Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence

Under Su Li's command, the knights of the Black Forest Territory spread out in three directions, their banners waving as they approached the halfling ranks in a wedge formation.

This formation fully demonstrated the mobility advantage of the cavalry, with each direction capable of launching an attack. This forced the halfling队伍只能消极防御, as they dared not proactively attack the human cavalry in any direction, lest the wedge formations on the other two sides launch fierce charges on their attacking forces from the flanks and rear.

Even an ogre, strong as it was, with its three-meter-tall frame and over 500 pounds of weight, would be instantly crippled if a human knight pierced its body with a lance.

The two sides rapidly approached each other, and a tense atmosphere enveloped the halfling ranks. These knights were coming on aggressively, clearly with a high fighting spirit. If they couldn't respond quickly, this halfling family would inevitably face some sad events.

So, as Knight Su Li led his team to within about 500 meters, Frederick, who was following beside him, became high-spirited, stuck out his proud chin, laughed loudly, and shouted, "Lord, the halflings have raised the white Imperial olive branch flag! This is a sign, tacitly agreed upon among the Imperial Electors, to request negotiations. Whichever army raises this flag first is essentially admitting defeat."

In all directions, the knights erupted in enthusiastic cheers, each one invigorated and high-spirited. Being able to force the enemy to submit was also a demonstration of one's own strength.

In the Empire, where strength was revered, victory best inspired the morale of the army, and any victory could please the knights and even the gods.

Su Li was slightly surprised. He thought that at least a brief probing action would be necessary for both sides to assess each other's strengths and weaknesses before negotiations could begin.

He didn't expect the other side to submit and request negotiations after only seeing his own side's banners waving as they approached.

Su Li raised his right hand and ordered Frederick, "Order all knights to stop advancing and maintain vigilance. Then, have them send someone out to negotiate."

The musicians in the ranks immediately stopped playing the bugles, and soon the three cavalry formations came to a halt.

The Empire's development in terms of people's livelihood might only be considered mediocre, but its military development was very complete and advanced.

Each unit was equipped with its own cavalry buglers and infantry drummers, and many tactical maneuvers were accompanied by neat and loud military drums and music. Now, at least 17 tactical commands could be conveyed using military music in the Imperial army, including left-wing attack, forming a square, and so on.

These days, Knight Orstein had been focusing on training in this area.

This orderly, disciplined, and well-trained performance caused all the halflings to take a deep breath, and many halflings couldn't help but whisper to each other.

"Oh, gods above, is this really a normal pioneer lord's army? I feel like I'm seeing the elite of the Flame Sun Knights! Only those elite knight orders composed of devout believers in the Sun Goddess could be so well-trained."

"Even an ogre with its dull brain can see that this army is completely different from the rabble gathered together for profit by ordinary pioneer lords."

"Oh, Hyacinth, what am I seeing? Two sets of rune adamantite armor, nearly ten sets of heavy, well-made plate armor, and two griffins, one large and one small! Is this an elite legion directly under the Elector here?"

Amidst the halflings' noisy whispers, an old halfling woman with a pipe walked out of the ranks. She led two large, dull-witted ogres toward Su Li, shouting from a distance of hundreds of meters.

"Greetings, Pioneer Lord on the other side! The Balan Tangborn family of halflings extends its regards to you. May the generous and merciful god Hyacinth bless your territory with prosperity. The peaceful and law-abiding halflings are only traveling through here and have no intention of conflict with you."

Su Li looked at the old halfling woman in surprise and asked, "Why is it a woman who came out to negotiate?"

She was not annoyed. She tapped her pipe on the shins of the sturdy, burly ogres beside her and patiently explained to Su Li, "Unlike your human society, our halflings are a matriarchal society, maintaining a family tree through the bloodline of the mother. Therefore, the most prestigious and wealthiest people in halfling families are usually women. I am Hatzkulin, the head of the Balan Tangborn family, and it is my honor to speak with you."

Considering the halflings' innate affectionate nature and the close relationships with many potential partners sleeping in the same bed, leading to high fertility rates, their adoption of a matriarchal social structure was understandable.

So, Su Li stopped being surprised and instead said to the old halfling woman, "Even so, you entered my territory without authorization, and you are also carrying a large number of ogres, which is clearly a serious offense to the military security of my territory. Just now, you almost caused a conflict."

Hatzkulin did not argue. Arguing with an emperor who held an army in his hands was the most unwise thing to do.

She bowed slightly and said, "Perhaps we can compensate you with a satisfactory price as a toll for passing through your territory. Also, if you don't mind, we can purchase a batch of specialties and resources in your territory."

Su Li was very satisfied with her attitude. Turning hostility into friendship was something every lord liked.

Moreover, he was very interested in her suggestion, so he said, "The issue of compensation is temporarily set aside. If you want to buy something in our territory, I have two special options here that you might be interested in."

Hatzkulin grinned. Problems that could be solved with money were not too much of a hassle for halflings. She confidently said, "Then please introduce them, Lord. If the price is reasonable, we will definitely make you satisfied."

Su Li pointed to the endless prairie in the distance and said, "I have two options here. The first is that you spend a small amount of money to buy a piece of plain within my fief, build a manor, become the owner of the manor, and pay taxes to me."

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"The other option is to spend a large sum of money to buy a piece of territory, and I will give your halfling community full autonomy."

The Black Forest foothills had such a vast area that it would take Su Li decades, or even generations, to develop such a vast area on his own.

So, he would definitely grant some territory to help him develop. Su Li would not interfere in the internal affairs of these territories, as long as they provided the Black Forest Territory with enough soldiers, such as a few knights, dozens of soldiers, and sufficient feudal taxes. They could decide everything else themselves.

The halflings' favorite occupations were merchants, servants of nobles, peddlers, cooks, and gardeners who cared for the beautiful gardens of the territory. Su Li naturally hoped that this group of halflings could stop their nomadic journey, join his territory, and help him develop the territory. After all, humans and halflings lived in harmony in the Empire and were one of the few races without disputes or hatred.

Su Li thought it would be difficult to force this group of halflings to settle down and submit, but Hatzkulin only discussed it with her family for a while before replying, "Respected Lord, we choose to spend a large amount of gold crowns to buy a piece of territory under your rule for autonomy."