I'm not a lord

Chapter 345 I can still clearly distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous.
In a town in Birchshire, Lynn is having lunch with local officials.

The town of Rock is very small, with a permanent population of less than 600, mostly artisans and a small number of merchants.

But this is the only decent town within a 50-kilometer radius, and it is also the location of various government departments in the region, including the county magistrate's office, the county court, and the county tax bureau.

This is quite common in the North, where the agricultural population makes up more than 90 percent of the total population, and only a very small number of people are eligible to be free citizens.

Although the former marsh dukes had largely achieved centralized rule, they did not abolish serfdom. Serfs lived in villages or manors and remained dependent on their lords.

As for why the place is called Rock Town, it is because the person who founded the town was named Rock.

This is a common phenomenon in the North, as many villages and towns are named after their founders, since the country was established by immigrants from the South.

At the dinner table, Lynn encouraged the officials, saying, "You have worked hard these past few days. You are like pioneers who have reclaimed wasteland. The process will definitely be arduous, but please believe that your harvest will be plentiful."

The officials who dined with him all said that they were not tired and that it was an honor to serve the Earl.

This isn't just empty talk; they genuinely believe their future is bright.

Just a few months ago, most of them were still unemployed in school, but now they have become county officials, possessing not only real power and benefits, but also a high social status.

Moreover, their predecessors have set an example; as long as one is willing to work hard, promotion and salary increases are easily attainable.

Nowadays, there are many county magistrates in their early twenties in the swamp territory, and some have even risen to the rank of county-level official.

However, as Lynn said, these officials were true pioneers. They had to build a grassroots administrative system from scratch, complete population and arable land statistics within their jurisdiction, and sometimes even risk their lives.

To make the stewards and estate managers of those old swamp territories reveal the hidden population and farmland would be no different from cutting off their flesh; why would they simply give in?
Fortunately, Lynn provided these officials with accompanying troops to help them suppress local unrest and forcefully push through population statistics, which saved many officials from physical harm.

In fact, just before Lynn's visit, a village north of Rock Town had experienced a disturbance caused by the village head.

Incited by the manor magistrate, thousands of serfs attempted to storm the town, but were ultimately defeated by officials and the garrison. The manor magistrate and his family were then hung on the gates of Rock Town.

The young county magistrate reported: "Sir, the situation in Rock Town is actually not too bad. After all, there are no hereditary nobles here, and the stewards and estate managers don't have much prestige. They also don't have elite weapons, armor, or warhorses. We only need to kill a few of the ringleaders, and the remaining serfs will disperse on their own."

Furthermore, with winter approaching, the serfs are reluctant to part with the winter rations stored in their granaries, making population and land surveys relatively easy. We have already completed the surveys for ten villages, and by the end of the month, we should be able to begin recruiting new soldiers.

Although this county magistrate had been in office for less than three months, he was already quite skilled at suppressing rebellions.

Moreover, he had received specialized training at the school and knew that it was not only necessary to quell the rebellion, but also to take charge of propaganda work.

Through his propaganda and mobilization, the local serfs all knew that as long as they signed up for the army, their whole family could obtain the status of free citizens and a share of farmland, all for free.

This tactic proved effective, and the villages where riots had occurred were able to restore order in a short period of time, with local farmers actively cooperating with the statistical work.

Lynn raised his glass and encouraged them:
"I have a good understanding of the specific situation in Rock County. You have all done a great job. Once the new recruits are recruited, you will all receive excellent evaluations in next year's officer assessment."

Lynn went to great lengths to build schools and grassroots systems in order to control all the resources of the territory.

With resources, he can recruit an army, support his soldiers, protect his existing position, and conquer more territories and populations.

If the old feudal system were still used, Lynn would have very few resources at his disposal, and sometimes he would even have to act according to the whims of the nobles.

After a simple working lunch, the intelligence secretary presented Lynn with urgent military intelligence delivered by fast horse from Golden Deer Fort.

After reading it, Lynn chuckled and said, "It seems that Otto is really starving. It's already mid-October and almost November, and he still dares to send troops to Mirror Iron Territory. The mountains are not easy to travel in winter."

Based on past intelligence, Lynn thought that Otto would stop there for the year and would not launch any more large-scale military operations.

