Chapter 29 Administrative Officer Prince
The two groups were facing each other at a distance of several dozen meters, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.
At first, the guards on Ronin's side didn't quite understand why the Baron asked them to take up weapons.
But when they heard the visitor speaking in such an impolite tone, they seemed to understand.
At this moment, their admiration for Roning deepened. The Baron was truly a god-like being who could have foreseen this situation.
Political Officer Princet was sitting on his horse. He looked up behind Ronin. The number of guards holding swords was just as he expected, about thirty people. He felt more confident.
"Lord Luo Ning, you may not know that I have been the administrative officer of Shanlin Town for nine years. During these years, even though the harvest was poor, and we were attacked by the wild tribe and the monsters in Wushan, I was still able to pay taxes worth ten gold coins to Wushan Castle every year."
The ten gold coins do not necessarily refer to money but also include equivalents.
It may not sound like much, but for a small mountain town with a population of no more than a thousand people to pay so much tax every year is indeed quite impressive.
Luo Ning nodded slightly, "You have done a good job. Wushanbao saw your ability and handed this town over to you to manage for nine years."
He couldn't figure out what measures the other party was going to take for the time being, so it wouldn't be a problem for him to take the opportunity to praise the other party.
"Haha, but now, the place I have worked so hard to run for nine years is going to be sold to a notorious loser like you!"
Princet's eyes changed and became aggressive, "I'm very dissatisfied!"
"Why do nobles dare to take away other people's achievements so easily? Why should I hand over my things to a loser like you who was played by a woman?"
He roared angrily: "Why!"
"Shut up!"
Macken drew his sword and looked at Ronin, "Sir, let me go and kill him!"
However, Roning shook his head and signalled McKenn not to take any action for the time being.
As a time traveller, he could somewhat understand the other person's feelings.
Although Princet was not the lord of Hillwood Town in these years, he was no different from the lord. It was indeed a bit difficult for him to accept psychologically that he should be recognized as the lord.
However, although I understand it, it is absolutely unacceptable for the other party to take over my things.
"You were sent by Wushanbao to manage Shanlin Town, but Shanlin Town does not belong to you. No matter how angry or loud you are, you cannot change this rule because this is how the world is: ruled and dominated by the nobles! If you want a territory of your own, the first thing you have to do is pledge your loyalty to the nobles."
"But I understand you."
Roning changed the subject and said, "As long as you dismount and acknowledge me as your master, I will not pursue your attitude today. As long as you are loyal to me, maybe one day you can become a baron like me."
"maybe!"
Princet slowly drew the sword from his waist, "But I have a better suggestion."
The atmosphere began turning to freezing point, and murderous intent slowly leaked.
"You say." Luo Ning said.
Princet pointed his sword at Ronin, "I can kill you here and then continue to serve as the political officer of Hillwood Town."
"Oh? Aren't you afraid of being investigated by Wushanbao?"
Princess laughed. "Wild beasts and monsters often appear on the road to Shanlin Town. With only a junior knight and thirty infantrymen around you, it is normal for you to die at the hands of monsters."
Obviously, the other party also had information about Luo Ning's personnel configuration. I believe that when he set out from Wushan Fort, this information was already on the way to Shanlin Town.
If someone insisted that Princet had spies in Wushan Castle, Roning didn't believe it.
A government official from a small mountain town does not have that much ability.
So Roning was very curious: where did the other party get it from?
He looked at the several strong men riding on horses beside the other party. These four men seemed to be extraordinary. Could they also be junior knights?
But a mountain town with only a few hundred people shouldn't give birth to many extraordinary people, right?
Luo Ning tried to repeat the other person's words.
"Your plan is indeed feasible. But I see that you only have 20 to 30 people. Are you so confident that you can kill me easily?"
He looked back and said, "In terms of numbers, I have more people here than you~."
"Haha, you are as stupid as Wiggins! If numbers can determine everything, then can your Wushan Castle crush the Black Gold Brotherhood? Can you crush the Hyde Family?"
Princet looked disdainful, "But the reality is that Wushanbao can do nothing to anyone!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became. He wanted to challenge the authority of the nobility and amplify their dignity, and today, he could finally do it.
"To tell you the truth, I am a mid-level knight with four junior knights beside me. In the face of absolute power, you are no different from sheep in a sheepfold."
He was already looking forward to seeing the eldest grandson of Wushan Fort showing a look of fear after hearing such a lineup.
But he only saw a flash of surprise on Roning's face.
Roning was indeed surprised.
When they came, everyone in Wushanbao thought that there were only one or two extraordinary people in Shanlin Town at most. Who would have thought that there were not only five extraordinary people here but also a mid-level knight?
Wushanbao's intelligence acquisition capabilities are so poor that it knows nothing about Shanlin Town.
But there is also a possibility that they have never cared about Shanlin Town. As long as the annual tax of ten gold coins is received, it doesn't matter what happens here.
This is how a declining aristocracy gradually loses its ruling power.
"I still say the same thing, Princet and everyone behind you should listen up!"
Luo Ning regained his composure. "Before we start, I can forgive your disrespect today. But if you still don't value your lives and challenge my authority, then don't blame me, the new lord, for killing people."
Over there, Princet's face had darkened.
Having been the master of Hillwood Town for so many years, he hasn't heard such disrespectful words for a long time.
Over the years, he had been looking forward to seeing panic and fear on the nobles' faces, and he also wanted to defeat them.
But not only did Roning not show these behaviours, but he also shook the morale of the people on his side.
He discovered that some of the guards around him were showing signs of wavering. After all, nobility was a deeply rooted concept in these people's minds, and they knew that they all belonged to the Wushan Territory.
The conversation could not continue.
Princet made up his mind, "Archer, release your arrows!"
The three archers did not waver. The nobles were illusory to them, but the political officials were real people who could grant them a superior life.
They quickly drew their bows and loaded arrows, and in just two seconds, the arrows flew out.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
McCann took the lead and rushed out.
Driven by his fighting spirit, the sword light on his sword surged.
All three arrows were cut off with just one sweep and fell to the ground.
Princet's pupils shrank violently, and his expression changed. "How is this possible? How do you have a mid-level knight?"
Now that the fight has begun, there's no need to waste time talking.
Roning quickly ordered: "Leave Princet to Macken, and remember to keep him alive as much as possible. I can still use him!"
"Elrond, remember to treat the wounded in time."
Luo Ning pointed his sword and said, "Kill them all!"
McCann also responded loudly: "Traitor, damn it!"
The sound of rapid horse hooves rang out. McKen, Roning, and David took the lead and charged straight into the enemy camp. Behind them, the twenty-nine guards also rushed forward.
Only the magician Elrond and the servant Chahar stayed behind and did not move forward.
Princet didn't expect that the opposite side launched the charge and that the other side was going uphill while they were going downhill, so the terrain was not very favourable.
However, now that the battle has begun, there is no need to worry about positioning.
"kill!"
He roared, and all his fighting spirit burst out, looking quite imposing.
On this road, a battle involving sixty or seventy people broke out.