The Serene Life of Lord Ashford

Chapter 16: Plans and Building Trust

The next day, Lawson and Frank entered, carrying the reports, to deliver their findings to William. Seated on the sofa, the young Lord greeted them with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Good afternoon, my Lord," Lawson and Frank greeted in unison.

William nodded and gestured for them to take a seat. The steward promptly poured cups of tea for everyone.

Frank began by reporting that the renovations of the manor were halfway through, and the other assistants had diligently conducted the census, gathering valuable data on the current population. According to their findings, the territory comprised a total of 1,150 individuals, with 805 of them being serfs. Ashford Town accommodated 860 residents, while Welton Village had 95, Granger Village had 120, and Riverwood Village had 75 inhabitants.

Acknowledging the thorough report, William expressed his gratitude. The concern regarding the population of free men was no longer at the forefront of his mind, as the implemented changes in the territory, such as cleaner air and reduced taxation, were anticipated to attract more settlers. However, recognizing the need for additional manpower to address the various developmental aspects of his territory, William has a plan to purchase serfs.

Frank further informed William of the serfs' findings regarding suitable locations for water wheel construction near Riverwood Village and Granger Village. The water levels and stability of the river banks made these locations ideal. Lawson emphasized the importance of completing the construction before the end of spring plowing to increase the grain harvest.

"Excellent news. I urge you to recruit as many individuals as possible. Speeding up the construction of the water wheels is our priority," William commanded, emphasizing the significance of their goal.

As the meeting continued, Lawson proposed a solution to address the growing number of idle individuals in town. He suggested hiring them to reclaim unused wasteland, which would greatly enhance food production. William agreed, stating that land would be allocated to everyone, including the participating serfs. He assured that only 50 percent of the first harvest would be claimed.

William had no intention of abolishing the current system, he recognized that excessive oppression would suppress the people's enthusiasm and result in lower productivity. Fairly distributing the output would significantly increase the grain yield across the entire territory.

William's confidence shone through as he explained that with the arrival of spring, a new farming season was about to begin. Once the water wheels were operational, the abundant water resources would be maximized, and the amount of arable land can be expanded.

Lawson and Frank couldn't help but feel that there was more to their Lord than met the eye. The young noble's actions, such as paying workers and registering their information, had earned him prestige among the common folk. The residents of Ashford Town were buzzing with talk about their Lord.

Observing William's poised and determined demeanor, both of them couldn't help but admire the changes they had witnessed. The Lord's grand ambitions for the territory ignited inspiration within Lawson and Frank, who felt honored to be a part of it all.