#167 - Section 167

The three nodded: "He's right. Large areas of land in the southern Shakr Dukedom have lost their fertility and are even turning into desert. It's terrifying. Although covered in snow, we saw it, and it's indeed a fact."

"However, the signs of desertification aren't severe yet. Only one earldom is showing this trend. But we can't say whether it will spread throughout the country in the future. After all, although only one territory is desertifying, there are many drought-stricken areas."

Albert frowned slightly as he spoke, this being a problem he had been worried about all along.

The most important things for a lord are their territory and their people.

If the territory is ruined, the lord is a joke.

"Land desertification?"

Allen sighed softly. He looked at the financial statements, which showed that most of the earldoms in the south were poor, some contributing 150,000 gold coins, others 200,000.

The northern territories generally contributed 250,000, with wealthier territories contributing 300,000 gold coins.

But the northern territories only account for about one-third of the dukedom's land.

"That's also why Grand Duke Shakr isn't necessarily worried. He personally investigated and didn't find any cause."

Oliver sighed softly.

The reason Grand Duke Shakr was eyeing the neighboring Lyon Dukedom was partly due to this.

Besides ambition, there's the concern of a ruler.

Grand Duke Shakr has no way out. If things continue like this, the Shakr Dukedom will soon decline completely. As the Grand Duke, he naturally has to find a way to solve the problem.

And at this time, if he could possess another fertile and rich land, all problems could be easily solved.

Allen roughly understood the old schemer Grand Duke's thoughts.

"Lower the taxes, and lower the earls' contributions," Allen decided after thinking for a moment.

"You… Alright." Oliver didn't say much. He was just a subject, providing advice was enough. The decisions were made by the Grand Duke.

However, Allen's words still slightly surprised Oliver. After all, he had already made it very clear that lowering taxes meant Allen's quality of life would decrease.

As nobles, they were used to extravagance and luxurious living.

The previous Grand Duke Shakr was like this. Even when the country had problems, even when building fortresses, his life was still one of indulgence and extreme luxury, which was why the national treasury was quickly depleted.

Compared to Grand Duke Shakr, Allen, the new Dragon Knight, was simply too wise!

This made Oliver see a different side of Allen. Besides being cold-blooded and bloodthirsty, this lord was too kind and benevolent to his people.

"Don't worry, I can temporarily solve the national treasury's problem. Shakr is such an idiot, the country is already in dire straits, and he's still building fortresses."

Allen said indifferently. He and Shakr were fundamentally different. After all, he was a lord with four major industries, and gold coins had never been a problem for him.

The difficult thing was that the southern drought had to be solved.

Otherwise, if the land desertified and the entire Shakr Dukedom became a desert nation, Allen felt that all his efforts would have been in vain.

"You have a solution? Oh, right, you were formerly Earl of Skywolf!"

Oliver suddenly slapped his forehead. Every dukedom has its own intelligence network. As the most famous young earl in the Lyon Dukedom, Allen had long entered the Shakr Dukedom's sights.

The Shakr Dukedom had already collected some information about Allen, including his creation of Night of Roses liquor, perfumes, and other industries.

This lord was not short of money.

Oliver's expression was slightly excited.

"Yes, Oliver, first tell me about the situation of the southern drought."

Allen smiled and sat on a sofa. He casually picked up an unknown fruit, took a bite, and then said.

"Yes, Your Excellency, the course of events is like this."

Oliver began to tell Allen about the entire drought from the beginning to the present situation.

Chapter 249: Dukedom-Level Side Quest, Allen's Intelligence Channels! (4/4 for Subscription!)

"Ding, triggered side quest: Heart of Scorching Heat!"

"Heart of Scorching Heat: After being dormant for endless years, a heart of scorching heat has been revived. It comes from a distant and unknown world…"

"Collect this fiery heart and solve the southern drought, reward: 100,000 experience points!"

After listening to Oliver's description, Allen fell into deep thought.

Of course, it was superficial contemplation. In reality, he was looking at the system interface.

Good luck today, triggered two side quests in total.

The difference between a country and a territory is that anything can become a side quest, and the rewards are generous. Allen has already discovered that the larger the territory and the higher the status, the more generous the quest rewards. Allen can now completely call the current quest a national-level one.

The first side quest is: Nurture an Earl (Gold Knight).

The rewards for this side quest are also quite good, but it is a long-term quest.

Base reward: 100,000 experience points, activate Elementary Rune Knowledge.

"Elementary Rune Knowledge: Top-level knowledge derived from ancient magical weapon manufacturing, the pinnacle of magical weapon craftsmanship!"

This slightly surprised Allen, and it was also why he valued this side quest.

Modern continent weapon and armor crafting involves engraving magic arrays on them to obtain magical effects. Of course, these weapons do indeed possess magical effects, and the effects are good.

Even the dwarves use this method to add magical attributes to weapons.

