Knight: Becoming King of the World

People need to grow. The tasks Tommy had performed most frequently involved managing logistics and acting as Minister of Internal Affairs. Though he had the makings of a fine Civil Servant, he hadn’t been in the role long and was inevitably prone to errors.

For most people, being busy was the norm.

Lord Henry’s daily schedule had become almost completely fixed. Soldier training after breakfast, reviewing ledgers after lunch, more training in the afternoon, then dinner... Each day was fulfilling and orderly.

With the arrival of winter, the temperature in Westwood Laine gradually dropped. Every breath plumed into a white mist.

But the atmosphere in the military camp was growing more and more fervent. The daily training of new recruits was like a warm current that seemed capable of dispelling the winter chill.

Whenever the residents of Westwood Laine’s town district passed the military camp and heard the battle cries from within, they would instinctively puff out their chests, their faces beaming with pride.

They knew these soldiers were their guardians, their pride.

Whenever they encountered merchants from out of town, the residents would say with pride, "Look! These are the soldiers of Westwood Laine. They never force themselves on women or demand protection money!"

Claude also gradually transitioned from his role as Quartermaster, starting to participate more in civil administration and working alongside Tommy.

Claude was quite happy to be able to continue his work in civil administration.

While the role of Quartermaster was equally important, civil administration offered Claude a much broader horizon.

Claude’s arrival cut Tommy’s workload in half. Claude possessed some military insight and also had a wealth of experience in civil administration.

This was precisely why Henry had initially given the position of Minister of State Affairs to Claude. His presence relieved a great deal of pressure on Tommy.

Every evening, the three of them also worked together to formulate more complete systems for officials and departments, clearly defining the duties and scope of authority for each position.

Westwood Laine’s current administrative departments included the Civil Affairs Department, responsible for functions like urban housing, household registration, and population mobility; the Judicial Department, responsible for apprehending criminals and continually refining legal statutes; and the Agricultural Department, responsible for managing settlements like villages, farms, ranches, and logging camps, as well as overseeing cultivation and animal husbandry.

In addition, within Henry’s army, there was the Military Registry Department, responsible for statistics such as soldiers’ pay, rosters, and promotions.

As for the tax system, Henry, Claude, and Tommy discussed it for the better part of a month before finally deciding to establish a transparent system.

This would allow the people of the fiefdom to know exactly how much tax they were supposed to pay and how much they had actually paid. It would also give Henry a direct and clear view of whether the territory’s overall financial situation was sound.

This measure greatly increased the people’s trust in Henry.

’Wow, what kind of policy is this? I’ve never seen anything like it!’

Beyond these, Henry also formed the Inspection Department, comprised of soldiers who had been forced to retire from the front lines due to injury.

The duties and authority of this department were significant. The Inspection Department was primarily responsible for supervising and inspecting the other departments within the fiefdom to ensure their operations were compliant and lawful.

First, the Inspection Department was responsible for the effective oversight of the fiefdom’s internal control systems. Any corrupt officials would be sent straight to jail.

The reason they were granted such great power was that these veterans were completely ’loyal’ to him. They would prioritize Henry’s missions above all else, not the pursuit of Dinars.

Second, they were also responsible for assessing and identifying potential risks within the fiefdom’s administration, reporting them directly to Henry for further action.

Finally, the Inspection Department was also responsible for the security of the territory. They would investigate and combat any activities that could harm the fiefdom’s interests. They held partial law enforcement authority, with their main targets being potential gang organizations.

No gangs were to be tolerated in Henry’s domain.

Henry hoped that, through the work of the Inspection Department, he could promptly identify and rectify any corruption or malpractice within the fiefdom, thereby ensuring its long-term stability and prosperity.

Thus, aside from the Military Registry Department, the administration was divided into five branches: the Civil Affairs Department, the Judicial Department, the Agricultural Department, the Tax Department, and the Inspection Department.

The various departments now had a clear division of labor and worked in coordination. The days when a single Record Keeper could meddle in everything and speak without consequence were over.

With the decentralization of official power, Westwood Laine’s civil administration became more meticulous and professional.

But this also meant that more officials and Civil Servants were needed to staff these new departments and ensure they could function effectively.

Under Henry’s orders, Claude and Tommy began organizing a large-scale talent recruitment drive.

Their first step was to conduct a thorough survey of all the people within the fiefdom.

The selection criteria were clear: applicants had to be literate, able to write, and of good moral character.

These individuals would be chosen as Civil Servants, becoming the new lifeblood of Westwood Laine’s administration.

To ensure the large-scale recruitment event proceeded smoothly, Henry assigned Selas and Leon to lead two squads of infantry to handle security.

