In this era, the tenant farmers yearned for their own land and the status of free people. In other words, in any era, the lower class yearned for the upper class.
With a clear system and an example, the fighting strength of Wu Ming's militia was completely beyond imagination.
In just a month, they had almost wiped out all the bandits, barbarian settlements, and wild beast groups around the Tucker Mountains, sending a steady stream of spoils to Carros Manor.
Of course, even with Wu Ming leading the way, casualties were inevitable. However, they were limited to five people, and after rest and reorganization, the enthusiasm of the militia was not reduced in the slightest.
But now, Wu Ming chose to return to the army to recuperate.
After all, the targets in the surroundings that were worth attacking had all been plucked out, and it would not be worth it to continue sweeping.
Moreover, through this training, he had thoroughly promoted his authority and obtained a militia squad that could be called elite in this era. This was enough!
"Oh, my God!"
However, when he returned to the manor, he saw Amelia's somewhat crumbling face: "My Master, do you know how many people you have sent over?"
She said in a tone that was almost like a dying person's miserable cry: "572 people! A total of 572 serfs, including a bunch of women and children. Are you going to sell them all? You'd better do it as soon as possible, because they are almost finished with our food reserves! "
"I'm sorry! My beautiful Madam Housekeeper! "
Wu Ming shook his head and said with a smile: "In fact, I'm not going to sell any of them. I want them to work for me!"
"Are you serious, Sir? Sir? "
Amelia stared at him as if she was looking at a fool: "Where are we going to find so much land to settle these serfs? They are almost twice the size of our subjects!"
In fact, to settle the serfs according to the current standard, Wu Ming had to first expand his territory by two times.
This was almost the size of a baron's domain. Even if it was Baron Terry, it was still a big headache to take over so many serfs.
"I'm going to let some of them work on my private land or the land of those tenant farmers, freeing them from the land. After all, compared to these barbarians, I trust them more …"
Wu Ming felt that now was the time to explain his plans to the butler. "I have a plan for the future of the fief. First of all, I'm going to make a policy. Any serf of Carros can pay for their land! I know they don't have the money, but it doesn't matter. I accept payment in installments, a few years or even a few decades are fine. Once they completely pay off the debt and redeem the land, I will recognize them as free citizens! "
"But … if we do that, the wheat on the land …"
Amelia asked foolishly. Under Wu Ming's smiling gaze, she blushed and asked a stupid question.
"The farm work on the land will naturally be undertaken by these barbarians. Of course, by doing this, we can only digest a part of it … So, I'm going to build many workshops to purify salt, manufacture glass, and a steel factory!"
The population that agriculture could absorb was too small. The real bulk of the population was still industry! A large factory that could accommodate thousands or even tens of thousands of people was a piece of cake.
Of course, Wu Ming couldn't afford to do that kind of large-scale construction. But even the most ordinary handicraft workshop, as long as it became a large-scale industry, it would be more than enough to accommodate his hundreds of people.
"Salt, glass, steel?"
Amelia seemed to vaguely grasp something: "How many workshops are you going to open? Are you going to let these slaves work for you? "
"Something like that. I've figured out a few techniques that should bring us a lot of profit!"
Now that he had obtained a certain status and power, he could resist covetous eyes. He could take out the things from his previous life.
He did what he did in his position. This was the principle of fate and status.
"But to build a workshop, we need a lot of raw materials and manpower …"
Amelia was a little dizzy and couldn't keep up with Wu Ming's train of thought.
"Manpower? Aren't these slaves ready-made candidates? If you give them black bread and vegetable soup every day, but don't let them work, it will easily cause a big problem! "
Wu Ming glanced at Amelia with some reproach: "We have to let them work from morning to night, drain their strength, and tire out their spirit. This way, the slaves won't have the time to think about other things!"
"As for the initial start-up capital, I still have some savings here. Also, don't underestimate our tenant farmers … In the face of the temptation of obtaining land and freedmen, I believe they will burst out with enthusiasm that will amaze you!"
Not to mention anything else, just from this attack alone, the dozens of militias under Wu Ming's command and the people who came later as reinforcements had obtained a lot of spoils of war and bonuses.
Now, through the redemption of the land, this money would continue to fall into Wu Ming's hands, becoming the first bucket of gold for him to promote the development of industries in his territory.
