Chapter 57: The Struggle for Quotas (Part 1)

  Very soon, these discontented guests had nothing more to say.

  A gold necklace inlaid with jade, just by looking at its luster you can tell it's extremely valuable.

  A short sword placed in a brocade box, although it looks ordinary on the outside, can be given away with that necklace, naturally representing its extraordinariness.

  However, some people still harbored a glimmer of hope, such as Weibo Er, who widened his eyes in the hope that a 'miracle' would occur; however, when Dart Tir, the son of the baron, drew out his long sword, the cold light made him turn pale; it was clear that he knew he had fallen into a real predicament, filled with thick failure.

  "Thank you!"

  To attend her father's banquet, the radiant and resplendent Lili Thil received the necklace she had long coveted and lightly kissed Dean's cheek - not out of affection, but as a matter of courtesy; however, this clearly set off a blaze of jealousy among the young people present.

  Undoubtedly, in the territory of Thiel, Lily Thiel was like a bright pearl, being held in the palm of many people's hands, especially those young people, who regarded her as their first infatuation - therefore, all young people who thought they had some ability became suitors for this miss.

  However, there was no one who won this young lady's favor.

  Even so, very few people can really get in touch with the young lady - including afternoon tea and other activities, the young lady of the baron's house is always politely declining.

  It's not arrogance, at least for activities like hunting, this young lady from the baron's house will attend as scheduled.

  It's just a matter of simple likes and dislikes.

  But this only made the young people in Thiel more and more infatuated with the young lady - what can't be had is always the best.

  It is applicable at all times.

  Dean felt the unfriendly gaze of young people and didn't care - just as he hadn't cared about anyone other than the outgoing Baron's party before, at this moment, still didn't care.

  Stones are forever stones, even if placed on a desk, they remain stones.

  Gold is always gold, even if it's buried underground, it remains gold.

  The former is abandoned like a worn-out shoe, while the latter attracts people in droves, even if it exists tens or hundreds of meters underground, which cannot deter people's enthusiasm at all.

  It's clear that those one or two young people with decent potential didn't change Dean's mind - because the other side's potential was just decent, and this decency was only in comparison to Tylor County, but in the entire Wobang County, it wasn't even worth mentioning, not even comparable to his two militia captains.

  At least one of the two militia captains still appeared in his memory, while the other one or two were simply non-existent.

  Moreover, the other side has now revealed a strong hostile intention.

  So Dean felt he needed to 'nip' this hostility in the bud -

  "Thank you!"

  A smile floated on Dean's face, elegant and refined, the noble aura that belonged to him was revealed without a doubt.

  Looking at the Baroness's astonished and puzzled expression, Dean pointed to his cheek that was kissed by her, saying in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "This is the most sincere gratitude I've received tonight, so... thank you!"

  "It's all their fault, and it's all because of that clown Weibo!"

  The Baroness apparently didn't think that Dean would thank her for something like this, but the rather refreshing Baroness spoke her mind frankly.

  "A clown is always a clown, whether he takes off his mask or puts it on, the essence remains unchanged - have you seen his 'dedicated' performance before? Honestly, it was really good!"

  Dean said with a hint of meaning, but Baroness only noticed the latter part of his words and suddenly let out a crisp laugh.

  And such a crisp laughter made those young people even more itchy.

  However, Baron Teir standing beside him was very satisfied, with a smile on his face, watching Dean and his own daughter - if possible, he didn't mind finding Dean such a 'young talent' for his daughter; after all, as the lord of Teir territory, he was very clear that his Teir territory was too small, and there were only a few people who could be considered truly talented.

  And these few are still in Thiel.

  Once you leave Tiel Territory?

  The baron secretly sighed twice in his heart - although he had always hoped to choose a son-in-law for his daughter among these young people, but under the layers of review, none of them satisfied him.

  Moldova looks good too.

  But...

  What can a dead man say?

  However, Dean's appearance made this baron's eyes light up---

  "This might be a good choice!"

  Baron Thiel thought silently in his heart.

  However, Baron Teir will not force her, he will just respect his daughter's choice.

