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Chapter 206: The Battle of Apshi (Part 1)
Chapter 206: The Battle of Apshi (Part 1)
"Are you the Bane?"
At the forefront of the army from Crescent Moon Town, Earl Philip reined in his steed and looked up at Su Yu, who stood atop the city walls.
At the same time, he waved his hand backward, signaling the army to halt.
Following the highest commander's instructions, the army behind him stopped advancing and adjusted their formation under the direction of the various officers, preparing to besiege the city.
Su Yu leaped down from the eight-meter-high city wall, landing with a Flash Step. He then walked slowly toward Earl Philip. "Yes, I am the Bane. What are your terms, my lord?"
"Bane, I have a question for you." Earl Philip raised his riding crop and pointed at Su Yu with a haughty expression. "I've heard that you plan to develop a deep-water port on the northeastern coast of Apshi. Is this true?"
"Yes, it is true, and the construction of the deep-water port is already underway. Is there a problem with that?"
A coastal city must have a high-quality deep-water port to engage in maritime trade.
Moreover, in the next expansion, Oran City and the Demacia Province of the Windchime Empire will open a 'Golden Route,' making it a perfect investment opportunity. So, Su Yu had already started planning and laying the groundwork.
"Since you admit it, I will state my terms." Earl Philip smiled insincerely as he stared at him. "My terms are: you must stop the development of the deep-water port in your territory. Additionally, you must sign a magical contract, vowing that your territory will never engage in maritime trade. If you sign the contract, I will immediately withdraw my troops!"
"Hmph, on what grounds?" Su Yu laughed in anger.
He had chosen to establish his territory by the sea precisely to capitalize on maritime trade and earn more money. Now, they wanted him to never engage in maritime trade? Wasn't this just a dream?
"On the grounds of the powerful army behind me and the livelihoods of the eight thousand dock workers in Crescent Moon Town!" Earl Philip said with a righteous tone. "Over 90% of Oran City's maritime trade passes through Crescent Moon Town, which is the source of sustenance for tens of thousands of our residents.
"Now, you're developing a new port by the sea, which will inevitably take a share of our maritime trade. How many dock workers will lose their jobs? How many families will go hungry, become homeless, and be torn apart? Have you considered this?"
Hearing Earl Philip's righteous words, the soldiers behind him began to view him in a new light.
Previously, the soldiers had a poor impression of the earl, having suffered from his oppression many times.
But now, the earl was considering the livelihoods of thousands of dock workers, which made the soldiers feel warm inside.
The soldiers began to whisper to each other:
"Lord Earl is right. My uncle is a dock worker and has three children. If he loses his job, what will happen to his family?"
"Crescent Moon Town became prosperous because of our reliance on maritime trade. How can we let others take a share of it?"
"Right! For the sake of Crescent Moon Town, we must not let other ports grow!"
"For Crescent Moon Town!"
The soldiers shouted their slogans loudly, and the army's morale rose steadily.
...
And Earl Philip's performance was not over. He looked at Tina, who was floating in mid-air, and said coldly, "Tina Garcia, your Unicorn Knights have no right to interfere in the disputes between lords! I advise you to leave now, or I will report your actions to the highest military tribunal in Oran City!"
"Are you telling me how to do my job?" Tina angrily drew her sword.
She had learned this phrase from the Bane, and it felt very appropriate to use it now.
But then, a calm voice echoed from the walls of Aupsi City: "I am Centurion Francis. Lady Tina, we indeed have no right to get involved in the struggles between lords.
My apologies, Lord Crescend. I and the three hundred city lord's guards behind me will not participate in this conflict."
With that, Francis waved his hand, and over three hundred elite soldiers leaped down from the inner wall of the city, leaving large gaps in the city's defenses.
Seeing this, the morale of the Falling Moon Town army outside the city surged! Many soldiers were eager to charge forward and capture the city.
Earl Philip's aggressive stance, the formidable appearance of the Falling Moon Town army, Lady Tina's heroic figure in the sky, and Centurion Francis's betrayal at the last moment—all these scenes were captured by the cameras of various streamers on the city walls and transmitted to the major live streaming platforms.
Currently, the most popular live streams on these platforms were all about the defense of Aupsi City.
This was the final and most challenging defense, which made it particularly popular.
The chat sections of the live streams were filled with comments, as everyone expressed their thoughts:
"No wonder the lord of Falling Moon Town is attacking; it seems Lord Crescend has encroached on their interests."
"Admit it, this Shaving Razor Earl is quite skilled at rallying his troops. Their morale is sky-high right now."
"Centurion Francis's sudden betrayal is dangerous for Lord Crescend!"
"Go, Lord Crescend! Don't let all your efforts go to waste."
"Keep it up, Lord Crescend!"
Of course, Su Yu was aware that the entire internet was now focused on this defense.
He wasn't surprised by Centurion Francis's betrayal.
After all, Francis was the city lord's guard, and Su Yu had severely offended the city lord, Claude. If he hadn't taken this opportunity to cause trouble, that would have been truly strange!
However, out of courtesy, Su Yu called out loudly in the direction of Francis: "Sir Francis, I don't mind that you're not participating in this conflict. Thank you for helping me defend against the previous bandit attacks."
Then, Su Yu turned to look at Earl Philip: "As for this noble, to my knowledge, the dock workers of Falling Moon Town are living in extreme hardship. They work long hours and receive meager pay.
How is it that you, who have been exploiting them for profit, are now speaking on their behalf?
If you truly care about the unemployment of these dock workers, then how about this: you send these dock workers to my territory, and I will provide each family with 50,000 spirit coins as a settlement fee. I also guarantee them jobs, with each person receiving at least 1.5 times the salary they earn in Falling Moon Town. Does that satisfy you?"
As soon as Su Yu finished speaking, a wave of astonishment rippled through the ranks of the Falling Moon Town army.
The morale they had just built up quickly dissipated as they began discussing the offer with their comrades.
"50,000 spirit coins? Did I hear that right?"
"A dock worker earns about 400 to 600 spirit coins a month. 50,000 spirit coins is equivalent to seven or eight years of their income!"
"That settlement fee is way too generous! I suddenly regret not becoming a dock worker."
"Is Lord Crescend just trying to fool us with empty promises?"
Hearing the soldiers' doubts, Su Yu spoke loudly: "I can assure you, using my identity as the 'Princess's Envoy,' that my promise is genuine and has no false elements!"
As he spoke, he raised the golden token given to him by the princess, displaying it to all the soldiers of Falling Moon Town.
(End of Chapter)
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