Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 142 The Frog and the Mouse Conflict

Peter and his companions traveled together, dealing with these disputes, some big, some small, some serious, some comical.

Peter's "court on horseback," with its fresh, interesting, fair, and gentle approach, penetrated deep into the capillaries of the territory. The villagers discovered that this lord was not only powerful but also willing to listen and uphold justice for them, unlike the previous lords who only knew how to levy taxes and conscript soldiers. Each just ruling solidified the foundation of Peter's rule in the hearts of the people.

Meanwhile, they also witnessed a bustling scene of harvest within their territory. In the golden wheat fields, farmers wielded sickles, sweat glistening on their bronze skin. Women and children followed behind, bundling sheaves of wheat and gleaning ears of grain.

In the flax fields, the stalks are being harvested, ready to be decomposed into fiber. In the vegetable gardens, various summer vegetables are being picked, ready for storage or sale.

Several newly built windmills stretched out like giants. Farmers who used to have to pay a tenth of their harvest as a mill tax can now use these new mills for free.

People's faces beamed with satisfied and happy smiles. It was the joy of rewarding their hard work, and a heartfelt praise for their stable lives. Seeing all this, Peter felt genuinely gratified.

He traveled through time, creating something from nothing, just to protect this scene, didn't he?

Pavlina quietly recorded her observations and the cases Peter adjudicated along the way, her heart pounding with each of Peter's wise judgments. Marika, on the other hand, was more active, often taking the initiative to talk with the villagers, learning about their customs and traditions, and her horizons broadened continuously during this journey.

6 month 20 day.

The final stops on the tour were the villages of Takhov and Zhelyov. Even before getting close, one could feel a tense atmosphere unlike that of the other villages.

Through questioning the village chief and elders, Peter learned that the conflict between the two villages had a long history, the core of which was the ownership of a lush pasture on their border. In addition, there were years of mutual retaliation, often involving pranks.

Because the emblem of Takhov village is three rats arranged in a triangular pattern, symbolizing that their ancestors relied on digging rat holes to survive famine, it is also known as the Rat Village.

The emblem of Zhelyov village features three frogs arranged in a triangular pattern, because their village is near a swamp where frogs are plentiful and are considered harbingers of a bountiful harvest.

Therefore, the dispute between the two villages is also known as the "frog-rat conflict".

The two villages initially fought over border pastures, but the conflict escalated over time.

Madame Zheleyo would secretly pile up large amounts of snow at the only exit of Takhov village on winter nights, preventing her from leaving the village the next morning. Madame Zheleyo also once sneaked into the cellar of the tavern in Takhov village and urinated into the wine jars.

Peter frowned and asked, "What about the wine? Was it poured out?"

Prochek, the owner of the Takhov tavern, blinked and said, "No—I secretly sold those spiked drinks to the coachman's inn tavern on the way to Turnov, because—Zhelyov's men often patronize that place—."

Not to be outdone, Mrs. Taho found the pure white cow that the village of Zhelyov was most proud of and painted it with hard-to-wash dyes, turning it into a variety of colors and making Mrs. Zhelyov the laughing stock of the neighborhood.

Madame Zellero began to retaliate, sending a handsome young man to seduce Manka, the tavern owner's daughter, and sneak into the village to steal the May Day wreath.

Lady Taho retaliated by sending her swineherds to drive a group of piglets to trample on Lady Jelejo's clean clothes that she had hung out to dry, forcing them to wash them again. The previous lord thought it was a trivial matter and ignored it, which led to the conflict escalating and the endless squabble between the frog and the rat.

Peter did not side with either side. He had Gabel bring in the heavy Trostsky Chronicle, an authoritative document recording the history, borders, and major events of the territory. With the assistance of Pavlena and Marika, Pavlena was responsible for looking up the index, and Marika was responsible for moving the heavy book. They spent half a day carefully turning the yellowed and fragile pages, searching for records about the pasture.

The unique, aged smell of parchment and the fading ink tell the story of the passage of time.

Finally, Peter found the key line in a record about a land division a hundred years ago, which translates to: "A nail divided the land into two."

