Chapter 84: Chapter 75: Not a Bad New Fief
Henry idly tapped his fingers on the table and asked Tommy, "Those exiled nobles... I recall there were quite a few of them. Have they all purchased plots of land and become leaders of the self-employed farmers?"
Tommy nodded. "Most have become leaders. The serfs they brought with them still work for them. I’ve also recruited some of the exiled nobles to serve as Record Keepers. In the future, they can also handle tax collection and statistical work.
"My lord, your fiefdom is growing ever larger. Claude and I need more subordinates to help us."
Tommy took a list from within his coat and placed it on Henry’s desk.
Henry picked it up. The list contained the names of over a dozen people, detailing their backgrounds, ages, specialties, and current occupations.
Some were responsible for the tavern’s bookkeeping, others oversaw the consumption of supplies by the serfs in various locations, and still others recorded the army’s daily grain expenses.
The listed salaries were at the end. The monthly pay was not high at all—in fact, it was quite low for a Clerk’s position. Henry was very satisfied with this.
’This way, I can give raises to those who perform well and have more outstanding abilities. Heh heh heh.’
"My dinner can wait. Let those fallen nobles in. After all, they still hold noble titles and haven’t violated any of our local laws."
Claude left at once, while Tommy moved to a corner and stood as still as a statue.
Soon, five people entered Henry’s study. They wore imperial robes that were clean but... wrinkled. They might have once known glory, but now they were in the sorry state of having lost their fiefs.
"Honored Lord Baron Henry Bro, Lord of Westwood Laine, Star of the Battle of Zhiluo, Hero of the Battle of Tianyin, it is our honor to be in your presence."
These men could have easily returned to their family clans to make a living, but their pride—their need to "save face"—cost them their comfortable lives.
As for why they didn’t seek aid from their own Lord, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor?
Don’t be ridiculous. If they lost their fiefs, it must be because they legally violated their feudal contract with the Emperor.
The current emperor is a reasonable man. If he stripped you of your fief, it means the action was entirely justified.
You should be glad he didn’t take your life! Be happy he let you keep your noble title and family crest, and count your blessings.
Henry scanned the fallen nobles, who stared back at him with burning intensity.
Lord Henry was now an Imperial Baron, a title that empowered him to convene noble councils within his own fiefdom.
They were desperate to become Henry’s Feudal Knights, hoping to be granted a piece of land and restore their family’s glory. They were confident in their Martial Arts.
These fallen nobles stood in a corner of the study, their eyes filled with a mixture of longing and anxiety.
Given their current status, securing a position under Henry would be an incredibly difficult task.
Henry lowered his head, saying nothing, putting on the air of a profound master. In truth, his mind was racing, calculating how to make the best use of this group.
’Although these men have nothing now, the education they’ve received since childhood is not to be underestimated. Perhaps, with the right opportunity, they could prove their value.’
Henry rose to his feet and spoke in a gentle voice, "Gentlemen, I am aware of your former status and glory. However, without military achievements, wealth, provisions, or troops, hoping to become a Feudal Knight sounds rather impossible."
The fallen nobles looked at one another. Disappointment showed on some of their faces, while others clenched their jaws, unwilling to give up hope.
Henry continued, "However, I am willing to give you the chance to become Honorary Knights. But it is an opportunity you must earn for yourselves."
The eyes of the fallen nobles lit up instantly. If they could become Honorary Knights, they could accumulate merit and wealth through combat. In the future, it would be entirely possible for them to possess fiefs of their own once more.
Henry’s voice suddenly turned stern. "I intend to establish a Heavy Armor Knight Order. You will need to prove your Martial Arts and horsemanship to me.
"The Empire is no longer so short on Heavy Cavalry. You should be grateful for my benevolence in even offering you the chance to become Honorary Knights."
After he finished speaking, Henry sat back down in his chair.
In truth, his words were misleading. While the Empire didn’t lack Heavy Cavalry, that didn’t mean they were a dime a dozen. The Heavy Cavalry and Shocking Cavalry within the Legions were supported by the Empire’s immense treasury.
Aside from the Emperor, even a Duke of royal blood would have to think twice about their finances before trying to increase the number of their Heavy Cavalry.
The fallen nobles fell silent. Henry’s words were filled with warning. But they also knew this was their only chance, and they had to seize it.
"Honored Lord Baron, I am willing to join your Heavy Armor Knight Order. I ask only for a basic salary and provisions."
Once one of them spoke up, the rest quickly followed, all requesting to join.
"Mm. Go back and gather your belongings. Report to the barracks tomorrow."
After the five fallen nobles left, Tommy emerged from his corner. "My lord," he said, "we don’t really need to form a Heavy Armor Knight Order. That’s too extravagant. We could just give them low-level officer positions. That would be enough to keep them quiet."
Henry shook his head. "Tommy, we have enough money. You’ve never been on a battlefield; you don’t know the sheer force of a Heavy Cavalry charge thundering right in front of you."
"Even just twenty Heavy Cavalrymen, with both riders and mounts in full armor, can threaten hundreds of lightly armored soldiers just by lining up."
Tommy was taken aback for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "My lord, haven’t the Half-Beastmen already fled farther east? Who else are we going to fight?"
Henry suddenly chuckled. "Aren’t we surrounded by people? Who says we can’t fight them?"
Tommy and Claude exchanged a look, not daring to say a word.
Tommy collected his thoughts and began to give Henry a detailed report on the new fiefs.
Tommy cleared his throat, pulled three more sheets of paper detailing the status of the villages from his sleeve, and placed them on the desk.
"My lord, this is the report on the three new villages. Fortunately, none of them were sacked by the Half-Beastmen."
"Huayinlai Village has a population of over 730 people. The currently cultivated land accounts for sixty percent of its total area. Their grain stores are sufficient to support the village for half a year. Their livestock includes thirty-seven head of cattle, over a hundred sheep, and forty-four horses.
"The Militia’s training is average, but they have some combat experience and are capable of dealing with small groups of bandits."
Tommy went on, detailing all sorts of information about the three villages. Henry listened while reading the reports and saw that all three villages were relatively prosperous.
All in all, the three villages had relatively abundant populations and land resources, making them far better off than a settlement started from scratch.
"Tommy, draw up a detailed plan for the effective management and development of these fiefs. Also, create a sensible breeding and rearing program for the livestock to increase their yield."
