Chapter 330 - Meeting #2

Miranda nodded. "So we need to put some of the profits towards gaining those pieces of land, wood or other materials, seeds, tools and livestock while also finding a place for many to settle down."

The Bombyx families spies or loyal workers would be given a home to settle in but some would be given a position of a village head to manage the land and watch over the activities of everyone within.

While some may wish to rebuild, others may just appear on the land to take advantage of the situation.

Having her own people on those lands was beneficial for Ki and the family so they could prevent the worst case scenarios.

Whether it was lazy people arriving to receive benefits for themselves or more serious cases of others trying to steal or take from others by force, the family would be the first to find out about such things and be able to respond quickly.

Ki asked. "What about the situation with the three vassal families?"

The three families named Seren, Bifta and Nix had been loyal and performing well for many years as they continued to develop.

Their actions in the three cities had contributed a lot to the safety of many people and saved many lives so she wished to know about how they were coping.

Miranda replied. "They are managing to hold on and stabilise their power within the three cities but there will always be some resistance. The situation within Wolfden is the best it could be right now so one family has escaped such trivial matters. Another has the power of their trained martial artists but with the roads being as they are, their horses and carriages had to be kept away and remained unused. They were able to cope by using their resources to help build homes outside of the walls and move heavy materials during the flood. Finally the last one used up some of their money and connections to contribute to saving as many lives as possible but while this has made them lose a large amount of money, they have risen in status within the city. They have also taken advantage of several shops that have went bankrupt and purchased them so they should be able to get their money back once everything returns to normal."

Ki nodded and spoke. "That is good news... then they need to be rewarded. Send some prized horses, a land deed near their city and a couple of the good wine bottles to them. We also need to arrange for a stricter guard to be placed around them as many will begin to covet what they have and take stupid actions against them."

Isaac who had been quiet spoke up. "It can be arranged but why go so far? They should have already gained much from your warning."

The three families had made use of her warning and stocked up on goods and materials which allowed them to thrive during the flood but also make many profits from stocking up on and selling luxury goods when the prices had risen.

Most of their efforts so far were rewarded already from what they had gained because of the warning given so in Isaac's opinion, there was no need to give them anything extra.

Ki shook her head as she responded. "Although they have gained much and have grown over the years, they will continue to do so. We cannot always guess their minds or the minds within their family homes, there are always chances that they will let their greed consume them and do something stupid. If it isn't the family heads who would have these thoughts and actions against us, there is the possibility of those within their own homes or those close to them that have seen the successes and will act against the family heads or even the family who has given them those benefits."

She took a breathe and then continued. "The land is to grant them an opportunity to expand their food supplies to grow their own forces, the wine is a gesture to remind them who they serve and the benefits they can get later so long as they are not short sighted. The final gesture is to remind them not to be too greedy and that while we have sent people to help guard them and provide them safety, it is also a way to monitor their actions during this time."