62 Chapter 62 The Barbarian Problem Solved (2/2)
”First, technically, no I don't, and no it doesn't. The king specifically forbade me from just killing them, as he wants them to continue, in order to keep other threats from the north from invading your lands. Also, I am not responsible for any barbarians until the 5 years is up. I can wave politely to them as they pa.s.s by without a single bit of issue with the contract. Your king agreed to hold them off for 5 years to give my father time to prepare to take over the situation. I need some sensible suggestions because I won't sacrifice my people because you can't be bothered to think of a better solution. War is almost always the least efficient solution to a problem.”
Stella looked around, then held up her hand.
”Yes, Stella?”
”What does the contract allow us to do exactly?”
”Excellent question. First off, the contract states raiding parties cannot cross the border. Technically, I can let them all past if they come one at a time and don't form raiding parties, until they are on this side. However, that murders the spirit of the contract even if it doesn't violate it. It places no prohibitions against trade with the barbarians or hiring their services. Specifically, I'm wondering about moving all of them over, all possibly 30,000 of them and hiring them to build the wall to keep whatever is in that ice storm out. I will trade with them correctly though. My father's pride as a proper merchant is at stake.”
”Why go so far for those savages?” snarled one of the older men, sitting beside Danial. He turned and looked at the man, raising an eyebrow in the process. Joseph just shook his head.
”And that,” he said, pointing at the man, ”is why I'm doing this tactic, and not you.”
Stella interrupted before they could get sidetracked. ”Didn't the contract state your father would acquire manpower necessary to build the wall?”
”That's fantastic, Stella!” Joseph grabbed her in a brief hug. ”They would be hired for a year and then freed per the contract. At that point they would then be kingdom citizens and not barbarians anymore. We would completely fulfill the contract forever with just this! I wouldn't have to kill them and would also guarantee no more barbarian threat!”
Stella blushed. ”I only meant they would be freed after a year, but the king would have to feed them while they were yours.”
Joseph stopped to think about that. ”I wasn't thinking as far as that. It would still do that, though.”
He turned back to the king's men.
”You all just got outsmarted by an 8-year-old girl because you're blinded by your hatred of the barbarians instead of focusing on how to deal with the problem.”
”This is ridiculous! Remind me why we're listening to a child?” the man who was acting very spiteful was the one who had been in charge, prior to their arrival. Everyone just looked at him, as if he had grown a second head.
There was silence for a few moments, while he looked at each person, waiting for someone to speak up.
Daniel finally cleared his throat. ”Joseph, I think that is an excellent idea. If the barbarians are willing to work to build the wall, I say we should definitely go for it. That saves our men from straining themselves, solves the problems they are causing for the king, and fosters a new relations.h.i.+p with them for a better future.
”Why, you!” the man spluttered in rage, standing up. Everyone watched as he took a breath to start something, when Daniel calmly stood up and punched him in the gut.
Losing all of the air in his lungs, the man crumpled to the ground.
”Now, if there are any further questions?” asked Joseph looking around. No one paid any attention to the man as he slunk out of the room.
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