Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 5 The Beginning of Greed
Next, we started work, gathering the carpenters from before, and sure enough, we encountered some trouble.

Su Mu looked at the few old carpenters with shifty eyes and hunched backs, and just paced back and forth without saying a word.

“Sir, as you know, Wood is ruthless. It’s already quite an achievement that he managed to bring these few people here.”

Xiao Jiu looked embarrassed, but still told the truth. The people at the forest farm didn't think much of Su Mu, and Wood even said that anyone who dared to work here could forget about staying.

Not only is there a personnel problem, but the cutting and gathering tools underfoot are also broken and mostly rusty. With such tools, they probably won't even be able to gather 300 pieces of wood.

Su Mu sat on the wide chair and said slowly, "Tell the people who worked for me before that they will get triple pay. If they win, I will be the forest owner. I will remember those who don't come."

"Take this money and get some new tools; Forrest has the connections."

He tossed a large bag of silver coins directly to Xiao Jiu.

The clanging and banging sounds echoed throughout the camp, instantly energizing everyone.

"Okay, I'll go find Forrest and make sure the mission is accomplished."

After about half a day, the tools and equipment arrived, and most of the people came, so the collection work began.

Although Forrest was not on-site, he accompanied the team to provide on-site guidance, ensuring that each process was completed.

With everything in place, the effects of the logging skill, combined with the basic governance skill, result in extremely high timber gathering efficiency, guaranteeing 1000 ebony per day.

Meanwhile, Wood's team next door, despite relentlessly pushing their workers day and night, suffered heavy losses due to the presence of wild beasts at night, which also delayed their construction progress.

It seems that the gap between the two sides is widening, and Su Mu has already secured victory.

But on the fourth day, something unexpected happened.

Several older carpenters approached Su Mu and explained, "Many wild animals have suddenly appeared in the logging area, and the forest roads have been damaged. There have been problems with the processing of the collected wood, and today's output is expected to be greatly reduced."

Su Mu pondered for a moment and asked, "What about Forrest? These procedures should be something he's good at, right?"

The carpenters stammered before finally saying, "Forrest took the money and went to buy more wine; he hasn't come back all night."

Good heavens, he's a heavy drinker, and at such a crucial moment, he's still hungover and won't come home.

But considering Forrest's reputation for integrity, he would definitely do his job once he took the money. Why would he suddenly go out drinking?

Just as Su Mu was pondering this, the carpenters began to confide in him: "Sir, you may not know much about Forrest. His skills have always been impeccable, but he is notorious for his drinking and greed."

He was usually strict with the processing, but once he drank, he started acting unreasonably and giving orders haphazardly.

"They said they would arrange suitable people, but in reality, it was people close to him who had secretly handed over money long ago."

Those tools and equipment were also bought and sold through acquaintances, with kickbacks involved; you shouldn't use these kinds of people frequently.

Su Mu possesses the ability to observe auras, which allows him to discern Forrest's characteristics and helps him understand this subordinate. However, when it comes to his specific conduct and public opinion, it's necessary to solicit opinions widely.

Although it was anticipated that subordinates with obvious flaws would be troublesome, it was unexpected that they would abandon their responsibilities at a crucial moment.

After all, everyone has their flaws. Su Mu gave him so many silver coins and didn't even ask Forrest to be particularly dedicated, just to get through the current difficulties.

Thinking of this, Su Mu was quite angry and impulsively wanted to go and beat up the other party before finding a suitable replacement.

Su Mu waved his hand, dismissing the carpenters, and sat there calming down for a long time.

Based on my interactions with Forrest over the past few days, he does have problems with alcoholism and greed, but he's not as ungrateful as he seems.

He knew perfectly well that if he pulled this stunt at the crucial moment of the competition, he would lose and the forest farm would have no place for him anymore.

After thinking for a moment, Su Mu called Xiao Jiu over.

“Tell me, Forrest is your master, you should know more, tell me everything you know.”

Xiao Jiu looked embarrassed, presumably knowing the whole story. After hesitating for a long time, he sighed and said, "My master wasn't like this before. A few years ago, he was the most famous production master in the forest farm. He was very proficient in all the techniques of logging. Any process supervised by him would not make a mistake."

But the losses in those years were huge. No matter how much timber was produced, it was all given to the people behind the scenes by the forestry owner. Because of this, he could only exploit these carpenters. His master couldn't rest for a single day. Even if he was sick, he had to work as long as he wasn't dead. It was just empty talk that he would be promoted to production supervisor later. "Speaking of this, Xiao Jiu also glanced at Su Mu.

