Volume One: The Forest Knight Chapter 45: Plans for the Future

After Berion finished speaking, the priest and his assistant began the burial ceremony. Amidst the solemn sound of drums and the lingering notes of the flute, the priest loudly recited passages from the Sacred Text about entering the heavenly kingdom after death, offering prayers for the fallen warriors.

When the ceremony concluded, Berion instructed Mark to bring out the prepared items. Standing atop a rise, Berion addressed the crowd: "Here, I announce a new policy. Any soldier who falls in battle, if their family are serfs, they shall immediately be granted freedom. Additionally, the bereaved will receive a house, two acres of arable land, and fifty denars in compensation. For those with children, until the child reaches fifteen years of age, the family will also receive one silver denar and twenty pounds of grain each month as a household subsidy."

"Oh, my heavens!"

"This can't be true!"

"Why not? Lord Berion just said it himself."

As soon as Berion finished, astonished cries erupted among the crowd. They could scarcely believe it—for as far as their memories reached, commoners who followed their lord to war were grateful for any reward at all. To receive compensation after death was unheard of.

Yet when they saw Berion hand over deeds to houses and land, along with pouches of silver coins to the families of the fallen, they had no choice but to believe. Some could barely contain themselves, eager to join the standing army or the militia. Single women considered marrying soldiers, for their status was high, their income steady, and even if they died in battle, the lord’s compensation would sustain their families.

Berion had anticipated these effects, and indeed, this was his intention—to gather a loyal force of warriors ready to face death for him. Only with such fidelity could his position be secure. He deeply understood that to win loyalty, first one must possess strength—no one pledges allegiance to the weak. Second, one must offer benefit, for only with benefit is there motivation to strive.

When the funeral ended, the sorrow vanished from the faces of the people of Norland Castle, replaced by hope for the future and a renewed vigor for work. With such a benevolent and charitable lord, what could they possibly lack? Indeed, funerals are never for the departed, but for the living.

The funeral concluded in the morning. Berion and his steward Mark shared a simple lunch with the priest and his assistant. As there was a service that afternoon, Berion dared not prepare much wine, lest the priest drink too much and neglect his duties.

It was not malicious suspicion on Berion’s part; the priest, Dunsil, was infamous for his love of drink. In the county cathedral, with the bishop and others overseeing him, he could only drink in secret. But here at Norland Castle, with every request granted, he indulged himself with vengeance. Nearly every weekend, he arrived a day early, and upon arrival, drank himself into a stupor. This morning, Mark nearly failed to rouse him for the funeral, though a bowl of fish soup with vinegar revived him in time.

Dunsil, the priest, had been complained about by Mark, who felt Dunsil was not a devout servant of the Fire God. Mark suggested Berion appeal to the bishop for a replacement—a more mature and competent priest. Berion, in truth, preferred not to have a strong religious atmosphere in his domain, but could not refuse Mark outright and brushed the matter aside. During a recent banquet in Amondin City, Berion discreetly inquired about Dunsil from Bishop Siro’s attendant and learned of the priest’s background.

Dunsil was the son of a merchant who worked with the cathedral’s farms and breweries. When Dunsil was five, his parents were slain by bandits. The bishop took pity on him and raised him in the cathedral, where priests taught and cared for him. Dunsil was exceptionally bright; before twelve, he could recite the entire Sacred Text, and by fifteen, he was capable of conducting religious affairs independently. He gained the old bishop’s favor but provoked the envy of other priests.

Upon reaching adulthood, Dunsil became a young priest at Amondin Cathedral. Soon after, the old bishop passed away. Without his protector, the other priests ostracized and isolated him, assigning him the most unpleasant tasks. Thus, Dunsil’s already reserved nature became reclusive, and he sought solace in alcohol, causing many a scandal.

Despite this, his professional competence was undeniable. For important occasions, the cathedral still needed someone of his expertise in the Sacred Text. Subsequent bishops disliked his drinking and aloofness, but did not dismiss him.

Awaiting a maid to pour his wine, Dunsil was unaware Berion had investigated his background. All Dunsil wished for now was more wine. The Salion wine from Crescent Lake was indeed exquisite, and his income could never afford such luxury.

Yet after a while, seeing no one come to pour wine, Dunsil asked wistfully, "My honored Lord Berion, Brother Mark, is there any more wine? Please, a few more cups."

Berion and Mark exchanged a glance. Mark quickly caught Berion’s intention. As previously instructed, he replied warmly, "Brother Dunsil, there is no more wine at lunch today. All the Salion wine at Norland Castle has been given to you. Even our lord, Berion, had only a single cup. Besides, you still have the afternoon service to conduct. After your meal, rest well, and this afternoon guide these lost lambs."

Hearing this, the clever Dunsil immediately understood. He licked his lips, suppressed his craving, drank a bowl of soup, and bid farewell to Berion and Mark, leaving with his assistant.

After Dunsil departed, Berion went upstairs to rest. Mark remained to direct the maids to clear the table and dispatched guards to summon the relevant officials for the afternoon meeting.

When Berion descended after his nap, he found his subordinates assembled. Along the sides of the long table in the lord’s manor sat his principal officials, who rose at his arrival. Berion took the seat of honor and gestured for them to sit.

On the left sat the civil officials, led by Mark. With him were Larr, who assisted in civil affairs; Hama, head of the craftsmen’s workshop; and Riano, in charge of construction—four in total.

