As the most important step in the process of reshaping the order in the Southern Territory, the administrative construction and renovation project of the Houseman Territory (Houseman City) was of the utmost importance to Gawain. Even though he was extremely busy with various affairs in the territory, he would still prioritize the handling of this information.
And the apprentices that Heti had carefully selected and rigorously tested did not disappoint Gwen.
In the study of the lord's residence, Heti, who came to report early in the morning, brought the information that the messenger had just sent to the territory. "Ancestor, this is the report sent from Hosman's territory. The young man named Daedalus has begun to count the land and population of Hosman's territory. At the same time, the work team has controlled the remaining Knight and retainers in Hosman's territory and has begun to take over the manor that originally belonged to Count Hosman. At present, the work is progressing smoothly. "
"A capable young man … I remember you had high hopes for him," Gwen took the report from Heti and nodded as he read it. "Well … it's methodical. It seems that he did not make the mistake of advancing rashly."
"He's a Houseman, so he knows the situation in his hometown very well. That's one of the reasons why I chose him." Heidi had a faint sense of pride on her face because almost all the young administrative officers in the Government Office were apprentices she had brought up. Detalos's success also meant her success. But apart from feeling proud, she was also a little worried. "It's just that the situation there is very complicated. The Houseman family is an ancient and powerful family, and they have a profound influence on the territory. Even the locals who know the situation will have a hard time dealing with them. And to be honest … Although he's doing well now, I'm not sure how long he can do it."
Gwen raised his eyebrows. "You seem to be a little worried?"
"A family that has ruled for hundreds of years has a profound influence on their territory. Their rule has become a part of the local life. Even if the lord is gone, the 'inertia' left by the old lord is still everywhere in the territory. It was very difficult for us to transform Kant's territory. Now, Daedalus is facing an earl's territory …"
Gwen was very calm about this. He said slowly, "There is almost no order in the traditional aristocratic rule. In my opinion, their 'management' of the territory is equivalent to no management at all. It is indeed difficult to establish the initial order in such a situation. But on the other hand, it is precisely because there is no order in the first place that even a little improvement will have a huge impact on the entire territory. And these huge impacts will easily inspire the more sensible people among the people, so they will begin to support the new decree.
"The new administrative officers in the Hosman area are currently at this stage. If they can effectively control the situation at the beginning of the implementation of the new decree and get the support of the prestigious people in the territory, then the construction in the future will enter a virtuous cycle …"
Seeing Heti's thoughtful look, Gwen went further and said, "You can remind the government officials over there to find ways to persuade, instigate, and even bribe a group of influential people in the territory, such as big businessmen, famous scholars, and other respected people. Let them benefit from the new decree and use them as role models to further implement the new decree. In addition, more examples can be set among the ordinary people, so that those who actively respond to Cecil's laws and obey the management will become prosperous people. The people are very practical. No matter how many notices you put up in the square, it is better to let them see the expected benefits with their own eyes. "
"I understand …" Heti nodded happily. "Ancestor, thank you for your reminder."
Gwen nodded, but he did not think that his advice was a big deal. He had just read some books in his previous life, and when he was a satellite spirit, he had watched countless live versions of civilization evolution documentaries, so he could casually say some empirical things. However, these things were not very profound. With Heti's intelligence and the experience she had accumulated in the process of transforming Kant Hill, she could come up with something similar after a day or two of thinking.
Even if she did not think about it, the government officials sent to Hosman would most likely be able to come up with a solution as long as they studied the practical problems in this area. Since they were selected, they must have the corresponding ability. The people in this world never lacked wisdom, they just lacked some experience.
"In fact, compared to the difficulties and troubles, the terrible 'ruling' ability of the traditional nobles has also left us a lot of convenience," Gwen suddenly shook his head when he was almost done reading the report. Then, he whispered in a low voice, "Unfortunately, it is a double-edged sword …"
"Convenience?" Heti could not keep up with the old ancestor's rhythm. In fact, she often could not keep up with the old ancestor's rhythm. She was used to it. "What do you mean?"
"Cohesion and self-identity. I don't know if you have noticed that when the people in the newly taken territory accept the transformation of Cecil's order, they only resist the new decree, not the new ruler. "
Heti frowned slightly. She still did not seem to grasp the main point in Gwen's words.
