“Firstly, I leave it to Solicitor Carmine to organise the funerals of my deceased family following the appropriate traditions and ceremony,” Ren Xiyang said.

Solicitor Carmine inclined his head. “Yes, my Lord.”

“Secondly, I require the Rosewood estate and fief accounts from the last five years, along with the current salary books. Thirdly, I need all employment contracts. I will meet with every person to see whether they are still suitable to work for the Rosewood estate and fief.”

Manager Gregory’s fists clenched hidden under the table. ‘Suitable to work?’  Maybe he didn’t want to work for such an Earl! But he wasn’t so stupid as to burn all his bridges now. He nodded stiffly. “Yes, my Lord. Most of the books and many of the employment contracts are stored in the main house.”

“Have them delivered here. I’ll visit the main house in the future to meet those working there.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Fourthly, I need some clarification. Who is in charge of the fief and estate’s treasury?”

“You are, Earl Rosewood,” Solicitor Carmine said.

Ren Xiyang’s lips curled up slightly. “Is that so? And there are no protocols for spending?”

“No, my Lord. You have complete control. The aide who helped your father with expenditure was among those killed,” Solicitor Carmine replied.

“Then, I assume there are no rules regarding hiring new people.”

“You are correct.”

Ren Xiyang noted this down on his papers. He had complete control over spending and he had complete control over hires.

“My Lord, now that you have the master keys and signet ring, you can directly open all of the late Earl Roland Rosewood’s jewellery and money boxes and use that for immediate expenses,” Manager Ashdown said hesitantly. “That would be faster than returning first to the Capital.”

“That would be most convenient, thank you Manager Ashdown,” Ren Xiyang said, making a note on his papers.

Manager Gregory’s lips curled up slightly in derision. The new Earl was clearly planning to spend a lot of money, hire his own people and dismiss others!

Ren Xiyang now glanced at Manager Gregory. “Due to your lack of reply to my letter, I assume that my father had no policy on bereavement entitlements.”

Manager Gregory straightened in his seat, prepared for this question. “That is correct. Respectfully, Earl Rosewood, no fief or estate has such a policy. However, I believe the affected peoples will welcome the new Earl’s Saintesss-like nature. Under Earl Rosewood’s orders, I will find salaries of those on the list you previously sent me.” His tone was as though he was doing Ayden Rosewood a favour.

Ren Xiyang’s eyelids lowered slightly. “Thank you, Manager Gregory. I assume that there’s no Rosewood estate policy on employment termination either.”

Master Gregory paled and then flushed in resentment. He was right about the Earl’s thoughts! “That is correct, my Lord,” he gritted out. “As the Earl, you are allowed to fire any servant.”

“As expected. Fifthly, let me introduce some new policies.” Ren Xiyang tapped his pile of papers. “Aside from the bereavement entitlements, there will be general employment termination procedures that protect employees from sudden dismissals. All current Rosewood employees regardless of position will be required to learn how to read at the expense of the estate if they cannot yet do so. The uniform of all employees is revised to abolish gender and seasonal restrictions. All employees now have a mandatory two-days off every fortnight. Wages will be adjusted so there’s no loss of income. I plan to hire more employees to reduce everyone’s individual work load and to help me complete future tasks.”

At each announcement, Ren Xiyang pulled out the papers corresponding to that policy.

Everything the new Earl said sounded horrible to Manager Gregory’s ears. The new Earl didn’t know how life worked at all. He had worked for the Rosewoods for decades, and his father had worked for the Rosewoods before that! Instead of consulting him as the senior manager, this little boy thought he could do whatever he wanted and change how things had been done for hundreds of years! If the new Earl wasn’t careful, he’d destroy the Rosewood fief!

Kel couldn’t help but turn her head towards her fellow servants who had dared to come into the room. They had equal surprise in their eyes. They already knew about the reading-study and the new uniform rules, but now their Lord was giving them holidays too!

“I’ve written them up, effective immediately.” Ren Xiyang beckoned to Kel. “Give these to Solicitor Carmine and the managers.”

“Yes, my Lord!” Kel quickly came forward. She took the many sheets of paper that Ayden Rosewood pushed towards her and handed them over to Solicitor Carmine.

