Ever since coming to Northeast Rus' and the church in Moscow was largely completed, Metropolitan Hilarion left the rising city.
He could not let the prosperous city corrupt his truth-seeking heart again, so he entrusted the maintenance of the Moscow church to his former subordinates, while he himself, with his followers, came to the wilderness and established a temple for seeking the truth.
The former Metropolitan's willpower was admirable; he quickly shed his pampered habits and regained his former simplicity and humility. This made his followers even more zealous, with many believing they were following a future saint.
The Monastery Hilarion built was near Rostov, partly because of the need to help the Prince strengthen his control and influence over that city, as the former Metropolitan ultimately stood with the Moscow Prince.
But more importantly, it was to spread the Lord's gospel. The shadows of paganism were still visible everywhere within Rostov, and Hilarion was determined to transform this place into a truly Christian city, not with swords, but with preaching and words, making the pagans willingly submit under the glorious light of God.
The former Metropolitan now wore coarse linen clothes and toiled like a common farmer, and at night he would practice asceticism, sometimes also shouldering the task of preaching and expounding scriptures.
He lived in a simple wooden hut, which was even a luxury for him, as Lord Hilarion had once again adopted his old habit of using the sky as a blanket and the earth as a bed.
As the former Metropolitan of All Rus', Hilarion was also a theologian whose reputation resonated throughout the country. His attainments in theology were no less than his practical work experience, and because of this, the powerful in Rostov would always come to listen to Hilarion's sermons, which was an incredibly cherished opportunity for them.
Since the powerful did so, the citizens and farmers naturally followed suit, coming to visit and listen to the sermons, and even the priests stationed at the Rostov church came to learn.
And they were all impressed by Hilarion's agile mind and wonderful preaching. Some pagans even converted to Christianity under his sermons, which further spread Hilarion's reputation, and the number of visitors visibly increased.
Hilarion's Monastery thus became increasingly lively. The coming and going crowds made this wild land, which only had six wooden huts, a simple church, and a crude courtyard wall, incredibly bustling.
As the crowd grew, some people naturally came to live there. Some devout believers moved their homes and built their wooden huts, just to be closer to the saint in their hearts. Some who sought refuge also came to start new lives, and others came to seek wealth, seeing the business opportunities presented by the gathering crowds.
A new town, centered around the Monastery, was rising at a visible pace. Now there were hundreds of residents here, but exceeding a thousand was only a matter of time.
The surrounding areas, once covered with trees, have now been completely cleared, contributing fuel and materials to the newly rising city, while more distant forests are still being felled.
And Hilarion's Monastery also served another purpose. Due to the large number of nobles gathering there to listen to sermons, it gradually became a place for nobles to interact with each other, whether they were commercial magnates or fortress lords.
"I never thought I'd live to see a new city rise at my age."
In a two-story tavern near the Monastery, Sanya of the Kul'kant Family pushed open a window and said, looking at the bustling crowd below.
However, although he said so, there was a different meaning in his eyes, clearly indicating he was thinking about other things.
"Old man, stop looking, isn't there something more pressing? Why don't we go and fight Olaf? This time the Bulgar Army is attacking, how can that young Prince possibly stop the Bulgar Army? If we don't seize this opportunity now, when will we?"
Sasha shouted behind his father, his face flushed, because at the previous meeting, his father had announced in front of other nobles that everything he said was null and void, and the Kul'kant Family would not conspire with anyone.
This was a huge slap in his face. He had just guaranteed these nobles that his father would definitely participate, but then his father did the exact opposite of his guarantee. Sasha didn't know how he got through that awkward time.
Sanya ignored his son, whom he considered good-for-nothing, and just continued to silently watch everything below, while Sasha continued to speak enviously.
"So many people said they would follow us if the family took the lead. This is an opportunity to replace that Rurik boy as the ruler of the Behind-the-Forest Land. What's more, the Bulgars are only here for Kashin, and we can just defect to the Bulgars. But what did you say? You first insulted Olaf's envoy, and then told everyone else that not only would the family not join, but it would also stand with that Prince and give all the family's strength to him."
"What are you thinking? And even if we don't betray, wouldn't it be better if we just stood by? But now you're siding with the Prince. Why do you want to side with a loser? He can't possibly win against the Bulgar Army."
Sasha accused his father's actions in a hoarse voice. In his opinion, his father was leading the family to ruin.
Old Sanya's expression remained unchanged. Finally, when Sasha said he was going to find Olaf himself, he spoke.
"Don't go. I already told the Prince about Olaf's intention to rebel. The Prince's troops to clean up that fellow should already be on their way."
His father's words were as cold as ice, directly choking Sasha, and the subsequent words made it even harder for the young man to accept.
"And after today, I've decided to report all those who accepted bribes from the Bulgars and those who planned to remain inactive to Lord Rostislav."
"You… you…"
Sasha murmured weakly. So, all his jumping around and networking these past few days had been for naught, as his father had arranged everything behind his back. He had been completely played, just like a bear being played by a bear tamer.
"Father! Why are you doing this to me? Why do you still not believe that I can bring a better future for the family? I have clearly achieved so much in business…"
"Achievements? You're just following the path I laid out. Sasha, don't be too arrogant. It's me, not you, who carries the family's burden." Sanya's voice finally showed anger. "Stop being so clever, stop trying to stir up trouble. When things go wrong, no one can help you! Not even me!"
"Now, get back to Rostov immediately and do what you're supposed to do. I've got things covered here, don't make trouble for me!"
Sanya's last words were like a roar, and Sasha, facing his father's fury, finally retreated. He lowered his head and left obediently.
He knew in his heart that he was ultimately just his father's pawn. He didn't have the courage to defy his father's orders, and it had always been that way.
Watching his son leave, Sanya also sighed. He also wanted to hand over the family to his son, but this time was simply too important. Sanya could only take charge personally. If he let that boy decide, the family would undoubtedly be led to ruin.