CHAPTER 315: CHAPTER 214: PEOPLE ALWAYS PREFER COMPROMISE (PART 2)

Christine suddenly realized, murmuring, "So you never planned to knight these people from the beginning, just issued empty promises. If the Parliament disagrees, you can just blame them and simultaneously arouse the anger of the overseas officials, making them your die-hard loyalists."

"Was all this part of your plan?"

Christine murmured, suddenly becoming alert.

Could Roland also be scheming against her?

Miss Saintess, although recognizing Roland’s strength and means, did not like being schemed against.

She couldn’t hold back her complaint, "Pity those officials who are full of expectations yet end up disappointed."

"Who said they’d be disappointed?"

Roland spoke seriously, "This time’s knighting application includes a total of seven Barons and me, the Count. Imperial Knights do not require Parliament’s review; the Empress can grant the titles at will."

"Her Majesty the Empress knew that the knighting application would likely be rejected, so she prepared a backup plan. She will use the Tyrone Earl’s Domain as a territory to reward meritorious officials."

Now it was Christine’s turn to be surprised.

The Tyrone Earl’s Domain is the Sussex Imperial Family’s territory, currently under Sif’s direct control. It’s densely populated, fertile, and not far from the Imperial Capital — the best territory.

"You guys are really willing."

Christine had no doubt that this was Roland’s idea. She didn’t believe Sif could be so generous.

Roland smiled and explained, "It’s just a temporary territory."

"How so?"

"In one or two months, bad news will arrive. Those waiting to become Barons will surely be very disappointed. At that time, the Empress will propose dividing the Tyrone Earl’s Domain among them as a temporary territory."

Pausing slightly, Roland continued to explain, "Although it’s called a temporary territory, no one will actually go to manage or collect taxes. This is just to solve their rank issue for now, to be officially granted later."

"So they would be Barons without territories?"

Christine instantly understood Roland’s intention.

Private property is sacred and inviolable, and the Tyrone Earl’s Domain is Sif’s personal territory. Even if she grants it to foreigners, the Parliament wouldn’t have a say.

Sif divided the Tyrone Earl’s Domain into several Baron Domains to lend to this group of new meritorious officials.

Although they don’t have territories, they are at least Barons.

Although Imperial Knights are also nobility, most old nobility do not recognize them, and even Barons find it difficult to integrate into their circles.

Though a Baron is just a lower-level noble, he has formally stepped into the noble threshold.

Seeing Christine’s surprised expression, Roland smiled and explained, "If we proposed the temporary territory plan from the start, surely no one would be satisfied. Even if they don’t say it, they would have grievances in their hearts."

"When the Parliament rejects it and they have nothing, giving them discounted Baron titles will make them overjoyed. Even if they are dissatisfied, they will be annoyed with the elders in the Imperial Capital, not the Empress."

"People always like compromises. If you want to open a window in winter, most people will disagree, but if you insist on removing the roof, they will be willing to help you open the window."

Christine had never heard such a saying before and didn’t know what to say for a while.

Although a little unconvinced, she accepted Roland’s explanation.

She could fully imagine how happy these unfortunate new Barons would be to receive the Empress’s consolation prize after losing their complete titles.

First, make excessive demands, then you can get a compromised result?

Christine silently memorized Roland’s compromise method.

This technique is common in diplomatic negotiations and business activities, but few can explain it so thoroughly.

Roland not only explained clearly but also used this method to win people’s hearts.

Christine felt a chill down her back.

She helped Roland, would she also be sold like those new Barons and still have to count money for him?

Miss Saintess cautiously glanced at Roland, quickly feeling reassured.

Roland’s eyes were clear, without a trace of corruption.

He surely wouldn’t scheme against her!

After explaining, Roland fell back into thought.

Directly asking Christine for what she wants definitely wouldn’t work; even if she had demands, she wouldn’t say them.

Girls’ thoughts have always been elusive for him, but he had to guess now.

Roland’s brain was working rapidly, almost smoking.

Christine’s identity is special, still a candidate for the Saintess. The means of wooing with wine, color, or wealth surely wouldn’t work.

What does she really want?

Unable to think of anything for the moment, Roland could only make small talk and casually asked, "How is the battle damage of the Temple Warriors this time?"

"Three hundred thirty-nine dead, five hundred seventy-seven seriously injured, with thirty-five having limb disabilities. Training Temple Warriors is not easy; this is a huge loss."

Seeing Christine’s undisguisable distress for the Temple Warriors, Roland understood that they were her trusted forces. Officially Temple Warriors, but essentially her private soldiers.

He gently asked, "How long does it take to train a qualified Temple Warrior, and how much does it cost?"

"Temple Warriors are generally selected from pious young orphans. If you let me train them, basic training can be completed in about a year and a half, with seventy percent of the combat power of veteran Temple Warriors."

Piety in faith aside, the restriction condition of being an orphan is very harsh.

Where are there so many orphans?

Roland quickly turned silent, there actually were indeed many.

In this era, seemingly only a hundred years distant from modern civilization, but actually separated by several layers of mountains, war, famine, disease, or even the nobles’ whims, could all create a large number of orphans.

Not to mention anything else, this Hansa defense war alone created tens of thousands of orphans.

Counting various natural and man-made disasters, his territory alone has at least a hundred thousand orphans.

What a truly barbaric world.

Roland suddenly realized what he could trade with Christine.

"Christine, could you help me with one more thing?"

Christine asked suspiciously, "Another war? If it’s just commanding the corps, it’s definitely not a problem. But the Temple Warriors suffered significant losses and need to rest, I hope they don’t participate this time."

Her words confirmed Roland’s guess. The Temple Warriors were indeed Christine’s most valued asset.

This deal is definitely going to be made, as it is an irresistible condition.

"Do you see me as a war maniac? Of course not war. The Temple Warriors need a break, and so does my army. If wars are fought continuously, soldiers will become extremely war-weary."

"Then..." Christine was on alert, staring at Roland.

Her greatest value lies in her military talents, and if it’s not about this, then what does he want?

"Suppose using these more than four thousand Temple Warriors as the backbone, under slightly lower selection standards, and without considering other factors, how many people could you expand the army by?"

"At least one hundred thousand to start." Christine thought briefly and replied directly.

Though she didn’t understand Roland’s intention, she patiently explained, "But this is according to conventional army standards. The reason Temple Warriors are formidable is the higher selection standards. By the lowest Temple Warrior selection standards, it can expand to about fifteen thousand."

"Only that much?" Roland was slightly disappointed.

"Governor Roland, do you realize you’re speaking nonsense?"

Christine was somewhat speechless; Temple Warriors are absolutely loyal, extremely powerful troops. Expanding by ten thousand men could even affect the outcome of the Saintess selection, and this is called only?

Roland understood Christine’s capability limits and immediately offered an olive branch.

"In recent years, due to natural and man-made disasters and numerous armed conflicts, there are at least hundreds of thousands of orphans in my territory. If you can select Temple Warriors from these orphans, it would greatly help me."

Christine was silent for a long time before slowly asking, "Are you serious? These people would no longer be your subjects once they become Temple Warriors, but part of the Defender Army under my command."

"I’m well aware. If you can help, I can cover part of the expenses and provide a base."

"And the price?" Christine’s voice carried a slight tremor; it was an irresistible offer.

"Continue serving as my Military Commander."

"I will give you all my wisdom!" Christine agreed without hesitation.