The Rise of the European Emperor

"Thank you, Lord Earl, for your attention. My godfather has nurturing me. If the godfather is here, I won't go anywhere, just protect his old man..." Cage calmly rejected Marin's solicitation, with no expression on his face. a little hesitation...

However, because of this, Marin valued him even more. A subordinate who has both ability and loyalty is the favorite of the superior. Otherwise, if Cage agreed too bluntly, even if Marin accepted him, he would have to guard against him, to prevent him from becoming a "slave with three surnames" like Lu Bu.

Next, Marin began to look for words, and he got closer to Cage and tried his best. At noon, Woolf Esbrand finally finished the defense and related government affairs of Hyde City, and came to the backyard of the City Lord's Mansion to visit Marin. At the same time, I also hope to reach an agreement with Marin to let Marin retire.

"Do you want East Frisian to retreat? Mr. Esbrand, are you thinking too easily? Even if we retreat, there will be people who want to be here. After all, the Dietmarschen region is so large that it is larger than many counties. It’s not just our East Frisian family that wants to be big.” Marin refused without hesitation about Woolf Esbrand’s request.

"But, Earl Marin, your life and death are under our control..." Woolf Esbrand began to threaten Marin.

"No, no, Mr. Esbrand, my life and death are indeed under your control. But equally, the life and death of all the residents of Hyde City, and even the entire Dietmarschen area, are also under my control. "Marin didn't take Woolf Esbrand's threat, but counter-threat back.

"What's the meaning?"

"If I am hurt, then, let alone Hyde City, it is estimated that not even a chicken will survive."

"Do you want to massacre the city?" Woolf Esbrand became angry. Dietmarschen is his home, and the people here are all his fellow villagers. How could he want his fellow villagers to suffer any harm?

"It's not that I want to slaughter the city, but if I get hurt, my subordinates will definitely slaughter the city. Even more than 20,000 people in the entire Dietmarschen area will be killed." Marin said lightly. Also, what he said was true. If something happened to him, with Schwartz and Kahn's character, all the residents of the Dietmarschen area would really be buried with him.

"That's more than 20,000 people, living people!" Woolf Esbrand stood up angrily.

"So what? I don't want it either. But, in the eyes of my subordinates, there is no difference between more than 20,000 people and 20,000 sheep. My life is not worth my life, that's the truth."

Woolf Esbrand was a little pissed, but he didn't take Marlin. Because he is not a fool, knowing what Marin said is not an exaggeration. The entire Dietmarschen region has a population of just over 20,000. And Marin's army, there are 15,000 people. With more than 20,000 people, Marin's subordinates only need to kill one more person on average, and they can kill the Ditmarschen area completely, and it is not very laborious. He had originally arrested Marin because he wanted to threaten Marin and order the retreat. Unexpectedly, Marin is a hobhead with a thick skin. After calculating, he didn't dare to do anything to him, but he threatened him in turn.

Although it is said that since the kidnapping of Marin, the 15,000-strong East Frisian army has not dared to attack the city any more. However, the siege of Hyde City did not stop.

Because of the sudden incident, there are not many food reserves in Hyde City. If they were besieged for a long time, the people of Hyde City would starve to death if not killed.

"How on earth are you willing to retire? Isn't it good for us to live peacefully together? Why do you want to occupy this place?" Woolf Esbrand roared at Marin.

"Mr. Esbrand, please calm down. Think about it, the Dietmarschen area is so large that it exceeds many counties.

Moreover, his geographical location is so important that it is the gateway to Hamburg, with convenient water and land transportation, and is also suitable for business. Do you dare to say that no one covets such a land? "

"So what? King Hans of Denmark has an army of 10,000 people, but I haven't destroyed it yet!" Woolf Esbrand said proudly.

"Besides flooding, do you have any other way to deal with an army that far exceeds your army? You see, after I sent my cavalry to block the road to the eastern river reservoir, you are helpless."

"We still have allies... The Lübeck people will help us..." Woolf Esbrand said with insufficient confidence.

