CHAPTER 569: CHAPTER 547: ANDRÉ’S ASSIST

Compared to even Shangruifo County, which is still suffering from the returning chill, Hotam on the plains has fully benefited from the warm currents of the Jade Sea.

While the Mountain Knights in North Mangde County are still wearing wool underlining and woolen cloaks, people of Hotam County have already switched to lightweight woolen short jackets or dresses.

Some who are eager to enjoy the cool air have even donned linen shirts and leather vests.

In the past, Feiliu Castle would certainly be bustling with people during the thaw of spring—the citizens enjoying the season, merchant ships on the Nao’an River, and nobles on hunting trips crowded within this prosperous area.

But this year’s spring, though the sunlight remains bright and the river waters clear, Feiliu Castle has become significantly desolate.

On both sides of the Royal Path, there are no longer farmers rushing to the market or vendors pushing carts, but swarms of beggars and displaced people.

Especially near the Imperial Decree Camp and important castles, numerous artisans forced to sign indentures and promissory notes, wearing ragged clothing, walk like zombies across the spring-warmed earth.

These people hardly need any persuasion—just a few words and they are willing to follow the Saint Sun’s Army or, for now, the rebellion forces in Hotam County.

André, dressed as a beggar, with his face covered in mud, arrived at a riverside with several companions.

This place was originally a noble’s hunting ground, where the patroling Forest Patrol Officer and Knight would never allow beggars like André to enter.

But today, a few confidant knights of Count Sanboli, seemingly ignored André, allowing them to walk straight into the hunting ground.

Breaking through the thickets, pulling off dodder from wool trousers, André used his staff to part the tall grass, revealing an open woodland space with a pond.

On a rock under intertwined tree shadows sat a middle-aged man in a silk shirt, with a black coat draping over, punctuated by split bubble sleeves.

In contrast to André’s leisurely demeanor, this long-haired, sleek-backed middle-aged noble was visibly more anxious.

"I didn’t expect Count to come; I thought it would be Westel." Leaning on his staff, André took off the tattered cap from his head.

Compared to before winter, André had even gained some weight; it seems the nobles are providing substantial support to the rebellion forces.

Count Sanboli clearly did not intend to idle with André and asked directly, "The Shadowless Man seems to be investigating something, getting close to Westel; do you know what’s going on?"

"You ask me, who should I ask?" André pretended to be frustrated, "I’m also being watched by the Shadowless Man; I don’t know why, but they killed a loyal subordinate of mine just to take a note he handled written by me."

Sanboli paced back and forth under the trees several times: "I have a rumor, Prince Kongdai seems to have intercepted a communication between you and Demon Horn."

André actually knew well in his heart, what rumors—clearly they were spies planted within Prince Kongdai’s army.

Prince Kongdai understands utilizing intelligence operatives for leverage, monitoring these unruly nobles, yet don’t these nobles know how to counter-monitor Prince Kongdai?

For local adept ones like them, placing a few people into Prince Kongdai’s civilian teams or even within the Imperial Decree Camp is straightforward.

"We often communicate with His Majesty; it’s no big deal."

"Did you send any other secret letters we transmitted through Westel to that Horn?"

André stared at Sanboli, and after a pause, he slowly spoke: "I can assure you there are none, but I’m not sure about Valent Taylor; you know, he’s pretty much in league with the Salvation Army."

"Damn it." Sanboli originally wanted to curse, but realized that neither he nor André could control the obstinate Valent Taylor, had to reluctantly give up.

As Prince Kongdai left, the great pressure upon the local nobles was lifted, and their control once again returned.

Banifus, originally entrusted by Prince Kongdai to monitor them, treated Prince Kongdai’s expectations for him frivolously.

He almost turned a blind eye to nobles’ audacious behaviors.

The Leia civil war, the Church’s split, left Banifus without both religious and secular support, thus obediently complying.

But along with the first breeze of spring in 1446 blowing into Feiliu Castle, not only came warm flows from the sea, but also battle reports and edicts from Duke Lu’el and Duke Nedbach.

The two royal dukes, backed by major local nobles, aggressively pushed the army to River Island, virtually at the gate of Changge City.

Though Ginijis holds 17 Imperial Decree Camps, the two royal dukes also have 16 Imperial Decree Camps in their hands.

The potentially decisive Prince Kongdai, caught in the mire of the Thousand River Valley uprising, lost 5 Imperial Decree Camps and basically lost his seat at the table.

