Chapter 285: The Knights of North and the Settlement of the Church Nobles
Next to the low and pale fence, the branches of the summer oak tree protruded from the fence, and a few whistle-thrushes were perched on the new sprouts, making sharp chirping sounds.

The glass-like sunlight shone on the backs of several war horses that were grazing on tender grass, and actually reflected a metallic luster.

His body swayed gently with the warhorse, and the gorgeous dagger at Murat's waist hit the iron buckle of his belt, making a crisp sound.

This gilded dagger is inlaid with tiny gemstones and silver reliefs.
This one set cost Murat a full 12 gold pounds, plus the three suits he bought cost him 6 gold pounds.

This time he spent nearly half of the 40 gold pounds that Meliati had rewarded him with.

His companions all advised him to buy cattle, sheep, houses and real estate in his hometown, but Murat did not think so.

Good education, good manners, handsome appearance, and clothes that show one's status are a ticket to the upper class.

Murat always believed that looking at appearance alone was superficial, but he could not resist the prevailing trend. He hated the smell of makeup powder, but he still had to put some on his face.

Walking on the curved green grass, Murat was followed by four hundred Norse infantry knights, and they walked on the road with Busak who came to greet them.

These four hundred extraordinary knights are called knights, but they ride either donkeys or mules, and even when they ride horses, they are ponies.

Just a means of transportation.

Matching these donkeys and mules are the knights' farmer-like beards and weathered faces.

As knights from the mountainous counties, they are not like the knights from the plains who can just lie in the manor, eat, drink and have fun.

In the barren land, even knights had to go out and work as mercenaries to earn money, which was similar to the work of laborers.

It's just that one is a manufacturing worker and the other is a military worker.

They came here under the instruction of Grand Duke Meliati, asking them to help the Salvation Army in Jeanne d'Arc.

Although they complained about the lack of salary, under the authority of Meliati, the Norsemen scraped together more than 400 mountain knights.

They set out on March 3 to support the Salvation Army and finally arrived today, March 1, only to be told that they were late.

The imperial edict was lost, Chateau Joan of Arc was captured, and we couldn’t even eat a hot bite of the spoils.

Fortunately, the leader of the Salvation Army, Horn, was willing to accommodate them, so their trip was not in vain.

The leader of this group of Norse knights is Murat.

Murat is a Kush Knight from Northshire. His ancestors are from the same group as the Black Knights of Carl, and they are all feudal lords of the Kush tribe.

Under the invasion of immigrants from the Frankish and Leitian nobles, Murat's great-grandfather had to retreat from the fertile plains to the barren and cold mountains.

From then on, the flat fields became their sweetest dreamland every night.

Looking at the fences, streams and wet furrows between the fields before them, many Norse knights showed greed and jealousy in their eyes.

"You're pretty good at hiding this gold pound? Take it away!"

His ears twitched slightly, and Murat raised his eyelids and looked in the direction where the sound came from.

Surrounded by a few fertile fields, in the shady woods, in front of the dark monastery, hundreds of monks and priests were driven out by the war monks.

The Black Hat War Brother who had shouted "take it away" before, pinched two stinky gold coins between his index finger and thumb, and threw them into a box beside him with disgust.

"This is the church's property. They have been convicted of aiding the devil. All their property will be confiscated, and retroactive litigation will be initiated in the next few months." Busak put his hands on the awning and squinted his eyes.

"Can you interrogate so many people?"

The monks who had always been so arrogant were now all dejected or crying and banging their heads on the ground, and Murat felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

"No need. We can interrogate a few people with less serious crimes and then rely on identification to avoid guilt. With their help, the process will be very fast. Besides, we also have a specialized legal scholar, Martial, to review the case."

"Oh... Hey, Your Majesty Horn, did you tell me where the confiscated properties went?" Murat could feel that the breathing of the North Knights behind him had become much heavier.

Their hometown, North County, was a small plateau with nothing but wild grass and bison.

A few acres of farmland there is enough to make people break their heads, not to mention the fertile fields crisscrossing here.

