The price Henwell quotes for the six dium and two large fortresses is surprisingly fair.
It’s only about 30% more expensive than if the family built them themselves, and everyone’s pleased with that.
After all, they figure Henwell uses so kind of extraordinary materials to speed up construction and boost strength.
For such a lavish thod, just a 30% markup is incredibly reasonable.
Even the family’s conservative faction, like Viscount Tuster and company, feel a bit embarrassed.
They genuinely believe Henwell ans well for the Phoenix family.
For this deal, Henwell would rather take a loss than not help the family get firmly established.
Did Henwell really lose money?
Of course not!
He’s not actually using any extraordinary materials.
Each dium fortress is priced at 130,000 gold coins; each large one at 350,000 gold coins.
So how much does Henwell actually earn?
He’s practically laughinging while pocketing an 80% profit!
The project requires 2,000 skilled workers, while the rest of the laborers co from the Phoenix family.
Over two years, Henwell pays these 2,000 craftsn less than 100,000 gold coins in wages.
Steel and concrete costs don’t exceed 200,000 gold coins.
For a total project price of 1.5 million gold coins, Henwell’s actual expenses are under 300,000 gold coins.
That’s an 80% profit margin!
And that’s not even counting the various siege engines and military supplies needed once the fortresses are built.
Obviously, these will be purchased from Peace Haven.
Peace Haven holds a massive advantage in quality, price, and delivery tis.
All told, these purchases add up to nearly a million gold coins.
On those, Henwell takes about half the usual profit.
To the Phoenix family mbers, this already looks like he’s practically giving it away.
At this mont, Henwell shifts the pointer to the northern region. “This area doesn’t need much investnt for now. Our relationship with Marquis Descartes is more of a watchful peace—over-fortifying here would seem excessive.”
”As for the east, my personal suggestion is to avoid heavy troop deploynts as well. The kingdom’s Seventh and Thirteenth Legions have just been redeployed back here. If we both stack too many troops in this zone, it could easily spark unnecessary friction.”
”So, I propose stationing our mixed regints at the border junction between our territories. This unit has been tempered by battle, and their combat effectiveness is well recognized. They can handle those two legions without issue.”
”Plus, during the previous war, there was so level of cooperation between the two sides. This arrangent keeps a watchful eye on the kingdom’s forces without escalating tensions. Do you have any other suggestions?”
No one voices objections. The plan seems thorough and reasonable.
If the kingdom decides to reinforce this area in the future, adjustnts can be made accordingly.
After wrapping up the military deploynt, Henwell points out a few spots within the Phoenix family lands.
“Next spring, I’ll build several industrial zones here to lay groundwork for trade with Vorska in the north. These industrial zones will focus on preliminary processing of raw materials. Initially, Peace Haven workers will dominate, with 20% local labor recruited. After one year, locals should make up half the workforce, and by year two, 80%.”
The room falls silent. Unlike other factions, Phoenix family mbers fully grasp Peace Haven’s potential influence.
Before Jansen was elevated to Grand Duke, everyone would have welcod Henwell’s proposal without hesitation.
But now, things are different. Phoenix has beco a ducal family, earning a top-tier spot on the continent.
At this stage, the family mbers naturally view Peace Haven with suspicion.
Henwell knows well the unease in the room.
He continues, “Aside from internal security and factory managent, the Phoenix family will oversee all other affairs—external security, personnel recruitnt and vetting, and so on.”
”Additionally, for each industrial zone, I’ll pay 100,000 gold coins in land rent for ten years. Each zone will also pay taxes to the Phoenix family. The first year might be light, but I guarantee that by year three, each zone will contribute at least 50,000 gold coins annually in taxes.”
Discussion breaks out among the mbers, but in the end, the two factions reach consensus and accept Henwell’s terms.
What should be a cause for celebration over the new project landing is overshadowed by Duke Jansen’s worries.
Henwell’s visit this ti is more a test—to gauge the Phoenix family’s attitude.
Spending money is trivial, but it signals a trend.
So Phoenix mbers no longer consider Henwell one of their own.
Yet Henwell still wants to know just how distant the Phoenix family has beco toward him.
Next, Henwell presents several projects—education, agriculture, healthcare, and military personnel exchange and training.
As soon as he finishes, many Phoenix family mbers jump up in opposition.
Their reasons are all over the place, so even downright unreasonable.
But the core ssage is clear: Henwell must not be allowed to ddle in these areas.
Faced with their endless excuses, Henwell simply smiles and stays composed.
Watching the chaotic bickering below, Duke Jansen suddenly stands up, stomping the ground with a heavy foot. “Enough!”
His face darkens as he commands, “Order! The Phoenix Second Legion will head to Peace Haven for intensive training and selection. Henwell will choose half the soldiers, Peace Haven the other half, to form the Mixed Second Legion. The existing mixed unit will be nad Mixed First Legion. After one year, the Mixed Second Legion will replace the first in guarding the kingdom’s two legions. anwhile, the Mixed First Legion will take full charge of security for Peace Haven’s industrial zones here.”
“Currently, Peace Haven’s industrial zones, public schools, town hospitals, and agricultural centers will be protected by my personal guard! Peace Haven provides funding and technology for all construction and investnt, while the Phoenix family supplies manpower and land. Peace Haven will not owe the Phoenix family any fees or taxes for the industrial zones and related facilities!”
“My lord…”
“Jansen, this isn’t right…”
Jansen roars, “Don’t interrupt ! Let finish! From now on, every branch of the family, every noble, must send their heirs to Peace Haven’s schools for at least three years! Otherwise, they forfeit their inheritance rights!”
He glares coldly around the room. “Are you all fools? Our current status isn’t because we’re that great—it’s because of Peace Haven. Because of Henwell, we can stand where we do! Now the kingdom throws us an empty ducal title, and you start losing your heads?”
”Don’t forget. Our lands were seized by our own hands, not gifted by the kingdom! Even without the ducal title, the Phoenix family holds the power of a duke!”
He punctuates each word deliberately: “What I just said is not a discussion—it’s an order! In the na of the Phoenix family head!”
User Comments
0 comments from readers