I Was Reincarnated as a Marquis in Another World

In medieval Europe, or anywhere for that matter, there were generally fewer people compared to the land that could be cultivated during this era.

As a result, there were many dense forests or fields that could easily turn fertile with just a little adjustment to the water flow.

However, even though all the lords were aware of this, they had no leisure to instruct the serfs to cultivate the land as the plight of the serfs was such that they earned and consumed today only to die tomorrow.

Moreover, the serfs themselves had little motivation to cultivate more land than necessary, as it would only lead to more taxes and hardly anything left over.

However, I had enough food to provide for them, and I had plenty of rewards to offer.

Thus, if I could cultivate the land and establish factories that could produce what I envisioned, I would see tremendous profits.

What I was attempting was to grow crops that could change the tide of the times.

Therefore, I sent all the newly arrived serfs to the forest to cut wood and convert the area into farmland.

I divided over a thousand people into several groups.

One group was tasked with cutting and transporting the trees.

“No matter how much we cut, the trees seem endless!”

“How much do we have to cut?”

“Until all the trees are dead, you fool.”

“… Tyler is working. Tyler is cutting trees.”

Another group was assigned to uproot the remaining tree stumps.

“I dug with a shovel, but I still can’t see the end…”

“You idiot, didn’t I tell you to cover it with a big ceramic lid and set it on fire?”

“Ah…”

“Wow, it burns well…”

The remaining group was plowing the land with the farming tools borrowed from Windheim.

“The plow is going out!”

“Yah, yah! Plow, you yellow cow!”

As I watched the serfs move efficiently according to my thoughts, Balt tapped my shoulder and asked.

“Your Excellency, why are you making a field here? Isn’t there plenty of land where crops can be grown just by adjusting the water flow without uprooting trees?”

As he said, our territory had plenty of farmland that could be cultivated without needing to clear this forest.

This was because, despite the vast size of the territory, the number of serfs to cultivate it was very small.

So, even though I brought 1,000 serfs, which is half the population of Windheim, there was enough uncultivated land for them.

Thus, as Balt said, there was no need to cultivate this land.

So I nodded in agreement with his words and replied.

“That’s right. You’re correct, Balt.”

“Then why are you insisting on making a field in such a remote place?”

With a meaningful smile, I said.

“Balt, what I’m trying to create here is something that must not be discovered, no matter what. And we won’t be farming here. As you said, there’s plenty of land left.”

Upon hearing this, Balt went serious.

It looked like he was ready to chop me down if I said something wrong.

“Your Excellency, are you perhaps going to make poison here? Or some sort of prohibited medicine…?”

“If I were going to make something like that, why would I bring you? It’s something easy to make but extremely profitable.”

“What on earth…?”

Just as Balt was casting suspicious glances at me, Ela came over with the snacks and sandwiches I had bought for her.

“Master, please take a break and eat.”

“Thank you, Ela.”

“It’s already lunchtime. The serfs can’t eat, but…”

“No, I’ve arranged for them to eat porridge made of a mix of wheat and barley. When doing this work, they need to eat three proper meals a day. Otherwise, they’ll run away.”

“Is that so? How can you have the confidence to expect a mere serf to…”

“And those working over there are now my serfs. I have enough, so I should share, shouldn’t I?”

Upon hearing this, Balt nodded, and Ela looked at me with shining eyes.

“Well, that’s true. If you provide food, they will follow you.”

“You are kind, Master. The serfs will surely appreciate it.”

Then, while we were eating sandwiches, a carriage arrived carrying porridge for the serfs.

As the steam rose from the pot, the serfs began to gather around the carriage one by one.

“Hey, I’ll eat first.”

“I’m hungrier, so I should go first.”

“Ha, let this elder eat first.”

As the serfs argued over who would get food first, the sturdy-looking middle-aged female serf who pulled the carriage tapped the pot with a wooden ladle and said.

“Take what you can eat, and line up. Those who were treated like useless pieces of meat in Nante, even deprived of lunch or dinner, should behave.”

The arguing serfs soon formed an orderly line.

As if nothing had happened, some serfs whistled while swaying.

Then, the serfs working in the field began serving porridge from large wooden bowls in the order of the line.

As they received it, the serfs began to smile broadly.

“Hehe, the lord of this territory may work us hard, but he gives us plenty to eat.”

“Exactly, in other territories, they often just make us work without providing food.”

“This is my first time eating three meals a day in my life… my first time. I couldn’t even manage two meals a day. What luck to live in such a prosperous territory.”

As the serfs chatted while eating porridge, one of the serving serfs shouted.

“Anyone who wants more, step forward! We have plenty! The lord has ordered that those who work hard shall eat heartily!”

As soon as those words ended, several serfs stepped forward to line up for more porridge.

Those who received a lot of porridge began to gulp down the tasteless mush with smiles.

Occasionally, some who ate too hastily burned their mouths, but nevertheless, everyone had happy expressions.

It was truly rewarding to see that with my efforts, everything was working out as planned and that so many people were living without hunger.

