Rise of the Northern Warlord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Candlelight flickered, illuminating the letter spread across the desk. The content was written in neat handwriting, just like the cautious and steady character of old steward Bradley.

Duke Tudor’s gaze fell on the letter’s opening. He only had modest expectations for this son.

But as the words gradually unfolded, the duke’s originally casual expression gradually tightened, his brow slowly furrowing.

"Performance far exceeding other pioneering territories?"

Agricultural breakthroughs, crops maturing ahead of schedule?

Housing problems solved more efficiently than mature territories?

Not only successful magical marrow mine extraction, but also scientific extraction planning?

Even slave management optimized to the point where no faults could be found?

Especially the part about grain production supporting an additional 1,500 slaves made him thoughtful.

He sat up straighter, glancing at Bradley’s signature.

If it weren’t for the fact that the letter writer was Bradley, the family’s most loyal old steward, he would have suspected the letter writer had been bought off.

But his gaze didn’t leave the letter, continuing to read downward.

Duke Tudor soon discovered that Vaerik’s leadership was reflected not only in policy, but also in his personal charisma.

He didn’t rely on the family’s prestige, but used his own abilities to make everyone in the entire territory follow him with heartfelt conviction.

Especially when Duke Tudor read about Crimson Tide Domain residents’ almost fanatical respect for Vaerik.

"Fanatical? Is it that exaggerated?"

Even the duke himself had to admit that in his memory, very few lords in the entire Iron Blood Empire could achieve this.

He had originally just wanted Vaerik to fend for himself in the Northern Province while extracting the last bit of utility value. frёewebnoѵēl.com

He hadn’t expected this boy to actually make something of himself?

Indeed, his "many children, many blessings" plan was correct, Duke Tudor thought smugly.

It was like a lottery—as long as you drew enough times, you’d always win a few prizes.

He continued reading. When he reached the magical marrow mine section, Duke Tudor’s gaze paused slightly, his eyes showing a trace of interest.

Transferring magical marrow mine sales rights to the family in exchange for support, while retaining processing technology.

"This boy’s ambition is truly great."

He naturally knew what this meant.

Vaerik didn’t want to be too constrained by the family—he was trying to preserve his independence.

The duke sneered: "Quite bold indeed."

However, he wasn’t repulsed.

On the contrary, he even found it somewhat interesting.

Crimson Tide Domain was located in the Northern Province, seemingly barren and desolate, but if properly managed, it could become a powerful local force.

Vaerik’s willingness to hand sales rights to the family showed he clearly understood he still needed to rely on the Tudor family’s protection.

But his refusal to surrender processing rights meant he was preparing for the future.

Once the time was ripe, Crimson Tide Domain’s magical marrow economy could completely break away from the family, even potentially having independent market influence in the future.

A pioneering lord born of noble blood would usually choose complete dependence on the family, but Vaerik hadn’t done so.

Of course, these things alone weren’t enough to make the duke completely view him differently.

Vaerik hadn’t truly established a firm foothold in the Northern Province yet, and the magical marrow mine’s benefits hadn’t been fully realized.

Given the Northern Province’s turbulent situation, his future remained unpredictable.

But Vaerik had indeed given him an unexpected surprise this time.

He was mainly interested in Vaerik’s potential. As for those resources in Crimson Tide Domain, he didn’t yet consider them significant.

Perhaps it was time to reconsider this son’s value.

The duke held the letter, his fingers lightly tapping the table, his gaze flowing between the lines.

Bradley’s evaluation was higher than he had expected, even giving him an absurd illusion.

But regardless, the facts were laid out before him.

Vaerik, a child he had never taken seriously, had demonstrated stronger abilities than anticipated on this barren Northern Province land.

Most importantly, the Northern Province was ultimately too far from the Southeastern Province.

Though Crimson Tide Domain’s land had enormous potential, it was too far from the family core. Wanting to provide full support was clearly unrealistic.

The current Crimson Tide Domain was like an ungerminated seed—though having potential, it was also full of uncertainty.

Excessive support might make Vaerik pursue quick success, potentially making him completely unable to adapt to the Northern Province’s harsh environment.

Moreover, given Vaerik’s attitude toward magical marrow mine interests, he apparently didn’t want the family to interfere too much in his territory.

The duke sat at his desk, his gaze once again falling on Bradley’s letter.

"To maintain the family’s influence without excessive interference..." He lightly tapped the table, murmuring quietly.

Financial support would be given, but not much. He decided to continue allocating 1,000 to 1,500 gold coins.

This money was enough to keep Crimson Tide Domain stable, but expansion?

Vaerik would have to find ways to make money himself, figure out how to make the territory support more people.

He had to learn to generate income and reduce expenses, not coast along on family funding.

Making him short of money and forcing him to use his brain would reveal his true abilities.

Military support was also needed. The duke decided to allocate two more knight squads.

Nominally to protect the magical marrow mine, actually to give him a trump card, preventing him from being crushed just as he was starting.

These troops couldn’t accomplish much in the Northern Province, but at least Crimson Tide Domain wouldn’t be overthrown by any random bandits.

If Vaerik truly had ability, the knights in his hands would be enough to stabilize the situation, even develop his own power based on this foundation.

But if he couldn’t protect his territory even with this family support...

Then there was nothing more to say—he wouldn’t be worth continued investment.

As for talent support, Vaerik could handle agriculture, manage basic construction, and even plan mineral extraction. This already showed he had certain management talent.

The duke would only send a few alchemical apprentices to help him master basic magical marrow refining technology. The rest he’d figure out himself.

He had to win people over, use his limited resources to gain cooperation, learn how to swim in reality’s quagmire rather than sitting and waiting for the family to feed him.

Regarding political support, he wouldn’t give Vaerik any formal political support, but also wouldn’t restrict his negotiations with Northern Province forces.

Who to ally with, how to establish a firm foothold locally—all his own decisions.

But the prerequisite was: don’t cause trouble for the family.

This was like placing a chess piece on the battlefield to see whether he could charge into battle or be used as a stepping stone by others.

If he couldn’t withstand even this pressure, it meant Vaerik had no ability to begin with, and dying in the Northern Province would be natural.

He wouldn’t waste resources on a useless child.

After all, he had plenty of children—what did losing one or two matter?

The family bloodline was never lacking; what was lacking were capable, ambitious people.

But since Vaerik could achieve this step and earn such high praise from Bradley, it proved he had some ability and carried some pride.

Very good. Then show some real skill and let him see.