that many investments may not even be able to obtain.

For a halfling family of dozens of people, or a small merchant with 1,000 gold crowns, keeping the assets at home is idle. Lending it to Heissen Territory for a year would yield 43 or 65 gold crowns, which is very considerable!

In two years, they can earn 100 gold crowns, which is a huge fortune that many commoners wouldn't even dare to dream of.

It's no exaggeration to say that these interest earnings alone are enough for a halfling family to buy dozens of slaves, including one or two apprentice nuns, to help them guide the development and prosperity of the farm.

With a five-year return, they could even buy an elite knight and more than ten apprentice knights with the interest alone to form a caravan.

Of course, that's how the world is. You covet others' high interest rates, and others are eyeing your huge principal.

The reason why the Heissen Territory Provincial Council dares to issue so many bonds is because it wants to use the principal to invest in and develop various industries in the territory.

Investment and development, these two words are closely related.

Don't ask why some industries that made others rich appeared in other cities but not in your own.

Because when these industries were in their infancy, others really invested real money to develop and support them.

What does it take to develop a poor and backward territory? Isn't it a large amount of investment in the early stages? Only with investment can there be returns.

However, Su Li also knew himself well. The territory's financial constraints were not entirely due to the Provincial Council's investment.

A considerable part of it was squandered by him.

No one really thinks he is a peerless wise ruler, right?

In fact, he is just of average talent and has nothing to do with peerless geniuses or unparalleled wise rulers.

His only advantages are probably... being relatively diligent?

Although he likes to laze around, he is also quite attentive to farming. Mainly because his genes like to manage and then enjoy the happiness of lying down and collecting money, with a constant stream of wealth.

Another characteristic that can be considered a wise ruler is that he is very self-aware! Since ancient times, the East has advocated the doctrine of the mean and governing by non-action. Ministers have always believed that a ruler who is too smart is a major flaw. For example, 'Being smart is valued by the ruler, but if one is too smart, one will inevitably take care of everything personally, and the wisdom of the ministers will not be used.'

Yang Guang is a typical example of this, being clever but misled by his own cleverness.

Su Li is very clear that he is just an ordinary person. He is not as good as Oliver in governing the country, comforting the people, providing salaries, and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of grain. He is not as good as Orstein in commanding elite troops, winning every battle, and capturing every city.

So he is willing to delegate power and entrust specific affairs to his ministers, while he only manages sacrifices and military power.

But apart from these two advantages, he has all the typical problems of a ruler. Thrift and frugality have basically nothing to do with him. Just the fact that a cup of fruit tea can cost the entire annual income of several farmers shows that he cares a lot about enjoyment.

On the other hand, he spends money lavishly. Just like Li Longji's reward to Yang Yuhuan, many gold coins from the treasury area were given away by him.

Just after Phyllis, as the heir to the Elector, gained the support of the Eternal Light Knights, Su Li urgently dispatched Fastrick, the Pegasus Knight, with a team of Swan Knights to send her 10,000 gold crowns!

His support for Phyllis is absolutely unquestionable. He absolutely cannot tolerate Phyllis having no one to use and no money to spend when she takes office. So, in addition to giving her 60 elite knights, he also gave her 10,000 gold crowns for operating funds.

Perhaps these 10,000 gold crowns are insignificant after Phyllis fully inherits the Grand Duchy of Soland, but in the critical moment of her early competition, these 10,000 gold crowns are enough to help her win over a large number of people and boost key morale.

Especially if she wants to launch a mutiny and drive straight into Aivilan Palace, the 10,000 gold crowns will make the soldiers swing their longswords and sweep away the obstacles in front of them.

As the second in line to the throne, Phyllis has a great advantage in terms of righteousness. If she launches a mutiny, many of the guards of Aivilan Palace will not be able to make fierce resistance.

Because compared to other dukes and nobles, Phyllis's entry into Aivilan Palace is the most legitimate thing to do.

Sometimes, coups are not as complicated as ordinary people think. The more collusion and secret alliances there are, the easier it is to fail. On the contrary, a small number of elite troops driving straight in and controlling the central areas are more likely to succeed.

As long as you have political legitimacy, a small number of loyal and elite troops can change a prosperous dynasty!

The famous Shenwu Coup involved only 500 elite imperial guards who directly stormed the palace gate and ended the rule of a generation of empress, smoothly passing the throne to the legal heir.

Even the Xuanwu Gate Incident, which seized power from the founding emperor, involved only about 2,000 people.

Although Li Shimin is always criticized for not obtaining the throne in a proper way, in fact, he is the most legitimate of all the Taizong emperors to inherit the throne—he inherited it as the crown prince. It's just that the position of crown prince was not obtained in a very proper way.