  In fact, as a member of the nobility, marriage is very difficult to choose freely, so everyone doesn't mind their relatives after marriage; Therefore, Baron Teir was very fortunate to find a wife who shared his feelings; Similarly, he hoped that his children would continue this happiness.

  So he doesn't mind if someone better than him appears beside his daughter.

  Especially those who look like they come from a noble family with a lot of wealth - as a father, Earl Til respects his daughter's choice, but also hopes that his daughter will not have to worry about her life.

  Parents all over the world are probably like this!

  Lord Tyrrell took a deep breath, ready to announce the formal start of the banquet, but before he could open his mouth, his aide pulled on his sleeve and discreetly pointed at the two gifts meant for his eldest daughter and second son.

  At once, Baron Thiel regained his composure.

  However, Baron Teir, who had reacted belatedly, couldn't help but let out a wry smile - it was clear that this would require a return gift.

  This put Baron Thiel in an awkward position.

  It wasn't that the gift of return hadn't been prepared - as a traditional noble, Baron Teir couldn't possibly not have one ready, but he absolutely hadn't expected the gift Dean brought to be so valuable.

  That golden jade necklace doesn't need to be mentioned, the material itself is worth no less than thirty gold pounds, and with that craftsmanship, a price of fifty gold pounds in a jewelry store would not be excessive.

  What about that short sword?

  As the Baron of Thiel, who deeply loves weapons, just by seeing that flash of cold light, he knew that the value of this short sword was obviously not inferior to the previous one, and in some people's eyes, the latter was the real treasure.

  Having such a gift, it was only considered as a return gift for the pearl that originally belonged to the visiting gift, and it was obviously not worth taking out.

  But if it is prepared now, it will obviously be a bit hasty - gifts without packaging and decoration are clearly not suitable.

  Therefore, the unconscious Baron looked at his staff with a difficult gaze.

  "Sir, have you forgotten about that quota?"

  As a baron's staff officer, Icos again showed his competence.

  At this moment, Baron's eyes lit up.

  That quota naturally refers to the 'Knight Baptism' quota that became available after Mold's death.

  As a return gift, it is obviously sufficient in quantity; after all, the tax revenue of two to three years in Tiel's territory can only be exchanged for such a quota from Wobang County.

  Each time, 'Knight's Baptism' is not free.

  Apart from the local lord's recommendation, the local lord's tax payment to the next higher level is also required as a guarantee.

  Therefore, local lords will absolutely not recommend anyone except those they truly trust.

  As for taking the "Knight's Baptism" by oneself?

  It's not that it can't be done, thieves' guilds and other clandestine organizations have such capabilities, but at a cost far higher than 'official channels', which ordinary people can't afford.

  Just look at the taxes collected by Tielu.

  Even as a remote region, Tiel relies on the passing fur and medicinal herb merchants to bring in no less than five hundred gold pounds of tax revenue each year, ranking among the top in Woban County. One tenth of which is required to be paid to Marquis Woban as tribute for his fiefdom.

  Tirhut's revenue contribution for two to three years was at least around 150,000 gold coins.

  So bringing it back as a return gift, the value is quite equivalent, and even higher by a lot - and this extra part is naturally for the host's dignity.

  "Cough, cough!"

  A low cough sounded, and Baron Thiel scanned the quieted guests. As the host of this banquet and the lord of Thiel territory, he said in a loud voice: "Before the banquet begins, I think I need to announce an event - Boats, my loyal knight, unfortunately died under the dark arrow of thieves. For this, we need to mourn, commemorate, and at the same time, we should deal with those damned guys with more courage! Fortunately..."

  As he spoke, the Baron walked to Dean's side and formally brought him before everyone, saying: "We don't lack people like this - my friend Dean Ken Knight is such a young man, so I think it's most appropriate for him to inherit the position of Commander of the Fitcher Knights!"

  The people around had apparently already received such news, and except for the militia of the Knights' Order, no one showed surprise or astonishment.

  "At the same time, I'd like to recommend this young man to go to Wabon County for a 'Knight's Baptism'!"

  The baron's words continued, but this time someone opposed him.

  "Wait!"

  A young man stood up.