Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 227 New Order
On October 20, Vig returned to his loyal Londinium.

After initial cleanup, the city's appearance has improved, pedestrians on the streets are gradually increasing, and markets have resumed business.

According to Goodwin's statistics, the city's population is nearly two thousand, only one-fifth of its peak three years ago. He subtly reminded the new boss not to expect to squeeze too much profit out of the city.

"Two thousand people? They've brought such devastation to the kingdom, Asura deserves to die!"

Amidst Vig's complaints, the group arrived at the western new district, where more than ten unfinished upscale mansions stood, undamaged by the rioters, making them suitable as their next office space.

These residences were designed by him personally, with two-meter-high stone walls on the outside and two-story main houses, small gardens, stables, and other facilities inside.

According to the plan, a stone wall will be built around the area to isolate it from the outside world, and various facilities will be gradually added to make it a new royal palace.

Yes, despite the dilapidated state of Londinium, Vig still established its capital there.

Located on the lower reaches of the Thames, only 60 kilometers from the estuary, Rendeneum is a rare natural harbor and trade hub, capable of accommodating ocean-going vessels and connected to the inland via a dense network of waterways.

From a military perspective, the Frankish states across the strait were the kingdom's greatest external threat. Vig's decision to establish its capital in the south was advantageous in defending against invasions from continental Europe.

"Looking back, the Romans chose this place as the core city of Britain, and England later established its capital here for a long time. In comparison, Tyne has little development potential and is only suitable for staying in a remote corner. Ah, people always strive for better things, so be it."

Two days later, in the early morning, Vig kept his promise and gathered the meritorious officials in the West Square of the city for a grand investiture ceremony in public.

First were the seven barons, who had each played their part in the past and all had risen to the ranks of the great nobility.

Yoren made the greatest contribution and became the Earl of Winchester.

Mitcham won Swinton,

Torgart won Copton
The Shrike won Bournemouth,

Viper obtains Bristol,

Barvers acquired Jowell.

The above six players divided up Wessex (excluding Cornwall to the west). Brecken's contribution was the least, and when it was his turn to choose, Liverpool was the only option left.

After bestowing titles upon the great nobles, Vig took out the topmost scroll from among the many parchment scrolls and distributed Cornwall to the nobles of Wales.

Next, he began to bestow titles upon the minor nobles of his directly controlled territories, "Utgard."

Conferring titles of over forty barons and four hundred knights at once was a tremendous strain on his voice, and he was busy until noon before he could finally relax.

After the war, the minor nobles in the former royal territories suffered heavy losses. Most of their lands lost their owners and were redistributed by Vig to newly promoted barons and knights like Utgard. Even ordinary soldiers were allocated thirty acres of farmland, as if it were some kind of cycle.

As for Vig himself, he owned eleven counties in total: Rendynewme, Cambridge, Tamworth, Nottingham, York, Tyneburg, and five counties in the North.

With that, the entire investiture ceremony came to an end. However, Vig had no time to rest; a whole host of things awaited him.

First, he accepted the allegiance of the remaining nobles from various regions: After conquering Northumbria, Ragnar appointed ten nobles, including Vig, Ivar, Leonard, Ulf, and Pascal.
After conquering southern Britain, Ragnar also granted fiefs to Theowough, Esserwolf, Gunnar, Nils, Om, Goodwin, and Edmund of East Anglia.

Excluding Vig himself and the three families that lost their territories (Ethelwoff/Ethelbad, Gunnar, and Nils), there are thirteen great noble families remaining.

After Ivar died of illness, his eldest son, Aemon, ascended to the throne. Aemon was eleven years old at the time, and power was controlled by those around him. This young duke had recently sent an envoy who was willing to recognize the rule of the Tyneburg family on the condition that they would not pay homage and would only pay symbolic tribute.

Vig's attitude toward this was ambiguous. He forced a sorrowful expression and gently comforted the messenger, saying that he would take good care of his friend's offspring, and that these political matters would be dealt with after Imon came of age.

Vig was not so easy to talk to as for the other members, and sent messengers to each of their territories, giving them a deadline to respond.

Having witnessed the fate of Wessex, the remaining nobles offered no resistance and obediently went to Landineum to publicly swear allegiance to the new king.

After dealing with matters concerning the nobility, Vig set about forming the kingdom's first cabinet.

Goodwin remained Prime Minister, responsible for finance and leading the cabinet.

Mitcham served as Home Secretary, overseeing personnel and performance evaluations across the entire civil service.

The Speaker of the Ravens became the kingdom's chief shaman, in charge of the temples and the hospitals attached to them throughout the land. He gladly accepted the appointment and requested that a stone temple be built in Cambridge, Nottingham, and other counties.

"The land can be granted to you, but you'll have to raise the funds yourself. Don't expect any funding from me."

This brief but intense war depleted Tyneburg's savings. Fortunately, Wieg acquired a spoil of war worth two thousand pounds in Wessex; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to pay wages.

Bafus served as Minister of War, responsible for the army's personnel, training, logistics, and ordnance, but without command authority over troops, similar to the Minister of War in the Ming Dynasty.

The position of Lord Naval Officer was filled by his brother-in-law, Hergi. With the West Sea Fur Company's business on track and annual profits stabilizing at around a thousand pounds, requiring little attention, Hergi, bored, agreed to join the cabinet.

Rugal, the chief craftsman of Tyneburg, was transferred to Lentinium to serve as Minister of Industry in the cabinet, managing the Royal Arsenal, the Royal Mint and other factories, and undertaking various large-scale projects.

Two days ago, Orm came to Rendyneume and had a long private conversation with Vig. In gratitude for his long service in Roselleburg, Vig appointed his old friend as Minister of Justice.

Kemmy Wildfire, the former headmaster of Tyneburg School, was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Education.

The education system was adjusted, and a Royal Court School was created by splitting off the original Tyneburg School.

The Royal Court School, located in London, admitted the children of nobles and civil servants, with a tentative enrollment of two hundred students per year.

The split Tyneburg School was specifically for the orphans of fallen soldiers, or the children of soldiers who had participated in two wars and received third-class merit. At the same time, a southern branch school was established in Rendenium, which was initially planned to enroll 200 students each year. The extra places were used to enroll orphans, and the children of nobles were not accepted.

The two public schools used the same textbooks and content, and had a nine-year school system (five years of primary school, three years of junior high school, and one year of military training). After graduation, students served two years in the Imperial Guard.

These men were far more loyal and morally upright than the scoundrels of the Royal Guard that Nils had trained. With them protecting the royal family, Vig could sleep much more soundly at night.

After completing their military service, the students either pursue further studies at a higher level of school or engage in other jobs.

(End of this chapter)