Responsibility

Karl raised his hand, signaling Edgar, who was about to immediately arrange the establishment of the Organization Department, to be patient. "Edgar, don't rush. The Organization Department is important, but there's another matter concerning people's livelihood and market stability that you need to plan together."

Edgar stopped and looked at him intently. "Please speak, sir."

"I just reached a basic cooperation framework with those merchants from Grimm, but this is only a temporary measure, a way out for them."

"I force them to abide by the rules and not act recklessly, which can keep them in check for a while, but it's not a fundamental solution. Merchants are driven by profit, and as long as there is profit to be made, they will always try to expand, even at the cost of taking risks. We cannot rely entirely on the self-discipline of merchants and our deterrence to control the market that is vital to people's lives."

He stated unequivocally, "Therefore, we must have our own government-run shops! We must seize the initiative!"

Edgar immediately understood Karl's meaning. "Does Your Excellency mean that our Lord's Residence should personally get involved in the management?"

"That's right!" Karl affirmed. "Government-run shops mainly deal in the most essential commodities such as salt, iron, and grain. Their purpose is not to make money, but to stabilize prices, maintain market stability, and ensure supply. In critical moments, they can become a trump card in our hands."

He elaborated on the specific operations. "Regarding grain, we can purchase it in small batches from licensed merchants like Grimm, by different people, to avoid attracting their attention and causing price fluctuations."

"Most of the acquired grain was stored in our own official granaries, mainly for ensuring the distribution of rations, the salaries of officials, and disaster relief. In this way, we had a certain strategic reserve."

"At the same time, government-run shops also set aside a small portion of grain to sell publicly at the same price as private shops, four Silver coin per hundred kilograms. We don't need to make money from this; we can even break even or suffer a slight loss. The purpose is to let the people know that, in addition to private merchants, there are also shops in the Lord's Residence where they can buy grain at affordable prices, thus establishing our credibility and influence."

Karl looked sharply at Edgar: "Most importantly, once we discover that private merchants are hoarding and speculating, driving up prices, our state-run stores can immediately open their granaries and release grain. With a sufficient and stable supply, we can directly crack down on their speculative behavior and stabilize public sentiment! Anyway, we have grain in our hands, so we have nothing to worry about."

Edgar nodded repeatedly, genuinely admiring him. "Your Excellency is truly insightful! In this way, we not only utilize the merchants' channels to replenish our supplies but also firmly grasp the reins of market regulation. This is indeed a sound strategy that fundamentally solves the problem! The establishment of government-run shops is imperative!"

"Hmm," Karl nodded, then continued with another, more far-sighted idea, "Furthermore, the state-run system cannot remain merely defensive; we must also consider taking the initiative to create wealth. I plan to establish a caravan directly under our Lord's Residence when conditions are ripe."

"Now that the Sauron have retreated, the vast lands and resources of the Northern Territory are temporarily unclaimed, and there are precious animal pelts, rare medicinal herbs, high-quality timber, and other specialties there."

"We can organize manpower for planned hunting and gathering, which will then be transported by our caravans to the wealthy southern regions for sale, in exchange for the money and supplies we desperately need. This will be an important source of revenue for Carnford in the future."

He waved his hand, indicating that Edgar did not need to act immediately. "However, the caravan business involves many issues such as security, routes, and trading partners. Right now, our focus is on establishing a firm foothold. Keep this in mind as part of your long-term plan, and we can proceed gradually after our internal situation is stable."

Edgar took Karl's words to heart and solemnly replied, "Yes, sir! I understand! I will immediately begin the establishment of government-run shops, prioritizing the storage and sales channels for grain and salt. As for the caravans, I will keep that in mind and proceed when the time is right."

Inside the warm wooden cabin, the light of the oil lamp dispelled the chill of the Northern Territory and illuminated the long-awaited reunion of Tommy and his family.

Sarah, the younger sister, was filled with curiosity about the two-story wooden house with stairs. Like a happy little deer, she excitedly ran up and down the creaking wooden stairs, touching this and looking at that. Her clear laughter filled the whole house, as if sweeping away the gloom of the past six months.

