Chapter 66 - Recruitment and Inquiry

"Besides that, the kingdom can issue an order..." Looking at Oriman, Chen Heng said slowly, "As long as the people of the Kutu Kingdom have the ability to establish a stable territory in the desert, they can be recognized as the lords of that territory, be acknowledged as nobles of the kingdom, and be granted corresponding titles." "Regardless of whether their original origins are slaves, merchants, or nobles, it can be done like this." "Regardless of origin, granting them noble titles..." Listening to Chen Heng's account, Oriman's eyes grew brighter and brighter. She immediately understood the key point of what Chen Heng said. Once this policy declaration on territorial expansion was issued, among the whole Kutu Kingdom, those who were eager for territories and titles would surely flock to the north in large numbers and become a force to resist the northern lords. In order to acquire and defend the territories, those people would surely do their best and continuously consume their own strength in this process. This was equivalent to indirectly consuming the strength of other nobles to increase the strength of the kingdom's frontiers. More importantly, in this process, those people were all completely voluntary. The kingdom would not gain any bad reputation but could achieve the results it wanted to achieve. Looking at Chen Heng, Oriman's eyes became even brighter, and her impression of him had completely changed. Before, she had only regarded Chen Heng as a knight with excellent personal virtues and powerful strength. However, this stereotyped impression had been completely overturned at this moment. The person in front of her not only possessed extremely powerful strength and talent but also had a formidable ability that ordinary people didn't have, being able to see what ordinary people couldn't see at a glance. It was as if any problem in front of him could be solved by him. Looking at Chen Heng, who was tall and straight with a calm expression in front of her, Oriman's heart gradually became firm. Even excluding his powerful strength, the Chen Heng in front of her was really a rare talent. With such talent, even if he wasn't a knight himself, he was already worthy of Oriman's recruitment. She firmed up her previous thought and then continued to speak. Next, she began to ask about some other issues and seriously asked Chen Heng in front of her. To her surprise, no matter what questions she raised, Chen Heng in front of her seemed to be able to accurately understand her meaning and accurately put forward his own views and solutions. Gradually, Oriman couldn't help but let out an exclamation. "What a pity..." Looking at Chen Heng, she said seriously with a sigh, "It would have been better if I had known you earlier." "But it's not too late now." She looked at Chen Heng and couldn't help smiling. "I'm very glad that I invited you here this time and could hear your views." "Your Highness is too kind," Chen Heng lowered his head. Being praised by Oriman like this, there was no trace of complacency on his face. "They are just some personal views." "Your Highness is surrounded by the most outstanding talents in the kingdom. My views probably don't count for much." "They are far inferior to you," Oriman couldn't help shaking her head when she thought of her advisers. "All they told me was to hurry up and recruit more people." "There were hardly any really useful suggestions." She couldn't help showing a sarcastic look and then continued to look at Chen Heng and said sincerely, "Kailin, are you interested in becoming my vassal?" She looked at Chen Heng and asked seriously. Chen Heng couldn't help being stunned. Was it so straightforward? But on careful thought, for the lofty Princess Oriman, if she wanted to recruit someone, she really didn't need to be euphemistic. However, for Chen Heng, it was not the case. "Since Your Highness has invited me, I shouldn't refuse. But for this kind of thing, I hope to discuss it with my father..." Chen Heng bowed and lowered his head. "So, please give me some time." Even though he had already decided on his future plan, agreeing too directly was really not appropriate after all. It was not conducive to Chen Heng raising his own value, nor was it conducive to his development with Vinall. So, it was necessary to retreat appropriately in order to advance. "If you want to discuss it with your father, that's no problem," Oriman expressed understanding of Chen Heng's words. In terms of Chen Heng's identity, what he represented at this moment was largely his entire family behind him. According to the rules of this era, once Chen Heng formally became Oriman's vassal, it meant that his entire family behind him also defected together. After all, after Amando died, Chen Heng was now the only child of Baron Kesen and the future heir of Baron Kesen. Once he defected to Oriman, it meant that his entire family behind him would also defect together. Under such a major choice involving the entire family, it was a very normal thing to need to think about it. "From a personal perspective, I quite understand your consideration," Looking at Chen Heng, Oriman smiled. "However, as Vinall's sister, I also have to remind you." "Vinall is still waiting for you in the palace." "Don't keep her waiting too long." "Vinall..." As soon as the words fell, Chen Heng suddenly raised his head, with a surprised expression on his face. "Your Highness is... Vinall's sister?" "Yes." Looking at the change in Chen Heng's facial expression and his surprised look, Oriman was quite satisfied and nodded, saying, "Vinall is my younger sister and the third princess of the kingdom." "Why, after having dealings with her for so long, didn't you guess her identity?" Speaking of this, she smiled, with an amused expression on her face. "I guessed a little, but I thought she was just from the Carey family..." Chen Heng showed a bitter smile on his face. "I didn't expect..." "Vinall is a bit shy, so she has been in the kingdom since she was a child and seldom went out. It's normal that you didn't expect it," Oriman shook her head and said. "However, I didn't expect that she would have interactions with you and even develop to this point." Listening to Oriman's words, Chen Heng remained silent. At this moment, he seemed to be still silently digesting this information and accepting this fact. It was not until a moment later that he sighed and continued to speak, "What does Your Highness want?" "It's not about what I want, but about what you want," Oriman raised her head and seriously looked at Chen Heng. "I've seen all your previous meetings and conversations." "Undoubtedly, Vinall likes you very much." "What about you?" She looked at Chen Heng and questioned him like this. Chen Heng was silent for a moment. Outside the room, in a place he didn't know, a pair of eyes were tightly staring at them through the crack. There, Vinall was wearing a black dress and standing there at this moment, with her maid beside her. It seemed that she had been standing there early and had been listening to the conversation between Oriman and Chen Heng all along. At this moment, listening to Oriman's words, her heart couldn't help beating faster. Her eyes were tightly fixed on Chen Heng, looking forward to his answer. Does he like me too? Is he willing to be with me? What on earth is he thinking? One question after another kept emerging in her mind and appeared one by one at this moment. Her breathing became more and more nervous, and at this moment, her heart was almost pounding out of her chest.