Food and Serfs

Victor stood on the small hill, watching Viscount Boateng and his son and his entourage speed away, as if something was chasing them.

Michael asked with some doubt, "Sir, are we just going to let them go like this? What if they change their minds later?"

"Don't worry, they don't have the guts!"

After saying that, Victor mounted his horse and rode down the hillside to the roadside. Michael had no choice but to quickly lead his men to follow on horseback.

Viscount Boateng, along with his son Totti and his men including Ekmeier, galloped at full speed until they could no longer see the Southern Marching Legion. The group of men and horses were all panting heavily.

Viscount Boateng, still shaken, asked Steward Ekmeier, "We should be far enough away by now, they won't catch up, will they?"

Ekmeier took a deep breath, but quickly choked, coughing for a while before replying, "I don't think Viscount Golden Sunflower will go back on his word and send people after us. Your Excellency need not worry."

"That's good?"

Totti was puzzled as to why his father was so frightened, almost as if he was about to flee. He leaned closer and asked excitedly.

"Father, do you not want to pay the ransom? Were you just lying to that Viscount Golden Sunflower?"

With a sharp slap, Viscount Boateng gave Totti a hard knock on the head. "Are you looking for death? How could I dare to lie to Viscount Victor? I was just... just too scared, that's why I ran so fast!"

Viscount Boateng naturally stated the fact that he was afraid.

At this moment, Steward Ekmeier added to Totti, "Young Master Totti, according to the marching direction of the Southern Marching Legion, they will definitely pass through our territory. Even if you and the Viscount can escape, Red Hemp Territory will not be able to escape."

Totti was disappointed after hearing this, but he also knew the truth of what Ekmeier said: the Red Hemp Territory was the foundation of the family and it was impossible to really abandon it.

"After resting for a while, we'll set off quickly. After Ekmeier goes back, I'll take Totti back to the castle first to see his mother."

"Furthermore, I can only take 3,000 gold from my vault. For the remaining ransom, get some linen from the farm's storeroom. I don't think Viscount Golden Sunflower will refuse to accept cloth as ransom."

Although Red Hemp Territory is the specialty of Red Hemp, its flax production is also very high, producing a large amount of linen and sisal cloth every year. These are also sought-after commodities in the duchy's market, and Viscount Boateng does not believe that Victor would refuse these goods.

"Yes, my lord. But what about the food? The territory's food reserves are actually very tight. 2,000 tons of wheat already account for one-fifth of the territory's food reserves, which is not enough to last until the summer harvest."

Red Hemp Territory more than 100 households of Freemen and serfs, with a total population of 1,000. However, two-thirds of them are serfs. The grain reserves in the territory are basically reserved for serfs. Last year, grain prices were high, Viscount Boateng sold a lot of the grain reserves.

The territory's granaries now only hold a few tons of grain. After setting aside a portion for the territory's army and livestock on the farms, the remaining amount is barely enough to sustain the serfs until the summer harvest.

But now they need to produce 2,000 tons, and there are still more than 100 days until the summer harvest. It is estimated that each serf will only be able to get less than one kilogram of wheat per day.

Steward Ekmeier was somewhat worried; with only this much food given to the serfs each day, they were too weak to do any work.

Viscount Boateng knew that Ekmeier's concerns were valid. Farm work on the sisal and flax farms was no easy task. If there wasn't enough food and the serfs didn't have the strength, it would be troublesome if the work was delayed!

Totti suddenly jumped out. "Viscount Golden Sunflower, didn't we ask you to give them the families of the Serf Soldiers?"

"Then let's send the families of the Serf Soldiers to them this time. Wouldn't that reduce the burden? Anyway, there are plenty of serfs in the territory; we can always send more."

Viscount Boateng praised, "What a great idea! You are indeed my son. Ekmeier, do it this way. In addition to the families of the captured Serf Soldiers, you can also send their other relatives over, according to the number of people. That way, the grain should be enough to last until the summer harvest."