Gwen was not surprised. Instead, he patiently explained, "The traditional nobles hardly consider the feelings of the people when they govern the territory, nor do they consider the development of culture, economy, law, and other fields in the territory. In fact, the only thing they consider is taxation. For the territory, the seigneur is just the biggest landlord, so the 'tenant farmers' never have a sense of belonging and identity to this kind of rule. And because the seigneur's decree is often full of contradictions and mistakes, the lives of the people are unstable. So, in the land of the traditional nobles, the people are almost uncohesive.
"The people who grow up in this' ruling 'structure lack a sense of nationality and country … Well, it may be too abstract to explain this concept to you now. You can simply understand that they don't care who is their seigneur, and where the seigneur comes from. They don't even care if the country exists, and they don't care if the king is an Ansu or a Typhon.
"And in this' indifference 'situation, we avoided the biggest problem when we took over the Southern Territory. Even if we defeated more than forty nobles, the people who were originally ruled by the nobles have almost no resistance to me, the new seigneur … They seem to accept the fact that the Southern Territory has changed hands very calmly."
Heti understood all of Gwen's words, but she was a little confused. "Isn't this normal? And because of this, we can take over the Southern Territory … "
Gwen shook his head. "Be that as it may, but if there is a day when other enemies invade the Southern Territory, it will not be good if our people are also so indifferent."
Heti's expression became subtle. After a moment, she said tentatively, "So, you mean to make the people more loyal to the seigneur …"
"No, that's not enough." Gwen continued to shake his head. "A king is not eternal, no matter how great his talent and vision is. Similarly, it is meaningless to make the people loyal to a family or a bloodline. We should create something that is more durable, more tenacious, and more something that the people can spontaneously identify with and defend …"
Heti looked at Gwen, a little stunned. She seemed to see a strange enthusiasm on her ancestor's face, and she rarely saw this kind of emotion from him. She faintly realized that her ancestor, who had just opened his coffin, might have some far-sighted ideas of great talent and vision, and she could even vaguely feel a thread of this idea. She could not help but ask, "Do you have any new plans?"
Gwen was not overly immersed in his own emotions. After Heti spoke, he took a deep breath and said slowly, "This is not something that can be achieved overnight, or even in one or two generations … But perhaps we should leave something for future generations …"
When Heti heard 'future generations', she blinked and asked, "What do you want to leave for Rebecca?"
"Ahem … I'm not talking about that … You've ruined the mood I've been brewing." Gwen coughed awkwardly, and then waved his hand. "What I mean is, we should let the term 'Cecil people' transcend the meaning of a territory, and let it become a greater concept …"
At this point, Gwen suddenly changed the topic and asked, "Speaking of which, I've recently started to hear a more popular saying — 'to become a glorious citizen of Cecil'. Have you heard of it?"
"Yes, I've heard of it." Heti nodded. "This is what Scholar Godwin Orlando said in an article two issues ago. At that time, the news of the defeat of the allied noble army and the victory of the Cecil Legion was announced. Mr. Godwin suggested that the allied noble army should tie themselves up as soon as possible so that they could be educated and 'become a glorious citizen of Cecil' as soon as possible. Later, this sentence became popular, and the people in the territory seemed to be very proud of this sentence. The people in charge of receiving the prisoners and assigning the tasks of rehabilitation through labor would also say this sentence to the prisoners of war when they were sent to the labor camp … It has become an unwritten rule."
"That scholar is a talent … It was a right decision to stay." Gwen could not help but sigh. Then, he felt a little gratified. "This is a good start … If there's a chance, I'll have to talk to Godwin. We should make good use of the propaganda and guidance function of the newspaper."
After that, Gwen asked Heti about the recent situation of the various development points along the Whitewater River. After that, he let out a long sigh. "Very good. Although it's not easy, everything is developing according to our expectations …"
After that, he could not help but look at Heti a few more times. "Speaking of which, you haven't rested for a long time … The work in the government office can be a little more leisurely for now. You should pick a day to take a break … By the way, you didn't draw the dark circles under your eyes this time, did you?"
Heti's face suddenly turned red. "… Ancestor, you still haven't forgotten?"
"I have a deep impression of you. I didn't expect you to be able to do this … I always thought that only Amber could do this kind of thing."
Heti felt even more embarrassed. But before she could say anything, the window of the study was suddenly opened.
A crackling sound came from outside the window.
Gwen looked back in surprise and found that it was not Amber who appeared outside the window, but Kamel. The arcanist floated outside the window, his whole body emitting a blue light. He looked a little bigger than usual.
Gwen was stunned. "I didn't expect Kamel to do this kind of thing … I always thought that only Amber could do this kind of thing …"
Then, he heard Kamel's excited voice outside the window. "My lord, I have a great achievement!"
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