Chapter 67: If You Use PUA Well, Your Serfs Won

“So many craftsmen? Is this real?”

Before Gervas spoke, Lei Meng, Mi Gen, and others were already stunned.

In noble lands, craftsmen’s status was lower than knights’, but their numbers were never much greater.

So for a village of fugitives to have over a dozen craftsmen was utterly unbelievable.

“Your village has this many craftsmen? Do you know the punishment for deceiving nobles?” Gervas asked coldly, deliberately.

“My lord, we dare not deceive you. What we say is true—Heisong Village is entirely made up of craftsmen. We beg to serve you for life, only asking you to spare us and our families!”

Gervas frowned on the surface, feigning intense inner struggle—though inside, he was overjoyed.

So many craftsmen at once would ease the shortage in Stormhold.

Lei Meng, Mi Gen, and the others waited anxiously for Gervas’s decision.

Such a large number of craftsmen was indeed rare.

They also knew deep down that fugitives weren’t necessarily irredeemable.

Only some had fled after murder or theft.

Most had been driven beyond endurance by exploitation, fleeing with their families beyond the kingdom’s borders.

“Fine. Since Stormhold is still new and needs many craftsmen to build it, I’ll make an exception—no execution. You’re reduced to slaves.”

“But if you work hard within three years, I’ll consider restoring your status as serfs!”

“Thank you, noble lord, for your mercy!”

“Thank you, noble lord, for your mercy!”

The serfs were overwhelmed with emotion—none had expected to live, let alone regain their serf status in three years.

Even the knights and guards nearby were moved, touched by their lord’s benevolence.

Cheers erupted in waves.

And all Gervas wanted to say was: If you use PUA well, your serfs won’t run away!

…

“Look over there—what’s on that cart?”

“Good heavens, they’re corpses! How can there be so many?!”

“Yes! Where did our lord and his men go?!”

As the party returned and entered the village, a crowd of serfs immediately gathered.

But this time, seeing the hundreds of corpses on the cart, the serfs’ faces filled with terror.

After all, from their clothing, those corpses looked no different from them.

“People of Stormhold, I bring good news: This evening, our great lord led us to pursue the bandits from yesterday!”

“While the Scorpion Bandits had already left, our lord led us to exterminate the dogs who aided them!”

“These corpses? They’re the dogs’!” Amid the murmurs, Knight Mi Gen loudly proclaimed their victory.

The serfs froze for a moment, then their eyes blazed with sudden light.

“What? These are the dogs’ corpses? So the dogs are all dead?”

“No wonder—our merciful lord only shows cruelty to dogs and bandits. Look at the Scorpion banner on top, and the mud on their clothes—these are the dogs!”

“That’s right! They’re the dogs from yesterday! Those bastards trampled my fields! Ha! Now they’ve gotten their due! Our lord is mighty—he’s avenged us!”

“Wah! The dogs finally got what they deserved! Our lord is mighty—he’s finally avenged us!”

“Our lord is mighty! I, Aunt Jiao-la, will bear him children…”

Seeing many serfs weeping with emotion, Gervas signaled Mi Gen again.

“People of Stormhold, what are you waiting for? These dog corpses lie before you—go, teach them a lesson! Let them suffer punishment even in hell for their crimes!”

The serfs stared blankly, then surged forward like a boiling pot.

“You damned dog!”

“You son of a bitch dog!”

“You miserable…!”

Fists rained down—the corpses paid for their sins, even in death.

…

Learning that the lord planned to tell Xue Li a story, Luo Si felt deep concern.

Not because she feared Gervas would harm Xue Li—but because she worried Xue Li might disturb the lord’s rest.

Though Old John had reassured her that this might help Gervas relax.

But nobles were nobles—she feared that without her there, such a young child might accidentally offend him.

Carrying a carefully prepared goose egg custard, Luo Si nervously entered the back garden.

From afar, she heard laughter—her eyes flickered with gratitude.

“Hehehe, that’s good! So good!”

“Shall Xue Li hear another story?”

“Lord Gervas, may I?”

“Of course!”

Only after calming herself did she approach a stone table.

“My lord, the goose egg custard is ready.”

“Luo Si, chef, set it down here,” Gervas nodded.

“Mother, you’re here! Lord Gervas’s story is wonderful—listen too!” Xue Li innocently invited.

Luo Si dared not, “Xue Li, mother has work to do, and…”

“No need to cook tonight. Sit and listen awhile,” Gervas interrupted her excuses.

Luo Si hesitated, then sat down, moved by Xue Li’s hopeful gaze.

Gervas resumed his story.

The lord’s tale was novel—a Snow White story, one Luo Si had never heard before.

Xue Li worried for Snow White, then cheered at the prince’s arrival.

Amid Xue Li’s delighted exclamations, Luo Si felt a long-absent warmth.

Thinking of her years of hardship and fear alone, she wished this moment could last forever.

“Mother! Mother! Wake up! The lord says the story’s over—he’s going to train now. We’ll come back tomorrow!”

Xue Li’s voice woke Luo Si.

Startled, she panicked—but Gervas was already focused on his custard, unaware of her. She exhaled in relief.

Yet hearing Xue Li say “train hard,” Luo Si felt an unprecedented urge.

After respectfully taking leave, Luo Si brought Xue Li back to the servants’ quarters.

“Xue Li, do you like Lord Gervas?”

“Mother, of course I do! I want to live in the castle forever and listen to the lord’s stories!”

“Mother, can we never leave again?” Xue Li pleaded innocently.

“Yes, mother will cook for the lord for the rest of her life.” Hearing Xue Li’s words, Luo Si’s last lingering doubt vanished.