YM778.TV Chapter 559: 559
Whether it was the navy of the three countries ‘fleets or the traitors who had surrendered from afar, it was the same.
In the eyes of these otherworldly natives, giving money and food to the people was a shameful waste. It was useless.
Their views were extremely simple, and it was the consensus of most of the upper echelons in the other world. That was, poverty and hunger were caused by their own laziness. If they worked, they would have food.
There was no concept of social welfare here, and the so-called disaster relief and charity were even more fanciful. This was because they felt that if they distributed food to the untouchables for free, it would encourage their bad habits of being lazy. Moreover, once the free distribution was stopped, it would incur the despicable hatred of the other party.
But… As long as Kant was happy.
Even though they did not dare to say anything against Kant’s decision, they privately felt that the Forbidden Mage was too idealistic. It was a bit of a pipe dream for him to win over these lowlifes who had lived under the rule and exploitation of the nobles in Distant Harbor with just a silver coin and a meal.
The biggest possibility was that most of the people would indeed watch the execution because they were threatened by the butcher’s knife. After receiving the rewards and gifts, they would indeed be grateful, and then nothing would happen.
As long as the nobles gave the order and took back their leashes, the lowlifes would rush back to their masters ‘feet, wagging their tails. Kant had forbidden spells, warships, and an army, while the important figures had jobs, real estate, land, food, and other indispensable resources.
Everyone thought so.
If he couldn’t do it, His Highness Kant’s plan wouldn’t work.
However, no one expected that…Kant’s food was simply too delicious.
Sometimes, a qualitative change could overwhelm a quantitative change.
Overwhelming strength, overwhelming financial resources, and a promise to keep.
Reputation could indeed be built overnight.
” We have basically completed the first population survey of Distant Harbor.”
Horus controlled the projector and projected it onto the screen on the wall.
I’m going to make a detailed analysis.
The icon and data were clear at a glance.
When the admirals saw the statistics, their expressions changed.
” According to the drone observation, about 88% of the people in Faraway Harbor participated in today’s execution ceremony. Most of them were ordinary people from the middle and lower classes. The number of people was 234,762…”
” Among them, there are 74,925 adult males between the ages of 16 and 55.”
“The number of adult women is 103,726…”
” The number of people over the age of 55 is 7,792.”
” The number of children under the age of sixteen is 48,319.”
Kant frowned. He was not a professional, but from the intuition of an ordinary person, there was something wrong with the population size and composition.” This seems to be…”
Horus understood his thoughts and answered,” Casualties in the war, reverse urban development due to the decline of trading status, poor medical and food standards, and so on.”
Brigadier General Cavisaron shifted his butt uncomfortably.
The Earthling finally reacted and sighed silently.
” By observing microexpressions, scanning heart rate and breathing rate, and other lie-detection assistance, including clothing, speech, and complexion, we have more accurately obtained the general situation of these 200,000 people, including assets, work, family structure, social status, and other aspects…”
” The names of the rebels who did not attend the execution ceremony today have been listed,” Horus said.” The nobles who support us are urgently sorting out the details of the industries and shops of these rebels. Combined with the above information, we can calculate how many citizens are working in the workshops and shops of those rebels.”
” Once we have this list, we can target those who oppose us in business and economic precision. First, we will take away their skilled workers, stop their industries from operating, and then use dumping to occupy market share. Finally, we will hit them until they go bankrupt.”
This time, it was Han Zezheng and the others ‘turn to move their butts.
Can, can we still play like this?
What was even more frightening was that Kant actually nodded happily.” Then hurry up and do it. I need a plan and a list. What should each opposition do and what kind of goods they need?”
“Understood.”
Damn it, the economic stick seems to be quite cool.
Getting rid of the opposition from the distant port was not even a warm-up. What Kant really cared about was the upcoming negotiations with the three countries and the construction plan of the new city.
The ultimate goal of this stage was to establish an industrial and commercial union of the underground world, the new city on the surface, and the distant port. It would also connect Valentan and echo the east and west. It would carry out economic, military, and political erosion internally and complete global radiation externally. This required people, more people.
“230,000 people…” Kant muttered to himself,” To be honest, it’s a little too little.”
“After all, it is still an agricultural country.” Horus replied,” The urban population only accounts for 20 to 30 percent of the population. Father needs a labor force, so he can absorb it from the countryside.”
