Chapter 50

In the early morning, a ray of sunlight penetrated the wooden house's window and entered the small room.

Masahiro slowly opened his eyes, raised his left hand to check his watch, and found it was still early. He thought it must be because summer was approaching, making the days longer. However, as a lord, he must set an example, especially when the foundation was not yet stable. Therefore, it was time to get up.

He slowly sat up from the tatami mat and scanned the surroundings. Last night, he had been busy making some important items and hadn't had the chance to properly examine this new room. It was clear that compared to the previous mud and wood hut, this wooden house was a genuine one, even with a floor made of rotten wooden planks. The area was more than four times larger than his previous residence. This room originally belonged to Itakura Daisuke, and now, including this room and the entire courtyard, it had become Masahiro's new residence.

"Your Highness, are you awake?" A young female voice came from outside, hearing the sounds inside.

"Um, you can come in," Masahiro replied.

The wooden door creaked open, and a beautiful, pure girl with delicate features, about 13 years old, bowed her head and walked in. The soft sunlight shone on her fair face, making her look exceptionally clean and beautiful. This was the new maid, Tsuru, whom Kousuke had insisted on sending over last night. She was the first beauty of the former bandit camp and Kousuke's daughter. Masahiro knew Kousuke's ulterior motives but did not refuse. First, he needed help last night when making the items, and since it was too late, Matsuko would not be able to move in and serve him until the next day. Tsuru filled the gap. Second, even if Masahiro eventually took Tsuru as a concubine as Kousuke wished, it would be a win-win situation. Kousuke intended to secure his position through marriage, while Masahiro planned to strengthen his ties with his subordinates, as he lacked hereditary vassals and clan samurai. Of course, Masahiro did not plan to immediately make Tsuru a concubine, as he needed to consider the feelings of Ako and Kikihime, and Tsuru was still too young. It would be better to start by cultivating a relationship as a maid.

Although Kousuke had repeatedly instructed her last night, Tsuru still seemed a bit flustered when actually helping Masahiro dress. Especially when she smelled the manly scent from Masahiro and recalled the stories of the lord's wisdom and kindness and the legend of the divine messenger she had heard from the villagers during the day, her heart pounded like a little deer. Of course, the stories of the lord's wisdom and kindness were deliberately spread by Masahiro through the patrol team to strengthen the new villagers' recognition of the lord. Facing such a beautiful girl, Masahiro remained calm. After all, she was just a 13-year-old girl; what could she think?

After nearly a quarter of an hour of preparation, Masahiro finally got dressed. After eating the breakfast Tsuru had prepared, he hurriedly led two attendants to the bandit camp's gate. Upon arrival, all the foot soldiers except those on guard duty had gathered. Masahiro scanned the neatly lined-up formation and shouted, "Let's go!" Then he led the team on a morning run around the village outside the camp. The patrol team led by the two attendants also began to follow the main group. The villagers came out of their houses, curiously observing the new lord's team. When they saw the uniform steps and the loud slogans, they were all amazed. Seeing their expressions, Masahiro smiled inwardly, as this was exactly the effect he wanted. Not only would it deepen the new villagers' fear of the lord, but it would also completely eliminate the thoughts of those who were still观望 (observing the situation). In the face of a powerful lord, they would obediently follow the lord.

After the morning run, the temporarily selected foot soldier squad leaders continued to train the troops, while Masahiro instructed the two attendants to notify relevant personnel to attend the council meeting at the lord's residence. He then returned to the council hall with Tsuda Masahide. Soon, everyone rushed over. Masahiro knelt on a slightly elevated wooden platform facing the entrance of the council hall. On both sides of the platform, kneeling were Ako, Daisuke, Tsuda Masahide, Kousuke, and Tadajiro. As for Yubei and Shinjiro, they were busy recruiting people according to the previous day's discussion.

Masahiro scanned everyone seriously and then spoke first, "Everyone, thanks to your efforts, we have achieved a lot. I would like to express my deepest gratitude again." Masahiro bowed slightly and continued, "Now, the power of the Roshu family can be considered a small local lord in the eastern part of the Matsuura region. Therefore, the management of the domain needs to gradually return to normal. For this purpose, I would like to announce the following appointments."

