Recruitment and Tax Cuts

The scratches and swelling on Xia Zuoyi's body had mostly healed. His right arm still could not move for the time being, so it was suspended across his chest in a cloth sling.

While he was sitting in a chair being fed by Judith, a servant came in to report that the twelve knights sent by His Majesty the King had arrived at the castle.

"I'm full, Judith."

Xia Zuoyi swallowed the last bite of softened white bread and said to the servant, "Bring them into the hall to wait for me first. I'll be there shortly."

"Yes, my lord."

After tidying himself up a little, Xia Zuoyi went over and saw the twelve knights standing neatly in the hall.

One of them stood at the front. He was tall and straight, with a handsome, dashing face. His helmet had been removed and tucked into the crook of his left arm, while his right hand rested casually on the hilt of the greatsword at his waist.

His curious gaze was wandering around the room. Hearing footsteps approach, he turned and smiled at Xia Zuoyi. "Valk William reporting for duty, my lord."

After Valk William introduced himself, the knights behind him announced their names one by one.

It seemed he was the knight commander who had been sent to Vissas for some unknown reason.

Judith carried Xia Zuoyi over and seated him in a high-backed chair. After a moment of thought, he said, "You must have had a difficult journey."

"I've already had accommodations arranged for you. You may rest first, then gather in the hall tomorrow morning."

Valk William said, "As you command, my lord."

After the twelve knights left,

Judith asked, "My lord, what do you intend to have them do?"

Xia Zuoyi said, "Vissas currently has too few people, and too few knights as well. Without capable people, there is no way to develop."

"They dared to bully me without restraint because Vissas is poor and backward. We don't even have a cavalry force to stand against them... They look down on me."

Judith's heart ached for her poor little count.

The young count curled up in his chair, pouting aggrievedly. His fair, tender cheeks puffed out, and his long curled lashes drooped slightly. "I need knights to serve in my territory. I need more commoners to move to Vissas... What do you think, Judith?"

Judith said, "That won't be easy, my lord."

Xia Zuoyi blinked. "I know. But profit drives everything. As long as we offer enough benefits, those tempted will willingly take the bait. Don't you think so?"

Judith smiled. "It seems you already have a plan."

Xia Zuoyi said, "Let's go to the study and discuss it properly."

The next day,

Valk William arrived in the hall with the other eleven knights.

"What are your orders, my lord?"

Xia Zuoyi gestured for Toby to hand over the things he was holding.

Toby trotted forward and gave each of them a sheet of parchment.

"This is..."

A trace of confusion appeared on Valk William's smiling face. Once he saw what was written on the parchment, however, his brows rose in surprise. "Vissas Recruitment Requirements and Vissas Tax Regulations?"

Tyler Kennedy could not help reading aloud the first recruitment requirement. "...Recruiting healthy males aged fourteen to twenty for voluntary service, with no physical disabilities or mental deficiencies... Their status may include, but is not limited to, commoners and slaves. All may undergo preliminary screening."

On the Western Continent, males came of age at fourteen.

What astonished Tyler Kennedy and the other knights was that even slaves could apply?!

Barna Larry immediately said, "My lord, this is against the rules!"

"I have never heard of slaves being allowed to become knights. Such conditions insult the honor of knights!"

The other knights also wore expressions of agreement.

Valk William did not voice an opinion. He did not seem particularly disgusted or resistant either. Instead, he continued reading the parchment with great interest.

Xia Zuoyi said, "I understand. Not just anyone can become a knight."

"Knights must study all sorts of knightly etiquette from childhood, undergo various forms of training, and learn the knightly spirit. Knights must possess the Eight Virtues, uphold justice, undergo a complete investiture ceremony, and make a declaration before the Creator God..."

"Am I right?"

Interest flashed through Valk William's eyes. "You are entirely correct, my lord."

Xia Zuoyi said, "But even after going through such a strict process to become knights, can you guarantee that every one of you will steadfastly uphold the knightly spirit, virtue, and justice?"

The honor of knights was not so absolute.

Valk William curled his lips. "Of course we cannot guarantee that, my lord."

Tyler could not help thinking of Keith William. That man certainly did not possess the virtues of a knight!

Barna Larry said, "My lord, I also know that not everyone can become a qualified, perfect knight. But lowly slaves are even less likely to do so. The honor of knights must not be tarnished."

Xia Zuoyi said, "That is why the recruitment requirements state that slaves may only become reserve soldiers after passing the selection, while commoners become ordinary soldiers. Neither are knights."

The military system on the Western Continent was underdeveloped, and the divisions between different troop types were unclear. Warfare basically relied on knights.

But knights did not engage in production, and maintaining them was extremely expensive.

