Chapter 177

I have three reasons for mobilizing the serfs in the territory of Count Iris, which I have occupied, to clean up the battlefield.

First, I want to give them appropriate roles to make them aware that they are serfs under the protection of the Eraline Empire.

One might argue that when we occupied the territory of Count Architel, we did not assign them any tasks and promised them unconditional protection, didn’t we?

Indeed, that was the case. The serfs in Count Architel’s territory, having accepted the empire’s soldiers without any resistance, were offered protection as a form of compensation.

On the other hand, the serfs here organized resistance while serving under their lord, so providing them with the same kind of unearned protection may only induce feelings of insecurity.

The second reason is that, with war continuing, there’s no need for our soldiers to waste their energy handling tasks that substitute personnel can manage.

The third reason is to give the expectation and hope that, under our rule, they will receive some compensation and food when they work, even in compulsory labor, without having to pay any reward.

While I was classifying and organizing the information from the battlefield to review future plans, Baron Laurent, who oversees the administration of this expedition, came in.

“You must have a lot on your plate, but what brings you here at this hour?”

“I’ve come to report on the costs and food needed for tomorrow’s rapid march to the eastern border of Count Iris’s territory, and the analysis of the casualties and the wounded from yesterday’s battle. What should I start with?”

“First, I’d like to hear about the number and reactions of the serfs mobilized for battlefield cleanup in Count Iris’s territory. I prefer to deal with light matters first.”

Predicting that I would ask this first, Laurent immediately responded to my question without checking the data he held.

“Up until now, we’ve brought in about 1,300 from nearby villages, and as time goes on, more will join from farther villages… I believe that by the last day of cleanup, approximately 6,000 will be mobilized. Most of the serfs currently mobilized seem satisfied with being provided food and compensation despite being mustered for forced labor… However, a few of them, especially the young men, are grumbling that they will not be able to farm properly since they’ve been ordered to perform forced labor while there’s a shortage of working hands.”

“Surely, there aren’t any openly complaining?”

“No. Moreover, we deployed scouts among those who complained to check if they harbored any rebellious sentiments towards Your Excellency. Most indicated that they should not even think about such things, as the scouts admonished them harshly for having received such mercy after being mentioned as ‘traitors.’ A few even reported the scouts to our soldiers.”

While I did rescue the serfs from the threat of slaughter or pillage…

What I’m asking of them now amounts to forcing them to perform hard labor as compensation for the obligations of farming and taxation, instead of just giving them money.

If I liken them to company employees, it’s as if I could fire everyone during a merger, but instead of doing so, I give them unrelated part-time work during work hours while paying them only minimum wage.

Even still, this is not what they originally did, so ultimately, the employees must begrudgingly work overtime.

Under such circumstances, they showed loyalty by admonishing those who mentioned rebellion or resistance, even though they grumbled.

“Then, among those participating in forced labor, were there any afraid of when our side would turn on them?”

“With the provision of meals and witnessing the payment of wages during forced labor, it’s almost nonexistent now. Who would assign tasks to those they intend to kill and pillage, and justly pay them in return?”

“Good. Then keep a close watch on those who complained by attaching our spies to them. If you notice anyone with a particularly strong desire to make money, propose this to them.”

“What proposal?”

“The Eastern Expeditionary Force of the Eraline Empire will take this opportunity to occupy the entire territory of Count Iris. In the meantime, you will act like laborers under the command of His Excellency Croilet during the day, but at night, when you take your rest, spread rumors that you paid a fair wage to those who worked for you in the nearby villages in front of the legion. Then, convey the message to join afterwards.”

False rumors are quickly exposed, and their effects last only a few days, but what if it pertains to their lives and property?

Of course, initially, they might suspect the rumor to be false, hence they will bring along small amounts of grain or liquor to verify the truth when our expedition passes through.

Additionally, our soldiers will say the same things they heard, providing a degree of cross-validation.

Thus, many of the serfs in Count Iris’s territory who hear this rumor will hold hopes for us, and at the very least, they will not entertain thoughts of rebellion or defiance.

“I will carry out the orders. Now, I will report the casualties from this battle. Our side had 120 knights and 1,300 infantry. From Count Ilerias’s forces, there were 230 knights and 3,000 infantry, from Count Izza’s forces 200 knights and 2,400 infantry, and from Duke Orleans’s forces, 300 knights and 10,000 infantry.”

If we convert these ratios, our Croilet legion sustained about 3%, while the armies of Ilerias and Izza suffered around 20%, and Duke Orleans about 25%.

With the victorious Eastern Expedition suffering so many casualties, it’s hard to imagine the losses incurred by Franche, who not only lost but also had their supply line and headquarters raided.

“Furthermore, the food needed for this march amounts to 20,000 tons of grain, 8,000 tons of pickled herring, 4,000 tons of chicken, 2,000 tons of pork, and 50,000 tons of hay for our troops. Including other supplies and the cost of transportation, the total stands at 60,000 gold coins. Additionally, according to the report from Margerita, who will be the Baron of Hamburg… the cost needed for the march of Duke Orleans will be about 170,000 gold coins, Count Ilerias 50,000 gold coins, and Count Izza 42,000 gold coins. It seems that apart from our family, the merchant under Margerita profited quite a bit.”

Upon hearing that, I felt an urge to shout “Long live His Imperial Majesty!”

It’s understandable, as I forged a contract granting Margerita exclusive rights as a merchant, which ensures I receive 50% of the profits in return for making her one of my retainers.

Additionally, other than very special items, all food, equipment, and weapons supplied to the Eastern Expedition come from Croilet Mountain, meaning all profits from those sales come into my territory.

Calculating the profits from that process roughly amounts to around 100,000 to 120,000 gold coins.

Of course, most of this will be paid not in physical gold coins but in debt certificates… However, if I use that to pressurize the three individuals, I can gain even more.

Moreover, this is merely the cost incurred over the minimum duration necessary for marching, which is ‘one month’, and this war has already been going on for nearly two months.

Thus, come the end of the war, they will be in even greater debt to our family, and if they cannot pay, they will have to cede rights to territorial assets or mines.

Perhaps that’s why I found myself smiling broadly even in the midst of war.

“Truly, even in decline, the skills of the Baron governing Hamburg and its surrounding territories are remarkable! Having set the stage, I’ve struck a major deal! Once this war concludes safely, I’ll grant Margerita a significant territory.”

“Thanks to that, the administrative officers are going to be overworked…”

“I will send capable individuals from Margerita’s merchant group to assist you, so do not fret about it. On another note, is the matériel for the combat engineers and artillery being transported well?”

“Do not worry. We are selecting trusted soldiers and transporting secretly. Even if the contents are discovered, they will have no clue about their purpose.”

Indeed, no matter how advanced the weaponry is, if it’s something they’ve never seen before, they won’t even grasp how to utilize it properly.

Thus, establishing an effective countermeasure for the cannons or rifles I brought is practically impossible.

“Then ensure it is transported well and prevent any losses. Also, when the rapid march begins, work with the information office to secure and sort out as many records of the number of serfs and land documentation living in the territories of Count Iris and Count Architel as possible. You may leave now.”