"Lady Jandice and her daughter Illucia are helping me with a project. We are assisting the dragons in dealing with the Firelord. If we succeed, the strongest human kingdom in Lordaeron can remain unchanged for at least a hundred years," Arthas said confidently. "Lady Jandice found me and spoke to me about the Barov Family."
"How do you plan to handle it?" Terenas did not refuse his son, but instead began to test him. It was a good thing for a prince to be daring and ambitious, but politics required a bit of finesse and strategy.
Arthas pondered for a moment before looking up at Terenas. "Retain their core territories and partition the rest among the other kingdoms. We won't take a single piece of land; we only want them to yield their resources and supreme trading rights. When our caravans trade with them, no taxes can be levied, and they must be conditionally required to dispatch troops for escort."
"Oh? Do you know how fertile the lands of the Kingdom of Alterac are? Even the mountainous regions are rich in resources." Terenas did not want to give away such a choice piece of meat. Wouldn't that be a joke?
"The Alliance has just won the war, but there isn't much gold for post-war reconstruction, let alone supporting the rebuilding of Stormwind, which represents the hope of humanity. The Horde is too poor, and if we keep them, the management costs alone could cause the Alliance to dissolve and collapse. My idea is to use land that didn't belong to us anyway in exchange for tangible materials. This way, every kingdom will be grateful to Lordaeron, viewing it as a gift bestowed upon them. Expanding territory has a fatal attraction for any king, and it is a moment to go down in history. Who could refuse such a temptation?" Arthas saw it clearly; there was no point in agonizing over these lands now. Whether through force or secret occupation, there would be no good outcome. It was better to give them away generously.
"The arrangements for the Orcs have been decided; they are all your responsibility. The Alliance won't contribute a single copper. You know what needs to be done. Lordaeron has no money to fund you either; you are on your own." Terenas suddenly shifted the topic. He closed his eyes, not wanting his son to see through him so completely. Indeed, no king could refuse the temptation of expanding his borders. It was something no one could resist. To be recorded in history, to be remembered and praised by future generations—wasn't that all for one's posthumous reputation?
"Over three hundred thousand Orc prisoners are indeed difficult to arrange. I will return after I deal with the Firelord." Arthas didn't think it was too many. Having witnessed the nature of the Orcs, a portion of them could be turned into logistics management, while another part could continue as warriors—though not too many, to avoid the situation spiraling out of control. Furthermore, if he could recruit Orgrim, that would naturally be best. This Great Chieftain was quite competent; having him help manage the Orcs would save a lot of trouble, provided the man submitted.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Arthas. As long as I am here, no one else can stir up trouble." Terenas rubbed his head. Dealing with Alliance matters was truly a headache. He couldn't bear to let go, yet by not letting go, he didn't seem to gain much benefit.
"I know. One must keep striving while young, just like you, Father, isn't that right?" Arthas smiled. He didn't have much affection for Terenas, but after spending time together, a sense of kinship had developed, viewing him as an elder on his life's path.
The two talked pleasantly in the study. Although he couldn't change Terenas's mind, Terenas didn't refuse Arthas's requests, agreeing only after careful consideration. One was a prince with little pressure, and the other was a king under great duress, so the two could only seek common ground while reserving differences.
A king must consider the interests of the kingdom and cannot allow his own interests to suffer. If they did, he would suck blood from elsewhere—from allies or from minor lords—but he would get it back regardless.
By the time these matters were handled, it was already night. Arthas thought it best to go say goodbye to his mother.
Upon arriving at the inner palace, he learned that his mother had gone to the Ashvane Estate outside the city because his maternal aunt had arrived.
Arriving at the estate, the maidservants recognized Arthas and smiled, nodding in greeting.
In the living room, he saw several wives of knights just leaving. Arthas greeted them one by one. These noblewomen held significant power and were very snobbish; as long as he remained strong, they would always support him.
"Why has the Prince returned? The battle at the front must be very difficult. Come visit Stratholme when you have time, please come to my home, I will certainly entertain Your Highness well!" Baroness Anastari was draped in jewels. She was the daughter of the mayor and an old-money noble. A baroness's actual power was no less than that of a countess; she controlled the entire jewelry industry in Stratholme.
"I just have some matters to handle. I've been quite busy lately. If I go to Stratholme, I will certainly visit the Baroness's estate." Arthas smiled gently. As a rising prince, it was only natural for people to flatter him. Furthermore, with the support of dragons behind him and the Shangke Family having been uprooted and destroyed, no one dared to take such a ruthless prince lightly.
"Giggle, then it's a deal. I will certainly make Your Highness feel right at home!" Lady Anastari winked and puffed out her chest, revealing half of her breasts. Her tongue flicked across her lips suggestively. Her features were beautiful, and the jewelry made her look even more imposing in her nobility. In the original plot, she was also a social climber, desperate to maintain her beauty, youth, and longing for eternal life.
Arthas nodded with a smile. As he turned to leave, at an angle where others couldn't see, he reached out and squeezed the Baroness's perky buttocks. "Goodnight, my lady. I look forward to seeing you in Stratholme."
"Oh! Your Highness, goodnight!" Lady Anastari let out a soft moan, her beautiful eyes filled with a trace of flirtatiousness. It seemed the Prince still had desire for her, which made things easy.
Entering the estate, he saw his aunt sitting on the sofa in deep thought. Opposite her, his mother held a wine glass in one hand and her forehead in the other, appearing to have a headache.