Conversation with Sir Cord

Reiner had distributed six villages, granting fiefs to all knights who previously lacked them. Knights who weren't granted fiefs received monetary rewards from Reiner, though the amount wasn't substantial, as they had already gained considerable spoils of war; Reiner's gifts were less valuable than their plunder.

Nevertheless, all the knights present were highly satisfied. In this atmosphere of mutual enjoyment, the banquet reached its climax, and everyone began to attack the food on the tables.

The bonds between nobles deepened through such feasting and drinking. Banquets were among the few social occasions of that era.

Nobles were truly nobles only at banquets, and only when conversing with those of equal status. Otherwise, cooped up in their castles and manors all day, they were merely armed landlords with titles.

Reiner was also delighted and couldn't help but drink a few extra cups. Although the local drinks were mostly low-alcohol mead, he still felt a little tipsy after consuming so much.

The banquet continued until midnight. The knights' families had returned home, leaving only a group of heavily intoxicated knights carousing wildly, expending their excess energy, boasting about their bravery on the battlefield, and even discussing their bedroom escapades.

Reiner was helped back to his room by servants, staggering. The two young maids in the side room quickly took over, assisting Reiner to the bed.

His consciousness was somewhat hazy, but he wasn't completely unconscious. He felt his body come into contact with two soft, warm forms, and a fragrant, girlish scent wafted into his nostrils. Reiner couldn't help but feel his mind wander.

With a forceful movement of his arms, he pulled the two figures down onto the bed. It was no contest; how could two delicate girls resist a seasoned warrior hardened by years of training?

Amidst two soft gasps, Reiner began to undress himself. However, his alcohol-addled mind found the intricate clothing unfamiliar, and he couldn't undo it for a long time.

Finally, the two girls extended their slender, jade-like hands to remove his clothes. Driven by primal urges, he immediately pounced on the two slender maids.

The two young maids were like timid wives pressed onto the bed, unable to resist. Their pitiful appearance only fueled his arousal. A delicate white rabbit would not make a big tiger gentle or merciful; it would only make him more brutal.

The next morning, Reiner awoke groggily from his bed, rubbing his somewhat throbbing head. The two maids still had slight frowns, their bodies curled up, gently rising and falling, like two fragile, endearing kittens.

He sighed. It seemed no one would be helping him wash up this morning. Accustomed to such a decadent lifestyle, he now felt unaccustomed to not being served. However, he couldn't blame the two young maids; he had exhausted them too much last night, so it was normal for them not to be able to get up in the morning.

There was nothing for it; he had brought this upon himself. He quietly found some clothes and got out of bed, careful not to wake the two exhausted maids.

It was excellent. The cooks knew Reiner's habits. As a shut-in in his previous life, he avoided moving as much as possible, so breakfast had already been laid out on the table in his bedroom.

Today's breakfast looked hearty: a fragrant pot of broth, which smelled like lamb, alongside two strips of cured meat, two pieces of white bread on a plate, and a small bowl of oatmeal.

Although the presentation and taste of these foods weren't particularly remarkable, they were extremely rare delicacies in that era. He wasn't picky and ate the food on the table with great relish.

At this moment, the two maids also woke up. They hastily put on their clothes, then knelt before Reiner. For maids to wake up later than their master was a crime that, in other noble households, would be enough to warrant being whipped to death.

Reiner raised an eyebrow, looking at the trembling young maids. He said, "Get up, I don't blame you!" Then he pointed to the food on the table: "Come eat with me, I can't finish all this by myself!"

How to put it? Reiner thoroughly enjoyed that meal. He leaned back in his chair, let out a long, satisfied burp, and then, feeling utterly comfortable, lay back on the bed and picked up a knight's novel to read.

Soon after, a knock sounded at the door. The maid named Qingshu went to open it.

"Good day, esteemed Sir Cord!" The young maid Qingshu, seeing it was Sir Cord, immediately greeted him softly and timidly.

Sir Cord nodded without saying much, turning his gaze to Reiner, who was lying on the bed. He said, "Baron, the value of the spoils has been calculated, and I intend to report to you the estimated amount of taxes we expect to collect next year!"

The two maids, understanding the situation, bowed politely and left Reiner's room, returning to their own side room.

"Ah, good, Uncle. Please begin your report!" Reiner got out of bed, walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and invited Sir Cord to sit.

Sir Cord settled into his seat, looking at the parchment in his hand. He said, "After calculation, the spoils of war belonging to you are worth approximately four gold coins. Since you have acquired Goer Castle and its ten villages, not including the iron mine in the territory, your income next year should be between fifteen and twenty gold coins!"

"In addition, your assets also include one hundred thirteen sheep, ten oxen, fifteen plow horses, seven mills, twenty draft horses, and five warhorses. Five sheep were used for the banquet, and two more, being too old, have been slaughtered!"

Reiner nodded, saying, "Okay, I understand!"

After speaking, Reiner seemed to hesitate, but finally, he spoke: "Uncle, do you think I'll be seen as a tyrant by the people below?"

Sir Cord was taken aback; he hadn't expected Reiner to ask such a question. He smiled and said, "No, Reiner. That day, I merely wanted you to maintain the benevolence in your heart!"

"I completely understand your actions. When I was a young man, I received my first fief, and I was extremely cruel to my residents. I believed they had to fear me to respect me, so my whip was practically stained with blood every day."

"Everyone feared me. When I appeared before them, they would always tremble and kneel at my feet, praising me. I was happy; I thought that was what I wanted!"

"But later, when those ignorant children expressed their fear to me and said things like 'if only we could have a different master,' I finally understood that instead of having everyone fear you, it's better to have them respect and love you. All of this requires your benevolence, though, of course, authority must also be maintained!"

"Hmm, your father was much like me back then, but he quickly grasped this truth. That's why the people of the territory still remember your father's kindness to this day. What good is it if the residents fear you? When outsiders appear, they will be happy to switch masters rather than help you. I hope you can understand the logic behind this!"