Volume 2: Empire Chapter 59: An irresistible temptation
Luke fulfilled his promise, and all of Rachel's companions were released, and the Government Office of Nutao City even gave them some funds for activities. These measures surprised the radical liberals, and they didn't know what the Acting Governor of Nutao City wanted to do.
But since they were allowed to speak freely, these young people were naturally not polite. They printed a large number of leaflets and set up podiums in crowded places. They used impassioned speeches to denounce the various harsh policies of the empire and denounce the injustice of aristocratic privileges. They praised the superiority of free countries and described it as a world where everyone is equal and everyone has opportunities.
According to their propaganda experience in other places, their speeches can easily attract the support of some local middle and lower class people, and even some businessmen who are dissatisfied with the status quo will provide them with help and funds.
In the past, the City of Raging Waves was on the road to freedom and was a beacon leading the future of the empire. But the arrival of the meteorite caused the City of Raging Waves to reverse its history. He was appointed as the acting governor of the City of Raging Waves, which dragged this city with a bright future back into darkness.
So the liberals came, expecting a hero's welcome.
But... without the plainclothes officers from the Sheriff's Department, the audience for their speeches were just a few ragged homeless people.
The leaflets they distributed were thrown everywhere.
The only interference from the Public Security Bureau is to ask them to clean up the place and not destroy the city's hygiene.
Rachel felt that the pain in her heart was more painful than the pain in her body.
Why?
Young liberals can't figure it out.
At this time, a carriage stopped beside the podium, and a well-dressed servant came over: "Miss Rachel, my master wants you to come over and meet him."
The carriage was very ornately decorated, and there was a group of horseback guards around it who looked like they were not to be trifled with. The liberal young people immediately surrounded it to prevent Rachel from being attacked.
Rachel looked at the carriage warily, then asked the attendant, "Who is your master?"
"My master is of a very noble status. You will get the answer when you meet him. Don't worry... Without the approval of Governor Meteorite, no one in Raging Waves City dares to harm you."
"Okay, I'll go see this lord." Rachel stopped her companions from following her and followed the servants to the carriage.
The car door opened, and inside sat a fat and greasy man, wearing a tailor-made tuxedo, a top hat, a fine cane, and gemstone rings on his fingers.
A complete upstart.
Rachel responded to the fat man's smile by bowing slightly before getting into the carriage.
The car door closed.
Rachel sat across from the fat man with full vigilance, and then asked, "Who are you, sir? What do you want from me?"
"My name is Ibul, a senator of the Upper Council of Nutao City, the chief financial officer of Nutao City, and the most trusted and closest friend of Governor Meteorite." The fat man is Ibul. After introducing himself, he said to Rachel, "This is a private meeting. I think I can answer some of your questions."
Rachel didn't expect that the person opposite her was actually one of the five senators of Raging Waves City. Compared with Meteorite and Viscount Iscolan whom she had met, this person's image greatly lowered the overall level of the Upper House of Raging Waves City.
"Did Governor Meteorite ask you to come see me?"
Facing Rachel's vigilance, Senator Ibel smiled and said, "No, the Governor-General didn't know about this meeting. I wanted to talk to you purely on a whim when I passed by here.
Because in terms of understanding your liberal ideas, I should be the one who has the deepest understanding in Raging Waves City, except for the Governor of Meteor. You may not imagine that when I first faced the privileges of the nobility, I also firmly believed that only free competition could bring out my business talents. "
Rachel said, "But you became the new nobility, using your paid privileges to suppress your competitors."
"You have to admit that buying a title with money is fair to everyone in the empire. And the purpose of my meeting with you is not to talk about my history of making a fortune. I saw that your speech was very bad. Do you want to know the reason?"
Rachel looked out the window at her frustrated companions and asked unwillingly, "Why?"
"Because the quality of life of the citizens of Nutao City is better than that of the free countries you mentioned. In Nutao City, a ten-hour work system is enforced, and Sunday is a statutory rest day for all industries except for special positions.
Do you think the citizens of Raging Waves will abandon the ten-hour workday and return to working fourteen or even twenty hours a day? "
Rachel retorted: " Did the factory owners agree to the forced implementation of the ten-hour work system? I don't disagree that this is a good system, but... but it obviously did not seek the consent of the factory owners, who are the main force driving the development of world civilization."
