The Serene Life of Lord Ashford

Chapter 15: Census Update

In the study, Lawson and an unfamiliar individual awaited William's arrival, prepared to receive his instructions.

Upon entering, William inquired about the progress of the counting efforts.

"This is Frank, the apprentice I recruited. He will provide the report," Lawson introduced.

"Greetings, my Lord. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to personally speak with you," Frank expressed joyfully.

William smiled warmly and accepted Frank's heartfelt salute.

"Frank, please proceed," William encouraged.

"My Lord, we have successfully counted all the serfs, but less than one-third of the commoners have been registered," Frank spoke with a tinge of shame.

Frank proceeded to explain the challenges they faced during the census process, particularly the resistance encountered by some unruly individuals who adamantly refused to comply with the registration.

William let out a regretful sigh. "I should have anticipated such obstacles. There are always those ignorant troublemakers who fail to recognize the value of our efforts."

He continued, his tone tinged with disappointment, "Consider this: when someone is unemployed and without a means to support themselves, this census can serve as a tool to assist them in finding new employment opportunities."

Lawson contemplated William's words and nodded in agreement, understanding the underlying intention.

"When conducting the census, make it clear to them. Help them comprehend that this endeavor aims to alleviate unemployment. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure they recognize my benevolent intentions," William emphasized.

Lawson grasped the significance of praising William's noble character in order to garner cooperation and goodwill.

"Ultimately, the census must be completed expeditiously and without errors. I will assign the town guards to support you. All registered individuals will receive five copper coins, including the serfs," William stated firmly.

His voice lowered as he addressed those causing trouble, "As for those who persist in disruptive behavior, they shall undergo a month of labor reform alongside the serfs, collecting excrement without remuneration."

Both Frank and Lawson nodded, acknowledging William's instructions.

As William had foreseen, with the arrival of the town guards led by Lawson and his apprentice Frank, along with other newly appointed assistants, a noticeable sense of order enveloped the census proceedings. The presence of authority acted as a deterrent to any further resistance, and individuals gradually realized the advantages of actively participating in the registration process.

Lawson, now supported by the town guards, swiftly organized the efforts, ensuring a systematic and accurate census. The promise of compensation for registration and the implementation of consequences for those who continued to cause trouble fostered a cooperative atmosphere.

With each passing day, the number of registered individuals steadily increased, bringing William's vision of a comprehensive census one step closer to reality. The Lord's determination, coupled with Lawson's leadership and the support of the town guards, instilled a sense of purpose among the populace.

Through their collective efforts, the territory of Ashford began to witness the emergence of order, unity, and the promise of a brighter future.

A few days ago, Old Tom, the fisherman, had been avoiding encounters with the officials responsible for population statistics, fearing that it would lead to some unfortunate consequences. However, the recent surge in census-related announcements posted on roadsides and the presence of individuals loudly proclaiming the Lord's intentions made him realize that it might actually be a good thing.

After all, the registration process came with a reward of 5 copper coins per person. For those without a source of income, it was said that the Lord's assistance could help them secure new employment opportunities.

In present times, the people of Ashford Town lined up in an orderly manner in front of the temporary prefabricated house at the town center. Fearing they might miss out on receiving their copper coins, they arrived early. Lawson had also dispatched officials to the three villages to conduct the census.

Old Tom, being among the early arrivals, secured a place in the front row. He could observe the town guards maintaining order, ensuring that the line progressed smoothly. The crowd wasn't unruly or pushy. However, many individuals wore tattered clothes and emitted unpleasant odors. Understandably, no one preferred to be in close proximity to such individuals.

When it was finally Old Tom's turn, Frank not bothering to look up, asked, "Can you read and write?"

"No," Old Tom scratched his head and replied.

"In that case, I will ask the questions, and you must answer truthfully. Remember, future random inspections will be conducted, and anyone found to have lied or concealed information will have their entire family reduced to serfdom," Frank cautioned.

"Understood, understood," Old Tom quivered in response, his voice trembling.

Soon, Frank began posing a series of questions, ranging from age and address to occupation and skills. Old Tom provided answers one by one, ensuring their accuracy.

Upon completing the questionnaire, Frank placed 25 copper coins on the table. Old Tom swiftly and carefully collected the coins, holding them in his hand as though they were a precious treasure. Old Tom had a wife and three children to support. With a total of 25 copper coins, they could finally afford to have another dish tonight.

The sensation of the copper coins within his grasp brought an unexpected sense of delight to Old Tom's heart.

Truly, the Lord is a kind and benevolent man!

With the town guards maintaining order and the allure of copper coins, the previously challenging census suddenly became a smooth and efficient process.

The other officials responsible for registering information no longer had to wander from door to door. Instead, they simply positioned their stools at designated locations and witnessed countless individuals eagerly lining up to be registered.

Lawson, too, felt a sense of relief. He no longer needed to actively engage in the registration process; a few rounds of overseeing the location sufficed.

Before he knew it, three days had passed, and the census was finally complete. However, as Lawson stood before a wagon filled to the brim with parchment, a sense of dissatisfaction welled up within him.

Over the course of a week, the substantial amount of paper that had accumulated in the Lord's residence, including what they had brought from Rose Hill City, had been completely depleted. Such wasteful consumption had occurred under his careful supervision.

Despite his discontent, Lawson knew that the situation had reached its conclusion. He led the town guards in escorting this valuable collection of information back to the Lord.