When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 601 Ansel, Bryson, and South Mound County
In July, with Horn and Jeanne's return to the Holy See, the perpetual lease reform movement in Cassia County and South Mound County began.

The County of Cassia had been destroyed by war before, and with the death of Prince Condé and the escape of Putsilio, most of the nobles and knights followed him.

In addition, there were many more local free farmers than in other counties, so the perpetual lease reform was implemented quite smoothly, and at least thousands of knights entered Kasha County.

Thousands of knights' families began to migrate to the plains along water and land transportation.

But the reform of the perpetual leasehold in South Mound County was not so smooth.

First, the knights and nobles clamored, "We have clearly won, why are you depriving us of our rights?", and more than a dozen riots among knights and nobles broke out in various places.

However, they were all suppressed by the Black Champions who were deployed in advance. County Governor Silvis took the opportunity to force the knights to accept the reform reluctantly.

Later, it was revealed that the township sheriff was colluding with the old church forces, and Hillvis executed his subordinates in tears.

Within two days, a carriage carrying a dozen monks was attacked by the so-called "robber knights from Mound".

Then, Silvis and Jeshka joined forces to investigate the case, which implicated nearly thirty knights. The knight who committed the crime was publicly beheaded by the despot, and the two earls were ordered to be placed under house arrest in Xialu City.

It was not until the end of July and the beginning of August that County Mayor Hillis finally announced the start of the perpetual lease reform.

The monks did not do nothing during this month.

The efficient exorcist order, presided over by Madeleine herself, began to greatly streamline its organization, optimize finances, and eliminate a large number of unnecessary church positions.

In mid-July, they began to conduct doctrinal assessments and reviews on the remaining priests. By early August, Madeleine had reduced the number of priests from 7 to only 8.

When Kasha County had already begun to compile tax books and church property, South Mound County began to promote perpetual lease reforms in each village and manor.

August 1446, 8 of the Imperial Calendar, South Mound County, Mud Village.

On the muddy road surrounded by fences and cold trees, an old donkey with drooping ears was panting, with bags on both sides filled with documents and rations.

The still-warm sunlight filtered through the dense trees, casting undulating streaks of light across the road and the berry-laden bushes.

On both sides of the old donkey were two monks, one old and one young.

The young monk, who was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wore a brown-red thin woolen jacket similar to the Salvation Army style. The old monk was not too old, about forty years old, and wore a loose robe like an old-time priest.

If a stranger saw this group going to Knight Adrian's Manor to sign a perpetual lease, he would definitely think that the middle-aged monk was the leader.

But in fact, this young monk named Ansel is the real itinerant monk, and the middle-aged monk named Bryson beside him is an assistant transferred from the old church system.

Of course, they couldn't just go to Knight Adrian's Manor by themselves, with five Black Hat monks following them to protect them all the way.

South Mound County is not peaceful nowadays. Who knows, a few "robber knights" might appear from nowhere.

Smelling the cold and damp air, Ansel sneezed and rubbed his nose: "Uncle Bryson, how long will it take us to get to Adrian Knight Manor?"

Although Bryson is an assistant, Ansel does not treat him as superior. Instead, he addresses him warmly, using the kinship term.

Bryson looked around and saw a dilapidated cabin in the woods. "That's the hunter's cabin. We'll be there in about half an hour."

Bryson was previously the priest in charge of the church school in a nearby parish. He was a rare talent who could read the Gospel from beginning to end.

This was no easy task, for the Gospels were written in Irvine, and even Horn had only recently read them in their entirety.

After hearing what Bryson said, Ansel wrapped his clothes tightly around him and said, "It's so quiet in this forest. I haven't seen anyone along the way."

"It's quieter than before." Bryson said with emotion, "Many mountain people have followed their relatives to Plains County. They all want to leave this damn place."

Ansel clicked his tongue. “How can you say that? Thousand River Valley is our hometown, and South Mound County is also a part of it. How can it be a ghost place?”

"Yes, yes, I'm confused." Bryson lowered his head and smiled, and couldn't help but curl his lips secretly.

Although both are mountainous counties, the structure of South Mound County is completely different from that of Upper River County.

