Chapter 53: Reorganization and Handmaidens

The small square facing the main building at Slov Manor was full of people. It was the morning of the third day after Lorist and they had taken possession of Slov Manor.

In the center are more than 700 slave soldiers armed with spears, on the left are their families, on the right stand the slaves rescued from the slave hunter camp, and at the back are the thousands of slaves in charge of the vineyard and their families.

Lorist appeared on the second-floor balcony of the main building, holding a tin rolled horn in his hand. Two days have passed since the occupation of the Slov manor, the delivery of weapons and goods has been completed, all the chores have come to an end, and the next thing is to reorganize the army. Today, Lorist is to address all the slave soldiers and slaves, to give them hope, and to give all them a strong faith in embarking on the journey north.

"I thought I'd introduce myself, I'm Baron Norton Lorlist, head of the Northland Roaring Bear family. "Lorist shamelessly crowned the title of baron, which had not yet been officially inherited, on his head.

"My knights spent a lot of money to free you from the despicable slave traders in Nubit Harbor, and I believe you know that you are well aware of the purpose of forming our own army of the Norton family, and returning to the territory with your families. and promised that when you come to the northland, I will set you free. But what we didn't expect was that before we could take the first step in our journey north, we were attacked by these despicable slave hunters, who wanted to turn you into slaves, into goods, into bloody gold coins in their hands. ”

"Before the family's reinforcements arrived, you relied on sticks and spears to repel the attacks of the slave catchers, and held the camp until reinforcements came. Then you captured the enemy's camp and captured the enemy's manor, and in the process, you adhered to your duties, obeyed the discipline, and fulfilled the tasks assigned to you perfectly. Your performance has earned us respect and brought you freedom. ”

"As the head of the Norton family, I, Baron Norton, hereby solemnly declare that from this day forward, you are no longer slaves, you are soldiers of the Norton family, a glorious warrior......."

More than 700 slave soldiers below the "......" were boiling, and the cheers were deafening......

Lorist waited for a while, pressed down with his hands, and motioned for the crowd below to calm down: "Your family members, after arriving in the Northland, will be granted civilian status, and enjoy the preferential treatment of the relatives of the family soldiers, and you will be divided into fields and houses, and live a peaceful and happy life in the family territory......"

Not only the more than 700 family soldiers, but also their relatives cheered......

"Seventeen valiant soldiers gave their lives and four were crippled in this battle against the slave catchers, but the Norton family will never forget these dedicated and meritorious servicers. Relatives of the fallen soldiers were also treated as relatives of soldiers, and they were also given a monthly pension of a large silver coin, which was for a period of twenty years. The same goes for disabled soldiers, but their pensions are for life. This is my promise, Baron Norton, and as long as the Norton family exists, this promise will never change. ”

The soldiers of the family below were moved, and the relatives of the sacrificed soldiers wept with joy, what they were most afraid of was that after losing their relatives, their families would be regarded as a burden by the lord and ruthlessly abandoned. In this war-torn year, as a soldier at the bottom, the day is precarious, and the most worrying thing is the outcome of his family after he dies in battle. When you meet a reasonable and benevolent lord, you will not be able to get a few silver coins as a pension. The more vicious lords would even blame the soldiers who died in battle for their defeats, complain that they did not fight hard, and then take out their anger on the families of the soldiers, and in some cases of arresting the families of the soldiers who died in the battle and selling them to slave traders.

Such a promise as Lorist is unique in the history of the continent of Gelinthia. Everyone knew that once the number of casualties of the soldiers accumulated in the thousands, the pension alone was a huge expense, and it would become a huge burden that a family could not bear. In troubled times, life is like a mustard, and no lord dares to make such a promise to the soldiers who serve his subordinates like Lorlist.

In fact, Lorist and Fat Man quarreled over this promise, and even Bodfinger did not agree with Lorlist's decision, citing the example of the White Lion Legion of the past, as a regular legion of the former Krisson Empire, to pay a pension equivalent to one year's salary to the legionnaires who died in battle, instead of the twenty-year period promised by Lorlist.

Lorist forced the decision on the pension despite the resolute opposition of Fat and Bodfinger. He believes that the life of a soldier is not worth a single gold coin a year, and the pension is already too cheap. If the Norton family had to pay the pension of 10,000 soldiers a year, then the Norton family would not be trapped in the Northlands, and they would have already laid a large territory, and maybe they could establish a kingdom.

Lorist took the slave catcher as an example, a few days ago Lorist went out and killed more than 30 people, less than half of the total number of slave catchers, but the slave catcher collapsed, and then they were chased by Telman El and they killed a lot of them, and most of them died, but they did not cause any damage to the pursuers, only two unlucky guys injured themselves.