Thus, the initial tension between both sides started to escalate.

The shallow-rooted Ginijis couldn’t mobilize much of an army outside of the Imperial Decree Camps and could only utilize mercenaries.

Meanwhile, the two dukes secured massive support from local nobles by promising a series of privileges and enlisted many Land Servants and powerful infantry.

Within six months, this abrupt civil war would end in victory for the brothers.

This means the civil war in Leia is about to end, and the church is about to return.

Even if they don’t take action against Prince Kongdai, Prince Kongdai would surely not resist the restoration of the Thousand River Valley Church’s governance by the Holy See, right?

Prince Kongdai cannot interfere with Banifus’ promotions and punishments.

The ones who can truly intervene are the cathedral priests of the various bishops’ cathedrals, most of whom hail from local noble families.

What Prince Kongdai is striving for is the title of the Prince of the Thousand River Valley, which means that all the lawful lords of the Thousand River Valley must pledge allegiance to him.

But this does not mean he can arbitrarily purge the nobles, unless it involves rebellion or conversion.

Otherwise, neither church law nor the noble law of Leia permits a superior lord to arbitrarily strip a count or higher noble of their lands.

This kind of illegal action is what that Demon Horn would do.

"You aren’t truly rebelling, even if discovered, at most a fine would be imposed." André remained nonchalant, "I’d be the one in trouble, I’m truly on the path to the gallows."

Sanboli looked at the calm André, feeling both amazed at his composure and helpless: "His Highness the Prince might have evidence of my collusion with the enemy in his hands, how could you be so careless?

Alas, if this matter doesn’t go on the scales, it’s fine. But once on the scales, it weighs over a thousand pounds. He has long awaited an opportunity to act against me, and I’m going to be peeled a layer this time."

If the nobles loathed Horn, it was because of his illegal cleansing of nobles.

They loathed Moliat because she attempted to modify the local laws of the Thousand River Valley, allowing her to legally strip nobles of some of their privileges.

The current nobles oppose Prince Kongdai because Prince Kongdai is openly lawful while engaging in unlawful activities.

The laws of the Thousand River Valley are left by ancestors and cannot be changed!

Especially laws concerning territory; Prince Kongdai has begun parceling out lands before even becoming the Prince of the Thousand River Valley.

If he’s really made prince, what then?

Standing by Prince Kongdai are five decree units, and behind him are numerous Leia knights and former officials from the previous court.

"Mr. Sanboli, aren’t we on the same side?" André crossed his legs, "I have an idea, want to hear it?"

"Go ahead."

"Instead of you alone being anxious, why not let all the nobles be anxious? You spread rumors that Prince Kongdai has control of everyone’s evidence and is preparing to purge everyone, wouldn’t that be better?"

After building up for so long, André finally revealed his plan at the last moment.

Don’t underestimate his intelligence network; just because the nobles have spies in Prince Kongdai’s army, doesn’t mean André can’t do the same.

Combining the information about "Gray Horse Knight Vine intending to surrender and offering evidence of noble collusion but being regarded as incitement" and the Shadowless Man investigating his handwriting.

André almost instantly concluded that Prince Kongdai’s suspicion was acting up.

In the current desperate situation, despite not knowing how much chance of success it increases, it’s better than doing nothing.

"Nonsense, no matter how suspicious he is, can he strip me of a hundred years of heritage?" Sanboli responded half laughing, half disdainful, "You want to stir the waters of Hotam County, but it’s not that easy."

André didn’t reply but pulled out a pocket watch from his jacket, checking the time.

"What? What are you waiting for?" Sanboli frowned.

André still remained silent, glancing up at the sky, then back down at his pocket watch.

"Speak, you’re standing before a count!" Frustrated by André’s silence, Sanboli stepped forward in a huff, but just as he spoke, a rush of footsteps was heard.

"My lord..." A knight pushed through the bushes.

Sanboli quickly turned: "What is it?"

"Westel... Westel, he’s, he’s dead!" The squire-knight’s words almost made Sanboli stumble.

Westel, the one helping the nobles with the Saint Sun’s Army liaison, was dead!

Just after the Shadowless Man investigated him!

He turned back, incredulously glaring at André, clinging to a shred of hope, his voice trembled as he asked: "Who killed him, can it be traced?"

"It’s already been traced; it was a black-market thug." The squire knight panted heavily, "Our person."