394: Chapter 188 Eriv’s Response 394: Chapter 188 Eriv’s Response In the administrative room of Glade County.
Handling the heavy governnt affairs, he glanced over at his eldest son at another desk, who had just finished reading a letter from Avalon.
Eriv put down his pen, looked up from the authorized docunt he had been writing, and asked leisurely, “Well?
Regarding this application to establish a Knight Order, if you were in my position now, how would you respond?”
The young master of the Thorny Flower Family, already granted the title of Baron, Fedor, seriously pondered over his father’s test.
After much consideration, he furrowed his brows and gave his opinion, “Sir Lokhak and Sir Azeryan are already close friends of Baron Leon; their relationship is too tight.
Now they want to form an alliance under the na of a Knight Order, which practically makes them one family.
If this continues, are those two Sirs your vassals or his vassals?”
“So, you take Leon’s letter as an attempt to form a faction and a test for ?” Eriv raised an eyebrow, not expressing an opinion.
“Isn’t it, father?”
Fedor couldn’t help but continue, “You have already shown excessive favor to that Lord Leon, which might have made him sowhat neglect your authority and dignity.
Thus, there’s an opportunity to give him a firm reminder with severe wording in a reply to make him understand where the boundaries of a vassal should not be crossed, ensuring Lord Leon does not beco more arrogant and push his luck in the future…this is also for his good.”
“Your response is indeed a prudent strategy for ruling subordinates.” Eriv leaned back on the chair, shaking his head, “But feeding them fine grain and commanding with a whip is ultimately a ans of training warhorses, not a way to interact with a Griffin.”
The Thorny Flower Earl finished speaking and said to the attendant beside him, “Go call Sir Filipo.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The attendant imdiately went to summon the young knight who had already been granted a title.
Soon, dressed in casual clothes and clearly having just exerted himself on the training grounds of the castle, the young man hurriedly arrived at the Lord’s administrative room.
“My lord, what are your orders?”
Filipo Anquilla bowed respectfully.
Looking at this Baron’s second son who had grown into a comndable knight, Eriv smiled and said, “Filipo, our Baron Leon, having assud leadership of the territory, now finds himself short-handed and is complaining to .
He plans to establish a Knight Order in Avalon to defend and govern his lands, and I have approved it.
Are you willing to go and assist?”
Upon hearing this, Filipo straightened his posture, “It’s my duty, my lord.
The experience of defeating the Wolf Domain Army alongside Lord Leon still fills with pride today.
Honestly, my previous efforts were limited and I have yet to fully repay Lord Leon’s life-saving grace.”
Eriv nodded with a smile, “Good, then you take my authorization docunt and head to Avalon imdiately.
If Leon agrees for you to join his Knight Order, perhaps you can also ask if he has the capacity to cover the salaries for more knights.
I recall that Caven, Ryan, and Corinth were complaining about not being able to make the best use of their skills in the territory.
If they don’t want to just stay like farrs in the countryside, why not go help Baron Leon with you.” Eriv said to his loyal attendant who had served him for many years, handing over the sealed reply and docunt.
“As you command.” Knight Filipo bowed to take the letters and left the room, excitedly preparing to take his attendants and set out imdiately for the Avalon Territory.
The opportunity to once again repay the brave knight who saved his honor and life filled him with joy.
As the young family knight left, Eriv turned to his eldest son and asked, “So?
Do you understand now?”
Fedor pondered, “…I understand, father indeed handled it wisely.”
“How do you interpret it?
Tell ,” Eriv asked.
The young master of Thorny Flower thought for a mont and answered earnestly, “Lord Filipo and those knights have all served father closely since childhood; they would never betray the family.
Their joining Lord Leon’s Knight Order under the pretext of helping Avalon, if rejected, would clearly prove Lord Leon has ulterior motives, and his difficulties are just an excuse.
If he accepts, then father’s trusted n can observe the internal matters of the Knight Order openly.
If any disloyal actions are discovered in the future, father can order asures accordingly, well-founded and without chilling the hearts of other family vassals.”
Listening to his eldest son’s thought process, Eriv neither scolded nor praised.
He shook his head, “Fedor, your analysis in terms of results and thods is correct, but I don’t want you to approach the matter with such a mindset.
Interacting with heroes becos too calculating and scheming, and implicitly you lose the temperant necessary to navigate the world’s heroes.
There’s not so much complexity here.
Leon complained to , and I assist him to the utmost of my abilities.
He’s a straightforward person, and I respond with honesty.
We are ruler and minister, but also friends.
I can assure you, when he sees the family knights I sent, Leon will only feel gratitude and joy, without any concern of so-called surveillance—not because he is unaware of the thods you’re considering…but simply because he does not have the probing and arrogant heart you assu he has.
My exchanges with him form a genuine friendship and tacit understanding, not mutual probing.”
Eriv admonished his eldest son, “Suspicion arises from doubt, and doubt can devastate precious trust.
Keeping a vigilant heart is good; preparing asures is equally wise.
But you need to discern whom you should remain guarded against and whom you should approach with openness.
The ability to discern people is more crucial for a ruler than bravery and learning.”
Fedor did not refute; he nodded, yet couldn’t help but ask, “But father, if you approve Lord Leon’s application, then what if other vassals follow the example and form so-called Knight Orders with other lords…”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Eriv laughed heartily.
“Leon will surely accept the knights I sent, so if other barons decide similarly in the future, regardless of whether it’s under the na of a Knight Order or so other thod, there’s naturally no reason for them to refuse the attendants I send to ‘assist’.
If everyone is willing to help the family in maintaining n and aid, why shouldn’t I permit it?…”
Fedor suddenly realized, seemingly understanding the deeper aning behind his father’s words.
The family might not be able to rule every inch of the vast land alone, necessitating the division of territory among ritorious officials for governance.
But if there’s a legitimate reason to place eyes around each vassal, it would instead strengthen control over the barons.
If even the ritorious are not rejecting the family’s delegated confidants, then what grounds would other lords have to complain if they ever develop disloyal thoughts?
Who could claim greater deeds than Baron Leon?
…
Having dealt with the minor matters he could assist with, Fedor stood to take his leave of both father and mother.
Eriv laid down the scroll recording past financial projects of Glade County and rubbed his brow.
Though he could understand the docunts written in Urian script, it wasn’t his native language, and staring at them for long periods was really more headache-inducing than charging into battle.
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