The freeman resettlement policy jointly implemented by the two heads of Sardinson County quickly caused a huge sensation throughout the region, and as the trading caravans came and went, the news of this welfare policy soon spread to neighboring counties as well.
As a border county in a geographically poor location, Sardinson had long been considered part of the impoverished zone. The surrounding counties weren't much better off economically—while the nobles lived in comfort, their subjects barely scraped by.
But after Sardinson began to develop, the main roads connecting it to the outside world brought prosperity to the towns along the way. Inns and taverns boomed with business, and many young, able-bodied men came to Sardinson seeking better opportunities. However, most of these individuals didn't change their place of residence and remained freemen belonging to other counties.
With the introduction of the resettlement policy, any freeman willing to till the land for the Count and officially register as one of his subjects would be granted a plot of land for a homestead. This unprecedented benefit immediately attracted freemen from other noble territories within Sardinson, who brought their entire families to settle in Sardinson Castle. As promised, they were granted land. Soon after, even freemen from further regions began arriving in hopes of registering.
Naturally, such benefits came with obligations. Those granted land were not allowed to relocate again for at least ten years, and every household was required to rent and cultivate a specified amount of farmland, with the size determined by the number of able-bodied members in the family.
In other words, only freemen willing to farm were eligible for such benefits. Other professions were not covered.
While this left some freemen—those not relying on agriculture—disappointed, Sardinson County's greatest need at the moment was agricultural labor. Prioritizing the recruitment of farmers was a necessity. As for factory or workshop labor, competitive wages would be sufficient to attract workers.
Soon enough, the number of freemen moving in increased rapidly. Most of the previously fallow lands reclaimed by Felix were rented out, alleviating concerns about the year's planting season.
As a result, Wei Wei had to revise the planning document she had only recently completed. Though plans often lag behind reality, making a few updates was a small matter compared to the risk of having no one to farm the land.
At the same time, while extending benefits to newcomers, they also didn't forget to appease their existing residents. Freemen already working the Count's land and who lacked housing could also apply for a homestead. Those who already had homes and didn't wish to relocate were offered tax and labor duty reductions for three years.
It's worth noting that once all available lands had been rented, recruitment was temporarily paused. The recruitment criteria were then revised—any new applicants would have to clear uncultivated land. Once the required area was cultivated, they too would receive homestead plots. These newly cleared lands would be exempt from taxes in the first year, taxed at 20% in the second year, and increase gradually until returning to normal rates in the fifth year.
Even if the land they cleared didn't meet the standard for receiving a homestead, they could still enjoy the tax reduction. This benefit was extended not only to migrating freemen but to all subjects of Felix, including serfs.
This change delighted the residents who had previously assumed the policy didn't apply to them. The tax exemption was an enticing incentive—while newly cleared land might not yield much at first, being exempt from taxes meant even growing vegetables or beans could bring in extra income. And later, if they could no longer manage the improved land, they could return it to the Count without issue. Of course, this rarely happened—those capable of clearing land were usually those whose current harvests weren't enough to feed their families, and they would take meticulous care of any new land they acquired.
Such residents usually lived in villages far from Sardinson Castle and the three surrounding towns. Available land near these villages was limited, and the factories producing pasta and meat sauce didn't hire from so far out, leaving the villagers to earn a living doing hard labor for passing caravans.
Previously, even though Sardinson had many uncultivated lands, no one could clear them without the Count's permission. In addition to paying a clearing fee, there were no tax benefits, and increasing soil fertility was a major challenge. It was more worthwhile to tend to existing fertile lands or find other ways to make money.
Now, things were different. No clearing fees, or tax exemptions, and they now had a way to enrich the soil. Why wouldn't they seize the chance to expand their farmland while the Count was feeling generous?
And so, even though the weather was still cold, many farmers had already taken to the fields in the designated clearing zones Felix had marked on the county map, facing the earth with shovels and determination.
This created a frenzy for estate stewards across the region. Each day brought a flood of land-clearing applications, and they had to send people to measure land, mediate disputes when multiple families chose the same plot, and more. Some illiterate stewards even had to pay out of pocket to hire literate aides to help with the records—they didn't dare ask the Count for assistance. Everyone knew that the new Countess favored educated staff. If she found out they couldn't read, she might simply replace them.
