247: Chapter 142, The King’s Secret Orders_2 247: Chapter 142, The King’s Secret Orders_2 The words of Earl Piers sent a shiver through everyone present.
The expressions on their faces became solemn.
Conscription of all citizens?
What a crazy idea.
While it seemed to be a secret decree from Caesar III, the fact that it was brought up here meant that the major powers within the kingdom had already discussed it in advance.
Hudson wasn’t sure about the specifics, but he knew something big was going on.
Apparently, these influential forces sensed a danger that provoked such a significant reaction.
No matter whether this plan could be realized in the end, its political posturing alone was terrifying.
This implied that in case of a significant defeat on the front line, the Alpha Kingdom would genuinely enter a state of universal conscription.
Regardless of their training, all able-bodied men would be armed and sent to the battlefield.
After some hesitation, Hudson still chose not to speak.
Racial wars were always the most brutal—it was a fight for survival.
Now the situation across the continent was turbulent.
If a full-scale war were to break out, and the human nations were entangled in all sorts of troubles, the dire scenario might genuinely occur.
Making the worst-case scenario preparations in advance, pulling all the serfs out for some training seemed much better than being attacked by the enemy without any preparation.
“Your Excellency Governor, we will naturally execute His Majesty’s secret order.
But the issue is, to include all citizens in the training will entail a significant expense.
We clans can basically afford this expenditure, gritting our teeth to withstand it.
But what about the small nobles?
After the locust infestation last year, our grain reserves have severely diminished.
Some small nobles with limited family wealth may find it difficult to shoulder this burden.”
Viscount Orlan spoke with a worried expression.
As the first region invaded by the locust army, Qiaomu County suffered the highest losses in the province.
Not only were the grain in the fields gone, but many wooden houses were also devoured by the locusts.
Some unlucky aristocrats’ granaries were broken into by the locust army, leaving them completely looted.
Being a good leader, it was his duty to consider his underlings.
Ignoring the actual situation and rigidly executing orders would be demoralizing.
However, Hudson realized he had been implicitly mentioned—he was the poorest present.
‘We can basically afford it’, which also meant that the Koslow clan couldn’t afford it.
But everything had its pros and cons.
With so many people needing training, they couldn’t do without weapons and equipment, right?
The nobles were shrewd.
Having noticed the major nobles preparing for war and organizing large-scale military exercises, they would be foolish not to sense danger.
During a crisis, strengthening their power was essential.
Even the worst iron weapons were more lethal than a wooden stick.
Once the business boomed, it would naturally be a great influx of wealth.
At that time, Master Hudson would also not lack money.
“Your Excellency Governor, Viscount Orlan speaks well.
The impact of the locust disaster last year hasn’t completely passed, and we are still uncertain about how the harvest will be this summer.
Specially in the hard-hit counties, if we want to include serfs for training, food issues are a significant problem to solve.
His Majesty’s order is presumably not solely for the Southeastern Province.
Once all the provinces of the kingdom start training, the increase in food consumption will certainly be a large figure.
The domestic price of grain is likely to get pushed up.
Nobles with limited family wealth may find it challenging to bear this expense.
To better accomplish His Majesty’s order, I suggest that the Governor’s Mansion purchase a consignment of grain from overseas to stabilize the price in our province.”
Hudson rushed to propose.
He glanced at Viscount Caryo as he spoke, signaling him to follow up quickly.
Out of the fifteen counties in Southeast Province, Layton and Wharton were in the most difficult economic conditions, even worse than Qiaomu County, which was hit hardest by the disaster.
A surge in grain prices would hit not only the northern nobles but also the native nobles.
Take Hudson himself, for instance—he had to purchase large amounts of grain every year.
To avoid high costs, he would owe favours.
If the leader was suffering, it was no wonder his subordinates were also having a hard time.
Facing such an event, he needed to fight for his subordinates’ sake.
In fact, Hudson had long wanted to import food from overseas.
Unfortunately, his family not only lacked a port but also a fleet.
