After returning to Jazłowiec, I immediately started working. The first thing I did was to create my army, at the beginning my plans were not ambitious, only two light cavalry companies, one Cossack, the other Tatar. I assigned this task to Ensign Olszewski... He did not have to hurry, the next war will only be in more than a year.
Then I called Secretary Kowalski. His task was much more serious, it was actually a series of tasks. The first of them was to distribute the land to my new subjects, but only to those in Volhynia, Podolia and Lesser Poland, all the time I was hoping that I would sell the property in Bracław. Another task was to repair the roads in Podolia and Volhynia, as both voivodeships bordered each other, I was going to create a relatively modern road network, which would improve logistics in times of wars and trade in times of peace.
His third task was to send a delegation to the Kingdom of Bohemia to recruit Protestant settlers. After the conquest of Bohemia by the Habsburgs, the estates of most of them were confiscated and then handed over to the Austrian and German Catholics, and the period of persecution of Protestants began ... I was grateful for this to the Emperor, thanks to his politics I would have the opportunity to increase my population.
My next orders were to open several schools for orphans and children of peasants and townspeople. In my assumption, each school was to have 100 students and teach children to read, write, math and history, for the best students I will fund scholarships at various universities. Two such facilities were to be located in Podolia, Wołyń and Lesser Poland, one facility was intended for boys and the other for girls.
"Lord, is that all? I don't know if girls' schools are a good idea. In women the mind is short." (Secretary Kowalski)
"I think it is a good idea, women are raising children, thanks to the acquired skills, they will be able to educate their children in the future from an early age. Not that, you will send someone to Gdańsk and order the construction of a galleon." (MC)
"For God's sake ... what does Lord need a galleon for?" (Secretary Kowalski)
"I wanted to go fishing ..." (MC)
"Fishing? I don't understand." (Secretary Kowalski)
"... Of course I will use the galleon for trade or war. That's what ships are for." (MC)
The following weeks and months passed, Aram and Jankiel supplied the raw materials for the production of Greek fire, the galleon was ordered, a delegation to the Kingdom of Bohemia was sent, schools were opened, Olszewski recruited soldiers, and roads were slowly repaired. The production of furniture and vinegar was gaining momentum and the inn was slowly becoming famous, at least in the area. Everything was slowly going my way ... it was a nice surprise to have my own bell founders, thanks to that I started to produce cannons, it took nine days to produce one, it was not a super fast pace, but after a year I will have forty cannons at my disposal.
Of course, Sveta was getting bigger, but at least her breasts also ... as they say, the glass can be half empty or half full, and this one was full of milk. The only problem was sex, I had a hard time convincing Sveta to sleep with me. These stupid superstitions that you can't do it during pregnancy, because the baby will be sick or other nonsense.
During these few months I managed to learn Turkish, Swedish and Russian, then I sent people to Lviv to bring me more Italian, French and English teachers ... thanks to Weles' blessing, learning was easy for me, I also managed to complete two books "Fairy Tales of Red Ruthenia" and "Legends of Podolia" both books published in 200 copies in Polish and German.
Although the peace, order and law prevailed in Jazłowiec, the world was far from it. There was still a religious war in Europe, so far the advantage was on the side of the Habsburgs and the Catholic League, but this did not mean that the Protestant Union lost ... at the moment they were gathering strength and allies.
On August 5, Sveta gave birth to a son. A few hours later I decided to visit her and see how she is doing.
"How are you feeling?" (MC)
"It hurt a little, Lord ... but it's normal, it wasn't my first birth. Lord, it's a boy ... son." (Sveta)
"I know, the midwife has already given me this message ... don't talk too much, you need to regain strength." (MC)
"I would like to call him Michał, after ..." (Sveta)
I scowled at what I heard, that was my middle name ... Sveta must have forgotten who she is ... I like her, she is my lover, but she is also just a servant. Take a deep breath ... excuses, lies and promises are the best strategy.
"You know I can't recognize this child, but I promised to give him an education and a career in church or good land. When he gets older you can even tell him that I am his father, but now nobody can know ... giving him a name related to me, is not a good idea. If someone knows that he is my son, he can hurt him to harm me. Think about it, if you still want to call him Michał, I will agree, but know that I warned you ... now rest I'll visit you tomorrow. " (MC)
I left Sveta to think about it. I went back to the office and called the ensign Olszewski.
"I have a task for you, find me a poor noble family who, for the appropriate money, will agree to admit Sveta's son to their coat of arms." (MC)
"Lord, your son ..." (Ensign Olszewski)
I looked at Olszewski and I smiled.
"Maybe, but I would like to remind you that you are alone with me in my office, and I am a better swordsman than you. I am also a very wealthy magnate, and you have a court sentence and infamy ... do you understand?" (MC)
"Yes, I am supposed to see less, hear less and speak less." (Ensign Olszewski)
"Wrong, you have to say nothing." (MC)