Chapter 100 This is called aristocratic life

After Ronald realized that this was a trap, more troubles soon followed.

Fortunately, Derek had not done anything too extreme, at least he did not directly give up the Province of St. Peter.

However, as soon as Ronald took office, sheriffs from all over the country came to collect debts.

What debt?

Of course, it was the overdue military expenses. Seeing these sheriffs with two-headed dragon emblems on their chests asking for money, Ronald felt a little dizzy.

It was hard to get by, and it was even more difficult to take back the power.

I thought that these surrendered nobles would have an advantage over Derek if they were won over in the name of the king, but when it was really his turn to visit them one by one, he found that things were not that simple.

Even the local church was advocating Derek as a saint. Ronald didn't understand it very much. Could it be that these Holy Cross people were so soft-hearted that they were conquered by Derek at once?

He thought that maybe he could try it himself.

...

Derek's convoy passed by Birch Castle and passed through the territory of Augusta after it was sealed.

The traces left by the flood have almost disappeared. Time is the most ruthless weapon, always easily erasing all traces.

This land has regained its vitality.

The wheat seedlings in the rush are growing vigorously, and Derek stopped at the edge of a farmland.

"Don't trample on the wheat seedlings, go find a few old men, I want to ask questions."

The knight of the Augusta family carefully dismounted and crossed the narrow ridge.

In the distance, a chubby government official heard the news and ran over in a hurry.

The government official glanced at the emblem on the knight's chest and immediately showed a flattering smile.

"My lord, may I ask which nobleman is here, and what do you need me to do?"

The knight ordered coldly: "Go and ask a few older farmers to come over, the Earl wants to ask questions."

The Earl, hearing this title, thought of the rumors not long ago, the government official lowered his waist and nodded and said: "No problem, I will go and invite them right away, go and invite them."

Soon, several elderly farmers were brought to Derek.

Of course, he may be only 30 or 40 years old, which is already a very old age for the lower-class farmers.

Facing an earl, they cannot understand the other party's power.

In a narrow cognition, the village chief may be the sky, and the earl is a higher official than the village chief.

Facing the earl, they are humble to the bones, and the whole person crawls on the ground.

Although Derek can be cruel enough to break the dam, he can also hang the captives without hesitation.

But compared with the nobles of this era, he still has a trace of insignificant kindness.

Maybe it feels hypocritical, but human nature is complex and two-sided.

Any single label cannot summarize human nature.

So seeing the farmers bowing on the ground, Derek tried to say in a gentle voice: "Sit down, go and move a few stools."

Soon the servants brought a few stools like wooden stakes, and the farmers looked at each other and dared not sit down.

Derek stood up, helped a farmer to sit down, and took a stool to sit opposite them.

"Sit down, we are all God's people, I am no different from you."

He didn't believe it himself.

But it did make people feel a little relieved, and the farmers sat down one by one.

It can be seen that the nobleman treated them so well, and a blush appeared on their excited faces.

"How is the wheat planted?"

Speaking of farming, the farmers have some spirit.

"Very good, it was more than a month late, and the harvest might be poor, but this year the wheat is growing very well, it may not have much impact."

"Thank God, thank the lord."

"Did the flood have a big impact?"

"Big! My house was flooded."

"My second son drowned."

Derek asked one question after another, including taxation, public security and life issues.

Only from these lowest-level farmers can we understand the real situation of Augusta Territory.

Facts have proved that the impact of the flood is very large, and it is more concentrated on property and population losses.

On the contrary, this year's grain harvest may be limited, and the improved production technology has played a big role.

As for the corruption of grassroots officials, it is inevitable, but it is not so serious that the people are living in poverty.

Derek sent several farmers away and rewarded each of them with a silver coin.

If there are more, it may not be a good thing.

The situation in the territory is generally very good, and some minor problems can be rectified in a targeted manner.

Derek took a detour to check several places and found that the situation was similar, so he returned to Augusta City.

The short stay of the Holy Cross people at the beginning caused considerable damage to the city.

However, under concentrated development, Augusta City not only recovered its vitality, but also made further progress in urban construction.

It is worth mentioning that everything the Holy Cross people took from here was returned.

Including the knight's heavy armor that Archduke Fernandez regarded as a treasure, it returned to the warehouse.

Lady Tiona Perez Augusta also came to Augusta City from Swan Castle.

Marrying here means she is the countess, and she is also a knight of the North, the mistress of the Earldom of Augusta. This status is enough to make 99% of the noble women envious.

Even if she is the daughter of the king, she may not be able to marry so well.

Tiona is very content. Since she came to Augusta City, she has been very wise to do what she should do.

Just like the original agreement, she only needs a little respect, and she completely ignores other things.

In such a large Earl's mansion, all kinds of servants, interpersonal relationships and even operations are extremely complicated.

Those who have this ability may not have the right identity.

Those who have the right identity... do not have the right identity.

The knights under Derek can't help at all, and Lady Tiona fills this gap very well.

Having learned aristocratic communication since childhood and growing up in the Earl's family, Tiona is very capable under the influence of her family.

When Derek is away, she manages the housework in an orderly manner, and even takes the initiative to manage part of the caravan, which can bring profits.

When Derek returns home, the feeling is completely different.

Well-behaved servants, clear and strict guards inside and outside, and... a touch of warmth.

Tiona reached out and took off Derek's outer robe and hung it on the hanger.

Talking softly about family affairs and some caravan matters.

"By the way, there are some barbarians from the north who come to us to trade war horses.

Philip at the horse farm is very capable and has trained a group of good horses.

I took one of his daughters into my house, so that he can work more at ease. After she is trained, she can find a knight to marry.

What do you think, sir?"

"You arrange it. Philip is really doing a good job. We will also give a dowry when the time comes."

After taking a bath with the help of the Countess, Derek sat at the dining table and felt for the first time that he was finally living the life of an aristocrat.