Stranglethorn Valley, located in the southwest of Idar Province, is an absolute important border town of the Principality of Idar.
From Stranglethorn Valley to Idar City, even if you take a carriage, it only takes less than a day. If you switch to the steam train of the Principality of Idar, it may only take a few hours.
As the largest border port in the Principality of Idar, thousands of refugees enter the Principality of Idar through Stranglethorn Vale Customs every day.
The intensifying chaos in the empire has made people's lives increasingly difficult.
Even though the Church of Light has now completed its rule over the interior of the empire, the lives of the people have not improved at all.
after all……
Compared with relocating people to improve people's livelihood, it seems that selling indulgences to earn commissions can allow local bishops to gain more income and fully mobilize the enthusiasm of priests and bishops.
It is precisely because of this that almost from the day when Stranglethorn Vale Customs was born, the number of refugees passing through Stranglethorn Vale Customs and entering the Principality of Idar every day has been increasing continuously.
Quite literally…
Among the refugees who successfully immigrated to the Principality of Idar, more than one-third of the population entered the land located in the eastern part of the continent through Stranglethorn Valley Customs.
And if you want to pass through the Stranglethorn Valley Customs, then the Conte Territory, located to the west of the Stranglethorn Valley Customs, is the only way for this group of homeless refugees to go through no matter what.
Even in name, the relationship between the Conte Territory and the Principality of Idar is an independent force that does not interfere with the river.
But in reality...how is this possible?
As a friendly neighbor of the Principality of Idar, the Conte Territory can be said to be one of the noble territories most influenced by the Principality of Idar.
Whether it is the work-point system commonly practiced in the Principality of Idar or the serf liberation system practiced in the Principality of Idar, almost all of them have become the employment system commonly practiced in the Conte Territory over time.
Even the Protestant ideological trend has already swept this land adjacent to the Principality of Idar.
no way,
The Conte Territory is really close to the neighboring Principality of Idar.
If Viscount Conte had not showed some sincerity to retain the local people, then the Conte Territory would have become a wasteland!
No, correct me, the south bank of the Moore River has long become a wasteland.
Because in the north of the Conte Territory, that is, on the north bank of the Moore River, that fertile land now has another name - the Moore Valley Special Economic Zone (I)!
The key point is the word in brackets!
In the agreement signed between the Principality of Idar and the Conte Territory, the rights enjoyed by the Idar people on the north bank of the Moore River have been clearly stated. (See Chapter 154 for details)
According to the content of the agreement,
Except for the items related to the establishment of the Moorish wine industry by Bruno Stuart, Duke of Idar, and Viscount Conte,
The Idar army will also be responsible for ensuring public security on the north bank of the Moore River, and Locke, the administrator of the Moore District, will have full authority to handle all matters within the "Moore Manor" winery and the Moore Valley Special Economic Zone.
so……
The north and south banks of the Moore River have now shown completely different looks.
In fact, to be fair,
Viscount Conte is not a mean nobleman, nor is he cruel in his governance of the people, but... he is afraid of comparison in everything!
Even though Viscount Conte was extremely kind compared to the nobles in the interior, compared to the Principality of Idar on the other side of Stranglethorn Valley, he was still in the sky and on the ground.
Of course,
There are also many benefits to being a neighbor of the Principality of Idar.
Precisely because of the extremely close connection with the Principality of Idar, the various disputes in the interior of the empire in recent years have almost never affected the noble territory of Viscount Conte, which can be regarded as a slight relief for the elderly Viscount.
As a friendly neighbor of the Principality of Idar, the national tour of the Idar Repertory Theater will naturally not leave Conte behind.
In addition to performing a deeply popular scene of "The Partners of Idar" in the Idar actual control area on the north bank of the Moore River for the refugees waiting to pass through customs, the Idar Repertory Theater was invited to the lord's castle of the Vicomte de Conte.
A solo performance for the elderly Viscount.
