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Chapter 473 - 473 473 Can't Withstand This Anymore Huh

473: Chapter 473: Can’t Withstand This Anymore Huh 473: Chapter 473: Can’t Withstand This Anymore Huh “Heh, these people have just changed their weapons, and they’re already complaining.

Indeed, everything is fearful of comparison.”

Looking at the report in his hand, Zhao Guang revealed a trace of a smile.

Of course, some things couldn’t immediately satisfy his subordinates.

Otherwise, he would end up nurturing a band of insubordinate marauders.

Moreover, only things earned through their own efforts were cherished, weren’t they?

That feeling of achievement was important.

This was also the glory of the Beastmen, and he could not destroy it, could he?

This report was not sent by the Beastmen, but summarized by Xi Fei through the complaints of the Werewolves.

This was also one of Xi Fei’s tasks, to tentatively establish an intelligence agency.

Even if his territory did not currently require an intelligence agency, it would definitely need one in the future.

Just then, Qiao Miya suddenly walked in: “Master, there is a visitor, who says he is an old friend of yours.”

“My old friend?

What old friend would come at this time?” Zhao Guang was a bit puzzled.

Qiao Miya immediately said: “It is Lord Gu Liqi, along with other lords.”

Gu Liqi?

That name sounded vaguely familiar.

It didn’t take long for Zhao Guang to remember.

His memory was indeed very good, but for someone to temporarily escape his recollection, that person must really be insignificant.

“I remember now, they are those pioneers, aren’t they?

Unexpectedly, they are still here.”

Upon reflection, it seemed rude not to meet them, as he was, strictly speaking, a pioneer himself.

“In that case, let them in.”

Soon, Gu Liqi and several others walked in, but they looked quite haggard.

Not to mention the pallor on their faces, their clothes were also somewhat worn, giving them a travel-weary look.

Obviously, their lives were probably not going well.

But this was also normal, or rather, this was how typical pioneering lords appeared.

His own situation was completely out of the ordinary for a pioneering lord.

“It’s been a long time, I wonder what troubles you have, and how I might assist you,” Zhao Guang said bluntly, leaving the others somewhat at a loss for what to say.

After a while, Gu Liqi mustered his courage and said: “Lord Zhao Guang, you know how tough this year has been.

I am here to ask for your help.”

It was quite normal for nobles to help each other, but usually not without compensation.

Given their appearance, they probably had little to offer.

Before Zhao Guang could speak, Gu Liqi immediately added: “As long as you are willing to help, once our territory is successfully established, we will repay you with the territory’s income.

We can sign a contract.”

To repay with the territory’s income was sensible, but that relied on the success of the territory’s establishment.

If the establishment failed, his efforts would amount to throwing money into the water—a clear case of counting one’s chickens before they’ve hatched.

Besides, their establishment near his territory was definitively not a good thing for him.

The places where they intended to establish their territories were right on the edge of his vast lands, with a few of them situated on major thoroughfares.

Perhaps they believed he wouldn’t really occupy such a vast territory, so they were inattentive.

But as far as Zhao Guang was concerned, since he had marked the territory, he was resolved to claim it.

By then, if their territories lay on his trade routes, the trouble would certainly not be minor.

To aid them in establishing their territory—was he foolish or mad?

“How do you wish me to assist?” Zhao Guang thought it over, deciding to first see what their intentions were.

Gu Liqi’s expression brightened noticeably: “We hope that you can cede a parcel of land to us, so we can reside temporarily in your territory.

Furthermore, we request your soldiers to protect us through this period.”

Well, they were quite ambitious.

Not only did he have to offer them land, but he also had to assign soldiers to protect them.

This was tantamount to a vassalage, only that later they might not wish to leave, and he would have no way to evict them.

After all, much of his territory was wasteland, and if they occupied it, that would allow them room to maneuver.

They might not see the potential, but Marquis Coruas certainly could.

To date, Zhao Guang had not forgotten how Marquis Coruas and the Prince had been scheming against him all along.

Even though he didn’t know why, he couldn’t become complacent.

Once spring came and the roads cleared, they would definitely have new methods waiting for him.

By then, these people would be like ticking time bombs.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.

You know the current situation—it’s too dangerous.”

“Not only are there Magic Beasts, but there might also be Undead Mages.

My forces are too thin to protect you.

If an Undead Mage appears where you are, the consequences would be dreadful.”

That was a threat, certainly a threat.

“So, you are unwilling to help?” It was one thing to be unwilling, quite another to be powerless.

At the very least, his reputation would be damaged then, though Zhao Guang wasn’t concerned about that.

“Not at all, if you had done your research, you would have learned that I’ve already abandoned patrols in most areas of my territory, leaving the Magic Beasts to run wild.

And those Beastman subordinates of mine, to be honest, they are not so obedient.”

Blaming everything on the Beastmen was normal, as that was humanity’s expected perception of them.

“However, to speak of assistance, I will definitely help.

I couldn’t watch you march to your deaths, could I?

I will send you back to Marquis Coruas’s territory; it’s best you withdraw temporarily.”

“Are you asking us to give up our lands?”

Once they gave up their lands, they would never have another chance to become pioneering lords.

Even if they sought to become nobles through other merits, this would become a significant blemish, making success difficult.

Zhao Guang spread his hands: “How could that be?

It’s just a temporary retreat.

The Magic Beasts won’t stay here forever.

Once the Magic Beasts leave, you can come back.

When it comes to pioneering lands, you don’t necessarily need to always be there, do you?”

It wasn’t necessary to always be there, but they could only be absent for no more than half a year.

If they couldn’t maintain control for more than six months, it was deemed an automatic forfeiture of their claim to the land.

This rule was clearly written in the code of nobility to prevent a scourge of squatters.

“If you don’t agree to this, then there’s nothing I can do, as I am also powerless,” Zhao Guang put them to the choice—either go on a likely death march, or temporarily retreat.

As for whether Marquis Coruas would sponsor them afterward, that was no longer his concern.

After all, with Marquis Coruas’s help, they might have a chance to return.

If he regarded them as useless waste, then they would indeed become wastes, and he found the thought of them self-destructing quite intriguing.