Solicitor Carmine glanced over them, keeping his expression calm. “I will record these down appropriately.”

“Thank you. The last item on my agenda will be to conduct a census of the Rosewood fief. The census will gather and record information about all inhabitants of the Rosewood fief, from number of people in different households, to their income. I’ve already written up a preliminary list of questions. In the near future, I’ll be hiring those who read and have integrity to visit everyone in the fief to record information. I’ll also need those with good mathematics afterwards. If anyone knows suitable people, please pass their details to me.”

The census wasn’t strictly necessary, but it was something Ren Xiyang personally wanted.

There were more things Ren Xiyang had marked on the agenda, but since he had complete control over expenses and hiring, there was no need to waste time in the meeting. Feeling that he can do more tangible things instead of scratching quills on paper, Ren Xiyang relaxed, an almost-smile in his eyes.

“Now, before the meeting is adjourned, does Solicitor Carmine, Manager Gregory or Manager Ashdown have any questions and advice for me?”

Manager Gregory spoke first. “Earl Rosewood, you can rest at ease, we have deep experience and have managed the Rosewood estate for your father for decades. Your requests will be carried out to your satisfaction.” In fact, he would prefer it if Ayden Rosewood ‘stayed a child’ and let them manage the estate and fief entirely how they wanted…

Ren Xiyang’s unreadable gaze made Manager Gregory uncomfortable. “I look forward to your work, Manager Gregory. Anything else?”

“Allow me to remind the Earl that in autumn after the harvests, taxes will be collected,” Solicitor Carmine said.

It was currently summer. Ren Xiyang made this note down. “Manager Ashdown?”

Manager Ashdown shook his head, then paused. “Earl Rosewood, now that you are instated, it is customary to officially meet His Majesty King Edric.”

“I understand. Finally, is there anyone else in the room who has any comments or questions?”

“Yes.” Imperial Councillor Blewitt raised his voice. “You are also required to come to the Capital and join the Imperial Council.”

“I will organise a trip in the near future,” Ren Xiyang conceded.

“I also have something to say,” Prince Rian said.

Count Aegean’s head whipped towards the prince. No, no, what do you want to do now? he despaired.

Rian smiled. “Earl Rosewood, I challenge you to a magical duel. Take it as a favour,” he added, with a certain emphasis when he said the word ‘favour’.

Count Aegean: “…”

Ren Xiyang blinked. If his Highness wanted to spend part of the favour Ren Xiyang owed as a duel, then so be it.

“As you wish, your Highness. We can duel in the open space in front of the manor. If I injure your Highness, would I be liable?”

“There’s a good mage healer among my guards. Of course, we’re not duelling to death, but attacks towards the face are fine. Count Aegean will be our referee. One of my other guards will cast protective shield spells around us before we begin.”

Ren Xiyang nodded. “Protective shield spells? Good.”

“Oh, my Imperial Mother the Queen would never allow me to practice sparring without a shield spell.”

“It’s important to practice without one if you can, since I imagine a shield spell will affect your perception of the wind currents and muffle sounds slightly and thus slow your reaction ability, your Highness.”

“Earl Rosewood makes a good point.”

“Do you have a contract? I’d prefer we both sign it before beginning.”

“Count Aegean can draw one up for us. Is tomorrow morning, 11 am, suitable?”

“Yes. I’ll entrust these matters to you.”

“Consider it done.”

Count Aegean was internally spluttering with indignation. Not only was Prince Rian assigning him various tasks, but the content of their words…! Had Ayden Rosewood undergone devil training without use of shield spells? Did this Ayden Rosewood have intent to injure or kill Prince Rian? Was Prince Rian attempting to intimidate the other child or show off his ability to order Count Aegean around?

The Royal Guards were also stunned. How did this trip to some country town result in a duelling challenge?

Investigator Bennett and Solicitor Carmine looked between the prince and the earl, interested in witnessing Earl Rosewood’s combat ability first hand.

Rian turned his wide-eyed innocent smile towards Count Aegean. “Count Aegean, you can write up the relevant contract by tomorrow, yes?”

“…Yes, your Highness.”

 

 

 

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Ren Xiyang: Is this a kingdom/fief building novel or is it an administration novel >_>

Count Aegean: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

(System: NO! NO!)