With that issue settled, on their way to the Phoenix family castle, the two finalize several cooperation projects. The Western Regions will soon source a rge amount of military supplies from Peace Haven, mostly through barter trade.

  Fabio agrees to let Henwell carve out three industrial zones in the Western Regions. Fabio provides the nd, manpower, and 20% of the cash investment, while Henwell covers the remaining 80%. Then they split the shares evenly, fifty-fifty.

  Peace Haven’s investor consortium takes charge of internal management and defense within the industrial zones. The Western Regions handles external security and is responsible for building roads leading to these zones.

  Henwell pns to establish some primary processing pnts in the industrial zones, promising that after one year, at least 70% of the workers will be recruited locally from the Western Regions.

  Basic resources like rare minerals, medicinal ingredients, furs, and livestock will undergo initial processing in these factories. Then, the semi-finished industrial products are sent to Peace Haven for further refinement before being sold across various regions.

  As partners, the Western Regions gets to purchase these final products at a 20% discount.

  This trade cooperation will significantly stimute the Western Regions’s economic cycle.

  Henwell estimates that by the end of next year, these three industrial zones will generate over two million gold coins in revenue for Fabio.

  Of course, most of that gold coins will eventually flow back to Peace Haven, since they’ll be buying commercial finished goods.

  But the rge workforce and stable income will create a sizable middle css in the Western Regions.

  Henwell defines the middle css as those earning at least twenty gold coins annually—enough to support a whole family and still save half.

  Considering Peace Haven’s higher cost of living, twenty gold coins there is modest, but in the Western Regions, it’s enough to afford a decent lifestyle.

  The three industrial zones and their factories are expected to employ around 30,000 workers.

  Assuming 70% are local residents, that’s about 20,000 people earning a combined 400,000 gold coins yearly.

  More than half of that money will circute back into the Western Regions’s market.

  This isn’t the frivolous spending of noble lords—it’s real, livelihood-based consumption.

  Ultimately, this will drive over a million gold coins in economic benefits, creating a healthy, sustainable cycle.

  Beyond economic trade, the two sides also colborate militarily. Both will send study groups to learn from each other’s armies.

  Though the Iron Wall Legion isn’t an elite unit, it has plenty of strengths. Compared to Peace Haven’s forces, this legion has spent over a decade campaigning across various fronts, accumuting valuable combat experience. For officers who’ve only fought within Peace Haven’s borders, that kind of battlefield wisdom is priceless.

  All that hard-earned experience comes at the cost of lives, and once absorbed and adapted, it can significantly boost Peace Haven’s military capabilities.

  On the other hand, Peace Haven’s professional army style and tactical deployments are exactly what the Iron Wall Legion needs as it undergoes reform and transformation.

  Their cooperation goes beyond just military and trade—there are plenty of joint projects in healthcare, education, agriculture, and more.

  Right now, Henwell is ying the groundwork for the future, and the partnership with the Western Regions is just the beginning.

  Next, Henwell pns to shift some of the primary processing industries to the Phoenix family’s nds. For both eastern and western partners, Henwell intends to establish dedicated industrial zones for building these processing pnts.

  Whether it’s Divarak from the Ogiro Kingdom in the east or Roderick from the Ika Kingdom in the west, none of them will stand in the way of these investments.

  Since Henwell currently cks popution, he aims to make Peace Haven’s residents the high-end talent, while people from other regions serve as primary-level workers.

  Though it seems like giving up some profits now, in reality, these regions are helping cultivate talent for Henwell’s future.

  After all, primary workers seeking higher income will have to come to Peace Haven’s deep-processing factories.

  Moreover, this setup ensures that when Henwell eventually expands his territory, he’ll already have a solid industrial foundation in pce.

  Henwell isn’t worried about them “stealing” knowledge—just like with Fabio’s Iron Wall Legion.

  The more they learn and the more workers they train, the clearer it becomes: only Henwell truly represents their interests and can give them what they want.

  As Henwell puts it, war means death, which is a huge waste of resources.

  If he can subtly change all that over time, he doesn’t mind investing some time and energy.

  Too many deaths aren’t in Henwell’s interest.

  Two days ter, the grand engagement banquet at the Phoenix family castle wraps up perfectly.

  That evening, both Duke Marcus and Duke Jansen are in the study.

  Marcus grins and asks Henwell, “You eat your fill?”

  Seeing his father-in-w’s meaningful smile, Henwell instantly knows what he’s really referring to.

  It’s obviously not about today’s meal but about Henwell swallowing up the territory of the Ika Kingdom.

  Henwell nods, “Full! Now, it’s time to properly digest it.”

  Peace Haven has just absorbed 12,000 square kilometers from the Ika Kingdom, plus another 3,000 square kilometers granted by Duke Amir to the north.

  Add in over 2,000 square kilometers mortgaged as loans.

  After this war, Henwell has gulped down more than 18,000 square kilometers of nd.

  That’s almost double what Peace Haven had before.

  Popution-wise, Henwell now controls over 1.8 million people.

  In the next two years, at least 200,000 more will flow in.

  His actual controlled territory nears 30,000 square kilometers.

  Not counting the mixed Phoenix family regiments, Henwell commands four main battle legions, a 7,000-strong cavalry corps, and several garrison units.

  His formal fighting force exceeds 80,000 troops, not even counting the paramilitary groups.

  Truly a military powerhouse!

  Only a unique pce like Peace Haven can support such an elite army.

  Elsewhere, with less than two million people, sustaining that kind of military strength would be impossible.

  So for now, Henwell doesn’t pn to expand the army further. He wants to stabilize and develop first.

  Hence, feeling full, he needs to digest it all well.

  Duke Marcus says calmly, “How long do you pn to digest? Or rather, how long until you get hungry again?”

  Henwell thinks for a moment. “Ten years. I don’t intend to rush.”

  Marcus extends his palm. “Five years! You must give me at least five years of peace! Thanks to the Holy Spirit Church’s promise, the kingdom won’t face any external enemies during this time. You know what that means?”

  ”You absolutely cannot give Amir any excuse or chance, he won’t tolerate someone like you. After five years, the kingdom must settle on an heir, and that’s when chaos will erupt. What you want to eat, whose nds you want to take, and when—all that matters!”

  Henwell understands Marcus’s meaning. “I will! When I’m hungry again, I’ll definitely discuss it with you first.”

  Marcus nods, “Good. Since we’re bound by marriage, don’t make things difficult for me. And don’t put Melissa in a tough spot either.”