And Phyllis's current situation is exactly the same as the situation of these coup plotters during the Shenwu Coup and the Xuanwu Gate Incident. She has the legitimacy to inherit the throne. As long as the elite knights who support her can act decisively, drive straight into Aivilan Palace, and create a fait accompli.

The other dukes can only accept it with their noses held. They have killed too many female grand duke's bloodlines. The white terror must end under the joint pressure of the Imperial Council and the Vylena Church. Letting them indiscriminately kill the heir of the Elector is not in the interests of all the high-level officials of the empire.

Especially if Phyllis has already entered Aivilan Palace, and they drag her out of the palace under heavy guard and send her to the guillotine... then the emperor would be furious. Does the dignity of the Elector still matter? In this case, other dukes would probably not dare to risk the world's condemnation.

An important reason why they support the descendants of the female grand duke to inherit the title is that they do not want the Soland Electorate to be abolished. After the war, the Soland province was coveted by many other Electors. The dukes must maintain at least the honor of the Soland Electorate. If the big tree falls, the dukes below will also suffer losses.

So after Su Li instructed Fastrick to send Phyllis 10,000 gold crowns, he also encouraged her to act decisively. Young people should be ignorant and fearless! They must have their own vigor and not be like other corrupt nobles who can only plot in dark rooms.

If the 10,000 gold crowns that Su Li spent can be considered a proper thing,

Then the 3,000 gold crowns rewarded to Aeryria are completely no different from Li Longji's reward to Yang Yuhuan.

He was so obsessed with Aeryria that he couldn't help himself, so he gave her a gift of 3,000 gold crowns.

Of course, in a sense, the wealth in the treasury area was originally his own private treasury. What man wouldn't spend some money on the woman he likes? These 3,000 gold crowns can be regarded as Su Li buying stockings for Aeryria.

After all, Aeryria has really been wearing stockings made of various Anarick Empress giant spider silk these days for Su Li to play with.

No man would be stingy about buying sexy stockings for a woman!

However, with such expenditures, it is not surprising that the territory's finances are stretched.

Pre-Witch Moon, which is the last month of the imperial calendar year, the territory ministers gathered in the Zijing Manor's conference room a few days earlier than Oliver's summons.

Today is the day for everyone to summarize the end of the year, and also a new outlook for the coming year.

The empire does not have a Spring Festival, but there is a ceremony for the birth of all things in spring.

After Pre-Witch Moon ends, there are Witch Moon, New Moon, and Ploughing Moon, these three months belong to spring.

Then Reedma Moon, Summer Moon, and Pre-Secret Moon belong to summer.

The cultivation and harvest of these months will determine the development of a territory in the new year.

The Festival of the Birth of All Things in Spring does not belong to any of these months, it is the first day of the new year, and there are less than ten days left from today, and it is time for the territory to prepare for this day.

The conference hall of Zijing Flower Manor is now built to be magnificent, the light of dawn shines through the tall stone pillars, casting a bright golden light at the entrance of the conference hall, making the conference hall look particularly sacred and bright. The outer walls are made of deep red sandstone, and the surface is carved with complex coats of arms and patterns symbolizing the faith of the Goddess of the Burning Sun. Whenever the breeze blows, the flags hanging above the lintel will gently sway, making a rattling sound.

The moment you enter the conference hall, you can feel a majestic aura rushing towards you. Tall stone pillars support the dome, and each pillar is engraved with prayers from the teachings of the Goddess of the Burning Sun. Countless flags hang between the stone pillars, these flags are mainly in deep red and gold, and the edges are embroidered with complex patterns. The flags are painted with the family's coat of arms - a blooming Zijing flower, with petals inlaid with dazzling gems, shining in the sun.

On this grand day, the conference hall is densely packed with fully armed gold-armored knights. Each knight is wearing shining vibranium rune armor, and the helmet is decorated with feathers and badges.

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Under the support of the chief steward of high-ranking attendants and a large number of attendants and ministers, Su Li passed through the gate, and the morning light passed through the tall stone pillars, casting a bright golden light at the entrance of the conference hall, illuminating his vermilion robe and the dazzling Zijing flower badge on his chest. This light was like the guidance of destiny, illuminating his way forward.

The moment he stepped into the conference hall, the densely packed knights neatly closed their feet and quickly raised their right fists, heavily hammering them on their chests. This majestic and magnificent salute was extremely rhythmic, and the sound of metal armor colliding was deep and loud, echoing in the hall.

Then all the ministers in the conference hall stood up to greet him at the same time, and respectfully bowed and said: "Greetings, Lord Lord, may the glory of the Goddess of the Burning Sun always shine on you."

Su Li walked to his main seat, then waved his hand with a faint smile, and said: "No need to be polite, please take your seats."

