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Chapter 90 - 90 88 Taking Advantage of a Crisis_2

90: Chapter 88, Taking Advantage of a Crisis_2 90: Chapter 88, Taking Advantage of a Crisis_2 There was no choice; with the construction of the castle indefinitely postponed, they could only make do with a few small wooden houses for now.

It was a pitiful state to expand nobility, but it wasn’t something humiliating.

With a superficial relationship, there wasn’t much to discuss.

After a few formal pleasantries, they started to get straight to the point.

…

“Baron Katelai, if you want to buy grain, why don’t you search for a grain merchant?

If you think they are asking too much, you can directly ask neighboring nobles to buy from them.

Southeastern Province has always had a reputation as the kingdom’s granary, almost every noble lord’s house has a large amount of food stored, they certainly won’t disappoint you.

I have moved into my domain just slightly over a month before you, our situations are quite similar, the last season’s harvest was a complete failure, and we are only just beginning to sow for this season, where did you think you could buy grain from?”

After hearing Baron Hudson’s shameless answer, Baron Katelai nearly choked on his anger.

If the neighboring nobles were willing to sell grain, why would the prices be soaring?

To gather grain, the Northern Aristocracy went to tremendous lengths.

Some bribed grain merchants, some paid a handsome bribe to the noble lords, and some even attempted to exploit the common people, but none had significant results.

Even the grain in the provincial capital Beida City was being rationed.

Permanent residents and pubs and inns could only purchase their share of cheap grain daily, and nothing more.

Despite their best efforts, the Northern Aristocracy could not muster enough grain.

It was not that the merchants did not want to sell but, it was certainly because the big guys behind the scene had ordered them not to sell grain to the Northern Aristocracy.

The noble’s autonomy is significantly higher, but the Northern Aristocracy came with pomp and circumstance, making everyone quite uncomfortable.

Recently, they have been unbeatable on the battlefield, which has left the native nobles without saving face.

The dignity lost on the battlefield has to be reclaimed somehow or at least just let everyone vent their anger for a bit.

As for the money, aside from the nobles that need to open up new domains, and whose family economies are slightly strained, most of the Fief nobles are not lacking.

The ones who lack money have no grain to sell; those with grain, are not low on funds.

It’s not that we can’t purchase these Fief nobles, but just a mere one thousand or eight hundred gold coins is not enough for them to let go of their principles.

Anyway, grain is a necessity, Northern aristocracy must buy it if they don’t want to starve.

The longer they delay, the higher the price of grain will be, and they will only make more profit; they are simply not in a hurry.

“To tell you the truth, Baron Hudson, possibly due to some unnecessary misunderstanding, no one is willing to sell us grain at the moment.

I only came to bother you because I had no other choice.

If you could help purchase on our behalf, I believe no one would refuse.

As for the price, please rest assured.

Just follow the current market price, I absolutely will not bargain.”

At these words, pain tugged at Katelai’s heart.

The current market price was more than twice the normal price, much more expensive than the grain at the Northern Border.

And yet here he was, actively begging to be slaughtered, and even worrying that they would refuse.

“I’m sorry, Baron Katelai.

As a principled noble, I can’t engage in this kind of deceitful matter, so I’m afraid I can’t be of help!

If you really lack grain, you can consider buying from outside the province.

After all, it’s just several hundred miles.

If you bring your own people to transport it, it wouldn’t take too long.”

Baron Hudson made a fool of himself with a serious demeanor.

It sounds completely plausible, but if we were to implement it, it could drive someone to madness.

Regardless of what others might think, Baron Katelai definitely would not want to try it.

Starting from the Northland, along the way he encountered much disdain, something he dared not forget.

Although the hatred was inflicted by the five major clans, they, as underlings, were accomplices.

There were many nobles who were annoyed with them.

If it were not for group action, whether they could successfully reach the domain was still an unknown.

Going out to buy grain at this time isn’t it just inviting one to put salt on the wound!

Anyway, the grain was at an extravagant price, it was better to buy from local nobles and hopefully alleviate some tensions.

If possible, Katelai wouldn’t want to choose the troublesome Hudson as the point of breakthrough.

Unfortunately, among the local nobles, he could only talk to this one.

The remaining neighbors, due to the issue of domain people, were all offended by him, one after another.

If he tried to buy grain from them now, he didn’t need to guess what the result would be.

As for the nobles in neighboring counties, Baron Katelai had already visited them.

Unfortunately, the outcome was quite moving, after suffering more than ten rejections, he really didn’t want to subject himself to further humiliation.

“Baron Hudson, you’re joking.

Even if the grain from outside the province could be transported in, there is simply not enough time!

The thousands of domain people in the territories are eagerly awaiting nourishment, and if they are out of food, it would be another mortal tragedy.

I beseech you in the name of the Lord of the Dawn, please extend your help to save the pitiful domain people!”

Baron Katelai said fervently as if he were truly at wit’s end and had to stake it all.

Unfortunately, the Lord of the Dawn didn’t have any face value in front of Hudson.

Relying on the face of the Lord of the Dawn would be less effective than directly handing over a few boxes of gold coins.

As long as the benefits were great enough, providing grain for a few thousand people was not a big problem at all.

The unfortunate thing was that Baron Katelai had not yet reached the end of his rope.

Because, with the style of the Nobles of the North, when it came to the point of betting it all, they would move with an army.

If they can’t buy grain, can’t they rob for it?

When people are hungry, they can do anything.