The protagonists of this banquet were Vice-Baron Hubert and the eighteen knights at William's side, and William did not want to steal the limelight, so he led them out of the splendid tent to let them receive everyone's cheers.

"Oh! Oh! ”

In front of the tent, two sturdy soldiers were eating their arms and performing arhats to the soldiers around them, and they were warmly cheered by the crowd when they were wonderful.

Not far away, more than a dozen soldiers sat in a heap, sitting on the ground, sharing their food, while beside them were a few people roasting large pieces of beef and mutton, which they were cutting and feasting.

Wherever William and the knights behind him passed, they would stop for Sir Hubert and the eighteen knights to enjoy the praise and blessings of those around them.

The lively and sumptuous banquet lasted for nearly three hours, and it was about nine o'clock in the evening when everyone dispersed.

......

Early the next morning, William came to his senses, shook his still somewhat drowsy head, and couldn't help but sigh: "I drink this wine like a juice, but its stamina is really great!" Be temperate, I'm not old enough to drink openly. ”

William opened his eyes and looked out, but saw Sir Hubert standing outside the door, so he immediately got up and walked over, and said, "Sir Hubert, why are you here?" ”

"His Royal Highness William, you drank a lot of wine yesterday, I just don't feel at ease, come and see you!" Sir Hubert said with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, I'm all right now, Sir Hubert." William nodded and said, "Sir Hubert, come with me to see our loot!" ”

"Yes! His Highness William. Sir Hubert nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side, talking and laughing, and after a while they came to the castle's supply warehouse.

Dozens of cylindrical spired warehouses with a height of six meters and a diameter of ten meters are located not far away, and the tall warehouses and the huge number give people an inexplicable shock.

Not only did the captured booty be stored, but there were also a large amount of food, ordnance and other materials, enough for William's two or three thousand troops stationed in Fort Vernon for five years.

Upon arriving at the warehouse area, William and Sir Hubert saw a busy Chris . Steward Maury was directing the soldiers in the castle to carry and store the loot, so he came to Steward Chris and asked, "Steward Chris, all the loot has been transported, how much loot is now counted?" ”

When Steward Chris saw William coming to him to ask questions, he did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly replied: "If you go back to His Highness William, there are 200,000 Triss gold coins (i.e., 10,000 pounds of silver), hundreds of gold and silver utensils, 1,100 swords, 6,000 spears, 1,200 round shields, 300 longbows, 600 short bows, 30,000 arrows, 600 collars of chain mail, 1,600 collars of leather and cotton armor, 600 Norman helmets, 800 leather helmets, and 2,000 sets of clothing.....

"Well, I see! Thank you for these two days, Steward Chris. William waved his hand, shook his head, and said, "Can you tell me about the craftsmen and literate people I brought back, and whether they are willing to join us?" ”

"I'm very sorry, His Highness William! In the past two days, about half of the artisans and literate people have come to us, but many others are still hesitating. Butler Chris bowed slightly and said regretfully.

"It's not your fault, Steward Chris." William waved his hand, without the slightest reproach, and said, "Give them more time, I can still afford these people!"

Now these craftsmen who have taken refuge in me have immediately organized me to set up a blacksmith's workshop, a shipyard, and other workshops to make all kinds of tools, weapons, armor, and ships for us.

As for these literate people, we will send them to various towns to assist us in managing these cities that have surrendered to us, and to bring these cities and lands under our control. ”

"Yes, His Highness William!" Butler Chris bowed in response.

"Sir Hubert, when will Osborne's steward arrive at Vernon Castle?" William turned to Sir Hubert and asked.

"According to the reply, it is expected to arrive at Fort Vernon by late this evening." Sir Hubert nodded.

"When Steward Osborne returns, I will depart with him on his way back to Fort Rouen. In the meantime, please take care of the two barony realms of Alençon and Vernon for me! Please! William said with a solemn face.

"Please rest assured, His Highness William, I will do what you have to say." Sir Hubert nodded solemnly in promise.

"Well, then I'm relieved!" William breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sir Hubert, we must divide the administrative divisions as soon as possible, and firmly hold the towns and villages in our hands.

In addition to this, the laws previously enforced by the Barony of Alençon were to be enforced in the Barony of Vernon.

Like the decree imposing agricultural taxes, I can exempt knights who served in our army in that year from agricultural taxes, but not for the rest of the years when they did not serve.

As for the commercial tax, we need to expand the collection of customs duties, transaction taxes, stamp duties, etc., so that the wealth of the golden seine and the El rivers of Nuoda cannot be lost.

As for the "Longbow Decree" and the "Reserve Army Decree" to be compulsorily promoted, and the matters involving the compensation for the loss of taxes for the nobles and the winter training of the peasants should not be stingy, and they must be generous. ”

Sir Hubert couldn't help but have a big head when he heard this, and sat down at a table at William's nod, and began to take note of William's arrangements and orders intently.

"Sir Hubert, the most important thing you need to do is train your troops, especially to expand the size of the longbowmen, sword and shield soldiers, and halberders. The Knight of Dorton is here to assist you, and the Sword and Shield Knight of Jeffrey in Alençon is here to assist you.

And the halberd soldier is the head of the Swiss mercenary group, Daniel. Buller is good at getting troops, and as long as you give up gold and silver coins, I'm sure he'll help you with your halberd training. William looked down at Sir Hubert and nodded.

"It's not difficult, Your Highness William, for your goal, William will do his best!" Sir Hubert stood up, gave a military salute with his right hand, and said.

"I'm relieved!" William said: "Now we are still under great financial pressure, in addition to increasing tax sources, we must continue to evaluate the existing soldiers, and eliminate the soldiers who have no combat effectiveness in the ranks."

My goal was to reorganize the six or seven thousand troops into a mere field force, and the guards of the two realms would be handed over to the garrison and the city guards, and the field army would also send some soldiers in turn to help defend the place. ”

"Yes! His Royal Highness William, I will do it. Sir Hubert nodded in agreement, though he felt some pity for the recruits who would be retrenched.