"Unknowingly, we have arrived in this remote place, and it has been a year since we started from scratch. Looking back on this year, under the guidance of the Goddess of the Burning Sun, the border development of the territory has made significant progress."

"In agriculture, we have cut through thorns and thorns, opened up hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, built many farms and villages, the number of agricultural machinery has increased significantly, and the grain harvest has filled the warehouses. The reputation of the border granary has initially taken shape."

"In terms of population, we initially had only dozens of households. Over the past year, we have recruited refugees, incorporated bandits, and accepted immigrants from the north. The population has increased significantly, and the registered household registration is nearly a thousand."

"Militarily, the army of our Heissen Territory, under the siege of powerful enemies, with the blessing of the Goddess of the Burning Sun and the brave fighting of the soldiers, finally achieved a decisive victory. This glorious victory made the territory peaceful, not only consolidating the security of the territory, but also adding glory to the Goddess of the Burning Sun."

"In short, under the blessing of the gods, the territory has ushered in harvest and prosperity. Now at the end of the year, it is time to make a detailed report and summary. This is related to everyone's political achievements and year-end bonuses."

The year-end bonus is an important income in this world. Even the lowest-level armed attendant, whose monthly income is only 20 silver coins, can earn 3 gold coins a year, thanks to the generous year-end bonus.

Although Heissen Territory's finances are stretched, Su Li has also reserved a considerable amount of year-end incentives for everyone!

In this regard, he has always been generous.

His lavish spending is never only aimed at women.

After each war, his rewards and incentives to the soldiers are also unparalleled generous!

Taking Orstein as an example, he received the equivalent of 32 months' salary from Su Li this year.

What is the concept, that is, a person with a monthly salary of 10,000, the total annual package is 300,000.

It is precisely because of this generous gesture that all the knights in the territory are devoted to Su Li!

That's why Su Li has the confidence to have war songs played and sacrifices made to heaven and ancestors.

When he first entered the territory, the knights were not so convinced of Su Li, and some people dared to criticize and laugh at Su Li for sleeping with a farmer girl behind his back.

But now, if anyone dares to publicly slander Su Li, without Su Li opening his mouth, those knights and armed attendants who frantically support him will take action and smash the other party to pieces.

But the key point is that these 32 months of salary are just the basic annual salary, and various other rewards, incentives, benefits, and allowances are not included.

It can be said that any soldier who followed Su Li to open up the frontier and survived has accumulated considerable wealth, and basically all of them have purchased large-scale land in the Black Forest Territory, and built their own family manors, pastures, and farms.

The rapid development of the territory is also closely related to the investment of these knights.

After summarizing, Su Li looked at Fandal and said, "My Minister of Agriculture, the development of the territory and farming are now the top priorities, so let's start with your report."

Farming is the thing that Su Li is most concerned about, as it is related to the foundation of the territory.

It's not that he has any petty farmer's mentality, but the food security of the territory is indeed the top priority.

Given the remote location of the Black Forest Territory, if the territory cannot achieve self-sufficiency in food, it will inevitably starve a large number of people.

After all, shortages of other materials can be solved by relying on merchant convoys, but a shortage of tens of millions or hundreds of millions of pounds of food is really a dead end.

And Fandal, as a member of the Black Forest Territory Bishop Group, is also responsible for the development of the Dawn Church in the territory.

Before reporting on agricultural output, he prioritized reporting on the church's situation.

You must know that there are many churches in the Bishop Group, and he must strive and perform well. If he does not leave a good impression on the Provincial Council and the ministers, the territory's investment may be divided up by other churches.

The territory allocated a total of 2,000 gold crowns to the Bishop Group this year, of which about 800 gold crowns were used by various churches to build monasteries, altars, temples, and other infrastructure.

300 gold crowns were used for churches to preach, evangelize, and take root everywhere. For example, supporting the sisters of the Dawn Church to reach various villages and farms, and teach farmers and herdsmen how to farm and graze correctly, and treat livestock diseases.

Basically, each church will strive for such funding. The people of the Blazing Sun Goddess Church enlighten believers on rest days, explain tactics, and train the Black Forest Territory militia. The Healing Goddess Church sends priests and medical staff to provide free medical treatment to city residents and explain hygiene knowledge, etc.

These will be divided proportionally, and each church will receive about the same amount.

But a large amount of funds is also used for the expansion of personnel in various churches! This depends on how each church uses its own means.

The Provincial Council's appropriation is so much, if one church gets a little more, another church will inevitably get less.

This appropriation is not completely evenly divided, but is allocated according to the current role of each church in the territory.

For example, the Dawn Church is an indispensable and important aid to farming in the territory, and they can get a full half of the funds to buy church sisters from slave traders, and recruit monks from other orders in the city to come to the Black Forest Territory to serve the Zijinghua family.