The approach described by Viscount Darlington is an ideal way out. To be precise, this method was aimed at the children of knights, landlords, and wealthy peasant families, except for the eldest son, and was a kind of "high-ranking officer" profession in which they could obtain a worry-free living environment and a relatively high income.

In fact, this has a lot to do with the economic development of the northern part of England in the 16th century. With the massive increase in population, the labor required for the handicraft industry in the north was limited, which prompted a certain number of knights, landlords, and non-firstborn sons of wealthy peasants to turn to military service for their personal futures. As a result, the practice of the aristocracy supporting knightly vassals was quite common throughout England, especially in the north.

Among the nobles of the North, except for the young Duke of Richmond, who did not have much financial resources to support non-firstborn guard knights, even the castles of the middle and lower nobles such as Viscount Darlington had 30 knights who were not born as firstborns. Outwardly, the northern nobles, with the exception of the Duke of Richmond, silently followed Henry VIII's rules for keeping knights. But behind the scenes, the northern nobles have been maintaining and quietly increasing the number of guards knights and stored weapons, preparing for the possibility of a noble rebellion that may break out at any time.

If Lambberton had shown the way out for his second son, Francis might not have become a thief at all. However, Francis now prefers to let himself out of the relationship between lord and vassal, and become a knight thief who uses military violence as a means of survival. This situation lasted until the appearance of Isabel who fell from the sky.

The reticence of Francis Swift made Lamberton think that he had been moved by his words and was in a state of intense thought. With an unobtrusive smile on his face, he turned his face to the eldest daughter and said, "Carrie, what do you think of the contents of this letter?" ”

Caroline pondered, "It's a bit puzzling that the thieves chose to exchange Joseph's location, next to a natural lake called Glasfer in Mount Penayon?" ”

Lamberton said calmly, "Carrie, I know that place, that is the jurisdiction of Barnard Castle. ”

"Oh, then, how far is this natural lake from Darlington Castle?"

"Let me think about it, this lake is almost 29 miles (about 46.7 kilometers) away from us."

"What? So far away? Dad, our best horses can cover this long distance in an hour at most. ”

"It doesn't matter, when the time comes, bringing a few more transfer horses can solve the problem of horse fatigue."

Caroline nodded and said, "Well, how to settle the ransom?" That's a full 1,000 pounds, which is half of your annual income! ”

Lamberton frowned and whispered, "I know it's a lot of money. In any case, we must find a way to scrape together this money to redeem Joseph. Even if you borrow it from other nobles, you have to make up enough for this ransom. ”

"Dad, instead of us possibly being saddled with never-ending debts in the future, ......"

"Well, what do you think of?"

"If we are a bunch of thieves who make a living by plundering, why do we have to obey chivalry?"

Caroline looked back at Francis, who was standing silently in the living room, and whispered to her father, "When the time comes, we will only put 1/10 of the money in the box, and replace the rest with stones." Then, using force, Joseph was snatched back from the thieves. ”

Lamberton also thought it was a good idea, but still said with some concern: "Don't forget, the thieves have set the time for the exchange to be 9 a.m. on this Sunday. There is no sunshine at this time, which is too dangerous for us. ”

"Dad, there is danger, but the opportunity is equal. We are in the night, and the thieves are in the night. When the time comes, it will be up to whoever strikes first to win. ”

"Well, there's only a few days left until the Lord's Day, and we can discuss the hostage exchange plan in detail."

At this point, Caroline got up and took her leave, ready to go and talk to Joseph's wife, Clarissa, about the blackmail letter. When she saw her brother, who was still leaning against the windowsill, she walked straight to him and said, "Francis, are you alright?" ”

Francis's mood was extremely depressed, he turned his head and glanced at his sister and said, "No, at this time I feel like a bird in a cage, how I yearn for the blue sky." ”

"Francis, being a thief who steals and loots for a living is not a good way out. I think Daddy's idea is good, at least so that you don't have to live that kind of fearful life anymore. ”

"You think so? Do you also think that a certain nobleman who took refuge in the north is a job for me that everyone should envy? ”

"yes, you're quite right. In this way, you don't have to worry about the safety of your life, and you don't need to worry about whether you will drink alcohol or eat barbecue tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. ”

"No, I used to think so. But now, I don't want to depend on any nobleman to survive. ”

"Well, you think the same way as the Protestants in the South. I think if you go to the South, you're going to get along very well with the Protestants. ”

Francis looked at her sister and didn't speak, Caroline sighed softly and said, "Francis, your brother is still in the hands of the thieves at the moment. If you still think you're a member of the Swift family, try to get Joseph back. ”

Francis squinted at the view of the interior of the castle outside the window, and said coldly, "Carrie, are you going to ask me to betray my brother to save the heir to the title who once ruthlessly deprived me of my right to marry?" ”

"Brother, stop hating your brother, okay? If I can save Joseph this time, I will fight for your right to marry Joseph. ”

"Thank you, Carrie."

"Alright, I have to go. I hope our next meeting will be in Darlington Castle. ”

Caroline was going to hug her brother before leaving, but Francis, who was standing in front of her, didn't seem to have that intention at all, so she had to leave the living room in embarrassment. At this time, Lambberton picked up the flask and poured two glasses of wine, and walked in the direction of the second son with a glass of wine in one hand.

When the viscount handed the second son a glass of wine, Francis hesitated for a moment but took it in his hand. Lamberton stood in front of the window and looked out the window and said, "My son, if you still talk to your father in this way, it will not help us to improve our relations again." ”

Francis just stared out the window and said, "My lord, my relationship with you exists only in name. It's been that way since I first left here. ”

"My son, it's not your fault, it's not Joseph's, it's God's arrangement."

"Really? Adults, you can say whatever you want. You know, I'm not used to talking to nobles. ”

Lambton took a sip of the wine in his glass and said in a strong tone, "My son, as long as you are willing to give up what you are doing, I will not blame you for what you have done." And it can also make you live a good life. ”

Francis glanced sideways at his titular father, smiled softly and said, "Let me give up my yearning for freedom?" No problem, you can kill me with a single sword right now. ”