"Also … through labor, we can separate the lazy from the diligent among the slaves, in preparation for future distribution and differential treatment!"
…
As Wu Ming's suggestions came out one by one, Amelia's expression was no longer as simple as amazement.
She could never have imagined that William, who had obtained his title by force, would also have such ideas in business.
"It's really … really …"
She thought for a long time, but could not think of a suitable word to describe Wu Ming. In the end, she sighed: "My master, if you go into business, you will definitely be the most successful profiteer!"
"Haha … That's where you're wrong!"
Wu Ming laughed: "A truly successful businessman invests in monarchs and kingdoms, using the power of money to manipulate the entire aristocratic class!"
…
Smack!
The next day, under the whips and sticks, Wu Ming swept away the savage slaves he had brought and began to work hard.
Although they were not ready to start work, Wu Ming had already inspected the territory and marked out a special industrial area. The foundation was leveled, the roads were repaired, and these trivial matters could already be carried out.
After he promulgated the new laws in his territory, the people of Karros were in an uproar.
"As long as we redeem the land we rent, we can become free citizens?"
An old man grasped Jorv's hand tightly: "You're not lying to me?"
"That's what the announcement in the manor court said!"
Jorv smiled bitterly: "If you don't believe me, you can ask Dean and the others. Because of their bravery, the lord has already granted them the status of free citizens, and even gave them the land."
"If that's the case …"
The old man gritted his teeth: "I want to send my grandson into the army, and go to the lord to buy the land!"
"Oh!"
Jorv was a little surprised. According to his estimations, it would take the tenant farmers at least ten years to redeem their land.
But he did not expect this old man to be so rich.
'Could it be that he was lucky enough to dig up some treasure, or inherited some property? He's really well hidden. I haven't heard anything about him before … "
He sighed in his heart, and then spoke in a mysterious tone: "Actually, the battlefield is quite dangerous. If it's just to obtain the status of a free citizen, I have a better way."
"What way?"
The old man's interest was piqued, and he could not help but promise to treat Jorv to a good drink.
After getting this guarantee, Jorv said mysteriously: "Do you know what those slaves are doing?"
"They seem to be building something. It should be Sir Jorv's castle, right?"
The old man guessed with some uncertainty.
"Wrong, Sir Jorv has no intention of building a castle. He's going to build many workshops! Priority will be given to the citizens to work, and they'll be paid monthly! "
Jorv blinked his eyes: "I think you can send your grandson to the workshops. At the very least, he'll be able to learn a trade. It'll be useful even if he goes to other big cities."
"Become a craftsman?"
The old man blinked his eyes. For a family of farmers, a craftsman with the status of a free citizen was already a decent person.
Furthermore, there was not much danger. This immediately tempted him, and after thanking Jorv several times, he took his leave.
Jorv watched him leave, and then walked around the territory casually. From time to time, he could hear cheers.
Who knew how many people were secretly calculating their wealth, preparing to redeem their land and the status of a free citizen.
The entire territory was brimming with vitality.
That's right, it was vitality!
Jorv chewed on a stalk of grass as he thought to himself.
He had originally been against Sir William's arrival, but reality had proven that he had brought a new lease of life to Karros.
He was brave, powerful, and a good lord who could protect his citizens. He was also rather benevolent. The militia this time, regardless of whether they were lightly or heavily injured, were given subsidies and care. As for those who died in battle, their families immediately received consolation money and the status of free citizens.
To be able to follow such a lord, even dying in battle would be worth it, right?
Jorv's eyes suddenly became moist, and he piously prayed to all the gods: "Almighty gods, please bless our Sir William! Let him lead us to a bright future! "
… …
A few days later, with the arrival of various raw materials and tools, the construction of the workshop officially began.
Wu Ming looked around, a subtle look in his eyes.
The farming ability of a transmigrator should not be underestimated. As long as he was given time, he was confident that in a few years, he could turn Karros into the commercial jewel of the Windfirefly Plains, and even the Seer Continent.
Of course, when that time came, his status as a knight would definitely not be able to suppress it.
"I'm really looking forward to the changes that will occur after I accumulate strength!"
Wu Ming's gaze was deep, as if he had seen through everything. "Also, from the moment I start selling goods, what title will those jealous people give me? Salt Knight? Glass Knight? Or Merchant Knight? "
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