Rachel's words made Ibel shake his head helplessly: "You people have self-righteous thoughts, but you are far away from real life.
My factory was the first to implement the ten-hour workday, and I found that my order fulfillment speed did not slow down but accelerated. The pass rate was higher than I expected, and the workers no longer secretly damaged the machines.
So I used the money for recruiting supervisors to recruit a group of workers. The factory still worked 20 hours a day. I didn't pay much extra wages, but the production capacity doubled.
Do you think I would resist the ten-hour day?"
Rachel looked unconvinced: "How is this possible?"
"I don't know why, but this is the most amazing thing about the Governor of Meteorite. And as the chief financial officer of the city, I also found that the expansion of factories has brought a large number of jobs. Workers have more private time, which drives up the consumption power of the entire city.
With more tax revenue, the city can invest more money in scientific research and improve urban infrastructure. And the people who can benefit the most from this are factory owners like us.
I'm telling you in secret, many of the countries you think are free are sending people to Raging Tide City to study."
Ibel's last words made Rachel's face burn.
Although she was reluctant to admit it, her experiences over the past few days told her that no one in Nutao City believed what they said.
People here have a higher sense of superiority!
"I still don't understand..."
"I can't understand it either! How can such vitality burst out after returning to the dictatorial and privileged Raging Waves City?
Governor Meteorite brought miracles here.
I can only give you these answers. If you want to know more, you should go to the Governor-General."
Rachel's impression of Ibul changed greatly. She stood up and saluted: "Thank you for your explanation. We know too little about this city. I will go to the Governor of Meteorite and hope he can answer all my questions."
"Goodbye, Miss Rachel. Good luck!"
Rachel got out of the car, and after watching the carriage leave, she asked her companions to dismantle the podium. Then she hailed a taxi and went to the Palazzo Sissi.
Luke has been very busy these days.
A batch of Unit-01 all-metal warships will be completed soon. In addition to the five delivered to the Navy of Raging Waves City, the other seven were all given to Lady Tasia's anti-smuggling fleet. The strike against the Leo Navy will officially begin. After completely controlling a waterway leading to Leo's homeland, it will be more convenient for Raging Waves City to supply the Watcher Restoration Army.
The first batch of mercenaries from the Polaris Mercenary Group are arriving in Raging Waves City one after another. Luke has repeatedly reviewed the equipment and training given to them to ensure that they will not suffer too much loss after landing in Rio, laying a solid foundation for the adaptation of subsequent mercenaries.
During this period, Luke also met with Pan several times to discuss the support given to him by the City of Raging Fire and the World Bank's investment projects in the City of Raging Fire.
Yin was mainly in charge of the investment in the Cape District, so Luke naturally met Yin many times.
In the temporary office of the Sissey Palace, Yin introduced a gift from the World Bank to Luke.
A blueprint was spread out on the desk.
"This place is right next to Cape Harbor. The high terrain allows you to see the entire port area. If you choose to locate the Governor's Office here, all the materials can be transferred from the renovated port, which can greatly reduce the construction costs.
Of course, the World Bank will pay for the project, as a thank you gift from us."
As Yin released magic, the three-dimensional design of the Governor's Palace emerged from the blueprint.
The Governor's Mansion is located on a hill near Cape Harbor. It overlooks not only the sea scenery but also the entire Cape area. The Governor's Mansion is mainly white in color, and the style is based on the traditional imperial castle with many modern large window designs.
There are many details that show the designer is very attentive.
Luke noticed Yin's expression. She seemed to like the Governor's Palace more than he did.
"Thank you World Bank, and thank you and Pan. I want to build Raging Waves City into a dual-core city. It is a great idea to build the Governor's Mansion here, and the style is also very beautiful."
Yin was even happier to receive the compliment. She used the magician's hand to adjust the position and size of the three-dimensional design, and explained in detail to Luke the functions of the rooms inside, as well as her ideas and suggestions for decoration.
But Yin hasn't realized yet that she is now like a hostess who is thinking about how to decorate her new home.
