744: Chapter 11: The Weight of Exoskeleton Armor and Inheritance (7800)_4 744: Chapter 11: The Weight of Exoskeleton Armor and Inheritance (7800)_4 But all in all, at this point in time, hoping to still eat fine meats, good flour, and high-quality rice is somewhat indicative of a malfunctioning brain.
One should realize that being able to afford meat here is already a luxury!
In a place like Terra, you certainly couldn’t expect a horde of people to complain about the average quality of the free food being distributed, claiming they couldn’t survive or eat— not even the spies from Fiery Flame Land would do such a thing, as that would make them suspicious.
Here, the guards might not kill someone over such a minor issue, but taking them aside for a whipping is to be expected.
Ian and Scott were standing on the roof of a nearby building, watching the scene unfold.
“This can’t go on, a box for every household is impossible.”
Flicking through the data, an Iron Folk addressed the shortfall with concern: “Today, it’s probably just the brave adult men or the elderly coming because they are scared— but tomorrow, I reckon the entire city will show up.”
“The grain stored by Celine’s firm probably won’t be enough for today.
Indeed, he has stockpiled a large quantity of food, but his storage falls far short of the needs of an entire city.
Because of the war and the grain disaster, the residents of the Leyan Territory will definitely engage in retaliatory buying in large quantities as a reserve…”
He watched as another person sneaking in to get an additional free lunch was caught by the guards, hung up, and flogged ten times, and he couldn’t help but sigh, “When people are hungry, they commit crimes.
Look at that fellow, clean and properly dressed, definitely wouldn’t resort to such petty theft under normal circumstances with plenty of food.”
“Only when people are well-fed do they have the luxury to talk about morality.”
He looked over at the road leading from Leyan Territory to the Agate Stone Plains, speaking calmly, “I’m aware of what you’re saying.
In fact, I’ve already made preparations back in the Imperial Capital by commissioning the channel of Platinum Iridium Workshop to purchase an entire convoy of grain on the plains, enough to feed the entire city for half a year.”
“I originally planned this to compensate for the poor harvest and for future reserves, but now with the war, it’s the perfect time to buy people’s hearts.”
Not just to Scott, but to the White Folks soldiers and those from the firms, Ian was always forthright.
He never intended to make any pretenses.
After all, a new Lord trying to buy people’s hearts is something even the most Ordinary residents of Leyan City could see coming— but the point is, even without trying to win their hearts, Ian’s personal image was likely to invoke good will, and what more when he was actually using food to buy their loyalty?
It even added a touch of the appealing candor of youth.
“The convoy has already arrived at Nauman City.
Colonel Majorva has sent people to escort it.
If nothing goes wrong, that batch of grain will arrive tomorrow.”
He was always able to foresee events and prepare accordingly, making his plans seamless: “Today is about showing everyone in Leyan City that I can bring in grain, that I can bring stability.
Announce that today’s share is finished and whoever wants more can come back tomorrow.
Hang and flog those who try to take more, and if they die, it’s no issue—although I don’t think there are any fools who would do so.”
If someone truly sought death, then Ian had no choice but to kill, even if he didn’t want to.
During wartime, not heeding the warnings of the Lord could lead to significant troubles.
He gave instructions to Scott: “After confirming that every household in the city has their own reserve of grain, regularly release a portion from the stock for special sale every ten days to stabilize the price of grain in the city.
And find an opportunity to execute a scapegoat publicly in the square, to warn everyone not to challenge the bottom line of food policy during the war.”
“If you can’t find a suitable scapegoat, I’ll capture a Fiery Flame Land spy and claim they’re planning to burn the granaries.
Put on a propaganda play, set fire to an empty warehouse to incite public anger, and then you can execute them publicly.”
“This tactic works well.
Viscount Grant must use it often, right?
“Yes, Sir!” Hearing this, Scott was no longer tired—using Fiery Flame Land as a target was something he was familiar with!
Viscount Grant practically killed someone every month or two, and it worked very well.
Publicly executing a spy from Fiery Flame Land was practically a modernized ritual in South Ridge, truly able to boost morale, and might even increase production.
“If there are embezzlers among the staff.”
Ian continued: “Don’t be hasty in capturing them.
When our policies are likely to provoke public protest, emphasize it, and then execute them.
This can offset the opposition to aggressive policies.”
“Remember, everyone has their value, including pests.
Killing them on the spot won’t recover the losses.
Viscount Grant just blames Fiery Flame Land based on instinct, but we will use this effect scientifically.”
He was effectively training Scott to handle these matters—after all, the latter was to be his second-in-command in the future, expected to be competent in handling everything from battles to civilian affairs.
While individuals may differ in innate talent, most of it comes from practice, and he trusted in Scott’s capabilities.
“I’ve got it, My Lord!”
Scott quickly nodded, noting these down in his notebook with swift, steady, and neat handwriting.
While Scott was making his notes, Ian watched the crowds lining the streets in long queues, lost in thought.
Although there was a grain shortfall in South Ridge, as long as the grain from the vast plains of the Imperial Capital was plentiful, famine was virtually impossible as long as transport remained uninterrupted… The problem in Leyan City wasn’t the lack of grain, but the severed transportation channels.