I Was Reincarnated as a Marquis in Another World

After finishing my information gathering at the tavern, I went to see the noble and expressed my desire to explore the countryside.

The noble was quite displeased, but I said to him,

“I will go to the countryside myself to see the lives of the serfs and find out what they need.”

Upon hearing this, the noble reluctantly granted his permission.

So now, I am hurrying towards Windheim in a carriage with Balt.

Though it’s quite a distance from the castle, which takes two days by carriage, I have the hope that I will surely get the opportunity to prove my abilities there.

**

On the evening of the day after our departure from the castle, I began to see a wide field of wheat beyond a low grassy plain in the distance.

It seemed there was still some time until the harvest season because I wasn’t greeted with the golden fields I had seen in movies, but the sight of the unripe wheat forming a green wave was truly beautiful.

“How much longer until we reach the village?”

“In about 30 minutes, Young Master.”

“30 minutes? It feels like we still have a long way to go, and we’re surrounded by wheat fields.”

“Well, to pay taxes to the knights who own this land and to the noble Excellency, and to secure enough food for their families, they must cultivate a huge amount of land.”

I learned that a serf had to cultivate about 4 hectares, which is roughly a square of 200 meters, to support a family of 5-6.

Though it sounds manageable, it means they have to work until they are about to die to till that much land.

“Life is not easy for the serfs.”

“And well, after paying taxes…”

Suddenly, Balt stopped the carriage and shouted.

“Look, Young Master! The serfs are plowing the fields.”

Hearing this, I turned my head in the direction Balt pointed.

“Yes, yes! Go ahead, that’s right, good job!”

As the farmer whipped the horse, the plow attached to the back began to turn the soil in time with the horse’s pace.

However, the speed was too slow, and the depth of the plowed land was too shallow.

While it’s better than having no plow at all, a plow must turn the soil at least 30 cm deep.

This is because most of the nutrients necessary for crops are stored in the soil up to about 30 cm deep from the surface.

I looked at Balt with frustration and said,

“Balt, isn’t that plow a defective product? No matter how you look at it, it’s too shallow…”

Hearing that, Balt looked at me as if I were a strange person and replied,

“Young Master, a plow normally cannot till deeper than that.”

This may not be a matter of my governing ability, but if I were to rule a territory, I would need to supply plows capable of digging at least 30 cm deep.

This is because, compared to the plow, which can only dig around 15 cm, we’d be able to harvest more than double the yield.

Before long, it seems the horse pulling the plow began to get winded and stopped moving to catch its breath.

Curious as to why the horse stopped, I observed closely and noticed that the strain of the plow was concentrated on the horse’s neck rather than its chest.

With such a structure, every time it pulled the plow, it would strain its neck and make it hard to breathe.

However, it seemed there were other problems as well… I should get down from the carriage and see for myself.

“Coachman, stop the carriage here for a moment. And Balt, bring me one fairy tale pouch. I want to ask that person something.”

After the carriage stopped, I approached the man pulling the plow.

As soon as the man saw me, he immediately put down the plow and prostrated himself on the ground, saying,

“I’m honored to meet you, how does such a lowly serf live to see you in this village?”

Though his words were relatively polite, his trembling voice indicated that my presence seemed burdensome and frightening to this serf.

To help ease his tension for a smoother conversation, I pulled out about two pieces from the fairy tale pouch and handed them to the serf.

Upon seeing the fairies, the serf’s expression brightened.

“I have just a simple question. If you answer well, I might give you more.”

At that, the serf’s expression became even brighter.

“Really?”

“I won’t say one thing with my mouth and another with my heart.”

As I said this, the serf smiled and waved his hands in gratitude.

“Thank you! So, how can I help you?”

“Alright, I want to see how you use the plow. I’m a bit curious about it.”

“Yes, yes!”

The serf suddenly sprinted to the horse pulling the plow, starting to whip it.

After about thirty seconds, the horse began to move again and the plow started turning the soil.

However, the furrows turned out to be only about 10-15 cm deep, and they were extremely narrow, almost as if they were made with fingernails.

Furthermore, upon closely examining the hooves of the working horse, they appeared worn down as if they had been rasped down with sandpaper.