"Wake up, Mr. Esbrand. Lübeck helped Dietmarschen because Lübeck wanted to use you against Denmark. But now Denmark has been defeated by our coalition. Even Schiller, north of you, The duchy of Suig also belongs to me. That is to say, you have lost use value. So, do you think Lübeck is still willing to help you now? Without Lübeck's help, who can you fight against? With the thousand Militia?" Marin asked aggressively.

Woolf Esbrand was a little disappointed. He knew very well that what Marin said was very reasonable. Because, Lübeck's support for Dietmarschen was indeed to cause trouble for Lübeck's enemy Denmark. Today, Lübeck has organized a coalition to defeat Denmark and cut off two principalities. Well, Dietmarschen has indeed lost its usefulness to Lübeck.

Dittmarschen is an agricultural republic whose economy depends mainly on farming and fishing, making it a poor country. Without the support of the rich man Lübeck, as long as someone came to besiege Dietmarschen, over time, the poor Dietmarschen would collapse first, without the need for others to actually do it. Because fighting a war costs a lot of money and food. However, the agricultural country Dittmarschen lacks the most is money and food. Before, because of the support of the rich man in Lübeck, Dietmarschen had enough confidence and Denmark to be positive. Without Lübeck's support, Dietmarschen really is nothing...

"I will not compromise with you, Earl of Marin! Yes, I dare not kill you. However, I can imprison you for a long time. As long as you are here, your army will not dare to attack. Likewise, this 1.5 Wan Dajun, the daily consumption is also astonishing. It is not good for Dietmarschen to drag it on, but don’t think about it easier for you in East Frisian!” In desperation, Woolf Esbrand even thought He came up with a trick, "Drag the word", and planned to spend it with Marin...

Marin was immediately stunned. Indeed, as long as he was in Hyde City, the army under his command would be stunned. However, he did not dare to leave easily.

The army is stationed outside Hyde City, and the daily consumption of money and food is also astonishing, including the thousands of horses. If it goes on like this, it's really not a good thing for me...

What's more, Marin himself has enemies everywhere. Not to mention the Kingdom of Denmark, the Saxons and Brandenburgers, who had just been beaten up by themselves and could not take care of themselves, were also potential enemies of their own.

Although it is said that because of the diplomatic documents, both the Electoral State of Saxony and the Electoral State of Brandenburg withdrew the reinforcements, and they did not transfer over and challenge themselves.

However, if they knew that they had been captured by the Dietmarschen, maybe, these two cunning electors would regroup and attack their own army.

You know, because of your absence, the East Frisian army is now a little panicked. It's definitely no problem against the Dithmarsians who only have a thousand people. But if the two electors mobilized an army of 20,000 people, with the current morale of the soldiers under their command, it would be very easy to get unlucky...

Therefore, Marin is very clear that he can't afford to drag him even more than Dietmarshin...

Thinking of this, Marin intends to make concessions:

"Mr. Esbrand, in fact, this time I attacked Dietmarschen, not just for the territory, but for you..." Marin went straight to the point and said his true thoughts.

"For me? Why is this?" Woolf Esbrand was a little puzzled. He is an old man in his forties, what is there for Marin to think about?

"Because of your talent, Mr. Esbrand, you defeated the Danish army by flooding, which is an opportunity for Sweden's independence and an important basis for our Quartet Alliance to send troops. I appreciate your talent, so , I would like to invite you to serve under my command."

"Just because of my ability to defeat the Danes, you are going to attack Dietmarschen?" Woolf Esbrand was a little stunned - what logic is this?

"The vast territory of the Ditmarschen area is also one of my coveted goals. As long as you are willing to serve me, I can accept some of your conditions." Thinking of the Electors of Saxony and Electors of Brandenburg hiding in the dark, he just wanted to get out quickly. Therefore, a gesture of concession was made directly.

"Then, if I serve you, will you let your army spare Dietmarschen?" asked Woolf Esbrand.

"It's impossible, you've all gone with me, who can hold Dittmarschen? Even if our army withdraws, someone else will come to occupy Dittmarschen. I heard that Saxony in the south-- John V, Duke of Lauenburg, has long coveted the vast territory of the Dietmarschen area. But he did not dare to do it because he was afraid of the Kingdom of Denmark. If I withdraw, you will also leave. I can guarantee that Saxony- John V, Duke of Lauenburg, will definitely take the opportunity to gather an army and come to occupy Dietmarschen."

