Chapter 571: 571
 

An Official

On the twelfth day.

It was the third day since Kant opened the granary.

A small-scale economic crisis broke out in Distant Harbor, quickly engulfing the entire Emerald Wave Province.

The range of its impact was so wide that it almost blew up all the rich people in the Green Wave Province.

Ten days.

Ever since Kant had insisted on executing the nobles involved in the Riot of Distant Harbor, a conspiracy against him had gradually taken shape. Since the Skyquaking Dragon stood on the opposite side of the entire aristocracy, almost all the aristocrats who could participate in this food war with the goal of challenging Kant’s authority had taken part in it both openly and secretly.

The vast majority of them did not have such a pure standpoint and purpose.

Apart from ‘letting this arrogant citizen of Aurora know who Goethe’s master was,’ what made them devote themselves to it was obviously the economic benefits.

The price of grain had increased by seven times in ten days. The 600% profit was enough to make them draw their swords at the gods. The unstoppable price of grain was enough to destroy all rationality and prudence. Coupled with the huge amount of money from the Broken Islands, this economic war had become a carnival for the rich.

Kant’s plan was also unfolding in secret.

The power of civilization came from history.

Once something that happened was recorded in history, the side with a more profound history would have an overwhelming advantage because the answer had long been in the history books. It was the best solution that had been tested and analyzed by time, time, and countless intelligent people.

He reached an agreement with the Dragon Clan and asked Santos to open a shell company to lend money to the nobles of the Blue Wave Province. He wanted them to participate in the revelry of making a lot of money by frying the grain prices.

Then, he wrote down their names and kept the receipt.

He also secretly investigated the flow of funds and the manipulators of the Broken Islands.

Send elite soldiers to stand by.

On the tenth day, the granaries were opened to release food. A comprehensive plan was launched to forcefully take over the military and political affairs of the distant port, control the situation, issue economic orders, and arrest speculators and foreign forces…

Put a rope around the necks of all the fallen.

The waves that erupted from the distant port spread across the entire province.

Kant poured 100,000 tons of rations from the sky in front of the entire Far Harbor. This was a huge amount, enough to feed the people of Far Harbor for half a year. However, it was also a small amount. In the face of the entire Blue Wave Province, 100,000 tons of rations was not an overwhelming amount.

However, it was enough to shake the crazy and blind food market.

Because what caused the market to collapse had always been… Panic.

The grain trading market in Dayuan Harbor instantly collapsed.

Kant had already released the news that all the residents of Distant Harbor would receive five days ‘worth of food for free with their identification. This meant that no one would be interested in the food that had been sold at a sky-high price.

And five days later, if it was sold at the market price of five copper coins per pound, it would be an even more vicious talisman.

On the tenth day alone, the price of food, which had risen to 40 copper coins, or two Luke silver coins per pound, plummeted like a waterfall. However, in the bulk food market, the increasingly low prices were ignored. Even if there were smart people who wanted to take advantage of the situation to bargain, they would be deterred by Kant’s policies.

Stop bulk trading.

Suspend all loan business.

Blockade land and sea transportation and prohibit food from leaving the city.

These orders, coupled with the sharp edge of the court, caused the large amount of food hoarded by the nobles to become trash in their hands. For the first time, wailing and crying became exclusive to the rich district. Before that, those sad cries had always been the main melody of the slums.

On the night of the 10th day, the financial elites that the dragon race had quickly mobilized entered the airspace of the Blue Wave Province after obtaining permission from the distant port, preparing to carry out economic business.

Another rope was tied.

On the eleventh day, according to the report, a life had already been lost.

It was suicide.

On the 12th day, the economic crisis in Distant Harbor had completely erupted.

The plunge in grain prices was not a big problem. The real problem was the failure of speculation, which caused the rich and powerful people who controlled most of the businesses in the people’s livelihood in the distant port to instantly be in debt.

The cash flow dried up, business operations were hindered, and the high interest rates on loans forced them to be eager to cut their losses and leave. As a result, the dignitaries were eager to sell their stores and close their businesses. This led to a large number of job losses and the closure of many stores, which had a great impact on the people’s livelihood in Distant Port.

“It’s a small matter.”

Kant placed Han Zezheng’s report on the table in the study on the third floor of Tidal Manor.

