Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 307:

The conference to distribute the fruits of victory lasted a full two weeks.

Following the Usurper War, Northwest Bay’s original ruling order centered around Ferdinand—Kent was shattered. The Alda of the Grayman family, Baylding of the Ganard family, Lanaka of the Parker family, Portry of the Heller family, and Stanlo of the Malkan family, these five powerful Countdoms became the new focus of Northwest Bay.

Especially Alda, who had an astonishing turnaround. Those well-informed knew that the coalition’s victory over Marltz Kent was more than half due to Alda’s contribution. As for the other lords, they seemed to have played a role in containing Jace.

Therefore, at this conference, Paul Grayman’s words carried the most weight. Not to mention Alda’s army, which was constantly training outside, shooting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and firing cannons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, without a moment’s rest.

The first issue was the succession of the Duke’s title. According to customary law, it was only natural for Viscount Henry Ferdinand, the younger brother of the old Ferdinand, to inherit the title. However, some opposed this. Morley Melken gathered a group of nobles to support an older cousin of the old duke to succeed. This cousin had also fled after Marltz’s usurpation and had garnered much support for the coalition in various territories.

Unfortunately, this prospective Duke’s younger brother was thrown into the dungeon by Paul for being a guest of honor to Marltz during the war.

“Brothers on opposite sides, it seems opportunistic!” Others, led by Parker and Paul, firmly opposed.

The discussion about the Duke’s succession took three days, but in the end, those in favor of Henry prevailed. After a simple ceremony, Henry Ferdinand officially became the new Duke of the Northwest.

After settling the Duke’s title, Alda and Baylding jointly demanded control over Kent’s territory—Emden. Not to claim the title of Count of Emden, but rather to abolish it altogether, placing its lands under the administration of Alda’s Administration Council.

As for the various vassal territories of Emden, their lords could retain their lands after paying a compensation, but their domestic and foreign affairs would be somewhat “guided” by the Administration Council. In reality, this was a form of vassalage, but the Grayman family had no authority to officially confer vassalage.

Alda’s proposal was supported by some and opposed by others.

Supporters sensed the rise of this new powerful force and wanted to firmly attach themselves to it. Besides, Emden, already occupied by Alda’s army, was a foregone conclusion; Paul’s request was merely seeking an official status.

Those against it wanted to prevent Alda’s further strengthening. Emden and its vassal territories were the most valuable lands in Northwest Bay, second only to the Duke’s lands. The Grayman family gaining this territory would significantly boost their power.

In the end, Paul compromised. He promised to share half of the Kent family’s wealth in Emden and the compensations from the vassal lords with everyone.

This step back earned him widespread support. For the less resolute opposers, Emden, already under Alda’s occupation, was out of their reach. Gaining tangible benefits like money was more than welcome.

Paul then had no further demands. This was the result of repeated deliberations within the Administration Council. Emden, including its vassal territories, was larger and more populous than Alda and Baylding combined. For now, it was enough for the Administration Council to manage.

Moreover, asking for too much could isolate Alda from other lords. The tangible benefits Alda received were already the greatest among the victors. It was reasonable for the Kent family, the instigators of the war, to be stripped of their titles and lands. However, other lords who supported Marltz during the war were different; they had either fulfilled alliance obligations or vassal loyalty.

Due to the era’s noble class rules, the punishment for these losers was not too ruthless. Titles were generally preserved, and territories were not entirely confiscated. However, demanding a hefty compensation was inevitable.

The rest of the conference mainly revolved around compensations and land cessions. Having secured the entire Emden Countdom and half of the Ferdinand family’s treasury promised by Henry in secret, Paul was content and quietly observed the disputes among the others. He maintained good relations with the Parker and Heller families, speaking up for them when appropriate.

Duke Henry Ferdinand of the Northwest was grateful to him. Although parting with half of his treasury was painful, Paul’s support in securing the title and preserving much intangible wealth, like public sentiment, was invaluable.

When Alda’s army entered the Duke’s territory, they committed no atrocities, no massacres, no looting. They paid market prices for food and other supplies.

Upon occupying Center City, various thugs and underworld forces thought to take advantage of the “chaotic period.” Alda’s army took it upon themselves to restore and maintain order.

This army used swift and decisive methods to stabilize the city, employing a shockingly effective method—criminals were tied in front of cannons and obliterated from the waist up.

From then on, a notorious term that sent chills down people’s spines appeared in the history of punishments—”Cannon Execution.”

Alda’s army organized large public gatherings for each execution, announcing the crimes, evidence, and verdicts, termed “public trials.”

Although the executions were nerve-wracking, the onlookers cheered at the sight of these heavily criminal men meeting such a fate, deterring those lurking in the shadows.

Alda’s army was indeed unique, altering Henry’s perception of what an army could be.

Other lords’ armies, more in line with Henry’s old impression of armies, committed robberies and extortions from the common folk and surrendering enemy lords on their eastward journey from Fort Bidou.

Had they wanted to continue such practices upon entering the Duke’s territory, Henry, whether not yet a Duke or a newly established one, couldn’t have stopped them. It was the victor’s privilege.

It was Alda’s army’s undertaking to maintain order that prevented these bandit-like troops from wreaking havoc.

The title of Count Grayman gradually became renowned among the people of the Duke’s territory.

The presence of such a commendable army, invited by Lord Henry Ferdinand, elevated his reputation among the populace, enhancing the legitimacy of his succession to the Duke’s position.

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