Chapter 513: Marriage Alliance

After nearly two years of expansion, the permanent population of Wubei Territory has now exceeded two hundred thousand.

Furthermore, with the expansion of Luoning's influence, coupled with the reputation of Aierlong, Ruidar, and others in the outside world, as well as Beiluola's endorsement, more and more talented people have the idea of coming to Wubei Territory to seek opportunities.

By now, this place is no longer like the original Shanlin Town, where even finding someone who could read was a struggle.

As long as Luoning needs it, forming a team of a hundred clerks is absolutely no problem.

Because of this, there are many new faces among the officials and Knights that Luoning does not recognize.

He took advantage of this time staying in Wubei Territory to get to know these newcomers in a cursory manner, then inspected several of Wubei Territory's major industries and provided guidance on their future development direction.

In this process, Luoning also realized that his energy is limited and it is impossible to grasp every detail entirely.

After the scale grows to a certain level, controlling the direction of development is what he should be doing.

Therefore, he decided to hold a large-scale meeting within the territory every year from now on, with the attendees tentatively including the Governors of each city, the Knight Order commanders, and key officials.

This is both to report on the territory's operations and to facilitate the formulation and dissemination of new policies.

After staying in Wubei Territory for a few days, Luoning returned to Yueguang Castle; by this time, Blanche, who had gone to Jinyu Palace, had already returned.

"How was it? What did His Majesty say?"

Blanche had a smile on her face; it looked like there was good news.

"Father King speaks of you with nothing but praise!"

She said with a smile: "He said that it is my good fortune to be able to marry a man like you, and told me to cherish it well and give birth to a child for you soon, so that the Wushan Family's bloodline may continue."

Luoning spread his hands helplessly: "Haven't we been doing that all along? It's just that there hasn't been any movement yet. But Blanche, I find you've become mischievous; you know that is not what I was asking about."

"Haha~"

Blanche laughed and sat in Luoning's lap, "His Majesty agreed. He said you are the strongest in the Auduin Kingdom and have also slain two enemy generals for the Kingdom, with outstanding military merit; being promoted to Duke is not a difficult matter."

Luoning nodded slightly, "Judging by your tone, there must be a 'but'?"

"Yes!"

Blanche sighed: "Father King said that he will discuss the matter of the dukedom with you in detail after you arrive at Miwu Castle. I wanted him to reveal the content involved to me, but he didn't tell me."

A Duke must be somewhat extraordinary; most of those who can sit in this position are people with close ties to the royal family, such as brothers and the like.

Like Andreya of the Vila Principality, although he is of a different surname, his spouse is His Majesty the King's aunt; it was only through years of bloody battles, the efforts of several generations, and the support of His Majesty Kelinsiman that he ascended to the position of Duke.

Luoning basically possesses the conditions now: marriage into the royal family, military victory, accumulation of wealth, and the backing of strength.

However, this does not mean that Bruno will grant Luoning the position of Duke without any calculations; he will certainly discuss some terms of cooperation.

In the end, it is still a matter of interests.

"You've worked hard this time!" Luoning hugged Blanche's waist and smiled, stroking her hair.

"What is hard about this? Kaierluosi's speed is much faster than a Griffin; I can run several round trips from Yueguang Valley to Jinyu City in a single day."

"It is an Eight-level Magical Beast after all, how can a Griffin compare to it?"

Speaking of which, the Energy Essence Luoning has accumulated has already exceeded twenty thousand, enough to raise Kaierluosi to level nine.

However, in the Battle of Miwu City, he witnessed the limitations of a dragon, and after thinking it over, he still felt it necessary to let his side have one more Legendary-level powerhouse first.

According to Suofeiya, there is a qualitative leap between Legendary and Blazing Sun.

It was said in the past that three Silver Moon Knights had a chance of defeating one Blazing Sun Knight, but three Blazing Sun Knights would absolutely not be able to defeat one Legendary Knight.

What's more, with Kaierluosi's current strength, it is completely sufficient for sieging cities.

Therefore, Luoning decided to use these twenty thousand plus Energy Essence on Ruidar first.

After Luoning and Blanche were intimate for a while, he went to find Kaierluosi.

There should be no siege campaigns in the short term, and now Luoning no longer relies on the dragon to travel back and forth between places; relying on the Wind Shadow Art, his speed is not bad.