In this era, drama is undoubtedly a new form of performance.
But Viscount Conte was not a pedantic and die-hard nobleman, so he did not resist at all.
Especially when he saw that the three young people in the play had known each other since they were students, supported each other to build their own careers, and finally realized their "Idar-like dream"...
Viscount Conte even put his own perspective into it. While he was greatly shocked, he was also amazed at the ups and downs of drama, a new and eye-catching art form.
"Reward! You should be rewarded! What a great performance!"
Viscount Conte clapped his hands and called to his personal attendant to take out a bunch of brand new Idar banknotes from his pocket.
To this day, the portability of banknotes and the high national credibility of the Principality of Idar have long made the banknotes of the Principality of Idar widely circulated throughout the eastern part of the continent.
Even in independent territories such as the Kingdom of Cecil, the Territory of Conte, Port Hobbs, or the concession of the Principality of Idar, Idar banknotes have also become one of the most popular currencies in the market.
But at this moment, the old housekeeper of Viscount Conte stumbled in from the door, waving a carefully sealed letter in his hand:
"Lord Viscount! This is a letter written by Duke Idar!"
"letter?"
Hearing this, Viscount Conte was obviously a little surprised.
Even the Cecil Kingdom in the far west of the continent already has long-distance communication devices controlled by the Idar people, and its own Conte Territory is no exception.
If there is any news that needs to be exchanged on weekdays, you can directly communicate with the young Duke through the remote communication device provided by the Principality of Idar.
Therefore, since the introduction of this more efficient communication method, he has not seen such a formal letter for some days.
Curiously, he shook the letter and checked the ink pad on the seal. Viscount Conte, who had just finished watching the play, easily opened this letter from a friendly and neighboring country.
then……
Before he even finished reading the first sentence, Viscount Conte froze tensely.
"Lord Viscount?"
The old butler tentatively waved in front of Viscount Conte.
"call--"
After a while, Viscount Conte came back to his senses and said with a somewhat complicated expression:
"I, the son of an old friend, am truly an extraordinary person!"
"From now on...the Stuart family may be the future heroes of the continent!"
This letter, written by Bruno himself, is naturally an invitation letter.
The content of the letter can be summarized in one sentence - In the name of the ruler of the Principality of Idar and the patriarch of the Stuart family, Viscount Conte is invited to attend the independence celebration of the Principality of Idar!
Hearing the words,
The old housekeeper said:
"This is a good thing! The Principality of Idar is now very powerful, and you have helped Lord Bruno a lot in the past."
"A favor is a favor. What is now carried on Bruno's shoulders is the entire Principality of Idar! So... he is not only inviting me to participate in the independence celebration, but at the same time he is also asking me for my decision..."
"Decision?" The old housekeeper was slightly stunned.
"Now the Church of Light dominates the interior, the Principality of Idar dominates the east, plus the Kingdom of Cecil and the Odin Empire..."
"Sooner or later, these forces will have a head-on conflict. If the Principality of Idar wants to advance inland, there are only two ways to go. One is through the Valens Plains, and the other..."
Viscount Conte paused and continued: "...The other way is naturally to pass through Conte's territory and go west along the Moore River."
As he spoke, Viscount Conte couldn't help but smile: "Although I have long understood that defecting to the Principality of Idar is the most suitable choice now, but...if I really want to give up this family land, I am still a little reluctant to give up.
"
only……
Reluctant to leave, Viscount Conte had already known in his heart that it had long been difficult to separate from the Conte Territory and the Principality of Idar.
Not only is the special economic zone located on the north bank of the Moore River and the Moore wine industry, which is making money every day, but even the youngest daughter of Viscount Conte, Isabel, is now teaching at the Idar Public University!
Therefore, although the Conte Territory has always maintained its nominal independence, its relationship with the Principality of Idar has become inseparable, and the human relations are even more complicated.
