When Art, leading Roanne who held a brocade box containing fifty large silver marks and several agates, arrived at the mansion of Lord Deputy of the Court, Earl Baldwin, Earl Baldwin was in the Court's great hall, locked in a fierce dispute with the former Lord Deputy of the Court, now Minister of Finance, Earl Bernal.
The focus of the dispute was how the Court should allocate fiefdoms to the apprentice knights who had completed their service and were due for commendation and reward.
Last summer, due to financial constraints, the Court, in order to recruit a contingent of elite troops to deal with the pressure of the war in the Eastern Territory, issued an order to confer titles upon apprentice knights throughout the Earl, at the suggestion of the Marquise. Soon after, dozens of people participated in the selection process for apprentice knights, and ultimately, twenty-four applicants were conferred the title of apprentice knight. Among these apprentice knights, three with connections and backgrounds remained in the rear, serving in military positions that offered easy merits and little danger, while the remaining twenty-one all led their own troops to the battlefield to fight against the Swabia army.
Among the twenty-one, six souls forever remained on the Eastern Territory battlefield, and eight were dragged back to Besançon, lying on stretchers; among the remaining seven lucky ones who returned whole, only four had achieved military merits. The other three, shortly after the war began, were terrified by the brutal fighting on the northern front. No matter how strictly the Commander ordered them, these three refused to charge and fight. As a result, the enraged battlefield Commander imprisoned them on charges of retreating in the face of battle and refusing to obey orders. Not only would these fellows not be conferred as Knights, but they would also face severe military sanctions.
For the apprentice knights who died in battle, the Court, out of consideration for appeasing the grievances of the deceased's families, retained their status as lifelong apprentice knights. The land of the deceased's families would be exempt from all taxes except war taxes for ten years, but the status of apprentice knight was not inheritable. Their heroic sacrifice could only bring their families ten years of tax exemption privileges.
Apprentice knights with severe, incurable injuries were treated differently. According to documents sent back to the Court from the Eastern Territory battlefield, five of the eight severely wounded had achieved military merits. These five severely wounded apprentice knights would have their swallowtail banners removed by the Court, but because they were no longer suitable to serve as Knights leading troops for the Court, these five could only enjoy the title and privileges of lifelong Knights; the Court would not grant them fiefdoms. The other three unfortunate fellows who were severely wounded just after entering the battlefield and before they could kill any enemies could only enjoy the same treatment as those who died in battle—lifelong apprentice knights, enjoying ten years of tax exemption.
The handling of those who died in battle, disobeyed orders, or were severely wounded generally received basic consensus from everyone in the Court. The key point of contention was between the three who remained behind and the four who had military merits, because they were all eligible to receive the title of Knight and fiefdoms.
These twenty-four apprentice knights were all recruited and conferred under the name of Marquis Ivrea Otto of Burgundy County. Their titles and fiefdoms had to be arranged by the Marquise herself.
The title was simple, nothing more than a sealed document.
However, the issue of fiefdoms was difficult. Marquis Ivrea's direct territories were the most fertile and prosperous lands in the Earl. These fiefdoms had long been divided among the Marquis's most trusted retainers, relatives, or Court dignitaries. Even less prosperous fiefdoms like Tinietz County City were entrusted to Viscount Pierre, the Marquis's former Attendant Captain. And other Earls, Viscounts, and powerful Ministers in the Court who held fiefdoms could not possibly hand over their fiefdoms for the Court to grant to these apprentice knights, as these apprentice knights were the Marquis's vassals, and the great nobles with land could neither collect taxes from them nor demand that they lead troops for them.
Marquis Ivrea continuously coordinated, and finally had to offer tax reductions, commercial privileges, and Court official positions as conditions to exchange for fiefdoms from the various nobles.
Since the war primarily took place in the Eastern Territory's Winterthur Province, Earl Baldwin's fiefdom had more Knights who died in battle, and there were also some vacant lands with no heirs. To share the Marquis Ivrea's worries and to solidify his position in the Marquis's heart, Earl Baldwin voluntarily offered two Knight territories for the Court's disposal. Of course, Marquis Ivrea still granted Baldwin a Court herald's official position and the operational privilege for linen in Winterthur Province.
Seeing Baldwin gain favor with the Marquise, Minister of Finance Earl Bernal also offered his Winston Manor in southern Tinietz County to the Court as a Knight's fiefdom.
Finally, Marquis Ivrea exchanged five Knight fiefdoms (fiefdoms with castles and subjects) from the nobles.