“Your Highness, there are reasonably priced laborers and even slave laborers in the city-states under the Arcane Magic Council’s rule.” Master Neola suddenly said.
This mystery seeker had his own plans.
The terrifying wealth Kant had displayed today had shocked this experienced fleet commander.
It was mainly sugar.
The sugar and spices were the most popular luxury goods in the continent. However, the latter was mainly used by the nobles to show off, while the former was a wonderful substance that was popular in the world.
Especially the Arcane Magic Council. To be precise, it was a hard requirement for the experts, scholars, craftsmen, and even spellcasters, alchemists, pharmacists, and enchanters in various fields under this huge international organization.
This was especially true for spellcasters. After exploring the mysteries of magic, conducting boring experiments, and reading and copying arcane runes, sweet sugar products could quickly relieve the fatigue of the brain. Moreover, their mental work was extremely heavy and required a lot of energy. It was no secret that mages loved sugar.
Many of the candies, desserts, and snacks that were popular on the continent were developed by the food and beverage giants under the Arcane Magic Council. In order to supply a large amount of sugar, the Arcane Magic Council led a series of annexation wars and forcibly attached several sugar producing areas in the south. For this, they even had diplomatic friction and military conflicts with the Sunset Moon Dynasty. Every year, a large number of gold coins would be sucked away by the gold pump of the Sunset Moon Dynasty.
After all, the most profitable project of the elves was to continuously extract wealth from the entire continent through sugar and luxury goods. After the sea silk road was cut off, goods from Aurora could no longer be imported. The elves were the only ones in power, and they formed a monopoly with their powerful military power. They had the right to set prices.
After successfully acquiring several sugar producing areas, the Arcane Magic Council used its strong research and development advantage to improve breeding. The sugar production greatly increased, the price of sugar decreased, and various delicacies and drinks emerged in an endless stream. The spellcasters of the council felt like they were in heaven, but the price was that the fat otaku rate increased at a visible rate year by year.
Moreover, sugar was a fast, cheap, and effortless enjoyment. The mages ‘other entertainment impulses had greatly diminished, and they were even not interested in Nan Ren and the travelers. The fertility rate had also decreased year by year.
It was not that no one noticed this dangerous phenomenon, but the elders of the Council were also at their wit’s end. Most people did not care at all. Wizard Neola was one of them. He was also fond of sugar and knew how big the market for desserts was in the area where the Council was located. More importantly, he had tasted a lot of sugar and desserts today.
Chocolate, soft candy, hard fruit candy, cream cake, jelly pudding, and so on were not to be mentioned. All kinds of biscuits were also very delicious, especially the thing that Lord Horus called ” Snickers.” It was really a wonderful invention. One bite was like a fountain of inspiration, and he couldn’t stop eating.
This was a huge business opportunity and temptation.
If he could represent these desserts in the area controlled by the Arcane Magic Council…
“Even my family, Your Highness. The territory controlled by my family has high-quality labor and population under its rule…” His gaze became more fervent.
” Why are you so attentive?” Kant glanced at him.
“I want to do something for Your Highness…” The Secret-Seeker was stunned for a moment before he smiled awkwardly.
Before he could finish his words, the loyal Lord Horus decisively exposed his thoughts.
“Father, he probably wants to buy candy. I saw him eating Snickers crazily before. He ate eight bars in three minutes and didn’t feel tired at all. The greed on his face is half from appetite and half from money.”
The two ” friendly navies ” beside him laughed out loud. The Imperium, Sunset Moon, and the Council were in a state of competition, and it was normal for them to not like each other.
Neola glared at the elf beside him angrily and immediately sold him out.” Your Highness, don’t listen to him laugh. That pointy ear has been restless because he has also tasted Your Highness’s spices! Compared to you, the spices that the elves are proud of and monopolize the continent are like dog shit! He’s afraid!”
“Nonsense!” the proud elf said angrily. You sweet, fat balls!”
“Bullshit!” ” The only ones who are really fat are a small group of disgusting mages who don’t go out or seek a mate and hide at home all day reading and drinking desserts! You can’t represent the Spell Casters of our Council! It’s because of those guys that we mages are always misunderstood!”
Kant knocked on the table.
