Chapter 73 Manor Meeting (Part 1)
(Three transitional chapters, if you don’t like reading them, you can skip them.)…
Russell abolished the original kneeling ceremony.
Instead, you need to bend down and salute when you see the lord for the first time every day, and you only need to pay attention to the lord when you see the lord for the second and subsequent times.
Even so, the crowd was all bent over, and the scene still shocked Russell.
“This is the authority of the feudal lord, this is the dignity of the nobles under the serfdom system, even if I am only the lowest-ranking lord.” Russell, who was greeted with a bow by the serfs, came to the small market with emotion.
Estate meetings will be held here.
The small market has been cleaned and is clean. Except for the faint smell of feces that still lingers, there is nothing worthy of criticism.
Tables, chairs and benches have been set up.
The serfs were not allowed to enter, so they crowded outside the small market, waiting for the upcoming meeting inside the small market.
“Master, your seat.” Old Hans greeted Russell warmly, looking very groveling.
But no one would laugh at him. On the contrary, all the serfs envied Old Hans for being able to talk to the lord – this was also a status symbol.
“Is everyone here?” After Russell took his seat, he glanced around the crowd.
Eric, Charles, the wildcat sisters, four knight retinues, three cave rangers, as well as old Hans, the foreman of the manor, the captains of the six villages, forty or fifty serf stewards, and some elected serf representatives.
Basically, everyone who could be named in the Black-waisted Snake Manor gathered in the small market.
“Everyone is here, my lord.” Charles replied slightly excitedly, “You can start the manor meeting.”
“Um.”
Russell cleared his throat to regain his composure.
Speaking of such a big scene with thousands of people watching, this was his first time to participate in it. Fortunately, he had seen many big scenes in the Fluorescent Castle before, so he could barely handle it.
“Ahem, in the past time, Wuyao Snake Manor has been mainly planting beans and wheat, and the manor is full of serfs. Now Wu Yao Snake Manor has annexed the Xiangshui River Caves. As the lord, I need to adjust the manor. How it works.”
Russell simply set the tone for the manor meeting: “Before making changes, we must first establish a complete system of officials. According to tradition, I will select three officials to serve as the clerk, the chief of justice, and the chief of court.”
After a pause, leaving everyone a buffer time, Russell continued: “Now, let me announce my candidate.”
In an instant, everyone in the small market sat upright.
Although everyone has made some speculations, when it comes to choosing someone, they still have many unrealistic and extravagant expectations.
The calmest among them is probably Eric. As a Knight of Phantom Beasts, he is already transcendent. Moreover, as a loyal follower of Russell, he believes that his loyalty will be recognized by Russell and he will share Russell’s glory.
Besides, he has already received the greatest benefit – Kevin, the golden and silver wolf dog.
Wouldn’t ask for more.
At the same time, there are two people who are least calm.
One is Charles. As Russell’s tutor, he is naturally Russell’s confidant. But he did not swear allegiance, so even though he knew that Russell would not treat him badly, he was still worried about whether Russell would exclude him.
After all, Charles thought about it carefully last night, and it seemed that none of the work he did was irreplaceable.
In other words, in the entire Black-waisted Snake Manor, only Eric is irreplaceable, and everyone else can be replaced.
Clenching his fists, Charles tried to calm down his emotions, but the more he did, the more nervous he became, and his ears could hear the thumping of his heartbeat. His eyes were looking at Russell eagerly, staring intently.
The other uneasy person was Old Hans.
He was the former foreman of the manor and was sent by Baron Roman to manage the Black-rumped Snake Manor. Perhaps considering that Russell was too young and might not live in the manor directly, the baron did not recall Old Hans after he divided the Black-rumped Snake Manor.
This caused embarrassment to Old Hans, as the baron gave him as a gift to Russell. However, after Russell moved into the manor, it was obvious that the manor no longer needed such a manor foreman.
Although Russell did not remove him and still made him the foreman of the manor, Old Hans clearly felt that he was no longer needed.
Charles was Russell’s confidant and gradually took over the general affairs of the territory.
Now Russell has thrown out three positions. There is no doubt that these three positions are the real officials of the territory, that is, in Russell’s mind, the most trusted subordinates.
“Can I get a spot?”
“Will Master abandon me?”
“The dragon is watching, Mr. Ross is watching, Old Hans is here to pray to you devoutly… Shining blessings, I will let my old lady pray for you day and night when you come back!” Old Hans couldn’t help but mutter in his heart.
“Ahem.” After a full minute, Russell cleared his throat again and prepared to announce his choice.
He glanced over everyone’s faces and saw Eric’s calmness, Charles’ hope, Old Hans’ anxiety, and the wildcat sisters, Tom and other knights’ retinue, and Howles and other cave rangers. The appearance of all beings.
In the end, all of this became part of his aristocratic authority.
Russell had to admit that he was already obsessed with this feeling. After calming down, he said slowly: “Chief Clerk Charles.”
After speaking, Charles squeezed his fist hard.
Then he let go, stood up with some stumble, took off his hat, bowed to Russell, and used the honorific: “At your service, my lord.”
Russell smiled and nodded in response to Charles’s salute, then went on to announce: “Sheriff Eric.”
Eric also wanted to imitate Charles and say a few refined lines, but he opened his mouth and couldn’t think of what to say for a moment.
So, I just responded in a low voice: “No!”
Russell didn’t care about Eric’s clumsy speech. On the contrary, he liked his knight commander’s clumsy speech, so he responded with a smile and nod.
Finally, after a pause of more than ten seconds, he continued to announce: “Hans, the elder of the court.”
This announcement was like the sound of nature. Old Hans immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Russell. He choked with tears of gratitude and said: “Old Hans thanks the master for his trust. He will work diligently as the president of the court. Everything will be based on the master’s will. Always at your service!”
“Please get up, old Hans.” Russell stretched out his hand and said, “From now on, you will be the chief court of the territory, just call me your lord.”
Old Hans said sincerely: “No, no, no, Old Hans was the master’s servant in the past, and he will also be the master’s servant in the future. Master, please allow old Hans to continue to call you master!”
Seeing that Old Hans meant what he said, Russell couldn’t help but agree to Old Hans’ request to continue calling him “Master”.
Three candidates for “chief” were announced.
Russell then handed over the meeting to the newly appointed clerk: “Charles, come and preside over the next manor meeting, recommend officials, read out policies, and implement the spirit of this meeting to everyone.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Charles had calmed down his emotions, with a triumphant smile on his face.
(End of chapter)