However, facing four apprentice knights who had achieved military merits on the front line and three apprentice knights with connections and backing in the rear, how to distribute these five lands evolved into another debate.
Among the three apprentice knights who remained in the rear, two had backing in the Court. One of them was the second son of the Marquise's brother, and the other was the illegitimate son of the Court Military Minister. These two were confirmed to be conferred as Knights and each granted a fertile Knight's fiefdom. Another apprentice knight named Dean had opened a channel with Minister of Finance Bernal. His Dean Family had privately offered a huge sum of 60,000 fenni, intending to 'buy' Winston Manor from Bernal. That is why the usually shrewd and stingy Earl Bernal generously offered his manor for the Court's disposal.
When Minister of Finance Bernal mentioned the name Dean, Earl Baldwin immediately became agitated. This fellow had initially sought refuge under Earl Baldwin, and his Dean Family had sent a huge amount of wealth to Earl Baldwin and secured a military supply officer position under Earl Baldwin. However, Earl Baldwin later discovered that this insatiable fellow had secretly colluded with Besançon merchants, bypassing him, and embezzled a considerable amount of military funds, making a fortune. Earl Baldwin had originally intended to severely punish this ignorant fellow.
However, after the incident, Dean immediately switched allegiance to Minister of Finance Bernal, and his Dean Family also seemed to have connections with Court dignitaries. Earl Baldwin, pressured by his arch-rival Earl Bernal and some Court dignitaries, had to give up further investigation into Dean. But now Bernal actually proposed to grant Winston Manor to Dean as a fiefdom, and Earl Baldwin immediately raised strong objections.
"Lord Bernal, if Winston Manor were still your own fiefdom, I wouldn't say 'no' even if you gave it to the lowliest slave. But now Winston Manor has been reclaimed by the Court, and as Lord Deputy of the Court, I firmly oppose granting this manor to this fellow named Dean!!" Earl Baldwin forcefully pushed back the Minister of Finance's proposal.
Bernal glared at Baldwin. This old fellow in front of him had secretly taken his Vice Minister position and constantly opposed him in the Court. He immediately retorted, "Vice Minister, you can't always make things difficult for Dean just because he couldn't stand your tyranny and left you. Dean worked tirelessly, traveling back and forth transporting military supplies during his half-year of service to the Court, and his Dean Family contributed tens of thousands of fenni in war taxes to defend the Marquise's territory. Shouldn't such a loyal and brave person be treated generously? Besides, Dean is from Tinietz, so granting Winston Manor to him as a Knight's fiefdom is perfectly suitable!"
Earl Baldwin was so angry that he almost blurted out that the Dean Family had given a huge bribe to the Minister of Finance, but he suddenly remembered that he had also received money from Dean, so the words on his tongue changed. "If fiefdoms are to be granted based on origin, then apprentice knight Art is also from Tinietz County, and he truly earned military merits on the battlefield. Then Winston Manor should be granted to him even more!"
When Bernal heard the name Art, his anger flared. He pointed at Earl Baldwin's nose and roared, "That Bastard Art, he once plundered Winston Manor like a bandit and even murdered my vassal! Only the Vice Minister would think highly of such a Bastard. Now he even wants to monopolize Winston Manor? Dream on!"
Baldwin intentionally used the name Art to provoke Bernal. He turned his head and said to everyone in the hall, "Bernal, the matter of Winston Manor has long been settled. I think you know whose fault it was better than anyone!"
Seeing the two important Ministers in the hall about to start arguing over old grudges again, Marquis Ivrea sternly stopped them, saying, "We are discussing the issue of fiefdoms for meritorious apprentice knights. Why are you bringing up these messy affairs!!"
Seeing that the Marquise was somewhat angry, the two in the hall glared at each other and sat back in their respective armchairs on either side.
"Both Baldwin and Bernal have valid points. However, the Court now only has three Knight fiefdoms left, but there are still five Knights who need to be granted fiefdoms. Not to mention the quality of the fiefdoms, just who gets land and who doesn't is a big problem, so let's discuss this issue first before considering others~" The elderly Prime Minister, seeing Baldwin and Bernal lead the topic astray, quickly stepped in to mediate.
The others in the hall also echoed their agreement.
So, the powerful Ministers in the hall then began to consider, based on the military merits, family backgrounds, and utility of the remaining five apprentice knights, who among them would receive fiefdoms and who would only be conferred as Knights without receiving a fiefdom...