**

After nearly two months of work, I was finally able to clear part of the forest and establish the factory I envisioned in that location.

Because I designated a location near the river, I could use tools like waterwheels or hydraulic hammers that harnessed the river’s flow.

“Ah, it really took a long time. It felt long…”

“It’s only been two months, Your Excellency.”

“Though it’s called two months, it felt like a year. In the mornings I had to take care of Windheim’s affairs, and in the afternoons I supervised the serfs’ work here… There was no time to rest. Right, Ela?”

Hearing that, Ela nodded in agreement.

Looking at her, Balt sighed and said.

“Ela, your lord’s struggles are self-imposed. Such construction could have been entrusted to me or another bailiff, and you could have just come once a week…”

As he said, for considerable construction work, it would be reasonable to delegate it to either a bailiff or Balt and only come once a week.

In fact, even once a month would be frequent.

In many cases, nobles who received such towns as territories hardly come to their territories even once a year.

“But I cannot help it. If I don’t watch over these guys, they might be mistreated at any moment.”

“That is true.”

“Your Excellency is kind.”

Upon hearing Ela’s words, Balt made a significant expression for a moment but pretended not to notice.

Then I went to meet with the serfs’ representative.

“Alright, the construction is complete… I’m satisfied. Did you gather the remaining serfs as I ordered?”

“Yes, they are all gathered, Your Excellency. But…”

“What concerns you?”

After hearing that, the serfs’ representative hesitated and then spoke.

“Why did you call us? Did we do something wrong…?”

I waved my hands dismissively.

“No, thank you for your hard work. I’ve gathered everyone here today to hold a small festival as a token of appreciation for your efforts. The people of Windheim are cooking pork right now. Let’s share and eat together in the village square.”

The serfs’ representative stared at me wide-eyed.

“A festival…?”

“Exactly, a festival. You’ve worked hard to build this factory and to dig up the land to create fields. Enjoy a hearty meal.”

While I told the serfs’ representative to eat heartily because they had worked hard, I had another purpose.

In this world, serfs, or rather all farmers in rural areas, generally have a tendency to be wary of outsiders.

So, if you try to be friendly from the start, rather than bonding, they will be suspicious, fearing that each might covet the other’s plate or take something away.

Thus, it is often better to keep some distance from each other.

However, since the newly brought serfs and those who had been living in Windheim for some time were all people of my territory now, it was critical that they recognize each other and create a symbiotic relationship.

To achieve this, a good first impression is essential…

The best way to achieve that is to have them eat and drink together and become friends.

After I stepped back a little, it seemed the serfs’ representative conveyed my words, and the other serfs in the back began to cheer.

“Hooray!!”

“The lord who gives good food and lets us have fun! Hooray!”

“Since I turned 15, I’ve been cultivating the farmland my parents inherited, but I’ve only received scorn… Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“It was worth working hard; burning those damn tree roots was a good call!”

I pretended not to hear and merely began to walk slowly.

**

That evening, a festival took place in front of the bailiff’s mansion in Windheim.

With thousands of serfs living in the territory gathered for a large feast, the square was so packed that there was hardly room to place a foot even in a fairly spacious area.

There were pots filled with an assortment of unknown stews essential for a rural festival, several whole roasted pigs, bread made from a mix of wheat and rye flour, barley bread, fruits, and more…

Simple yet delicious dishes were laid out in abundance.

People sitting at long tables began to enjoy the food while chattering.

From mundane conversations like ‘that village woman is pretty’ to gossip about who is getting married, and other light exchanges.

At first, the new arrivals had trouble mingling, but soon after a few rounds of drinks, they began to sing together, putting their arms around each other.

Though it was drunken men singing, I couldn’t make out the words.

As I watched this scene with a smile, Ela, who had been standing next to me, spoke.

“Master, would you like a glass of wine?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that, Ela poured me a glass of wine.

This wine had a bitter taste and lacked any fruity aroma.

How could a taste like this exist in the world…

Therefore, I grimaced and expressed my displeasure to Ela.

“Ela, what on earth is this wine? It’s awful.”

Upon hearing this, Ela looked flustered and replied.

“I’m sorry, Master… The villagers said this is the best wine they made for you and that it was a great effort to prepare… They insisted I bring this to you… I thought it would be as good as the expensive wines you drink.”

… True, even though she’d undergone maid training.

Originally, maids wouldn’t need to discern fine wines; that was generally the job of stewards…

And thinking about it, the villagers had carefully made this wine for me, so perhaps it wasn’t half bad.

So I smiled and said.

“There’s nothing wrong with you, Ela. I was just surprised because the taste was different.”

“Is that so?”

“Try a glass too, Ela. The bitterness is a bit strong.”

When Ela took a sip of the wine, she too grimaced.

Then, we continued to drink the wine together, which, despite its bitterness, was filled with respect and gratitude from the serfs.

**

And a few days after the festival ended…

Balt suddenly rushed into my bedroom and said.

“Your Excellency, we have a big problem! A band of robbers has appeared!”

… Damn, why is this happening again?

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