"Sir Viscount, although we may have to give up the land, but... you have always known the character of Lord Bruno best, and he will definitely not treat our family badly." The old butler said.
"It's natural..."
Viscount Conte let out a long sigh: "Independence is a good thing. Now I only hope that the Principality of Idar can clear all obstacles on the way forward as soon as possible. Only in this way can the family's status rise with the tide."
."
…
Half a month passed in a blink of an eye.
Almost in the blink of an eye, the new year has quietly arrived in front of everyone's attention.
January 1, 540 in the New Calendar!
For all Idar people, this will surely become an unforgettable day in their lives.
It was almost daylight,
Agents from the Idar CIA and police officers from the Idar Public Security Bureau had already arrived at their designated positions in full gear, looking at the surrounding streets and alleys with vigilant eyes.
This is an important moment for the Principality of Idar and all Idar people! There must be no room for error!
Almost since a week ago, any slightest disturbance in Idar City will set off alarm bells in the hearts of many security personnel.
Whether it is Idar Avenue running through Idar City in the north-south direction, or Jingshi Road running east-west, the two most important main roads in Idar City have already declared martial law with the assistance of the Idar military.
According to the plan formulated by the Idar Government Affairs Office, the Idar Independence Celebration will be officially held at 10 a.m. that day.
but……
at this moment,
Even if it's early morning,
The people who were moved after hearing the news had already gathered in the previously designated viewing area and waited quietly.
The people of Idar have been waiting for this day for too long.
Many of them came all the way from the Valens Plains, the Province of Basel, and even from Port Hobbs, the Province of Padilla and other places.
Just to witness with my own eyes this glorious moment that belongs to the Principality of Idar and all Idar people!
today,
They will say goodbye to their past selves completely! They will usher in a new life of their own with this country!
The palace is majestic and the flags are flying.
Under the urging of the Idar Government Affairs Office, the Idar Palace, located in the middle of Idar City, has been basically completed a few days before the independence celebration.
At least... the main building exposed on Jingshi Road has been completed, only the interior of the palace still needs to be carefully crafted.
This wonder building, with Buckingham Palace as the main body, combines a variety of palace buildings, incorporates the design concepts of countless great engineers of the Principality of Idar, and fits Bruno's heart. It has also become the second [sssss] level building of the Principality of Idar.
Wonder!
Whether it is its area or the number of buildings, it is far from being comparable to the ordinary buildings of the previous generation.
Under Bruno's personal guidance, this palace, which symbolizes the power and status of the Stuart family, not only extended the Western architectural style, but also absorbed some of the symmetrical and integrated design concepts of Chinese architecture.
This also makes the Idar Palace no longer just a palace, but an entire palace complex covering a vast area!
all in all……
Even Bruno himself couldn't help but marvel when he saw this marvelous building complex again.
no doubt,
The Idar Palace, which draws on many strengths,
It can be regarded as a master of all kinds of palace buildings!
And besides that,
In the square directly in front of the Idar Palace, at the intersection of Idar Avenue and Jingshi Road, a building that has been shrouded in a deep black curtain for several months finally stood on this day in the twinkling sky.
In the morning light, it appeared in front of everyone.
Monument to the Heroes of Idar!
This is an obelisk-like building made of steel.
The marble at the bottom of the monument was dug from the main hall of the Basel Palace, and the main structure above was reforged from various melee weapons seized from several wars.
And on the front of the monument,
They are two lines of gilded words written by Bruno himself——
The heroes who fought for the independence of Idar will be immortal!
The heroes who fought for the future of the Idar people will be immortal!
Perhaps to others, this monument is puzzling.
But……
In Bruno's heart, and in the hearts of all Idar people, those heroes who are not afraid of life and death in the face of danger deserve this honor!
Just today,
Bruno Stuart, the ruler of the Principality of Idar,
He will stand on the large terrace of the Idar Palace, opposite the Monument to the Heroes of Idar, and declare to all Idar people the independence of the principality and the birth of the empire!