The Court meeting continued until noon. From the very beginning, this Court meeting was intertwined with too many family forces and Court struggles, so much so that true military merits on the battlefield became a secondary, even tertiary, influencing factor in the end.
As a stranger in Burgundy County with no real family background, a pawn caught in the private struggle between the Lord Deputy of the Court and the Minister of Finance, the apprentice knight Art, who had achieved distinguished military merits in Talburg, did not receive fair treatment commensurate with his achievements.
"Marquis, I believe Sir Art should be granted a knight's fief no matter what. Your territory is still facing enemy incursions, and surrounded by hungry wolves, you need a loyal and fearless warrior like him to protect you. Neglecting a meritorious warrior will dishearten others who fight for you. Although Art is a Lombardy, he has a deep-seated hatred for Lombardy due to the destruction of his family. I have seen the army under his command; although not numerous, they are all elite Soldiers. If the Court needs to conscript again in the future, he will be a sharp arrow. Furthermore, he and his father were once the religious guards of Bishop Olov. Such a warrior, loyal to God and loyal to you, should not receive such unjust treatment." Baldwin made his final attempt for Art.
Marquis Ivrea also felt he had somewhat wronged this warrior who had achieved military merits on the southeastern border, but as the ruler of an Earl, he needed to consider the balance of all parties. "I also know this is somewhat unfair to him, but Baldwin, Burgundy County now needs the support of more powerful families. I can only focus on the present. Don't worry, I will not only confer upon him the title of official Knight but also reward him with sufficient money as compensation."
Marquis Ivrea turned to Minister of Finance Bernal and said, "Bernal, take 50,000 fenni from the Court treasury for Art Wood Wells, and 20,000 fenni for David Patrick (another meritorious apprentice knight) as compensation for not being granted a fief. How about that?"
Bernal shook his head repeatedly and said, "Marquis, the Court treasury is almost depleted to deal with this war, and the war is still ongoing. The Earl's commercial and agricultural taxes have repeatedly shrunk due to the war, and those free cities refuse to increase their tax payments to us. The Court treasury must retain enough gold to maintain the Earl's operations."
Seeing the Marquis's troubled expression, the Minister of Finance continued, "The 20,000 fenni for David can barely be squeezed out, but 50,000 fenni for Art is too much; I'm afraid it will be difficult. Besides, I heard that this fellow, who is good at looting, has plundered a lot of money and goods in Swabia. He might not even care about the money compensated by the Court."
Bernal remembered something else and stood up with a smile, saying to the Marquis, "Marquis, I've thought of a solution."
"Oh, tell me?" Marquis Ivrea leaned forward, listening intently.
"According to a letter from the tax officer of Tinietz County, this fellow named Art once proactively proposed and set up a tax checkpoint at a bridgehead on the southern border of Tinietz to collect inbound commercial taxes. Since he likes to set up checkpoints and collect taxes there, why not grant him that bridge along with the surrounding land as a fief? This way, he gets a fief, and the Court can save a large sum of gold. It's a win-win solution."
No sooner had Bernal finished speaking than Baldwin raised an objection, "Lord Bernal, Art set up a checkpoint to collect taxes on the border because Tinietz County at that time could not afford to fund the border security Patrol Team, so it was an expedient measure. The southern border there is all barren, hard soil where even weeds struggle to grow. How can it produce grain? There isn't even a village or manor within a hundred miles around. With north-south trade cut off, how can you expect him to support an army with only the money from commercial taxes?"
"Vice Minister, you say this is not acceptable and that is not possible. Are you making things difficult for the Marquis in every way for a small apprentice knight who has achieved a little military merit? Is that Art your Bastard?" Bernal's words were clearly meant to provoke a conflict between Baldwin and Marquis Ivrea, and they carried an insulting meaning.
Baldwin immediately jumped up, pointed at Bernal's nose, and cursed, "Bernal, if you dare to spout nonsense again, be careful, I won't be polite to you!"
Bernal was not a benevolent man either. Disregarding the Prime Minister's dissuasion beside him, he started a shouting match with Baldwin in Court.
"Enough!! Both of you shut up!" Marquis Ivrea finally lost his temper.
"Grant that bridgehead tax checkpoint in the southern territory, along with the land within a five-mile radius, to this Art as a fief. No taxes will be collected for ten years. Then, the treasury will allocate 10,000 fenni as a reward to him. That's it." Marquis Ivrea made the final decision.
"Now, let's discuss how to deal with the war after winter."