He waved his hand.” Free food for five days. At least for five days, no one will go hungry. Let the dragons collect their debts. We can also take the opportunity to accept more of their high-quality industries. If these vermin want to die so badly, let them die faster…”

“Yes, sir.” Han Zezheng bowed.

Kant thought for a moment and looked up at his subordinate, who had already shown his loyalty and ability.

” By the way, all of you have contributed this time. Be it you or those who chose to stand on my side, all of you must have been grumbling in your hearts before. However, even if you grumble, you still have to bite the bullet and take out the food to fight with me. I don’t care about your actions. Since you’ve done something, you have to be rewarded.”

” This time,” he said calmly,” the nobles of Distant Harbor have suffered a great loss. These people’s wealth has shrunk, and they have even been forced to sell their core businesses. You can share the empty cake with the people below.”

” The Han family will take a quarter, and the other quarter will go to Siegel Company as a department bonus. The monthly income will be distributed to the rebels, and the remaining half will be rewarded to those who have abandoned the darkness and joined the light. The distribution will be calculated based on the amount of food they have previously contributed.”

Han Zezheng thought for a moment and said softly,”Your Highness, just give them a quarter. The Han family will take one-eighth. The remaining three-eighths should be yours…”

“No, just do as I say.” Kant said,” I’m not interested in money.”

Han Zezheng’s body trembled.

At this moment, he was first shocked, then endless envy and admiration surged in his heart.

He was not interested in money.

If this was said by a commoner who couldn’t even afford a house, it would simply make people laugh their heads off.

However, if the person who said this could throw hundreds of thousands of tons of food on the ground, half selling and half selling, then this was the ultimate expression of forgetting everything. It was the nonchalance of treating money as dirt, the great ambition of chasing dreams, and the supreme realm that ordinary people could never reach.

Han Zezheng had suddenly found a direction in his life.

Before he died, he wanted to be like His Highness Kant and say such pretentious words in an upright manner.

Kant glanced at the stunned Old Han and pursed his lips.

He was indeed not interested in this bit of soup.

As his experience and vision broadened, as his strength and mission increased, he was no longer a young man who was counting on his fingers to make money all day.

Other worlds still had a gold-and-silver-based financial system, but on Earth, silver had become an industrial raw material, and its price was very different from gold.

He could have bought enough silver on Earth, then dumped it all out in the other world, exchanged it all for gold, and then brought the gold back to Earth to sell for more silver-and so on and so forth, until the price of silver on Earth soared, or the financial system of the other world completely exploded.

The reason why he didn’t do this was because he was too lazy to do it, and it would be too ostentatious.

There were simply too many legitimate ways to earn money for Kant now. There was no need for him to waste his time and energy to trade for these precious metals.

For example, the well drilling business in Byagungulban that he had previously negotiated with the five permanent members of the council on Earth had brought him eight billion US dollars in revenue. Even if six billion of the funds were settled in physical form, there was still two billion US dollars in cash.

The hundred thousand tons of grain that had been smashed into the distant port the day before yesterday had been settled with six billion yuan. The country had directly mobilized a state-owned granary to sell half of the old grain that had been tested to be slightly unsuitable for storage and was about to be auctioned off at a discount to Kant. He had only received thirty million yuan.

Even if it was old grain, the price was too cheap. Kant returned the favor. While transporting the grain to Moani, he also helped the country transport some goods.

This was the reason for buying food. He was afraid that there would be a famine in Komoira, so he prepared some food in advance.

Just like that, Kant got his hands on food at a cheap price, and the country sent a batch of ” heavy engineering equipment ” to Africa in a time-saving and effortless manner. As for who was the one who profited…

Then, he would have to ask the cars painted with the five-starred red flag beside Moani’s granary in the White Fog World.

All in all, Kant’s current realm was indeed no different from treating money like dirt.

He could already buy anything that money could buy on Earth.

But the problem was…There were many truly good things that money could not buy.

Kant shook his head. After distributing the cake to his subordinates, his gaze gradually turned cold.

“Also…”

He took out another report.

