Back in the study, Hobart asked Corwin, "Has your family all moved to Jeffrey Town?"
"They've all moved here, Lord."
Hobart nodded. "Go get Conrad."
Before long, Conrad arrived at the study.
Hobart instructed him, "Take some men to the former territories of Louis Knight and Duke Knight. Register the residents, farmland, and properties, then appoint village chiefs for them—or let them elect their own."
After a pause, he added, "The first cargo ship being repaired at Jeffrey Port is about to arrive. Assign three people to set up a table and several chairs in the room next to the hotel, then hang up a sign reading 'Port Registration and Taxation Office.'
"These are registration forms I obtained from other ports, along with their docking fee and tax rates. Use the forms as references, and collect taxes according to these rates for now.
"The office staff will temporarily answer to you. Issue receipts for all money collected and hand it over to Philip."
Conrad wrote down every requirement. After saying, "I'll see to it immediately," he hurried away.
Hobart then said to Corwin, "Take several retainers from your household to maintain order at the port. Guide the Nohal into dock, and let the crew know where to stay, eat, pay taxes, and so on."
Corwin answered and jogged all the way to the port with his men.
Just after he left, Philip brought Skola and Valk to the study.
After several days of surveying, they had come up with a preliminary plan. The two had worked together to produce a "Future Development Plan for Jeffrey Territory" and presented it to Hobart.
They were both masters at drafting, and their map was far more detailed than the rough territorial sketch Hobart had drawn.
The blueprint largely met Hobart's requirements. Even where