Amidst the noise, Louis slowly stood up, placing his palm on the table, and calmly said, "Each domain is welco to voluntarily join the Northern Alliance for reconstruction.
Share resources, coordinate defenses, unify trade routes—we are not depriving you of rights, but rather connecting the fate of the Northern Territory."
His gaze swept across the room: "This is not an order, but an invitation. Today’s terms are the best, and everyone should consider carefully."
"An alliance... That doesn’t sound bad."
"The Red Tide system might indeed allow survival."
After a mont of silence, a few nobles began to converse in low voices.
Louis looked around at everyone, nodded slightly, and then gestured to Bradley.
Bradley stood up, unfurled a parchnt scroll, and said with great conviction, "Ladies and gentlen, the concept of the Count’s alliance is not just empty talk, but has specific implentation plans.
All territories willing to join will imdiately enjoy trade priority and resource aid. This is not charity, but cooperation."
He looked down at the scroll in his hand and spoke eloquently, "The Northern Territory Materials Council will be responsible for settling the flow of supplies.
You may receive allocated grain, lumber, and iron ore, and benefit from the low-cost trade brought by the Red Tide transport network. Those who join the alliance will also be exempt from certain taxes and get priority for winter supplies."
Low murmurs ca from the crowd, with so nobles showing interest, while others frowned, calculating.
The nobles skilled in comrce were already calculating the profits, knowing that the Red Tide’s industries were efficient and convenient, and most importantly, affordable.
However, the cautious ones thought: If the council controls grain and iron, how much autonomy will they have left in the future?
"In addition," Bradley’s tone shifted, "the military defense system will be collaboratively coordinated. Your troops will still be individually commanded, but can receive weapons, potions, and training support from the Red Tide.
We will jointly establish a military academy and share military supplies. Simply put, the nobles’ soldiers will no longer fight alone."
Several weak lords from the frontier exchanged glances, clearly moved by the promise of military support.
Yet so old nobles snorted coldly. Collaborative defense? That’s nothing but the Red Tide controlling our knights.
Bradley continued, "Furthermore, we will establish a comrcial league and Northern View Entertainnt Hall. The forr will ensure trade security, while the latter guarantees the flow of information and daily entertainnt activities, as well as festival order.
Your nas, achievents, and stories will be sung by bards throughout the Northern Territory."
One vain noble chuckled softly, "Sounds... quite beneficial."
Bradley rolled up the scroll and bowed slightly, "This is the proposal put forth by the Red Tide: cooperation, mutual support, coexistence."
Louis smiled faintly, "Ladies and gentlen, I will not force you. This is voluntary.
But as Bradley said, the door to the Northern Alliance is always open to you, only the terms will not always be this generous. If today’s opportunity is missed, it will not co again."
With his words finished, the hall once again fell into silence.
The agenda drew to a close in a tense atmosphere, as the Red Tide’s secretary stepped forward, unfurling an oath parchnt, shimring in the candlelight.
Yorn was the first to step forward, signing his na without hesitation.
Moved lords followed suit, with over a dozen stamping their family crests, their expressions either resolute or apprehensive.
The rest bowed their heads in silence, fingers rubbing their knees, unwilling to lift a pen, so shaking their heads slightly, so biting their lips, observing.
When the last pen was laid down, the conference hall fell into deathly silence.
Of the notable nobles across the Northern Territory, half had signed.
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