” Today, Arsett received a confession. Horus has already investigated and verified it, and personally interrogated it. There are three noble families that have pledged allegiance to me, and at least five wealthy merchants who have chosen to be loyal to me. During the food war, they bet on both sides. One side will offer me a ton of food, and the other side will secretly buy two tons.”

“What a talent. He learned without a teacher. He even knows how to clash. Moreover, he thinks that I have a 50 – 50 chance of winning against the other party. He really has deep confidence in me…”

“How do you think we should deal with this?” Kant glanced at Han Zezheng.

Han Zezheng’s expression changed when he heard this. His face turned pale, and then he revealed a fierce expression of deep hatred. He took a deep breath and bowed.” This old man was negligent. Please punish me, Your Highness. As for how to deal with me, I should be punished according to the law and implicate the entire family. Traitors are more hateful than enemies!”

Kant thought for a moment.” There’s no need for a formal punishment. Killing them is a warning to others. How about this? You can distribute the rewards to the loyal followers later and let them execute the punishment.”

“Executed?” The people from Aurora didn’t understand.

“Yes, execution.” Kant smiled coldly.” Let the loyal nobles who have pledged their allegiance to me personally punish the traitors after receiving the reward for their loyalty. Find a bigger room, tie up the few traitors who are good at hedges, and throw them in the middle. Give the others a knife each, and everyone will chop the traitors into minced meat together. Isn’t that a good idea? I think we still have to beat them up.”

Han Zezheng finally understood.

His face became paler and paler, and a hint of fear appeared in his eyes.

” Isn’t that a little cruel?” Kant asked calmly. Oh, I have to look at it from another angle. Look, these people chose to stand on my side. Could it be that they think I’m more righteous and kind? I don’t think so. They’re just very smart. They think I’ll win and stand on my side.”

” I know what they’re thinking, and I can understand their motives. It’s normal for a good bird to choose a tree to live in. However, they’re on my side for benefits, and I still accept them despite knowing this. Shouldn’t they be very grateful and give me double their loyalty? Am I right? I can ignore their motives, but I’ll definitely care about their future actions. You’re relying on me for benefits, but you’re not loyal. You’re ready to jump ship at any time, and you want to bet on both sides. Do you think I’m a charity?”

He spoke with a kind expression and a calm tone.

Meanwhile, Han Zezheng’s legs were already trembling.

“Therefore, you will be in charge of executing the execution of the entire family. In addition, all the direct members of each family who are over the age of 16, including your family, will have to attend the ceremony…Sigh, some people just don’t know what’s good for them. How many times have I reminded them nicely? They still want to die…”

Kant leaned back and crossed his legs. He glanced at Old Han. Sit for a while?”

Han Zezheng trembled as he retreated and carefully sat down on the chair.

He didn’t even dare to say that he wasn’t tired.

” Then, there’s one last thing. You’ve done well this time. You’ve worked hard and deserve to be rewarded. The quarter promised to your family was a reward for your Han family’s efforts in this matter. You’ve used all means to gather and transport food, while you, Han, have been commanding the entire grain price war. It’s not easy to withstand the pressure and act everywhere. Therefore, I want to reward you for your efforts.”

” I’ll give you two choices.” Kant raised his finger.

“Your Highness, you don’t have to give me a choice. I’ll do whatever you want me to do,” Han Zezheng said in a low voice.

“Let me finish.”

“.. Yes.”

” For a long time to come, Distant Harbor will be an independent city under my control. It will take on its historical mission and fully support the development of the Paragon Element and the Underworld.”

Kant said,” The city’s politics, economy, military, culture, and other areas must all be in my hands. The first thing I have to ensure is that the government decrees are carried out and the orders are strictly enforced. In other words, the mayor’s position is a heavy responsibility. Not only must he be loyal, but he must also be capable. He must be one of my men.”

Han Zezheng’s eyes lit up.

” Don’t be happy. It has nothing to do with you,” Kant said, shattering his fantasy.

The light was quickly extinguished.

Kant shook his head and said,” Let’s put it this way. During the food war a few days ago, the emissaries of the various countries were watching the show in secret. Now that the show is over, they were scared again. The overall situation in Distant Harbor has been decided. The negotiations that have dragged on for more than ten days are finally about to be decided. I’ve already heard from Cavisaron and the others that the negotiations should be a relatively long process, and they will start with the ministers.”

