Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

Upon hearing the guard's report, Luo Ning frowned.

The factory district in the middle layer of the hive city is the industrial lifeline of this planet and the core foundation of his reform blueprint.

Dozens of workers jointly petitioned for an audience? This is only those who dared to stand up; the number of workers who truly have grievances and demands is at least ten times that.

A bad feeling instantly settled over him.

But he didn't show the slightest panic, he just nodded slowly: "I understand."

He turned to look at Governor Karl behind him, who immediately froze like a mouse seeing a cat, and turned to run away, but Ronin grabbed his arm in a flash.

"Your Excellency, the workers want to see you."

Luo Ning wore a kind smile and spoke politely, but he didn't loosen his grip on Karl's hand at all.

Governor Karl wasn't angry at all. Instead, he put on a fawning smile and pleaded in a low voice, "Ronin, just fool those workers. Tell them I have an upset stomach and am feeling unwell, and you can take over the reins, okay?"

"My lord, you are the governor of this city, you can't hide behind everything," Ronin advised helplessly. "The workers are just requesting an audience, they won't cause trouble, and besides, your guards are here, you can rest assured."

"I don't want to! You just solve all these problems for me!"

Ignoring Governor Karl's pig-like wails, Ronin finally half-carried, half-dragged him into the special transport cabin leading to the middle-level factory area.

The cargo hold door slowly opened, revealing that the central plaza of the mid-level factory in the Nest City was already packed with workers. It was lunch break time, as scheduled by Luo Ning for the factory workers, and upon hearing that the Governor was coming, all the workers put down their work and rushed to the plaza, waiting anxiously.

The security guards responsible for the factory area had already formed a tight human wall, their cold gun barrels pointed at the crowd, forcefully suppressing the restless atmosphere.

Looking at the dense crowd outside, Luo Ning frowned even more deeply. Although most of them were onlookers, the sheer scale of the crowd was still overwhelming.

"Ah! I'm dizzy! I can't stand up!" Governor Karl rolled his eyes and was about to collapse to the ground, but Ronin grabbed him tightly.

"Governor, so many eyes are watching you. If you're going to faint, at least wait until you've said your goodbyes!" Luo Ning whispered in his ear.

At that moment, the workers had already spotted the two people at the cabin door.

The crowd erupted in cheers, shouting loudly through the wall of defenders, the cacophony of voices blending together.

Ronin helped Karl slowly walk toward the crowd. Driven to the brink, Governor Karl finally mustered his courage and managed to put on a semblance of the dignity befitting a governor of the Nest City.

Luo Ning stood beside him, raised his hands, and shouted loudly to the crowd:

"Workers of the mid-level factories! You are the glory of the Empire. Your sweat and toil sustain the entire hive city, and you are the pride of Vatos VII! Hearing that someone wished to see the Governor, he has come! If you have suffered oppression and injustice, today, the Governor will surely stand up for you!"

In an instant, the crowd's emotions were completely ignited, and shouts rose and fell, making it impossible to hear the specific words being spoken.

"Quiet! Quiet down!" Luo Ning stepped forward, pressing his hands down. "With all of you talking at once, the Governor-General can't hear a thing. You can all see that the Governor-General has been working tirelessly for days, and his body is already at its limit. One at a time!"

He pointed to an elderly worker who was the most agitated and at the very front of the crowd: "You go first, what do you want to report to the Governor?"

"Thank you, Lord Luo Ning!" The old worker was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He never dreamed that Luo Ning would choose him first. "We've heard that the Governor's Office has recently implemented new policies in the Lower Nest District, giving the people of Lower Nest extremely high treatment, and even promoting outstanding individuals to middle management positions and granting them imperial citizenship. Is this true?"

Ronin turned to look at Governor Karl, who was staring at him with a bewildered expression. He immediately gave him a subtle wink.

Fortunately, after working together so many times, Governor Karl had already mastered Ronin's eye-tracking technique.

