strictlysupreme Chapter 188: Recruiting Militia
Chapter 188: Recruiting Militia
Upon his return to the city lord's manor, Adra III's first action was to throw Commander Horn of the city defense force into prison.
As the livid lord was about to manipulate the situation and appoint an officer with a grudge against Horn as a replacement, following his father's teachings in political maneuvering, Steward Gould hurried back to stop him.
The Bartalises' prior actions of transferring assets and moving their heirs away had already destabilized the city defense force. A sudden change in command would completely undermine the military's effectiveness.
Reluctantly, Adra III had to release Horn to lead the troops again while humbly following the old steward’s advice and commanding the city hall to organize manpower and conscript "militia" within the city. Since the nobles had already turned their backs, he really had no choice but to turn to the city hall.Vissit (.)c.om for updates
Conscripting "militia" from within the city wasn't a good idea. City youths weren't as easily intimidated as rural farmers, but this was the only method Gould could think of at the moment... Given that Weisshem's takeover was inevitable, the best option was to cause as much trouble for that bastard usurper!
Casualties were inevitable in wars. If Rex's undead army caused harm to the city's civilians, he would find it difficult to hold the position of lord comfortably. Once the Bartalis family had "strategically relocated" to a safe place and regathered their strength to return, the local populace, bearing deep grudges against Rex, would surely welcome their return with open arms.
While the Bartalis family seized this last opportunity to cause trouble for Rex, Viscount Darcy, upon returning to his estate, urgently inquired of his steward, Ford, about any news from his granddaughter Gina, who had been sent to Weisshem nearly about a week ago. Viscount Darcy, who hardly remembered what his granddaughter looked like, showed unprecedented concern toward her marriage prospects.
Steward Ford awkwardly reported, "Miss Gina already sent someone back to make a report two days ago. Charlie Rex has shown no interest in her and she asks if she can return..."
In a fit of fury, Viscount Darcy threw a teacup across the room, cursing the granddaughter who had never shown any talent and brought shame to the Darcy family.
Steward Ford remained silent.
Miss Gina was indeed the least attractive among the granddaughters, and Viscount Darcy, who looked down on Rex, thought his least impressive granddaughter sufficient to deal with that illegitimate child... Whose fault could that be?
Although Viscount Darcy had already anticipated this to be the case, he would never admit his own negligence. Instead, he blamed everything on the incompetent Gina.
At a time when two armies clashed, sending his most beautiful granddaughter to Rex's camp would turn the Darcys into a laughingstock throughout Indahl. Viscount Darcy paced his study, agitated, unable to figure out how to submit his "declaration of allegiance."
Knowing it was time to offer a solution, Steward Ford stepped out of the study, directing a servant to bring in the items he had prepared: a set of denim outerwear, a four-piece bedding set with two pillowcases, a furry scarf and gloves that appeared to be made of fur, and a plastic thermos.
"What is this?" Viscount Darcy frowned at the thermos, unable to discern its purpose.
"These are products that Weisshem folks sneaked into the southern district for selling to civilians during the conflict," Steward Fort explained with noticeable excitement, picking up the denim outerwear to show Viscount Darcy the sturdy material.
"This kind of robust clothing, akin to canvas, is priced at only 20 copper coins per set. The civilians in the southern district are nearly going mad over it. Our male servants couldn't even get their hands on one; we had to pay triple the price to acquire this set from a drunk."
"Twenty copper? For a set?!" Viscount Darcy was astounded.
Steward Ford put down the outerwear and enthusiastically presented a bedding set. "There's also this type of bedding, going for 20 copper a set, too."
Well, these were actually the sort of bedding advertised as pure cotton but actually made of synthetic fibers that were priced at around 15-18 RMB a set in discount stores, which could be gotten at wholesale prices around 10 RMB on Alibaba...
Viscount Darcy took a step forward to get a feel of the bedsheets and, on experiencing its soft touch, couldn't help echoing the soul-searching question the commoners of the southern district had, "Gosh, where does Weisshem get all these cheap goods? Wouldn't Rex bankrupt his estate, selling them at these prices?"
The little boy retorted, "I don't need your pity. Keep it for yourself."
Johan patted his brother's head, turning to his mother. "Mom, I want to go into the city this afternoon to see if I can find some work."
"Better not, with all that fighting going on. We can still manage without a couple of days' earnings," she advised. "The city's nobility just lost a battle. I remember your grandfather saying when those nobles are in a bad mood, it's trouble for everyone below them. Who knows if there'll be chaos in the city?"
"I know, I won't go where it's crowded," Johan assured her. "The gangsters are all missing these days, and it's easy to find work in the tavern district. I'll be back before it gets dark and crowded."
After some hesitation, the mother, considering her son was grown up and needed some leeway, reluctantly agreed, "Then be careful."
After lunch, Barry went to play with his friends, their mother went to work at the laundry, and, as usual, Johan took Jenny to their uncle's house down the alley.
Boys in the slum could roam freely, but girls could not. When adults were busy, they had to send their daughters to a relative's home where adults could watch them. Otherwise, they might not find their daughters again—too many men in the area would take advantage of unattended girls.
After settling his sister, Johan joined his friends Sanchi, Tommy, and Bobby, and the four young men, chatting and laughing, headed toward the south city gate.
Yes, Indahl was about to change, and the old master at the city lord's manor was going to be replaced. But what did that have to do with them?
They didn't know what the city lord looked like, had never entered the city hall, and hadn't even been to the central district. It wasn't just the central district; they weren't allowed in any decent neighborhood. Burly patrolling city guards wouldn't let these poor folks near the homes of respectable people, lest something got stolen and no one held accountable.
The southern district was as per usual, except the men who had free time to chat in the roadside taverns during the day were now discussing the future of Indahl instead of which street had more promiscuous women.
Sticking to the promise he made with his mother, Johan explained the situation to his friends, and the four didn't venture into crowded areas, taking familiar alleys to the tavern district on Saint Joseph's Street.
Emerging from the narrow, winding alleys onto Saint Joseph's Street, Johan and his friends immediately sensed something was amiss.
There were many city policemen on the sidewalk!
People looking for work on the streets feared the city police the most. The four instinctively wanted to retreat back into the alley... but it was too late.
The policemen, surprised to find these four young men, eagerly surrounded them, grabbing them without a word.
"Wait a minute, sir, we're just—ah!"
Johan, not new to troubles with the city police, tried to argue but was immediately yanked by the hair and thrown to the ground.
"Shut up!"
The city police knew how to quiet those poor beggars from outside the city. Thick cowhide boots slammed into Johan's stomach, followed by a few stomps on his limbs left the dirty young man curled up into a ball.