As it is close to Plain County, Upper River County can at least enjoy some benefits of the warm current monsoon, so there are many densely populated manors in the river valleys within the territory, such as High Castle Township. However, South Mound County is blocked by the Gaotai Mountains in the northwest, the Black Bone Swamp Mountains in the west, and the highlands of North County in the southwest.

Also located on the Ibe River, North Mound County has a vast amount of ore that can be sold to the outside world, and Mound County can benefit from the trade benefits of the Longmian Mountain Pass.

There is nothing to eat in South Mound County.

The mountains here are lower than those in Upper River County, but there are more of them, and there are river valleys and cols everywhere.

Therefore, most of them are centered around plain churches, with small manors and villages built in all directions along rivers and mountains.

There were often no-man's lands between the two parishes, with miles as the unit of measurement. Every winter, the lords would take armed peasants to the forest to hunt wolves, otherwise merchants would not be able to come in.

Its only resource is copper and tin minerals, but they are located in the dense forest and swamp area on the west side, which is the Quagmire Township where Bryson is located.

As if he had caught a glimpse of Bryson's pout, Ansel said seriously, "Don't disbelieve me. Just wait and see. I guarantee that the people here will love their hometown. Besides, there's nothing wrong with this place. I thought it would be so cold and so hot, but it seems not so bad."

"Alas, I am old now, I don't know when I can see it."

Bryson nodded in agreement, guessing in his heart that the man was probably talking about the Ibe River dredging plan.

It is said that the county governor has recently been discussing with the Patriarch about dredging the Ibe River in the swamp area to allow ships to pass through.

Looking at Ansel's fighting spirit, he secretly smiled bitterly.

We can only hope that it can be completed before the Kingdom of Leia counterattacks. At least this way the Saviors can leave some benefits for the mountain people.

After Ansel took a few more steps, he turned his head again and asked, "Uncle Bryson, what kind of person is this Knight Adrian?"

Bryson thought for a moment and said, "He is considered the largest manor knight in the vicinity. His manor has 450 people and 3100 acres of land."

Ansel, who was born in Langsand County, couldn't help but ask: "Is this big?"

"Why not? Sometimes there are only a dozen households and less than a hundred people in our village." Bryson recalled and narrated, "This Knight Adrian should be only 30 years old this year. His father died of alcoholism. He also likes to drink. He probably has the strength of the third stage of breathing method."

"I mean, what kind of man is he?"

"He's a very generous person." Bryson scratched his head. "He often goes out to hunt wolves and then hires villagers to tan furs. When there is a poor harvest, he often rents out the land on credit and provides seeds. His reputation is... not bad."

"This knight is quite open-minded. Our trip is relatively easy." Ansel blew his clear nose onto the leaves beside him and said happily.

But Bryson seemed to be hesitant to speak, and finally lowered his head with a puzzled expression.

"Hahahaha." Bryson had only taken a few steps when he heard a familiar, rough laugh.

The smell of sweat mixed with alcohol hit me, and a tall, fat knight with a flushed face rushed over from behind the wooden fence and hugged Bryson: "Father Bryson, it's been a long time."

There was a sound of bones creaking in Blaise's body, and he said with difficulty: "Knight Adrian, this, this is Ansel, the patrolling monk."

Ansel held out his hand to Adrian: "Hello."

"Hello, hello." Knight Adrian ignored Ansel's outstretched hand and gave him a big hug, holding the donkey enthusiastically. "Come on, come on, let's go to the house and have a hot meal first. I heard that you were coming, so I've been waiting here since the sun rose."

"Mr. Adrian, do you know what we are here for?" Ansel almost fainted at the stench of Adrian's armpit and the smell of alcohol, but he still forced himself to ask.

"I know. It's just a perpetual lease. I agree. It's great that we don't have to worry about it anymore." Adrian patted Ansel on the back. "Let's eat first. I've already given instructions. Let everyone in the manor gather together. After eating, you can go and give a lecture."

As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and smiled at the five monks, "Would you like to eat together?"

“No, it’s enough for us to escort you here.” The leader nodded to Ansel and said, “We patrol here every three days. If there is any emergency, use red mane wood to light a signal to summon us.”

"Thank you for your hard work!"

(End of this chapter)