The two commanders, who were at loggerheads with each other, immediately stopped and apologized to Kant.
” Alright, I understand what you’re thinking. The things that I’ve brought out today are to win the hearts of the people, but they’re also for you to see.”
Kant said calmly,” But I’m afraid you don’t have the right to talk about this. This is part of the negotiation in the future. It won’t be long before you’ll be called back to the country to report on your work. You can bring some of my gifts over and show them to those who can make decisions.”
“Master Neola.”
“Your Highness.”
Kant said to the Seeker,” I heard that your sugar production and trade, as well as related industries, are very developed. Not only is there a huge domestic demand, but you also have a large amount of export to foreign countries. You even compete with the elves ‘sugar industry. You can bring my gift back to your country and see if there’s anyone interested.”
“Yes.”
Kant spoke to the elf again.
” You too, Brigadier General. You have a gift for me too. Take it back to your country and send a message to your parliament for me. Tell them that I can make all the precious cash crops in your spice plantations rot in the fields and not be sold for a single copper coin, and I can also maintain a cautious and friendly restraint. As for which option, it depends on your country’s attitude and behavior.”
Kavisaron’s expression changed, but he still bowed.
Of course, this was just a bluff.
This was because one of the economic pillars of Sunset Moon was sea trade. A large part of the sea trade was the monopoly of the spice trade. Spices were used to continuously absorb gold from various countries. Spices could even be considered as hard currency. If they wanted to dump Earth’s seasoning products as spices, of course, they could instantly destroy the spice business of the elves. However, this was no different from trying to replace the US dollar as the world currency.
If they really did that, even with the help of Delila and the parrot, they would not be able to stop the wheels of war. The Sunset Moon Dynasty would not hesitate to mobilize all of their forces to fight Kant to the death. If the Phoenix King did not agree, they would really dare to change another elf to be their emperor.
“Do you understand?”
Hearing Kant’s question, Neola and the elf nodded bitterly.
The negotiations regarding the element of contradiction and the capture of the three navies had yet to begin, and the governments of the three countries had yet to come up with a final agreement. However, Kant had already struck a second blow.
Moreover, it was such a ruthless slash.
This meant that the negotiation table would be more passive.
” You can go back, but the fleet and soldiers can’t leave. You’re still my prisoners.” Kant said,” Find a reliable subordinate in advance to take my orders on your behalf. Other than that, continue with the mission I gave you earlier. Neola, how are the arrangements for the accomplices?”
“The labor camp has been built, and it is undergoing further repairs and planning, Your Highness.”
“Did anything happen?”
” Rest assured, Your Highness. Spell Casters who master Mind spells are the best jailers in the world.”
“Alright.”
Kant nodded and said,” Then we’ll consider the matter of the distant port next. I need to plan some things in advance to further increase the enthusiasm of these distant people to serve me. Neola, go and screen out some things. Those who are accomplices and the family members of the main culprit have a skill. Be it riding, archery, or swordsmanship, masons, bakers, or other craftsmen, select those with special skills.”
Then, he looked at Han Zezheng.” Do you know anyone? An old and experienced sailor, or a skilled craftsman in need of help, or even a learned but poor scholar. You can also write down their names.”
” As for the few of you, you were heavily injured in the Battle of Distant Harbor and lost your ability to fight. You don’t have much hope for the future, but you were very capable before you were injured. You can also recommend experienced veterans to me.”
The few of them nodded to indicate that they would remember it.
“Please forgive me for being presumptuous, sir, but what use do you have for these people?” Han Zezheng asked softly. Only by knowing this can we be more selective in finding the most suitable person.”
“I want to start a school.” Kant replied,” The children of all those who work for me under the age of 16 can enroll in the school. They will learn a series of skills such as brewing wine, weaving, cooking, arithmetic, weapon-making, archery, and so on according to their talent. They will be provided with food and learn a skill. These are the programs for now, and we will add them in the future. The name of the school will be Bluphlei Academy for the time being.”
F * ck.
This…
Of course, they weren’t complaining about the name. They just felt that the school was even more ruthless. First, they had to provide food for the children, which would save them a lot of money. Moreover, they had to teach them skills. If ordinary children wanted to learn skills, they could only become apprentices. Apprentices were the name for slaves, the kind that had no human rights at all. Since it was a school run by His Highness Kant, it was better than ordinary apprentice craftsmen no matter what.
