Loren truly lives up to his reputation as a wise minister. When Su Li inquired, he immediately provided a clear and concise answer.

"Currently, after an initial assessment of military accomplishments, the total number of people eligible for emancipation is 63. However, since this was a decisive battle, with a scale of more than a thousand decapitations, many military merits and executions are disputed. It will take a few days to straighten things out, and I estimate the final confirmed number of individuals to be emancipated will be around 30 to 40."

This nitty-gritty government business is exactly the purpose of having a Minister of the Seal like him. If all of this had to be handled by Su Li, he wouldn't have any time to rest and enjoy himself.

Loren had everything well-organized, so Su Li leaned back comfortably in his chair, responding in a relaxed manner, "I won't concern myself with the emancipation matter. Once you have sorted and confirmed the number, I will host a merit ceremony to personally free them and then settle them on a farm, which we'll call Jiejia Manor. Let's place it next to those few families from the Sulande migration."

Emancipating the slaves is an act of virtue, and Su Li certainly doesn't want to miss out on it. In this world, virtue is not merely an abstract concept; it truly influences the descent of Divine Grace.

Although these slaves would be emancipated, they still remain subjects of the Hesse Territory and have to pay the hefty Nineteen Taxes, relying on the Lord to demonstrate virtue by returning two to three-tenths of the tax so they can survive.

Their only advantage is that after paying taxes, they can still retain a bit of personal property.

And just this slight advantage can lead countless subjects to engage in various enterprises.

Speaking of establishing a new farm called Jiejia Manor, Loren immediately delved into the topic, saying, "Lord, our territory undoubtedly needs a batch of commoners; we cannot solely rely on slaves."

"Do you know where the most densely populated area of our territory is now?"

Su Li was indeed unaware of this intelligence, so he curiously asked, "Where is it? Near the castle? Or the monastery?"

Loren shook his head and said, "It's the place where Philis's family resides, the newly planned Jiejia Manor."

Su Li was surprised and asked, "Is there something special about this village? We have wheat farms, cabbage farms, and even plan to build a spirit medicine farm. Why is it that this Jiejia Manor is the most densely populated?"

"Could it be... people are coming to see Philis's beauty?"

Su Li acknowledges the charm of the most beautiful person in the territory; it's understandable for people to flock to her.

Loren immediately shook his head and said, "It's not because of Philis. The subjects know that you visit Philis every day, so they dare not harbor any illusions about her."

"People are flocking there because of the other Sulande beauties. Among these few families, some women have taken up the profession of courtesans."

Courtesans!?

Su Li instantly understood; in every village in this world, the four standard buildings are a tavern, an inn, a brothel, and a knight's arena.

Perhaps due to knights' bloodline, the men in this world have particularly high demands.

Su Li himself has women with whom he enjoys nightly revelry, but his knights, armed attendants, and slaves also need an outlet.

Loren lowered his head, expressionless, and said, "Furthermore, the knights of the territory have quite a few complaints; there are many suitors around Amorri and Knight Sophie. They believe your relationship with the female knights is too close, which leaves no room for others."

Su Li instantly took a sharp breath; he already knew he couldn't mess around with superior-subordinate relationships!

He hasn't even claimed any female knight, and yet there's already a public outcry. If he truly couldn't control himself, wouldn't there be massive unrest?

Thus, Su Li immediately solemnly promised, "My Minister of the Seal and Military Commander, you must help me soothe people's hearts. Everyone must understand one thing: unless I am to marry into a knight clan, I will not touch any female knight. I encourage knights to intermarry, as the teachings of the Sun Goddess also encourage knights to take wise actions in politics and love. They should actively marry and establish homes in the territory."

Those with lasting property have lasting determination, and Su Li naturally hopes these knights settle down early in the Hesse Territory. Without intermarriage and marriage, who would he sell these fertile lands to? They are the main driving force for developing the manors in the territory.

Only then did Loren lift his head, feeling relieved. As a civil servant, he had no desire to get entangled in disputes among the knights.

Loren continued, "I think this situation is also related to the knights serving in the army for a long time."

Serving for over three years, even a sow would seem like Diao Chan.

The current conflicts in the territory are also related to it being too impoverished. With little to go around, if someone takes an extra bowl, others naturally become envious.

This is similar to the fierce internal struggles within fractured regimes.

But there are ways to mitigate such situations, so Loren suggested, "Since a brothel is something every territory cannot do without, I suggest you select some female slaves to establish a brothel in the residential area on the south side of the city to meet the needs of the subjects and earn wealth from caravans and manor lords. Don't underestimate a brothel; it's a significant source of income for nobles everywhere, with monthly earnings of at least 5 to 10 gold coins."

Building a brothel?

Su Li had no special opinion on this suggestion. Many countries' initial accumulation of wealth was achieved through women's labors, like neighboring prospering little Japan and little Xiuba, who gained their first development fund through the foreign exchange brought in by courtesans.

