Chapter 957: Chapter 285: Launching the War

A total of eight Manor Lords, not to mention everyone would respond.

As long as five or six Manor Lords respond, combined with the fully-equipped soldiers in Jon’s city.

The combined number of soldiers, at least over five to six thousand.

To overthrow a Lord would be as easy as flipping a hand!

Isn’t this clearly finding any random reason to cancel the punishment for him?

At this moment.

Zock’s originally suppressed mood gradually returned to calm.

Just as he had guessed.

Jon had just asked him to sit down when another Manor Lord beside him immediately stood up.

"Viscount, Samuel Manor responds to your call."

In the next second.

Two other Manor Lords simultaneously stood up and responded in unison.

"Garrett Manor responds to your call."

"Steven Manor responds to your call."

"..."

In just a few moments.

Six Manor Lords stood up one after another, their eyes bright as they looked at Jon, waiting for his response.

Looking at the eyes of the six Manor Lords, a rare smile appeared on Jon’s face.

He praised them, "Thank you all for your response. Please sit down."

Following Jon’s instruction, the expressions of the six Manor Lords obviously relaxed.

They understood.

If they didn’t express themselves at this moment, it would mean they were betraying Jon.

They would not only lose their tax exemption privileges but also face Jon’s exclusion and suppression!

Several Manor Lords exchanged another glance before daring to slowly sit down.

As the crowd sat down, Jon’s gaze suddenly shifted, looking to the far end of the square table.

He spoke with a curious inquiry.

"So...Devant Benitez Manor Lord, are you unwilling to respond to my call?"

"Do you intend to betray the oath of loyalty you made to me earlier?"

The recently seated Lords raised their eyebrows and collectively looked toward the far end of the square table.

There.

A young man dressed in a brocade robe, with long brown hair, sat upright on a wooden chair.

A pale, bloodless face, an elongated and gaunt body, coupled with sunken black eye sockets...

At first glance, he seemed as though his Essence Qi had been drained by some sinister entity.

Devoid of the youthful vigor that a young man ought to possess.

Yet, in his eyes, there was a touch of elusive wisdom.

Feeling the pressure of everyone’s gaze, Devant Benitez’s face was full of calm.

He spoke indifferently, "Viscount, you misunderstand."

"Benitez Manor in Boxi Town has been loyal since the time of the old Viscount."

"As long as the Zak Clan calls, Benitez Manor will always respond."

"This time will be no exception!"

Listening to Devant’s explanation, Jon’s stern face gradually eased.

The needle-sharp atmosphere in the conference room also slightly relaxed.

Devant continued, "However, after responding to the call, what can we do?"

"Relying on the armed forces owned by the Eight Great Manor Lords and a Viscount, to directly pressure with an army and annihilate the Lord you talk about?"

"Everyone! Don’t forget, it’s the summer plowing period now."

"And we are Manor Lords relying mainly on agricultural production!"

"I don’t know how many peasants your Manors have."

"But the peasant labor I possess is simply insufficient for the summer plowing needs."

"I must involve soldiers in the cultivation just to barely manage!"

"If war is initiated at this time, we might achieve victory, but what will we gain after the victory?"

"If nothing is gained, my territory will waste the entire summer plowing for nothing."

"This will result in enormous losses to my Manor’s production..."

Listening to Devant’s words, the Manor Lords instantly fell silent.

Standing before the main seat of the square table, Jon frowned instantly.

Devant cared little about Jon’s expression; he continued speaking.

"Moreover, we’re responding to your call, Viscount, yet we have no idea who the enemy we’re going to war with is."

"We don’t know his background, we don’t know how many armed soldiers he has, we don’t even know the specific location of his territory!"

"Such a war...Excuse me, Viscount, I don’t know how to fight it."

"As your supporter, Devant needs to provide you military assistance, which is my duty."

"But at the same time, I must also be responsible for the soldiers of the Manor."

"I would never allow the soldiers of my Manor to die senselessly on the battlefield!"

At this point.

Some Manor Lords nodded empathetically.

Several other Manor Lords cast approving glances at Devant.

Jon’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke to Devant.

"So...Devant Manor Lord, what do you want to know?"

Devant’s eyes looked at Jon, speaking decisively, "I want to know what the final objective is in attacking that Lord?"

As a Viscount once enfeoffed by Marquis Ducas.

As the current vassal of Marquis Mark Ducas.

To purge rebellion?

Such a reason is far too pretentious.

It even makes it impossible for him to find any convincing reason!

A Lord summons all Manor Lords, gathers forces, and initiates an external war.

Either, it is to expand territory.

To occupy more farmland, forests, and other resources through war, thereby increasing resource output.

Or, it is to gain economic benefits.

To control trade routes, imposing high transit taxes on passing merchants.

Or, it is to consolidate governance.

When economic difficulties arise within the territory, or conflicts exist within the city or among Manor Lords.

An external war could shift people’s focus from internal issues to external enemies.

By collectively confronting external forces, it increases cohesion across all levels within the territory.

Or, it is to maintain honor and prestige.

Through achieving victory in war, it maintains the Lord’s supreme honor in the territory.

Showcasing the formidable military power possessed by the Lord.

Etc.

Any war initiated by a Lord carries incredibly complex political, economic, social, and other multifaceted motives and purposes!

Far beyond a casual remark by the Lord could gather supporters and initiate a war.

Because once war occurs, casualties are bound to arise!