” Because of the rules. Kings versus kings, soldiers versus soldiers. The ones who are qualified to talk to me are the Chairman of the Council, the Emperor of the Empire, and the Phoenix King of the elves. They can’t possibly come in person from the beginning. Before that, they will definitely send important ministers to talk first. Those ministers and envoys from various countries aren’t qualified to talk to me personally. When they come, they can only talk to my subjects. As for you, you’re not very qualified.”

“It’s hard to hear, but it makes sense,” he said, looking at Old Han.

Han Zezheng nodded silently.

The person who was qualified to represent His Highness Kant and negotiate with the ministers of the various countries was definitely the ” prime minister ” that the Skyquaking Dragon had acknowledged. Han Zezheng was far from being able to do so, be it in terms of trust or ability.

” I’ve already decided on the person in charge of the negotiations. He’s also the first mayor of Second Yuangang City. If you’re willing, I’ll leave a position for you in the new government. You’ll be responsible for coordinating and developing the economic activities and financial security of Yuangang City in the future. Of course, you’ll have to assess your performance. Merits will be rewarded, and mistakes will be punished. If you make any mistakes or make any mistakes, I’ll also remove you from your position.”

“Your Highness, what’s the second option?” Han Zezheng thought for a moment.

” The second choice is the president of Siegel Company. The position is vacant.”

Kant said,” This is a private force that directly reports to me. Public and private businesses still have to be separated. This company is mainly responsible for various businesses in the Sieget region and even outside the West Coast. It is independent of Distant Port. When it was first established, its first task was to consolidate the gains from this economic war, including the collateral assets obtained after the dragons collected their debts. The collateral assets will be gradually transferred to the Sieget Company to be consolidated…”

“I choose this one,”Han Zezheng said without hesitation.

Kant narrowed his eyes.

” But your expression tells me that you want to choose the first option.”

“Your Highness…” Old Han stood up in panic.

Kant extended his hand and stopped him.

“Calm down, Old Han. Think carefully.”

He said,” I’ll give you another chance to answer. I also promise you that I won’t be cold or unhappy because you chose the first option, nor will I look at you differently because you chose the second option. The nature of the two positions is the same, and they are both rewarding and punishing mistakes. If you do well as the finance minister of Far Harbor, you will also have the opportunity to be the mayor. If you do badly at Siegel Company, you will also have the risk of going home to retire. Think about it.”

Han Ze was standing on the spot, his eyes changing. He must be fighting with himself in his heart.

He was silent for a long time.

“.. Your Highness, I want to be an official.”

He gritted his teeth and said in a low voice,” I’ve been a merchant all my life. I don’t want my children and grandchildren to continue this lowly business. If I choose the second one, I won’t be able to face my ancestors after I die.”

“I understand. It’s reasonable.” Kant let out a breath.” Alright, I promise you. After the new government of Far Harbor is established, your letter of appointment will be sent. Before that, you’ll have to stand guard for the last time.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Kant shook his head after Han Zezheng left. Damn it, we lack talent. Siegel doesn’t even have a CEO. Where are we going to find one…”

As she muttered to herself, a fragrant wind blew. Long Niang’s pretty face appeared from the right side of her vision, and she was very close to her.

” What?” Kant gave her a sideways glance.” What’s up?”

Lily smiled obsequiously.” Me, me. What do you think of me being the president?”

Kant thought for a moment.” Alright. I’ll give you 50% of the shares. Come, take off your-”

He reached out to grab Long Niang’s chest.

Lily’s face turned red. She suddenly jumped back and shouted,” What do you want? You want to set me up with some random company? Dream on!”

“You don’t want it?”

“No!”

At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Long Niang glared at Kang De fiercely and entered the bedroom from the study. Kang De called for him to come in. It was Han Zezheng who had returned.

Old Han must have heard Long Niang’s shout, but he pretended not to hear anything. He bowed and said,” Former Governor Norman is kneeling outside Tidal Sound Manor. He wishes to see Your Highness…”

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[PS 1: Upgraded…] There were a few hundred more words today, and it was considered compensation for the paragraph that was repeated yesterday. Although it had been changed immediately yesterday…

P.S. 2: I’m not in a good state today. I’ll try to write more tomorrow. Good night.