Translator: Cinder Translations
...
When Paul received the news of the riot, he was completely bewildered. The shocked expression remained on his face for half a minute.
"What did I do wrong?"
After coming to his senses, he asked himself this question.
"Earl, now is not the time to ask such questions. Please gather the high officials and discuss how to suppress the riot."
Cecil, the intelligence officer who came to report the news, urged anxiously.
"Uh… you're right. Quickly! Help me gather all the officials from the Administrative Council and all the company-level and above military officers stationed in Alden Town to the Lord's Mansion."
Cecil left as instructed, and Paul, dazed, went to the hall to wait for everyone's arrival.
Since awakening his memories from his past life, Paul had taken it upon himself to advance the progress of this world. His inventions, establishment of factories, and promotion of education were all aimed at improving the lives of the people in this land. From the perspective of Alden Town, the residents' lives had indeed been getting better.
Why did this kind of thing have to happen in his "enlightened and progressive" domain, rather than in the neighboring territory?
…
"Rebellion! This is a rebellion!"
Hansel, upon hearing the news, was very agitated and was the first to shout: "Please, send troops to suppress the rioters immediately."
The others, including General Ford, all nodded in agreement, indicating that the primary task was to send troops to suppress the rebellion.
Chief of Staff Schroeder, and the commanders of the Second and Fourth Infantry Battalions, Claude and Andrew respectively, indicated that the military was ready to follow his orders.
"Gentlemen, please calm down."
Paul said this to calm others, though he was actually panicking inside.
"At the moment, all we know comes from that person named Biden. Whether it is truly a rebellion is still uncertain! Perhaps… uh, perhaps they just gathered together, and that Biden person got scared and exaggerated the situation."
General Ford shook his head: "Even so, large gatherings without the lord's permission and supervision are prohibited. It is reasonable to disperse them, and the ringleaders must be punished."
While they were discussing, a second message arrived, sent by military carrier pigeons.
"The navy's scouts confirm that Fabe Village and nearby settlements are ablaze with flames and thick smoke! It is indeed showing signs of a large-scale rebellion, with many wealthy homes being looted."
Schroeder frowned as he read out the contents of the note. The navy's report confirmed the previous statements.
"Someone on the scene shouted… shouted…"
Schroeder said quietly: "Shouted 'Down with the lord.'"
"Earl, time is of the essence. Please make a decision quickly. Mayor Theodore requests your permission to send the navy to quell the rebellion, and for insurance, to send an additional two battalions for support."
"Uh…"
At this moment, Paul hesitated. According to his deep-rooted beliefs, the uprising of the lower classes had a natural legitimacy. Suppressing them without distinguishing right from wrong seemed too brutal.
Perhaps because of his more expansive thinking, he thought of Emperor Qin Er Shi, Yang Guang… and countless rulers overthrown by peasant uprisings. Didn't they all start with small sparks that eventually became uncontrollable?
TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin_Er_Shi
TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Yang_of_Sui
Would his hasty decision to suppress them result in being recorded in the annals of historical shame?
"I propose that we first send someone to talk to them. Understand why they are rebelling. Maybe… maybe they have some unavoidable reasons."
Talk? At these words, everyone looked at him with incredulity. Negotiate with rioters? Is this something a lord should say?
"Ahem!" Hansel cleared his throat and asked: "My lord, if they make some demands due to these 'unavoidable reasons,' such as tax reductions, what will you do?"
Paul thought for a moment and replied: "If the demands are not too unreasonable, I think I would agree to them. I have always strived to be a benevolent lord."
Hansel said seriously: "No! You must not do that! Once you open that door, it will lead to endless troubles!"
"Why? It is normal for the people to express their wishes to the lord and for the lord to decide whether to agree or not."
"That's under normal circumstances, if they had not rebelled and had merely expressed their wishes through regular channels, then fine, whether you agree or not, the initiative is in your hands and there would be no consequences. But now it is different. They have already started a rebellion. Under these circumstances, if you agree to their demands, what will others think of you?"
"What will they think of me?"
"People will think that you, as the lord, can be coerced and are weak. Regardless of your personal beliefs, others will see it as if the initiative is in the hands of the rioters. Your authority will no longer be solid. The Earl who seemed imposing and invincible will now be seen as someone who can be easily subdued by a riot."
"Is it really that serious?"
Seeing that Paul was still "stubborn," General Ford also began to persuade him: "My lord, Hansel is right. The people are a large group with many smaller groups within, each with their own demands, some even conflicting. Their desires are endless, and what you can offer them is limited. If you satisfy one group, another will emerge. As a lord, you should give the people charity but never allow them to take anything directly from you! So, please, immediately quell this rebellion to dispel the rioters' delusions and deter those who are watching and waiting."
Schroeder nodded in agreement: "In this situation, even if the demands are reasonable, you should not agree. So it's better not to ask, just suppress the rebellion first. Don't worry, merely a few villagers can be dispersed by fully equipped knights, let alone our well-trained army equipped with rifles and cannons."
Paul slightly parted his lips, surprised that two usually respected elders would speak such "reactionary" words.
After thinking for a while, Paul finally said: "I order the following: First, notify the militia stations in each village and town to organize the militia, with leaders keeping track of the situation in their areas and not neglecting their duties. Second, dispatch two battalions of troops to rush there overnight to assist the navy and internal guard forces in isolating the area of the rebellion. Then…"
Everyone awaited the lord to say "suppress."
"Then issue a final ultimatum to the rioting populace, demanding they immediately cease their actions, but without my order, no attacks are to be made."
Hansel and the others were about to continue persuading when Paul quickly said:
"Gentlemen, give me one night. I will decide how to proceed with this matter."
…
On the way out of the Lord's Mansion, Hansel and Cecil discussed the recent events.
"Did you notice, besides worrying about his reputation for benevolence, the Earl seems to be afraid of something else."
"It seems so. Is he afraid the military won't be able to handle the rioters? That's absurd. As Schroeder said, a few knights can disperse them."
"By the way, Cecil, why didn't we see our beautiful education director and advisor? They are also members of the Administrative Council. Did you not notify them?"
"Such matters are too cruel for women. It's better not to disturb them."
"Oh? Is that all?"
"Alright, I admit it," Cecil shrugged and said: "I'm afraid their personalities and viewpoints might interfere with the Earl's judgment."
"Your concern is valid."
(End of the Chapter)
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