In early spring and March, everything revives.
With a burst of cheers, the first lord's mansion in the Valley Knight Territory was successfully completed.
Matt dressed neatly and walked briskly into his first mansion. This was the first "mansion" he owned in this era. This building was definitely not luxurious. Even the slightly wealthy squire's house in Sapp Castle was more luxurious than At's lord's mansion. However, this was the most luxurious building in the valley that had been abandoned for hundreds of years, and it was also the first mansion of his own owned by Art since he came to this world. Of course, the former hunting lodge does a lot.
This mansion with a stone foundation and a wooden structure, both the lord's hall and the kitchen and official rooms are bright and clean. Art did not adopt the closed architectural style that was customary in the era. Instead, he opened many grid windows for lighting in the newly built mansion. Except for the warehouse and the secret room, the rest of the rooms in the entire mansion have windows. This architectural style was not recognized by everyone at first. They felt that the mansion building with windows everywhere had obvious flaws in preventing enemy attacks and bandits. However, Art dismissed everyone's confusion with just one sentence - "If the enemies and bandits have all come to the Lord's Mansion of Wood Castle, do you still plan to hide in this mansion and survive?"
Entering the Lord's Hall of the mansion, the first thing that catches the eye is a long wooden table that is twenty feet long and five feet wide. There are several long benches on the left and right sides of the long table. On the top of the table is a leather armchair brought back from Talburg. This is the seat of the owner of Biltenburg, but now it has become Art's special seat. Behind the main chair is a wooden wall with a wolf head and two crossed broken swords embedded in the wooden wall. There are two rooms on the left and right of the lord's hall, which are the lord's office, warehouse, kitchen and large guest room. There is a wooden ladder on the left side of the entrance leading to the second floor. The second floor is Art's private space. Except for personal guards and servants, no one else can enter without permission.
At the head of the long table in the hall first, sat on the leather armchair, and then waved to his subordinate officers and civil affairs administrators to sit on both sides.
After everyone sat down, Art looked around the people at the long table. As usual, those on Art's right were the commanders of the army, in order: Odo, Angus, Ron, Bass, Kazak, and Tuba. Simon, the commander of the independent border outpost, Captain Obote of the patrol team, and Commander Felix of the visiting army were also present as officers; Art's left was They are the stewards of civil affairs, in order: Cooper, Salt, Lawrence, Scott, Bud, Thomas, Lynn, Ewing, Lavin, and Ger. Originally, the parish priest Hamish, as the apostle of God, should also be invited here, but Art has reached a tacit understanding with Hamish that religion and secularity do not restrict each other, so Hamish consciously rejected Art's polite invitation.
The people present in the Lord's Hall are Art's military and civil officials, and they are also comrades who have lived life and death with Art. Art just wants to share the joy of harvest with them to further unite people's hearts.
Matt tapped the edge of the table lightly, and after everyone was quiet a little, he said with a smile: "Everyone, Emma has already led people to make food in the kitchen, and you will have a sumptuous meal soon. But before celebrating the completion of my mansion with delicious food, I want to arrange something with you. Recent major events."
"I think you have guessed what I want to say, yes, it is about marrying Miss Lottie, the only daughter of Baron Galvin of Sappburg."
Everyone laughed softly.
Matt's voice continued: "According to my agreement with Baron Galvin and Miss Lottie, after the lord's mansion is completed, I will go to Sapp to welcome Miss Lottie to the Valley Knights to complete the wedding. Now that the mansion is completed, I should fulfill my promise."
"The first thing is to determine the date. Yesterday I discussed it with the old housekeeper and Father Hamish. The wedding is tentatively scheduled for the last day of March, but the final wedding time must be agreed by Baron Galvin and Miss Lottie." The second thing is to invite people to the wedding. Not to mention the important citizens and troops of our Valley Knights, we mainly invite some distinguished guests from outside to attend the wedding ceremony. This is something that needs to be considered more recently. I will give it to you."
“First of all, Count Baldwin and Bishop Olof, who are farthest to the north; then, Viscount Herres of Glaru County and Viscount Pierre of Tyniec County, where we have been stationed; and then Baron Antayas and Knight Chloe of Andermatt Castle. As for the distinguished guests from Sarp Castle, it needs to be decided by Baron Galvin and Miss Lottie. Originally, I also have Baron Balian from the south. I want to invite them all, but there is a war in the south right now, and I'm afraid Baron Balian has no intention of coming to attend the wedding of a young knight."
"What do you think?"
After hearing this, everyone thought and discussed for a while, Cooper stood up and said: "Sir, the others are fine, I'm afraid Earl Baldwin and Bishop Olof~" Cooper stopped talking.
Matt nodded to show that he understood what Cooper meant, and replied: "I know what you mean. Count Baldwin probably won't attend my wedding. However, although Bishop Olof may not come in person, he should send someone to attend on his behalf. Cooper, it's such an important thing like a wedding. Regardless of whether Earl Baldwin and Bishop Olof will participate, we have to extend a sincere invitation to them. Whether they participate or not is their business, and whether they are invited or not is our business. This is about attitude and etiquette." Art was about to explain to Cooper that he was flattering.
Cooper understands.
"The first thing I plan to do is send Felix to do it. The wedding date is tentatively scheduled for the last day of March. You will return to Sarp Castle tomorrow to convey my intention to your father and sister. Please bring back the list of guests invited to Sarp Castle at that time. In addition, if Lord Galvin and Miss Lottie have any special requirements or arrangements for the wedding, please bring it back as well."
