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Chapter 9: The Man Who Looted Fort Comoy
The scratches and swelling on Xia Zuoyi’s body were already well, his right arm couldn’t move for the time being, and was hung by a cloth on his chest.
While sitting on a chair being fed by Udit, a servant came in and passed on that the twelve knights sent by His Majesty the King had arrived at the castle.
“I’m full, Udit.”
Xia Zuoyi swallowed the last bite of the soft white bread and said to the servant, “Take them into the hall and wait for me. I’ll be there later.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After a little cleaning up, Xia Zuoyi went over and saw twelve knights neatly standing in the hall.
One of them was standing in the front with a straight posture and a handsome natural face. His helmet was taken off and placed in the bend of his left arm, while his right hand was casually pressing the hilt of the big sword tied around his waist.
His eyes were looking around curiously. After hearing the sound of footsteps, he turned his head and smiled at Xia Zuoyi, “Walker William has come to report, my lord.”
Walker William began, and the knights behind him reported their names one by one.
It seems that he is the knight commander who was sent to Wissas for some unknown reason.
Xia Zuoyi is picked up by Udit and sits on the high chair, thinking, and then says, “It’s been a hard journey.”
“I’ve arranged accommodation. You can have a rest and come to the hall tomorrow morning.”
Walker William, “At your command, Lord Earl.”
After the twelve knights left.
Udit said, “My lord, what do you plan to let them do?”
Xia Zuoyi, “At present, the population of Wissas is too small, and so are the knights. Without talents, there is no way to develop.”
“The reason why they bullied me without scruple was that Wissas is poor and backward, and there’s no cavalry to fight against them… They look down on me.”
Udit felt sorry for his poor Lord Earl.
The little Earl shrank in his chair with a grieved slumped mouth, bulging white cheeks, and drooping long curly eyelashes, “I need knights to serve in my territory, I need more civilians to move to Wissas… What do you think of this? Udit.”
Udit, “This is not easy, my lord.”
Xia Zuoyi blinked, “I know, but interests drive everything. As long as enough benefits are given, people who are interested will take the bait voluntarily, don’t you think?”
Udit smiled, “It seems that you1 have a plan.”
Xia Zuoyi, “Let’s go to the study and discuss it.”
…
The next day.
Walker William brought the remaining eleven knights to the hall to assemble.
“Excuse me, what is your order? My lord.”
Xia Zuoyi motioned to Toby to hand over the things he’s holding to them.
Toby stepped forward and handed out a sheet of parchment for each person.
“This is…”
Walker William’s smiling face showed a trace of doubt, and when he read the content on the parchment, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Wissas’ enlistment conditions and provision of tax law?”
Taylor Kennedy behind him couldn’t help but recite the top conscription conditions, “…recruit men aged 14 to 20 years old for voluntary service, should be healthy, without physical disability or mental defect… Identities including, but are not limited to, civilians, slaves, etc. can all undergo preliminary examination.”
Men on the Western Continent have reached adulthood at the age of 14.
What surprised Taylor Kennedy and even the other knights was that slaves could also participate for evaluation?!
Barnard Larry immediately said, “My lord, this is against the rules!”
“I have never heard that slaves can become knights, this condition insults the honor of knights!”
The other knights also expressed approval.
Walker William didn’t express his opinion, and he didn’t show much disgust or resistance. Instead, he looked down at the parchment with great interest.
Xia Zuoyi, “I understand that not everyone can be a knight.”
“A knight must learn all kinds of knight etiquette from an early age, receive various training, and learn the spirit of chivalry. A knight must possess the eight virtues2, observe morality, have a complete canonization ceremony, and make a declaration in front of the God of Creation…”
“Am I right?”
Interest flashed in Walker William’s eyes, “You are very correct, my lord.”
Xia Zuoyi, “But even after such a strict process to become a knight, can you guarantee that everyone can unswervingly abide by chivalry, virtue and morality?”
The glory of a knight is not strict.
Walker William raised the corner of his mouth, “Of course not, my lord.”
Taylor can’t help but think of Keith William, he doesn’t possess the virtues of a knight!
Barnard Larry said, “Lord Earl, I also know that not everyone can become a qualified and perfect knight, but a lowly slave is even more impossible. The glory of a knight cannot be tarnished.”
Xia Zuoyi, “So the conditions for conscription say that slaves can only become reserve soldiers after screening, and civilians can become ordinary soldiers. They are not knights.”
The military system on the Western Continent is not perfect, the division of arms is not clear, and the fighting basically depends on knights.
But cavaliers are not productive, and it is very expensive to raise them.
For example, Duke Bass Richards had more than one hundred knights and two squads cavalry under him.
By comparison, we can see how many knights there are in Wissas.
Xia Zuoyi, “In the army, you speak by strength.”
“Slaves can become free citizens by accumulating merits, and continue to accumulate merits to advance upwards, and the same is true for civilians.”
