Chapter 17: Gothingen Free City
"What?"
The nobles were shocked, not just shocked but utterly bewildered.
A clergyman, murdered? That's a member of the Church!
In the Middle Ages, although nobles fought among themselves, it was mostly a cycle of capture and ransom rather than outright killings. Even the Vikings, who once raided English monks, gradually converted to Christianity and stopped killing monks.
But here in Gothingen County, a monastery head had been murdered!
The nobles couldn't help exchanging wary glances and stepping back.
They still had some basic moral standards and didn't believe Damian was capable of this, especially since Damian's army had always been with Conosa, which everyone knew.
So, who had assassinated Scoke? And which unscrupulous noble was pulling the strings?
Many even glanced at Conosa, as she had once defeated her brother in a sibling feud. But even on Conosa's snowy face, the surprise was evident.
"The esteemed monastery head of an entire county has been murdered. It's a huge disgrace! In my opinion, we should thoroughly inspect all checkpoints and arrest any bastards carrying monastery gold and silverware!"
Knight Wagner, as a standard opposition figure, immediately sought to gain power, "If there's too much to handle, I'm willing to patrol the domain with my five servants."
Having patrol rights naturally provided opportunities for personal gain.
Sure enough, more people stood up, proposing their solutions while also seeking official appointments.
Damian's expression was serious yet playful, secretly pleased.
In the Middle Ages, lords generally had significant legislative, judicial, and administrative powers, and they could appoint important officials to share the power.
These people might seem fair and just on the surface, but deep down, they were still thinking about power and money.
Conosa was actually quite shocked. She couldn't imagine Damian finding bandits capable of storming a monastery. If Damian...
No, Conosa knew from the beginning that Damian had the opportunity to make a move on her. But every time, Damian only took advantage of her openly without pressuring her for land or power.
Thinking of this, the countess's heart warmed slightly.
"Bang!"
Just as everyone was noisy, Damian slammed the table, silencing the room.
Seeing them all quiet, Damian chuckled, "What's all this fuss about? You all just want a piece of land from the monastery head, don't you? Well then, I'll decide. I'll give one of Howard's two estates to Knight Joan and the other to the countess. As for the four estates left by Scoke, I'll prioritize giving one to Lady Marion to fill the gap. The remaining three will be divided equally among all knights. Since there aren't enough, several knights will share the same feudal obligations, how about that?"
The solution Damian proposed surprised the same people again.
In the Middle Ages, every feudal lord had military and financial responsibilities to their higher lords, known as feudal obligations.
Damian's creative suggestion of dividing a territory among several knights to share these obligations sparked lively discussions.
Who wouldn't want to have a manor all to themselves? But with more wolves than meat at the moment, it's more practical to snatch whatever's on the plate first.
In fact, Damian was also borrowing strategies from others.
A feudal obligation would specify the number of knights and soldiers needed for military action.
However, since each family typically inherited divided lands, with younger sons taking land but leaving the feudal obligations to the eldest, situations often arose where the eldest had neither money nor manpower to fulfill these obligations.
So various adjustments spontaneously arose throughout Europe. Some required a few individuals to share a single feudal obligation, while others demanded that brothers who had taken land pledge allegiance to the eldest, compensating for the feudal obligation.
The Principality of Lorraine where Damian resided was actually a bit behind in this regard, with no one yet pursuing these advanced reforms.
Therefore, Damian became the first to propose a reform plan. Conosa couldn't help but nod repeatedly, silently praising Damian's sharpness and wit.
After discussion, they all agreed to Damian's plan of action. After much debate, they elected their relatives to receive manors.
But keen observers noticed that after the land was distributed, Damian ended up with nothing. So someone sarcastically remarked, "Damian, what do you want? You don't want the monastery, do you?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
A monastery was the property of the diocese, and feudal nobles generally had no say in it. Even if the incumbent abbot died, the appointment of a new abbot was typically decided by consultation between the bishop and the leader of the principality.
Faced with everyone's ridicule, Damian remained unfazed.
"I want the wastelands on both banks of the Duck Pond River," Damian said, bowing slightly to Conosa, "I hope you'll approve."
"Are you crazy? What use are those wastelands?" Conosa was shocked, even offering, "I have another manor outside the city, I can give it to you..."
"No need."
Damian stood up straight, looking at the numerous nobles, a smirk playing on his lips. "I will spend one year building a brand-new free city. A city where citizens live and work happily, where merchants can freely come and go, and where docked ships never stop at the bustling city of Gothingen!"
Those present couldn't fathom what a true city meant.
Was it like the bustling scene of a market?
In any case, they were all truly impressed.
As Conosa watched Damian's upright posture and confident smile, she couldn't help but inexplicably believe in his unrealistic words.
"Alright, I decree the lands on both banks of the Duck Pond River to you. From now on, you are the Duck Pond River Pastor."
...
"Boss, are you out of your mind?" Greb grabbed Damian, complaining.
Including many subordinates, they all thought Damian had lost his mind. Why else would he choose a deserted wasteland as his reward?
This place was often raided by Viking pirates or bandits, and even if it could be farmed, few were willing to stay.
However, Damian had his own plans.
"You all have narrow horizons. Cities are the source of wealth. Once I establish a great city on the Duck Pond River, all the wealth from the villages will flow here. By then, I'll just need to reach in like this, and I'll have countless riches!"
Damian scooped in the water, not catching any money but grabbing a handful of waterweed.
He turned around and stuck a wooden board in the river bay.
On it was written 'Gothingen Free City'.
[Mainline mission completed, establishment of the free city: Gothingen.]
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