Unexpectedly, Otto launched a major attack at the end of the year, once again invading Mirror Iron Territory with an army of more than 20,000 men.

It's not like it was at the beginning of the year now. By mid-October, the North had already turned noticeably colder, and in the northern counties further north, it had even started to snow lightly.

By December, the entire Northern Territory will be blanketed in snow. Given the Valley Territory's poor transportation conditions, the heavy snow will block the mountains and cut off supply routes, and most of those 20,000 people will likely freeze to death.

Judging by the timeline, Otto's army should have set off from the city of Kolen in the center of the royal territory in early October. It would take them half a month to reach the Valley Territory, leaving them no more than two months to fight.

Can he take over Mirror Iron Territory, heavily guarded by Vasa, in just two months?

Vasa is, after all, a Northern warlord who rose from the rank of earl to become a duke, not some pushover who can be bullied by everyone. In addition, he has the advantage of playing on home ground, so it is unlikely that he will be taken down by Otto within two months.

Chief Secretary Victor analyzed, "My lord, I think attacking Mirror Iron Territory is just an excuse. The western region of Crown Territory was only conquered by Otto at the beginning of this year. He must also want to take this opportunity to strengthen his control over the region and collect military provisions to prepare for next year's war."

The Royal Territory is to Otto what the Swamp Territory is to Lynn; each has their own difficulties.

Because Otto implemented a system of fiefdoms in the early stages, he was able to quell local unrest relatively quickly.

After all, those nobles from the southern border were genuinely willing to invest time, money, and military resources to govern their territories.

However, it will take Otto quite a bit of effort to get it back later.

Lynn dispatched itinerant officials to govern from the beginning. Although these officials were very motivated, they were not the owners of the territory, so they certainly did not work as hard as the nobles.

Furthermore, the administration of officials by visiting officials has both advantages and disadvantages. Although it is less likely to cause local separatism, it can lead to corruption and other problems. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a supervisory and assessment department to supervise officials.

Of course, the advantages are also obvious. Due to the adoption of the system of appointed officials, the amount of territory consolidated is the same as the amount of territory Lynn has taken over, and there is no need to spend effort to take it back later.

"That's about it. Otto isn't so crazy as to send troops to the mountains in winter." With that, Lynn put down the military intelligence he was working on and instructed, "Continue to closely monitor Otto's movements. There shouldn't be any large-scale wars in the North this year. Everything will have to wait until next spring."

Lynn certainly wanted to sail south along the Jing River, march straight to Amber Harbor, and unify the North in one fell swoop.
But he doesn't have that ability right now.

Moreover, there are openly traitors like Earl Blackfir within the Marshland Territory. Without properly consolidating the territory, Lynn would not have the confidence to launch a full-scale eastward advance.

The following day, Lynn left Rocktown to continue his inspection tour and then arrived in Northshire, where it was already snowing.

This area was originally the territory of the Earl of the North, and the situation it faced was more complex than that of Birchshire. However, under the brutal policies of the second son, Hugh, the Northshire calmed down even faster than Birchshire.

"Brother, the two barons who started the rebellion have been executed, and the castles in the Northland County have been burned down. Next year, the local serfs will completely demolish these castles."

The second son has been living a very comfortable life in Birchshire recently. Back when he was a bandit, nobles were always chasing after him.

Now the tables have turned, and he is leading a large number of cavalrymen, chasing the nobles all over the world.

During the pursuit of the fleeing enemy, his cavalry legion was like the sharpest plow, turning the entire Birchshire County upside down.

As the saying goes, "Destroy famous cities and kill heroes," if you want to completely seize the noble territories, you must physically eliminate all unstable factors.

While most of the noble castles in the North are made of brick and stone, there are still quite a few wooden buildings.

All it takes is a fire, and the serfs, freed from their shackles, will spontaneously dismantle bricks and stones to build their own houses.

These castles were originally intended primarily to defend against the inhabitants of the northern wilderness.

Lynn had already conquered the nine tribes of the Wasteland, and the Wasteland would hardly pose a threat in the next hundred years. Therefore, these castles would not be of much practical use, and their demolition would not be a pity.

“You’ve all done a good job. Stay there until December and then return to Golden Deer Fort. Hand over the Northern County to the officials and local troops.”

