King
Chapter 653 - 653 162 Post-War Maneuvering_2

653: Chapter 162, Post-War Maneuvering_2 653: Chapter 162, Post-War Maneuvering_2 It just so happened that a large number of nobles from the Southeastern Province had met their demise, paving the way for the expansion of the Koslow Family.

As the Commander of the Army, Hudson had many advantages.

At the very least, when choosing fiefdoms, he had priority.

Given the current military strength of the Koslow Family, it relied entirely on progressively absorbing scattered fiefdoms, sharing the Southeastern province with the Dalton Family.

Of course, when it came to actual operations, swapping of fiefdoms was inevitable.

Though these swaps are theoretically not allowed, as the Commander of the Army, as long as he did not go too far, the king would most likely turn a blind eye.

Considering Hudson’s previous efforts to foster good relationships within the aristocratic circles of the province, Viscount Orlan immediately understood his calculations.

The existence of these favors undoubtedly created favorable conditions for the upcoming swaps and consolidation of fiefdoms.

Smaller and intermediate nobles in the province, even if they were reluctant to see the growth of the Koslow Family, couldn’t oppose under the pressure of these favors.

The only significant obstacles were likely to be the Dalton Family and the King.

Based on what he knew of Caesar III, even if the king were to oppose, he would not personally intervene.

After all, Hudson still held value for the Royal Family.

Faced with internal conflicts over interests, the king needed Hudson to mediate and reconcile these differences.

It was only the Dalton Family who, even if they chose to oppose, could not deter Hudson’s determination.

Having understood all of this, Viscount Orlan became even more resolute in his decision.

With the Southeastern Province entering a two-power competition, where was there room for the growth of the Hollis family?

The original second major family of the province had now been demoted to third place.

If they didn’t withdraw of their own accord, they risked getting caught up in a fight between the top two and tragically wiped out.

“Viscount, rest assured.

After the Hollis family shifts its strategic focus to the North, your foundation in Qiaomu County will not be impacted.

If something goes awry in the Northland, Qiaomu County can act as your fallback.

Nevertheless, this matter is significant, I would advise you to consider it carefully.

The competition in Fengyun Province is indeed intense, but if the Hollis Family is willing to give everything they’ve got, there’s still a one in three chance.”

All Hudson spoke was the honest truth.

Were he in Viscount Orlan’s position, he would not make the decision to shift the strategic focus to the North.

The competition in Fengyun Province is indeed fierce, but the stakes are high!

A well-developed province is worth far more than a piece of virgin land.

Even if one is unable to seize control of the province, grabbing a county, or even half a county’s land would be a good choice.

It could only be said that the Hollis family’s ambitions were too great.

They wished to step up into the league of the major aristocracy.

A slight increase in their territories was no longer able to satisfy their appetite.

Such matters were up to their own discretion.

As allies, all Hudson could do was to stand by them.

“Hudson, we’ll depend on you going forward.

We will endeavor to manage the relationships on all fronts, but we still need you to speak up for us at the capital.” Viscount Orlan solemnly stated.

Without discussing a specific target, the Hollis family evidently had no absolute certainty in this endeavor.

To increase their chances of success, they chose to cast a wide net.

For Hudson, this was also a good thing.

If Hollis family’s target coincided with that of other nobles, it would pose another problem.

While a situation where several intermediate aristocrats could jointly govern a province was possible, it would at the very least prevent a total failure and being eliminated directly.

Ultimately, it boiled down to a lack of strength.

No matter how deep their roots ran, transforming that into tangible power required a lengthy process.

Looking at it from this perspective, Earl Piers had indeed done a good deed.

If not for him dragging the nobles of the Southeastern Province into the gutter, the Hollis family definitely wouldn’t have withdrawn so quickly and cleanly.

With everyone jostling for growth, no matter how good their relationships were, disputes would inevitably arise someday.

The Hollis family’s voluntary departure was also good news for Hudson.

This implied that the two wouldn’t become adversaries as a result of overlapping strategies.

“Rest assured, Viscount, there will certainly be a piece of land for you in the North, with an area no less than that of Qiaomu County!” Hudson promised exuberantly.

As the Commander of the Army, he held considerable sway over the allotment of territories.

The Hollis family aimed to become a major aristocracy in one leap.

While he didn’t possess the ability to facilitate such a leap, allowing them to get a share in the Northland was not difficult.

What’s next depended on each family’s development.

The first family to rise above their competitors would be the ones to cross the threshold of the major aristocracy.

The manipulation hidden behind this involved not only power struggles within the kingdom but also forces outside the kingdom.

According to Hudson’s knowledge, many of the major nobles within the Alpha Kingdom had origins in nations from the Southern and Central regions of the continent.

Over time, these relationships had faded, but the partitioning of the Orc Prairie among the powers of the human race prompted a renewal of these connections.

After all, the impending exploitation of the Orc Prairie would require the support of Alpha Kingdom, their neighbor.

Those with contacts inevitably tried to reconnect.

Even if these relationships were far removed, they still shared some semblance of familial bonds.

Hudson had experienced this himself.

Some distant branches of the Koslow Family had visited him from abroad to establish rapport.