British hegemon

Chapter 58 Harvest Season

On September 7, 1305, after several days of clear skies, the sky turned cloudy and drizzled.

Two weeks ago, the wheat harvest began at Milk House Farm.

At Roger's behest, Milk House Manor hired a large number of cheap laborers, which made the grain harvest at its own camp much faster this year, allowing it to be dried and stored before the weather turned cloudy.

Roger returned to Milk House Manor and presided over the harvest ceremony in his own camp as lord. It was nothing more than empty words of thanksgiving to God for blessings and praying for a good harvest. Then, with a command, dozens of serfs, laborers, and temporary workers from the manor began to harvest.

Today Roger returned to Milkhouse Manor from Holly Isle again, because the best season for salt production on Holly Isle was almost over, and there was no need to rush to take advantage of the weather. Naturally, the salt-making workshop was no longer in such a hurry.

Although Roger got involved a little late this salt-making season, the salt production at the salt flats still reached more than 10,000 pounds. More than 1,500 pounds of fine salt (small-grained, high-quality) were selected, of which about 500 pounds were refined salt that underwent further processing.

Most of the temporary salt workers have been transferred back to the Milk House Manor. After the autumn harvest, they will be busy harvesting hay, preparing the land, and planting some cold-resistant crops.

Besides the refined salt workshop, only six skilled serfs remained on the salt flats to continue boiling salt. These serfs did not need to be paid, since farming was no easier than boiling salt for them.

However, in order to motivate them, Roger not only provided them with two meals a day, but also gave each of them a reward of half a penny a day, since serfs also had wives and children to support.

After arranging matters on Holly Island, Roger returned to the manor, as he needed to personally escort the autumn grain tax from Milk House Manor to Brodick Castle for payment, and he also needed to consult with Baron John, Lord of Arlen Island, about the matter of trading south.

Milkhouse Farm had a bumper harvest this year, with 347 quarts (about 166,000 pounds) of wheat, barley and other grains filling the farm's barns.

According to the tax rate determined every five years, Milk House Estate should pay a fixed annual tax of 15,000 pounds to the Baron of Arron Island and a fixed annual offering of 15,000 pounds to the church.

These are the two heaviest burdens on the peasants of this era, and even the knights, who are the lowest-ranking lords, are not exempt, although these taxes will ultimately fall on the people.

However, through Marne and Olaf's introduction to the outside world during this period, Roger sensed that the great chaos was about to begin. In times of chaos, food is the most important thing, so he wanted to take advantage of the chaos before it started to stockpile some food.

Therefore, in addition to coarse salt, Roger changed the land tax from a tax in kind to a tax in monetary form.

There is a precedent for this. The most expensive wheat on the Isle of Arran averages around 35 pence per 100 pounds. During the autumn harvest season, the price drops to 24 pence per 100 pounds. Since currency is scarce now, the lords naturally prefer to pay taxes in currency, so paying taxes in currency is even cheaper, at 22 pence per 100 pounds.

The grain tax payable by Milk House Estate was about thirteen pounds and fifteen shillings, but Roger only intended to pay ten pounds, which was already more than enough for Baron John.

If it weren't for his bitter face repeatedly emphasizing the serious consequences of defaulting on taxes, he wouldn't have wanted to pay his taxes so readily.

As for the portion given to God, Roger had no intention of honestly handing it over.

At the manor gate, the pockmarked groom had already prepared the saddle for Roger's black mare, while a man with a ponytail, clad in armor and carrying a spear, and a black dog accompanied him, guarding the donkey loaded with salt.

"Sir, you still have to pay the tithe to the church. That is God's work, and we cannot be disrespectful to God."

"If you are concerned about the cost of grain, we can simply increase the tax on the people by 10% this year, given the bumper harvest on the estate."

The man with the sour face was still advising Roger to hand over the church's share as usual, so as not to offend God.

Roger walked to the left side of the black chestnut horse, stepped into the stirrups and mounted. He patted the leather pouch hanging on the front saddle, which made a crisp metallic clanging sound. "I didn't say we wouldn't give the church any money, just that we'll postpone it a little."

"Don't worry, I have my own way of persuading the church." Roger said, giving his horse a light kick and setting off on his way to pay taxes in Brodick.

Roger has been a knight and lord of the Milk House Manor for almost a month now, and his fame has soared ever since he killed the pirate Ulf.

Sure enough, along the way to Brodick, people who spotted him quietly approached the roadside and stopped to watch Roger from a distance.

Even the few islanders who came to the market in Brodick hid under the eaves of their dilapidated huts and pointed at Roger.

"I heard that she was possessed by a demon after being seriously injured, which completely changed her personality. She became a ruthless killer and a womanizer." A woman with a somewhat flirtatious appearance raised her hand and pulled the tattered curtain to cover her ample breasts.

The woman carrying the tattered willow basket glanced at the flirtatious woman beside her and rolled her eyes. "Don't talk nonsense. My husband's aunt's cousin's daughter-in-law is from Milk House Manor. She said that Mr. Roger was blessed by God, and God even taught him the divine skill of healing and saving lives. He personally saved several peasant soldiers in their village who were about to die."

"Really? Didn't you tell me last month to be wary of that evil spirit, Young Master Roger? How come you're blessed by God?" A newlywed bride on Arun Island questioned.

"How can that be the same? He used to be the second son of Sir Colin, but now he's a knight and a lord." A young, pretty widow stared at the majestic man on his tall horse, her eyes filled with lust. She had heard many stories about young master Roger's love affairs and wished that the devilish Lord Roger would one day break into her house and break down the door.

Roger had no idea what these women were thinking. He kept his eyes straight ahead, ignoring the whispers and glances around him.

"What are you all muttering about, you bunch of lowly people? Get the hell home!" The woman with the ponytail heard the women's grumbling and cursed viciously at the islanders pointing and gesturing on both sides of the street, her fierce expression silencing their judgmental glances.

The group quickly arrived at the entrance of the Moulin Rouge. Upon learning that their wealthy patron, Mr. Roger, had arrived, the mill girls squeezed out of the gate and stood in the open space in front of the gate, flirting and pleasuring each other.

Roger finally smiled slightly. He really liked the Moulin Rouge; the people inside made him feel at ease.

Roger gently pulled on the reins, bringing the black mare to a stop in the open space. He then turned and took a small cloth bag from behind the saddle, smiling slightly at the half-penny girl who had come forward to tug at the reins. "Tell your Mrs. Kate that this is some fine salt I recently made, and I'm giving it to you to try for free. But if any wealthy merchants or nobles ask about the origin of this salt, don't forget to tell them it's the secret recipe of Milk House Manor."

The half-penny girl, blushing slightly, took the small cloth bag from Roger's hand. "Sir Roger, are you coming to the mill tonight?"

Roger chuckled. "Well, I've been busy lately, but I'll definitely come over and stay for a few nights when I have some free time."

The halfpenny girl looked somewhat disappointed, but immediately put on a smile again and told Roger that she would definitely pass on his words to Mrs. Kate.

Roger nodded and loosened the reins, allowing the black mare to continue its journey toward Brodick Castle.