Black Pearl Wine

Knight Captain Kendall did not stay at the manor villa for dinner.

After announcing the Baron's decree, he led the patrolling Knight Squad and set off back onto Charcoal Ash Avenue, taking advantage of the final rays of twilight.

"Old Hans and the five Tunic Chiefs stay; everyone else, go home." Russell ended the noisy display of loyalty.

The Serf Managers departed, and the onlookers—the serfs—had already scurried away, not daring to linger near the manor villa.

"Master, the study has been prepared. You may use it at any time." The middle-aged butler, dressed in a well-fitted tailcoat, walked over to report.

"Thank you, Morris." Russell replied with a smile.

Morris was his new butler, whom Russell had already met on the journey here; he had previously worked at the villa in town.

Baron Gloomlight owned many such villas across his fiefs, each equipped with servants for management.

This included the villa at Wuyou Snake Manor.

"Serving you is my mission, Master." Pleased by Russell's gratitude, Morris introduced the two middle-aged servants beside him, a man and a woman. "These two are the resident Male Servant and Maid of the manor villa, Mr. and Mrs. Brown."

"Greetings, Master." Mr. and Mrs. Brown hurriedly kowtowed to Russell.

"Please rise, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown." Russell understood that Morris had brought them over to seek instructions on how to arrange them, so he stated directly, "Since you have chosen to remain at the manor villa, then follow Butler Morris."

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Mr. and Mrs. Brown thanked him repeatedly, full of joy.

Strictly speaking, they belonged to the Baron's retinue. If Russell did not keep them, they would have to return to Fluorite Castle to await reassignment.

"Morris, have someone send tea to the study." Russell gave the order casually.

He then turned to Charles and Eric. "My squires, my two teachers, come with me to the study. Old Hans, and the five Tunic Chiefs, you come as well."

The manor villa was not very large, consisting of two floors and a basement.

The layout resembled a square fortress, with about twelve rooms on the first floor—five in the front, five in the back, and one at each connecting side.

In the center of the manor villa, a rectangular courtyard garden was enclosed, roughly the size of three rooms.

The master and the servants lived on separate floors.

The study was naturally on the second floor.

"Russell, we must have a good drink tonight to celebrate you officially taking over the territory." Charles followed closely behind Russell, looking around. "Hmm, the villa looks unremarkable from the outside, but it's truly spacious inside. Living here is quite comfortable!"

"Teachers, do you plan to purchase property in the manor?" Russell asked.

Eric nodded. "Yes."

Charles spread his hands. "Russell, just help me rent a single room. The old woman at home is greedy for the bustle of the town and uses the excuse that the children still need to attend the Knight Academy there, so she refuses to move to the manor."

He then changed the subject with a grin, "That's fine, too. I'll be free on my own, and I can drink whenever I want."

"As for the manor's affairs, I need you to take on more, Teacher Charles, especially the manor court." Russell said.

"Of course, it is my duty." Charles laughed.

"Alright, everyone, please sit." Russell sat behind the desk, and Butler Morris, accompanied by a male servant, brought chairs for everyone.

After they were seated and tea was served, Russell scanned the people in the study: two teachers, four squires, one Manor Supervisor, and five Tunic Chiefs. This was essentially the entire leadership of the manor.

"Old Hans, you go first and introduce the situation of Wuyou Snake Manor."

"Yes, Master." Old Hans stood up in a hurry and, under Russell's repeated gestures, sat on the edge of the stool to report. "Wuyou Snake Manor is 19,500 hectares in size, with 15,000 hectares cultivated, divided into five tunics..."

The five tunics were Barley Tunic, Wheat Tunic, Alfalfa Tunic, Lentil Tunic, and Bean Wheat Tunic.

As the names suggested, Barley Tunic mostly grew barley, Lentil Tunic mostly grew lentils, and Bean Wheat Tunic grew wheat and lentils... The original positioning of Wuyou Snake Manor in the Guangguang River Valley was primarily to produce grain and forage.

Beyond that, the serfs kept some poultry and a small amount of livestock.

It could be said that the industry was very singular.

Subsequently, the five Tunic Chiefs each introduced the situation of the farmland and the serfs in their respective tunics.

Within a manor, about 10 to 12 serf households were grouped into a "ridge," with a Serf Manager appointed to coordinate farming, mediate neighborhood disputes, and assist in tax collection; ten ridges formed a "tunic," with a Tunic Chief appointed, similar to the role of a production team leader.

Above the Tunic Chiefs was the Manor Supervisor sent by the Baron, roughly equivalent to a village chief.

At the same time, the Manor Supervisor was responsible for managing all the long-term workers in the manor, such as Transport Workers, milkers, and shepherds. However, Wuyou Snake Manor had no long-term workers, and Old Hans's duty was to manage all the serfs of Wuyou Snake Manor.

"Old Hans, you will continue to serve as the Manor Supervisor." Russell said.

"Old Hans thanks you for your trust, Master. Please rest assured, I will manage the manor well for you, whip the lazy serfs diligently every day, and grow good crops for you, Master!" Old Hans immediately patted his chest in assurance.

He continued to ramble on with promises that when Russell needed to mow grass, fell trees, build roads, or reclaim wasteland, he could immediately pull together no fewer than five hundred serfs for labor every day.

And they would not need the manor to provide meals; the serfs would take care of their own food.

It could be said that when it came to squeezing serfs, Old Hans had it down to a science.

Russell frowned; he was not yet accustomed to the serf system of this world. Before he transmigrated, although he mocked himself for being a mortgage slave and complained about the "996" work culture, he at least got paid for his labor and had never worked for free while having to provide his own meals.

However.

He had no intention of rising up to overthrow the serf system for the time being. After all, he was the serf owner now!

"Be a little kinder to the serfs, Old Hans." Russell said.

Old Hans was immediately moved. "Master, you are truly so benevolent. The serfs are truly fortunate to have a lord like you!"

"Uh..."

The flattery was too abrupt, and Russell couldn't find a response for a moment.

Ignoring Old Hans's flattery, Russell said to Charles and Eric, "My father gifted me three Spirit Worms, which require corresponding magic potion cultivation as soon as possible. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to walk through the manor and plan the Magic Potion Fields."

"Hmm, starting work so soon, Russell? Don't you want to rest well for a couple of days?" Charles asked with a smile. "There's plenty of time."

"The sooner it's finished, the sooner I can relax." Russell said.

He had a whole plan waiting to be arranged for Wuyou Snake Manor. If such a large fief were still managed in the old way, it would be a disservice to his identity as a transmigrator.

Charles replied, "Of course, everything as you say. You are the lord."

He then added with a grin, "But tonight's banquet must not be perfunctory, Russell. We must celebrate properly today."

Russell didn't want to be a killjoy and smiled. "Naturally... Butler Morris, instruct the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous banquet. Also, I remember my father gifted me a batch of cellared Black Pearl Wine. Use that to accompany the meal tonight."

Morris accepted the order and left.

Charles's eyes lit up. "Russell, you are a generous lord!"