Chapter 246: Because He Is Kind
Gregor opened his mouth but could not utter a word.
Did a village still need an administrator?
As far as villages were concerned, as long as taxes could be collected and there were guards to keep the villagers under control, was that not enough?
For hundreds of years, nobles had always treated villages this way. He had never heard of such a way of treating a village.
Did they really need to treat such a village, which might be destroyed at any time, in the same manner as a town?
Oh, right, that was exactly what York Territory did, and it was also gradually being carried out in the lands of his neighbor, Earl Richard.
But Gregor truly could not understand the thoughts of this priest, who had already distanced himself from the Church of the Sanctuary yet still lived within his territory. Would it not be fine to simply keep a group of commoners penned up and enjoy life as a gentry?
Yet, thinking of the mobs in the neighboring land who had rioted under the leadership of church priests, he decided to hold back his doubts and directly said,
“In my territory, villages are only managed by a tax officer and a captain of the guards. I have never placed an administrator in a village. But since you are such a kind priest, I would like to ask for your help. I hope you can appoint tax officers, administrators, and guard captains within the villages. Moreover, the village guard members can also be chosen by you.”
“As for their status as slaves, I now declare that they are no longer slaves, but commoners.”
Gregor thought, ‘I cannot understand your way of thinking. Then I shall just hand everything over to you. Do as you please—surely that will be enough.’
However, Jeremiah shook his head earnestly and said,
“This is your territory. They were once slaves and do not understand the laws of your land. Thus, they cannot serve as officials. Therefore, this matter must still be arranged by you.”
Gregor was nearly driven mad. What laws? He had only heard that someone below him seemed to be drafting such things, but he had never known what these so-called laws were. Before he became earl, he had been the first heir, and his knightly strength was deterrent enough. Whatever he wished, he could basically do. Only when his father intervened did things change. After inheriting the title of earl, he had done whatever he pleased. He had never once seen such inconvenient things as laws appear before him.
Gregor said directly,
“I know nothing of any laws, nor are there any in my territory. If you think laws are necessary, then you should go teach them laws. So, please, find suitable people yourself and teach them the laws.”
Jeremiah showed a troubled expression and said,
“The laws I know are those used in York Territory. They are not suitable for your land.”
Gregor replied,
“How do you know they are unsuitable if you don’t try? Do you think York Territory’s laws are good?”
Jeremiah answered without hesitation,
“Of course, they are good.”
Gregor pressed further,
“Then do you think my land would become better if it adopted your laws?”
Jeremiah hesitated briefly, but still said,
“It would become better.”
Gregor stood up, spread his arms wide, and declared loudly,
“Then that is enough! Since there are better laws, and they can make my land better, why not adopt them?”
Jeremiah struggled for a moment before reluctantly saying,
“Very well. I shall find people in the village and teach them the laws. If these laws prove unworkable, you may abolish them. That is your right as a lord. Of course, if your new laws are unfit, I will also advise you against them.”
Gregor plopped back down with a sigh of relief. At last, the matter was settled. Now that he had even given him control over the village’s borders, perhaps he could finally ask other questions.
After some thought, Gregor cautiously asked,
“Do you know what is happening in my brother Richard’s territory? I mean the matter of excommunication?”
Jeremiah nodded and said,
“Of course I know. I am currently under the jurisdiction of the Adrian Diocese, overseen by Bishop Marl. I have also received notice of the excommunication. However, I believe this punishment is too cruel and should not be carried out. Moreover, the village I reside in must work for survival, so I will not allow the villagers to respond to the excommunication.”
Gregor then asked,
“Then will this excommunication affect me…”
Realizing that his question might sound too blunt, he quickly rephrased,
“I mean, will this excommunication affect those outside of Viscount Youn’s lands?”
Jeremiah said,
“Of course not. The Lord loves all men. To cast down excommunication itself is against the Lord’s will, so naturally, He will not allow it to affect lands not under judgment.”
Gregor almost laughed. In his brother Earl Richard’s lands, more than three thousand people had been taken away in just the past few days. With more stragglers from York Territory joining in, there were still some continuing to follow. And this was what they called not allowing it to spread to other places?
But he held back and asked,
“Yet I heard that in my good brother Richard’s territory, over three thousand people were taken away because of this excommunication?”
Jeremiah replied,
“I have heard of this. It was because those gentry disobeyed Earl Richard’s orders to send brave warriors to follow him. Instead, they conscripted commoners to fulfill their lord’s commands, and even imprisoned priests without cause. You know that Adrian Diocese adopted the laws of York Territory, and their actions violated the law. They should be punished. Furthermore, commoners pay taxes to their lord, yet the lord failed to give them proper protection. Therefore, these commoners had the right to become subjects of another lord. This is written in the laws.”
“And as free men, they were devout believers of the Lord, willing to respond to His excommunication. Even if I do not agree with this punishment, I still praise their actions.”