"The second thing is to be completed by the cavalry of the sentry team. I will personally make some documents inviting you to the wedding and give them to you. You will ride on horseback to deliver the documents and my sincerity. It is not safe everywhere now, so there must be no less than two sentry riders in each place. This matter is done by Ron goes to make arrangements. You must deliver it to Bishop Olof and Count Baldwin. I will ask Cooper to prepare a gift for you to bring to the bishop and the earl. It is the fifth day of March, and you must deliver the invitation document within ten days." Ron stood up and accepted the order.
Matt continued: "The third thing is to prepare the supplies needed for the wedding. Lord Galvin is a baron, and he is willing to marry his only daughter to me. Naturally, I can't let Lord Galvin lose his face. Besides, I also want to prepare a slightly more grand wedding for Miss Lottie. I plan to spend five thousand pfennigs as the expenses of the wedding. There is still enough food in the valley, but there are almost no supplies here to hold the wedding and organize the banquet, so we need Purchase a large amount from outside. From candles to decorate the wedding scene to tents for distinguished guests to rest, Cooper will discuss the detailed list of supplies with several civil affairs officials, and your wives can also make suggestions. Women should always be more careful. After Felix comes back from Sapp Castle, we will listen to Lord Galvin and Miss Lottie to see if they have any requirements. After confirming the goods list, the caravan will immediately set off to buy the supplies needed for the wedding. "
"The fourth thing is the issue of stability before and after the wedding. This issue seems to have little to do with the wedding, but it is the issue I am most worried about."
Ate paused.
"Everyone, before this wedding, although our army was fighting everywhere, the entire valley has been quietly developing. In troubled times, only dormant insects will not be hunted by falcons. However, once the wedding is held, the entire valley will be exposed to the eyes of the world, and there will definitely be no shortage of jealous wolves eyeing the valley. We must think of these things in advance."
Everyone was just sincerely happy for the upcoming celebration, but had forgotten the hidden crisis behind the celebration, especially the army commanders. They had been fighting outside for the past year, and they knew that the world outside had turned into darkness, and this valley that seemed like a world away was the last paradise in their hearts. They could not tolerate the evil wolves glaring around them.
"Sir, we must not let the greedy wolves from outside enter the valley! We have finally found a peaceful land. If anyone dares to have evil intentions towards the valley, I will be the first to stand up!" To everyone's surprise, when Art mentioned the crisis that the valley may face after the wedding, the one who reacted most fiercely was not the commanders of the army, but also Lin En, the usually taciturn deputy station administrator.
It’s not surprising that Linn was one of the first refugees to enter the valley from the north. He had a wife and a pair of young children. When recruiting refugees in Tyniec County a year ago, his family didn’t meet the conditions, so Art was extra generous to recruit him. Now the Linn family not only obtained land in the valley and harvested enough food to satisfy their needs, but he himself was appointed by Art as the deputy steward and received a full monthly salary. This kind of life was something he never dreamed of. As the first "domestic citizen" in this valley to benefit the most, he has become one with this valley in just one year.
"Lynn, the master is discussing how to face a possible crisis. Why are you excited?" Cooper felt that Linn was a little out of control and scolded Linn softly.
Lin also noticed that he had lost his composure, and quickly bowed to Art to apologize, and then sat back on the bench angrily.
Matt was not annoyed by Lin En's gaffe. On the contrary, he nodded to Lin En to encourage him: "Actually, Lin En said it very well. He was a little excited, but his feelings for this valley paradise are sincere. We need such territorial citizens, if we are now or in the future, If every citizen and soldier in the territory can have Lin En's emotions of coexistence with the valley, then our fists will always be clenched tightly."
Everyone nodded. Lin En was encouraged, his face turned red, and he became more excited, but he did not lose his composure again.
Yate waited for everyone's emotions to recover and continued: "I'm talking about the crisis we may face. As long as we are fully prepared for this kind of thing in advance, the crisis can be resolved smoothly..."
"First, be prepared for the response. During the wedding, except for one squadron of the army staying behind to maintain security in the valley with the Valley Guard, the rest of the army went out to patrol and guard outside the valley. Those soldiers who were still training in the new army were also temporarily incorporated into the legions, patrol teams and border outposts to strengthen the army, and they would be recalled after the wedding."
"Second, do Good welcome to distinguished guests. Bandits are rampant in various places now. Guests are very likely to be harassed by bandits when they come to attend the wedding. I cannot control other sections of the road, but once the guests enter the county line of Tyniec County, we must ensure that there are no bandits along the way. This matter is also left to the army. Odo and the sergeant major are responsible for making plans, firstly, to send troops to patrol along the way, and secondly, to greet the escort guests at the county border. "
"The third thing is to strictly control the people who enter the valley. Except for the invited guests and their families, no one else is allowed to enter the valley. This matter is also left to the army. And the guests invited to the wedding should not be allowed to go to the valley. If anyone wants to go, they will say that the road is too far and wild animals are infested." Discuss an effective plan and then discuss it. "
"As for the problems we will face after the valley is exposed, we will discuss it based on the specific situation. The specific matters of the wedding will be taken care of by Cooper and the civil affairs officials, and Odo will cooperate with the civil affairs on behalf of the army to complete the wedding..."
"Emma, you can bring the food..."