Just like she didn't know what her special feeling towards Luke was, and when it appeared in her heart. Pan's indulgence and even implicit support made her unaware of how dangerous it was, and how taboo it was for the Shining Gold People.
Luke did what he could, but some things can't be stopped just by wanting to.
Luke, who was full of thoughts, couldn't help but take out a candy from his pocket.
Yin watched Luke peel off the candy wrapper and put the candy in his mouth, and her eyes seemed to have added a beautiful look: "Have you been eating the candy I gave you?"
Luke looked at the empty candy wrapper in his hand and said, "I've been eating it... I remember what you said, eat a piece of candy when you want to smoke. I have to admit that this kind of candy is very effective in quitting smoking. I even forgot what cigarettes taste like."
Hearing that she had helped Luke quit smoking, Yin was even happier: "When I had nothing to do, I made some more of these candies, and added a lot of flavors. I originally wanted to send them to Saint Lun City, I'll bring them to you tomorrow."
"Okay, I'm almost done with the candy you gave me last time..."
Luke and Yin looked at each other, and the atmosphere in the room gradually heated up.
At this time, a servant knocked on the door and said: Miss Rachel visits.
Yin was so scared that she immediately looked away, her cheeks flushed with heat. She said to Luke in a panic, "You have a visitor, so I won't disturb you. We can talk about the rest tomorrow... I'll bring the candy."
Luke also retracted his emotion that almost crossed the line: "Okay, see you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Yin left Luke's office in a panic, and a moment later Rachel came in with the servants.
Luke sorted out his thoughts that were disturbed by the sound and reminded himself not to hurt others or himself.
Then he asked Rachel to sit opposite him: "You came to see me much earlier than I expected."
Rachel's attitude towards Luke was completely different from the last time they met. The facts she saw challenged the beliefs she had always believed in.
"I met with Senator Ibel, and he told me a lot of things, which made me understand why you dared to allow us to promote free ideas in Fury City.
In fact, before meeting Senator Ibrahim, I also talked to other citizens. "
Luke nodded: "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Young people should have their own ideals, but they should also travel more, see more... and practice more."
Luke's words touched Rachel deeply: "Yes, we know too little about Raging Waves. It is a magical city. But... I think its current achievements are due to rulers like you.
Just like a monarchy, a wise monarch can bring prosperity to the country, but if the City of Rage is replaced by a foolish governor, the city may decline rapidly.
Only under the rules of free competition can we ensure that the ruling class of a country or a city is always managed by smart people. "
"You are absolutely right! In fact, I support you liberals."
Rachel thought along the way and prepared a lot of arguments for a heated debate with Meteorite. Unexpectedly, when she had enough ammunition and was about to go all out, the other party turned out to be her own?
Rachel opened her mouth, not knowing what to say, and finally squeezed out a sentence: "You, you support liberals?"
"Of course, otherwise why would I let you all go? Wouldn't it be easier to lock you all up in the mine?"
"But..." Rachel still couldn't understand: "You are the acting governor of Nutao City appointed by the Emperor of the Empire, a senior official of the Secret Service, and a Royal Knight."
“Does this affect my support for liberals?”
Rachel was speechless, so she had to ask: "What is your purpose?"
"I want you to know that the current empire is not one where you can realize your ideals just by shouting a few slogans.
Those free nations did not just shout slogans, they all experienced bloodshed and sacrifice, and it was the victory of the free army over the aristocratic army. "
Rachel said: "Of course we know that our propaganda is to gain more support. Once there are enough people supporting us, we can launch an uprising and declare war on the royal power and the nobles!
Let all be free!"
Luke smiled and said, “If you are determined to sacrifice yourself for freedom, I think now is the best time.
I know something you don't know. The Empire is currently locked in a bitter battle with the Tedega Hills, and the banditry on the Western Front is also very serious. It can be said that for a long time to come, the Empire's internal control will be reduced to the lowest level in history.
If you start an uprising around Raging Tide City, I can provide your Free Army with a lot of weapons and supplies..."
Rachel stared, she didn't believe what she heard... But with the support of Raging Wave City, the liberals would definitely be able to quickly form an army of their own.
This temptation is hard to resist!