Thus, he let Kaierluosi return to Wubei Territory to help Ximeng with electric welding—oh no, with making railway tracks.

With a dragon's ability to control flames, it will certainly help the railway project between Zhaoze and Wubei City be completed sooner.

A dragon imprisoned and feeling autistic did not reject such an arrangement at all, and by throwing himself into this kind of creative work, Kaierluosi was even tireless.

Soon, the end of the month arrived, and according to Bruno's arrangement, the victory celebration held for the frontline soldiers would be held at Miwu Castle.

Luoning arrived at Miwu Castle with Blanche one day early.

There were not many nobles who came to Miwu City this time; they were basically the large and small nobles who had participated in this war.

It is worth mentioning that Luoning did not spot Jialete in Miwu Castle.

Through Blanche, he learned that the Crown Prince had already gone to the Feilunsibao Principality to help his uncle Feilunsi fight against the Baladun Principality.

It is estimated that this was the decision Bruno made after the other party disobeyed orders, though it did not seem to damage Jialete's face at all.

After all, the Battle of Miwu Castle had just ended, and the other party had set off for the new battlefield without stopping; to the outside world, one could completely say it was for the sake of the Kingdom that he was fighting everywhere.

It is believed that those who know the inside story will not take Jialete's little matter and publicize it widely.

"Haha, Luoning, come!"

As the border commander, Gushan was arranged to host this banquet after Bruno arrived.

"The nobles have almost all arrived, and your grandfather is also chatting in the hall; we were just waiting for you!"

While speaking, he also extended greetings to Blanche on the side.

"I thought I arrived early enough, but I didn't expect to be the last."

Luoning smiled: "It seems everyone is very interested in this victory celebration."

After Luoning arrived at the hall, he immediately attracted everyone's gaze; even Lulansi nodded in appreciation with great gratification.

This place was a place of sorrow for him; if it were not to witness his grandson's moment of glory, he would still be very resistant to coming to this place.

After a brief reunion, Luoning received an invitation from His Majesty the King.

But just as he was about to go, Lulansi found Luoning.

"I didn't expect it, just a single campaign, and the achievements you've made have already exceeded the level of most of my life!"

Lulansi patted Luoning on the shoulder, and the two walked on the lawn.

"His Majesty summoned you this time for the matter of your promotion in rank, right?"

Luoning nodded and told him about sending Blanche to the Jinyu Palace.

At this, Lulansi's eyes were filled with gratification; there were fewer and fewer things Luoning did now that he could offer guidance on.

"I originally wanted to urge you on a few things, but it seems there isn't much left that I need to remind you of, though there is still one point..."

He paused, "During the negotiations, even if he is the King and your father-in-law, there are some things you must still insist upon."

Lulansi smiled and said, "In the two hundred-plus years since the founding of the Auduin Kingdom, there has never been a Blazing Sun Knight, let alone the fact that Ruidar under your command is also a Blazing Sun. This is your capital and your confidence."

"Rest assured, Grandfather."

Luoning knew that Lulansi was worried about him being constrained by certain things; after all, both of them had the ambition to crown the Wushan surname with the title of King.

"By the way, the Black Jade Family approached me recently regarding the matter between Buleidun and William's daughter, Lilis. Weijinsi and Daianni both think it's a good idea. What is your opinion?"

Luoning was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected William to move so quickly.

He thought for a moment and said, "The Black Jade Family has a deep foundation; they not only control the Black Jade Ore but also possess unique forging techniques. Now that Viscount Willis has died in battle, their family lacks a pillar of support and will inevitably face covetous eyes from outsiders. A marriage alliance between the Wushan and Black Jade families is beneficial for both sides."

"I have also met that Lilis; her talent in Magic is indeed quite good, and she is worthy of Buleidun."

Lulansi laughed, "So, you agree as well?"

Luoning nodded slightly, "I have no objections, but the most important thing is to see what Buleidun thinks. If he also agrees..."

"Haha, he will listen to our arrangements for everything."

Lulansi laughed, "Buleidun is a rather honest child; he doesn't have as many thoughts as you, brat."

Luoning couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Why does that sound like you're speaking ill of me? Am I not honest?" (End of chapter)