Amelie, on this trip, wore a fitted trench coat and flesh-colored tights, paired with a short skirt and a leather corset, which was Niu Zida's standard harem attire. A pair of straight, smooth flesh-colored legs extended out, especially when she held Niu Zida. Together with Yor, who wore black tights, the two beautiful women wrapped their slender bodies around Niu Zida for warmth, while also allowing Niu Zida to comfortably kiss their elastic, stocking-clad legs for amusement, and even occasionally allowing Amelie and Yor's stocking-clad feet to hook downward in service.
"Master, will we return to the city to stay overnight tonight?"
"No, we will continue west. We'll camp in the wilderness tonight."
While chatting leisurely, serving Niu Zida by having him sandwiched between them, Amelie thought Niu Zida was merely coming down to understand the territory's tax issues. She didn't expect Niu Zida to continue westward and not return to the city.
"But further west, we'll not only be out of the directly controlled territory but even beyond the effective jurisdiction of Dore Territory. There are only refugees there. Originally, if my husband hadn't died, he planned to bring people to clear out that area."
So that's why they had to recruit those bandits who attacked Aponia Village earlier, because Spring didn't have the strength to clear them out, Niu Zida thought to himself.
"Actually, I have a question. There is no church in Dore Territory, so why is a church tax collected?"
"This, of course, was also my husband's doing…"
This was a clever way to levy taxes under false pretenses, but it was also good. The added tax could be halved by him, which would at least win him some popular support. If he had added half a percent himself, everyone would resent him instead.
The group traveled west, arriving at the original Aponia Village around dusk. The arrival of an army initially caused a small commotion. The villagers thought it was another lord's troop coming to conscript men. It was only when Niu Zida stepped forward to explain that everyone realized the ruler of Duōléi City had changed in the past two months. This calmed them down. Seeing these country folk trust a Goblin more than their lord or nobles, Amelie felt as if she were dreaming.
"There's nothing strange about that. With Spring's method of governance, even if he hadn't died by my hand, he would have been hanged by the exasperated populace sooner or later."
"Master is right."
Niu Zida was indeed correct. Along the way, seeing the desolation of the territory and the flight of its people, Amelie truly had no way to refute this point, especially with such heavy taxes. Anyone with a shred of conscience would understand that the common people simply could not survive.
"So, if you want to preserve your daughter's territory, ultimately you must strengthen your own power. You don't want a group of Goblins to crown your daughter as a Baroness, do you?"
"Master…"
Niu Zida was so direct that Amelie quickly wanted to defend herself, fearing Niu Zida would think she disdained him. However, Niu Zida smiled and squeezed Amelie's large breasts, saying:
There's no need to lie about this. A human noble relying on Goblins is destined not to last. I also need Dona, as Baroness, to effectively govern Dore Territory, so stabilizing and strengthening her base is also beneficial to me. On this point, our interests are aligned."
For an animal like Amelie, it's better to directly state the pros and cons than to explain. As expected, upon hearing Niu Zida's explanation, Amelie understood his meaning, her fair, charming face flushed with embarrassment as she said:
"I understand, Master. I will listen to whatever you say next."
"Reduce taxes and rents, and then try to attract the refugees from nearby into your directly controlled territory. Utilize the land within the territory; the amount of fallow land in the directly controlled territory is too severe right now."
That night, Niu Zida stayed in Aponia's original village. Since the bandits were cleared, it had been peaceful for over a month. Auntie Liddell, who was placed there, was also well taken care of. Hearing Niu Zida say they could reduce taxes and take them to Dorei Territory to live, many were still hesitant, fearing they would once again be deceived by the lord and conscripted into war.
"The land here is ultimately not as good as the territory's, and this place is too close to the border. If you are attacked by other Goblins, or Beastmen, or even other bandits, I will not be able to protect you. This is also Aponia's intention."
Hearing that it was Aponia who wanted them to move, the villagers finally had no objections. In fact, no one liked staying in such a border area; they were simply too afraid of the previous lord's exorbitant taxes.
"Over there, we can also provide seeds. Not only can you plant oats, but many good plots of land can also be used to plant wheat. You must also want to eat baked white flour bread, right?"
Niu Zida's words were very effective. Many villagers began to chatter excitedly. After all, it had been a long time since they had eaten white flour. Being able to eat oats was already good enough. Many people could only eat wild vegetables, tree bark, and cabbage leaves mixed with oat bran boiled into a vegetable porridge to get through the winter. As soon as they heard they could get good land for planting wheat in the territory, even though such 'pie in the sky' promises were common, they were still effective for ordinary people.
"Are you telling the truth? Can we really plant wheat? And the tax rate is only fifty percent?"
"Of course. This time, we can sign a contract. After the harvest season, all taxes will be based on fifty percent of the yield, and this contract is long-term and will not be changed at any time. Amelie, isn't that right?"
"Ah... yes, I am currently the regent of Dore Territory. The contract I sign is the lord's will."
"Moreover, if you come to the territory with me this time, you can also meet Lady Aponia, and she can also guarantee this contract."
Bringing Amelie this time was indeed the right decision. At such a crucial moment, if it weren't for someone of a lord's status speaking, it would probably be impossible to convince these villagers.
Hearing the territory's regent speak, coupled with Aponia's assurance, the villagers finally believed and agreed to relocate collectively.
"I didn't expect convincing these country folk to be so tiring."
"It's all because of your inhuman actions before."
When resting at night, Amelie lay tiredly on the bed, complaining. As a result, Niu Zida retorted. Amelie was about to speak when Niu Zida directly kissed her tender red lips. Yor, behind him, also leaned in, using her eyes to signal Amelie not to argue with Niu Zida. Amelie understood, and obediently parted her flesh, welcoming Niu Zida's entry... For a long time, the room was filled with sounds of intense battle...