“A knight can hold an important position in the army, to examine and assess whether a soldier is eligible to be a knight.”
He did not put all his thoughts on the parchment.
The highest position written on the paper is the knight commander.
But yesterday, he exchanged his reputation value for a copy of “Classification And Titles of Military Ranks”.
Wissas needs to develop slowly, he also needs time to grow up. His ambition should be put into his stomach for the time being.
Barnard Larry seems to be still struggling with the point that “a slave can be a knight”.
Xia Zuoyi said, “I’m in charge of my territory. You just need to obey and act on orders.”
Banard Larry shut his mouth angrily.
Walker William, “My lord, are you sure you want to do this?”
“The content on the parchment will probably arouse great repercussions after it is released. After all, as far as I know, this is unprecedented in the Kingdom of Gadaat…”
It is estimated that it is also the first one in the entire Western Continent.
Xia Zuoyi, “Of course, I’m sure.”
“Okay, follow your instructions.” Walker William smiled, “What do you want us to do?”
Xia Zuoyi, “I want you to find someone to make more copies according to the contents on the parchment, then go to Fort Comoy to post the notice of recruitment and tax reduction of Wissas in conspicuous places around the city, and you will preach and explain it.”
“No matter what method you use, be sure to inform everyone in Fort Comoy of this content.”
“Remember, it’s everyone.”
The smile on Walker William’s face couldn’t help but widen.
The remaining eleven knights looked at each other for unknown reasons.
On the way to Fort Comoy via Pal Mountain.
Barnard couldn’t help saying, “Lord William, why do you think the earl asked us to go to Fort Comoy and paste the recruitment conditions and tax regulations… Even if it’s pasted, why do we still talk about it?!”
He thought of it in Wissas.
Walker, “The earl naturally has his intentions, and we just follow it.”
Barnard was depressed.
Could it be that he really will preach the contents of the parchment to a bunch of civilians or slaves? He doesn’t know if he can open his mouth at that time.
Taylor Kennedy rode his horse to Walker William’s side, “My lord, what do you think of Earl Desinia?”
“Interesting.”
Walker William seemed to think of something, and his smile deepened again, “Don’t you think the little earl is very cute?”
White, soft, and round.
Taylor Kennedy was silent.
Because there is no way to refute this sentence.
He said, “The earl seems to have some disagreements with the lord of Fort Comoy…”
All the recruits are recruited from the other party’s territory.
“Probably, who knows.” Walker said indifferently.
Taylor couldn’t help saying, “But the earl asked you to go to Fort Comoy with us… Cough, such a hateful thing, he must know that in your capacity, Earl Beavis Elliott will not embarrass and stop us.”
If it was changed to a knight in Wissas, it would be nothing more than being driven out in the end.
Walker raised his eyebrows, “So, isn’t Earl Desinia very clever?”
“…You are right.”
After a while.
Taylor spoke again, “Lord William, are you happy to come to Wissas? If there is a chance, do you want to return to the royal city?”
Walker William stopped humming and looked at him, “If the little earl can always be so interesting, I don’t want to go back.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Next, Taylor Kennedy stopped talking.
Fort Comoy.
Barnard Larry sighed that the city was indeed richer and more prosperous than Wissas, then stopped and waited for Walker William’s orders.
Walker, “First, find a few literate civilians and explain to them, then hire them to lead the way. Choose a direction each, starting from the edge of Fort Comoy and advance into the city, sweeping preaching, is it clear?”
“Clear! Lord.”
The eleven knights answered in a loud voice.
On this day, Fort Comoy was “forced” into turmoil.
Emotions such as shock, surprise, unbelievable, etc… swept into every corner of the city, no place being let go.
Fort Comoy is boiling.
Earl Beavis Elliott finally knew the cause and effect of the incident and was so angry that his lungs, liver, and whole body ached.
He was angry that Desinia had openly let the knights enter his territory to preach, recruit people, and slap him in the face.
However, he was helpless.
After all, Walker William isn’t only a knight commander, but also the son of a marquis.
Beavis Elliott did not realize the danger of Wissas’ conscription to Fort Comoy. Instead, he laughed at Desinia for accepting lowly slaves and reducing taxes in the territory.
This is to push money out.
But he didn’t know that the establishment of a chamber of commerce to sell salt was Xia Zuoyi’s biggest support.
—The population settled down, and the army was raised by business.
The author has something to say:
Xia Zuoyi: The first step to revenge.
Translator’s Notes:
Take note that every time Udit or anyone else that are lower rank (servants, subordinates, etc.) than MC, they’re using you, which is more formal (您 [nín]). The less formal way would be (你 [nǐ]) that are used for friends, anyone you’re close with, etc. From Wikipedia – “The Four Cardinal Principles and Eight Virtues are a set of Confucian foundational principles of morality. The Four Cardinal Principles are propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. The Eight Virtues are loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, honesty, justice, harmony, and peace.”