Chapter 819 Returnees from the Far East (Part 1)
In Kislev, ice and snow are like the palm of a giant, covering the entire city, and the earth ushered in a long winter in a white expanse.
In the palace, Rhodes sat alone in his office, looking at the flying snow outside the window and melancholy. For the first time, he felt that he was so sorry for a woman. Lyanna was still gestating that woman alone in the distant Erengrad.
A baby that should never have been born. The winter there was longer and colder, but he had to leave her here to endure the long and painful winter alone.
Rhodes knew that what he had brought to Lyanna was not only a difficult winter, but also a heart knot that could never be untied. A kind-hearted woman who was willing to sacrifice for herself, but he had to abandon her... thought of
Here, Rhodes felt uneasy. Several times, he wanted to leave the palace, go to Elengrad, bring Lyanna back, and even directly inherit her identity and her unborn son.
However, Alves stood guard at the door day and night, and his indifferent face warned Rhodes time and time again not to act on impulse.
Something quickly happened that allowed the focus to temporarily shift. In the cold winter, when two scouts in black braved the wind and snow and rushed all the way back to the palace, everyone was surprised by these two living people from another world.
Yes, for Mrs. Kislev, it is already a miracle that people can come back alive after crossing the World's Edge Mountains. To the east of the World's Edge Mountains, it is another world for people on this continent. Legend has it that there is
Monsters such as devils, orcs, and ogres are everywhere.
The land there is an evil place stained by the blood of demons, soaked in black rotten juice. There are volcanoes and black forests everywhere, with lava rolling and black smoke rising straight into the sky. No one can be in that kind of land.
Survive.
However, the expedition team sent out to explore new trade routes two years ago actually came back alive, even though there were only two riders. However, for Mrs. Kislev, that was simply a miracle.
For Rhodes, this news was a shot in the arm, allowing him to recover from his guilt and self-blame towards the priestess and realize that there were other things waiting for him to do.
Yes, the time has come to revitalize Kislev.
Deep in the palace, Rhodes and Dennis met the two returning expedition scouts.
"Bogul has taken a few butchers and continues on the road. Before we come back, he has made an alliance oath with the ogre tribe..."
When the news reached Rhodes' ears, an extremely excited emotion immediately flooded into his brain. To others, this dwarf was quite capable, and he even formed an alliance with the bloodthirsty ogre tribe. But to Rhodes
He said that this expedition team has already exceeded its mission.
He originally only hoped that Bogur and his party could continue their exploration for about three months after crossing the World's Edge Mountains, and then return the same way, convincing Kislev that there was a continent east of the World's Edge Mountains, which would also allow subsequent exploration
The team has confidence and hope.
However, this dwarf not only completed the three-month journey, he also directly contacted the ogres on the road and established a free stronghold and transit station.
In this way, the next batch of expeditions can trade directly with the ogre tribes and obtain supplies from their fortresses without establishing their own strongholds. In this way, the possibility of opening up trade routes is greatly increased.
It also turned a project that was originally unrewarding into an investment with a slight profit. Rhodes guessed that once the news spreads, nobles and businessmen would come to cooperate with the royal family and explore and open up this trade route.
"Is there any news about the Cathay Empire?"
Rhodes asked impatiently.
"Yes, great lord, Your Majesty the Queen."
The scout said breathlessly——
"We learned about the legendary Cathay Empire from the ogres. According to the ogres, it was a distant time. The Cathay Empire was powerful and wealthy beyond imagination. Their soldiers wore golden armor and held golden weapons.
Spears, war horses wearing silver helmets, city towers twice as high as the walls of Kislev, the city has countless temples and divine crowns, and it is said that the Cathay Empire is densely populated and has a large number of people, even the capital of the empire, Ar
Even Dolph can't match it."
"It's just that those were all in the distant past. The leader of the ogre tribe said that he has never seen the troops and civilians of Cathay in his lifetime. The legends about Cathay are all passed down orally from the ancestors, from generation to generation.
handed down."
Although it is a legend, for Rhodes, it is definitely a fact. However, over the years and the distance, the legend has been continuously expanded and even deified. Soldiers wearing golden armor can only be
The Imperial Guards cannot be ordinary soldiers. With such strength, the Cathay Empire would have dominated the world long ago.
After meeting with the scouts, Rhodes immediately held a cabinet meeting.
"Should we make this news public?"
Alves presided over the meeting as usual and asked questions.
As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers expressed in unison that this matter must be announced to the world.
"It's going to be a gold rush."
Vladimir said excitedly.
"That's not necessarily the case."
Rhodes interrupted him...
"The expedition team has only found out about the existence of the Cathay Dynasty so far, but everything about this dynasty is still just a legend. We don't even know the true distance between Kislev and Cathay. Although it may really be a country full of gold.
, but the distance may be farther than all of us imagine.”
"Moreover, even if a trade route is opened, troops must be stationed to maintain the security of the trade route. Only a strong kingdom can ensure the safety of this trade route."
added Dennis the Snow Queen.
"Currently, Bogul has not discovered gold mines or other valuable resources. As for establishing contact with the ogre tribe, it is more about solving security problems. We cannot expect any trade with these barbaric and bloodthirsty tribes.
value."
Alves said.
"But Prince Vladimir is right about one thing. We can indeed encourage private capital to participate in this adventure. At present, opening up a land trade route to the East is no longer a fantasy."
Rhodes interrupted everyone's conversation.
"So, do we need to provide some real policy support? For example, participants who open business routes can be exempted from trade taxes?"
Vladimir asked.
"This is a good proposal. I agree with it."
Rhodes nodded in approval of the Duke's proposal, and then said——
"And, I have a proposal. We should occupy the land east of the World's Edge Mountains as soon as possible. Only with the development of the population can it be possible to stabilize this passage."
"Do you want to immigrate to the Dark Land?"
Alves asked in surprise.
Rhodes smiled and nodded, and there was an uproar immediately...
"No one is willing to go to that barren land. You have also heard the news from the expedition team. Across the World's Edge Mountains is the Death Trail. There are only endless dark forests and a dead land that even the sun cannot penetrate. Only through
Through that forest, there is a place suitable for human settlement. However, it is as cold as the north of Kislev, and there is no civilization in the wilderness. There are dangers everywhere. You can't expect ogres to protect our people.
Is that so? Those beasts are now allies and cannot guarantee that they will turn against each other just because of some trivial matter and treat us as dinner."
Alves immediately expressed his objection. Judging from the expressions of the participants, this was also the opinion of the majority.
However, Rhodes already had a plan in mind. At the beginning of the meeting, Rhodes had a crazy idea...