The Next One Is

He cleared his throat, his voice loud and clear, carrying across the now quiet square:

"Fellow villagers of Jialan Village! The culprit has been executed, and justice has been served! Now, in the name of His Your Majesty's Prince Consort, Guardian of the Northern Border, Karl von Schmidt, I declare once again."

"From this day forward, all unjust contracts, debts, and personal dependencies between you and John, Edward, and others are hereby abolished! You are no longer anyone's serfs or debt slaves! You are citizens of a free kingdom!"

Freedom! This word is emphasized again, but after the trials of blood and fire, it seems to carry a more real weight.

However, slogans of freedom alone are not enough; concrete solutions are also needed.

Sure enough, a bolder person in the crowd, or perhaps the most anxious about the future, immediately asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness... Prince Consort Highness! We... we thank you for your great kindness! But... now that we're free, where can we go? This Jialan Village... without Master John, will we... will we still cultivate the land? Who will we pay the rent to?"

Immediately, someone spoke up, their voice filled with even deeper anticipation. "My lord! Your... your territory, Carnford, is it really... really as good as Tommy said? Can... can we go there?"

This question voiced the desire in almost everyone's heart. They had just witnessed Karl's power, justice, and the "Royal Decree," and Carnford, in his description and Tommy's testimony, seemed to be the best option to escape their current predicament.

Karl smiled just the right amount of encouragement, and pointed north. "Of course! My territory, Carnford, welcomes all hardworking people who are willing to create a life with their own hands!"

"We have just survived the war and are rebuilding. We desperately need manpower! Whether you farm, work, or join the army, as long as you are willing to contribute, you will have food to eat, clothes to wear, and hope!"

He paused, then gestured for Tommy to step forward. "Let Tommy explain the specific policies to everyone in detail again. He comes from among you, so you should trust his word."

Tommy was already prepared. He straightened his back, walked to the front of the crowd, and in a loud voice, clearly explained Carnford's recruitment policy once again.

For newly received refugees and families, Lord's Residence Carnford will first provide basic rations to ensure they do not go hungry during the transition period; then land will be allocated according to family size and ability, ensuring that each person receives at least a share sufficient to survive.

Rations will be continuously distributed until the first harvest; skilled craftsmen will receive better treatment, with a specific ranking and salary system; those willing to join the army will enjoy even more generous benefits and security...

Although some of the clauses might not be fully understood by these villagers, the core keywords of "land distribution," "grain distribution," and "guarantee of livelihood" captivated them like the sweetest honey.

If some people were still skeptical when Tommy said these things privately before, now that Karl has just used swift and decisive means to uphold justice for them and demonstrated his unquestionable authority, the credibility of these policies coming from Tommy, one of their own, has soared to the highest level!

No one doubted the sincerity and ability of this "Prince Consort." Would a nobleman who could carry out the Royal Decree's decree to execute the bullies and liberate them deceive these poor people in such matters?

Hope, real and tangible hope, appeared so clearly in the eyes of the villagers of Jialan Village for the first time, dispelling their confusion and unease.

The crowd erupted in cheers again, but this time the cheers were different from the previous ones, filled with anticipation and gratitude for the future.

"Let's go to Carnford!"

"Thank you Prince Consort Excellency, for saving my life!"

"Follow Tommy, follow the Lord!"

"Go back and pack your things! Let's leave now!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement, many already bowing respectfully to Karl and Tommy from afar before rushing home to inform their families, pack their meager belongings, and prepare for their journey to their "new home."

The square quickly emptied, leaving only a few people still excitedly discussing the matter and Karl's cavalry.

Karl instructed Tommy, "Tommy, take a team and immediately search the homes of John, Edward, and those other henchmen who have been captured. Register all their property, food, land deeds, house deeds, and account books, and then transport everything back to our camp Fran City."

He emphasized this point, speaking in a serious tone, "But remember, this applies only to their own illegal gains; their families should not be implicated. Their wives, concubines, and children, if not directly involved in the crimes, should not be bullied, but must be kept under close surveillance pending further action. The action must be swift and thorough."

"Yes, my Lord! I understand! I will not let a single copper coin slip by, nor will I harm the innocent!" Tommy accepted the order with a stern look in his eyes, as if he were carrying out an important mission.

Confiscating the assets of these nouveau riche will not only replenish Carnford's coffers, but is also a crucial step in completely eradicating their economic foundation and cutting off any possibility of their families' future resurgence.

As Tommy gathered the villagers who had just been rescued and were familiar with the terrain of John's house, and they marched menacingly toward John and his men's residence, Karl nodded slightly.

The matter of Jialan Village is now basically settled. The trial is over, the people's hearts are won over, and the property has been confiscated. Tommy is capable of coordinating the subsequent relocation and organization work, and he can then join the main force.

However, when Karl stood on horseback at the village entrance, watching Tommy directing the villagers and soldiers to load boxes of grain, silverware, and cloth confiscated from the homes of John, Edward, and others onto the wagons, the flame that had ignited in his heart to break taboos and restore order had not been completely extinguished.

Now that we've already taken action, now that we've placed ourselves in the position of "judge" and "liberator," why not let this fire burn even brighter?

Seeing Tommy emerge from the courtyard, wiping sweat from his brow, to report, Karl did not immediately order a return journey. Instead, he pointed with his whip at the clearly illicitly acquired wealth being loaded and asked in a deep voice:

"Tommy, since you know this area well, tell me, where else are people suffering like in Jialan Village? Where else are there parasites like John sucking the blood of the people?"

Upon hearing this, Tommy acted almost without hesitation, a deep resentment and memory flashing in his eyes.

He straightened his chest, his voice trembling with excitement. "My lord! Thirty miles to the east, upstream of the Blackwater River, there is an iron ore mine! The Lord there is Sir Sonny! I worked in that hellish mine for two months!"

"They are extremely ruthless in their treatment of people. They deduct wages whenever possible, and any slight complaint results in beatings. Many of them are serfs bound by debt or coercion, living... living worse than livestock!" He paused, then added through gritted teeth, "I've heard that the situation is the same at Sir Sonny's estates! Serfs are everywhere, suffering terribly!"