Gregor grew more confused and felt a headache coming. So he asked bluntly,
“Then will my territory be affected?”
Jeremiah answered,
“Of course not. You are not a devout believer of the Lord, nor have you been subjected to excommunication. Therefore, none of this will affect you.”
Gregor finally let out a sigh of relief. As long as it would not affect him, that was fine.
He cared little about the commoners. But his “good brother,” who had “borrowed” his lands, was now practically cooperating with the commoners’ actions. He truly feared the Church might send knights or other fighting forces to intervene.
Jeremiah added,
“After excommunication is lifted, that land is abandoned by the Lord. It becomes masterless. Since you are merciful, if you wish to protect the commoners there, you may send troops to occupy part of the land. As long as you can protect the people there, it is approved by the Lord.”
Gregor stood up again. The chance to expand one’s territory was always tempting for any lord.
But after some hesitation, he sat back down, speaking as if to persuade himself,
“Forget it, forget it. It’s too far. Even if I take it, it would just be an enclave.”
Then he looked at Jeremiah and said,
“Since the matter of the village is settled, Priest, you have done well. Would you care to have some food here?”
Jeremiah bowed slightly, full of apology, and said,
“I am sorry, Earl Gregor. The villagers know that you summoned me, and they are very worried. I wish to return quickly to reassure them, and to tell them the good news that they are no longer slaves.”
Inwardly, Gregor praised this, though his face showed only regret. He said,
“That is truly a pity. Next time, when the chance arises, I shall prepare a banquet in your honor.”
Jeremiah nodded and said,
“Very well. But please give me a written order abolishing their slave status. Also, please grant a name to our village. After all, officials must report to you, and it would be inconvenient without a name.”
Gregor was taken aback. At first, he had only meant to dismiss this priest from York Territory, so indeed, he had never bothered with giving the village a name. After thinking for a moment, he decided to simply toss the matter of naming to Jeremiah as well. As for the letter, such things could be scribbled out casually.
After Jeremiah left, Gregor sighed in relief and muttered,
“These church priests are lunatics, always spouting such mad words.”
An elderly scholar emerged from a side chamber. His cloudy eyes looked at Gregor as he said,
“He is a good man, worthy of trust.”
Gregor retorted,
“He’s just a lunatic. Have you ever seen anyone like him? When given power, he refuses it, and even forces me to shove it upon him. In all my years, I’ve never seen such a lunatic.”
The scholar shook his head and said,
“That is his conviction. If you can gain his friendship, then he will become the most trustworthy person by your side.”
After a pause, he added,
“Once I leave, you can appoint him as your administrative advisor to help you govern your land.”
Gregor grew tense and said,
“Must you leave? I cannot do without you.”
This old scholar was the advisor of the Doyle Family. Back when the old earl fought for succession, it had been this scholar who managed the territory. After Gregor inherited the title, it was also he who helped stabilize the situation.
The scholar said,
“I am a scholar. The monastery of the Church of the Sanctuary calls to me just as expanding territory calls to you. The other scholars belonging to your vassal nobles have already left. I only stayed because I could not yet let go. But Priest Jeremiah—I believe he can replace me and aid you. So it is time I leave.”
Gregor protested,
“How can that lunatic ever compare to you?”
The scholar answered,
“Even if I stay, how many more years can I live? Priest Jeremiah is only a few years younger than you. When your child is born, he can help him secure his title, just as I helped you. Greg, you must look forward—to the future. Look at Earl Richard. The coming era is not one that an old relic like me can help you survive.”
Gregor remained silent.
The scholar continued,
“Once I leave, you must spread the news that Priest Jeremiah said you could occupy the excommunicated land. This is to show goodwill to the Church.”
“Isn’t Earl Richard recovering his lost land? When he does, send Priest Jeremiah to request the return of the land he borrowed from you. He will aid you in this, because he is kind. Once it is returned, he will have sufficient merit. You can then appoint him as your governor, just as Bishop Marl is to Earl Richard.”
“Lastly, you must petition the Church of the Sanctuary. The Doyle Territory is larger than Adrian, so the priests here cannot remain under Adrian Diocese. Request the establishment of a separate Doyle Diocese and ensure Jeremiah is appointed bishop to oversee it.”
“After that, all you need to do—just as Earl Richard does—is allow the Church to encroach upon the powers of those below you. Naturally, the lords and gentry will align themselves with you. And you, like Earl Richard, need only listen to Jeremiah.”
“Do not worry about him being overworked. His lofty faith will make him work without sleep. Even if he works himself to death, he will still govern your territory properly, because he is truly kind.”
“And since he has such lofty faith, he will never seize your authority. He will even protect it—though according to what he believes a lord ought to have. But compared to now, when you live in fear, worrying about Earl Richard, about York Territory, about petty nobles, about Lord Pegira, about the Church of the Sanctuary, about threats that could destroy your land and family—this is far better.”
“As for Lord Pegira, you need not worry. I have received word that he will die before I do.”