I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 111: Gathering the Victims (45)

Hoffman's forehead wrinkles accumulated, and his eyes looking at Luke became more and more serious.

Descendants of the Upper Lorraine nobility.

There is an unknown source of charcoal.

I hadn't seen him last summer, which means that in less than a year he had already made friends with the local church, married Baldwin's daughter, and was knighted by Burgundy.

The fiefdom with only one bridge could actually support at least three followers and had a close relationship with Old Eck's Ward Village.

Now, he told himself that he had a trade route that could bypass Cooper Castle?

Hoffman suppressed his speculation and counted out forty pfennigs and handed them to Luc. This was the price of two mules of charcoal, which was practically free.

"Okay, when I come back in the second half of the year, I'll give you the dividends."

"Okay, remember to bring more empty mules next time. Winter is coming and the demand for charcoal will increase."

Hoffman nodded solemnly. It seemed that Knight Luc could indeed provide a large amount of charcoal. He might really be about to get a new industrial pillar!

"What goods did you bring back from the south this time?"

Luc stood up and looked around the mule. Hoffman walked over and explained:
"It's the same normal stuff, but with a little extra olive oil."

“Olive?”

"Are there any seeds?"

"Well, not really, but I have some rye seed. Would you like some?"

Luc waved his hand, he no longer lacked food for farming.

"So, when you come back in the second half of the year, collect some seeds from the Bavarian region. Besides grains like rye and wheat, collect as many other seeds as you can."

Since we have become partners and I am both an investor and a supplier, I must make full use of the Hoffman Caravan to make profits for myself.

The clever Hoffman did not ask the reason and nodded decisively.

After thinking for a moment, Hoffman untied the package around his waist, rummaged through it, and pulled out a handful of lush green fruit ears. He handed them to Luc and said, "Since you want seeds, I have some in my package."

"Oh?"

Luke looked over and saw a pile of special seeds with their shells stacked together in Hoffman's palm.

"I pick them by the roadside. When I can't sleep at night, I just smell them and fall asleep immediately, just like taking a sip of wine."

Luc took the bunch of fruit from Hoffman, held it up to the sunlight, and his eyes gradually showed a strange look.

He suppressed his excitement and asked, "How many of these seeds do you have left?"

"It's not much, just a small bag. If you like it, I'll give it to you for free for the sake of our friendship."

Hoffmann gave away what he considered to be insignificant seeds, which were readily available in Bavaria.

But he didn't know that what he gave away was called Hemp Flower.

And it has another name

——Hops!

After letting Ryan accept the seeds and looking around for the goods he didn't want to buy, Luke asked one last question.

"Hoffman, did you see any young and strong disaster victims on your way here?"

"Young and strong disaster victims?"

"You want to recruit refugees?"

Luc nodded in agreement. There was nothing to hide. It was perfectly normal for a knight to recruit a few refugees.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed Old Eck to build a new house in the mountains to accommodate the refugees. Hoffman rubbed his tangled beard and fell into thought. His hair was sparse, but his beard was very thick.

"With all due respect, Knight Luc, this matter is not easy to handle. It's not just you. Many lords are gathering refugees, but they have already turned those strong men and beautiful women into slaves before you. If you really want to recruit, I think you must go south to the edge of Cooper Castle and compete with your colleagues for the refugees."

Hoffman picked up a branch and traced the route in his mind on the ground. He pointed to a spot in the south and said, "It's here, the edge of Cooper Castle, about seven miles from here."

"When I passed by yesterday, I saw about thirty or forty disaster victims, but I'm not sure if they're still there. If you want to gather them, it's best to leave now."

"My Lord, I have been here before and know how to avoid some of the knights' villages."

At this time, George, with his nose and eyebrows squeezed together, came over and swore.

"Very good." Luc nodded. "Let's get going now. Hoffman, don't forget our agreement. I'll come to collect the dividends and seeds in the second half of the year."

"Of course!"

……

The seven-mile plain was far less difficult to travel than the mountain road. On the way, Luc stopped at Cooper's Castle and bought a large amount of wheat bran and a little rye.

If you want to gather the victims, you cannot do it without food, otherwise they will not follow you on their own initiative. The victims are already starving, and some wheat bran is enough to cope with it.

Following George, we avoided the fiefdoms of various knights and before we reached the southernmost part, a group of ragged victims were walking towards the north.

Lüke pulled the reins and took a closer look. There were not thirty-four people as Hoffman said, but probably only about twenty. They were all pale and thin, with sunken eyes. The soles of the shoes they bought from the second-hand shoemaker had long been worn through. Their hair was like a bird's nest, and the linen on their bodies was torn into strips.

They also saw Luc and retreated.

Fortunately, Luc was riding a horse wearing chain mail and equipped with a shield with emblems, and did not look like a bandit, so the victims did not flee in panic.

After asking George, he learned that the nearest knight's territory was some distance away, so he dismounted and asked Jill and George to start boiling the bran.

About half of the twenty victims were young and middle-aged people, and the others were elderly and children.

While the victims were still there, Ryan, carrying his knight's sword, took a step forward and shouted at the top of his voice, "Everyone look here!"

Ryan's voice attracted the attention of the victims, and he pointed to the mule cart next to him.

"See that car? It's full of food!"

"If you want to eat, then just listen to me quietly!"

"I am the squire of Lord Luc, the Burgundian Knight. We need a group of refugees to go to the north to open up wasteland and cultivate the land. Food and shelter will be provided during the reclamation period, but I have to tell you something unpleasant in advance!"

"After we reclaim the wasteland, we will rent a portion of it to you for cultivation. However, the taxes will be the same as in your previous residence and cannot be exempted. However, we swear in the name of God that we will not make you slaves. We will not only accept young men but also your families. If you are chosen, your family can come with us! Anyone who wants to come now, line up for porridge!"

After saying that, Ryan drew his sword and looked around fiercely. "Of course, if someone wants to take this opportunity to have some porridge and then slip away, I don't mind hanging his head in the sun for vultures to gnaw on!"

Ryan's words caused a huge uproar.

Most of them had fled famine more than once. If someone promised to exempt taxes or simply charge a one-tenth tax, they would not believe it. But since it was a land reclamation, the farming taxes would be the same as usual, which made them suspicious.

Not to mention that the other party swore in the name of God that they would not turn them into mere slaves and would take in their families.
Sometimes it is like this, things that are too good will increase vigilance, and explicit and straightforward words will be more credible.

The victims looked at each other, hesitant. Then the aroma of wheat paste wafted out and filled everyone's nose. I don't know who swallowed the first mouthful of saliva, and then the sound of saliva and stomach rumbling could be heard.

"Sir, I, I want to ask, are you really going to open up the wasteland? Aren't you going to sell us to slave traders?"

A man who sounded like he was in his twenties but looked like he was forty spoke to Ryan courageously.

Ryan snorted coldly, glanced at them without any courtesy, and said disdainfully: "Sold to slave traders? Are you worth that money?"

"If you really want to sell me, why would I waste my time talking to you? With just you guys, my master wouldn't have to do anything. I can take you all captive, kill the old and weak, and sell the rest directly to the mines and other noble houses as servants. Would we need to spend another meal on food?"

The man was frightened into silence by Ryan's murderous words, but he took a shaky step forward, stretched out his arm and said:
"I will follow you, Master, to open up new land!"

(End of this chapter)