Chapter 8: Black Pearl Wine

Knight Commander Kendall did not stay for dinner at the manor.

After announcing the Baron’s decree, he led the Patrol Knights and set off on the Charcoal Ash Road while the last rays of sunlight lingered.

“Old Hans and the five village chiefs stay, everyone else go home,” Russell concluded the noisy oath-taking ceremony.

The serf overseers left, and the onlookers quickly dispersed, not daring to linger near the manor house.

“Lord, the study is ready. You can use it at any time,” the middle-aged butler in a well-tailored tailcoat reported.

“Thank you, Morris,” Russell smiled.

Morris was his new butler, whom Russell had already met on the way here. He had previously worked at the manor house in town.

Dusklight Baron had many similar manor houses on his fief, each equipped with servants for management.

Including the mansion of Black Waist Snake Manor.

“It is my duty to serve you, Lord,” Morris replied, pleased by Russell’s gratitude. He then introduced the two middle-aged servants standing beside him, “These two are the remaining male and female servants of the manor, Mr. and Mrs. Brown.”

“How do you do, Lord?” the Browns hurriedly bowed to Russell.

“Please rise, Mr. and Mrs. Brown,” Russell knew that Morris had brought these two over to ask for his instructions, so he stated directly, “Since you have chosen to stay at the manor house, follow Butler Morris.”

“Thank you, sir, thank you, sir!” The Browns thanked him happily.

Strictly speaking, they were the Baron’s servants. If Russell did not take them in, they would have to return to Fluorescent Castle to wait for reassignment.

“Morris, have someone bring tea into the study,” Russell instructed casually.

Then he said to Charles and Eric, “My retainers and both of you teachers, follow me to the study. Old Hans and the five village chiefs, come with us as well.”

The manor house was not very large, divided into two floors with a basement.

The layout was somewhat like a square fortress, with about twelve rooms on the ground floor: five in the front, five in the back, and one on each side of the connecting areas.

In the center of the mansion was a rectangular courtyard garden about the size of three rooms.

The lord and servants lived on different floors.

The study, of course, was on the second floor.

“Russell, we should have a good drink tonight to celebrate your official takeover of the fief,” Charles followed closely behind Russell and looked around. “Hmm, the manor house looks unimpressive from the outside, but it’s quite spacious inside. Living here will be quite comfortable!”

“Teacher, are you planning to buy property on the estate?” Russell asked.

Eric nodded, “Yes.”

Charles shrugged, “Russell, just rent me a single room. My wife likes the hustle and bustle of the city and uses the excuse that our children still have to attend the Knight Academy in town, so she doesn’t want to move to the estate.”

Then, changing the subject, he chuckled, “This is good too. I can enjoy my freedom and drink whenever I want.”

“The affairs of the estate will require your assistance, Charles, especially the estate court,” Russell said.

“Of course, it’s my duty,” Charles smiled.

“All right, everyone, please be seated,” Russell sat down behind the desk, and Butler Morris brought a servant to set up chairs for everyone.

Once everyone was seated and tea was served, Russell looked around the study. The two teachers, four retainers, an estate overseer, and five village chiefs were all present, forming the core leadership of the entire estate.

“Old Hans, please present the situation of Black Waist Snake Estate first.”

“Yes, sir,” Old Hans quickly stood up and, at Russell’s repeated urging, sat down on the edge of the chair to report, “Black Waist Snake Estate is 19,500 hectares in size, with 15,000 hectares under cultivation, divided into five villages…”

The five villages were Barley Village, Wheat Village, Alfalfa Village, Lentil Village, and Bean Barley Village.

As their names suggest, Barley Village grew mostly barley, Lentil Village grew mostly lentils, and Bean Barley Village grew both wheat and lentils… Black Waist Snake Estate’s original role in the Dusklight River Valley was to produce grain and fodder.

In addition, the serfs raised some poultry and a small amount of livestock.

In short, the industry was very single.

Afterwards, the five village chiefs each presented the situation of farms and serfs in their respective villages.

In an estate, about 10 to 12 serf households formed a row, with a serf overseer responsible for coordinating farming, settling disputes, and helping to collect taxes. Ten rows formed a village, with a village chief, similar to a production team leader.

Above the village chief was the estate overseer, who was appointed by the baron and was roughly equivalent to a village head.

The overseer was also responsible for managing all the permanent workers on the farm, such as the haulers, milkers, and shepherds. However, Black Waist Snake Estate had no permanent workers, and Old Hans’ job was to manage all the serfs on the estate.

“Old Hans, you will continue to serve as overseer of the estate,” Russell said.

“Old Hans thanks you for your confidence, Lord. Please rest assured that I will manage the estate well for you, diligently flogging the lazy serfs and growing crops for you, Lord!” Old Hans immediately patted his chest and guaranteed it.

He then rambled on, promising that when Russell needed grass cutting, wood chopping, road repair, or land reclamation, he could immediately gather no fewer than 500 serfs for service each day.

And they would not need the estate to provide meals, since the serfs would provide their own food.

In short, Old Hans was quite adept when it came to exploiting serfs.

Frowning, Russell was not yet fully accustomed to the serf system in this world. Before his transmigration, he had jokingly called himself a “mortgage slave” and complained about the 996 work schedule, but at least he was paid for his work and never had to work for free and provide his own meals.

However, he had no immediate plans to rise up and overthrow the serf system; after all, he was now a serf lord himself!

“Be a little kinder to the serfs, Old Hans,” said Russell.

Old Hans was immediately moved, “Lord, you are truly merciful. The serfs are lucky to have a lord like you!”

“Um…”

The flattery came too suddenly, and Russell was at a loss for words.

Ignoring Old Hans’s flattery, Russell said to Charles and Eric, “Father gave me three sprite grubs, and we must plant the appropriate magical herbs as soon as possible. Tomorrow you will accompany me to survey the estate and plan the magic herb fields.”

“Ah, so soon, Russell? Why not rest for a few days?” Charles laughed, “There’s plenty of time.”

“The sooner we finish, the sooner we can relax,” Russell said.

He had a comprehensive plan for Black Waist Snake Estate, and such a large fief would be a waste if managed in the old way, especially given his identity as a transmigrator.

Charles agreed, “Of course, everything is up to you, you are the Lord.”

Then he chuckled, “But the banquet tonight must not be perfunctory, Russell. We must celebrate properly tonight.”

Russell did not dampen the mood and he smiled, “Of course… Butler Morris, instruct the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous banquet. Also, I remember Father gave me a batch of aged Black Pearl wine. Use it for tonight’s meal.”

Morris took the order and left.

Charles’ eyes lit up, “Russell, you are a generous and magnanimous lord!”