Chapter 356: Hobert Begins His Operation
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Hobert could have also used "Travel" to deliver the letter directly to Backlund, but after all, he had just caused a scene in Backlund some time ago, and it would be troublesome if the official Beyonders were prepared.
Putting on his cloak again, Hobert used the ability of "Travel" to arrive at the room prepared for him in the Christian mansion.
This room was relatively secluded. Hobert observed that there was no one outside, then jumped onto the roof to avoid the servants' sight and came to Dophis's room door.
He knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside: "Come in."
Hobert entered and quickly closed the door: "Good evening, Mr. Dophis."
Dophis's expression was still so stern that it was impossible to tell his mood: "You've arrived at the fief?"
He paused and then said: "The Earl is not at home. He went to a banquet today."
"Yes, I've arrived at the fief." Hobert briefly recounted his journey to the fief, and then took out the 700 pounds in cash that he had prepared in advance:
"Please, Mr. Dophis, help me exchange this money for Resso tomorrow. I want more silver Lire coins. Just exchange some gold Resso coins for me, either coins or 1 or 2 gold Lire denomination banknotes."
In Jeffery Town, you basically don't need to spend gold Lires.
Dophis nodded and took the money, counting it in front of him.
Then he also briefly talked about Christian's recent situation. Christian showed off his talent slightly and was highly valued by Ferdinand II. Now he is leading a reform in military logistics.
Hobert probably understood that Christian's current situation was very similar to that of a "lone minister." The king was using his lack of background to carry out some reforms that would definitely offend people.
This was one of the reasons why Christian was valued. Another reason was that Christian did have talent and wisdom. While being used by the king, he could also ensure that he would not be killed by the king to quell the anger brought about by the reforms.
At the end of the conversation, Hobert asked: "Where can I buy donuts nearby?"
"There are some in the back kitchen."
"Are they fresh?"
"As far as I know, they just came out of the oven around 5:23 this afternoon." After saying that, Dophis got up and went out. A few minutes later, he brought back seven or eight donuts.
After chatting for a few more words, Hobert really couldn't chat with Dophis anymore, so he got up to say goodbye, took the donuts, and left directly using "Travel."
Back in Jeffery Town, Hobert set up the altar and summoned the messenger to send the letter out.
Hobert ate two donuts, feeling that the taste was not bad, and then he turned on the oil painting and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, Hobert closed the oil painting and came to the front yard.
Philip, who lived in the Lord's Manor, had already gotten up early and was instructing the gardener and his son which flowers and plants to prune today and where to plant some flowers, etc.
Hobert nodded. Philip had withstood the test and could be trusted to serve as the butler.
After breakfast, Hobert called Philip over: "It's time to find a chef and a kitchen helper. We can't just buy food for every meal.
"In addition, regarding the renovation of the mansion, I have a new idea. Build a large stove in that room. The stove must be built underground, and then open each floor, leaving a one-brick-high space under the floor, seal it well, and then lay the floor.
"Finally, use sealed passages to connect the large stove to the space under the floor of each room. Remember that the position of the fire should be lower than the position of the passage, and you must also find a leeward place to emit smoke…"
Hobert explained his idea to Philip with both words and drawings, so that Philip roughly understood it.
Philip exclaimed: "A very unique design. This can make all the rooms warm, right? What is it called?"
"Yes, it's called Fire Dragon!" Hobert added: "As for the craftsmen to repair the mansion, in addition to finding craftsmen in the town, we must also recruit people from various villages, two people from each village!"
Philip was stunned: "It seems, it seems that we don't need so many people."
Hobert smiled and explained: "This is to let them know that they have a new lord."
Philip nodded: "Yes."
Hobert asked again: "Do you have any sons?"
"Yes, I have two."
"Let one of them come to work." Hobert said: "Come over now. I will continue to inspect the territory in a while. It looks more decent to have two servants.
"Also, you can notify the servants of the original Lord's Manor that whoever wants to come back to work can come back after negotiating the salary."
Philip hesitated and said: "They, they all have some concerns."
Hobert glanced at the buildings on the mountain: "I understand. Organize a group of people in a while to clean up the warehouse first, and wait for your son to come back to report the news."
Philip was slightly stunned, but did not ask why.
Soon Philip's eldest son, Roy, arrived. Seel had fed the horse and re-saddled it.
After everyone was ready, Seel led the way in front with Hobert's two-handed sword on his back, Hobert rode in the middle, and Roy followed behind.
It took more than an hour for the three of them to climb the relatively gentle hillside.
Looking down from here, the Full Moon Lake was full of water vapor, setting off the two banks like a fairyland.
The scenery was really good, but the messy vegetation on the mountain affected the landscape.
Hobert was thinking that if a railway track was laid here and a small train was set up, it would be much better than some scenic spots in his impression.
There were several mountain-top fields on the mountain, which looked quite fertile. Although it was winter, they were still green, and the crops were growing quite well.
According to Seel, since more than fifty years ago, the land around Full Moon Lake has been able to harvest four crops of grain every year, and the yield has been doubled. Unfortunately, what people get now is not as much as when they harvested two crops before.
As soon as they arrived at the top of the mountain, seven people came forward to greet them. They claimed to be subordinates of the "Great Lord" and looked quite arrogant.
There was also a large building complex on the mountain. Previously, this was the church of the Earth Mother, but now it has become the "Lord's Mansion" of the "Great Lord" and the "Second Lord."
Hobert sneered and said to the arrogant people in front of him: "Just running errands, what's so great about it? Get in front and lead the way!"
Several people were about to draw their swords, but they still endured their anger and led the way in front.
Although the church on the mountain was not as large as Hobert's "Lord's Mansion," the buildings looked very solemn. It was just that the decorations symbolizing harvest had been removed, which looked a bit nondescript.
The church also had a large courtyard. A man in his thirties with a thick beard, who looked very rough, stood at the gate of the courtyard to greet him: "Welcome, Lord. I didn't expect that after six years, a new Lord would come to this land."
This man was the "Great Lord." As soon as Hobert arrived, he heard that a new Lord had arrived, but he didn't pay any attention to it at all. He planned to go and scare this kid when he collected taxes in a few days.
Maybe this young master from the big city would be scared away, but last night he learned from Knight Duke that the new Lord was an Beyonder.
The "Great Lord" had not yet inquired about the background of this kid, so he looked particularly polite today.
Hobert nodded pretentiously: "It's good that you know who I am. You guys move out of here yourselves. I want to turn this place back into a church."
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