On the right were the military officials, led by Eomer: Bess, responsible for the Norland Castle standing army; Barrett, head of the militia; and Baring, in charge of reconnaissance—also four.

Bran and Tur sat at either end of the table. Berion tasked them with recording the meeting’s proceedings and compiling a summary for his review, which would then be copied and distributed to all participants.

Berion adopted this practice from the meeting minutes system of his previous life. This way, each meeting produced concrete decisions and plans, ensuring follow-up, rather than devolving into time-wasting discussions and blame-shifting with nothing accomplished.

The meeting began with Berion inviting Mark to report on the current state of the territory. Mark stood, holding his leather-bound notebook—yes, a leather notebook. Hama, seeing Mark struggle with loose sheets, cut some leather, punched holes, and made Mark several notebooks, much to Mark’s delight.

Mark opened his notebook to the record page and reported, "Sir, brothers, let me give you an overview of Norland Castle’s population, finances, and resources.

As of last weekend, Norland Castle has a population of 1,460: 720 able-bodied men, 530 able-bodied women, and 210 children under fourteen. Over 400 have moved into Green Hill Village. By next month, when the Oak Village compound is completed, another 400 can be settled. The rest remain in the refugee camp.

By year’s end, our population should reach 2,000, making you, Lord, a true landed knight in terms of subjects."

At this, Berion and the others smiled knowingly. Indeed, a ruler cannot rule without subjects—what is a ruler without people to govern?

Thus, Berion sought ways to grow Norland Castle’s population. Only with people could land be cultivated, castles built, and armies formed. Otherwise, all plans would be mere castles in the air.

Mark paused briefly as everyone smiled, then continued, "Under your wise decisions, we’ve attracted refugees to cultivate the land. So far, we’ve opened up 6,000 acres of farmland. Since it’s summer, with frequent rain and rampant growth, we’ve paused land-clearing for now.

After the autumn harvest, we can resume recruiting refugees to clear land, aiming for 10,000 acres by year’s end. Next summer and autumn, we’ll be self-sufficient in grain and have surplus for sale.

As for livestock and poultry, after recent purchases and breeding, we now have 80 oxen, 15 dairy cows, 120 pigs, 50 sheep, and a total of 470 chickens, ducks, and geese, producing nearly 300 eggs daily.

With continued breeding, by next year, numbers will be considerable.

Oh, and here are some current inventory figures:

We now have 330,000 denars in silver and copper coins, 220,000 pounds of grain in reserve, 50,000 pounds of pig iron, four large ships, and seven small fishing boats of our own make. Horses and carts remain unchanged.

Sir, there’s a major issue with arable land and housing. We’re letting people live and farm here, but ownership is unclear. I believe we must resolve this soon." Mark finished and sat down.

Berion raised his water cup, took a sip, and addressed the assembly: "Recently, my focus has been on army training and combat, with Mark and you all handling most affairs. You’ve worked hard.

Norland Castle’s current success is due to you: Mark, Larr, Riano, Hama, Bess, Barrett, Baring, Gamlin—you eight are indispensable. I’ve decided to reward each of you with a house in Green Hill Village for your families. Additionally, you each get thirty denars as a bonus for your hard work, and ten acres of farmland per household—so you have a place to live, land to farm, and money to spend."

Upon hearing this, Mark and the others quickly rose to thank him. Mark hurriedly declined the house, saying he was single and lived with Berion, so there was no need to give him a house—better to give it to someone more deserving.

Berion was moved by this and granted Mark’s request but promised, in front of all, to refurbish a better house for Mark in the future.

After this interlude, Berion cleared his throat and opened his own leather notebook to outline his plans. "Mark has already covered the main points, so there’s little more for me to add. I want to emphasize two issues.

First, the distribution of houses and farmland. I absolutely will not give houses and farmland free to new arrivals in Norland Castle. They are not the same as the families of fallen warriors and cannot receive free land or houses.

Here’s my plan: New arrivals are grouped by household. Large families can have a house; small families or single individuals must share. Houses are not free—one hundred denars to purchase. If they can pay in full, so much the better. If not, we allow installment plans—ten years, twenty years, or longer, with minimal interest.

For example, ten years to pay off means ten denars per year, plus three to five denars in interest on the principal. This way, many will want to buy houses; after all, these compounds are comfortable and secure.

Farmland is not free either. New arrivals, adults of any gender, receive three acres each; children, one acre each. For the first three years, no taxes. From the fourth year, ten pounds of grain per acre as tax. Mark, after the meeting, you and the others should discuss whether this tax rate is appropriate.

In off-season, people participating in militia training, land clearing, and construction should not only be provided food, but also some wages. They shouldn’t be forced to work for free—this will ease their financial burden.

As our territory’s commerce and industry develop and our revenues rise, we can reduce peasants’ taxes—but that’s for the future.

As for the standing army soldiers and officers, they must be treated differently. After serving a year, soldiers receive two acres of land; if they fall in battle, their families inherit the land.

Soldiers buying houses get interest-free loans. If a soldier dies in battle, their family receives a house directly.

These are my personal ideas for now. After the meeting, Mark, you, Riano, Larr, and Hama should discuss the details and form a plan for me to review.

Also, Mark, among the newcomers we brought back, there are merchants and merchant apprentices. You may select suitable candidates to work under you.

Soon, merchants will discover that Norland Castle has a castle and residents. They’ll bring goods to trade and buy our products—animal pelts, timber, etc. You’ll need people who can write, calculate, and have business experience to assist you."