"We are currently only in a trusteeship state. Your Majesty is also troubled by how to deal with these properties." Busak bluntly introduced the difficulties they are currently facing. "During this period, Your Majesty has been summoning knowledgeable people from all over Kush Territory to discuss the current situation. However, in my opinion, it is estimated that the reform of the 100-household system will still be carried out."

Murat did not rashly ask what the centurion system was. If he really asked about it in public, it would seem that he was being too deliberate.

To change the subject, Murat pointed to a small tent on the side of the road.

"What are they doing?" Under the fluttering sun gear flag, he saw the farmers lined up in a long line in front of their tents.

On both sides of the long line, black-clad soldiers holding rifles with stern faces were scolding the farmers who tried to cut in line.

"Conscription." Busak's voice dimmed a little. "The previous battle was too brutal."

Although they have captured the Kush Territory in the north of Langsander County, the knights in the Ibe Plain in Jinhe Township in the south are still eyeing them covetously.

It was early spring in March, which was still the farming season, but famine struck again, and Horn had no choice but to order another conscription.

After renovation and statistics, the Salvation Army currently needs to recruit 1028 new recruits.

If Hakuto's idea is followed, it would be best to recruit another 2000 new soldiers while replenishing the troops.

However, it is the busy farming season now, and the withdrawal of more than 3000 young and strong laborers from the surrounding areas at once has caused too much damage to the agriculture of Kush Territory.

Of course, conscription is indeed necessary, but it will be divided into three batches. First, recruit soldiers to complete the establishment.

The second batch will recruit 1000 people from two legions again in April, and the decision on whether to recruit the third batch will be made depending on the situation.

After all, the Salvation Army is a standing army and is under great financial pressure. It still needs to be cautious until the economy returns to normal.

"Will the farmer volunteer to enlist?" Murat thought about it and understood. "During the spring famine and flood, being a soldier at least gives you food to eat and maybe even a salary."

"How much do they get paid per day?" a mountain rider asked curiously.

"New soldiers 2 dinars, veteran soldiers 4 dinars."

Murat's body visibly stiffened. "How much did you say? Weekly salary?"

Not only Murat himself, but also the infantry knights following behind him pricked up their ears at the same time.

"It's not a weekly salary, it's a daily salary, paid every Monday. In peacetime, new soldiers get 7 dinars and veterans get 14 dinars. In wartime, it doubles."

"Ah? No, don't you give out money even when you're not fighting?"

Murat and the adjutant behind him looked at each other, and they each saw disbelief in each other's eyes.

These mountain knights work hard as mercenaries for a year, and with the income from their hometown farms, they can barely earn a little more than 10 gold pounds a year.

Sometimes employers would withhold wages for migrant workers, and they would have to lose face, make a scene, or even threaten to kidnap their employers in order to get 70% to 80% of their wages back.

The Salvation Army on Horn's side can earn 6 gold pounds in a year without fighting, and this does not include the spoils of war.

Who is the knight after all?

"What about the pension? Is there any pension?"

"If you die in battle, you will receive a monthly pension of one-quarter of your salary, a minimum daily subsidy of one dinar, and your children can go to the Royal School of the Vatican for free." Busak turned his body and answered the Norse knight who asked the question.

"...If that's what you mean, I can do this job."

"I'm a knight. I don't need any training. I can be a veteran right away."

"One last question, where can I sign up?"

"You can't do it." Busak shook his head. "For now, we will only recruit soldiers from Kush Territory, and give priority to the religious soldiers and farmers."

"I can be a Skitarii too, and I can talk."

"Watch your words." Murat shouted at the mountain knight, "Our lord is Grand Duke Meliati. You are being rude."

The rebuked knight muttered, "Hasn't the oath been taken yet?"

Bushak pretended not to hear their conversation: "We can hire you at the average market price, and we will pay you weekly. During this period, you can stay in Huilu Town first."

"Does it include board and lodging?"

"Bag."

"Great!" The Norse knights cheered instantly.

(End of this chapter)