Marin's words were not meant to scare Woolf Esbrand. Rather, John V, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg, did express his desire for the Dietmarschen region. The Duchy of Saxony-Lauenburg is just south of Holstein, next to the city of Hamburg. That is to say, between the Duchy of Saxony-Lauenburg and the Dietmarschen area, there is only one Hamburg (including the western part of the newly controlled Duchy of Holstein). However, the army of the Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg can be transported by ship, from the Elbe, through the Hamburg area, to the Ditmarschen area, which is very convenient.

Woolf Esbrand had also heard of the rumor that John V coveted Dietmarschen. You know, the Duchy of Saxony-Lauenburg, although it is a duchy, its area is about the same size as the Dietmarschen area.

Therefore, it is normal for John V, Duke of Saxony-Lauenburg, to covet such a vast "borderless land" in the Dittmarschen region. It's just that the powerful Kingdom of Denmark announced that the Dietmarschen area was Denmark's territory. Although John V wanted to get this land, he did not dare to challenge the powerful Denmark, so he had to give up.

But now, Denmark has been taken down by the Quadruple Alliance. As Marin said, if Marin also gave up his coveting the Ditmarschen area, John V would definitely rush over with a large army.

After thinking about it, Woolf Esbrand found out that it was a good choice to take refuge in Marin...

"Hmph, you big nobles who are greedy like vampires, if Dietmarschen falls into your hands, the people won't be bullied to death by you?" Woolf Esbrand said angrily.

"Well, if you are willing to submit to me, um... that Cage will also submit to me... Then, I am willing to keep the existing taxation mechanism of Dietmarschen unchanged, no=never increase the income of the people of Dietmarschen. Burden!" In order to win over the intelligent general Woolf Esbrand and the fierce general Cage, Marin also went out of his way and offered very generous conditions.

"This..." Woolf Esbrand was quickly tempted. Marin made such a promise, which is equivalent to only the name, not the benefit. It can be said that this is definitely a very conscientious condition.

"Then this public area..."

"Of course it's mine, Mr. Esbrand. If the commons don't belong to me, then what do I want the Dietmarschen area for? As a decoration?"

The Dittmarschen region is 1,400 square kilometers in size, but only has more than 20,000 people. Moreover, many people are concentrated in coastal areas and belong to fishermen.

At present, there are still many public wastelands in the Dittmarschen region. Due to insufficient population, it has not been developed yet. Marin gave up tax increases on those original land, which is already a great concession.

The reason why he is willing to give up the existing cultivated land is to organize immigrants to reclaim those public wasteland in the future. As long as enough arable land is cultivated, Marin can also get enough benefits.

However, if you don't even get the public wasteland. Then, even if he won Dittmarschen, it would have no practical significance.

After negotiation, under the condition that Marin promised in writing that he would never increase the tax of the existing people in the Dietmarschen area (later immigrants would not be counted), Woolf Esbrand decided to compromise and put Dietmarschen Regions are listed under Marin's name.

However, the Dietmarschens will continue to retain their own parliament. Marin, on the other hand, said that he would send officials appointed by himself to negotiate with the local council to solve various local problems, and rely mainly on the opinions of the local council. This allows the Dietmarschen to remain semi-autonomous. Moreover, Marin promised that the current local taxes will be retained by the local council for their own use, and Marin will never draw taxes from the current taxes.

In exchange, Woolf Esbrand and Cage joined Marin's team and played for Marin. At the same time, the large unowned public wasteland in Dittmarschen is also under the name of Marin, who is responsible for the development and utilization of the organizer...

In this way, after being a prisoner for a few days, Marin made compromises and concessions, in exchange for the nominal right to rule the Ditmarschen region and his own freedom with the method of "getting the name but not profiting".

Of course, Marin is actually not at a loss. Because of the 1,400 square kilometers of land in the Ditmarschen area, there are about 800 square kilometers of land that have not been developed and utilized, and they are all plains and some swamps. Malin Bai has won so many sites, as long as it is developed, the benefits will be greatly...