It was evident that pulling the plow all day over rough soil had caused this wear.

With such worn hooves, there was a possibility that nerves could protrude inside them.

If the horse is managed like this, bacteria from the soil could enter the hoof and lead to tetanus.

After about ten minutes of plowing with the plow, the horse seemed to tire, refusing to move regardless of how much the farmer whipped it.

Normally, one would allow the horse to rest after working like this, but the farmer would likely be whipping it due to him being conscious of me.

“You’ve worked hard; I’ve seen how well you handle the horse. Can I ask you another question?”

After saying that, I tossed another two fairy tales to the serf.

The serf quickly caught the fairies and replied,

“Yes, Young Master. It’s an honor that you hold me in such regard, hehe. Please ask whatever you wish.”

“Um, how’s that plow? I heard that it was provided by noble Excellency for the serfs like you in the village.”

“Haha, it’s really good! In the past, when I plowed this field, I would have to bring my neighbor Hans or my son to help pull the plow, and no matter how hard I worked all day, I couldn’t even till half as much. But now, I can manage this much by myself!”

“Really? But aren’t the plowed furrows too shallow?”

At those words, the serf waved his hands and said,

“This is much deeper than what we used to dig. A few years ago, even a slight chill would freeze the wheat or rye, but now the furrows are deep enough that it doesn’t freeze anymore. This is all thanks to the Lord’s grace.”

Despite saying this, dissatisfaction with the lord was still evident on his face.

If the noble isn’t collecting more taxes than stipulated and is providing farming tools yet it’s still like this…

Just as I heard at the inn, it’s very likely that Bailiff Mars is embezzling taxes.

Feigning ignorance, I said,

“Thank you for telling me. Here’s a small reward of three fairy tales.”

“Are you really giving this to me?”

“Of course, thanks to you providing proper answers, I was able to learn what I wanted to know. So I must give you this as reward.”

“Thank you!! Young Master!!”

Before I gave him money, he seemed to be quite troublesome, but once the money was given, he instantly transformed into a respectful Young Master.

It seems the love for money is similar, whether in Korea or in another world.

And if he’s that cooperative, I might be able to hear some valuable stories if I give a little more money.

“I’m on my way to Nante, and it’s already dark… Can I stay at your home for the night?”

Hearing that, the serf’s face lit up with the expectation that he could earn money by letting me stay overnight.

“Young Master, it’s really humble. Are you sure it’s alright?”

“Staying at your home is much better than sleeping outside. With a roof and walls, I will be protected from the wind and morning dew.”

“Understood. I’ve recently gotten married, and there are a few empty rooms in my home… There’s enough space for you to stay. However, the money for preparing food…”

I handed the fairy tale pouch Balt had given me to the serf.

“Will this suffice? I think it contains about 20.”

“May I take a moment to count?”

Receiving money from a noble and counting it right in front of them is considered rude.

However, since I’m playing the role of a wandering noble, I should let it slide.

“Go ahead.”

“One, two, three… twenty… it’s twenty. It’s humble, but we will treat you as best we can in our home.”

Hearing that, Balt spoke to me in disbelief.

“No, Young Master… you’re not staying at the bailiff’s house, but at a serf’s house? Nobles shouldn’t stay in such places!!”

“What does it matter when Balt is with me? Before our family fell, you were a hero who knocked down knights in tournaments with just a sword.”

“…..”

So, I blocked Balt’s mouth and then mounted the carriage, looking down at the serf.

“Alright, serf. What’s your name?”

“Zackri.”

“Zackri, you lead the way on horseback. We will follow slowly.”

“Understood.”

Thus, I headed towards the home of the serf known as Zackri.

On the way, Balt raised his voice at me, irritated.

“Wait, why are you staying at a serf’s house? Wouldn’t you be better off staying at the bailiff’s house, receiving drinks and food like a typical noble young master?”

“Well, I’m not here for leisure. And Bailiff Mars around here is likely embezzling taxes. To gather lively information, this is what needs to be done.”

Upon hearing this, Balt let out a sigh as if he couldn’t believe it.

“While I appreciate your willingness to actively work for the people of the territory, you’re being too proactive.”

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