Chapter 53: Shanlin Village and Groups

At present, Shanlin Town is like a pile of loose sand; for the instructions from Shanlin Castle to reach every subject, Luoning needs to arrange for people to go and notify them specifically.

For instance, the matter a few days ago when Luoning had all his subjects meet him at the pasture was only barely communicated because Dawei, Tangmu, and others rode fast horses and shouted as if they were beating gongs and drums.

Luoning does not wish for his Professional Knights and Guards to keep wasting time on such matters.

He needs some grassroots personnel to quickly pass down his instructions.

Therefore, he has decided to divide these 1,993 people according to the concepts of villages and groups.

"Wilson, I need you to divide the people in the town by household, with about every hundred households forming a 'village'."

"A village?"

Wilson's expression is serious; just like with the matter of the squat toilet, he has no experience with this thing the Baron is talking about now.

"Yes, a village!"

Luoning explains carefully, "Although a hundred households make a village, this 'hundred households' is not a rigid rule; it mainly depends on the number of people, and you should try to balance the number of serfs and free tenant farmers in each village."

So-called serfs are, in reality, slaves attached to the lord, tilling the land for the lord, with the lord managing their food and drink, as long as they do not starve to death;

although free tenant farmers have personal freedom, they also till the lord's land, handing over a certain proportion of the harvest to pay the rent for the farmland;

although free tenant farmers have personal freedom, it is only in the legal sense; in actual life, their degree of freedom is very small, and if they are not careful, they will become serfs.

The "other professionals" in Wilson's statistics also have no land, but they earn their living expenses through their crafts.

Theoretically speaking, free tenant farmers and other professionals all belong to the free citizens, but in the population structure of Shanlin Town, the combined number of these two groups accounts for less than thirty-five percent.

"Shanlin Town has 543 households, which theoretically can be divided into six villages, but when you divide them, you need to ensure that the number of free tenant farmers and serfs in each village is as balanced as possible, so this number of villages could be five, or even four."

"As for the other professionals, you can assign them to the villages based on the location of their residences."

"Be careful to divide them by family; don't split up their families."

Wilson hurriedly takes out a small piece of parchment, then leans over the chair, recording Luoning's requirements with a quill.

He has only heard these two sentences, and he already feels that this matter has some difficulty to it.

"Additionally, for each village, you are to select a Village Chief for me, responsible for conveying the castle's instructions and managing daily farming work; set up four groups in each village, with Group Leaders, responsible for assisting the Village Chief in management."

"From now on, you can convey instructions directly to the Village Chief, and the Village Chief will convey them to the Group Leaders, and then to every household and every person."

Wilson is stunned, asking somewhat incredulously: "My Lord, are you saying that these people will be under my management?"

Luoning chuckles, "You can understand it that way, but there is one point I need to emphasize."

"These people only assist in conveying instructions, and at certain times are responsible for supervision when I issue tasks; I have not given them any other power, especially the power to punish other subjects!"

Wilson nods, keeping this point firmly in his heart.

"The Village Chiefs and Group Leaders must till their own land, and they must also do the work that is expected of them, though it can be relatively easier."

Luoning continues: "Of course, since they are doing things for me, I will also provide them with compensation. Tentatively, five copper coins plus five jin of barley per month for a Village Chief, and two copper coins plus two jin of barley per month for a Group Leader."

"You are truly a generous lord!"

Wilson exclaims; although it is a monthly wage rather than a daily wage, for serfs or free tenant farmers, these things are also highly sought after.

"I believe that once the subjects know of your policy, they will certainly be very eager to serve you!"

Luoning smiles, noncommittal.

In fact, in this small town that has not established commercial exchanges with the outside world, money is very hard to spend.

Even for Maiken and the others, the money they receive can ultimately only be consumed within the territory, such as buying grain, vegetables, meat, and so on from the castle.

In the end, much of the money will likely return to Luoning's hands.

Only when the trade routes are open and there are caravans willing to come to Shanlin Town to do business will the money in their hands have more value.

However, according to what Luoning knows, there are currently no caravans coming to Shanlin Town.

Some of the supplies for the subjects' lives were originally purchased from the outside by Pulinsite, but now it requires Luoning, this lord, to do the purchasing.

It sounds like the subjects are making the lord do the work, but in reality, ensuring the survival and living conditions of the subjects is also one of the lord's duties.

Every lord hopes that their territory is vast, the territory's wealth is abundant, and the territory's population is numerous.

From manor to small town, from small town to small city, from small city to large city—this is the dream of all lords.

Luoning is the same, especially since his Achievement Master interface has an 【Gongchengluedi】 achievement, which requires him to possess a city.

【Gongchengluedi】: Possess a city. Reward: Attribute Point +200, Energy Essence +400.

This achievement only says one must possess a city; it does not require Luoning to conquer a city, which means a city that has been developed can also satisfy the requirement.

Luoning now has Shanlin Town, yet this achievement has not been reached, which can only mean that this town is a different concept from a city.

As for what requirements are needed to count as a city, although Luoning is not clear, he estimates it definitely has something to do with population.

In the final analysis, it is still about developing the population.

Although relying on purchasing and reproduction has a certain effect, attracting free citizens to join is also a good method.

To attract people, one must go out and interact more.

Therefore, Luoning knows that if a territory wants to be revitalized, it is very necessary to attract caravans to come and do business.

When there is enough manpower later on, Luoning reckons he will also need to set up a "Business Official" specifically responsible for the territory's business issues.

As for now, Shanlin Town has just over two thousand people including himself; everything is kept simple, and he will step in when necessary.

"My Lord, I have a question."

Wilson reveals a somewhat uncertain look, "Should these Village Chiefs and Group Leaders be appointed from among the serfs, or from the free tenant farmers or other free citizens?"

Luoning taps his fingers on the table, beginning to think.

In fact, whether they are serfs or tenant farmers, they all survive by being attached to him, the lord; in his eyes, there is no great difference.

"Our current government affairs are mainly concentrated on farming, so free citizens with other occupations will not be included in the scope of appointments for now."

The carpenter William, the blacksmith Kalesi, and such people all belong to free citizens with other occupations; they just need to do their own work well.

"Therefore, this round of Village Chiefs and Group Leaders will be selected from among the free tenant farmers and serfs. As for the selection criteria, first is those with a relatively high level of planting, and then the younger and more energetic, the better."

Luoning is also preparing to set up experimental fields; when the time comes for planting, he can also have these selected Village Chiefs and Group Leaders come over to watch and learn.

Once they have learned it, we can then promote it to every village and every group; that way, the speed will be much faster.

"Alright, that's about it."

Luoning asked Beila to refill his barley tea, while simultaneously issuing an order for her to leave, "Just handle it according to the requirements I just mentioned; I hope that when I return from Muma City, you can give me a satisfactory answer."

Wilson looked seriously at the parchment in his hands, carefully pondering every point.

This matter was quite troublesome; if there was anything he was unclear about, it would be best to ask clearly before Luoning left, otherwise, if Luoning returned and found it had been botched, it would be difficult to handle.

"My Lord, then after I go home tonight, I will organize the data you mentioned and come to report to you tomorrow."

He took the population registration parchment back with him, having also made up his mind that if he still had doubts, he could take the opportunity to bring them up while reporting on his work.

"Fine, go ahead!"

Luoning waved his hand; he was very fond of such good employees who were willing to work overtime even at night.

Thanks to the two gentlemen Youye Hongyu and Shuyou20220329095731940 for their tips, thanks to the gentleman Danshengou Honghong for the monthly ticket, and thanks to the various gentlemen including Qingshan for their recommendation votes~

(End of this chapter)