He cleared his throat. "What you heard is absolutely true. This is a new plan by the Governor's Office to make our Nest City operate more efficiently. It's an incentive for the Lower Nest District, and those who work diligently and are loyal to the Empire will certainly be rewarded."

He mustered his courage and finally adopted a bit of the air of a governor.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he immediately moved closer to Luo Ning and whispered, "Isn't that right?"

"That's right, well done," Luo Ning responded in a low voice.

Upon hearing the governor's affirmation, the workers erupted in a clamor that completely drowned out the whispers between the two men.

Another young worker raised his arm, loudly requesting to speak. Luo Ning gestured for him to speak.

"Lord Luo Ning, you just said that the Governor is willing to stand up for us, is that true?"

"Absolutely true!" Ronin responded loudly. "The Governor strictly adheres to the Imperial Law and is dedicated to building our home. Each and every one of you is an indispensable part of this Nest City!"

Upon hearing this, the workers immediately erupted in protest. A young worker continued, "Then why do those who have left the factory receive new policies and can improve their lives through hard work, while we mid-level technicians have no rewards or promotion opportunities?"

"We appreciate the work reforms brought about by the Governor's Office, and thank you for providing us with better treatment, more rest time, and a safer working environment!"

"But we also want to strive for a better life through our own efforts!"

"We also want to pledge our allegiance to the Empire!"

"Our efforts shouldn't be ignored!"

The workers' shouts rose and fell, and the scene descended into chaos once again.

Governor Karl's face gradually turned pale, and his hands, gripping the hem of his clothes, trembled uncontrollably. He was completely panicked and had no idea how to respond.

Luo Ning sighed softly and took another step forward.

The workers fell silent the moment they saw him, all eyes fixed on him.

"His Excellency is unwell, so I will speak on his behalf."

His voice was loud and powerful, and it carried throughout the square through the factory's loudspeakers, with every word clearly reaching the workers' ears.

"The Governor's Office has never forgotten your contributions! Your daily work reports are sent to the Governor's Office as soon as possible for the Governor's personal review. It is precisely because of the continuous hard work that the Governor has fallen ill and even speaking is extremely difficult."

His gaze swept across the faces before him, and he suddenly realized that he could remember the names and deeds of most of the people in front of him!

His mind raced through the records on the work reports, and he raised his hand to point precisely at a few people in the front row of the crowd.

"Cole, you cut your arm a few days ago due to equipment malfunction, and the Governor's Office continued to provide you with rations during your recovery, right?"

"Calvin, you've completed your production tasks flawlessly for a week straight, so you're rewarded with a serving of artificial protein, right?"

"Mira, you and your husband Kip just celebrated your wedding anniversary recently. The Governor's Mansion sent you gifts, have you forgotten!"

The workers were all stunned, staring at Luo Ning in disbelief.

As he recounted each person's outstanding performance, minor difficulties, and even trivial matters they had overlooked, this high-ranking assistant to the governor remembered everything clearly.

The workers, who were initially excited, were instantly moved to tears. Their dissatisfaction and complaints turned into guilt and gratitude.

But this time, Luo Ning doesn't intend to just offer appeasement.

The workers' demands coincided perfectly with his next reform plan.

He cleared his throat and announced loudly to the entire audience:

"Do you think that the Governor's Office, focused on the reforms in Xiachao, has neglected you? You are wrong!"

"The Governor's Mansion has long been transformed into a brand-new factory area! There is no filth and crowding like in the city. Every factory building is spacious, bright, and clean with a constant temperature. There are independent rest areas and ecological gardens. The air is filtered through a purification system and is as clean as an ancient paradise."

"They provide dedicated nutrition supplies, a stable power supply, and even a private and comfortable room for each worker, allowing their families to move in as well!"

"All of this is for you! Soon, the Governor's Office will launch the first batch of skilled worker promotion programs. The most diligent and loyal workers to the Empire will move their entire families to the new factory and enjoy unprecedented benefits!"

Upon hearing Luo Ning's words, the entire square fell into a deathly silence.

It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.