The position of production supervisor at the forest farm was actually obtained by the predecessor when he had powerful connections. In that sense, he had unintentionally taken Forrest's job.

However, even without Su Mu, there would be Li Mu. This kind of lucrative position is not something an ordinary person like him can hold, but Su Mu doesn't quite understand it.

"He's worked here for so many years, even if he didn't become a manager, he's still quite well-off. Even if the forestry owner exploits him, he can simply quit. Why is he willing to put up with it?"

Xiao Jiu gave a helpless, bitter smile: "Master, you are all-powerful and have powerful backers. We poor carpenters rely entirely on the lump of soup the forestry owner gives us to eat. No one dares to defy him. If we lose our jobs, we have to support our whole families. What does that little bit of dignity mean to us?"

As for his master, the situation was somewhat different. He previously had a wife who suffered from an illness due to overwork and needed money for medical treatment. Therefore, he had to work tirelessly to earn money to support his family.

Xiao Jiu paused, his face darkening. "The situation changed quickly. Master's wife became pregnant. To ensure their livelihood and safety, she stayed home to rest completely, leaving Master to earn money alone."

About seven months later, the teacher's wife suddenly fell ill with a strange disease. A carpenter told him to go back home immediately.

But during that period, nobles from Longletburg came searching for some treasure, and the forest owner wouldn't let his master rest. He even sent troops to blockade the entire forest.

Having no other option, the master had to ask someone else to look after the child, and he even took out all his money.

At this point, Su Mu probably already knew how things would turn out, and he even vaguely guessed what kind of treasure the other party was looking for.

"My teacher's wife's condition has worsened, and the only way to treat her is with magic, but that little money is simply not enough."

When the lockdown is lifted a month later, and Master returns, it will already be... it will already be...

"After that incident, my master became greedy and an alcoholic, frequently going to taverns, and his hands and feet were no longer as nimble as before. After a serious production accident, the forestry owner ordered him to be exiled and never employed again."

Forrest was indeed talented, but in the eyes of the lumberyard owner, he was merely a useful tool. When he was no longer useful, he was discarded.

It wasn't just Forrest; the carpenters and the farmers of Kuraki were all consuming materials.

In the world of heroes, without becoming a hero, one has no voice.

Su Mu nodded and said softly, "I understand, I will handle it."

Xiao Jiu was about to leave when he hesitated for a long time before saying with difficulty, "In the past, some people have come to Master. When he is sober, he can work without any problem. But once he starts drinking, he always needs to recover for a while. There are basically no exceptions."

Although I have told you the story of my master, we are now at a critical juncture. If you have other suitable candidates, I suggest you change them in time.

Although those carpenters were harsh in their words, they were very honest.

"We've already offended the guard captain by coming here to work for you for three wages; everyone hopes you win!"

Su Mu carefully examined the conflicted person in front of him.

Xiao Jiu was wearing a thin windbreaker and worn-out straw sandals. Her legs below the knees were covered in thick mud and bloodstains, and her hair was a mess, as if she hadn't taken care of it for several days.

At that moment, he perhaps represented not only himself, but also the hopes of his entire family. That contradiction and entanglement coalesced in his expression and gestures, transforming into a sigh.

In truth, they weren't that willing to make such a decision. The reason they were willing to come to Sumu was because they were being ostracized at the forest farm and were about to lose their jobs. They had even worked for Sumu in the previous round and were already remembered. If they hadn't been driven to desperation, how could they have dared to take such a gamble?

Everyone knows the lumberyard owner's temperament; Forrest's example serves as a warning. Since death is inevitable either way, it's better to fight to the death.

The premise is that Su Mu wins.

Without Forrest's lumberjacking talent, the Archon traits will be greatly diminished, which is why this class is criticized in the early game.

Only by using the right people and using them well can the abilities of the governing officials be brought into full play.

Finding another character with unique traits would be difficult for him now. If he uses an ordinary person, like Xiao Jiu, to stabilize morale and ensure basic production, is there any chance of victory?

Su Mu felt that Wood's group was not so simple, and if he wanted to win, he had to do his best.

He decided to help Forrest not because he pitied him, but because he deserved a chance.

Following the new book is very important, so I hope everyone will click in and take a look, and give it your support! Thank you!
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(End of this chapter)