"Isn't there anything that would work quickly? Something that would let most ordinary people know you're trying to help them? After all, you didn't become 'mayor' through normal means." Anke looked at Eric and thought for a moment before asking.
He had a vague sense that the problem the Old Master had raised was real, and Eric's proposed solution hadn't convinced him.
"I'm not the mayor. I'm the chairman of the Special Military Committee," Eric said, looking at him. "But do you have any suggestions?"
"Well..." Anke thought about what it would take to win him over. "You could arrange treatment for people who are seriously ill. You just said that fifty percent of people have negative net worth. Couldn't you simply cancel their debts? All those debts are owed to the Rockwell Energy Group anyway, aren't they? Couldn't you take over the Rockwell Energy Group's factories?"
If Eric could cure his mother and wipe out his family's debts, Anke wouldn't just support him. He would get on his knees and thank him.
Something else occurred to him. "And the army. You need to keep control of the army too, and get rid of the people who oppose you, right?"
"What you're suggesting doesn't follow proper procedure or economic principles. If I forced it through, people would call me an autocrat. As for the army, Davis will take care of everything. You can trust him." Eric rubbed his brow and sighed. "I'll consider what you've said. Is there anything else you need?"
Anke knew Eric didn't want to continue the discussion. He nodded and changed the subject. "Could you arrange an airship ticket to Visen for me? Or a place with a caravan?"
He raised his wristband and said quietly, "My ticket was for two o'clock, but it's already four."