Global Lord: Start with Divine Favor

Lin Rui then turned to Soro and asked, "How is the yield of the Golden Pansy Fields in the territory?"

Soro replied excitedly, "The yield is bountiful. Each acre can produce five thousand golden pansies, with a total of fourteen acres of golden pansy fields and three flower gardens. The expected total yield is seventy-six thousand golden pansies."

"Additionally, there are three hundred and fifty-seven high-quality spirit plants, which can permanently increase the Luck Value by 1 point when consumed. However, the effect of one quality level can only apply once to the same person."

The effect of the Golden Pansy's quality improvement was beyond Lin Rui's imagination, unexpectedly able to permanently increase an attribute value.

Lin Rui immediately said, "These spirit plants should be prioritized for the territory's heroes and soldiers, followed by civilians and explorers. Whatever is left can be traded."

Recently, quite a few explorers have joined the Golden Pansy Domain, and Lin Rui planned to give them a wave of free benefits.

This might be greatly surprising to some more stingy explorer lords, who would think of spending their wealth to enhance the strength of other explorers?

But Lin Rui saw it from a broader perspective.

Not paying particular attention to the explorers' identity made it all the more natural.

For a territory or power to provide free benefits to its people is actually a very normal thing.

Lin Rui was willing to distribute golden pansy spirit plants as territory welfare, providing them to ordinary soldiers and the steadfast, which naturally extended equally to explorers.

After all, their moving into the territory contributes significantly to its development, and even through their monster clearance and combat participation, Lin Rui gains 1% of their experience.

The wealth they earned mostly flowed back into Lin Rui's pockets. Buying armory equipment from the territory, purchasing the alchemist's potions, was real silver and gold boosting Lin Rui's strength.

Selling them so many things, Lin Rui planned to also gain their goodwill, letting them experience the generosity and benefits of the Golden Pansy Domain.

In everything, the fear lies in comparison. Other territories buy potions, buy equipment, but offer nothing beyond that in terms of welfare.

The Golden Pansy Domain, however, freely distributes items that can enhance special attributes. Can they hold back from flaunting such generosity?

And as long as there's a reputation, naturally explorers will flock over in groups.

Lin Rui firmly believed that once explorers gradually adapted to this world, in the later stages, their numbers and scale would significantly influence the strength of a power.

Lu Weite, standing aside, watched Lin Rui interacting warmly with the people of the territory but paid little attention to himself, immediately sensing the estrangement in their relationship. Previously, he didn't receive such treatment at the table!

But he also knew that the situation was of his own making: the merchant's instinct to seek profit and avoid harm had formed a slight rift between both parties.

Though it didn't affect their transactions, the relationship was nonetheless not as intimate as before.

Lu Weite, possessing wisdom, didn't dwell in self-pity but instead took the initiative to mend the gap, saying, "Lord Lin Rui, I have a suggestion. While focusing on your territory's development, you should also pay attention to external situations. Focusing on both internal and external affairs is essential, or it could lead to irreparable losses for your territory."

Audrey glared at him indignantly, "Old man, I'm getting more and more displeased with you. Last time you sent a Tier Six Mage to rob us, causing the entire world to suffer an additional loss. The time before that, you schemed and played tricks. And before that, you abandoned us and left on your own. It's only because Lord Lin Rui is magnanimous that he doesn't hold it against you. If it were up to me, I would've turned you into an undead little skeleton long ago, do you know!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Weite embarrassingly shuffled his feet, hunching his shoulders, and replied weakly, "This...this is all just a misunderstanding, isn't it? Lady Lei was just acting on a whim, but we have compensated, we have compensated, can you let it go..."

Lin Rui glanced at him and acknowledged that, just as he said, the reason he could still sit here was that despite seeking profit and avoiding harm, he had no malice at heart.

Their association did not want to fall into despair and be torn apart.

This is a basic human instinct, and Lin Rui didn't demand much more.

However, certain relationships, once missed, are simply missed.

Before Lin Rui's power grew strong, they did not fully support him, sharing life and death. Now that the Golden Pansy Domain had entered the fast lane of development and was rapidly expanding its power, it was too late to seek connection.

So regarding Lu Weite's suggestion, Lin Rui merely asked calmly, "What do you want to say?"

Lu Weite immediately said, "It's concerning the Grand Commander of the Templar Order, Richthofen. I think you might underestimate him too much."

Lin Rui leaned back with a faint smile, fingers gently tapping on the solid wood table, and asked, "Do you believe our territory is no match for the Templar Order?"

Referring to the Templar Order, Audrey's face immediately grew sour, and she said angrily, "Lord, those bastards once bullied us, we must take revenge on the battlefield!"

Soro, looking worried, said, "Lord, the Templar Order is indeed a giant. It is said that they have over twelve thousand knights alone, while our territory, even upgraded to a town, has only a few hundred troops. Can we really stand against such a mighty force?"

Lin Rui smiled calmly, and said composedly, "Our territory is so small, why should we face such a massive force alone? Explorers have just descended into this world, and if we want to target a mighty power, the best strategy is to draw another mighty force in."

Audrey's eyes lit up, clapping delightedly, she said, "Hahaha, I guessed it, I guessed it, Lord wants to ally with Count Frans, who has been gathering troops recently and preparing to clear the debts owed to the Templar Order."

Lin Rui nodded confidently, saying, "The Templar Order is enormous, but their Grand Commander is bound to not mobilize his entire force, bringing over ten thousand troops to wipe out our territory just because a brigade of soldiers died. That would simply benefit Count Frans. Grand Commander Richthofen is a smart man; he knows what's more important and will make the right decision."

To hold the position of Grand Commander of the Templar Order, a person mustn't be muddled by anger. No matter how you look at it, the current Golden Pansy Domain is merely a minor irritation to their order, inflicting some wounds but unable to shake their foundation.

However, Count Frans is different. Should the Templar Order show a weakness, Count Frans truly could uproot them entirely. That is their true life-and-death enemy.

Lu Weite, looking solemn, asked Lin Rui, "Lord Lin Rui, your analysis concludes that the Templar Order won't press down with overwhelming force, and that the Golden Pansy Domain isn't in danger of being crushed?"

Audrey replied proudly, "An obvious fact. My father's astounding bravery and intelligence will never lead to a wrong analysis."

Lu Weite sighed deeply, speaking seriously, "The world's smart people all have a common flaw, which is thinking they are the smartest. My conclusion is quite the opposite. The Templar Order will come with overwhelming force. You might underestimate Grand Commander Richthofen."

Lin Rui turned to him and said, "State your reasoning."

"Richthofen von Wielubode, this name represents not only the combat prowess of a legendary warrior but also a master tactician who uses military strategies like a god! During the Templar Order's rise, Richthofen has led his troops countless times to defeat enemies much stronger, using his extraordinary military skills to defeat seemingly invincible foes time and again."

Lu Weite looked at Lin Rui solemnly and asked, "Lord Lin Rui, if you stood in Grand Commander Richthofen's position, would you have no way out?"

Lin Rui's gaze sharpened as he instantly made a judgment, "Richthofen plans to use the time difference to defeat us one by one!"