"Ako, based on your performance over the past period, you are promoted to the position of head of the household guards, responsible for administrative affairs and household documentation, with an annual salary of 45 koku." Masahiro smiled at Ako, showing his approval. Ako, with a calm expression, bowed to Masahiro, and his trembling hands revealed his inner excitement. Everyone congratulated him, as he was the oldest and most senior vassal of the Roshu family and a member of the main branch, and no one had any objections.

"Daisuke, you are promoted to the position of head of the household guards, responsible for external communication and reconnaissance, with an annual salary of 40 koku." Masahiro turned to Daisuke on the other side. "Yes, Your Highness, I will follow you to the death," Daisuke immediately bowed.

"Tsuda Masahide," Masahiro continued calmly.

"Yes, Your Highness," Tsuda Masahide eagerly bowed.

"You are promoted to the position of head of the household guards, responsible for security, domain safety, and foot soldier training, with an annual salary of 40 koku."

"Great, Your Highness, now I can eat to my heart's content. The food provided by the domain was never enough before," Tsuda Masahide said, patting his stomach. "Rude, Masahide, you are now the head of the household guards. Please be mindful of your words and actions and do not be disrespectful to the lord," Ako immediately scolded Tsuda Masahide sternly before Masahiro could speak. Daisuke, sitting next to Tsuda Masahide, turned his face away, pretending not to know him.

"Your Highness, please forgive Masahide's rudeness. I will ensure that he improves his manners," Ako bowed and pleaded. Hearing that Ako would personally teach him manners, Tsuda Masahide's face turned various colors, and he looked at Masahiro with a pitiful expression, as if begging for mercy. Seeing Tsuda Masahide's expression, Masahiro found it amusing but did not intend to let him off easily. He said sternly, "Hmm. Ako, I will leave it to you. Masahide, you must learn proper manners from Ako, understand?"

Seeing that his last hope was gone, Tsuda Masahide could only hang his head, looking like a wronged housewife, and reluctantly agreed.

"Kousuke, you have contributed significantly in this battle. You are appointed as the head of the foot soldiers and the head of the supply department, responsible for managing all the household supplies, under the supervision of Ako, with an annual salary of 35 koku. However," Masahiro paused and said sternly, "Kousuke, you must ensure that not a single grain is lost from the household's warehouse without cause. Otherwise, you will be demoted to a farmer." Masahiro had to warn this cunning man, as he knew that Kousuke had often embezzled supplies when managing the grain for Itakura.

"Yes, Your Highness, if a single grain is lost from the warehouse, I will present my head to you as an apology," Kousuke trembled, remembering that this lord was a ruthless devil, and immediately bowed.

"Then, I look forward to your performance," Masahiro nodded slightly. "Tadajiro, you led the first group to surrender and assisted the household in quickly clearing the bandit camp, contributing significantly to the rapid pacification of the camp. You are appointed as the head of the foot soldier squad and the head of the weapons department, responsible for the forging and management of household weapons and daily tools, with an annual salary of 35 koku. Also, inform Yubei and Shinjiro that they are appointed as heads of the foot soldier squads, responsible for the construction and carpentry work of the household, with an annual salary of 25 koku each. Encourage them to serve the household faithfully."

"Yes, Your Highness," Tadajiro was very excited. Although his income was less than when he was a bandit, his status had greatly improved. He had been forced to become a ronin and wander due to family inheritance issues, and eventually became a bandit to survive. Now, he had become a vassal of a powerful lord, with a status even higher than before. He was very satisfied. Moreover, the young lord showed great potential, as evident from his performance in the battle and his guidance to the craftsmen. With time, he might achieve even greater success, and Tadajiro could also benefit. Thus, Tadajiro was determined to follow Masahiro.

(PS: This is the third week of the new book release. It has been A-signed and has been updated with over 130,000 words, with no plans to stop. At least 1.5 million words are expected. This week, it is on the Sanjiang Potential List, and next week, it will be on the New Book Recommendation List. The happiest thing in the world is to have readers who collect, recommend, and click on your book. Cats eat fish, dogs eat meat, and Ultraman fights monsters. I bow to all my readers for your support. Thank you for your clicks, collections, recommendations, and donations. A gentle reminder: do you still have more to give? Enjoy writing, enjoy solitude.)

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