Lord: My Shop Connects to Modern Times

Roland paused for a moment upon hearing this, and did not answer immediately. He thought for a full half minute before speaking.

"It's not about collecting taxes or making new rules. I will walk every street in Ironforge, every village in the surrounding area, and talk to as many people as possible. I will listen to their complaints, their needs, and their fears."

He paused.

"I don't know how Viscount Gavin governs, but I've seen the numbness and wariness on the faces of my subjects since I arrived here. Until they trust me, any decree will only be seen as a new form of exploitation!"

Roland was getting quite emotional as he spoke, so he didn't notice the slight twitching at the corner of Lynn's mouth across from him.

Roland's words were quite good, and almost all of them were correct, but Lynn always felt that Roland was scolding him.

I started implementing reforms as soon as I arrived, even though these policies were indeed for the benefit of my people.

The meeting room fell silent again.

Lynn looked at Leon, who shook his head slightly. He then looked at Lia and Martha, who was taking notes, and the two girls nodded in unison.

"I understand," Lynn said.

"Please wait outside, we will get back to you soon."

Roland stood up, bowed again, and then turned and walked out of the reception room.

After the door closed, Leon immediately spoke.

"My lord, this man is too idealistic. What he's talking about—adjusting taxes, lending, going through the streets—sounds good, but it will cause problems in practice. What Ironstone Castle needs now is someone who can quickly establish order."

Martha chimed in quietly, "But his attitude towards his people is sincere, Brother Leon. And Earl Lehman recommended him..."

Lia nodded in agreement, "That's right! This kid's ideas really resonate with me..."

"Earl Lehman recommended four people," Leon retorted.

"That Lance from earlier has a much more impressive resume. He managed an estate for 800 people and even served as a clerk in the capital. He also speaks with great propriety."

"Hmph! That's just how he speaks to us. He speaks to his subjects the same way!" Lia seemed to see a familiar noble habit in Lance from before.

Lynn looked at Martha: "What do you think?"

Martha thought for a moment: "Mr. Lance... is indeed very proper. But when he described himself managing the manor, he used the word 'tamed.' Hmm... I don't really like that; people are people too."

“Using ‘taming’ is indeed inappropriate,” Leon said. “But governing a territory cannot rely solely on kindness and goodwill.”

"But we can't be without good intentions," Lynn said.

"Roland may be a bit too kind in this regard, and I personally feel it's inappropriate. Being too kind only makes the people below think you're easy to talk to and weak. But this is something that can be adapted and changed. The key point is Roland's starting point; he is wholeheartedly considering the well-being of his people, not simply for money."

Lynn paused. "Leon," he said, "let me ask you—if you were put in charge of Ironstone Castle right now, what would be the first thing you would do?"

Leon replied without hesitation: "Reorganize the guards, establish a patrol system, inspect the warehouses, and ensure control of force and security of supplies."

"and then?"

"Then we implemented the system of Gray Rock Town, registering households and organizing production."

"What if the residents don't cooperate?"

Leon paused for a moment, then said, "Then we'll enforce it. Once they see the benefits, they'll naturally cooperate."

Lynn nodded: "That's the usual approach, and it works. But Roland's approach—listening first and building trust—is slower, but it gains deeper support. Ironstone Castle has just changed hands, and the people are full of distrust towards the nobles. At this time, a tough leader will only deepen the divide."

Lynn looked towards the door to the meeting room: "We need someone who can convince our people that 'this time it really is different.'"

"Lance may be more experienced, but he still has a superior streak at heart. Roland may be inexperienced, but his heart is with the people. Skills can be learned, experience can be accumulated, but a heart that is truly willing to think about the common people—that is a rare commodity in noble circles."

"A combination of kindness and severity is needed; the ordinary citizens of Ironstone Castle now require 'bread,' not a harsh 'whip.'"

Leon was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "You're right."

"Then it's settled," Lynn said to Martha.

"Inform Roland that he passed. He'll have a three-month probationary period, during which I'll send people from Grayrock Town to assist him. Also, tell those people outside to thank them for coming, but their positions are already decided."

Outside the reception room, Roland sat in a chair, his palms still sweating.

He could hear faint sounds of arguing inside, but he couldn't make out the content.

Lance was elegantly sipping tea served by a maid, while the other two candidates also looked relaxed, occasionally whispering to each other, completely ignoring Roland.

The door opened.

Martha came out, holding the roster in her hand. All eyes were on her.

"Mr. Roland West," Martha said with a smile.

"The lord has decided to appoint you as the interim governor of Ironstone Castle, with a three-month probationary period. If you agree, you may begin the handover process now."

The hall was deathly silent.

Lance's teacup froze in mid-air, and the elegant smile on his face stiffened.

The other two candidates stared wide-eyed at Roland in disbelief.

"Wh...what?" Roland himself was stunned.

"This is impossible!" Lance finally realized, put down his teacup and stood up.

"Miss Martha, are you sure you're not mistaken? My resume, my experience..."

Martha said politely but firmly, "There is no mistake, Mr. Lance. His Lordship has made his decision."

"Why should he?" another candidate couldn't help but ask. "How many people has he managed before? And look at him—"

"What the lord values ​​is the alignment of governance philosophies," Martha calmly interrupted him. "Mr. Roland's attitude towards his people is consistent with the governance principles of Grayrock Town. These are the lord's exact words."

Lance's face flushed red and then turned pale.

He took a deep breath, looked at Roland, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Just because he pretends to sympathize with commoners? Governing a territory isn't charity!"

"Perhaps," Roland suddenly said. He stood up, still a little nervous, but with his back straight.

"But Lord Lynn chose me, and I will prove that he made the right choice."

He looked at Martha: "I accept. Now, what do you need me to do?"

Martha smiled: "Please come with me, I'll show you around Ironstone Castle's current documents and accounts."

The two left the hall, leaving the other three candidates looking at each other in bewilderment.

Lance, his face ashen, grabbed his gloves and walked out without looking back.

The other two whispered among themselves, their voices filled with incomprehension and resentment.

The news spread quickly.

As Roland followed Martha toward the castle's study, the servants and guards along the way cast curious glances at him.

They whispered among themselves—this seemingly ordinary young man had actually defeated a more experienced nobleman and become the new consul of Ironstone Castle.

Roland could feel those gazes, but he didn't turn around. He had only one thought in his mind:

We cannot betray this trust.

In the evening, Lynn stood on the small terrace high up in the castle, watching the lights of Ironstone Castle gradually come on.

Leon walked over to him: "It's all arranged. Starting tomorrow, Roland will officially take over the day-to-day affairs, and Martha will stay for three days to assist him. As for Grayrock Town, Joel sent word that the new batch of potatoes has been harvested successfully and asked if we wanted some shipped over."

"Send one-third over, and store the rest," Lynn said.

"Also, have Yi Wenming come back to Grayrock Town with me tomorrow. Bring some homeless people from here who are willing to move. We can't take care of Ironstone Fortress for now."

"Yes." Leon paused. "Sir, do you really think Roland can do it?"

"I don't know," Lynn said honestly.

"But he has something that others don't—he genuinely cares about how ordinary people are doing. That's the starting point. As for ability... we can help him fill that gap."

In the distance, Roland's figure appeared in the castle square.

He was talking to an old farmer, slightly bent over, listening very attentively.

The old farmer gestured something, and Roland nodded from time to time.

"You see," Lynn said, "he's already doing it."

Leon watched that scene and finally nodded.