Chapter 845: Chapter 320: Taming the Baron, Money-Making Machine!

It’s roughly as I expected.

The baron primarily holds three kinds of rights: land ownership, military power, and economic power.

These three major rights encompass many things.

To put it simply.

Land ownership means the power to collect various taxes within one’s territory, including land tax, poll tax, trade tax, etc.

They also have the power to allocate, and even life-and-death decision over, the peasants within their territory.

The second right, military power, allows the baron to establish his own Knight Order and soldiers, forming his own armed force. Of course, the expenses come out of their own pocket.

As for the third, economic power, this includes trade monopolies, such as in salt and iron industries. They can control the production and sale of goods, obtaining substantial profits.

There are also some political rights, such as participating in the council when the King convenes it.

Of course, it must be some of the more important barons.

Generally, only a Viscount has this qualification. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel·fiɾe·net

Besides, there are various details, including inheritance rights, representation rights, command rights, and so on…

Cao Xing nodded after listening.

He had about a deeper understanding of the noble class in this world.

He continued to ask, “What is the annual income and expenditure of the Baron Mansion?”

This question already touches on the baronial secrets.

Even a typical baron wouldn’t disclose it to their confidants or family.

Fitz pondered for a moment before saying, “My father has been serving as a baron here for about twenty years, many resource points have already been developed.”

“After excluding military expenses, agricultural output costs, and construction expenses, the annual income is about 4.7 billion crowns.”

Upon hearing this number, Cao Xing was taken aback.

Goodness!

Over four billion!

He had previously estimated only a few billion annually, clearly underestimating them.

A baron earning such a high income in a year, no wonder these nobles are each as rich as if their money could flow like oil!

Fitz Walker added, “However, a portion of the income must be contributed to Earl Boniay and Viscount Modred.”

“What we actually end up with is about forty percent or so.”

Cao Xing’s mouth twitched.

So, is it the same in this world too?

But not bad.

A dozen or so billion in income per year isn’t bad at all.

Moreover, it’s not just the crown income. There must also be many other resource incomes, like precious gemstones, Mithril, etc…

With 20 years of accumulation, the resources in the Baron Mansion must be beyond imagination!

And now, this baron is already in his grasp.

This means, all these resources are his.

Thinking of this, Cao Xing could hardly hold back a chuckle.

He continued to ask a few more questions, roughly going through all the baron’s assets.

And Fitz answered honestly.

It wasn’t until half an hour later that Cao Xing stopped asking.

Then, he posed the final question.

“My territory needs many manpower recently; do you have any way to help me obtain some?”

Fitz pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked, “Lord, do you require just people who can work, or those with a certain combat power?”

“Just those who can work will do.”

Hearing this, Fitz’s face lit up with joy.

“Lord, coincidentally, not long ago, my father received a batch of villagers from Baron Augustus’s territory, totaling over two hundred people.”

“Because they didn’t submit enough taxes, their village was disbanded and then sold to my father.”

“I was worried about finding an appropriate place to relocate them.”

“If you need them, Lord, I can have someone bring these villagers over in the next couple of days.”

Cao Xing’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Very well, let’s do just that.”

Fitz nodded respectfully.

Then tentatively asked, “Lord, is there anything else?”

Cao Xing thought for a moment, realizing he had asked nearly everything he needed to know; now there’s nothing urgent.

“There’s nothing at the moment, but my territory will continue to develop, remember to cover for me.”

Fitz quickly nodded, “Understood, Lord!”

“Very good, you may return now. If anything comes up, remember to contact me.”

The young baron listened and respectfully saluted, then left Cao Xing’s territory.

Along the way, Cao Xing listened for a while longer, and after finding no issues, a smile appeared on his lips.

“Very good, another hidden danger resolved, and I have completely controlled a baron!”

“Now I can develop in peace, without worrying about being disturbed or taxed by those nobles.”

“Of course, the taxes owed by other survivors in this area will still need to be collected.”

“After all, what’s the baron’s is mine, and nothing should be wasted.”

Thinking of this, Cao Xing felt even better.

He glanced at the attributes of the pearl.

[Freshwater Pearl (Gold)]

[Quality: Treasure]

[Bonus Attributes: Charm +20, All Attributes +20]

(Note: Requires an Expert-level Blacksmith to inlay.)

…

“Oh? The attributes added by this pearl are even more than those added by a Black Diamond.”

“Which means this thing is worth at least over a million crowns.”

Cao Xing laughed, Fitz Walker was indeed generous, casually giving something worth one to two million.

He nodded in satisfaction.

Cao Xing walked out of the tavern.

On his way to the [Intermediate Mage Tower].

The sound of ’buzzing’ electricity buzzed in his ears again.

A moment later, a middle-aged man’s voice sounded.

“Honorable Lord, I am Yaskin.”

Upon hearing this name, a look of surprise flashed in Cao Xing’s eyes.

After attending the fishing competition in Anno River Village, Cao Xing had sent Yaskin with hundreds of thousands of crowns to Merlin City to develop.

He hadn’t reported progress recently.

Suddenly contacting now indicates some developments.

Cao Xing smilingly asked, “Yaskin, how are things lately? How are you managing alone out there?”

Upon hearing this, Yaskin replied emotionally, “Thank you for your concern, my Lord, I’m doing quite well out here.”

“Merlin City is very prosperous, and its business model is well developed. I’ve been staying in a hotel recently.”

“With the funds the Lord gave me, food and lodging are no problem at all.”

“However… no matter how prosperous the outside city is, it’s surely not as comfortable as our territory…”

Cao Xing chuckled.

“By the way, Lord, I came to report some things to you.”

Yaskin said, “As per your instructions, I’ve observed the business models in Merlin City over the past few days.”

“Then, through some connections, I spent about 150,000 crowns and successfully acquired a shop.”

“This shop is in a good location, in a bustling area, so it should be good for doing some business.”

“But this 150,000 crowns is just a year’s rent. I’m worried the owner might raise the rent later, so I’m still stalling and haven’t signed the contract yet.”

“If the Lord has time, you could come to Merlin City to discuss this in detail with the owner.”

After hearing Yaskin’s report, Cao Xing also showed a contemplative look.

150,000 to acquire a shop?

That’s not bad.

This way, he could go to Merlin City to do business himself.

In Cao Xing’s territory, there were so many sought-after items.

Whether selling weapons seized from the Hunter Camp, opening a weapons shop,

or selling Cloud Yak milk, even Light Feather Chicken eggs opening a food store, could all earn substantial revenues.

One must know, even Hilton, who has good relations with him, definitely purchases these supplies at below market price when buying from Cao Xing’s territory.

Only by producing and selling himself can he earn more profit.

So acquiring this shop is unlikely to be a loss.

Of course, the specific situation still requires an on-site visit to observe the foot traffic near the shop and the situation in Merlin City.

However, although Yaskin is quite stable in character, he’s no fool.

He wouldn’t make a losing deal, so there’s no need to worry about the shop’s situation.

Cao Xing replied, “Alright, got it. I’ll visit Merlin City when I have time.”

“If you find any more promising shops, feel free to acquire them.”

“If funds run low, just return to the territory and ask Cao Yi for more, saying it’s from me.”

After hearing Cao Xing’s instructions, Yaskin respectfully replied, “Understood, my Lord.”/p>

“Then I won’t disturb you any further.”

…

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.