In the afternoon, in the public office of the Earl's mansion, Earl Baldwin opened the exquisite brocade box Art had placed on the table, glanced at it, closed the lid, and pushed it back to Art, saying, "Art, take everything back. I did my best for your matter, but clearly that Bastard Dean has considerable influence in the Court. I couldn't secure Winston Manor for you as a knight's fief. The Marquis has already decided in the Court assembly to grant you that bridgehead tax checkpoint in the southern territory of Tinietz County, along with a large area of land within a five-mile radius, as your knight's fief. To compensate you, the Marquis also specifically had the Court treasury provide you with 10,000 fenni. For your sake, I had a falling out with the Minister of Finance in the Court assembly."
Art was not at all surprised or saddened by the "bad news" Earl Baldwin brought. He had spent the entire morning thinking about how to reasonably refuse other fiefs offered by the Court and then acquire the land in the valley.
Art felt no ripple in his heart, but the expression of despair and loss on his face was uncontrollable: "Since the Marquis has decided not to grant me a true fief, I will not make things difficult for you. After all, you have already offended the Court dignitaries for me, and I cannot cause you more trouble. I will also inform Bishop Olov of your efforts."
"As for the items on the table, they are not a private gift from me to you. This is compensation for the heroic souls of the warriors from your territory who died in Talburg. Please, you must accept them on behalf of those fallen heroes."
Baldwin was moved by Art's sincerity. He touched the brocade box on the table again, thought for a moment, and said, "Art, why don't you join the Imperial Guard Corps? I can make you a Commander of a legion phalanx. All the Soldiers under your command can be brought into the legion. I still have that much authority."
Art was truly worried that Earl Baldwin would incorporate him into the Imperial Guard Corps. If that happened, all his previous efforts would be in vain.
Art showed a hint of surprise, then immediately reverted to disappointment, whispering, "Thank you for your kindness, Prime Minister. There are more powerful and influential figures in the Imperial Guard Corps, and I am merely a commoner who only understands war and fighting. Even with your and Bishop Olov's care, whether I can survive in a legion where various forces are intertwined is a question."
"However~" Art hesitated, seemingly wanting to say more.
"However what? Speak your mind. I will do my best to help if I can, even if it's for the heroic souls who died in Talburg." Baldwin patted the brocade box on the table.
"Prime Minister, you know that the fief the Court granted me cannot produce a single grain of food, and I truly wish to train an elite army loyal to the Marquis and loyal to you, Prime Minister, but training Soldiers requires money and food supplies."
"Art, do you have other ideas? Just say them directly."
"Prime Minister, I would like to ask you to request the Marquis to grant me a piece of land."
"Which land?"
"The barren valley between Bore Mountain and Lamel Mountain, on the southern border of Tinietz."
Baldwin tried hard to recall and search his mind, vaguely remembering that there indeed seemed to be such a valley. He asked, "What use do you have for that desolate wasteland in the ownerless barren valley? As far as I know, that place has been uninhabited for hundreds of years, overgrown with weeds and frequented by wild beasts. Do you expect to grow grain there?" Clearly, Earl Baldwin had not personally visited that Valley Land.
"My father and I have been hiding in that barren valley and dense forest for years to escape our enemies' pursuit. My father's bones are also buried there. My father fell from there, so I want to rise from there. Additionally, I hope you can retain my position as Patrol Officer. This position was given to me by you, and I have not yet completed my mission."
Art fully revealed his desire to have the barren valley wasteland granted to him as a fief and to retain his position as the Court's southern border security Patrol Officer to Baldwin.
Baldwin thought for a moment about how to proceed and said, "I can decide on retaining your Patrol Officer position now, but if you want another piece of land as a fief, you'll probably have to give up the 10,000 fenni rewarded by the Court. Even if it's barren wasteland, it can still produce grain."
"Understood!" Art readily agreed.
Three days later, the Burgundy County Court reached a conclusion regarding the fiefdoms for the meritorious apprentice knights.
Art Wood Wells was promoted to Court Guard Knight of Burgundy County. His knight's fief included a tax checkpoint in the southern territory of Tinietz County, along with the surrounding one-mile radius of land, and three thousand acres of ownerless wasteland in the barren valley between Bore Mountain and Lamel Mountain. Both knight's fiefs would be exempt from taxes for ten years. At the same time, Art's position as the Court's southern border security Patrol Officer became an official Court position. The five standing Soldiers in the Patrol Team would receive the treatment of light infantry in the Imperial Guard, with weapons and salaries provided by Tinietz County on behalf of the Court.