The economic aspects of things have already begun to be planned.
Thinking about what I promised Nero before I came, I need to start preparing for it in advance.
Ning Cuo crossed his arms and looked at the crowds of people who were working busily around him.
He gave orders to Toller and Joan of Arc.
“Get ready, we're going back to Rome. We need to buy some more war horses, armor, and recruit more people.”
As soon as Ning Cuo said this, Joan of Arc and the others immediately widened their eyes.
Even if Nero was generous, she still had to consider practical factors.
Giving such a wealthy territory naturally meant she would not give many economic rewards.
Otherwise, those nobles would be in an uproar.
And now, the territory's economy was already quite impoverished.
As mentioned before, feeding the people and horses was a huge burden.
And buying warhorses, armor, and even manpower would all cost money.
It was an endless stream of money.
The money for training, maintenance, and combat effectiveness would all cost money.
This was clearly unwise.
Joan of Arc could no longer stand still and timidly stepped forward.
“Lord Ning Cuo, the territory has just been developed, and the spring when it is easiest to plant has already passed. On top of that, we need to maintain so many people, which is already a huge burden.
It would be better to hold out a little longer, wait until next spring, and this large area of the river valley plain will be fully developed. Then, we can recruit manpower and buy war horses or livestock to develop this area into farmland. We can grow more food, which is a long-term solution.”
Joan of Arc explained things in a straightforward manner, her words were well-reasoned.
Hearing her answer, Ning Cuo smiled and nodded, but he wasn't angry.
Because this wasn't out of selfishness, but out of concern for her own position.
After all, these people didn't know that he had the system.
It wasn't as complicated as that.
Going to Rome was simply to throw them off the scent. Otherwise, if you suddenly pulled out a legion from your territory.
The surrounding nobles would probably be thrown into chaos.
Even Nero and Pope John XII wouldn't have a way to explain it.
But Joan of Arc was indeed talented. Although he had never talked about his plans with her.
Based on her own observations, she had already determined which areas had the potential for development.
She had even already calculated the territory's economic situation.
If they followed her methods step by step.
It would be possible to develop a wealthy territory within a few years.
But Ning Cuo didn't have that much time.
“It's alright, Joan of Arc, I'm very good friends with many of the nobles in Rome. They will provide me with funds.”
Toller was stunned by this plan.
When did his lord become good friends with the nobles of Rome?
Didn't they just burn a big noble to death a few days ago?
Even this place was snatched from his hands.
Unfortunately, Toller would definitely not ask this question.
He obediently arranged for his subordinates to feed the warhorses and prepare for departure at any time.
After hearing Ning Cuo's explanation, Joan of Arc finally nodded.
As expected of Lord Ning Cuo, he truly has a wide range of friends.
If they had additional funds to supplement their needs, they could indeed recruit some more people.
After all, the current territory was severely lacking in combat personnel.
They only had one imperial legion infantry squad, but they had to manage hundreds of villagers developing the entire territory.
They also had to bear the responsibility of protecting the lord, standing guard, patrolling, and even dealing with any wild animals that might appear nearby.
They were all working tirelessly.
But what happened next went far beyond Joan of Arc's imagination.
The three of them rode their warhorses through Rome.
The way she looked at Ning Cuo was like looking at a legendary succubus.
Every three steps, someone would bow to him, every five steps, someone would prostrate themselves.
Each of them brought their own equipment and rations, crying and begging to join Ning Cuo's army.
They didn't even ask how much their monthly salary would be.
It seemed like they were willing to give their lives for just a mouthful of food.
This situation made the eyes of the nobles in the Senate almost pop out.
They had originally just wanted to gather some information to see what this plague god was up to after returning.
Who would have thought that this would happen?
Those who joined Ning Cuo were all strong and well-armored, clearly battle-hardened veterans.
This level of mercenary.
Even if a great noble wanted to recruit them, they would have to negotiate face-to-face and sign a contract.
It would take a long period of time to build up their loyalty before they could be considered trustworthy.
But what about Ning Cuo?
Just a few turns around Rome, and he had gathered a thousand-man battle group.
Wait?
When did Rome have so many mercenaries sneaking in?
Looking at the intelligence in his hands.
What terrified them the most was.
There was actually a heavily armored knight, wielding a heavy lance, his body covered in heavy armor.
Even his horse was wearing heavy armor.
Only his eyes were exposed.
It went without saying that it was a top-grade horse. Otherwise, it wouldn't be able to bear such a heavy weight.
This was clearly the legendary armored knight!
......
Ning Cuo wasn't interested in understanding the things that the nobles of Rome were racking their brains to figure out.
At this moment, he was like watching a play.
After gathering all the troops, they marched out of the city in a neat formation.
He ordered his subordinates to lead them back to the camp to rest.
Ning Cuo then brought Joan of Arc and Toller to a bandit camp he had long been eyeing.
He wanted to see just how strong his top combat force, the armored knight John, really was.
Not far away, on a straight mountain path.
Thump, thump, thump!
Heavy hooves pounded out a deafening roar on the earth.
It was more like a heavy tank than an armored knight.
I don't know if John was too perverted or what.
Wearing such terrifying heavy armor, he was still moving incredibly fast.
He was skilled with both bow and horse, his lance flipping up and down.
He actually single-handedly blocked all the bandits on the entire mountain stronghold.
One man and one horse, he weaved in and out of the crowd.
Each charge would crush dozens of bandits in front of him into a pile of minced meat.
It was visually stunning.
Blood and bone fragments splattered everywhere.
He stroked his chin. This wasn't even a [Hero], yet he was already this powerful.
What would Nero, the tyrannical [Hero] recognized by this era, be like if he went all out?
No wonder those nobles didn't even dare to fart when so many of them were hacked to death.
That delicate girl was truly a human nuclear bomb.
If she hadn't been trapped in the position of Roman Emperor, with no ties to anyone, she might have actually been able to achieve the feat of conquering a nation alone.
Seeing that the last few dozen bandits had completely collapsed.
John charged forward without stopping, completely slaughtering the rest.
Ning Cuo nodded in satisfaction, opened his system panel, and collected the current information.
【New Forces Have Been Recorded】
【Armored Knight, John】
【Background Modification Complete: A great knight who grew up in the era of the gods in Rome. He experienced two Crusades, participated in 21 Roman wars against foreign powers, and was finally granted armored knighthood by the previous Roman emperor. He possesses one-tenth of the bloodline of Greek mythology. The war horse he rides is also a semi-mythical creature. He has grown tired of war and has come to seek you out after hearing your reputation.]
【Bardonian Oath-Sworn Thousand-Man Battle Group】
【Fully armed, wearing medium armor, equipped with multi-functional weapons, and able to adapt to any frontal battlefield. The members are equipped with either one-handed axes or swords and shields, armed with javelins, and are also proficient in using spears, capable of both close and long-range combat, with excellent combat skills, and can effectively deal with cavalry charges. They are a mainstay force within the entire infantry legion.】