Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 487: Open Robbery
There is a certain contradiction between the short-term food shortage crisis and the long-term development policy of absorbing foreign population... In a sense, this is the bottleneck that we need to face at present.

If Harvey remembered correctly, ever since the border conflict between Saint Valen and Daeus broke out in late autumn last year, the entire central southern border countries had generally entered a period of soaring food prices. Not only were prices increased dramatically, but many chambers of commerce that heard the news also secretly stockpiled food, preparing to raise prices after winter to make a fortune.

Importing grain at high prices can only temporarily alleviate the urgent need in the short term, and it is definitely unaffordable in the long run... Even several southern chambers of commerce, headed by the Dragon Stone Chamber of Commerce, which have always had close relations with Harvey, have written letters to apologize to Harvey.

The autumn harvest is less than a month or two away, and no one has much surplus food. If it's just enough wheat to feed a few thousand people, maybe some can be shipped over, but any more will not be enough.

It is better to rely on oneself than on others. The food reserves in Xinghuo City have not yet reached the warning line. It is not a problem to barely hold on until the end of the month - the first harvest of the Dongtuo base can be regarded as an increase in income. What is more important now is to consider how to "cut costs".

In response to this, Reiner proposed a relatively feasible solution - reduce the food supply in various places, strictly control the amount of food people buy, and only allow foreign grain dealers to bring in but not take out. At the same time, reduce the quota of processed food... First, ensure that the people have enough to eat, and if they want to eat well, they can only wait until the harvest at the Dongtuo base.

But doing so is obviously suspected of violating the original promise made to the people. It's okay for newly annexed cities like Jinhui City and Fengyuan City... but the people of Xinghuo City and Grizzly Castle, who have long entered a well-off life, may find it difficult to buy into it. It has always been easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. If they are used to eating white bread every day and suddenly switch to drinking oatmeal porridge, there is no guarantee that there will not be panic caused by food shortages.

When a high-level meeting was held in Harvey's castle the next day, Asdalen proposed a solution that made Harvey very excited.

"This same problem actually occurred to the Kingdom of Eternal Night when they first migrated to the depths of the wasteland." Astaron's eyes flickered with the fire of his soul, as if lost in distant memories. "The migrating group of wizards and bloodline followers also encountered a food shortage. In order to build the magnificent City of Eternal Night... they unscrupulously recruited many refugees from the wasteland, but ultimately found it difficult to feed them."

"Well, judging by the scale of the Eternal Night Ruins, the number of refugees who participated in the city's construction was probably no less than 10,000." Harvey nodded, his tone somewhat sad. "Plus, it's impossible to grow food in the wasteland or the frozen sea. It's difficult to ensure a continuous supply by relying solely on fishing and hunting."

Asdalen chuckled and said slowly, "So... when food is scarce before winter, the city managers will turn their attention to the large number of evil orc tribes."

Reiner was stunned. "You mean..."

Harvey knocked his hand on the table, then took over the conversation in a deep voice, "By robbing... The evil orcs are naturally adept at raising livestock and have enslaved many refugees from the wastelands to cultivate the land for them. If you rob them in the fall, when the cattle and sheep are fat, you'll definitely return with a bountiful harvest."

"But the evil orcs are spread out over a vast area in the wasteland, and the tribes are also very scattered. Although the total population seems very large... it would be quite time-consuming and laborious to wipe out each small tribe one by one."

Moreover, Pierce is still stationed in the old capital, and the soldiers sent to various places in the southern border to fight have not returned yet. The actual combat force available in Spark City is not sufficient.

Harvey shook his head. "Honestly, I don't take the demonic orcs seriously."

He stood up and walked over to the map hanging on the wall. He pointed, directing everyone's attention from the wasteland back to the southern border. "When the border conflict broke out between Saint Valen and Daeus, the border duke of the neighboring country, Barclay, suddenly sent troops in the name of the church and launched a campaign against several cities and regions in southern Saint Valen, especially Silverpine City and Black Mountain Port... These two places are considered the granaries of the duchy!"

Although the Border Duke of Barclay quietly withdrew his troops without any sense of the situation as the news of the fall of Jinhui City and the defeat of the Church's Inquisition Legion in the old royal capital spread, the large amount of food and goods he looted was a real profit.

At present, the three combat units of the Northern Army are all at the junction of Silverpine City, Black Mountain Port and the border of the three countries!

"I heard that the Border Duke Barclay, in order to justify his campaign, recruited many nobles from across the country to join him in the war. He resorted to all sorts of tactics to plunder the southern part of the principality, and everyone was reaping the benefits." Asdalen said with some disdain. "If we defeat them one by one, the benefits will definitely be greater than robbing those barbaric evil orc tribes." Reiner hesitated for a moment, then said, "If that's the case... wouldn't it be considered that we're actively invading our neighboring country?"

Harvey said nonchalantly, "Taking back what they took from us is called debt collection!"

Of course, it is reasonable to charge some additional interest in the process of "debt collection" - as long as the action is fast and secretive enough, there will be no time for the Barkley Capital to react, and the harvest will be enough to refill the granary of Spark City.

Moreover, if I remember correctly, the founding member of the Spellcaster Forum codenamed "Earth-loving One" was born into the Barkley royal family and was a high-level spellcaster who held a high position and worldly power.

Mr. "Favoured One of the Earth" himself had clearly stood on his own side in the forum referendum. Faced with the "traitorous" princes in his own country who were inclined towards the church, he must have been hoping that Harvey would take action to eliminate them for him.

Thinking of this, Harvey suddenly had an idea... He hadn't appeared in the Spellcaster Forum for a long time. Even the daily forum management work was mostly handed over to Asdalen. He also needed to find some free time to attend the weekend exchange meeting to re-explore their current attitude and direction.

……

After finishing the high-level meeting, Harvey immediately returned to his study.

He opened the magic brain instrument and logged into the forum with ease. He happened to find the code name "Earth-loving One" hanging high in the list showing the online status.

Harvey didn't hesitate and immediately sent him a request for private communication, and soon received a response from the other party.

[Kel'Thuzad: Mr. Earthbender, excuse me for interrupting you... I have a practical question I'd like to ask you for an answer.]

[Earth-loving One: Haha, it's an honor to have this opportunity to speak privately with Mr. "Agent." If there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask.]

Harvey couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth and smile slightly. The impression this founding member of the forum had always left on him was that he was gentle and polite. Moreover, as a spellcaster of noble birth, his stance was very upright. Although he was unwilling to get close to the Federation faction, he did not directly turn to the church.

This can be seen from the fact that he initially offered to help the forum members to attack and kill the church witch hunters in Barkley. In the subsequent forum referendum, he also promised to use the power in his hands to help the Federation expel the church forces in the country.

Kel'Thuzad: Free help is not in line with the purpose of this forum. I currently need detailed information on the Grand Duke of the Border Principality of Barclay, including his birth name, family background, fiefdom power, armed forces, and other information. As for the price in exchange, please feel free to propose it.

It is not difficult to gather information about a neighboring prince in the real world. Even if Harvey lets his "secret police" do it, it will only take a few more days. However, he took the initiative to ask the "Earth-loving One" in the forum in order to indirectly test his attitude and opinion.

It is necessary to beat the dog, but it is necessary to ask the suspected owner's attitude first, as it is necessary courtesy.

(End of this chapter)