King
Chapter 158 - 158 111 The Debtor is_2

158: Chapter 111, The Debtor is…_2 158: Chapter 111, The Debtor is…_2 Baron West said indifferently.

As a lord, he has the right to legislate in his own territory.

If the creditors were not so powerful, Baron Katelai could also make laws to keep them all out.

“Honorable Baron West, I also don’t want to do this.

But there is no choice.

If I deal with these slaves now, I will lose all my investment.

According to the agreement, my debt period is only half a year.

If the debt isn’t repaid within half a year, the consequences can be distressing.

If you can intervene, and persuade my creditors to agree to delay the debt collection, I would proceed as per your will right away.

If not, then it can’t be helped.

The people will have to stay with you for now.

Do as you please, I’m certainly not taking them away.”

Baron Katelai said in a resigned tone.

Even if West Baron is offended, it’s better than being hunted down by creditors.

Presently, in the counties of Layton and Wharton, the most solid backing comes from the West family.

Apart from relying on him, Katelai had simply no better solution.

“That’s impossible!

Your debt is too huge, and I don’t have that sort of influence.

It would be more productive pleading to your father.

If Viscount Hank Kage is willing to intervene, perhaps everyone else would give you another chance.

Maple Domain is fertile.

As long as you manage it well, there is hope of clearing the debt within five years.”

But his voice dwindled, apparently even Baron West didn’t believe in his own words.

No matter how fertile the Maple Domain was, one had to consider territory expenditure as well.

Just counting the revenue without considering the expenses is pure hooliganism.

There are multitudes of territories that pull in tens of thousands of gold coins a year.

But after deducting expenses, only a few of them have a net gain of tens of thousands of gold coins.

Not to mention Maple Domain, even if Dardiel City were to be developed, Baron West wouldn’t dare guarantee an annual net gain of tens of thousands of gold coins.

If you only calculate territory income, every one of the Five Wealthy Houses of the North Border holds territories larger than a province, with annual revenues totaling millions of gold coins, but in the end, aren’t they all running deficit?

The reason they can keep going is because the Major Nobles have other businesses.

Such as Baron West wanting to make Dardiel City a trade center in the southern region, which may seem to be for tax revenue, but in essence, it’s to gather people and develop his own industries.

Merely relying on that bit of tax revenue, probably doesn’t even cover daily expenses.

What actually generates profit is renting/selling shops and residences inside the city, as well as selling food, vegetables, meat, and daily necessities produced within the territory.

Such a strategy however, is not suitable for Maple Domain.

Thinking about farming revenues and a simple life is fine, but getting rich overnight from it is simply impossible.

Feeling uncomfortable with the suggestion given, Baron West paused for a moment and added: “Perhaps you might want to have a talk with the Mountain Baron.

If anyone in the two counties has the highest demand for labor, it has to be him.

Knowing his appetite, even if the population in his territory exceeds twenty thousand, it won’t be enough to satisfy his needs.

Since you’ve interacted before, directly sell the slaves to him at a discounted price.

As long as the price is right, he won’t object.

It’s better to make a small loss than continue as you are now.

You must know, with every passing day, you’re incurring nearly a hundred gold coins worth more of losses.”

These are words from the heart.

Although West didn’t want to aid the enemy, he’d rather give a concession to the enemy than getting an unwanted hot potato himself.

Through some recent interactions, he found out that Hudson’s strengths were in military and territory development and not so much in the political sphere.

At least if the roles were reversed, he wouldn’t be giving any concessions to his competitor.

If his political maneuvering doesn’t match up, then the degree of danger also diminishes.

Focusing on territory development isn’t wrong, but if that’s all one concentrates on, then it’s a tremendous mistake.

“It’s useless.

That man is deep in debt himself.

That fool spent all his money on territory development.

Now that everything is stabilized, the shoddy goods he’s producing are not selling.

He can only trade daily items and farming tools.

If it wasn’t for paying off debts with the iron goods he produced, his situation would be no better than mine.

These slaves have a cost of over sixty thousand gold coins, even if I sell them at a loss, do you think that bastard has the ability to buy them?”

Baron Katelai said with feigned helplessness.

Speaking in front of Baron West, he certainly wouldn’t speak favorably of Hudson.

He didn’t have a good opinion of Hudson in the first place, so what he said was unequivocally honest.

Having got an unexpected answer, Baron West was now both relieved and worried.

His competitor having financial issues was undeniably good news, but the tragic part was it seemed like the problems weren’t going away.

“Katelai, what do you want?”

If you are asking me to solve your debt problem, don’t bother.”

We’re all smart people here.

You should understand the size of the mess you’ve made.

A loss of over sixty thousand gold coins, invested to collect trash.

Even if some slaves of good quality can be sold, the total loss wouldn’t be less than fifty thousand gold coins.

Such a great capital loss, no one can bear for you.

Even if this results in plan failure, I can’t agree to help you.

I’ve done what I can for your issue.

All my peers in the North Border have a huge surplus of slaves, it’s impossible to take over your lot.”