A large part of the Southeastern Province’s overseas trade was controlled by the Dalton Family.
A few other intermediate aristocrats also got their share, but the recently returned Koslow family was not among them.
As he couldn’t do it himself, he could only pin his hopes on the Governor’s Mansion.
Only with stable food prices within the province, could the Mountain Domain have the opportunity to purchase and hoard on a large scale.
Perhaps sensing his not-so-subtle hint, Viscount Caryo furrowed his brows, hesitated for a moment, and braved up to say, “Your Excellency Governor, Viscount Hudson’s proposal is good.
Food security is vitally important.
Although there’s no food shortage in the Southeastern Province, there are simply too few nobles willing to sell food at present.
In order to stabilize food prices, I suggest that the Governor’s Mansion offers rationed staple food at a fair price on a county-by-county basis, and the local lords present here can distribute it back.”
Honestly speaking, Caryo didn’t want to make this proposal.
If the issue wasn’t brought to light, the benefits he could obtain with the Dalton family controlling the food trade would only be bigger.
But he had no choice, knowing his uncle too well, Earl Piers would not possibly refuse a proposal that could help fulfill the King’s secret decree in public.
“Political correctness” is a rule that big figures must adhere to.
Especially at a time when unity is required, no one can afford to do something harmful to the cause.
Given this, Viscount Caryo naturally wanted to make a show for himself.
Wharton County was not completely under his control, and this batch of affordable food was undoubtedly a powerful tool for winning hearts.
By proposing that the supply of affordable grains should be distributed to everyone present, he could even gain favor with everyone else.
The order in which you are seated, determines your status.
Even as the nephew of the Governor, he was only put at the end of the list.
Hudson, who was also a newcomer, was put in the fifth position from the bottom.
This was certainly not a mistake made by the reception officer, but a seating order that was given after considering everyone’s comprehensive strength.
Since the order of the seats is a reflection of their strength, it also reflects the extent of their say in matters.
Being the weakest entity, if you want to establish a foothold here, giving everyone a treat would definitely not be a mistake.
Perhaps, it was also to show Earl Piers.
By acting actually, he informed his uncle that his, Caryo’s, political wisdom was not low and was worth nurturing.
After scanning everyone in the room, Earl Piers said expressionlessly, “Hmm, I will arrange this matter.
However, we are not sure about the price of foreign grains at the moment.
After taking into account the shipping costs, the cost of bringing back these grains may not be lower than the current market price, you guys should be prepared for this in advance.
If you are running short of grains, there is a batch of fish stock at the port.
They are relatively cheaper, you can send someone to purchase it.”
Fish meat, except for special varieties, most wild fish are not welcomed in the Southeastern Province.
The seafood market is even smaller.
The aristocrats who can afford it show no interest in fish.
The serfs and commoners who would like to eat these fish have no money to buy them.
Except for times of war when dried fish is stored as military food, most of the time fish is not popular.
The main reason is that fresh fish is not convenient for transport, preserving it as dried fish is simpler, but the price of salt is too high, leading to the high cost of all preserved foods.
This is naturally not a problem for the Dalton Family who monopolizes the salt trade.
But the dried fish produced, besides their own consumption, is not easy to sell on the market.
When Earl Piers mentioned it now, it was not to sell dried fish.
That little profit is not worth the attention of these local lords.
The real purpose is to warn everyone to behave.
Only if a food crisis erupts, the head honcho will extend his helping hand.
Even if they can’t buy food overseas, the Dalton Family has the capability to help and solve everyone’s food shortage.
“Surplus goods” can also mean “leftover goods.”
“Relatively cheaper,” clearly means if you play fair, you can buy cheap goods; if you don’t play fair, even if you have the money you won’t be able to buy the resources.
It was such a blatant implication that if Hudson didn’t get the hint, he would feel embarrassed sitting here.
He could not afford to think about anything else at this critical juncture.
Being able to buy enough food was the most important thing.
As for the price issue, he had long been prepared to be fleeced.
As long as the price didn’t sky-rocket, Hudson was prepared to accept it.