Chapter 236: What to Do with Sheep?

Ma Kesi left!

He left in high spirits!

Because he took the Magic Electric Fan back, there was absolutely no risk of failing to secure more single-tube telescopes.

Moreover, Gervas had proven his capability with the Magic Electric Fan.

To be honest, Ma Kesi looked down on border minor nobles.

If not for the Hou Jue's influence, his attitude would never have been so polite.

But upon learning that Gervas was a capable border minor noble, he now held sufficient respect for him in his heart.

As Ma Kesi departed, Gervas had the carpenter rush-build a wooden stand to facilitate placement of the Magic Electric Fan!

Of course, Gervas only offered one idea; if the Hou Jue later desired a more exquisite and luxurious stand, he could commission one himself—it held no technical complexity anyway.

In the future, Gervas will also release matching bases.

This time, Ma Kesi arrived too conveniently—the Magic Electric Fan had just been completed.

The other Peitao items Gervas hadn't yet arranged!

"Lord Gervas, thank you for your consideration!"

After Ma Kesi left, Ku Po couldn't help but express his gratitude to Gervas.

Today, Gervas had actually refused Ma Kesi's demand on his behalf.

Behind that man stood true royal nobility.

If it were himself, Ku Po felt he could never have done such a thing!

Not even him.

He believed that ninety-nine percent of the kingdom's nobles could never act like Gervas.

Of course, Ku Po did not know that in Gervas's mind as a transmigrator.

There was no deeply rooted hierarchical Guannian in this world.

Dukes, marquises, generals, ministers—none of that mattered.

He merely understood when someone was stronger than himself.

As for groveling unconditionally or sacrificing his own interests—that was impossible.

And as for this matter, aside from the Mi Xiu Shi Hou Jue, no one in the capital would remember his favor.

So why not engage in fair trade and avoid personal loss?

Moreover, given the Mi Xiu Shi Hou Jue's temperament, he clearly wouldn't care about this matter.

Especially since Gervas had gifted him a Magic Electric Fan!

"Ku Po! Don't be so excited—it's merely my principle in doing business!"

Gervas spoke with casual indifference.

Of course, the more he acted this way, the more Ku Po revered and esteemed him.

"Ku Po, speaking of which, your Black Bear Trading House deals in slaves—could you keep an eye out for slave jewelers for me?"

"Lord Gervas, do you wish to purchase jewelers?"

"Correct—the more, the better, and their craftsmanship must be exceptional!"

The market for single-tube telescopes has now been opened.

What limits Gervas's profits is production capacity, so he needs to recruit more jewelers.

Yet jewelers in this world are scarce, since they serve only the nobility, and job opportunities are limited.

"Lord Gervas, although slave jewelers are rare, I will inquire on your behalf—if I hear anything, I will notify you immediately!"

"Good!"

Thus, Ku Po did not linger; he and his party set off on their return journey.

……

With the single-tube telescope matter settled, Gervas now turned to his true major plan.

Fario's cabinet-official father had allied with Pa Ke.

And he had mistaken Gervas for the real target—so Gervas would no longer be polite.

Although nobles cannot kill nobles—that would be a grave crime.

Yet in this intelligence, Gervas had also obtained a promising opportunity.

If handled properly, he might cause Pa Ke's death while perfectly shedding any blame for killing him.

"What? Lord Pa Ke is launching another attack on the iron mine? My lord, last time you showed mercy and spared us from pursuing him, yet he dares return?"

"Yes, my lord—if he truly dares risk our Storm Domain again, you must crush him mercilessly, or he'll truly think you a lord without spirit!"

Upon learning that Lord Pa Ke intended to attack the iron mine again, the knights erupted in outrage.

Mi Gen and others burst into furious curses.

"Mi Gen, you're right—we must crush him this time!"

"And do you know why he suddenly has the confidence to trouble us again?" Gervas said.

"My lord, why?"

"Because he has allied with Fario's father—the cabinet official of Eagle City, Wei La De!"

"The Yue Yue spy network reports that upon learning of our conflict with Pa Ke, Wei La De secretly contacted Lord Pa Ke and bribed a certain noble in Eagle City."

"He secretly mobilized fifty light cavalry to join the battle!"

"Pa Ke has allied with Fario's father? And sent fifty cavalry? My lord, they're targeting you!"

Lei Meng, the knight captain who rarely spoke, immediately frowned and issued the first warning.

Fifty light cavalry were no trivial force.

"I know. So their attack on the iron mine is a ruse—their real goal is to lure me out!" Gervas nodded.

"Those damned bastards—they're targeting you, my lord! This is a feud to the death!!"

"My lord, don't leave the castle! Let their plan fail—we'll then seek support from the Violet Count!"

Mi Gen and the other knights turned pale, their eyes blazing with fury.

As before, if this were merely a border conflict, it wouldn't matter—nobles often clashed.

But if it directly targeted the lord himself, this was an attempt to uproot the Storm Domain, to uproot the very foundation of these guardian knights.

So this matter enraged them more than if they themselves had been killed.

"No need. Fifty light cavalry? Not five hundred. Since we knew in advance, we have nothing to fear!"

"Have you forgotten—we have barbarian warriors!"

The subordinates' eyes lit up.

Suggesting Gervas stay in the castle was meant to spare him risk.

But if they could truly annihilate those who plotted to destroy the Storm Domain, these knights were eager for it!

"My lord, what should we do?"

"Issue orders: prepare for battle. Cancel all leave. Inventory and organize all weapons and equipment immediately!"

"After lunch, leave one hundred men visible at the castle and town; the rest secretly advance toward the iron mine—avoid detection, move in batches!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"By the way, I've ordered Old John to prepare twenty sheep—have the soldiers take them along! Remember, these sheep are vital—do not lose them!"

"Twenty sheep? My lord, what are we taking sheep for?"

Hearing this sudden, seemingly crucial order, the subordinates froze in confusion.

"It's the key to destroying Lord Pa Ke—I'll explain tonight."

Gervas did not reveal it outright.

Then the subordinates hurried off to carry out his orders.

After giving his instructions, Gervas had no further concerns, so he summoned Yue Yue and headed toward the Death Mountains.

He would not miss the Lightning Fruit!