While the stewards were run ragged, life in the castle was equally hectic. With so many affairs to manage and the influx of freemen, Wei Wei was increasingly frustrated by the stewards' lack of standardized procedures. She realized they needed a formal administrative department with well-defined systems and structure.
She planned to establish a county government in Sardinson, modeled after a simplified version of a modern municipal government back in China.
Of course, given that Sardinson didn't even have a real city yet, this was just a preliminary idea. She mentioned it casually to Felix, and detailed planning would come later.
Felix, thinking of the area he had earmarked for the future city—currently just an overgrown field—agreed wholeheartedly with her foresight.
Just from her brief explanation of the departmental structure and its functions, Felix could already see the benefits. Not only would it far surpass Sardinson's current administrative system, but it would even outperform the royal government in the capital, which was a chaotic and hollow power structure barely holding itself together. In contrast, Wei Wei's proposed system resembled a well-built fortress—each level supporting the next, authority distributed among many, and clear accountability. As long as everyone followed the rules, no one could amass too much power, not even threatening the lord himself.
His eyes lit up as he looked at her. "Is this how your homeland governs?"
Wei Wei shook her head and replied half-truthfully, "This is adapted to fit Sardinson. In my country, all power belongs to the emperor and his ministers. Nobles are only honorary titles and don't govern land. It's a very different system."
Having heard many of her stories and read books from her homeland, Felix had some understanding of China and wasn't surprised by the difference.
But since this was planting season, the county government plan would have to wait. They had more immediate matters to handle.
Felix pulled out a stack of recently received letters. "These are from the barons."
Wei Wei took a look. Stripping away the excessive noble phrasing, all the letters conveyed the same message—they were unhappy with Felix's recent policies. As he expanded his population, the barons were losing their freemen.
While they didn't dare be too direct due to his status, the implication was clear: they wanted compensation.
Wei Wei set the letters down and looked up. "Are you going to compensate them?"
Felix nodded. "To some extent, yes."
While freemen were theoretically free to come and go, that freedom could be revoked by a lord at any time. Though the five barons had refrained from doing so out of deference to Felix, they weren't about to just accept the losses. If Felix didn't make it worth their while, they might even try to separate themselves from the Williams family's authority and no longer serve as his vassals.
Of course, Felix wouldn't allow that. Any baron who publicly declared defiance would be crushed by the Williams family's army. Taking over a barony was child's play for a count.
The barons knew this. All they wanted was compensation that both sides could agree to.
"Since we're hosting the celebration banquet soon, and the invitations have already gone out, let's discuss it then."
The banquet was being held to celebrate their marriage and return, and guests included not only the local nobility but also nobles from nearby counties. Wei Wei had seen the guest list—dozens of nobles of all ranks.
And as hostess, organizing the banquet was her responsibility. This time, she was in charge of the entire event, with Butler Barton and Madam Nancy assisting.
Thankfully, the castle had well-established procedures for events of different ranks and scales. As long as she followed the guidelines, nothing would go wrong.
Following her request, Butler Barton arranged four new personal maids—Maca, whom she chose herself, and three others: Lisa, Mary, and Monica.
All three had worked in the castle for years. Mary and Monica had originally been the personal maids of Felix's late sister-in-law. After her untimely death, they helped care for young Caroline. As the castle became busier and Caroline needed fewer attendants, they were reassigned. Now, selected for their qualifications by both Wei Wei and Barton, they were reassigned once again.
Being chosen to serve the Countess personally was the dream of every maid. When notified, they were overjoyed, quickly tidied themselves up, and tried their best to align with the Countess's preferences.
Unlike the 19-year-old Qin and 16-year-old Penny, these three were all married, aged between 25 and 30. They weren't especially beautiful, but they stood tall and carried themselves with elegance—well-trained.
Next to them, Kama looked entirely out of place. She didn't have the bearing of a maid—just an ordinary peasant woman. But Wei Wei saw no shame or self-doubt in her. Though worn and weathered by life, her eyes shone with tenacious strength, which Wei Wei admired deeply.
