Chapter 19: Windmill

“Ah, my lord, Old Hans is just a foreman. When it comes to whipping the serfs and urging them to work, Old Hans is quite skilled”.

Hearing Russell’s question, Old Hans immediately broke into a bitter smile. “But when it comes to developing the estate, Old Hans truly doesn’t know how. My lord, you are our lord, a noble of the great Fluorescent Mushroom lineage. Surely you can lead us to a better life.”

Faced with Old Hans’ flattery, Russell shook his head helplessly. Times had changed, and it was indeed challenging to motivate his servants and serfs to be proactive.

He changed his approach. “Let me put it this way, Old Hans. You’ve lived here a long time. Do you think there is anything missing? Or, what do you find most inconvenient about living on the estate, like the roads or the food supply?”

Russell, of course, had big ambitions for the development of Black Waist Snake Estate. The future could be planned out in vivid detail, but he hadn’t yet decided on the first step. It felt like everything needed development, but with a blank canvas there were too many places to start, and he didn’t know where to make the first mark.

Old Hans had previously managed the estate, and Russell wanted to hear his suggestions.

“This… ” Old Hans looked at the young, handsome lord and hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should offer advice to the lord. Although he was the foreman of the estate, in reality he was just a servant of the lord.

A servant does what the master commands. Giving advice was something that should be done by someone like Sir Charles or Knight Commander Eric.

But when he saw the serious look on Russell’s face, a warm feeling rose in Old Hans’ heart. He saw a glimmer of hope in the young lord, like the first rays of the morning sun. It reminded him of over twenty years ago, when he saw the Baron in the fields, full of vigor and spirit.

That was the legacy of nobility. Despite the fact that the Baron was perhaps a bit less handsome than the current Lord Russell, he still had a noble aura.

“Just speak your mind. It’s just a casual conversation,” Russell encouraged with a supportive look.

Old Hans smiled, somewhat sycophantically. “My lord, if we could build a mill on the estate, I think it would be much more convenient for the serfs to grind their flour. Otherwise, they have to travel a long way to the city to grind flour, and they often have to stand in line.”

“A mill, you say.” Russell nodded.

The main staple in the Dusklight River Valley was flour, with bread being the most important food. Wheat, barley, rye, and oats were widely grown.

Flour wasn’t easy to store, so the serfs had to carry their grain to the mill whenever they needed to make bread. This meant that they were dependent on the mill throughout the year, and most of the mills in the Dusklight River Valley were located in the city.

It took more than two hours to ride from Black Waist Snake Estate to the town, and it would take even longer to walk.

“Excellent suggestion, Old Hans. I will consider it.”

“Oh, praise my lord. All the serfs will be grateful for your generosity and kindness,” Old Hans flattered.

Russell calmly accepted the praise; he was indeed considering the well-being of his people.

Soon after, Charles rode up. “My Lord Russell, you are either guarding the wormwood or inspecting the fields. No noble lord is more dedicated than you. The dragon is watching, and the Duke should recruit you to run the court.”

“If the Shadowflame Dragon is really watching me, the Duke should make me Chief Minister,” Russell joked.

“Who says not?” 

“Teacher Charles, you are just in time. I want to build a mill on the estate. Do you think the nearby Dusklight River is suitable for a water mill?”

“From the manor to the birch forest, the Dusklight River hardly flows, making it unsuitable. Further downstream, near the Resounding Water River Cave, the water flows quickly, but it doesn’t feel very safe.”

Russell asked, “Will the freemen from the caves attack the mill?”

“Of course. Those starving wretches are always trying to sneak into the manor to steal and rob. They certainly won’t let a mill go unharmed.”

“Then we can only build a windmill.” Russell turned to Old Hans. “Where on the estate is the wind strongest, and where does it blow all year round?”

Old Hans replied, “The windiest place is definitely Alfalfa Village, especially the slopes near Blade Mountain. The wind is always howling there.”

The Dusklight River Valley was a basin between two mountains.

To the west, the continuous mountain range was Blade Mountain. Although it was not very high, it resembled a curved blade, protecting the western border of Dusklight River Valley. The snow and ice were also blocked by Blade Mountain.

“Then let’s find a place in Alfalfa Village to build a windmill.” Russell made the decision without hesitation.

Charles stroked his chin. “Russell, building a windmill will cost a lot of money.”

“A water mill is not feasible, and a mill powered by animals is inefficient. To meet the needs of the entire estate, we must build at least one windmill,” Russell explained. “Otherwise, the serfs will have to go to the city to grind their flour.”

The Dusklight River Valley was too long, with a considerable distance between the north and south. A trip to the city could take a whole day, which was a waste of time.

Once the windmill was built, the time saved could be used by the serfs to serve the lord and build a better home.

No one could oppose the lord’s decision. The moment Russell decided to build the windmill, it became a part of the Black Waist Snake Estate.

“Old Hans, I must gather a hundred workers to build the windmill. Tell the serfs they will get two meals a day and don’t need to bring their own food.” Russell did not mistreat the serfs, but he also did not offer them wages.

Most lords who hired serfs for service not only did not pay them, but required them to bring their own food.

Old Hans praised him, saying, “You are a generous lord. Praise the dragon, may the light shine upon you. My lord, you will surely become a great Dragon Knight!”

“Teacher Charles, I need you to go to the city and contact the craftsmen who can build a windmill. Hire them to oversee the construction.”

“That’s a small matter,” Charles smiled. “Serving the Fluorescent Mushroom family, even without meals, the stonemasons and carpenters would be more than willing.”

“Not only will meals be provided, but I will also pay for them.”

“That’s not necessary, Russell. They would work for anyone.” Charles didn’t understand why Russell would spend money on the craftsmen when it wasn’t necessary – most of them were already the serfs of the Fluorescent Mushroom family.

“It’s no problem, just a little compensation,” Russell didn’t explain.

His values often didn’t align with those of the native nobles, and he felt the moral baseline should be raised.

“You are truly generous.” Charles shrugged, it wasn’t his money after all.