The Founder of the Great Financial Family

Chapter 4

Under the influence of their well-educated grandfather, Rockefeller's father was also brilliant. Because he had studied in an academy, he was not only literate but well-versed in different disciplines. 

So except for their 6-year-old younger sister, all of his siblings knew how to write and read under Hans' education. 

"Yes, sir, I learned from my father," 

The lord sneered. It seemed to hit a sore spot for him that a commoner had learned something he had not, and so he continued his mocking, 

"Going all the way to the academy just to learn to write. Still, it's good that his children's eyes aren't blackened. Not that it would help you live." 

There was another reason that the lord had not learned to read or write, 

"Knowing how to read turns people into cowards. The literate ones didn't help at all in a battlefield full of flesh and blood. Just looking at blood had their eyes rolling back, and they became too busy running away. Useless to everyone." 

With this rationalisation, the lord had neglected learning literacy for the past 30 years. Of course, it wasn't just him. Many nobles were illiterate for the same reason. 

When he finished speaking, he lightly patted Rockefeller's shoulder, 

"You, did you understand what I said?" 

Rockefeller bowed his head and answered, 

"Yes, sir, I understand," 

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"What I've been trying to explain is that people need to know their place. Like Hans, you can't go crazy and start acting outside of your position. That's a mannerless person."

After speaking, the lord glanced at the younger siblings around Rockefeller. 

In his eyes, the people of his estate were his property. However, it was difficult to call on commoners, unlike serfs, mainly because the freedom they had was secured by the taxes they paid to him, the lord. 

"Looking at it, it seems your way forward is unclear. Now stop doing presumptuous things and come under me. You can quietly plough the fields with your younger siblings. I'm sure there's something we can find for you to do," 

What he was telling Rockefeller to do, was to abandon his commoner status and work under him as a serf. 

For Rockefeller, who knew that a serf, unlike a commoner, had no freedom, felt that there was no sweetness to the lord's words despite his kind tone. 

Even if we starve to death, becoming a serf isn't an option. There's a reason people say it'll be fine as long as we are commoners.'

The common people had freedoms that serfs and slaves could not enjoy. For the sake of that freedom, Rockefeller felt that he could endure his current hunger somehow and politely declined his offer.

"I am very grateful for your kind words, my lord. However, my grandfather was a doctor who healed the sick. Our father helped the previous lord with the knowledge he learned at the academy and oversaw various administrative tasks for the lord's estate. We, who have such great predecessors, cannot abandon their will and return to the field. I would be very grateful if my lord would take this into account," 

It was an answer that didn't match his age. 

When such an unexpected answer came out, the lord looked a little embarrassed, 

How can a kid like him answer like that? Was the eldest son such a clever guy?'

For a little while, the lord was speechless since nothing he said was incorrect. 

"Right, your grandfather was a doctor, and your father would serve as an officer in my estate it wasn't useless but that was possible because it was your father. Isn't it something you should not be saying by simply moving away from having blackened eyes?" 

Private tutoring in Korea might have been shit, but where would all the learning even go?'

Rockefeller's mouth might have itched to argue back, but he decided to be careful and kept his mouth shut. He was well aware of his status right now and shouldn't act presumptuously before this guy. 

Here, this guy is the king. I can't say anything that might piss him off,'

"Then I will try to become a person who is necessary to the lord's estate. Can you give me  a little time until then?" 

Having said all that, even he, as a lord, couldn't force him to do whatever he wanted. 

Of course, considering his position and age, he could have forced Rockefeller, but that would open him up to many potential problems later on. If he fled to another territory with his siblings and lodged a complaint anyway, dealing with people was a challenging event for the lord. 

What use  yes, that would be better.' 

The lord changed his mind. He didn't have to force him, considering that reality would probably cause him to make that choice. 

They're on the verge of starving to death, so what can this guy do? You should just come under me and quietly plough the fields,"

"You are also the head of a family so I will respect your will. I'm still young, but I too am a somewhat decent head of my family, so I couldn't just ignore you," 

The lord continued without pausing, 

"But be sure to keep in mind that nothing in this world is free. I don't think there are that many options for you, who is busy trying to put food in your mouth," 

The lord glanced from Rockefeller to his younger siblings, and a meaningful smile stretched his lips. 

"Keep your younger siblings in mind and come to me if you change your mind. As I said, my estate always needs people to plough. Is there a need to maintain a free status while paying previous money? It won't feed you," 

"I would like some to think about it, my lord," 

"I know, but keep in mind. For someone like you, the most important thing is the safety of a room where you can sleep and enough food to mean you don't go hungry. As far as I can see, that is how much your plate is meant to hold. Wanting more than that is not polite. People shouldn't live without manners. Always stay within your means. Remember your place," 

After speaking about plates and places, the lord left as soon as the burial was over, followed by the Seer and servants.

In this world, a Seer was in charge of the lord's security and his estate something like a bodyguard. 

I'm going to go crazy!'

After everyone left, and only he and his younger siblings stood around his father's tomb, Rockefeller's expression kept getting worse. 

Even a commoner's status is maintained by money.' 

The house named Rothmedici was only available because the lord of this place recognised it. 

However, in this situation where even eating and living was vague, did they have the money to maintain a commoner status? 

I don't even have enough food to live right now but to even take away my freedom.' 

From the beginning until now, money has been the problem.

How do you make money? I need a good idea.'

At that time, something was prickling in the corner of his brain. 

He was sure there was something in the novel about this.

Wait a second, Montefeltro manor' 

Among the considerable incidents in the novel, one massive war remained in his memory; The Gold Vein War. 

This was where the war broke out between the dwarves trying to reclaim the land and Empire that would not allow that to happen. 

The former name of the Montefeltro Estate was the Azrak Goldmine. 

In the past, after a large gold vein was discovered, it was the place where the dwarves relentlessly mined gold until the vein was cut off.