"And then what?" Olivia's expression was serious as she looked at Chen Heng and asked.

She had long since realized how important the north and south trade was.

However, before, she cared more about the massive profits hidden within.

Hearing Chen Heng's explanation, she realized just how important this trade route was for the northern rulers.

"Next, the Principality needs to give rewards and support to the rulers who make military achievements in battle."

Chen Heng continued, "In the past, most other rulers ignored the northern rulers fighting with the Outlanders, and they felt that it was the northern rulers' problem.

"However, without the northern side defending against the pressure from the desert, the entire Principality would face massive pressure, and those nobles would not have an easy time either."

Princess Olivia silently nodded.

Indeed in the past, apart from a small minority, no one cared about the plight of the northern rulers.

Everyone felt that them resisting the Outlanders from the desert was their duty.

On one hand, it was because they were selfish, and on the other, according to this age's traditions, the problems of one territory belonged only to the ruler.

Rulers only had rights and responsibilities within their own territories.

"Under normal circumstances, it would naturally be like this," Chen Heng said, "but the situation in the northern side is not ordinary. Defending against the pressure from the desert is not very easy for the northern rulers. If things go on like this, the situation will become quite bad."

"What will happen?" Olivia instinctively asked.

"War is something that requires investment. If the northern rulers are unable to benefit from it and do not receive any support from the Principality, there will only be two possible outcomes," Chen Heng explained, "They will either collapse under the immense pressure and the Principality will lose its shield in the north, or these northern rulers will seek other ways out."

War was something that required expenditure.

Crops, weapons, equipment, and manpower were all great costs.

When the profits from war could not cover the expenditures, it was inevitable that the northern rulers would continuously become weaker and weaker.

When that happened, they would only have two options.

They would either continue to bleed out and eventually collapse or search for another path.

"When that time comes, most northern rulers will search for other paths," Chen Heng softly said and sighed, "What do you think they will choose?"

"What is it?" Olivia asked, following Chen Heng's thoughts.

The answer was quite obvious.

"They will abandon their territory and lead their armies south," Chen Heng said, "Since they are unable to make up their losses from fighting, they will pillage and steal from other places.

"When that time comes, the northern rulers will attack other Kutu rulers, resulting in a great storm."

Olivia could not help but shudder.

A group of northern rulers who could no longer take their mistreatment and attack southern rulers: This was something that could cause the Kutu Principality to fall apart.

This was especially so when they found that the southern rulers' armies were much easier to deal with than the Outlanders in the desert.

Even though the northern rulers were poor, that was because they were constantly fighting; their battle power was still the highest in Kutu.

Adding on the fact that they would be desperate and had no other choice, the power they would explode out with would be terrifying.

When that time came, the entire Kutu Principality would face a massive storm.

Moreover, without the resistance of the northern rulers, the desert's Outlanders would also take this opportunity to attack, increasing the pressure on the Kutu Principality.

Thinking of this outcome, Olivia could not help but shudder.

"So, in order to avoid this outcome, the Kutu Principality must support the northern rulers so they can go on," Chen Heng said as he looked at Olivia.

"But does the royal family need to directly provide assistance?" Olivia asked seriously.

"Of course not," Chen Heng shook his head as he explained, "that would have extraordinary costs. If the royal family bore all of the costs, the royal family would gradually weaken as well and give other rulers an opportunity. As such, the various rulers also need to provide support."

"How can we achieve that?" Olivia asked with an earnest tone, a look of expectation on her face.

Without realizing it, she had become fully invested in this conversation.

Chen Heng's words greatly broadened her horizons and made her look at the problem from a totally new angle.

She had never felt this before.

Without realizing it, her attitude had gone from casual, to serious, to expectant.

"Under current circumstances, this is naturally impossible," Chen Heng said, "but there is an exception, which is the opportunity to obtain new territory.

"You can tell them that if they lead their forces to the north, as long as they can establish themselves in the desert and defend that region, they will be acknowledged as the rulers of that region. Those who are not nobles will have the opportunity to become true nobles."

"So we can do that too" Olivia stared for a moment before coming to a realization.

Indeed, nobles cared greatly about the strength of their family. Under normal circumstances, they absolutely would not be willing to waste any of their family's resources to support the northern rulers.

However, territory was an exception.

In this world, no matter who it was, everyone wanted their own territory.

If they had an opportunity to obtain territory and become a true noble, even if they had to pay a price, there would be people who were interested.

This was especially so for second sons who could not inherit territory and become nobles, as well as other children.

In order to obtain territory, they would lead their people to fight and take territory for themselves.

This would reduce the pressure on the northern rulers.

Moreover, the royal family would not have to provide much resources, nor would they have to do much.

All they had to do was to acknowledge these rulers and their territory.

Thinking to there, Olivia's eyes lit up.