Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty
Chapter 115: Take Them Away
A spring breeze carrying a hint of warmth blew past, causing the leaves to rustle softly.
If not for the current scene, this would have been a picturesque spring landscape.
"I do not need the support of the nobility, nor does the Eldorian Empire. The history shaped by the nobility over thousands of years should now be written by the countless common people of the land."
Simon’s impassioned voice rang out. In his eyes, Bertram saw mockery, the same disdain they had shown toward the lowly commoners.
"How dare you..." Bertram could not believe that Simon would treat the nobility this way.
Since ancient times, local nobility had always been the target of royal courts’ efforts to win them over. Yet, Prince Simon was doing the exact opposite. It was precisely because of this that even Cedric had not anticipated Simon would so decisively eliminate the Goldwynd family, leading to his own demise.
Baldwin and Lancelot cast admiring glances at Simon. It was precisely because of his mindset that they were willing to follow him to the death. Otherwise, if he relied on the nobility like other feudal lords, how would he be any different from them?
Having lived at the bottom of society, they had personally experienced the oppression of the common people by the nobility, and they had been powerless to do anything about it. Now, they could finally laugh heartily.
"There are many things I dare to do, but unfortunately, your family will never live to see them," Simon said to Lancelot. "Take all the nobles involved in the rebellion to the prison. They will be executed at the eastern market tomorrow."
Lancelot responded loudly and led the Brambleford Army to take the captives and Bertram away.
Baldwin then asked. "My Lord, what about the families of these nobles?"
Remembering Baldwin’s earlier remark about being overly merciful, Simon said. "Deal with them according to the law. Let this serve as a warning to the remaining nobility."
"My Lord is wise. This official will handle it immediately." Baldwin replied.
According to the law, these nobles would have their families executed, their properties confiscated. Some would be beheaded, others sent to the army, and some exiled.
If these rebellious nobles were let off lightly, it would only encourage other nobles to entertain more rebellious thoughts. When the cost of crime becomes low, people will take risks. This is human nature, unchanging through the ages.
"Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with us. We had no idea Bertram harboured such intentions." Lothair approached, his face filled with fear.
His hair was dishevelled, his clothes torn, and he had fallen during the earlier escape, leaving him in a sorry state.
"Your Highness, please investigate clearly!" The other nobles also knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.
They were truly afraid. This was the first time the Brambleford Army had killed, and the corpses lying on the ground served as a warning to them. The dignity of the royal family was not to be violated.
"Rise. I know you sincerely support my decrees. I can clearly distinguish between good and evil." Simon gestured for them to stand.
Lothair immediately burst into tears. "Your Highness, from now on, we will follow your lead without any second thoughts. Otherwise, may heaven and earth condemn us."
Simon chuckled. Lothair had been thoroughly frightened.
In the past, when these nobles interacted with Simon, the worst they had faced was a scolding. The current situation was vastly different from before, and they were naturally terrified.
Because the prince before them was no longer a sleeping cat, but a man-eating tiger.
To Simon, the nobles who obeyed his decrees still had some use. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Having removed the fangs of these nobles, they were, in modern terms, local private entrepreneurs. His business still needed to cooperate with them to drive the economic development of the six cities.
He helped Lothair up and patted his shoulder. "I have seen your efforts these past days, and I am quite pleased. From now on, you will take over the businesses of the Goldwynd and Redwyck families in the chamber of commerce."
To the enemies, he would make an example; to those who submitted, he would share the benefits. This was how to divide the nobility. As soon as Simon spoke these words, the other kneeling nobles felt as if they had been given a reassurance.
Lothair was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. Taking over the business shares of the Goldwynd and Redwyck families would quickly make up for his losses.
Moreover, with the status of merchants in the six cities rising, being a pure merchant no longer seemed so lowly.
"Thank you, Your Highness. From now on, whatever you command, the Chandlier family will go through fire and water without hesitation." Lothair said.
With this matter settled, some labourers soon arrived to clean up the battlefield. Simon bid farewell to Lothair and the others and headed back to the city.
Although he had not directly participated in the battle, he was still injured. The arrow had pierced through the chest armour on his back, though it had only penetrated slightly, causing a superficial wound.
However, he dared not be careless. He was well aware of the medical conditions in the Eldorian Empire. If he were to contract tetanus, he would be done for.
Thinking of the medical conditions in the Eldorian Empire, he wondered if he should add a medical department to the Oxford Academy.
In ancient wars, many soldiers did not die on the battlefield but from injuries and illnesses. Before the advent of antibiotics, the mortality rate of injured soldiers on the battlefield was very high.
It was only with the advent of antibiotics that this phenomenon improved.
"My Lord, your back injury is minor, but Captain Lancelot’s injury is more severe. It seems like the bones in his chest are broken." The medical officer Oscar reported after examining Simon in the medical hall within Brambleford City.
During the battle, Lancelot had not felt much, but now he was clearly in pain.
Simon said. "My injury is nothing, just clean it. Captain Lancelot’s injury needs to be bandaged."
Medical Officer Oscar nodded. "Although Captain Lancelot’s ribs are broken, fortunately, his internal organs were not injured. Otherwise, this old man would have been powerless."
"My Lord, this kind of injury is just routine for me; no need to worry." Lancelot chuckled, then added seriously, "But this time, some soldiers were severely injured. I hope Medical Officer Oscar can take good care of them."
Medical Officer Oscar had already examined the soldiers’ injuries. One soldier had a severe sword wound, caused by a blade piercing through his armour.
"He probably won’t survive." Medical Officer Oscar sighed.
Lancelot’s expression darkened. In truth, he knew that such sword wounds were usually fatal.
Listening nearby, Simon suddenly said. "He might still survive. First, disinfect the wound with alcohol, then apply some fresh meat to it."
Medical Officer Oscar was stunned. "What is this alcohol? Applying fresh meat to a wound? Does Your Highness also know medicine?"
"I know a little," Simon replied.
In ancient times, treatment methods for injuries were limited, especially for deep wounds. Many people died from infections and inflammation.
The two measures Simon proposed, disinfection and preventing infection, were crucial.
High-concentration alcohol did not appear early in modern times. In the current Eldorian Empire, where even distilled liquor was scarce, the use of alcohol for disinfection in medicine was unheard of.
However, while other places lacked it, he had the necessary conditions here.