After the last Pioneer Knight’s appointnt docunt was auctioned off for the astronomical price of 246,000 gold pounds, this auction, which was almost like a carnival, finally ca to an end.
Just a few thin sheets of paper could fetch a price that most people could hardly imagine in their lifeti, simply because the content recorded on them represented the titles of hereditary nobility, and this cannot be said to be anything less than a rather humorous situation.
However, for Perfikot and the Duke of Gloucestershire and Sir McIntock, who had specially co to the Northern Territory, this was not their main concern.
What truly concerned these three pillars of the Empire was the ownership of these five Pioneer Knight docunts and their subsequent handling.
Although Perfikot issued these five docunts mainly to make money and promote the Northern Territory, this did not an that the five people who obtained the Pioneer docunts just needed to pay money and nothing else.
"Nobles are called nobles not just because they enjoy power, but also because they must fulfill obligations," Perfikot said, sipping the tea prepared by Beifa, and addressed the five people in front of him: "You, or those you represent, gaining the Pioneer docunts ans you are now the vassals of the Northern Territory, and vassals must fulfill their respective obligations to their Lord.
These obligations include managing and guarding your fief, responding when summoned by your Lord, and more importantly, paying taxes.
I know the essence of you obtaining the Pioneer docunts is to gain a foothold in the upper social circles of Langton, which is understandable, but as I ntioned earlier, enjoying rights ans fulfilling obligations, and the obligations of a Northern Territory vassal cannot be shirked by you or those you represent."
In response to Perfikot’s words, the five who successfully bid for the Pioneer docunts were naturally prepared; they also understood that the power and obligations of nobles were mutually related.
So one of them imdiately spoke, "My Lord, rest assured, since we have accepted the status of Northern Pioneer Knights, we will naturally fulfill our duties and perform our obligations.
However, our foundations and businesses are back in the Empire’s mainland. Although we intend to pioneer in the North, the areas we can serve you are indeed limited, so would it be possible to offset so obligations that we find inconvenient to fulfill through a monetary donation?"
This person was an industrialist from Langton, operating several large textile factories and almost controlling one-third of the empire’s textile industry, making him a powerful capitalist.
Whether at the Royal Shipyard or the private shipyards, over seventy percent of the sails were produced in his factories.
And the skin used for the balloons in the Flying Airships now is entirely produced by his factories, indicating his significant influence on the Empire.
This ti, he ca to the Northern Territory personally, intending to build a connection with Perfikot and to look for suitable business opportunities in the North.
However, he didn’t expect to encounter the Northern Lord auctioning off Pioneer docunts. All along, he had been seeking noble status, not missing out on such a godsend opportunity.
Regarding the noble obligations ntioned by Perfikot, he had, naturally, considered them, being a big businessman with vast enterprises to manage in Langton, finding occasional ti to make a trip to the Northern Territory is not problematic. Still, staying long term in his so-called fief to fulfill vassal obligations would be slightly coercive for him.
Therefore, from the very beginning, he intended to offset his vassal obligations through monetary contributions, even if only partially offsetting them.
After all, money for him was not an issue, and matters that could be resolved with money were not considered matters.
Facing his words, Perfikot directly retorted, "Do you think I lack money? Or do you think the Northern Territory lacks money?"
"This..." Faced with Perfikot’s query, the businessman was slightly embarrassed but quickly responded, "My Lord, owning the entire Northern Territory naturally ans you do not lack wealth, but money, this thing, is always more the rrier."
Hearing this, Perfikot laughed, but she quickly shook her head, smiling, "More money for is just a space-occupying burden, and if an Alchemist with a Philosopher’s Stone needs money..."
Perfikot took out her Golden Touching Rod and casually tapped it on the side table, instantly turning the whole table from wood to gold.
"See, isn’t it easy to make it?" Perfikot smiled, a bit mischievously, but she didn’t make things difficult for the businessman, only saying to him and the other four, "I know you or those you represent are influential rchants in Langton, with large enterprises in the Empire’s mainland. It is understandable that fulfilling your obligations as vassals in the Northern Territory is inconvenient.
But this understanding does not an you do not need to fulfill your obligatory duties. As I said, enjoying power must co with fulfilling obligations, which is the foundation of maintaining the Empire’s noble system, which no one can violate."
Perfikot said this, taking a glance at the Duke of Gloucestershire and Sir McIntock by her side, both nodding in agreent with her words.
Nobles enjoyed privileges in the past because they had responsibilities for governing land, and now they are privileged because they have relinquished their military power and land managent rights, earning royal and Empire governnt favor.
Yet, even so, many modern nobles, having lost land managent and military power, also lost many privileges, with so lower nobility having rely a title remaining.
So the statent that power and obligation are mutually related is considered a truth in their eyes.
But to the businessman before her, this statent was sowhat dissatisfying, although he understood that Perfikot hadn’t finished speaking.
"I understand your special circumstances and know that this matter can’t be forced, so I can grant you so concessions." Seeing it was enough, Perfikot didn’t continue to create difficulties for the five individuals before her, instead revealing the solution she had long planned, "You, or those you represent, can appoint a deputy to replace you in fulfilling your duties in the Northern Territory, managing your territory...
Oh, your Pioneer docunt only delineates the territorial boundary, which is still barren, so you need to construct your territory yourselves.
This also counts as one of your obligations as vassals of the Northern Territory, and currently, your most important task. I require you to establish a village for at least five hundred people in your respective territories within a year and maintain basic living conditions for them.
In addition, those who receive the docunt must personally co to the Northern Territory once to be sealed and must co to et at least once a year; otherwise, I won’t insist you stay in the Northern Territory."
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