Chapter 1098 - 166: Massive Military Expansion and the Peerless Strongman Luther Huss

Chapter 1098: Chapter 166: Massive Military Expansion and the Peerless Strongman Luther Huss

Tiberus was puzzled to find the perfume ashes and ingredients amidst Nagash’s ashes, and said to Su Li: "Anyway, Hela told me this. Perhaps Nagash, besides corruption, mutation, and plague, also holds the authority of healing, life, and mercy."

Indeed, Nagash, aside from being known as the Master of Plagues, also has the title of the Kindly Father. "Feel the Father’s love" is the most common slogan in the Nagash camp.

Su Li thought for a moment, then refrained from further inquiry, addressing Tiberus: "Hand these over to Hela then. You did well in this battle; it was worth my standing against the opinions of others to award you the Divine Chosen Level armor. The merit-based rewards will be meticulously reviewed by Marshal, assuring all soldiers that no meritorious person will be left out."

Su Li spoke these words with great confidence!

And the cornerstone of this confidence, naturally, is his robust financial resources!

In the vault area, the wealth of Hesse Territory grows daily, and after the conquest of Blue Mirror Castle, Hesse Territory’s finances surged by 50,000 Golden Crowns.

Although deducting battle losses and soldier death gratuities reduced this figure to around 20,000, it’s still sufficient to support his territory’s additional expenses for several months.

The crucial factor, however, is that after this round of expansion, the Hesse Territory’s army shrank, reducing financial expenditure, yet revenue increased substantially due to territorial growth!

Currently, Hesse Territory’s monthly budget deficit has plummeted to less than 5,000 Golden Crowns per month.

Yet in Hesse Territory’s vault area, there are now 140,000 Golden Crowns!

At this rate of expenditure, even with a monthly budget deficit, it can be sustained for over two years.

And the main sources of such substantial gold coin inflow come from two aspects, one being the slave trade. During Hesse Territory’s defeat of Blue Mirror Territory, nearly a thousand Elite Knights and nobles of various ranks were captured.

Even selling half of these slaves would bring in 50,000 Golden Crowns.

The other major source of income is the Holy Purple Vine Tree’s fruit pods.

During Tiberus’ expedition, the Holy Purple Vine Tree’s fruit pods had ripened.

Last year, the Holy Purple Vine Tree produced roughly 130 bunches, of which Su Li consumed 10 bunches himself, distributed 60 bunches to the ruling class, and sold 60 bunches.

Now, as the Holy Purple Vine Tree approaches greater maturity, its fruit bunches have increased from 130 to 190. Vandar estimates this isn’t the Tree’s full maturity period yet; growth is expected to continue next year, the year after, or even further, taking about five years to fully mature.

When fully mature, the pods’ effects will achieve full potency, granting one year of life extension per bunch consumed.

Yet, even at this stage, the fruit pods are extremely popular within Hesse Territory; nobody would refuse to pay for longevity, with wealth being the only barrier to purchase. Numerous individuals are willing to pay for this extraordinary fruit given adequate funds.

The distribution of these 190 bunches is under Su Li’s complete control, with his close affiliates receiving 10 bunches, each Female Courtier having one.

Additionally, various Knight Orders, both Church and Secular, each received 3 bunches.

The ruling class, including Divine Chosen Knights, Champion Knights, Knight Commanders, and Captains of the Provincial Legion, each received a portion, consuming nearly 100 bunches in total.

Lastly, only 80 bunches were released to the market, but generated tremendous buzz. A major arms dealer from Marle Castle purchased 5 bunches in one go for his ailing wife and bought 500 weapons and hundreds of sets of armor during his procurement from Hesse Territory!

Meanwhile, an Empire’s Stone Circle Count secretly purchased 3 bunches for personal use.

The most sensational case occurred within the Gray Mountain Province, where an aged Dwarf jewel master, facing death, had his inheritor sell part of the ancestor’s relics to gather enough gold coins to acquire a bunch. Allegedly, after consumption, the elderly master showed improved spirits, briefly managing his jewelry store affairs. This disrupted the inheritance plan, sparking buzzing discussions and family disputes within the Gray Mountain Province’s jewelry guild circle.

These 80 fruit bunches directly brought nearly 20,000 Golden Crowns in revenue to Hesse Territory. Although it cannot measure up to the slave trade figures, it requires no cost and has immensely swayed hearts, consolidating Hesse Territory’s rule.

If anyone in the territory talks about rebellion to overthrow Su Li’s rule, the enraged knights would hack them into pieces without Su Li needing to intervene.

In other territories, brazen rebels may cause disturbances, but within Hesse Territory, they would become the focus of contempt! All Knight Clans would actively strike against any exposed rebels.

Except for Knight Clans beguiled by Cultists and Chaos Followers, virtually everyone supports Su Li’s rule.

The only discontent among the knights is the question: Why hasn’t the Lord expanded the military?

Today’s gathering of Knight Commanders and councilors in the hall was not out of doubt over the Lord’s authority; on the contrary, they highly endorse the fruits of this victory. Their annoyance lies in how to further deepen their ties with the Lord.

Thus, when Tiberus completed his report, before the passionate atmosphere in the hall fully subsided, an excited voice erupted.