When he consolidated military power in Tobitsia, Jarvan IV promised the nobles' private armies the same treatment as regular legions and fully accepted them - although this essentially deprived the nobles of their military power, it also
, he also needs to bear the heavy burden of feeding these soldiers.
Don’t forget, Demacia’s military benefits are not just as simple as “the opportunity to become a noble.” They have a very high salary level, and the free armor and robes are enough to meet the food subsidies of most people.
And quite amazing pension benefits.
Elite soldiers should be treated as elite soldiers. The warbands of Noxus had their own private warband territory, but Demacia did not have such a thing. All military expenses had to be borne by Jarvan IV.
This burden was very heavy, so heavy that when Jarvan IV actually saw the bill, he even had the idea of "a wave of disarmament."
Of course, considering that now is the time for him to regain power from the nobles, Jarvan IV cannot take the initiative to disarm, let alone lower the military's treatment or increase taxes on the fiefdoms directly under the royal family...
Jarvan IV himself was very frugal, and there was no point in cutting back on expenditure. If he wanted to support an astonishingly large standing army, he had to increase his income.
Therefore, as winter was approaching, Jarvan IV, who had a little free time, had to start thinking about a new money-making plan.
There is no pressure for the royal family to have enough money to last for three to five years, but with the deficit, he must make plans in advance!
But after much deliberation, Jarvan IV could not think of any good solution - for a large agricultural country, it is extremely difficult to open up a new way of making money!
Agricultural country... food...
etc!
Just as he was thinking hard to no avail, Jarvan IV suddenly remembered the Shurima towns he had seen on his way to the summit.
Jarvan IV thought of the Shurima people who did not seem to be poor but had insufficient food to eat, and the extremely expensive food prices there, so a bold idea appeared in his mind.
If I could sell the food produced in Demacia to those Shuriman people...
The profits from this will probably be quite astonishing!
You know, because food is not easy to transport as a bulk commodity, although Demacia has plenty of food, it can only export it to the east and hardly engage in maritime trade - transporting food on the sea is simply an unprofitable charity business.
The thing is heavy, takes up space, is afraid of moisture, and is difficult to load and unload. Any businessman with a brain would not consider transporting food for profit!
There is almost no profit in seaborne trade for their biggest specialty product, and there is a huge trade deficit every time the merchant ships come and go. Naturally, Demacians have no interest in seaborne trade.
However, after seeing with his own eyes the living conditions of the Shuriman people on the way to the summit, Jarvan IV discovered that food trade might not necessarily be unprofitable.
More often than not, it is the port cities in northern Shurima that swallow up this part of the profits!
The price of the same pound of wheat grains in the inland cities of Shurima is more than twelve times that in the northern port cities!
Therefore, even if there is indeed no profit in shipping grain, and may even result in loss of money, if the grain arriving in Shurima can be transported inland later, the profit will be quite astonishing!
Moreover, this kind of trade will also be welcomed by the Shurima people. It is a win-win trade to the fullest!
Thinking of this, Jarvan IV couldn't help but feel a little excited - he tried hard to calm down, and then began to make repeated plans. In the end, he was completely convinced that the only problem with this kind of trade might be the competition among Shurima merchants.
And the difficult transportation in the second half.
As a mountain climber, Jarvan IV also traveled thousands of miles in Shurima. He knew very well how painful it was to trek in the desert, and he also knew how difficult it would be to transport large quantities of food in the desert.
I also know how difficult the sand bandits of Shurima are.
However, after some thinking, he was finally convinced that these were not a problem at all for him and Demacia.
Because Demacia has reliable military support!
According to Jarvan IV's judgment, although Shurima has an ancient history, it is essentially a lost civilization. The largest cities on the north coast need to rely on the protection of the Noxians. This is different from the protection of the Noxians on the Valoran continent.
There is no longer any difference between the city-states and principalities.
Demacia has very rich diplomatic experience in dealing with such forces.