He immediately summoned the key figures from both villages and led them to the boundary pasture. The pasture was lush with green grass, and cattle and sheep grazed freely. An old oak tree, so large it would take two men to encircle it, still stood tall and leafy. Following the record, Peter found the boundary nail on the trunk of the old oak tree.

This rusty metal boundary nail, with its faint emblem still visible at the top, has been brought to light again!

In an instant, all the arguing ceased. Decades of conflict seemed so ridiculous and pointless in the face of this tiny boundary marker.

Holding the boundary marker, Peter loudly proclaimed to the silent villagers of the two villages: "According to Trostsky's Chronicle, and as evidenced by this boundary marker, the historical boundary of this pasture lies here!"

He paused, then looked around at everyone. "Today, in the name of the Griffin family and Lord Peter of Trossky, I hereby decree: with this boundary marker as the center line, the ranch is divided in two, with Takhov and Zheleyov each owning half! Past grievances are wiped clean! From this day forward, anyone who crosses the boundary to provoke or maliciously damages the ranch will be severely punished!"

After the silence came an eruption of cheers!

"Long live the Lord!"

"Long live the Griffin family!"

"It's solved! It's finally solved!"

The villagers of both villages, whether they were "rats" or "frogs," put aside their prejudices and cheered for this fair and wise ruling. Peter not only found historical evidence but also considered the current situation, making an arrangement acceptable to both sides.

Only the tavern owner of Takhov village, Planček, and the village chief of Zheleyov village, Orbram, were somewhat reluctant to part ways. The two men, who had been fighting for half their lives, suddenly had no reason to fight anymore and instead began to appreciate each other.

"Old Albright, you just wait, we'll have other reasons to fight again later!"

"Then you'd better hurry, or I'll be dead and you still won't have come up with a good plan!"

After exchanging harsh words, the two reluctantly left.

Having resolved the "frog-rat conflict," Peter and his group returned to Griffin Village, filled with the villagers' gratitude and loyalty.

However, an urgent intelligence report awaited him.

The reporter was Jerry, the head of the intelligence organization, nicknamed "Grey Mouse." He was unremarkable in appearance, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

Inside the lord's cabin, Jerry reported, "Sir, my men have discovered many suspicious outsiders recently appearing in the territory, acting furtively and gathering information. We captured a few, and after questioning them—" Jerry made a subtle gesture, "they confessed that they are spies from Ichin, Turnov, and Rowan."

Peter frowned. "Sending spies from three territories simultaneously? What are they planning?"

Jerry continued, "I immediately sent men to infiltrate these three territories. It was very risky, but we obtained crucial information: Baron Itchin, Earl Turnov, and Sir Rowan have all issued conscription orders to their people! They are commanding them to gather in front of their lords' castles after the summer harvest, bringing their own weapons and rations! Earl Itchin is insatiably greedy, Baron Turnov is hot-tempered and warlike, and Sir Rowan is cunning and treacherous. The combined strength of these three forces should not be underestimated."

"I see!" Peter sneered.

Peter's newly conquered and relatively prosperous territory, as expected, attracted the attention of the surrounding hungry wolves. The summer harvest was a time of joy for the farmers, but for these greedy neighbors, it was the perfect opportunity to launch a war of plunder—because they could seize grain and fodder on the spot!

"They're trying to take advantage of our supplies now that we've finished storing them," Peter said, his voice turning cold.

"Jerry," Peter ordered swiftly, his eyes sharp as an eagle, "continue to send more spies to closely monitor the troop buildup in the three locations, their commander information, and possible advance routes! I need to know their every move! As for the necessary funds, go to Pavlina to get them."

"Yes, sir!"

"Furthermore, notify Mayor Martin to issue an emergency order in the name of the town government: accelerate the summer harvest and autumn planting! Mobilize all available manpower, including women and children! Grain must be stored as soon as possible, and crops must be planted on the land as soon as possible! We must be fully prepared before the enemy completes its assembly!"

War was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head. The peaceful summer was about to be replaced by the scorching heat of war. Peter knew that his moment of trial was approaching. He had to protect the homeland he had worked so hard to build, and protect the people who had placed their hopes in him.

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