After congratulating the second son's cavalry, Lynn toured the Northland County before turning southeast to Blackfur Territory.

Although Blackwood Castle remained in the hands of Count Spico of Blackwood, most of the territory had fallen into the hands of Lynn. With the efforts of the third son, Yang, and a group of officials, the county system was also established in the area.

Lynn was still halfway there when he received a report from Yang that Blackwood Castle had been captured, Count Spico had been killed in action, and all the noble troops in the city had either been killed or surrendered.

Thus, most of the destabilizing factors in Black Shirtland were eliminated, and its title of Earldom disappeared into the dustbin of history.

"Good, well done. Immediately write a letter praising Yang and the Turbulent Legion. At the same time, order the Turbulent Legion to continue garrisoning Blackfir County until December, when they will return to Golden Deer Fortress. Also, transfer Albert from White Bear County to serve as the first county magistrate of Blackfir County. As for the county magistrate of White Bear County, he will be appointed by..."

Overjoyed, Lynn issued a series of personnel reshuffle orders.

Albert Jr. was one of the first county magistrates he appointed. Although he was only in his twenties, he was already one of the most senior officials under him and it was time for him to be promoted to county magistrate.

Lynn always believed that the talent of a county was enough to govern a country. Xiao Ai was indeed too young, but extraordinary times require extraordinary talent.

Albert's ability to reconcile the Northmen and the Wastelanders, and to continue developing White Bear County along the path Lynn had laid out, is proof enough of his competence and courage, and also enough to govern Blackwood County after the chaos had just subsided.

As for Little Ai's father, Old Albert, he was promoted to governor of Baihe County last month, managing one county and seven counties, so it can be said that one family has two governors.

As an emerging force, there's nothing wrong with nepotism; at least Lynn and his father are very familiar with each other, and there are no concerns about their loyalty.

Incidentally, the appointment and removal of county officials are currently decided solely by Lynn.

In any political, economic, or even military entity, personnel are absolutely central, since people are only accountable to the source of their power.

Lynn is now in his prime and familiar with the names and resumes of all the officials, so handling this personnel change is not difficult for him.

When it comes to governing a local area, the most important factors are the loyalty and ability of officials.

Lynn was truly able to see loyalty and ability, and he could clearly distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous, which undoubtedly greatly reduced the difficulty of his personnel selection.

In late October, after a long journey, Lynn arrived at Blackwood Castle, where the bloodstains still remained.

“Burn down and demolish this castle; it has no reason to exist. Demolish as many of the baron’s castles in the territory as possible, leaving only one to serve as my palace.”

With Lynn's command, the last remaining trace of Black Shirtland will be completely annihilated.

From then on, the history of the Black Shirt Earl family would only exist in oral tradition and a few historical books.

After lingering in Blackfurrow for a while, Lynn continued south and arrived in Turbulent County on November 1st.

"Although Turbulent Stream County is small, it still has four counties. It is time to appoint a county magistrate to govern the county on my behalf. Finn, you have done a good job in Red Eagle County for the past year or so. You have not only promoted agricultural reforms, but also recruited enough soldiers for me. From today onwards, you will be the county magistrate of Turbulent Stream County."

"You're the youngest county magistrate under my jurisdiction now, so don't let me down in the future."

Along his journey, Lynn spent his time inspecting local governance and appointing and dismissing officials.

Even many of his personal guards were left to serve in local positions, mainly responsible for local palaces and castles.

"Yes, sir, I swear on my life that I will not let you down!"

Finn is from White Bear County, just like Albert Jr., but is six months younger than the latter.

Faced with Lynn's appreciation and promotion, the young man from a family of stewards was overjoyed.

At this moment, he even felt that he had to work for Lynn.

One of the most obvious benefits of promoting young people is that it makes it easier to gain their loyal supporters.

The North in the past had too many old men in high positions, and this oldness was not only reflected in their age, but also in their family lineage.

The officials promoted by Lynn mostly came from the lower classes and the middle class of the territory. They were naturally isolated from the old aristocratic class and were the best source of talent for the emerging forces.

Although most of these officials are young and inexperienced.

But experience is not hard to accumulate; what Lynn needs now is their drive and enthusiasm.

After inspecting Turbulent County, he continued eastward and finally returned to White River Territory, which he was most loyal to.

(End of this chapter)