Razzaz immediately contacted more than a dozen of the most influential tribal chiefs and went with them to Mitija to discuss the matter with Rahman, the provincial trade official. After the Guard Corps and Naval Power had been dealt with, Rahman, who had contributed greatly, was granted the position of trade official, making him Algiers's fourth-ranking official with real authority.
In the lounge on the second floor of Mitija City Hall, Razzaz said in dissatisfaction, "My lord, people are leaving the tribes every day. For now, it's only the men, but soon their families will follow."
Another tribal chief added, "Our tribe has fewer than eight hundred able-bodied young men left. Are we supposed to have the women and elderly join the spring planting next year?" "I'd originally planned to buy several hundred hectares of land, but now our tribe doesn't even have enough hands to cultivate the land we already have..."
Rahman raised a hand and interrupted them. "Then what do you want to do?"
Razzaz immediately said, "Please advise the Governor to stop applications for 'New Arable Land'!"
"Or amend the law so that land must be bought with money."
Rahman merely shook his head slightly. "If the Governor truly did that, you would be in danger."
What a joke. Every Berber at the bottom of society was staring greedily at the free land. Whoever dared say they could no longer claim it would absolutely dare to wipe out that person's entire family.
Rahman offered no further explanation. He merely swept his gaze over the crowd and said, "This is no longer the era of the Dayi and the Divan. Use your heads more, and you will surely live better than before.
"By the way, I'm going to Paris next week to report the trade situation to the