Chapter 38: Requesting Monthly Votes, Hoping for Your Support

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The man nodded slightly. Under the cold gleam of the dagger and the Vikings’ urgent stares, he had no choice but to accept Ouni’s demand and agree to deliver her message.

Ouni slowly rose and gently returned the dagger to Ralph’s scabbard. She turned to leave, but Ralph’s voice stopped her.

“My lady, please wait.” There was a hint of anticipation in Ralph’s voice.

Ouni looked back, a trace of inquiry in her eyes. She felt as though the day’s affairs would never end. Unfortunately, there was no one to help her; she had to handle everything herself, large or small. At this rate, she would eventually drop dead from exhaustion.

“Are you not planning to continue conquering the remaining villages?” Ralph continued. “If you are willing, we can serve you and help bring them under your control.”

Ouni fell into brief contemplation, then slowly shook her head.

“You truly do not intend to conquer those villages immediately?” Confusion filled Ralph’s voice.

Ouni’s gaze moved between the two men. She rubbed her fingers together, then said firmly, “We will act in a week. Ludwig and the others will be responsible for it.”

“Why do we have to wait so long?” Ralph’s face was full of bewilderment. “Besides, Robert and I both believe that the two of us can handle this matter. Could you assign the mission to us?”

Ouni drew a deep breath and explained, “The fire last night was far too fierce. Once they discover that Sloms Falls has been destroyed, some of them will certainly flee the village and hide in the mountains. We must wait until they let down their guard and return to the village before we act.”

Ralph looked somewhat impatient. “My lady, we are capable of handling this!”

Ouni fixed him with a calm gaze. “You cannot handle it alone. But you can assist Ludwig and make sure that no one escapes.”

“Thank you, my lady!” Ralph said gratefully.

Just then, a hurried rush of footsteps broke the silence. Ouni raised her head and saw a Viking warrior running toward them.

“My lady, there is an emergency!” he panted, pointing beyond the territory.

Ouni raised an eyebrow, remaining composed. “Do not panic. Tell me slowly.” Inwardly, however, all kinds of possibilities were already racing through her mind.

“Several prisoners climbed over the wall and escaped!” he reported, with a trace of unconscious pride in his voice. “By the time we discovered them, they had already gotten far away. We have sent men after them.”

Ouni nodded to show that she understood. “Hmm... You have worked hard.”

She had thought enemy forces were attacking, only to discover that it was merely such a minor matter. She began wondering whether she should appoint a chief minister to handle these daily affairs.

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The problem was that she had very few suitable candidates under her command. Nearly all her subordinates were illiterate; making any of them chief minister would be nothing short of a joke.

At this thought, she could not help envying the circumstances of ancient China, where countless Confucian scholars could, after a little experience, become prefects or county magistrates.

Perhaps she could try holding a small civil service examination to encourage the first shoots of culture? It would not only advance education, but also promote social mobility, strengthen political stability, foster social harmony, and reduce class tensions.

“My lady?” The soldier followed Ouni uncertainly. Her thoughtful silence left him perplexed. “Do we not need to recapture the prisoners who escaped?” His voice revealed his astonishment at her indifferent reaction.

Without turning around, Ouni walked on and lightly pointed at him with two fingers, emphasizing sternly, “No. Do not pursue them.”

“Why?” Confusion covered the warrior’s face.

Just then, he saw a Viking warrior in the distance dragging three bound men toward them.

“My lady, the escaped prisoners have been captured!” he exclaimed, pointing excitedly at them to alert Ouni.

Ouni walked up to the Viking warrior, drew the axe from his belt, and approached the three captives.

Under the prisoners’ terrified gazes, Ouni came closer. They struggled, attempting to escape, but the warriors held them down firmly, leaving them unable to move.

Suddenly, Ouni seized the ropes binding them and brought the axe down with a fierce chop. The ropes snapped at once.

The prisoners and the warriors alike froze, looking at one another. The warriors, in particular, were utterly bewildered. Ouni could tell that they probably thought they had made a mistake by pursuing the fugitives.

Ouni swept her gaze over the warriors and said firmly, “You are all loyal warriors who have faithfully performed your duties. You are the strength upon which I rely. But I have other plans.”

She pointed toward the gates of the territory. “Go open the gates and inform everyone that, after breakfast, they may enter and leave freely. Do not stop them.”

The warriors hesitated. They looked as though they wanted to persuade Ouni to change her mind, but in the end, none of them spoke.

“If anyone chooses to leave, do not stop them. We will not restrict their freedom,” Ouni reminded them once more.

She understood that keeping these prisoners under guard for a long time was unrealistic. Rather than wait for them to cause trouble, it would be better to release them voluntarily. Without food or shelter, she believed that those who left would soon return under the pressure of survival.

“Yes, my lady!” Though the warriors were filled with confusion, they chose to obey. Since Ouni believed there was no problem with this course of action, they did not ask any further questions.

Ouni kicked one of the prisoners in the shoulder and pointed toward the distant dining hall. “There is food over there. Eat as much as you like. When you are finished, if you still want to leave, then get out immediately!”

More and more people crowded into the dining hall. Ludwig and the other officers also arrived one after another. They were all waiting for the spoils to be distributed, so none of them had taken their troops away.

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Ouni’s gaze fell on Ralph, who was holding a steaming bowl of pork rib soup and groaning because it had scalded him.

“Ralph, after you finish eating, inform all the officers that they are to gather in the great hall for a meeting. Also, tell them privately...” In a low voice, Ouni revealed her plan to hold civil service examinations and promote the development of education. Ralph nodded while gnawing meat from a bone.

She knew that this plan would strike a nerve with many vested interests, so she needed to prepare in advance. She intended to observe their reactions first, then formulate appropriate countermeasures based on the circumstances.

She decided to hide for the time being, appearing only after she had observed their reactions and prepared how to respond.

...

Around noon, in the lord’s hall, the dining-hall servants brought out roasted venison one platter after another. The lord and the officers feasted enthusiastically, while among them seven distinct factions had formed.

Yet Ouni still did not appear.

“What are your opinions regarding Lady Jarl’s new decrees?” Following Ouni’s instructions, Ralph questioned the assembled lords and officers. “Lady Jarl has asked you to discuss them first. She emphasized that you may speak freely. An enlightened leader will not punish anyone for their opinions. Only after a thorough discussion can we determine whether these decrees are suitable for promulgation.”

“All of this must be decided through collective discussion and a vote by monthly ballot. If no one agrees, the decree will be abolished.”

“I object!” one of the lords immediately declared.

“I object as well!” another lord echoed.

Magrulus rose with a rib in his hand, his mouth greasy with fat, drawing everyone’s attention. He said, “That so-called examination for officials is something we absolutely cannot accept. Our positions were earned by supporting the New Jarl and through our past military achievements. Why should a bunch of commoners who have accomplished nothing be able to study writing and then place themselves on an equal footing with us?”

As soon as Magrulus finished speaking, Frederick immediately voiced his support. “Exactly. Are we supposed to hand control of the territory over to those commoners? That would undoubtedly weaken our hold over the territory and might even reduce our tax revenues!”

At this point, Sven hesitantly reminded them, “But would this not anger Lady Jarl?”

At those words, the lords who had been arguing heatedly fell silent. The remaining lords merely watched the spectacle with interest, saying nothing.