Chapter 365 - 240: Showing Goodwill

When Quentin heard his army wouldn’t have to fight, a smile immediately spread across his face. He said, eagerly and attentively, "My lord, if that’s the case, then this is much simpler."

"Viscount Keton is an expert in these matters, and his troops are much more skilled in battle. They are perfectly suited to support your operation."

After speaking, Quentin’s expression suddenly turned serious. Putting on a dignified air, he said to Keton, "Viscount Keton, you are to cooperate fully with Lord Fang Zhen. That is an order."

"If you slack in your duties, I will punish you severely. Furthermore, the share of the benefits I just allocated to you will be revoked."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, my esteemed Count," Keton replied to Quentin, his tone laced with no small amount of sarcasm.

Quentin was instantly furious again.

Keton ignored Count Quentin, instead turning to Fang Zhen and bowing with perfect aristocratic courtesy.

"Lord Fang Zhen, I have seen the state of your army. I have also seen this very same legion when it was led by Duke Tarrenno. Your skill in command far surpasses the Duke’s, and the soldiers’ morale and condition are much better than I have ever seen."

"Moreover, your martial prowess is second to none. Duke Tarrenno was known as the greatest warrior in the Kingdom, yet he still fell by your hand."

"Your name, too, is one of great glory. To be perfectly honest, Sword Saint Augustus was my childhood idol. Even after I came of age, I continued to hold myself to the high standards set by his conduct."

"Please allow me to express my deepest respects."

Viscount Keton said, his attitude exceptionally earnest.

Seeing Viscount Keton so earnest and respectful, the nobles from the Quentin Territory standing behind, including Count Quentin himself, were all stunned.

They had never seen Viscount Keton speak to anyone like that.

It turned out that this Viscount Keton, whom other nobles saw as eccentric, was not incapable of speaking kind words.

Count Quentin watched this scene, dumbfounded, and his shock quickly turned to anger.

The fact that Viscount Keton could speak so eloquently, yet saved such words for Fang Zhen and not for him, made Quentin feel deeply insulted and enraged.

However, with Fang Zhen right there, Count Quentin could only swallow his anger.

Fang Zhen, however, was not particularly surprised. He simply watched Viscount Keton calmly.

The Viscount showed no signs of fawning or trying to curry favor; he looked as though he were simply stating facts.

’There are only a few possibilities,’ Fang Zhen thought.

’One is that Keton’s personality isn’t what it seems on the surface. He’s more calculating than he lets on, and now that he sees I hold the power, he wants to show his stance.’

’Another is that Quentin is truly too harsh on him, and severe external pressures are forcing Keton to find a new patron.’

’A third possibility is that Keton genuinely doesn’t respect Quentin, but respects me, because in everyone’s eyes, my background and abilities are many times stronger than Quentin’s.’

’Or perhaps it’s a combination of all of the above.’

Fang Zhen nodded slightly. "My army will be stationed in your territory. I’ll need a certain degree of intelligence support from you."

"Of course. Rest assured, my lord. I am very familiar with this situation and can provide you with all the intelligence you require," Keton said.

Fang Zhen smiled faintly.

Whatever Keton’s motives were, Fang Zhen had no intention of rejecting this show of goodwill and allegiance.

’As for Quentin... the man is soft. I don’t need to consider his feelings; just ensuring his interests are met is enough.’

’In fact, I don’t want Quentin’s army at all.’

’Quentin’s army looks rather weak. I’d be wary of even using them as cannon fodder. After all, an army is a single entity. If Quentin’s Army is too weak and breaks in battle, they might just drag my own troops down with them and cause a total collapse.’

’As for Keton... Ottis said he’s the most capable commander and the best fighter among the nobles in the Quentin Territory. Depending on the situation, he might be worth recruiting.’

...

The meeting in the church concluded.

In this negotiation, Fang Zhen had secured several hundred Gold Ropes and also arranged a large "order" for three thousand more. All he had to do was find a channel to purchase silver on his return, and he would reap a massive fortune.

Moreover, the nobles of the Quentin Territory had been won over by Fang Zhen, acknowledging his authority and status.

This was not an isolated incident; it was proof that Fang Zhen’s strategy was effective.

The other vassal counts within the Tarrenno Duchy were in situations similar to Quentin’s. Therefore, if Fang Zhen could use this method to win over Quentin, the same logic should apply to the other vassal counts in the duchy.

When that time came, the Tarrenno Duchy, which had been on the verge of fracturing, would be brought together once more, becoming a region under the sway of Fang Zhen’s influence.

The few who resisted would be swept up by the overwhelming tide; they would be forced to agree whether they wanted to or not.

Besides the great increase in his actual influence, Fang Zhen had also made an unexpected small gain.

He discovered that Viscount Keton was a truly talented individual.

Quentin and the other nobles returned to their respective domains, while Fang Zhen and Viscount Keton, leading the Augustus Army, set out for Viscount Keton’s Territory.

Keton had not brought any soldiers, only a dozen or so attendants.

When Fang Zhen asked why, Keton explained that the defensive pressure on his lands was immense, leaving no spare soldiers. He had only come to attend the negotiations and had planned to return quickly.

Fang Zhen didn’t press the matter.

During the march, Fang Zhen and Keton discussed their views and insights on military campaigns and warfare.

After a good deal of conversation, Fang Zhen could genuinely feel that this Viscount Keton possessed real substance.

Some of Fang Zhen’s perspectives were a revelation to Keton, who found the concepts of mobile warfare particularly enlightening.

Fang Zhen’s impression of Keton was growing better and better.

And so, they marched on. By the next day, Fang Zhen’s Augustus Army had reached the defensive perimeter of Viscount Keton’s Territory.

Fang Zhen ordered the army to make camp and rest.

’Given the timing,’ he mused, ’the Duke Balenzuo Army should be receiving news of Duke Tarrenno’s death soon. They will likely be heading in this direction.’

In fact, Fang Zhen was rather looking forward to Balenzuo’s army actually taking this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the former Tarrenno Duchy.

His primary mission was to eliminate the Demon Duke, and he was now almost certain that the Demon Duke was none other than Balenzuo.

If Balenzuo didn’t come to him, Fang Zhen would have to enter the Balenzuo Duchy’s territory to find the Duke.

But if Balenzuo launched a sneak attack, then Fang Zhen would hold every advantage—from having a well-rested army against a weary one, to the benefits of fighting on home turf, and even the moral high ground.

Now it was just a question of whether Balenzuo would come.

「That night.」

Fang Zhen was arranging deployments with his subordinates when Keton suddenly entered with several men dressed as merchants.

Fang Zhen looked over.

"My lord, the intelligence is confirmed!"

"Balenzuo is leading an army toward my territory, just as we thought! He’s preparing a surprise attack!"

Keton exclaimed.