Chapter 5: The first step to break the situation.
A middle-aged housekeeper led Hardy into the living room of the castle.
The fat lord Phongia was talking to a man who looked like a businessman.
The butler pointed to the corner, and Hardy walked over and waited patiently.
About half an hour later, the two people over there finally finished talking about the matter, and the housekeeper led Hardy to the fat man.
This fat man is in his prime, probably in his early thirties.
He looked at Hadi up and down for a while, and then laughed: "I haven't seen you in a few years, you have grown up."
Hadi stepped forward, bowed and saluted, and said: "It is indeed a long time since I last saw you, Your Excellency Lord. , you are still so funny."
"You can only praise me for being funny." The fat lord waved his hands indifferently: "Actually, I would like to hear you praise me for being handsome."
Hardy raised his head and smiled bitterly: "Lord Your Excellency, you can't let us speak without conscience."
"Hahahaha!" Virginia patted her fat thighs several times, then continued with a smile: "I haven't seen you in a few years, but your personality is much more cheerful. It's not as gloomy as before. This time you took the initiative to come to me, probably because of your father's matter."
Virginia has long known about the disappearance of old Hardy.
As one of the wealthy merchant families in his territory, he actually cares about the Hardy family.
It's just that Old Hardy didn't disappear in Hexi Town, but in the land of other lords. He couldn't go there to investigate, which was a pity.
"No, I will find an opportunity to deal with my father's affairs." Hardy raised the box in his hand and said: "This meeting is to give a gift to the Lord to repay you for so many years. Take care of our Hardy family."
"A gift."
The lord signaled, and the middle-aged butler stepped forward, took the box in his hand, opened it, checked it, and then brought it to the fat lord.
"Land deed?" Virginia picked up the parchment inside, flipped through a few pages, and looked quite strange: "It's a blacksmith shop. This is the most profitable business of your Hardy family. Are you giving it all to me?"
"If you keep something you can't keep, you will only get into trouble."
Virginia nodded: "Very good, I'll take on this matter. You gave me a big gift for free, and you still want it?" What?"
Virginia still knew something about what happened in his territory, and he knew exactly what the arrival of these blacksmith shops meant.
In his opinion, the trouble in the Hardy family is just two ants fighting.
He had long been interested in the Hardy family's blacksmith shop, but due to his status as a lord, he didn't want to make things so perfect, so he didn't take action.
But this doesn't mean that he won't be angry if outsiders come to his territory and grab what he likes.
Hardy knelt down on one knee and said: "I hope to become a retainer of the Virginia family, a brave and loyal knight, and fight for this sacred territory."
Virginia laughed loudly after hearing this . He laughed and said, "Yes, the Hardy family finally has someone who understands. If your father had understood earlier and was willing to accept my recruitment, how could something like this happen."
Hardy could only smile bitterly.
Then Virginia stood up. Although he was very fat, he had the air of a dragon and a tiger when he walked.
The butler next to him immediately brought a ceremonial sword inlaid with gems.
Virginia took it with her backhand, tied it with a beautiful sword flower, and then pressed the sword blade on Hardy's left shoulder: "I, the Earl of River Territory, the Red-whisbanded Lion Family, Virginia VI It is hereby announced that the eldest son of Hardy will be given the status of knight. As witnessed by the gods, the Virginia family and the Hardy family will become each other's most loyal friends and relatives!"
Hardy raised his head and smiled: "Witnessed by the gods , from now on, the Hardy family will always support the legal rule of Virginia VI here. His friends are the friends of the Hardy family, and his enemies will be the Hardy family’s unrelenting target.”
“ Very good! I feel your enthusiasm." Virginia took back the ceremonial sword and handed it to the steward next to her: "As usual, you will be able to form an army of up to one hundred people, and you will get a piece of your own. A small territory. Now, these are the only three pieces of 'ownerless' land left in my territory." The
middle-aged butler brought a parchment map from the side. Virginia pointed above: "You choose a piece."
"This forest." Hardy pointed to the edge of the river.
"But there is a group of troublesome mountain people there."
"I will find a way to deal with them."
Virginia was a little surprised: "You have really changed a lot. As far as I know, you have never been very confident, and I only walked around the beautiful daughter of the Minter family. But now, I only see a strong knight."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord."
"Generally speaking, I took advantage." Virginia will The parchment map rolled up: "So I can make you a promise. As long as you can wipe out those troublesome mountain people within three years, I can give you the title of Baron and have the corresponding real power." The
knight also It's not a real nobility, it's just an honor. The status is between aristocrats and civilians, which is actually quite embarrassing.
Only when you get the title of nobility can you be a true noble.
Hardy straightened his expression and said seriously: "I will not let you down, Lord."
"Very good." Virginia patted Hardy on the shoulder: "The appointment letter will be sent to you before evening. Home, now... get together with your friends and celebrate your new identity."
He came out of the castle in Virginia and took a carriage back home.
Along the way, Jack hesitated several times, but finally held back.
Because he felt that Hardy's expression was very 'calm', as if something had happened, but also as if nothing had happened.
He didn't know what the young master was doing by giving away his family's most profitable business.
I don’t know if it was successful.
The little master didn't say anything, and he didn't dare to ask.
After returning home, Hardy shut himself in his study and thought quietly.
In the 'history of the game' he knew, there was no role for Hardy.
There are only three famous big shots in Hexi.
The brave Ryan, the holy girl Karina, and the benevolent lord Virginia VI!
In other words, the Hardy family was already gone before these three people became famous in the world.
What caused it, no one knew.
Because no one will care about an unknown little person, and he is still a dead person.
The disappearance of 'father' and the trouble in the blacksmith shop are just the beginning.
The enemy will soon be on their doorstep, and the Hardy family faces a dead end.
Now the first step to break the situation has been taken, and he has obtained the status of a knight.
It is imperative to form your own army.
Without strength, no matter how much money you have... you are just fish on someone else's chopping board.
And those mountain people are the best source of soldiers at this stage.
(End of chapter)