Chapter 356 Manor Banquet 1

Ferguson, the former knight of the Graman family and the current owner of the manor, rode his horse slowly on the country road. The fresh air made him feel relaxed and happy. He was even happier when he thought about having a big drink at the upcoming banquet.

Since the Alda family established a standing army, many new rules set by Paul for the army made many old subordinates loyal to the Graman family very uncomfortable.

Especially those [knights] who were used to a free and undisciplined life. When they had nothing to do, they would compete in martial arts and hunt. Their lives were as comfortable as they could be.

Let them become officers in the new army, sign in at the barracks at the specified time every day, supervise the training of the soldiers all day long, and not get drunk on weekdays... God! Boring and tasteless, is this still a life for people?

Therefore, in the six months after the establishment of the new army, nearly one-third of the family knights resigned from their military positions one after another, but they swore to Paul that if the Graman family was in danger, they would definitely come back to serve.

These knights all had manors that were passed down from generation to generation or granted by the old earl, so most of them moved away from Lake Heart Town and returned to the manors in the countryside to live a pastoral life.

Fergus was one of them. He was a close friend of Bryce, the former military chief of the Graman family and the current second-in-command of the Arda Army. The two often competed in drinking. On the day he left Lake Heart Town, it was Bryce who personally sent him out of the town.

Now Fergus supervises the people in the manor to work every day, hunts with the nearby gentry and landlords every now and then, and occasionally goes to Lake Heart Town to meet up with his friends in the army. His life is quite comfortable.

When thinking of drinking, Fergus thinks of his friends in Lake Heart Town. When thinking of Lake Heart Town, Fergus feels a lot of emotion. Every time he goes back, he can see the changes, either new roads are paved or new houses are built, as if it is a large construction site that never stops. The market is becoming more and more prosperous, with more and more shops, gathering goods from all over the place, even from Jiaowan, which can be said to be the end of the world for people in the northwest.

Under the governance of the young earl, Lake Heart Town finally looks like a city. I believe that the ancestors of the Graman family will be pleased.

However, the prosperity of the market has also brought about rising prices. Ferguson has to feel a little pain every time he invites guests. Fortunately, he is a large manor owner, and a little meal money does not cause financial pressure.

Another thing that makes Ferguson uncomfortable is that there are too many outsiders in Lake Heart Town, with all kinds of accents, which makes him feel unfamiliar every time he goes there.

"Master Fergus, the Valen Manor is in front."

Seeing the owner walking in front of him fall into memories, Fergus's two followers came out to remind him.

"Oh! It's almost there."

Fergus reacted and straightened his clothes. He came out this time to attend the birthday party of a squire. The family name of this squire is Valen. He is very famous in the southwest of Arda. Everyone calls him "Master Valen" when they see him.

Turning a corner, the magnificent manor of the Valen family appeared in front of him. Fergus whipped his horse whip and led his followers to the gate of the manor.

The two servants at the door came over to greet him immediately. Fergus got off the horse and handed the reins to the servants.

"How many people have come to your house?"

"Dear Lord Fergus, 13 people have come and are all gathered in the living room."

"Well, take me there quickly."

Fergus's followers carried gifts and followed the master's footsteps into the manor.

After arriving at the living room, the servant standing at the door announced loudly, and there was a commotion inside immediately.

"Lord Fergus, you are here too."

"It's an honor to meet you today."

...

As Fergus walked slowly into the living room, many people stood up and saluted him, and he responded with a smile one by one.

The reason why he was able to receive so many courtesies was because of Fergus's identity before he retired - the [Knight] of the Graman family, and Fergus was also a hero who participated in the war against pirates. Even now, he maintains contact with many senior officials in the lord's army.

"Welcome our hero, Lord Fergus! I am so honored to have you here."

The owner of the manor, Lord Valen, an elderly man, came over and took Fergus' arm cordially, and led him to a seat next to the main seat.

As soon as he sat down, someone came over with a glass of wine and wanted to clink glasses with him.

A round figure, small eyes like green beans...the muscles on Fergus's face twitched slightly.

Isn't this the landlord Baden who caused the salt farmers' riot? Lord Valen also invited such a person.

After the riot was quelled, Baden was severely punished. Most of his property was confiscated by Count Graman, and he was also deprived of his status as a tax farmer. His status was greatly reduced among the gentry.

Fergus really didn't want to associate with such a person with a dark history - the other party was so bold as to forge the order of the lord's mansion, which eventually caused a riot.

However, due to the host's affection for the banquet, Fergus still picked up the wine glass and clinked it with Baden dryly.

The other party seemed to realize that he was not popular in front of Fergus, and returned to his seat after a few simple polite words.

No mistake, one song, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar, take a look!

As the names were called out, the guests at the birthday party arrived one after another, all of whom were well-known figures in the area.

Drinking big cups, eating big mouthfuls of meat, talking loudly, the banquet in the Northwest Bay is very rough, without the red tape of the rich people in the south. The whole living room is filled with noise, and the atmosphere of the banquet gradually reaches a climax.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming to my birthday party!"

After all the guests arrived, Valen, the owner of the manor, raised his glass, "First of all, I propose that we toast to the respected Lord Paul Graman!"

"Cheers!"

The guests raised their glasses and drank them all.

"Under the leadership of Lord Graman, we Arda people finally raised our heads in the Northwest Bay! Last year's usurper war was settled by us Arda people, destroying the usurper's conspiracy!"

"Haha! In the past, the Emden people always looked down on us, but now they are under the rule of our Lord, and it's our turn to despise them."

"Even the current Duke of the Northwest has to rely on the support of our Arda!"

The hall echoed with everyone's praise for Lord Paul Graman.

Fergus listened with a smile, and he was also very proud, because Paul was the lord he was loyal to. Although he still felt a little regretful that the Earl did not summon them, the "old ministers", during the war against the usurper.