At first, he managed the housework out of necessity, but soon became obsessed with it as his only hobby.
Nicholas was an ordinary landowner who did not like the new methods, especially the British methods that were popular at the time, ridiculed the works of economic theory, did not like to run factories, did not like valuable products, did not like to grow expensive crops, and did not engage in single agriculture.
He had only one unified estate in mind, not one of its departments. In the manor, the main thing is not the nitrogen and oxygen present in the soil and air, not the special plough and manure, but the main means of making nitrogen, oxygen, manure and plough work, that is, the agricultural laborer.
Nikolai set out to manage the estate, gaining a deep understanding of its various aspects, with a particular focus on farmers.
He believed that the peasant was not only the means, but also the end and the judge. He first observed the peasants, trying to understand their needs, to understand their views on good and bad, and on the surface he was giving orders, but in fact he was learning from the peasants their working methods, their language, and their judgment of right and wrong.
It was only when he understood the hobbies and aspirations of the peasants, learned to speak in their language, understood the underlying meaning of their words, and felt that he was in league with them, and it was only then that he boldly managed them, that is, did his duty to the peasants, and thus Nicholas's agriculture achieved the most brilliant achievements.
Nikolai set about managing the estate, and with his natural insight he immediately designated the right village chief and foreman (if the peasants were left to elect themselves, they would elect them too), and never changed them.
Instead of studying the chemical composition of manure, instead of delving into borrowers and lenders (which he likes to say, he loves to say, he likes to say such a thing), he figures out the number of peasants' livestock and does everything in his power to increase their livestock.
He supported the peasants in maintaining a large family and did not approve of the separation of families. He did not tolerate the slackers, the second-rates, and the weak and incompetent, and tried to expel them from the collective.
In sowing and harvesting hay and crops, he treats his own fields equally with the fields of farmers. There were very few landowners like Nicholas who sowed and harvested well early and well, and whose incomes were so good.
He did not like to manage domestic slaves, calling them white food. But they said he appeased them and spoiled them.
Whenever it was necessary to make a decision on a certain domestic slave, especially to punish him, he was always hesitant to consult with all the people in the family. Only when he could use domestic slaves to replace peasants as soldiers did he not hesitate to send domestic slaves.
He never had the slightest doubt in dealing with the peasants. He knew that each of his decisions was supported by all the peasants, and at most only one or two people did not approve of it.
He does not embarrass or punish people casually, nor does he forgive or reward people based on personal likes and dislikes. He couldn't say what to do and what not to do, but the standards of both were clear and unchanging in his mind.
In the face of frustration or confusion, he often angrily said: "Our Russian compatriots really can't do anything." He always felt that he couldn't stand the peasants.
But he also loved with all his heart our Russian compatriots, loved their customs, and it was because of this that he was able to master and adopt the only productive way of doing business.
Source: Leo Tolstoy's End to War and Peace Part I 7