For these weak city-states, Demacia will be happy to provide them with shelter to help them completely get rid of the influence of Noxus (just like many principalities and city-states in Valoran after the Battle of Tobitsia),
During this process, Demacia will not ask for any compensation.
"This is where we differ from Noxus."
Jarvan IV thought with some pride.
After helping them get rid of the influence of the Noxians, Demacia's food will naturally enter the local market. It can either cooperate with the locals and purchase it directly at a higher price, or it can be purchased by the locals themselves.
Form a caravan, even purchase a Doman beast, and organize an armed escort army to protect you.
In this process, Demacia's excess food will become life-saving food for many Shuriman people, and Demacia's glory and justice will be spread to this ancient land...
The more Jarvan IV thought about it, the more excited he became. He picked up a pen and paper and quickly wrote down all his thoughts. After briefly sorting them out, he called in Barrett Bouvier, Galen, and the Crown Guard.
and Tariq, and began to discuss the feasibility of this plan with them.
……………………
Regarding Jarvan IV's plan, Barrett first expressed his approval after listening to it.
This is not flattery.
As the royal family's purse, the Bouvier family is a family with a relatively strong business atmosphere in Demacia. At least in Demacia, they can be regarded as "professionals."
In the opinion of Barrett, a professional, His Majesty the King's plan has great merits.
Barrett has never been to Shurima, but when he was young, he went to Nokmoch as an envoy and visited many principalities and city-states in Valoran. Based on the experience of that travel, Jarvan IV
Shi's plan can be said to be remarkable and very feasible.
You must know that Demacia's main food trade direction in the past was eastward, selling affordable or even cheap food to those city-states and principalities in exchange for their support to jointly fight against the Noxians - such as those who came to Demacia before.
Aljen, who helped investigate the death case of the envoy, is the chief mage of Abermark. The reason why he was sent to Demacia to handle cases that may be related to magic is because Abermark needs Demacia to supply food.
.
Why are the Demacians, who adhere to a policy of elite soldiers and do not like to engage in overseas military operations, able to compete with the Noxians, who like armed intervention, for control of many city-states and principalities in Valoran for many years?
Because Demacia has food, and food means influence.
And now, with the end of the Tobitsia War, the Noxians may no longer have the intention to cause trouble with the Principality of Valoran and the city-state for a while. Demacia can naturally provide assistance to its allies.
Make an appropriate reduction, and if this part of the grain share is sent to the Shurima continent through maritime trade and sold to the Shurima people...
This is equivalent to reducing diplomatic influence in exchange for more economic benefits. There is no problem at all!
The economic and trade experts responded affirmatively, which undoubtedly made Jarvan IV even more relieved. He nodded slightly and then looked at Taric and Galen.
"Then do we have the ability to organize a team to protect our caravan from being invaded by sand pirates?"
"There is no problem!" Galen looked confident, "Although the desert environment is harsh, the brave pioneers are fearless!"
Jarvan IV nodded again, and then his eyes fell on Taric, who was frowning.
"Have you thought of any worrying issues?" Jarvan IV said calmly, "Speak directly without any scruples."
"I'm worried about the Shurima people." Facing the expectant King, Tarik showed a wry smile, "Barrett knows the principality and city-state of Valoran, and Galen knows the ability and courage of the Fearless Vanguard.
, but I don’t fully understand Shurima - although I have climbed to the top of Mount Targon twice and trekked in the endless sea of sand, in fact, my understanding of this desert is really not that great.
Go deep."
"This is a cautious answer." Although Taric did not give any guarantee and was even somewhat pessimistic, Jarvan IV did not mind and nodded gently, "Indeed, we still lack understanding of Shurima.
…But maybe it’s not a problem. If you don’t understand it, it’s okay to take the initiative to understand it, right?”
Tariq blinked, then nodded slightly.
Jarvan IV was right. If you don't understand Shurima's situation, you shouldn't make a hasty judgment. If you want to make an accurate judgment, you must understand Shurima carefully.
