Applying Pressure

When Dennison Henry came to meet the governor this time, he'd been extremely, extremely surprised by how the initial negotiations had gone.

He'd gotten almost everything he wanted without having to give up much at all.

Of course, it wasn't really true that he had to give up nothing.

He'd taken the goods, and had to pay for them in Alliance currency. The governor had also given him a series of lists, telling him to buy this and that. He'd looked them over. Some of the requests would be difficult to fulfill. For example, the governor wanted Revival City's finest looms and sewing machines, imported textile materials, Thermal Ash Stone generators, Thermal Ash Stone itself, and the construction of a cement plant, a brickworks...

Besides, the governor seemed to know the market well. The value of the items on the list wasn't far off from that of the goods he'd been authorized to take away this time. By Henry's estimate, the profit margins had been squeezed hard. If he wanted to make more money, he'd probably have to do everything he could to sell the Alloy Plasteel and armored vests at a high price, while finding the cheapest reliable sources for the goods the governor wanted him to bring back.

But even if the job wouldn't be easy, Henry was still full of motivation.

Wasn't this his chance to prove himself?

If everything were easy, the governor could have found anyone to do the job. What would he be needed for?

However, as the conversation moved into its latter half, his mood gradually soured.

The main reason was that they'd brought up a very important point.

Dennison Henry wanted exclusive sales rights for the Alloy Plasteel industry.

It was a safeguard for his own interests. He needed to make sure that the market he'd worked to establish wouldn't be handed to someone who came along later.

Cutting out the competition and monopolizing the business would, of course, be more profitable.

But Gu Hang wouldn't allow it.

Henry argued his case, bringing up points like, "That would let me serve you better," and, "It would help me expand my influence in Trash Town, so I could do more for you in the future, Governor." He said it all.

But none of his arguments managed to sway Gu Hang.

Gu Hang shut him down with just two sentences:

"I can give you the authority you're asking for, but I won't hand it over for nothing. You haven't done anything yet. What gives you the right to ask me for so much?"

"Prove your loyalty through your actions."

With the conversation already at this point, what else could Henry say?

He nodded firmly. "I'll prove it to you, Governor."

"Also, do one more thing for me."

"Just tell me what you need."

"My camp needs more people. Revival City has plenty of displaced people who depend on the satellite cities to survive. Bring them here."

"No problem. I'll bring you healthy, reliable refugees, and I'll make sure they're cheap."

Gu Hang shook his head, clearly dissatisfied. "Why are you talking about money? Revival City may not recognize those refugees as official residents, but I do. Every human being on Nuxiao Planet is a subject of the Empire, and a subject of mine. I want you to tell them about my mercy, my policies, and my proclamations, and persuade them to migrate here. If any of them are struggling, you're to provide the help they need. If necessary, I'll help them directly. Do you understand what I mean?"

Henry was taken aback.

How could he not understand?

He understood perfectly well.

Free labor, huh?

You just didn't want to pay, but still wanted him to bring people here.

Henry put on a deeply ashamed expression. "Yes, you're right. I was being shortsighted..."

But according to the governor, there might still be a way to make this work.

Revival City was large, but it could only provide so many jobs and support so many people. Outside the city, plenty of refugees couldn't make ends meet. It wasn't impossible to persuade them to migrate here of their own accord.

"But... Governor, please forgive me, but if we go about it this way, I may not be able to guarantee the number or quality of the refugees who migrate here. Most of those who can't survive are the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled. Those in the prime of their lives who are strong and healthy can still find work to support themselves."

Gu Hang waved a hand. "That's your job. Spreading my will among the people is also a demonstration of your loyalty. Don't disappoint me."

Damn it, he really did want free labor!

Dennison Henry could only reply helplessly, "Yes, I understand what I need to do."

After sending off the merchant who was brimming with confidence and ready to get to work, while also expecting to have his reasonable and unreasonable demands met, Gu Hang immediately got busy with something else.

He had his aide, Zhang Chao, send another message to Revival City.

Gu Hang needed Revival City to explain why Vaughan, an Alliance council member, was a Cultist.

Of course, the explanation itself didn't matter.

What Gu Hang needed was an opportunity to use the matter against them.

Until now, he'd have had to work hard to find one.

Now, he had one ready-made.

A Cultist had appeared among the members of the Alliance Council, the Alliance's nominal ruling body.

When Vaughan had resisted and used Storm Sorcery, Gu Hang recognized that it wasn't the product of his own Psionic Power, but came from some other source. Gu Hang had nearly burst out laughing.

After capturing Vaughan alive, Gu Hang had already gotten most of the interrogation and information he needed.

The man truly did follow a cult.

Though he wasn't a devout believer, he believed in the teachings of the Primal Owlbear Cult and was willing to use his position as a council member to make things easier for the Cultists. He also provided them with money and supplies.

He wasn't a core member, just a believer—one with more money than most.

He'd gained some benefits, too. For example, he'd received a "divine blessing" and learned Storm Sorcery. He could also send Cultists to take care of secret matters he couldn't handle himself.

In fact, when he'd come after the governor this time, he'd wanted the Primal Angry Owl Sect to act. They'd refused, saying they couldn't spare the people at such short notice because they were busy with something else.

With these statements and Vaughan still alive, Gu Hang had all the ammunition he needed to make a serious accusation.

Once the connection with Revival City had been established, the person speaking with Gu Hang was once again the Alliance's council chairman, Mirian Hodgson.

"Greetings, Governor," Hodgson said first.

Gu Hang didn't give him an inch. His tone was stern. "Mr. Hodgson, I'm extremely disappointed with your work."

At those words, old Hodgson already felt a nerve in his head beginning to throb.

The governor was starting trouble again!

He'd given the governor the large amounts of supplies he'd demanded. He'd even handed over the person the governor had wanted him to sacrifice. What more did he want now?

Hodgson replied listlessly, "Please, Governor, tell me what the problem is."

"How could an Alliance council member be corrupted into a heretical Cultist? What kind of job are you doing as council chairman? Is the Alliance Council still loyal to the Empire? Has Revival City already become a den for the Primal Owlbear Cult?"

One accusation after another came flying from Gu Hang, landing squarely on Hodgson.

Hodgson had never expected Gu Hang to bring up anything like this. A huge accusation had been dumped on his head, leaving him completely stunned.

Until then, he hadn't known Vaughan was a Cultist.

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