In order to survive, human beings can do anything unimaginable, including selling whatever they can and overthrowing the ruling class for a new power reshuffle.
It was precisely because he saw such weaknesses in human nature and capitalized on the growing discontent among the people nearing its breaking point that Li Lin dared to propose such an absurd demand to Richelieu. In turn, as long as the bishop and his crew fill the gap with sufficient food, the food from the V.E Company would be meaningless, and Li Lin's extortion tactics, that baseless agreement, would naturally become impossible to realize.
This was an ideal way to cut off one's source of retreat, hitting the V.E Company's weak point right on the mark. It seemed invincible.
But, just like it is hard to imagine a rotten idea looking like a good one until it is exposed, there were glaring flaws in the bishop's plan from the very beginning.
