The Fangyin Mountain Range?
This name sparked a stir among the crowd. Even Lynn himself was momentarily taken aback, realizing he had underestimated Santir Castle. The idea of venturing to the steppes of Rongma to cultivate land for sheep met with little enthusiasm, but the prospect of heading to the Fangyin Mountain Range was entirely different.
The reason was simple: the steppes of Rongma were merely a pasture for barbarian herders, while the Fangyin Mountain Range was a veritable treasure trove filled with gold.
This was no mere metaphor but a stark reality: everyone was aware that the Fangyin Mountain Range, situated to the east of the steppes of Rongma, was an immense mountain rich in mineral deposits. This vast range, blocking the steppes and Vasa, did not yield crops and was characteristically desolate. However, within its embrace lay abundant reserves of gold, silver, bloodstone, and various other minerals, far exceeding those found in the nearby Dragon's Spine Mountains, making it the largest mining district in the northern expanse of the Sea of Moons.
The Sea of Moons, where Santir Castle resided, was a hub of commerce, thriving on convenient transportation. Its primary trades involved mining and the trafficking of people. Slaves were consistently procured from the south, sent to the mines to extract ore, smelted into weapons, and subsequently dispatched for sale southward—this was how the city-states of the Sea of Moons sustained themselves.
Mine owners were synonymous with wealth in Santir Castle. To the citizens of Santir, the bountiful mineral resources of the Fangyin Mountain Range signified endless riches.
In the past, the freezing conditions had rendered mining nearly impossible, compounded by the northern location which made habitation difficult for humans. However, with the climate warming, the conditions for excavation had finally arrived, prompting Santir Castle to permit individuals to enter the Fangyin Mountain Range for mining. This news would inevitably draw a multitude of adventurers willing to brave the perils of the north.
"Is this true? Will Santir Castle genuinely allow us to mine there?"
Within the throng, a voice erupted in joyous disbelief, and Uncle Robin nodded approvingly at the excitement, affirming the validity of the claim.
"Yes, Santir Castle will permit immigrants to engage in mining without imposing heavy taxes. Furthermore, they are willing to develop new trade routes for the mine owners, facilitating the transport of ore from the Fangyin Mountain Range to Santir Castle for smelting."
This unexpected announcement ignited a flurry of discussion. Lynn maintained a smile, echoing the enthusiasm of those around him, while inwardly he weighed the pros and cons, contemplating the motivations and potential consequences behind it all.
Santir Castle was unlikely to implement benevolence without reason: as a member of the city-states within the Sea of Moons, it thrived on a survival model heavily reliant on population and arms trade, making a righteous path difficult to traverse. Its inherent desire for expansion and aggression was never concealed, and its avarice for wealth was evident. In order to prevail in competition, Santir Castle depended greatly on brute force, and if such a regime treated its subjects well and allowed them to prosper, there must be some underlying issue.
Their concessions had to have a rationale, and Lynn pondered the reasoning behind it.
From Uncle Robin's words, Lynn discerned that Santir Castle harbored concerns regarding northern defenses: unlike the majority who only saw mines and opportunities, Santir was wary of the barbarians growing strong and launching invasions southward. To declare this as a matter of civilization resisting barbarian incursions might be an exaggeration, yet the reality of war was indisputable.
The foremost concern for Santir Castle was its own existence; in the short term, it needed to focus on defense and could scarcely afford the luxury of simultaneously waging war and prospecting for minerals.
Thus, they would permit immigrants to venture north for mining; since they could not prohibit it, they might as well ease restrictions and allow settlers to explore the mines at their own expense.
Moreover, the Fangyin Mountain Range itself was fraught with danger—divided from the Tumash Mountain Range by the Sea of Moons, the mountain ranges shared similar orientations, connected by the White Worm Glacier. As a family once stationed near the Tumash Mountains, the Reani family was acutely aware of the multitude of threats lurking within those mountains: earth gnomes, ogres, orcs, demonkin, giants, and the ever-present menace of dragons.
To excavate the mines would require battling such myriad monsters; it was no simple task.
Furthermore, the endeavor of pioneering the north was not solely the affair of Santir Castle; both Phylan and Melvort would also be involved. The promises made by Santir Castle did not represent the other city-states, and the so-called first-come, first-served approach might ultimately devolve into a brutal conflict for dominance.
Securing the wealth of the north for oneself would prove exceedingly challenging.
Nevertheless, despite the multitude of complications, the potential rewards were substantial enough to overshadow the risks. With just three gold coins, one could enter the mountains to mine; even a single pound of gold would yield a return of sixteen times the investment, undeniably lucrative.
Lynn glanced at Uncle Robin: had he been so dazzled by the prospect of wealth that he overlooked the dangers, or did he have ulterior motives?
Uncle Robin remained oblivious to Lynn's scrutiny, continuing his discourse on the mining operations.
"The family's primary goal remains the reclamation of Imburt. However, we can establish a branch of the family in Santir Castle, even forging a foothold in the frigid lands. This endeavor will be difficult, yet immensely significant; should we succeed, we shall forge a new industry for the family, one that promises enormous profits."
Uncle Robin inspired the crowd anew, seeming to recall something important, and added, "If you can discover ore in the Fangyin Mountain Range and establish a new mining site, I shall grant you the privilege of officially joining the Reani family—you will receive the surname Reani and become heirs of the next generation."
The previously animated crowd fell into a sudden silence; the fervor that had once radiated now transformed into profound yearning. Lynn perceived a flicker of hostility in the gazes of those around him.
They all longed to become legitimate heirs of the Reani family—this was hardly surprising, for although many assembled in the hall, including Lynn himself, they were all bastards, lacking any claim to inheritance.
To transform from illegitimate offspring into legitimate heirs…
Lynn sighed, smiling to signal his disinterest in conflict, defusing the hostile gazes directed at him by his brothers. This was the truth; he held no desire to become an heir—after all, with the family in its current state, what was there to vie for as the heir of a fallen house?
These matters held little intrigue for Lynn, and he scarcely considered them.
Still, the news of the northern expedition captivated him deeply: judging by the announcements, Santir Castle faced challenges in their northern endeavors, grappling with crises that might very well present an opportunity for him.
While he did not dare to gamble on fortune, he wondered if he could leverage the current situation to alter his own circumstances for the better.
Perhaps he could seize this opportunity to carve out a brighter future for himself.