Lorist told Fat Man and Bodfinger that he wanted a family army that dared to fight to the death, and would not give up the fight even if he was in a dangerous situation, and would rather die in battle than bite the enemy, so that the enemy would pay a heavy price even if he could destroy them. Only such an army can become a hedgehog that cannot be swallowed, and any enemy who wants to deal with the Norton family must carefully calculate whether it is worth it or not, and only the existence of such a family army will make the enemy have scruples, and dare not risk the consequences of losing both sides and the consequences of losing more than the loss to provoke the Norton family.

The first thing to solve in order to build such a family army is to make the soldiers have no worries, and the pension promise proposed by Lorist is for this purpose. He said to Bodfinger and Fat Smith, "You only think that the amount of the pension adds up to a huge amount, but you don't think of the trick here. The pension for a soldier who has died for twenty years is only two hundred and forty large silver coins, which is equivalent to twelve gold merits.

Twelve gold coins is not a lot for a soldier who died in battle, but it can keep the bereaved soldier's family loyal to the Norton family for twenty years, and this pension is not paid all at once, but only one large silver coin per month, just like borrowing twelve gold coins, and the monthly interest is more than one large silver coin. The Norton family can use the funds to open up trade routes and develop territories, and the large silver coin paid every month is actually just a small interest.

It dawned on Fat and Bodfinger that they realized that they weren't as thoughtful as Lorlist. Lorist said that this is only the first step, there is still a lot to be done to build a family army, to make the soldiers disciplined, obey orders, and more importantly, to establish a sense of honor in the family army, to make every soldier proud to be a family soldier, to establish the confidence to win a hundred battles and the belief of indomitable, but these all take time, and it takes a long time to achieve it by long-term training and invincible battles.

After the cheers of the family soldiers and their relatives in the square below gradually subsided, Lorist raised the tin horn again: "My soldiers, the north is still far away, and there is a long way to go. Before we are about to embark on this journey, you will have to regroup and train. I will protect you with strong armor and arm you with sharp swords, whether it is a robber or a bandit in front of you, or even the army of some greedy lord, whatever stands in our way will be reduced to dust under our chariots, and no one will be able to stop us from coming home. I will not abandon any of you, I will not give up on any of you, under the guidance of the Angry Bear. We will definitely be able to return to the Northland and live a happy and peaceful life!"

The soldiers and crowd in the square erupted in cheers again: "Norton! Norton ......"

Lorist raised his tin horn again, this time speaking to the slaves rescued from the slave hunter camp and the slaves on the estate: "The Norton family has no slaves, and they will not exchange the blood and sweat of slaves for gold. Therefore, I hereby declare that all the slaves who were freed by us in the camp of the slave catchers and the slaves in this estate, you are free......"

Now the slaves in the square were also boiling, cheering and shouting loudly......

"However, you are free, and you cannot leave immediately, so stay in this manor for the time being, and you can leave when we go north, and we will give you dry food and travel expenses. If you are homeless, you are welcome to join our army, and you and your relatives will be treated the same as family soldiers, and the Norton family will be treated equally. Those who do not want to stay and prepare to go home can work for us during this period of stay at the manor, and we will pay you accordingly. ”

After putting down the tin horn and waving at the crowd in the square, causing louder cheers, Lorist turned around and left the balcony.

"It's the first time I've been nervous to speak in front of so many people. Lorist muttered, took the linen towel from Sedcamp, and wiped his face.

The hall on the second floor was already full, Shi Fat was still leaning on the soft couch, and Telman and Yuri were sitting under him. Across from them sat Bodfinger and two of his comrades. Behind them sat thirty-eight veteran students of the Dawn Academy, several of whom were still wearing bandages.

El and Pat brought someone to take charge of the manor's guard and didn't arrive, and Reddy took Alyssa to the manor's garden to play. Little Schward, on the other hand, stood solemnly next to the first empty chair in the hall, which was Lorlist's seat, and he played the role of squire.

In addition to those present, it is the old man Injerek and his beautiful granddaughter standing against the wall in the hall, and today they will also make a decision on their future fate.

Lorist sat down in the empty chair, and Sedkamp consciously stood next to little Schward.

"Let's do as we have agreed for the past two days. Lorist said, "Knight Borg, the matter of forming a five-hundred-heavy armor regiment will be left to you." ”

Bodfinger stood up and saluted: "I will definitely live up to the trust of my lord." ”

"Yuri, the formation of a light cavalry scout team of sixty people must be tightened, this is the eyes of our team, and we must not relax. ”

"Yes, please rest assured. Yuri replied, getting up.