Anna, the mother, quietly began tidying up the temporary home.

She carefully and gently organized the few belongings she had brought, as if she wanted to imprint the mark of "home" on every corner of this new home.

Tommy placed the last package in the corner, walked to his mother's side, took out a heavy Moneybag made of coarse cloth from his pocket, and handed it to her.

Anna stopped what she was doing and looked at her son with a puzzled expression. "Tommy, what's this...?"

"Mom, this is the money from selling the old house in Jialan Village," Tommy said softly.

Anna took the Moneybag, and the weight of it surprised her.

She carefully untied the rope and looked inside. There was a pile of glittering silver Silver coin, with a few even more dazzling gold coins mixed in!

She looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief. "This... so much? How could our dilapidated house be worth so much money?"

Tommy's face showed a complicated expression as he explained, "It was the Lord... He said this is the true value of our house."

He omitted details about whether Karl might have used some kind of pressure or deal, but Anna immediately understood the implication.

Anna's hands trembled slightly as she clutched the Moneybag tightly. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she murmured, "My Lord, he is truly... truly our family's benefactor..."

This money is undoubtedly a lifeline for this family that has just lost their home and has nothing left; it is a beacon of hope for starting a new life.

But then, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart, and she sighed softly, "But... this means we've completely left Jialan Village, and we can never go back. Your father is still all alone on that hillside..."

Tommy held his mother's cold hand and comforted her firmly, "Mom, it's nothing! Jialan Village isn't our home anymore; Carnford is our new home!"

"Once we've settled down and saved up some money, I'll ask the Lord for leave and take a few of my comrades-in-arms with me back to Jialan Village to move my father's grave here! We'll bury him in the newly built, better cemetery in Carnford, so he'll be closer to us and we can visit him often. What do you say?"

Hearing her son's words, Anna felt a glimmer of hope in her last remaining worries and sorrows. She nodded vigorously, tears finally streaming down her face, but this time they were tears of hope and solace. "Good... good... that would be best..."

After calming down, Anna remembered something else, and a genuine smile appeared on her face, "By the way, Mr. Edgar, the butler, just said that the Lord has transferred you to a newly established department, what's it called... the Culture and Propaganda Department? Is it a job to tell stories and write notices for the people? Does that mean... you won't have to go to the front lines to fight anymore?"

Seeing the undisguised worry and expectation in his mother's eyes, Tommy felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He nodded, "Yes, Mom, the Lord said I'm better suited for propaganda and mobilization work. From now on, I'll mainly operate in the rear and won't need to go to the front lines anymore."

"That's great! That's really great!" Anna breathed a long sigh of relief, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

As a mother, she is proud of her son's success, but his safety and well-being are her greatest wishes.

Being able to serve the Lord from the safe rear is also a contribution to the territory, which finally put her mind at ease.

"It's good to work in the rear, it's safe! You must work hard and diligently, and you will be able to repay the Lord's kindness just the same!"

"Yes, I know, Mom, don't worry," Tommy replied solemnly.

Anna patted her son's arm with satisfaction, turned and walked to the stove to prepare dinner for the family. The simple aroma of food gradually filled the house.

Tommy stood there, watching his mother's slightly hunched but energetic back as she busied herself at the stove, and listening to his sister's cheerful footsteps upstairs. A warm current called "home" enveloped him, making him feel more at ease and happy than ever before.

However, beneath this warm backdrop, an unspeakable sense of loss and inner conflict quietly spread in his heart.

He was grateful for the Lord's appreciation and care, understood his mother's love and expectations, and was willing to contribute to the stability of this new home.

However, whenever he recalls the smoke from the city walls, the shouts of fighting side by side with his comrades, and the silhouette of Captain Lyon charging into battle, the passion and impulse of a soldier deep within his heart will involuntarily stir.

He still longed to return to his comrades and prove his worth on the battlefield. The camaraderie of sharing life and death and the thrill of facing danger were irreplaceable by a stable job in the rear.

Torn between the warmth and responsibility of family and the honor and aspirations of a soldier, Tommy stood under the warm lamplight, his heart filled with a sweet burden and complex entanglements.