Chapter 959: Chapter 286: Attack on Morgan Town (10,000 Words) (2)

"Even if Morgan Town’s territory does not belong to me or any of us here, it is still within the boundaries of Kakasong City."

"Simo issued an edict without obtaining my approval as a Viscount!"

"This is disrespectful to me as a Viscount!"

"Thus, I had a dispute with Simo!"

The Manor Lord nodded slightly in response.

Anyone who pays a little attention to events in Kakasong City would know.

Jon continued, "I questioned Simo, why would he assign Morgan Town to a Lord who incited turmoil in the territory?"

"Simo informed me it was to facilitate the governance and management of Morgan Town, to restore Morgan Town’s agricultural production."

"Haha, a convenient way to govern and manage! A convenient way to restore production and construction!"

"If it weren’t for this Lord destroying Morgan Town’s Manor, I suppose Morgan Town would still be engaging in productive construction, wouldn’t it?"

"I asked Simo to revoke the edict, but he cited the fact that the Lord paid tithing as a reason."

"Deeming this Lord who incited turmoil as a devout believer, a citizen of God."

"The esteemed Church Bishop, overwhelmed by the paid tithing, how laughable!"

The Manor Lords fell silent, not daring to respond to Jon’s words.

True, they were Manor Lords.

Yet they also believed in God, as followers of the Church.

Jon’s words continued, "Gentlemen!"

"The existence of the Church in Kakasong City is an undeniable fact."

"Setting aside the land, money, and goods that believers willingly donate."

"It’s been a long time since any Noble Lord paid tithing."

"But now, this Lord named Lynn has once again started the precedent of paying tithing!"

"If the Church uses this as an opportunity to require all Noble Lords to pay tithing."

"Paying one-tenth of their income to the Church..."

"Gentlemen, what will you do?"

"Quietly pay up? Or... rise in resistance?"

The Manor Lords remained silent, unsure of what to say.

Jon stepped away from his seat, pacing around the group.

Squeak~ Squeak~

The sound of leather shoes clicking on the stone floor was unusually distinct in the meeting room.

Jon’s deep voice rang out, "You must understand, this is not just about paying taxes!"

"Paying tithing to the Church will reduce our income economically, decreasing our investments in agricultural and military development, and limiting our growth."

"The Church, receiving tithing, accumulates immense wealth, thereby enhancing their own economic power and political influence."

"With sufficient wealth, the Church can establish a more authoritative image among the people, even outshining the image of the territory’s Lord!"

"This will severely weaken the authority and control we possess in our territory."

"The most crucial point is that the economic pressure from tithing will directly create tension between the Free People in the territory and us Lords!"

"It might even cause conflict and resistance with the Free People."

"Until then, the Church’s authority will surpass the Lord’s! At that point, it will no longer be us governing them, but them governing us." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Jon spoke up, "For the safety of the people, to ensure productive construction, within the scope surrounding Kakasong City, there must not be any element of turmoil."

"Therefore, to eliminate danger in its cradle, we must wage war against Lynn, the Lord of Morgan Town!"

The Manor Lords remained solemn, nodding in agreement.

They knew Jon’s words were true.

Regardless of the series of impacts caused by paying tithing.

Or this Lord capable of demolishing all Manors in Morgan Town—Lynn.

The military strength he possesses already made them feel threatened.

If his target were only the land of Morgan Town, it would be tolerable.

A border town, which they already despised.

But what about a Lord with enough power?

How could his ambition be merely that?

Jon passed by several Manor Lords, arriving behind Devant at the far end of the round table, halting his steps.

Sitting upright in the chair, Devant felt the pressure rise.

Jon’s voice continued, "The above is just one reason to wage war!"

"The second reason, through my investigation, revealed frequent visits from traveling merchants cross-regionally to Kakasong City."

"They bring large quantities of grain goods, even warhorses and slaves!"

"They unload at Fisherman’s Wharf and, using four-horse drawn carts, transport the goods out of the city."

"With the assets owned by Noble Lords in Kakasong City’s territory, it’s impossible to have such abundant wealth for purchases."

"Upon their return, the carts that originally carried goods are filled entirely with fine salt!"

The Manor Lords, their expressions once severe, were instantly overwhelmed by surprise.

"The goods turned into fine salt? How is that possible?"

"Viscount, do your words imply there exists an open-pit salt mine in Morgan Town?"

"This... simply unimaginable!"

"I understand! I understand!"

"Because there is an open-pit salt mine, this Lord named Lynn continuously trades fine salt with traveling merchants for resources needed for development."

"Thus, his territory rapidly strengthens!"

"Truly enviable, how did he find an open-pit salt mine? How advantageous it would be if this open-pit salt mine were in my territory..."

"It’s not a salt mine; it’s clearly a gold mine!"