It was obvious that His Highness Kant would fight to the death to recruit people.
“Your Highness is wise!”
Colonel Henry Beck immediately flattered him. “In this way, these people from afar will definitely be loyal to you. Even if their little children learn some skills, they will be more loyal. Moreover, many women will be able to free themselves from the trivialities of looking after children and do more work…”
“There will also be fewer kids running around stealing money and causing trouble on the streets. Only those little beggars without parents will be left. Hahahaha…”
In the next moment, the bracelet emitted a sizzling sound as a one-star electric current burst out.
Henry was shocked.
He subconsciously looked at Kant, only to find that Kant was looking at him quietly.
The air instantly fell silent.
The elves and mages looked at each other as if they were saying,” You’re dead.”
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
What’s wrong? What did I say wrong? Did I say something wrong?
“Ah…”
Kant knocked his head. Horus, do you have any statistics on this?”
“.. Yes, Father.”
Horus ‘voice was very calm.” Those who joined the gangs, those who beg and steal on the streets, I calculated that there are about four to five hundred of them. Especially after we hanged many gang leaders and arrested many local ruffians. Many little beggars have no place to go and are living on the streets…”
Colonel Henry seemed to know where he had gone wrong.
” Your Highness, I sympathize with them. Really, I personally sympathize with these poor children.”
“I’m willing to fund the construction of ten orphanage!” he stammered. Ten! “Take in these homeless beggars and let them remember your kindness and grace in your name. Give them food, teach them crafts, let them read, and let them practice swordsmanship…”
Kant turned around and glanced at him.
“No.”
“Build a military camp, a scout camp,” he said.
Henry was shocked.
Eh? Eh? Was he raising death warriors?
“Are you surprised?” Kant said calmly,” I’ll bring these homeless and street beggars to the so-called orphanage. I’ll give them food, clothes, and teach them how to read. Then, they’ll be very touched and remember my kindness. They’ll be loyal and devoted from then on. They’ll wait eight to ten years later to pledge their loyalty to me until they die, without regret?”
He threw the document in his hand to the side.
“You read too many books.”
“Your Highness, Your Highness, I…” Henry was even more frightened.
Kant shook his head.” Sit down. I don’t mean to reprimand you. But you don’t have to read my mind. I know more than you think.”
He was silent for a moment. Everyone present breathed softly and listened carefully.
” My idealism has long been killed. I will no longer count on the simplicity and kindness of the poor people. They can’t even fill their stomachs. How can people who can fill their stomachs be qualified to ask for their morality?”
“Will the child beggars of the distant port know how to repay kindness? There might be such a precious character, but it must be a rare genetic mutation. The rotting streets, the torturous hunger, the death without food, the people around them full of malice, the food and money that they occasionally get will be snatched away, their lives are not guaranteed, and they might be killed like wild dogs. In such a dirty, crazy, numb, and hopeless place, do you expect the beggars who are struggling to sink into depravity to retain the good quality of gold?”
” No, that’s just a boring fantasy of the satiated who can eat their fill and even have the strength to think.”
” In the filthy and stinky streets, beggars learn to be shameless, to put down their dignity, to pester, to take advantage of others, to not resist, to steal, to rob, to hide, to lie, to plant black seeds in the innocent and pure souls of children. In just a short period of time, a life of despair will make humans regain their bestial nature at the fastest speed. As for those noble souls…”
“He would have starved to death or been beaten to death in the stinking ditch and turned into bones,” he snorted.
Everyone present was listening carefully.
Their views were similar to Kant’s. They also felt that the lowlifes at the bottom were stupid, ignorant, despicable, and like trash. However, they only felt that it was reasonable, just like how the sun rose from the east, but they had never investigated the reason…But now, after hearing Kant’s words, they fell into deep thought.
Not only did His Highness know that these people were hopeless, but he also understood why they had become like this.
Vaguely, they seemed to understand something.
This Forbidden Mage’s mindset and thoughts.
It was definitely not what they knew about ” taking things for granted ” and ” sometimes being too merciful.”
” Therefore, I need a military camp to accommodate them.”
Kant spoke slowly, and everyone listened quietly.
