Given Fukurokuju's experience, it was difficult for Ian to explain what changing the mode of production meant.
Farming had no future, especially in the small peasant economy of feudal times, where men farmed and women wove.
To truly increase a country's wealth, industry had to be developed.
And besides technology, industry also needed workers as its foundation.
Especially in the early stages of industrialization, labor was the most crucial factor.
In his previous life, Britain had launched the vigorous Enclosure Movement precisely to drive farmers off their land and into factories, turning them into the force behind industrial upgrading.
That was what Ian intended to do now as well.
However, while providing labor, there was one more thing that needed to be done.
Ian went to see Teacher Kai.
"You came at just the right time, kid."
Teacher Kai was unusually not drinking today, but what he said still made Ian's mouth twitch. "It has been a few days since I last gave you a lesson, hasn't it?"
Hadn't he beaten us up the day Oden was defeated?
Ian grumbled inwardly.
But business came first.
"Teacher Kai, I need your support."
"My support?"
Teacher Kai frowned slightly. "What are you trying to do, kid?"
Ian truthfully told Teacher Kai about the two orders he had just issued.
Kaido burst into laughter after hearing them. "Aren't you doing just fine, kid? That's right! This country doesn't need samurai or farmers. It only needs to be turned into my factories and mines."
"I don't think that's enough, Teacher Kai."
Yet that was what Ian said.
"Hm?"
The man who had been laughing just moments ago frowned.
"Population is the most important resource."
Ian said, "If we leave things alone, Wano Country's population will wither away within a few years. Then no factory will be able to operate."
"So what are you trying to say, kid?"
"I hope the factories and mines can reduce their workload to a level ordinary people can bear, and that the workers employed there can be paid wages."
Ian said, "They don't need much, just enough to support themselves and their families."
"Hmph. Reduce the workload? And make me take profits out to subsidize those scraps?"
Teacher Kai snorted. "What kind of stupid nonsense are you talking about, kid? They only need to work in the factories like slaves."
"Teacher Kai."
Ian continued to argue his case. "Even slaves cannot work diligently if their survival isn't guaranteed."
"I'll use blades and guns to make them give it their all."
"One day or two might work, but what about one year or two? They already have nothing. If they can't even stay alive, how can we threaten them? When the people do not fear death, how can death be used to frighten them? And under those circumstances, how will they have children? Ten or twenty years from now, who will work for us?"
Teacher Kai frowned slightly.
"At the very least, they need to see hope of survival."
Ian said, "If the workload isn't enough, recruit more workers. We only need to pay them wages, and let them solve all other problems themselves."
"People trapped in hardship will never let go once they see even a sliver of hope. Wages are that sliver of hope."
People without hope feared nothing, but salaried workers were different.
"You brat!"
Teacher Kai examined Ian with a look of great surprise.
He had actually sensed a kind of passion from this kid!
What the hell was this?
"And besides, Teacher Kai."
Ian said earnestly, "Didn't you say that everything in this country would be left to me?"
"I also said that your most important task was becoming stronger." Teacher Kai snorted.
"I won't neglect becoming stronger either."
Ian said, "But I think doing this will make the Beasts Pirates even stronger."
This kid was actually getting stubborn in front of me?
"Interesting. Do as you like, then."
Teacher Kai chuckled and spoke casually. "But I'll say it again: as long as it doesn't affect the Weapon Factory's business. If you can't manage that, don't blame me for being merciless!"
"I also hope Uncle Queen can help."
Ian grinned and pressed his advantage. "Help improve the Weapon Factory's technology, reduce pollution, and develop some agricultural machinery while he's at it. We need to drive large numbers of farmers into the factories, but agricultural production can't be neglected either. Machines will have to replace manual labor."
The agricultural population could decrease, but agricultural output could not.
Otherwise, Wano Country still could not feed itself.
"You brat, worororororo!"
Teacher Kai laughed instead of getting angry.
This was the first time he had seen Ian take something other than becoming stronger so seriously.
Even Kaido found it somewhat surprising.
"Go find Queen yourself."
"Teacher Kai, I truly respect you!"
Ian was thoroughly satisfied.
"But before that—"
Teacher Kai stood up, his gaze turning hostile. "Let me see how much you've improved lately!"
It had only been a few days. How much improvement could there be?
But Teacher Kai had been so generous, so Ian could not lose face either.
"I'll go get Yamato."
Right. Good brothers shared hardships.
After being thoroughly beaten up again, Ian was too exhausted to even use his abilities. Bruised and battered, he went to find Queen.
After explaining why he had come—
"Huh?"
The fat on Uncle Queen's face trembled with rage. "You little bastard really know how to pile work on me! Where am I supposed to find the time to research this weird nonsense for you?"
"This is Teacher Kai's decision."
Ian emphasized the authority behind it, then added softly, "Uncle Queen, don't you think that compared to destruction, creation and construction are ultimately more fulfilling?"
"What stupid nonsense are you talking about?"
Uncle Queen glared at him without a shred of politeness. "Go say that to Vegapunk and his oversized head! I'm not interested!"
"Oh?"
Ian feigned surprise. "Uncle Queen, are you saying only Vegapunk can do something like this, and you can't? But we can't find Vegapunk. Does that mean we'll have to ask Teacher Kai to find Vinsmoke Judge? Uncle Queen, didn't you say you did research together? Can you contact him?"
"Huh? Vegapunk? Judge?"
Now all the fat on Uncle Queen's body was trembling. He shot to his feet, furious. "You brat really dare to say that! Fine! Just you wait! I'll show you what a world-class scientist is!"
The corner of Ian's mouth curled upward.
As everyone knew, every top scientist in this world harbored resentment toward Vegapunk. Jealousy and recognition coexisted, and they would spare no effort to surpass him.
And Uncle Queen was still obsessed with Vinsmoke Judge.
In any case, his objective had been perfectly achieved.
"However—"
Uncle Queen suddenly turned back and looked at Ian in surprise. "Isn't there something different about you, kid?"
Was this kid supposed to be this proactive?
The next day.
Noon.
Ian stood on the terrace at the top floor of the castle tower, looking down at the square below.
A small platform had been temporarily erected in the square outside the castle tower. A bound man knelt upon it.
That was Shimotsuki Yasuie.
Today was the day of his public execution.
Most of Wano Country's former shoguns and daimyo were already dead. Only he remained.
There was no point in keeping him alive, and this man still held considerable prestige among Wano Country's samurai.
So he had to be executed.
"Your Majesty!"
At that moment, the paper door slid open, and Fukurokuju entered respectfully. "They have arrived."
Ian did not even turn around. "Let them in."
"Yes."
Fukurokuju turned with his back bent, calling outside the door, "His Majesty permits you to enter."
Outside, three men dressed in white suits, draped in white cloaks, and wearing masks slowly walked in.
Ian finally turned around. "Welcome to Wano Country, government envoys of CP0."
The three CP0 agents were also sizing Ian up.
The leader wore a Goat Mask. He gave Ian a slight bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you, His Majesty Ian."
He really was just a child.
That was exactly Kaido's style.
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