Their mission was to prevent public order incidents such as theft, stampedes, or pushing and shoving in the crowds, ensuring order and safety throughout the selection and screening process.

When news spread that Henry intended to recruit people to work in the fiefdom’s new departments, the entire territory erupted.

The news spread like wildfire through every corner of Westwood Laine. People rushed to share the news with one another, and everyone was brimming with incredulous joy.

For them, this wasn’t just an opportunity to become an official; it was a sign of the trust and respect Lord Henry was showing them.

In their experience, it was nearly impossible for a commoner to enter a government department unless their family was already ’quasi-noble’ or they had the sponsorship of a merchant.

However, Henry’s initiative shattered this long-standing convention, giving every commoner a glimmer of hope.

’Some people didn’t understand. What was there to be happy about? The vast majority were illiterate; this had nothing to do with most of them.’

And yet, great change is built upon a series of small shifts. Even if the opportunity was pitifully small, it represented precious progress.

Henry’s benevolence made the people of his fiefdom all the more grateful. Low taxes, good protection, and now, he was even offering a chance for upward mobility.

’Does a lord like this truly exist? We’re not dreaming, are we?’

On the first day of selections, the public square was packed with people. Some were there with a mix of nervousness and anticipation, while others had come simply to accompany family and friends.

Henry, Claude, and Tommy stood on a platform in the square, conducting preliminary interviews with the assembled populace.

They inquired about living conditions, discreetly asked neighbors about the applicants’ character, and tested their literacy.

Although many felt dejected by their illiteracy, they didn’t leave. Instead, they chose to stay and watch, wanting to see for themselves how this unprecedented event would unfold.

Henry looked down upon the bustling square below, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. This was only the beginning. His domain was about to undergo many more changes.

’It doesn’t matter that they can’t read now. Sooner or later, they will.’

The educated often assume that farmers are ignorant of the importance of reading, and mock them for it. But is that really true? Having never had the chance to learn, they simply don’t know what changes literacy could bring to their lives.

What Henry had to do now was show everyone that literacy pays!

That way, there would be less resistance when it came time to build an education system. At the very least, it would prevent a situation where those who could afford to attend school were disdainful of their studies.

The infantry squads led by Selas and Leon patrolled the square, their wide eyes scanning everyone in the vicinity.

If anyone dared to cause trouble, they’d be in for a world of hurt once discovered.

A conflict arising from the crush of the crowd was one thing, but if someone was caught stealing or taking advantage of the chaos to grope someone, they could look forward to a future of mining and road construction.

The event continued until four in the afternoon. By then, the sky had already darkened, and the selections in the square gradually drew to a close.

But the excitement in the people’s hearts lingered long after. They returned to their homes, discussing the possibilities the future might hold.

They began to imagine themselves, or their children, one day becoming officials of the fiefdom.

’If that day ever truly came, what would their lives be like?’

Henry’s benevolence made the people of Westwood Laine all the more willing to fight for him, because he had given them not just land and protection, but also dignity and hope.

For the next few days, Henry did not continue to observe the selection process. The current batch of new recruits was about to finish training, and he had to see to his immediate tasks first.

During this time, dozens of urban Free People and self-employed farmers became Civil Servants, and the various departments began to be staffed.

Under the guidance of the old Record Keepers—those who had retained their posts and earned Henry’s trust—the newly appointed Civil Servants began to learn how to handle administrative affairs, how to communicate with the populace, and how to execute Henry’s orders.

The best among them would have the opportunity to become officials in their respective departments by passing an assessment held once every four years.

Henry was satisfied with the results of the recruitment drive. The addition of this fresh talent would bring new vitality and ideas to the administration of Westwood Laine.

Henry was also very pleased with the excellent security work performed by Selas and Leon.

A Knight’s Squire was more than just a Heavy Cavalryman; they were, by their very nature, an extension of a noble’s power.

In the days that followed, the civil administration of Westwood Laine gradually fell into a smooth routine.

The various departments had clear responsibilities and collaborated smoothly, making the populace even more confident in Henry’s ability to govern.

Meanwhile, Henry, back in his study, began planning the fiefdom’s next development goal.

In two more days, Henry’s New Recruit Team would be ready. They could then be handed over to Carlos, the Mercenary Guild President in Vostrom.

’Henry now needed to consider his next objectives and priorities. Internal development couldn’t be achieved just by lopping off a few heads every now and then.’

Compared to fighting, handling these administrative matters—facing all those parchments and ledgers—was far more draining for Henry.

This winter, though cold, the hearts of the people of Westwood Laine were filled with warmth and hope.

They knew their lord was leading them toward a more prosperous and powerful future.