Chapter 80 Chapter Forty-Six

Macko lived a happy life.He used to tell his neighbors that he got more than he wanted.Even though age had grayed his beard and hair, it had no effect on him.He was healthy and strong and strong, and his heart was full of joy that he had never felt before.His originally stern face has gradually become kind, and his eyes are always smiling at people kindly.He firmly believes that his troubles are gone forever, and that no misfortune or misfortune can disturb this happy life, which is flowing quietly like a shining stream.It has always been his highest wish to fight until old age, then engage in farming, and expand the industry for his "grandchildren".Now that wish has been fulfilled in the most amazing way.

Everything is as it should be.The woods are much thinner.The weedy land had been cleared and plowed, and sown with green corn of every kind.Forty mares and their ponies graze in the meadow, which Macko makes a daily round of.Herds of cattle and sheep graze in pastures on hillsides and valleys. Bogdaniec has completely changed.The desolate cottages became a respectable village, and the passers-by were dazzled by the watchtowers and white walls of New Castle from afar; the castle was brilliantly illuminated by the morning light, and dyed purple by the evening glow. So old Macko was filled with joy when he thought of the prosperity of his cattle and property, and he was not humble when he was told that he was a blessed man.

A year after the twins were born, another child was born, which Jagienka named Zich in honor of her father.The birth of the child made Macko very happy; he thought that if things went on like this, even if the estate would end up being divided into smaller pieces, it would not disturb him at all. "What have we got?" he once said to Zbyszko. "Nothing! It's all from God. Old Bakoshi of Sourislavitz," he said, "only one village, but he had twenty-two sons, and none of them went hungry. Our kingdom And Lithuania is there still a lack of land? Are there still few villages and castles that fell into the hands of those crusader knights? Hey! God bless! May they all have comfortable dwellings, because there are castles made entirely of red bricks, we The most merciful king made them all viceroys." This was a fair idea, for the Knights were at the height of their power, wealth, and strength, and their well-trained soldiers outnumbered the Western kingdoms.But Macko thought only of the castle of the Knights of the Crusader Order as the future residence of his "grandchildren".In fact, in the old kingdom of Achaia, there were quite a few people who had this kind of thinking. This was not only because the Knights occupied the land that originally belonged to Poland, but also because the strong emotions were stirring in the chests of the people, as if they were about to vent from all directions. of.

In about the fourth year from Zbyszko's marriage, the castle was completed.The construction of the castle was completed not only with the help of local peasants in Zgotritri and Mochitori, but also with the help of many neighbors, especially the old Wilk of Borzodova.Old Wilk, who had been alone since the death of his son, had been very friendly with Macko; later on he also liked Zbyszko and Jagienka very much.Matsko decorated the room with trophies Zbyszko and himself had captured in the war, as well as trophies he had brought from Spychow after Jurand's death; Inheritance and wealth Jagienka had brought from her mother's family.The old man got the window panes from Shiraz and decorated the whole room very richly.Around year five, stables, barn, kitchen.The outbuildings, the bathroom and the basement (which he made especially strong with stone and mortar), were finished, and the Zbyszkos moved into the castle.But Macko, in spite of Zbyszko's and Jagienka's pleas, refused to move from his hometown to the castle.The reasons for his refusal were as follows:

"I'm going to die where I was born. When Gertsimaritz and Naron fought in the civil war, Bogdaniec was burned down, leaving only this old farmhouse, and the rest of the buildings and houses with fences It's all burned up. People think it didn't burn down because it was covered with moss on the roof; but I think even so, it's the grace of God, and it's God's will that we come back here and thrive again Yes. I used to be sad in wars, lest we never have a place to go back to. I'm not quite right. If you mean that there's no place to farm and nothing to eat, it's true, but there's always A place to live. You are very different, you are all young, but I cannot abandon the old house, because the old house did not abandon us, and I should not abandon it."

So he still lived there; but he was very tempted to go to the little castle, to see its grandeur and splendor, to compare it with his former residence, and to see Zbyszko, Jagienka, and "Sun" at the same time. sons and daughters".Much of what he saw was built by himself, and he was filled with pride and wonder.Sometimes his old friend Wilk came to visit him and chatted with him by the fire, and Macko sometimes went to Borzozova to chat with him.Once when they were talking about the "new situation," Macko said: "You know, sometimes I can't help being very strange. Everyone knows that Zbyszko went to the castle of the king in Krakow (yes, he almost died there), to Masovia, to Ma I have also been to Prince Janusi's house in the Castle of Dalberg. Jagienka also grew up in a wealthy environment. But they don't have their own castle... But now, they seem to have always lived in castles. I I tell you, they walk up and down the house, give orders to the servants, and sit down to rest when they are tired. They are really like a governor's couple! They also have the same village chief, steward and servants. The room where we eat together. The two of them always sit at the top, and those who sit at the bottom wait until their lord and lady have finished their meal. This is court etiquette. But every time I I have to remind myself that after all they are not great lords, but my nephews and nieces-in-law, who shook my hand, put me in the seat of honor, and called me their benefactor."

"May God Jesus prosper them for this!" said old Wilk. Then he shook his head sadly, took a sip of the mead, poked the fire with the pokers, and said: "But my child is dead!" "This is God's will." "Yes! The five eldest sons are dead long ago. But that one was the bravest of their brothers, a true 'Velker' (wolf). If he lived, he would have his own castle too. " "I'd rather have Chedang killed." "What is Chidang! He can stand a stone mill, but my boy has beaten him countless times! My boy was trained as a knight, and Chidang slapped his wife, although he is a strong man. man, but he's a fool."

"Hey! It's no good!" Macko went on. He also occasionally praised Zbyszko's chivalry and wisdom, saying that he had fought the most famous knights in Marburg. "He talked with the dukes very calmly, as calmly as he crushed nuts." Macko also praised Zbyszko's management ability. Isn't the industry going to be wiped out all at once? In order not to give old Wilk the impression that Zbyszko would worry about such things when he left, Macko finally said in a low voice: "By the grace of God, there is plenty of wealth; more than people know. But don't tell anyone that I say that."

But the outsiders had already guessed; they even overestimated the wealth that Bogdaniec's knights had brought from Spyhof.They say that the rich Bogdaniecs have brought vats and vats of money from Masovia.Macko had loaned a dozen or so "Grivins" to the noble lords of Connectes Pole.Then everyone was completely convinced that he had infinite wealth.Thus the knights of Bogdaniec grew in prestige and respect, and their castle never ceased to have guests.Macko, though a bit stingy, was not displeased with the situation, for he knew it would also do honor to the family. The Naming Ceremony was held with great splendor; every year on the Assumption Day, Zbyszko would invite neighbors and hold a grand banquet, and the ladies and gentlemen of the country gentry would take this opportunity to see and experience the splendor of the knight. They talked, danced with young knights, and played till dawn by the light of pitch torches.At such times old Matsko had a feast for his eyes, admiring the grandeur of Zbyszko and Jagienka.

Zbyszko was tall and strong.But although he was physically strong and imposing, his face was still very young.All he had to do was to tie his thick hair with a purple ribbon and put on a festive costume decorated with gold and silver, and not only Macko, but many nobles said in their hearts: "God, have mercy! Your duke!" Those knights familiar with Western manners would often kneel before Jagienka and beg her permission to bear her name as the lover of their hearts.This is because of her radiant health and youth.strength and beauty.Even the old lord of Connets Pole, who had been Shiraz's "Fu Ye Fu Da", couldn't help being surprised when he saw her appearance.He compared her to the morning light; and even to the sun, "the sun who gives light to the world, and who shines with heat even on old men."