King
Chapter 722 - 722 24 The Crown Prince's Grand Wedding_1

722: Chapter 24, The Crown Prince’s Grand Wedding_1 722: Chapter 24, The Crown Prince’s Grand Wedding_1 Bathed in the spring breeze and astride a high-headed horse, Hudson stepped out of Bera City under the fiery gazes of a crowd of noble ladies.

Changing from a Dragon Knight to a Horse Knight didn’t diminish his personal charm in the slightest.

The only regret was the mini bear on his shoulder, constantly waving its claws at the crowd, taking away quite a bit of the limelight.

Clearly, Mister Maxim, the breeder of the dragon, was left behind in the territory to continue breeding.

Hudson could have stayed behind for the same reason, and attended the Crown Prince’s wedding day riding a giant dragon.

But in order to fit in and not overshadow the groom, Hudson ultimately chose to travel with the Nobles of the Province.

No matter how significant the potential conflicts of interest between the Koslow and Dalton Families within the province, when facing outsiders, everyone still needed to deliberately display a unified front.

Unfortunately, with the two big shots traveling side by side at the front, the band of Noble Lords following behind have tacitly divided themselves into two waves, with clear demarcation of their camps.

This left the Neutral Faction in a bind, as siding with either side seemed inappropriate.

They could only choose to keep a certain distance and hang behind the convoy.

While everyone was talking and laughing, Earl Piers felt distinctly terrible.

Ignoring the quality gap among the younger generation, when present just in terms of numbers, there was hardly any difference between the two sides.

One was a noble clan that had controlled the Southeastern Province for centuries, and the other was an upstart nouveau riche.

Under normal circumstances, their influence should not be on the same level.

But reality delivered a slap in the face.

The massive popularity of the Dragon Knight laid the foundation for the Koslow Family.

With its thriving population advantage and alliances through marriages in multiple directions, the Koslow family managed to gather a group of supporters under unfavorable circumstances and established a standing equal to the Dalton Family in the province.

Competitors who have a foundation and those who do not, are entirely different.

At least, the Noble Parliament, which was once dominated by the Dalton Family, is now divided in two.

The success of his forthcoming proposals will depend on how both sides court the Neutral Faction.

“Earl Hudson, you have some serious skills.

It seems that the rise of the Koslow Family is unstoppable given that they produced such a prodigy as yourself!”

Faced with Earl Piers’ acidic probe, Hudson only smiled slightly.

The development speed of the Koslow Family did indeed exceed expectations.

A year ago, there were very few nobles who dared to publicly stand behind him.

Never would he have thought that after a series of marriages, his ranks of supporters would grow exponentially.

No wonder the Nobles are so passionate about political marriages!

Compared to other alliances, marriage is the most expedient and least costly way to form alliances.

“Your Excellency Governor, the prosperity of the Koslow family is also the prosperity of the nobles of the Southeastern Province.

If anything, you also deserve credit for this achievement.

As long as the Provincial Nobles remain united, I believe everyone will have excellent opportunities for development, and we could soon become the strongest province in the kingdom!”

These words were indeed the truth.

Among the various provinces in the Alpha Kingdom, the Southeastern Province may not be the largest or most fertile, but it is the most special.

The provinces larger than the Southeastern Province are not as fertile; those more fertile are much smaller.

Since a hundred years ago, the densely populated and fertile Southeastern Province has been the Alpha Kingdom’s top taxpayer, making it easily the most economically powerful in the kingdom.

If its military power is further developed to become the strongest province in the kingdom, that would be soon within reach.

The competition between the Koslow and Dalton Families, to some extent, also stimulates the improvement of the province’s military strength.

“Haha…

Earl Hudson, you’re so magnanimous!”

Laughter masked the awkwardness and the tension eased immediately.

Apparently, Hudson’s suggestion interested Earl Piers as well.

Competition aside, when it comes to common interests, it is still necessary to unite.

With the big shots having reached agreement, those following behind also relaxed.

The formerly clearly divided three groups merged in an instant, as if they had rehearsed it.

Entering the capital again, the towering city walls stood firm and straight.

Seeing the two large clan banners fluttering in the wind, the city guards, with their keen judgment, fully opened the city gate.

The merchants and pedestrians coming in and out quickly made way on the main road of their own accord.

Everything was as smooth as flowing water.

Fortunately, no other provincial nobles arrived at the same time, avoiding an additional dispute over who would enter the gate first.

The welcoming official they had anticipated did not appear, apparently the King was still angry about the previous issue of the Southeastern Province settling debts with war bonds.

To be honest, this was not Hudson’s fault.

He had sold the war bonds in his hands early on, and only held onto a nominal amount.

Regrettably, just because the Koslow Family paid cash did not mean their followers could all do the same.

Allowing less affluent minor nobles to pay taxes with war bonds was a silent agreement reached by all parties.

Naturally, Master Hudson was more than happy to collect them.

No matter what, the cash he paid was more than the bonds.

Regrettably, his upright conduct did not mean the other nobles would behave the same, and war bonds still dominated the tax payment that the Southeastern Province paid in the end.