"Telman, your knights are only fourteen now, which is too little, so let's go and choose two knight squires for each of your knights, and when they reach the silver rank, they will be awarded the title of quasi-knights, and if they return to the Northland, I will also accept them as family knights. Lorist said.

Of the thirty-eight veteran cadets of the Dawn Academy, only thirteen of them had received professional knight training like Telman, and as the most important assault force on the battlefield, Lorist decided to have two knights with two knight squires of the Black Iron Rank, so that the charge would be more imposing and threatening.

"Okay. Telman replied from his feet.

"Dores, the twelve crossbow chariots will be handed over to you, and the manpower will be deployed as soon as possible. ”

"Yes, sir. Dorres stood up and saluted.

"Lammed, how is your team of pharmacists?" asked Lorlist.

"My lord, I have found a junior pharmacist and two pharmacist apprentices in the camp of the slave hunters, and three of the slaves have some knowledge of pharmacology, and I have recruited them all into the team. It's just that there is an intermediate pharmacist and his junior pharmacist daughter in this manor, who were hired by Slov. Now he has been taken into custody, sir, you see......" Renmad stood up, he was also one of the old cadets of the Dawn Academy, and qualified as a junior pharmacist. It's just that he somehow had a conflict with Professor Snard Borg, the tutor of the pharmacy major, and was removed from his position as a pharmacy teacher, and then he was bewitched by Shi Fatzi, and he was hot-headed and agreed to follow Loris and them to the Northland.

"Ask the slaves, and if the apothecary master and daughter have done no evil, let them go, return their belongings to them, and ask them if they are willing to join our ranks, and if they are not willing to let them go north when we go north. Lorist said.

"Yes, my lord, I will do what you want. ”

There weren't enough people, so Lorist came up with the idea of the two comrades sitting next to Bodfinger.

"Rose, and this Mr. Mons, may I ask you two for a favor?" asked Lorist politely.

Rose smiled very straightforwardly: "Lord Locke, please tell me if there is anything, it is our honor to be able to help you." ”

Next to him, Mons Malek nodded in agreement.

"That's right, I also want to form a team of three hundred and sixty crossbowmen, and then a brigade of spearmen, can you ask two of you to temporarily become the guest secretaries of our Norton family, and serve as the commanders of these two troops? Both of them are experienced officers, so could you give some advice to my companion?" asked Lorlist.

"I'm fine, what about you, Marek?" said Rose, agreeing happily, and then asked his companion.

Mons Malek nodded.

"In this case, Malek was originally the military judge of our White Lion Legion, so let him be in charge of the crossbowmen team. I prefer hand-to-hand combat, and I'll lead a brigade of spearmen. Do you think that's going to work, Lord Locke?" said Rose.

Lorist was overjoyed: "Then please two of you." ”

"At present, there are only more than 700 soldiers in our family, but there are more than 3,000 slaves who have been freed by us, and most of them are young and strong. Most of their homes were destroyed by the slave hunters, and their relatives were killed. So, I want you to mobilize them as much as possible to join our clan army in the future, and the more numerous the better. If you really don't want to join, don't force it, you know?"

"Yes, sir. The crowd spoke in unison.

"Knight Schrader has the heaviest burden, he is our Grand Steward, in charge of the size of the camp, and I have Sedkamp as his deputy. In addition, I will have the El Knight recruit a team of guards to be responsible for the security of the main battalion. Lorist said and beckoned to Injerek and his granddaughter by the wall, motioning for them to come forward.

"You're lucky. Lorist looked at his grandfather and granddaughter in front of him playfully: "The Norton family has no slaves, this is what I just promised in public, so you still have your own freedom in life." But the fact that you led the crowd against our Norton family is undeniable. I have spared your life, but you must pay for what you have done. Here are two contracts, you and your granddaughter have signed them. Rest assured, it's not a slave contract, it's a contract to hire you as a servant and your granddaughter as a handmaiden. After ten years, you can leave the Norton family. ”

Beside him, Sedecamp took two pieces of vellum paper, pens and a seal box and handed them to the old man and his granddaughter.

Ingerek's old face twitched for a long time, and finally with a long sigh, he still took the paper, picked up the pen, signed his name, opened the seal box again, dipped his right index finger in the ink, and pressed the fingerprint on the contract. His granddaughter, with a pale face, followed his grandfather and signed the contract as well.

"Your name is Jasmine?" Lorist asked the pale girl as she looked at the contract.

"Yes, sir. "The girl was a little scared.

"Your handwriting is very good, and the vindictive cheats I asked you to copy are very well completed, without any omissions and mistakes. I'm not going to let you bring tea and water. See this fat man? He's wounded in your grandfather's hand, and he can't write. Therefore, from this day on, you will become his maid and his right hand, not only to serve his daily life, but also to help him write and take notes, as his assistant and deputy. Got it. Lorist pointed at Fat Shi and said.

