Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest-Chapter 394 - 24: Eat Soft Rice the Hard Way?

According to Roman, Tashina was thriving in the military camp.

Her prestigious identity as a woman of action meant that though she had no command authority, her freedom was vast. She was interacting with various battalions every day.

In just twenty days, every soldier knew that a phoenix had landed among the crows.

The military naturally revered the strong, and the White Steel Princess who competed and displayed her power in the army had won everyone’s admiration.

Tashina also glimpsed the operational principles of the River Valley Army.

Even though productivity was low in the Middle Ages, there was a concept of a professional army.

Centuries ago, the civilization of the Ancient Godao Empire was advance, with large numbers of standing armies guarding the lands during the Dark Age.

But historically, no one had entirely transformed the army’s attributes like Roman had.

All actions were commanded, all captures were to be public property, all plundering was strictly forbidden.

Iron-like military discipline had created an army with extremely high discipline.

For now, Tashina could not see the use of these disciplines, but she knew that for the army, obedience and combat effectiveness were linked.

Being able to endure such harsh to the point of cruel discipline also indicated stronger combat capabilities.

Moreover, Roman had established an Intelligence System, tasked with the mission of promoting military education.

To Tashina, the Intelligence System was like the military priests, comforting the warriors, reducing stress, and providing spiritual support.

An army with military priests could see at least a fifty percent increase in combat effectiveness, enabling them to fight tougher battles, endure higher casualties, and occasionally achieve unexpected effects.

She valued most Roman’s reform of the military system.

An efficient and clear command system, defined roles and clear rewards and punishments, a reasonable promotion system compared to which, all noble armies seemed extremely outdated and laughable.

She had revised her worldview because of Roman, but had it revised again by the River Valley Army.

Could an army even operate like this?!

Roman felt that the River Valley Army still needed refining; it was a piece of rough steel, although it had been through the forge and had impressive sharpness and hardness, it was still a bit rough.

Yet Tashina was still deeply shocked.

She felt it was a perfect army, more dazzling than diamonds.

It was a matchless treasure!

With this army, what in the world could stop her!

The desires of the White Steel Princess swelled gradually.

At that moment, the River Valley King invited her to his manor for a conversation.

...

Just as the two monarchs met, Tashina quickly understood Roman’s thoughts.

"Your Highness, explode some gold coins," he seemed to say.

Though Roman didn’t speak these words, Tashina had seen through them.

She was wealthy and rich in resources, having brought substantial resources with the goal of exchanging benefits with Roman.

She had contacted some River Valley Army officers and secretly promised them huge rewards, planning to undermine Roman’s position. Unfortunately, no one agreed; their loyalty was unnervingly steadfast, it was almost unreal.

Now, Tashina knew that Roman was lacking resources.

Her first thought was of surprise, ecstatic joy, exhilaratingly thrilled!

So, this pretentious dog finally showed his true nature!

"Marry me!" she said decisively, "All my wealth will be at your disposal."

Hurry up and marry me!

"Give me your greatest treasure again!"

Tashina fixed her gaze intensely on Roman’s every move, scrutinizing his attitude and thoughts.

Roman calmly said, "Your Highness, you misunderstand, I have no intention of selling myself."

Tashina furrowed her brow, "I don’t want your body, just give me a child."

Roman was momentarily choked up.

It was hard to tell whether he was too conservative or Tashina too liberal.

But in Origin City, anyone could be bedded, even the dogs in the streets, but Tashina was off-limits.

Others did not share the same status as Roman; he could exercise the right of the first night without opposition, and definitely a large group of peasant girls eagerly awaited his favor. If he disdained peasant girls, the witches were also not a bad choice.

Both Shasta and Margaret could serve him. Margaret didn’t mind, but Shasta had some resistance. Nevertheless, he could do it if he insisted.

Two from the Fiji Cup had no right to oppose sharing a bed with him!

On the surface, Roman respected them, even allowing them at the dining table.

And he never indulged in the scornful act of "eating meals just for the sake of eating."

Firstly, he didn’t have time to waste on women, and secondly, it would undermine his rule.

It was one thing not to be responsible towards others, but not being responsible towards Tashina was pushing his luck.

Behind the White Steel Princess were Oak Grand Duke, a dozen high-order knights, and hundreds of mid-level knights, none of whom were pushovers.

Once the two married, it would mean the merging of two powerful forces.

But Roman could never accept an existence that stood equal to him.

Once accepted, he could less likely harm her by political maneuvers or cunning plots.

In Origin City, marriage was incredibly sacred; Roman had forcefully matched hundreds of newlyweds three or four years ago, establishing a foundation that no one dared to violate.

Roman could disregard marital laws, but again, as a monarch, any rash actions were potential threats—he had OCD in this aspect, striving for perfection.

Even if wisely marrying Tashina and dealing with her secretly was an optimal choice, he would never agree to it, as it was against his nature.

"I cannot give you a child either, the only outcome between us is you kneeling." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Tashina, known for her strong and cold character, now seemed somewhat unable to hold back.

You want to have your cake and eat it too, huh?!

She glanced deeply at Roman; she had a fondness for him but only to the extent of admiration.

If a marriage alliance was impossible, she would consider the next best option.

"Sell the River Valley Army to me, and I will give you resources worth ten thousand gold coins for a large squadron." Tashina had already figured out the structure of Roman’s army during this time.

The scale of a complete squadron was three hundred men; buying one man for an average of thirty-three gold coins was undoubtedly a high price.

Now it was Roman’s turn to be unable to retain composure. Do you know what you are saying?

"That’s not something tradable. Your Highness, I will not betray my army!"

Tashina coldly said, "Lord Roman, then you can forget about obtaining my wealth unless you kneel to me! Kneel to me once, and I will give you ten thousand gold coins! I mean my words!"

She felt secretly irritated in her heart. Do you really think I have no temper? I have status, physique, and noble blood. Those willing to marry me could line up from Black Castle to Dragon Castle; my family fortune is not less than a million gold coins. Traveling miles to see you, do you take me for air?

Roman’s face also turned ugly; he rarely tasted defiance, and Tashina daring to use his own words against him was intolerable.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew tense, both of their personalities making it impossible for either to back down.

Eventually, Roman sighed softly. They were currently in an alliance, and he had come from afar to help defend the city, it wasn’t necessary to strain their relationship so much.

"I disagree with both requests, let’s change the subject."

Upon hearing this, Tashina also calmed down. Her spirit was strong; she cleared away negative emotions and began considering what benefits could be exchanged.

She didn’t lack high-end combat power but needed ordinary infantry to fill the ranks.