Chapter 1071 - 304: Taking the Initiative (10,000 Words)_6
Chapter 1071: Chapter 304: Taking the Initiative (10,000 Words)_6
"For instance, where is the most convenient and fastest route from Morgan Town to Boxi Town?"
Lynn noticed that Tim Jones was indeed listening to his inquiry.
But his bent waist and lowered head never lifted.
Lynn shifted the topic of conversation.
"If you can provide me with accurate and useful intelligence."
"The houses in Morgan Town... whether it’s a one-story or a two-story, you can choose freely."
"Even a legal and legitimate residency status in Morgan Town!"
Tim Jones, with his head down, immediately raised it upon hearing this.
His somewhat clean face was full of disbelief.
"Lord, you... are you speaking the truth?"
Lynn leaned back, reclining on the back of the main seat at the dining table.
"Of course!"
"A gentleman never goes back on his word!"
Listening to Lynn’s firm words, Tim Jones bowed gratefully.
"Thank you, Lord."
"Even if you didn’t promise me these conditions, as long as you ask, Tim Jones would speak without reservation."
"Becoming a Free Person employed by you and earning one-tenth of the daily crop yield is already the best reward you’ve given us."
Lynn responded, "Then, Tim Jones, tell me everything you know."
Tim Jones no longer hesitated and began to speak.
"Lord, Boxi Town... is different from other towns."
"Other towns have always been divided and jointly controlled by three or four or five manor lords."
"But Boxi Town only has two manor lords! Devant Benitez and Bruce McKinley."
"Nearly 150,000 acres of land in Boxi Town are controlled by these two manor lords."
Hearing Tim’s account, Lynn couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
Even the former Morgan Town and Alba Town had five manor lords each.
And yet, Boxi Town only has two manor lords occupying such a vast amount of land?
Perhaps Tim Jones perceived Lynn’s thoughts.
Or perhaps it was just a coincidence.
Tim Jones continued, "Boxi Town once had four manor lords."
"But with the help of Viscount Jon Zuck, Benitez Manor and McKinley Manor forcibly took over the other two manors."
"Having lost their competitive and balancing counterparts, Benitez and McKinley Manors controlled all the land."
"They forcibly increased the land lease fees and reduced the salaries for Free People!"
"Causing the Free People in Boxi Town immense suffering."
At this point, Tim Jones’s tone became somewhat gritted with anger.
It was evident.
Free People like Tim Jones were deeply affected.
However, Lynn could understand how Tim Jones felt at this moment.
If there are a few manors to balance each other out, Free People still have options to choose from.
But if the manor lords face no checks and balances.
And all the land is controlled by lords from the same faction.
An inevitable monopoly on land will emerge!
The rent of the land, and the daily wages of the Free People will be entirely under their control.
If they feel it’s unfair, they can always choose not to lease land or accept employment!
However.
Free People, who rely on labor and planting to gain necessary food.
Without land and labor, how can they survive?
Eventually, the only choice left for them is to sell themselves into becoming peasants, scraping by on whatever the manor lords provide.
Or, like Tim Jones, leave Boxi Town for Kasong City.
But as manor lords, how could they possibly allow these Free People to leave so easily?
Tim Jones continued speaking.
"To survive, I had no choice but to leave Boxi Town with my family and head to Kasong City."
"While looking for work, I happened to see Boer merchants recruiting at the talent market, so I brought my family to Morgan Town..."
Lynn nodded, remaining silent.
Tim Jones recalled Lynn’s question for a few seconds and continued speaking.
"Lord, I can only tell you about the number of guards and peasants Benitez Manor had when I left Boxi Town."
"As for whether there has been any noticeable change in the number of guards and peasants in Benitez Manor after I left, I cannot guarantee it to you..."
"Since I was never employed by McKinley Manor, I cannot inform you of the specific number of guards and peasants in McKinley Manor..."
Lynn nodded: "Tell me all that you know, and that will suffice."
Listening to Lynn’s calm words, Tim Jones felt slightly relieved and continued.
"When I left, Benitez Manor had a total of a thousand guards and nearly six thousand peasants!"
"The reason for such large numbers is that Benest Manor had annexed the former Cole Manor."
"Absorbing the guards and peasants of Cole Manor for its use."
"If I am not mistaken, McKinley Manor should have a similar number of guards and peasants."
Lynn furrowed his brow, contemplating quickly.
In a small town, the population is very limited due to production capacity restrictions.
Especially in small towns at the southern border.
The amount of land, the backwardness of production tools, and low grain yields.
All mean that a small town cannot support a larger population!
Just like Lynn knows of Morgan Town and Alba Town.
Each town has only about three to four thousand Free People.
Each manor can support about fifteen hundred guards and peasants combined!
It’s not that the manor lords don’t want more labor force.
But they have reached the limit of their manor’s production capacity.
Therefore.
Even though Boxi Town has more extensive land area than Morgan Town and Alba Town, there will be a limit.
And based on the rough estimation from Tim Jones’ account.
Boxi Town, currently with only two manors, each having nearly a thousand guards and five to six thousand peasant Free People.
Seems reasonable!
Lynn responded with a question.
"How many soldiers wearing armor are there in Benitez Manor?"
Upon hearing Lynn’s inquiry, Tim Jones recalled slightly and said.
"If you mean armed soldiers like this distinguished commander... none at all."
"In Benitez Manor, there are only some guards wearing leather and cloth armor."
"I assume McKinley Manor is the same."
"Because during my time in Boxi Town, I never saw soldiers wearing metal armor."
Lynn nodded again, as he had previously suspected.
The price of standard armor is expensive, and it’s scarce in number.
Ordinary manor lords simply cannot afford to equip their manor guards with armor!