In earlier times, aristocratic estates clearly demarcated living areas for masters and servants, upstairs and downstairs. Without a master's summons, kitchen staff were not permitted in the living room, and family members rarely ventured into the servants' quarters, as it was considered very rude. Masters would summon servants by ringing a bell, a tradition still maintained by many noble families, though now with electric bells instead of mechanical ones.
Through Ramos, Lord Arthur now generally understood the slight anxiety among his household staff, but he wasn't concerned. In truth, apart from a few individuals like Butler Sean and Housekeeper Reilly, who had provided continuous service for two or three generations, most servants were simply employed. Arthur's immediate thought was pragmatic: to use the current situation to let some less committed servants leave. This wasn't a bad thing, especially since over thirty servants seemed excessive now that he was the sole master.
"Young Master Arthur, this is the catalog of assets we directly hold, most of which are not mortgaged..." Butler Sean was remarkably efficient; after Lord Arthur finished breakfast, the compiled asset catalog was already in his hands.
Lord Arthur took the catalog, read through it, and sighed. "It seems the family's situation is indeed not good..."
Indeed, most of the family's operational funds and estate assets were managed through the family trust fund. The true assets directly held by the family at this time, apart from a small amount of cash, consisted only of some jewelry, ornaments, and clothing that were not easily liquidated.
Of course, after hundreds of years of accumulation, especially since the Devonshire Family once had a "bachelor aristocrat" who was devoted to art, their collection could be said to be vast. Like the former Eleventh Duke, who sold paintings by Rembrandt and Rafael to pay inheritance tax, these were only a small fraction of the family's collection. There were still many Rembrandt paintings and a dozen Rafael paintings within the house – a testament to the profound heritage of the Devonshire Family. It felt paradoxical: the family seemed on the brink of bankruptcy, yet the value of these artworks alone was enough to sustain them indefinitely! However, Lord Arthur knew that selling these artworks now would be incredibly unwise. The prices of these collectibles were vastly different compared to later years, by dozens or even hundreds of times. He would not sell these irreplaceable pieces unless there was absolutely no other way.
But for now, Lord Arthur needed to "save the family," or at least restore it to sound operation, which required at least £35 million. Even if all the general jewelry and other items in the current catalog were sold, they would not exceed £500,000, a mere drop in the bucket. Furthermore, in the current climate, selling jewelry and similar items might not fetch a good price, and if word got out, it would only confirm to the world that the Cavendish Family had reached its most desperate situation.
"Young Master Arthur, there's something that requires your decision."
At this moment, Butler Sean addressed Arthur. "It's about the arrangement of the servants. Now there are three extra personal servants in the house, and given our current situation, perhaps the previous servant configuration can also be adjusted, which would save a lot of expenses..."
Butler Sean was referring to the three personal servants who became redundant after Arthur's father, elder brother, and grandmother passed away. With Arthur as the sole remaining master, the original scale of over thirty servants seemed excessive and could be streamlined. As a butler, Sean naturally prioritized his master's interests.
It's worth noting the typical servant configurations in aristocratic families: a male butler (like Sean) as the head, coordinating all household affairs and safeguarding valuables like the wine cellar and silver cutlery.
A female housekeeper (like Reilly) managed the maids and oversaw cleaning, often assisting the butler. The cook held supreme authority in the kitchen. Then there were personal maids for female family members and personal valets for male members. Other male and female servants would have ranks. Thus, for a family of the Duke of Devonshire's scale, each family member having their own personal servant was normal. Even when Arthur mostly lived in London, Ramos, his personal valet, was arranged for him. Therefore, the three redundant personal servants naturally did not need to be kept, which would save the manor's expenses. The overall staff could also be streamlined.
"How were these usually handled before?" Arthur inquired.
"They would all be dismissed," Butler Sean replied. "When so many people are not needed, decisions are based on their daily performance. And when dismissing them, for those servants who have been diligent for the family, we can help write letters of recommendation for their next employer, which is often very helpful for their future job applications."
"Then proceed as such, Sean. You can decide these matters," Arthur waved his hand.
"Also..." Butler Sean hesitated slightly. "Previously, the old lady's personal housekeeper, Anna, is almost sixty years old and has served the old lady for forty years... I'm afraid at her age, it will be difficult for her to find another job..."
"For such people, we cannot be heartless. You can ask for her opinion. If she still wants to work, then we can offer her an easier job. If she wishes to enjoy her old age, then we can cover a portion of her living expenses thereafter." Arthur explained that for servants like Anna, who had served the family for most of their lives, more respectable aristocratic families would typically provide pensions. With the improvement of social security, a portion of their salaries already included pensions, so Arthur's offer was to provide an additional subsidy.
"You are truly too kind, Young Master Arthur. God will bless you." Sean had been somewhat worried, based on his previous understanding of Young Master Arthur, that he might be rather unsympathetic. So, after Arthur's words, he did not stint on his praise, feeling quite moved.
"Then, in this asset inventory, if those jewelry and antiques are not sold, how much cash can still be taken out?" Arthur handed back the asset inventory of directly held family assets that Sean had given him earlier, and asked.
"In my opinion, at most only £100,000 can be used..."
Hearing this meager amount, Arthur sighed. Most of the family's assets were already injected into the family trust fund, and he believed that the cash portion of the originally directly held assets would inevitably have been invested in the "London Star" scam project. By now, this portion of the assets, at most, as Butler Sean told him, would yield £100,000 for Arthur to invest. But with this money, trying to recover the planned £35 million from the capital market was extremely difficult, almost an impossible task. Even with Arthur's experience from his past life, he could at most only remember some key nodes for the capital market at this time. To say that he remembered all the price trends of investment products was simply impossible.
Seeing Arthur's slightly troubled expression, Butler Sean said, "Young Master, are you preparing to use it to pay inheritance tax? Actually, you could temporarily sell or mortgage those jewels and antiques..."
"I'm preparing to invest it. Otherwise, there will be no way to pay the inheritance tax and bank loans."
"Invest?!" Hearing that Arthur was going to invest, Butler Sean was startled. "But, Young Master, investments are risky. It's very possible that all this money could be lost..." It was evident that after the family's investment loss in London Star, Butler Sean was particularly sensitive to the word 'investment.' Moreover, in his eyes, how could the young master, who previously only indulged in lavish spending, possibly invest? Even his father, the Master, hadn't he lost such a large sum of money through investment, putting the Cavendish Family in this great crisis now?