“As for the third point.”
Lind looked at those emaciated serfs and said, “The tents and fences we are going to build today are the first task I have issued. Although there is no supervisor, I have already assigned you into groups and arranged each group’s work scope. Only those who meet my requirements will be considered to have completed the task.”
Facing the foggy-minded people below, Lind continued, “The first five groups to complete the task will get to eat meat tonight.”
The previously confused serfs’ eyes suddenly lit up.
Meat, how long has it been since they last had it?
Even in peacetime, it was not easy for commoners to get a meal of meat, let alone now in this chaotic Northern Border. To these serfs, only the real noble masters could afford meat.
The key point was that what Lind spoke was not some empty promise, but they could actually eat tonight, right tonight!
Many people unconsciously licked the corners of their mouths, and the crowd even became somewhat restless, wanting to know which group they belonged to and what their work scope was.
Seeing hope gradually igniting in people’s eyes, Lind gradually let out a sigh of relief. He needed something similar to Shang Yang’s wooden post to establish his authority, and it seemed that he had already succeeded by more than half.
In the increasingly agitated crowd and the rising murmurings, Lind continued, “From today onwards, anyone participating in heavy labor will be able to have an extra meal in the morning. At the breakfast distribution site, there will be soldiers from the border guard who will inform you of your group and today’s work scope. Remember, the meals must not be hoarded or seized. Groups that hoard will be punished, and those who repeatedly violate this will lose their group’s eligibility to participate in tomorrow’s work.”
“As a demonstration, everyone will receive an extra breakfast today. A soldier will guide you to the breakfast distribution point shortly.”
After saying that, Lind casually walked down the high platform, and after a moment of silence, the serfs and commoners erupted into shouts as they rushed towards the breakfast distribution site following the soldiers.
Lauri’s border troops had already prepared wheat porridge, maintaining order at the scene, while many soldiers who had been selected as group leaders shouted the names of their group members from their little booklets.
Because of Lind’s final words, no one dared to rush forward. Those who seized would not only lose work but also their future.
Even some timid serfs, despite being starving, didn’t dare to speak loudly, merely following closely behind their group leaders, waiting for the porridge, fearing they would lose their working eligibility for violating the rules.
These orderly serfs made Lila, watching from the side, feel somewhat unsettled. Although she had known in advance what Lind intended to do and had even personally arranged some aspects, seeing the previously lazy serfs begin to comply with the rules voluntarily still made Lila feel an incredible force.
Would these people still slack off later? Lila didn’t know, but at least no one would deny Lind’s authority anymore.
“Prepare the meat for stewing into soup close to dinnertime.”
Lind emphasized, “It must be stewed in a place visible to everyone, and there must be enough meat for five groups.”
“Do we really have to prepare that much? Lord,” Lila said, even though she had sensed Lind was serious, she still found it hard to believe upon hearing Lind personally delegate it to her.
“Of course. I have said it before; the orders in this territory are based on my instructions.”
“No, I am not questioning your authority,” Lila explained. “What I mean is, even if it’s for five groups, you only need to prepare an amount similar to wild fruits, and the serfs will still be grateful. Even if they don’t appreciate it, you can just say it was my doing later.”
Being chosen by Duke Lars to assist Lena, Lila knew very well that nobles often couldn’t speak directly about such matters and needed someone to take the fall.
Noble masters cannot be wrong; it is always those below them who are at fault. If the serfs truly stir up trouble, Lind could claim ignorance and say it was the lower ranks who mismanaged it, while he had initially asked for meat for five groups.
And Lila was now actively taking the blame.
“Lady maid, please remember not to speculate on my intentions in the future and do not interpret things on your own. The amount of meat I specify is exactly that! Or are you saying that the supplies brought by Duke Lars cannot even cover the amount for five groups?”
In that instant, Lila felt an unprecedented pressure. The originally amicable Lind seemed to have vanished, replaced by the overwhelming might of absolute power. This didn’t even pertain to Lind himself but was about the ruler emphasizing absolute control over power.
But this feeling quickly dissipated, and after Lila’s large beads of sweat fell to the ground and she nodded in agreement, Lind seemed to turn back into the gentle lord.
Looking at Lila, who was arranging the meat, Lind shook his head helplessly. It seemed that it was still too difficult to change these people’s concepts in a short period. Many decrees fail precisely due to misinterpretations, and even those in power enjoy playing riddles. This style of governance, while suitable for manipulation, was clearly not beneficial for the initial construction of the territory.
In short—riddlers should roll out of Graywhite Territory.
Lind flipped through the population list and the territory’s topographic map in his hands. Road construction and reclamation still required planning, but the population in the territory was evidently lacking.
The supplies brought by Duke Lars were more than Lind had imagined, but most were for maintaining Lena’s noble lifestyle. Lind planned to discuss this with Lena later, hoping Duke Lars could send some more practical tools, ideally finding a few experienced craftsmen for the territory.
Lauri’s border troops were also completely insufficient. There were still too few literate people in the territory, but Lind didn’t want to use those noble knights beside Lena. Using the maids brought by Lena wouldn’t work either.
“Ah.”
Originally thinking that with the support of the Lars family, along with his experiences from his past life, managing the territory would be smooth. But despite the abundance of supplies, and despite the developments indeed going smoothly, Lind still felt exhausted.
The labor system referenced his past life, hastily established overnight, and combined with a system of labor and wages, it was a somewhat alternative form of relief through work.
The territory currently had no output at all, relying entirely on Duke Lars’s continued support. Lind had no practical experience in road construction or house building; the problems he would encounter in the future would increase.
While Lind was deep in thought, Lena came to his side with excited strides, exclaiming, “This is amazing! I’ve never seen serfs follow orders like this, and they are willingly working!”
Lind looked toward the direction Lena was pointing and saw a few groups of serfs waiting in line for porridge, promptingly urging the group leaders to complete their work before receiving their porridge, which deeply showcased their initiative.
“How on earth did you manage that? You can command them without even using a whip.”
Seeing Lena chattering excitedly, Lind took out a booklet and said, “This thing is much better than a whip.”
The booklet recorded everyone’s household in the territory, their groups, and their work.
After flipping two pages and not understanding it, Lena simply praised, “Even though I can’t make sense of it, it looks really impressive. It should definitely be you managing the territory.”
After saying that, Lena proudly puffed up her chest as if she was sharing in the glory.
But Lind poured cold water on her, holding up the territory’s planning map and said to Lena, “How can you say that? You built the territory previously without even digging drainage ditches? Even if there are only tents now, how could you not set up a drainage system for a place housing hundreds of people?”
“Drainage system? What’s a drainage system?”
Looking at Lena’s innocent face, Lind realized he was playing the lute to a cow.
“Fine, forget it, just take care of your own things.”
Sensing a hint of disappointment in Lind’s tone, Lena patted Lind’s shoulder and said boldly, “Oh come on, you have me as your brother here! You handle the work, I’m at ease. Brother, just focus on building the territory; remember to come to me if you encounter any difficulties.”
How could one possibly say that Lind’s assessment of Lena was that of a clear yet foolish person? She was entirely insensitive to the power in her hands, resembling her character in the game perfectly.
If this were some certain story, Lena wouldn’t even last two episodes before she’d be helping count coins.
How would such a person ever rebel in the future?
Lind stared at Lena’s face filled with vigor yet slightly goofy, falling into deep thought.
