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Chapter 43: Art of War

Implementing an edict is a troublesome affair; it is not as simple as drafting a document, gathering the nobles, announcing its enforcement, and expecting it to be carried out.

Following the banquet, Ansel discussed the policies for the Red Frost territory with all the influential nobles under the leadership of the late Count of Red Frost. Although none of them were willing to enforce Ansel\'s edicts, the frightened nobles lacked the courage to defy his wishes.

As days passed, the prepared edicts were finally to be implemented starting tomorrow.

However, Saville brought some disconcerting news.

"Currently, the nobles of the original Count Red Frost\'s lineage are relatively stable, but a few are making minor moves and are unwilling to accept your commercial policies and agricultural burden reduction. The indecisive minor nobles should theoretically enforce the policies, but in practice... I don\'t see any changes happening," Saville reported.

"The most crucial factor is the Count of Stoneheart." The old butler paused, "He has always leaned towards you and has been very wise in all aspects, but this time, he has become your opposition. Although he agreed at the meeting that day, his recent actions... have not been honest."

Ansel, who was writing at his desk without looking up, calmly replied, "It\'s natural for him to oppose, as he is theoretically the most likely candidate to become the lord of the Red Frost territory in the future."

Ansel chuckled indifferently, "The lord of the Red Frost territory cannot inherit such a strategy."

Liberating the peasants, reducing commercial taxes, encouraging handicrafts, reducing transportation costs, attracting population, limiting the abuse of noble privileges, and expanding public facilities...

The Count of Stoneheart is a clever man; he knows that Ansel\'s policies are fundamentally aimed at the better development of the Red Frost territory. However, in the early stages of this process, the lord must bear an extraordinary high cost—Ansel\'s policies are clearly exaggerated in terms of numbers, showing a complete disregard for the lord\'s interests.

When the Count of Stoneheart takes the stage, how should he position himself? Maintaining Ansel\'s policies would be like bleeding himself dry, while vetoing them could mean igniting the anger of the Red Frost citizens, which Ansel had previously appeased, in an even more terrifying manner. Moreover, the unique position of the lord of the Red Frost territory... means he cannot become a "diligent and responsible" good lord.

"After all, the North is one of the rebel army\'s strongholds."

Ansel said meaningfully, "the radicals among them have been looking for opportunities. The citizens of the Red Frost territory have been suffering for centuries. If he mishandles the situation... and the rebels use it as a breakthrough, it won\'t be as simple as losing his head."

Whether they are called rebels, righteous armies, or revolutionaries, Ansel prefers to call them the revolutionary army. However, considering his position, he still has to refer to them as rebels verbally.

These people live, die and strive, having become a part of the empire, and the "historical cycle rate" in Ansel\'s Memory Library is also applicable to this world and the empire.

*(historical cycle rate: It means that any country in the world will experience the rise and fall of chaos, a cyclical phenomenon presented by a reciprocating cycle.)

It\'s just that whenever the decline node arrives, and the rebel\'s banner of righteousness is raised high, the empire always shows its pure and desperate... terror.

There are extraordinary legions of the emperor who burn a hundred thousand rebels from thousands of miles away; grand dukes who wield battle-axes to kill through the battlefield and behead rebel leaders; or even a generation of Hydral who can bring the most thorough despair to the entire rebel army.

As a result, Ansel generally does not apply many theories from that world here, as it is meaningless and only serves as reference material for research.

"So, what do you need me to do?" As the person who best understands Ansel\'s intentions, Saville bowed slightly, "Should we give the Count of Stoneheart a small warning?"

"Simple warnings are meaningless."

Ansel said with a smile, waving his hand. "Usually, he has the grand duke behind him, but at this critical moment, he is just a puppet of the grand duke. There is no need to make things difficult for our poor Count of Stoneheart."

Saville remained silent, feeling that the cautious and wise Count, who was usually respectful and careful around Ansel, should be grateful. Grateful for his prudence and wisdom, which won Ansel\'s mercy.

If he had ever made a mistake, today\'s conversation might have been different.

"Since that\'s the case, we should actively sabotage the Count of Stoneheart\'s arrangements and take action in advance, which would be an irresistible force for him," Saville said.

"If the Duke of Ironblade still cares about his success or failure under these circumstances, it can only be said to be the fate —"

The old man\'s words suddenly stopped, and he swallowed the rest of his speech, no longer speaking.

In front of Ansel, "fate" was an unspeakable taboo.

Unexpectedly, Ansel spoke in a calm tone, "No need, Saville, let him do as he pleases."

"If he wants to continue exploiting the peasants, increasing taxes, maintaining oppressive rule, and preventing my edicts from being effectively implemented, let him do so. I don\'t care."

"Do you want to... deal with him directly?" Saville frowned slightly, "The Duke of Ironblade is currently in a weak position. If you deal with his only chess piece, he may not be as gentle as the Duke of Gray Tower."

The young Hydral chuckled, "Don\'t worry, Saville. A truly wise man can see the path I\'ve left open, and he knows what to do."

The ever-considerate old butler was still worried, "If that\'s the case, the prestige you\'ve accumulated in the Red Frost territory... may be jeopardized due to your indulgence towards him — "

"In that case, it\'s not too late to take action later, is it?"

Saville finally stopped giving further reminders. Although he knew that Ansel had most likely taken everything into consideration, he never wanted anything to harm his young master.

The old man was always like this, understanding yet unable to let go.

Moreover, Saville couldn\'t comprehend why... the girl who had already fled outside the door needed to know about this matter.

"Has she left?" Ansel asked with a smile, propping his cheek.

"Yes," Saville replied, his position slightly shifted from a second ago, "And she seems very angry, young lord."

"She\'ll be smug soon enough, finally catching my \'weakness,\' right?"

With that, the situation became even more complicated. Saville wanted to say this, but seeing Ansel\'s calm and smiling demeanor, he refrained from speaking further.

His young lord, Ansel of Hydral, was a born, great ruler, and the loyal Saville had no doubt about it.

The young noble opened the book he had written himself, caressing the neat handwriting that only he could understand.

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting; next best is to attack alliances; next, to attack the enemy\'s army; the worst policy is to besiege walled cities."

He recited words that Saville had never heard of, spreading his palm as if seeing the ever-impulsive and restless girl running on it until she was exhausted. Until the curtain of pure malice fell, declaring the end.

"Although in this place, the power of \'army\' can become absolute... my dear Seraphina, you are still far from that kind of absolute."

"Don\'t make the wrong choice again; this time, I won\'t be by your side."

The wicked Hydral prepared to enjoy the drama he had directed once more.