This world is very tolerant of prostitutes; the divine temple of Lanode is essentially a den of crime, including brothels, casinos, and taverns.

The primary difference lies in value systems different from the East; professions of lower status genuinely exist across various territories, and not every profession is required to possess virtues or honor. One cannot judge the empire's citizens by the standards of Eastern chastity—in their eyes, a prostitute is just another profession, much like a thief, fraudster, or even a barmaid.

So, Su Li said, "I'll leave this matter to you, Minister of the Seal. And let's not call the area in the south a residential district anymore, since our territory's villages and farms have increased. Let's rename this area, which houses nearly 1000 people, to Hesse Town."

While mentioning population, Vandar happened to enter the castle, and Su Li immediately asked with concern, "My Minister of Agriculture, how is the recovery going?"

Vandar, with a proud smile, replied, "Apart from more than twenty severely injured slaves who are hard to heal, the majority of the wounded can be saved. After this battle, our territory's population might not decrease but increase instead."

Su Li's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, saying, "Good! Good! Indeed, we shall reclaim in victory. Next, the people from the Dawn Church will focus all efforts on treating the wounded, and the Knights of the Sun Goddess Church should prepare coffins and funerals. We must honor the fallen Knights with due honor and stipends. Loyalty will not be forgotten; dedication will never go unrewarded."

All the ministers immediately agreed, recognizing this as a crucial matter to uphold the territory's honor and military strength, not to be overlooked.

Several ministers discussed it and decided to grant the fallen Knights a stipend equivalent to 30 months' salary, which is quite generous considering buying a slave of corresponding tier would only cost 40 to 60 months' salary.

Afterward, several ministers, mainly Minister of the Seal Lauren and Military Commander Oerstein, discussed in detail the dispensation of military honors, a task that took so long it was only preliminarily completed by late night.

Unquestionably, Knight Oerstein had the greatest achievements in this battle, but the Hohenstodten Clan scored the most rewards; their recognition would greatly display the richness of this dispensation.

Lauren proposed several plans, and Su Li needed to weigh them carefully.

As for rewarding the Hohenstodten Clan, Su Li already had plans in mind; he intends to grant them a manor on the Bloody Highlands to the north, allowing them to develop the fertile pastures there and act as the outpost for northern territorial vigilance.

However, Su Li has yet to finalize the reward for Knight Oerstein. This knight does not pursue wealth and land. Otherwise, with his champion-level prowess, he could easily earn a kingdom knight's title within the Empire.

Su Li has not yet figured out what reward would best showcase his incentive value. He plans to wait for the Daily Intelligence reports to see if there are any good leads.

But this matter is not urgent; by late night, Su Li yawned, feeling tired, and said to the ministers, "Let's conclude the post-war summary here for now. I'll give more thought to the issue of rewards. Moving on, the two main focuses for the territory are: first, the water engineering in Bjorn Shallow Bay; with summer rainstorms approaching, we must prepare as early as possible."

"Second is the excavation by the Dwarf Engineer beneath Moonlight Highlands; my Military Commander, make sure to keep a close eye on this matter and accelerate the progress."

Then Su Li waved his hand, saying, "That's it for today's meeting; it's quite late already. Any issues can be discussed tomorrow."

The ministers all rose, paid their respects, and left the castle.

After the ministers departed, Su Li washed up and returned to the second floor of the castle. Gazing at the alluring scene on the bed, his drowsy eyes instantly shone with excitement, their weariness vanished.

Beneath a thin quilt protruded three pairs of smooth, fair legs; especially the pair in the middle, their skin as white as snow glimmered with a hazy shine under the moonlight, exuding such beauty that it seemed to glow.

This was the joy of sharing a big bed!

Though this castle was simple, on a small bed without even a new quilt, several people were covered with a single thin blanket. Yet, there may be no new quilt, but there were new people; the romantic ambiance was priceless!

Fueled by fervor, Su Li flicked the corner of the quilt and slipped underneath, immediately embracing warm, smooth delicate bodies, while a slew of charming cries followed.

"Ah~"

"Lord~"

Su Li breathed contentedly; this was truly the life of a lord!

A gentle touch elicited a supple, full sensation, and though he wasn't sure who it was, the experience was deeply fulfilling.

"Philis, I'll guide you in your Knight training; this Dragon Blood Stone is my gift to you."

Trembling with nervousness, Philis replied, "Lord, I'll, I'll do my best to adapt to the training lifestyle."

But clearly, Philis's fragile body couldn't bear the intensity of Su Li's Dragon Blood Stone-enhanced guidance.

Just beginning the training, her cheeks flushed red as she pleaded desperately, "Lord, I... I feel like I'm about to soar out of my body; I can't, let me take a breather~."

"How can that be acceptable?" exclaimed a motivated Su Li, determined not to halt his training.

Soon the quilt stirred, and Hilude and Avril joined in guiding Philis.

This exquisite female courtier felt she was floating on clouds, entrusting her entire being to Su Li amidst entwined embraces, gaining thrice the speed in Knight training.

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