Such as Allen's Golden Knight Armor and the almost broken Golden Knight Sword, etc.

These are all excellent products of modern magical weapon science.

Allen also thinks so, after all, the dwarves are the most recognized race on the continent for forging weapons.

The weapons they produce, whether ordinary weapons or magical weapons, are worthy of being called excellent products.

And now, the system has once again given him a surprise.

Runes, known as the pinnacle of ancient magical weapon craftsmanship.

This proves that magic arrays are not the most suitable knowledge for weapon enchantment.

But runes are.

This is equivalent to giving people in ancient times the technology to manufacture guns, which is surprising.

And this is just a basic reward. Allen only needs to cultivate fifteen gold knights within a year to complete the task.

And if Allen can cultivate thirty gold knights, then the reward will rise to another level. The system did not completely explain what the reward would be, but it is definitely not worse than rune technology.

If Allen can cultivate fifty gold knights, then this task will be perfectly completed, and the reward is estimated to be so generous that people will drool.

Compared to the task of cultivating gold knights, the "Heart of Scorching Heat" task mentioned by Oliver is a bit intriguing.

This task only gives 100,000 experience points.

Compared to the task of cultivating gold knights, it is really not worth mentioning.

But in terms of the nature of this task, it is even more important than cultivating gold knights.

If the problem is not solved, and the entire Shack Duchy is completely desertified, the consequences will be terrible.

"Only 100,000 experience points, that can't be the system's style. Shouldn't the system give everything it has?"

Allen muttered in his heart. Before, when his territory development needed something, the system would come to send warmth, really providing whatever was lacking.

Now, with only 100,000 experience points, Allen feels it is unscientific.

There is a problem with this task. Allen feels that maybe the task itself is a huge reward.

Heart of Scorching Heat?

"Lord?"

Oliver called out to Allen tremblingly.

At this moment, Allen did not announce that he was the Grand Duke, but only took over the Shack Duchy.

Moreover, the Norton Kingdom has not gone through the due procedures or processes.

If Allen does not temporarily call himself Grand Duke, this is why the nobles and ministers have been calling Allen "Lord" or "Dragon Knight Lord".

"Hmm? Oh, I know the situation in the south, Oliver. In a few days, I will let one of my subordinates meet with you. In the future, you will jointly assist me in managing the duchy. At the same time, he will also bring enough technology and wealth."

Allen said to Oliver. He was naturally talking about Sparrow. It was time to promote this finance officer. Regarding financial issues, it is enough to leave it to him and Oliver.

"Praise the Lord, you are truly a good master of the Shack Duchy! A benevolent and great monarch."

Oliver's eyes lit up immediately. The clever finance minister already understood Allen's meaning.

The technology and wealth that Allen possesses is enough to make him jealous.

If the four major industries that Allen controls can be transferred to the Shack Duchy.

Oliver is confident that he can achieve economic take-off within five years!

"Alright, go down."

Allen waved his hand and sent the bald finance minister away.

"Lord, if even the Shack Grand Duke cannot solve the land problem in the south, then..."

Earl Copper Mountain frowned slightly. It is winter now, and the drought in the south is not serious. It cannot be said to be a drought, after all, it is impossible for a drought to occur in just one earl's territory.

Moreover, they also inquired and found that although the weather there is strange, it is not hot. It is just that the ground temperature is strange. The weather problem is probably due to the ground temperature.

Allen stroked his chin.

He did not immediately go to the south to check the situation. After all, the Shack Grand Duke, who is also a dragon knight, had also been there, but was unable to solve the problem.

So Allen was not in a hurry.

After all, the current situation is not peaceful.

Don't look at Allen's calm appearance now. He estimates that the news of his taking over the Shack Duchy has spread to the north. He doesn't know what the reaction of that prince is, but Allen doesn't believe that this guy can hold his breath.

Not only Prince Leis Harry, but the princes in the kingdom's civil war should also be paying attention to him soon.

After all, a newly rising dragon knight is a huge boost.

"Let's put aside the management of the country for the time being. When Sparrow comes, let him and Oliver try their best to manage it. What we need to face now is the situation in the north." Allen put down the tasks and everything else. Now he is most concerned about the situation in the north.

After all, if the civil strife in the Norton Kingdom cannot be stopped, his task may not be completed.

If the task cannot be completed, the next task cannot be started.

This is extremely unpleasant for Allen.

"Lord, as it stands now, we don't even have our own channels for information. How can we know the situation in the north?" Earl Copper Mountain sighed slightly.

"Don't worry about this. Didn't Oliver say that the Shack Duchy also has its own intelligence network? In addition, maybe you don't know, I have my own intelligence channels." Allen revealed a smile.

Soon, Earl Albert led his men to find the Roland Chamber of Commerce branch in the capital of the Shack Kingdom. "Lord Earl Albert, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

As soon as Earl Albert walked into the Roland Chamber of Commerce, he was taken to a small room inside the chamber.