Unlike the others, Kama looked at her like a savior—devoted and sincere, like a zealous believer. And she truly was. Wei Wei had freed Kama and her daughter from slavery, turning them into objects of envy. Kama now served as her maid, and her daughter had been assigned to the castle and was even being considered as young Caroline's future maid. Their lives had been transformed—and all because of Wei Wei.
Kama would give her life for her.
Wei Wei remembered them from her memories and nodded to the butler, accepting them all. Then she instructed Penny, "Let them follow you for now. Teach them what a personal maid's duties entail."
"Yes, my lady," Penny answered with a touch of excitement. She'd always been the one being guided—now it was her turn to guide others.
As for whether she feared being replaced—Penny wasn't worried. Wei Wei had made it clear. Kama would be trained as an herbalist. The other three were more like secretaries than traditional maids. Qin was being groomed as a housekeeper. Penny herself, the only one always by Wei Wei's side, would remain so.
Penny had no grand ambitions—she simply wanted to serve Wei Wei, take care of her, and occasionally help with small tasks. That was enough.
Not long after the four new maids began work, they quickly realized their duties differed from the typical personal maid. While they did tend to Wei Wei's daily needs, most of their work involved delivering orders, sorting documents, and helping with administrative tasks—more like secretaries.
Though it was unusual, they quickly adapted. All were chosen for their learning ability, and with a little training, they were soon competent in their roles.
The celebration banquet was scheduled just before spring planting, on the fifth day of March—carefully avoiding the church's fasting days so guests could enjoy the feast without restrictions.
The day before the banquet invited nobles began arriving at Sardinson Castle.
Nobles from nearby counties were stunned. They'd last visited during the late Count's funeral. Back then, Sardinson was just like their own territories—remote, barren, and unremarkable.
Now, smooth concrete roads replaced the old bumpy dirt tracks—better than anything even some cities could boast.
Trading caravans bustled along the roads, making the visiting nobles green with envy. If only their territories had this many traders—they'd make a fortune on trade taxes alone.
Even tiny Dingle Town had changed dramatically. It had doubled in size. Those who paused for a look saw stores lining the streets, perfumes and oils with the Williams crest flying off the shelves, and townsfolk shopping happily—clearly wealthier than before.
Some of the noblewomen spotted dresses in the tailor shops—modern designs said to be introduced by the Countess herself and gifted to the queen. The style was now the height of fashion in the capital. Not wanting to appear outdated at the banquet, they bought gowns without hesitation.
There were also merchants from far-off places selling a wide range of goods, making the market feel more like a bustling city street than a village square.
In just one year, Sardinson had transformed. At this rate, it might become the most prosperous county in all eastern Pradi.
"While we're here, we should negotiate some trade deals with the Count."
"I heard he's looking for flowers—our land's great for that. Transport's easy, and we could grow extra this year."
"Our olive groves…"
"All that wheat we stockpiled…"
"The livestock from our pastures…"
They all started planning collaborations. The announcements in Dingle made it easy to understand what Sardinson needed—and their offered prices were more attractive than those from traveling traders.
Profit at the forefront, the nobles forgot their complaints about losing freemen to Sardinson. They were pleased—if they could use that as leverage for better trade deals, a few freemen were hardly worth worrying about.
—Of course, once they began to lose freemen in droves, they might not be so cheerful. But for now, let them enjoy it.
Back at the castle, as hostess, Wei Wei was supposed to personally welcome the guests. Thankfully, none of the visitors outranked Felix, and with his royal recognition, even those of equal title treated him with deference.
Still, as host and hostess, they had to set aside official duties and greet each guest. Wei Wei had to memorize their names and backgrounds so as not to embarrass herself later.
Not an easy task. Even with her good memory, all these Western faces looked too similar, and she struggled to tell who was who.
So, when the banquet began and she stepped into the hall in her white wedding gown—once again stunning the crowd—she had to rely on Felix and Madam Nancy to remind her who was who.
Luckily, with her current status, all she needed to do was nod and smile. No one would fault her. Most would even reintroduce themselves first.
In contrast, the five local barons and their families became wallflowers. Not only could they not bring up the Freeman issue with Felix, but they couldn't even get close enough to speak a word to him or Wei Wei.