Many nobles looked pale, yet dared not speak in opposition, only sitting stiffly with dodging eyes.

Louis understood, and smiled lightly: "I understand your concerns. But think carefully, in the current situation, who can still survive with just a few hundred knights?"

He raised his hand and pointed to the winter snow outside the window.

"The civil unrest in the Empire means skyrocketing grain prices. Armor, warhorses, feed, weapons... each item is ridiculously expensive. And adding your knight orders, if facing a structured legion alone, they will be crushed like Ackman."

This remark hit the deepest pain point in the hearts of the nobles.

Louis continued: "But if the knights are handed over to the Joint Defense Regiment, their salaries, equipment, and grain consumption... will all be borne by Red Tide Territory."

The nobles’ faces began to change, and they whispered among themselves.

"If no longer supporting those ridiculously expensive knights, my territory could last at least three more years."

"Saving money can expand trade routes, improve the manor, even buy more craftsmen..."

"...Louis is willing to support our soldiers? It’s a waste not to hand them over."

These were words of self-consolation in a situation with no other choice.

Seeing the atmosphere soften, Louis smiled gently again: "Of course, I will not act arbitrarily. All actions of the Joint Defense Regiment must be approved by the vote of fifteen representatives you nominate, except in emergencies."

This arrangement greatly comforted the nobles.

Louis’s final words caused all hesitation to collapse completely: "Compensation for each knight’s battle damage will be paid by Red Tide at a high rate."

The nobles were no longer silent. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Face was saved, profits were preserved, and the risks disappeared instead.

Such benefits, who could refuse?

Of course, what Louis did not explicitly say was that once these transferred knights entered the Joint Defense Regiment, they would be immediately disbanded and restructured, mixed with Red Tide Knights, commanded by officers trained by Red Tide.

They would be sent to the Red Tide Military Academy to relearn tactics, laws, and discipline, receiving training and living in the Red Tide system.

Their treatment would also be greatly improved, from accommodation to equipment far exceeding what their original territories could provide.

Under such a system, the old nobility could no longer regain loyalty from these knights.

A few months later, these individuals would no longer be knights belonging to a certain family, but Red Tide soldiers.

At this time, the vast majority of them had not realized this, only feeling that Louis’s proposal was indeed optimal, but due to pride, no one wanted to speak first.

Until Louis’s most loyal follower—Yorn, stepped forward.

Unlike the reckless boy from a few years ago, today’s Yorn carried a bit of the demeanor of a superior in his gestures.

The young Viscount pounded his chest, his voice resonating loud enough to deafen: "I am willing to hand all my military power to Lord Louis! From today onwards, my knights will heed only his command!"

A few old nobles almost choked on their own spit.

Your men are already eating royal grain within the Red Tide system, what military power are you handing over?!

But precisely because of this, his words carried no risk and were most suitable for breaking the ice.

Sure enough, composite voices gradually echoed in the hall:

"Me too, for the Northern Territory’s greater good!"

"Our territory is willing to relinquish power!"

"Commanded by Lord Louis, we are willing to follow!"

Especially those small nobles who had not joined the Red Tide system earlier, shouted louder than anyone, fearing a step slower might lead to elimination.

Thus, the dust settled, and military power, at this moment, was easily pocketed by Louis without shedding a drop of blood.

The subsequent meeting also proceeded smoothly, with all topics quickly finalized under the lead of the Red Tide system.

Infrastructure reconstruction, resource allocation, winter supplies, territory rebuilding... ended perfectly, despite shocking events, the closure was so steady it was almost unbelievable.

The nobles dispersed with various thoughts, some eagerly sought Bradley to register resources, only to squeeze into the Red Tide system, others pondered what gift to present to Louis.

Some bowed their heads silently, with only one thought left in their minds: "This era has changed. Must hold tight to the largest ship, Louis."

......

After the reconstruction meeting dispersed, Louis stepped into the secret strategy room on the top floor of the Lord’s Mansion.

Here was utterly different from the hustle and bustle below, so quiet it seemed the air was frozen.

Inside were just over ten people, but they were the most influential forces in the Northern Territory:

The Sealed Border Lord of vast lands, nobles with real power managing structured knight orders, wealthy families owning mines and workshops for generations...

No one was not a figure capable of determining the Northern Territory’s layout.

The flames in the fireplace leaped with deep red light, drawing their shadows long.

On the surface, everyone appeared calm and composed, but in reality, carried a repressed caution.

They all understood, Louis kept them here not to crudely hammer them like the small nobles just now.

People in this room were the real "beams and pillars" of the Northern Territory.

To seamlessly consolidate military power and let the Joint Defense Regiment land rightfully, Louis first needed to appease them, letting them know they were not being stripped of power.

Viscount Yorn and Viscount Willis were among them.

One is Louis’s most loyal follower, the other is Louis’s half-brother.

A few years ago, they were just small nobles on the edge of the Northern Territory.

But with Louis’s rise, relying on opportunity, effort, and Louis’s support, they have now joined the ranks of the top twenty elite in the Northern Territory.