This was a rare opportunity…It was a rare opportunity to understand this big shot who was about to reach the top of the international stage. It was very precious information.
” I don’t know what’s going on here, but in my hometown, according to our traditions and culture, the army is a melting pot. It faces society and absorbs all kinds of iron ores.”
” Those ores with extremely high purity, even natural alloys, will be forged into peerless divine swords to deter foreign enemies and become the soul of the army. They will be like flags that will last for a hundred years.
” Those ores of medium or high quality will be forged into the Great Wall of Steel. They will defend the country and become the backbone of the national defense force. They will be the protectors of the people’s happiness and stable lives.
” Those ores that are lower to middle quality and have a large population are just like ordinary people. They have ordinary talent and temperament, but they devote their loyalty and love to the country. The army also gives them discipline, faith, and will. When they serve the country, they are loyal to the country. After they are discharged, they return home and start a new life. The gifts and marks given by the army will accompany them for the rest of their lives. This is a spiritual wealth that ordinary people have never come into contact with in their lives.”
“Other than that, the army also collects those waste ores.”
Kant softened his tone and said slowly,” If you use fire and hammers to destroy it and remove its dregs, the product will not be strong iron, but it will not be a great thing. At least, if you are a person, you will be able to stand straight and have a ruler in your heart after you are released into society. You will be upright and upright. You will be able to support your family. You will never become a scourge.”
“My army will do the same.”
“Start with these waste ores.”
He knocked on the table, attracting the attention of the three generals.
” For those homeless beggars who grew up in the market, I will feed them and let them enter the camp. I will provide them with sufficient food. They will have to work hard and sweat for it. I will train them with the ideology of the army and drive away the selfishness, cunning, and greed in their hearts. I will teach them the concept of collectivity, sacrifice, dedication, and faith, and the right and wrong of life.
“For two years, let them turn from beasts and animals back into humans.”
“Then, according to their talent and wishes, give them a future. Be it learning knowledge, joining the army, doing business, being a craftsman…There will always be things that they are suitable to learn. Those who work hard and diligently will get more. This principle is probably not wrong.”
” Smart and hardworking people soar to the sky, stupid and hardworking people can make up for their stupidity with hard work, and lazy people who refuse to change after repeated teachings will be expelled and sent to the mines to work as coolies.”
” After they become successful, they’ll work for me for another ten years and repay me for what I’ve given them.”
” Then,” Kant said calmly,” they can control their own lives.”
“This is my opinion on how to deal with these lonely children.”
” Horus, write this down. This will be the standard in the future.”
Silence.
“You don’t have any objections, do you?” He looked around at the people present.
He shook his head frantically.
“Actually, I’m just asking. I won’t listen to your opinions.”
Kant shrugged his shoulders.” They’re all brought into the orphanage and provided with money. Only a brainless Goddess would do such a boring thing. They’ve seen too little of it.”
People still didn’t speak.
How to deal with these little beggars.
This could no longer be described as benevolent. It was simply the action of a saint.
Before this, no ruler had ever considered the feelings of these people at the bottom. Freezing to death, starving to death, being beaten to death, and so on did not matter at all. Even if there were some kind and benevolent adults who wanted to do good deeds, they would only throw some money and give some bread.
His Highness Kant was the only one who dealt with the matter in the most meticulous manner. He was truly benevolent.
However, both quasi-general Kavisaron and master Niola remained silent.
They were all powerful figures in the navies of the two countries. Their spiritual powers were extremely sharp. They had clearly sensed that when Kant had meticulously prepared a bright future for these homeless children beggars, his words were not filled with compassion.
Instead, he suppressed his violent rage.
The two fleet commanders no longer had any courage after they had truly realized Kant’s power and might. They could only imagine how the Forbidden Mage would look when he was enraged.
“Alright, let’s deal with these problems like this.” Kant turned his neck.” Well then, let’s try to solve the problem…” Who made these little brats fall into the streets, without food and clothing, without hope, so they could only be reduced to selfish scoundrels? Let’s deal with these people.”
“After all…”
“With one less person like him, there might be one less group of little beggars in the future.”
“And one less beggar…”
He stretched out his finger and gently pulled the corner of his mouth to his cheek, revealing an exaggerated smile.
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[PS 1: Upgraded!] 7,000 words! Sleep, sleep!