The girl bowed halfway: "Yes, my lord, I will be his maid and assistant according to your wishes." ”

Shi Fatzi was dumbfounded: "My lord, my lord, Locke, don't be kidding, I don't need any maid, let her follow you and wait for you." ”

Shi Fatzi was so anxious that he didn't even call an adult, and he called Locke directly.

Lorist said with a straight face: "This is my decision, and it must be carried out." I don't need to write anything, and you'll need help with a lot of things next. And your tent, it's like a pig's nest, and someone has to clean it up for you. By the way, last time, if you think the slaves who can write can be used, you can stay and help you run errands and be the office staff of the main camp. ”

"Well, this Jasmine also has a little maid, I have already understood, both of her parents were killed by the people of the slave group, it was Jawis who bought her as a maid, and now she is free. Sred, you can sign a maid contract with her and let her take care of you with Jawris. Injerek, these days you follow Knight Schreed first and follow his orders. ”

"Yes, my lord, I am willing to serve you. Injelek breathed a sigh of relief, as long as he could still be with his granddaughter.

......

Everyone retreated, even Schward, who went to find Alyssa. Lorist rubbed his temples, it's so tiring, this head of the family is really not good. There are so many things that you have to make your own decisions, but fortunately, there is a fat man available, otherwise you will find yourself in big and small things, and you have to drive yourself crazy.

"Hey, Locke, I heard you gave a delicate beauty to Fat Smith?"

"You're here?" Lorist looked up as El walked in from outside.

"Well, Yuri was muttering just now, envious of Shi Fatzi. I happened to hear it as I walked by. El said.

"Let Yuri find it himself, and Sedcamp told me that among the slaves rescued in the camp of the slave catchers, a dozen very beautiful women are still virgins, and they were originally intended to be transported to the port of Nubit and sold at a high price, but now we have rescued them. Sedkamp also wanted to arrange a few to be my maids, but I refused. You'll tell Yuri later that whoever wants the maids to sign a contract with them themselves, as long as they want to, and not force them. Lorist said.

"Huh, that's not right, Locke, why are you uncomfortable?"

"What's wrong with me?" Lorist was bewildered by El.

"I'll do the math, Louise and you on your birthday, and then Nina, you've had five times in the years, Sarah and you four times, and Jumilie three or four times I forget, the new Molly slept with you the most, seven times. Basically, the maids in the dead old man's tavern have slept with you. You are not a person who can't let go of men and women, why are you hypocritical now, and you sent a big beauty to Shi Fatzi, not to mention, and you don't even want to let those rescued women be maids, is there something wrong with your body?" El pointed to Lorlist's dewy love, and he really remembered it clearly.

"I'm ...... day" Lorist first cried and laughed, and then became angry, and pounced on El is fat beating: "Lao Tzu is a man, of course there is a need, if you don't have a girlfriend, don't you go to the tavern to find the maid, where to go, go to those brothels you opened......?

Needless to say, El can remember these things of Lorist so clearly, he must have observed them in secret, otherwise he would not have been so impressed, even Lorist himself has forgotten a few times, but El still remembers it so clearly.

After a beating, Lorist felt much more cheerful, sat back in his chair and said, "You know, El, before the northbound journey began, I first encountered such an obstacle as Slov, and I don't know how many tribulations I will encounter on the road in the future. I want to accept the maid's covetousness for the pleasure of men and women now, so what will you think of me, will you be disappointed in me and leave me? You have also been a superior person, and you know the difficulties of bringing a younger brother. As a leader of the northbound journey, I must endure hardships first and enjoy last. If it's because I'm greedy for beauty and people's hearts are scattered, it's not easy to lead the team. ”

El got up and nodded: "That's true, but it's a pity that these beautiful women have given up." ”

Lorist was measured, although El was beaten up, he didn't take it seriously because of his thick skin, and besides, he was used to being beaten by Lorist.

"There's no pity, there are many beautiful women in the world, this time it's a long way to the north, and those old students who follow us also have some benefits, I hope they have a crush when they arrive in the north, so that they can settle down in the north. By the way, El, I am reminded of one thing when you say this, that is, when we took this manor, didn't we capture a dozen Slov and the concubines of his cousin Pike the Great Swordsman, all of whom were very beautiful, and you should go to Rose and that Mons Malek later, and tell each of them to send two maids and maids, and let them choose two of them. For the rest, you can ask those old students, and if you want to, give them a maid, well, you can also choose one. Lorist said.

"Yes, sir. Elbow bowed.

......