So, he simply raised his head.
"Your Majesty, I apply for a trip to Shurima."
"You want to find out for yourself?"
"That's right." Tariq nodded, "Although that desert looks barren and desolate, like a yellow ruin after a run-down, to be honest, when I stood on Mount Targon, I saw through the gap in the sea of clouds
When I look down at that land, I still feel a twinge of heart palpitations."
Jarvan IV blinked.
"I always feel that there is a huge power in Shurima, containing a majestic vitality." Tarik spread his hands helplessly, "If we want to sell food in Shurima... I think
It’s necessary to get to know it well.”
Neither Galen nor Barret really agreed with Taric's statement, but Jarvan IV nodded, deeply understanding it.
As a climber, Jarvan IV was "recommended" to a certain extent, so in some respects, he and Taric felt the same.
Moreover, large-scale grain trade is not a trivial matter. In order to avoid problems, preliminary preparations must be carried out. In addition, Demacia's grain hoarding and merchant ship hiring also need to be planned. At this time, let Taric go
If you take a walk in the desert and take a look, you will see that you are also a good chopping wood worker!
In this way, Jarvan IV agreed with Taric's opinion. After this short meeting, the royal family of Demacia began to stock up on food and took the initiative to explore the situation in Shurima to prepare for the next food trade.
Prepare.
Taking an elite team with him, Taric left Demacia on a merchant ship and walked into the thousands of miles of yellow sand of Shurima.
……………………
Just when Taric took a boat south and began to explore the situation in Shurima, in Demacia, a pair of sisters came to Forsbarrow together.
After the Battle of Tobitsia, due to Aatrox's surprise attack, although the Winged Sisters joined forces again after many years, they could not escape the fate of being hanged - even if Aatrox had not fallen into madness, Kalya used La
Mo's demonic power suppressed him, and I'm afraid the Constellation of Justice on the starry sky will take a severe blow.
Mutual protection at the last moment restored their relationship. Although their views on justice are still very different, now... they can at least communicate calmly.
In the secret place where Morgana self-exiled, they experienced a long period of cultivation.
Although Aatrox's Darkin Demonic Sword did not directly hit their bodies, the dangerous death-giving sword energy on it still made these two mixed descendants of protoss and mortals somewhat unable to support themselves. They spent more than half a year cultivating.
, and then managed to return to a healthy state.
After recovering their health, Kyle and Morgana originally wanted to return directly to the capital - after there was no longer the threat of demons, they both believed that the black mist and the existence in the black mist were very dangerous.
It must be treated with caution, and during this period of time, the Demacians had no intention of preparing for war, but devoted themselves wholeheartedly to internal fighting. After realizing this, even Morgana could not bear it.
I can't help but be a little disappointed with Jarvan IV.
However, before guiding Jarvan IV on the right path, the Winged Sisters have one more thing to confirm.
Is Nocturne still in the Shadow Realm?
As the "founding father" of Demacia, Morgana knew something about Sentu and the first generation of Dauntless Vanguard. After discovering the "traces of Fiddlesticks", she was already worried about Nocturne.
Get out of trouble.
But before she could enter the Shadow Realm to investigate clearly, she was seriously injured by Aatrox. In order to avoid giving death to the devil, she could only rest and cultivate until her body fully recovered, and then she found the entrance to the Shadow Realm.
Entered the realm of shadow.
Then, Morgana looked at the empty fortress blankly, her heart completely falling to the bottom.
It's over, the devil has escaped!
The only survivor didn't know anything about it (Jacka's memory was reset again). Feeling that something was wrong, Kyle and Morgana quickly began to search for all possible valid information.
Then, they discovered the Archon's compost pile.
"This must be some evil ritual." Facing the neat piles of humus corroded by the shadows, Kyle vowed, "Let's go, sister, find the nearest rift in the shadow world, we have to eliminate the demons