For example, Duke Bass Riches had only a little over a hundred knights and two small cavalry units under his command.

By comparison, it was obvious how few knights Vissas possessed.

Xia Zuoyi said, "In the army, strength speaks."

"Slaves may earn their freedom through accumulated merit, then continue accumulating merit to rise through the ranks. The same applies to commoners."

"Knights may hold important positions in the army, examining and judging whether soldiers are qualified to become knights."

He had not written all of his ideas on the parchment.

The highest rank written on it was knight commander.

But yesterday, he had exchanged reputation points for a book called Military Rank Classifications and Titles.

Vissas needed time to develop slowly, and he needed time to grow up as well. For now, he would keep his ambitions tucked away inside.

Barna Larry still seemed hung up on the point that "slaves can become knights."

Xia Zuoyi said, "My territory, my rules. You only need to obey and follow orders."

Barna Larry shut his mouth resentfully.

Valk William said, "My lord, are you certain you wish to do this?"

"Once the contents of this parchment are released, I'm afraid they will cause a tremendous reaction. As far as I know, this is unprecedented in the Kingdom of Gadayat..."

It was probably unprecedented across the entire Western Continent as well.

Xia Zuoyi said, "Of course. I'm certain."

"Very well. As you command." Valk William smiled. "What would you like us to do?"

Xia Zuoyi said, "I want you to find people to copy the contents of the parchment several times, then go to Como Castle and post notices about Vissas recruitment and tax reductions in conspicuous places throughout the city. You are also to explain and publicize them."

"No matter what method you use, make sure every person in Como Castle learns of this."

"Remember, every person."

The smile on Valk William's face widened involuntarily.

The other eleven knights looked at one another, utterly confused.

On the road through Mount Parr toward Como Castle,

Barna could not help saying, "Lord William, why do you think the count wants us to go to Como Castle to post, post these recruitment requirements and tax regulations... Posting them is one thing, but why do we have to explain them too?!"

He had assumed it would be done within Vissas.

Valk said, "The count naturally has his reasons. We only need to do as ordered."

Barna looked utterly dejected.

Did he really have to explain the contents of the parchment to a crowd of commoners and slaves? He did not even know whether he would be able to open his mouth when the time came.

Tyler Kennedy rode up beside Valk William. "My lord, what do you think of Count Desinia?"

"Very interesting."

Valk William seemed to think of something, and the smile at his lips deepened again. "Don't you think this little count is very adorable?"

So white, soft, and round.

Tyler Kennedy fell silent.

There was no real way to refute that statement.

He said, "The little count seems to have some conflict with the lord of Como Castle..."

He was even recruiting people in the other man's territory.

"Perhaps. Who knows?" Valk said indifferently.

Tyler could not help saying, "But the count sent you and us to Como Castle... Ahem, to do something so likely to earn resentment. He must know that given your status, Count Bevis Elliott would not dare make things too difficult for you or stop you."

If Vissas's own knights had gone instead, they would likely have been driven out in the end.

Valk raised a brow. "So doesn't that make Count Desinia quite clever?"

"...You're right."

After a while,

Tyler spoke again. "Lord William, are you happy to have come to Vissas? If you had the chance, would you want to return to the royal capital?"

Valk William stopped humming tunelessly and looked at him. "If the little count can stay this interesting, I don't want to return to the royal capital."

"...Yes, I understand."

After that, Tyler Kennedy said nothing more.

Como Castle.

After sighing over the fact that this city truly was wealthier and more prosperous than Vissas, Barna stopped and waited for Valk William's orders.

Valk said, "First, find several literate commoners. Once you have explained everything clearly to them, hire them to lead the way. Each person will choose a direction and begin from the outskirts of Como Castle, moving inward through the city and spreading the news methodically. Understood?"

"Understood, my lord!"

The eleven knights answered with exceptional vigor.

That day, Como Castle was "forced" into an uproar.

Shock, astonishment, disbelief... every such emotion swept through every corner of the city, leaving not even the smallest place untouched.

Como Castle boiled over.

Once Count Bevis Elliott finally learned the whole story, he was so furious that his lungs hurt, his liver hurt, his heart hurt—his entire body hurt.

He was angry that Desinia had openly sent knights into his territory to make announcements and recruit people, striking at his dignity.

Yet there was nothing he could do.

After all, Valk William was not only a knight commander, but also the son of a marquis.

Bevis Elliott failed to notice the danger Vissas's recruitment requirements posed to Como Castle. Instead, he mocked Desinia for accepting lowly slaves and lowering taxes within his territory.

He was simply throwing money away.

But he did not know that forming a merchant association and selling salt would become Xia Zuoyi's greatest support.

—Settling population, using commerce to support the army.

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