Chapter 30: Pressuring
Denison Henry was extremely surprised during his initial communication with the Governor.
He almost got everything he wanted without much effort.
Of course, it wasn’t free.
He had to pay for the goods with Alliance coins.
The Governor provided a list of items he wanted Henry to purchase, including some challenging ones such as the best textile machines and sewing machines from Revival City, imported textile raw materials, Hot Ash Stone generators, Hot Ash Stone itself, and the establishment of cement and brick factories.
Moreover, the Governor seemed to have a good grasp of the market.
The value of the goods Henry was allowed to take was almost equivalent to the items on the list.
According to Henry’s estimation, the profit margin was quite compressed.
To make more money, he would need to sell the alloy and plastic steel and armored vests at higher prices, and find inexpensive yet high-quality sources for the items he bought for the Governor.
Despite the difficulties, Henry was full of motivation.
Wasn’t this the time to showcase his abilities?
If everything was easy, the Governor could have assigned this task to anyone.
What would be the point of having him?
However, he became less happy when the topic shifted to a crucial point.
Denison Henry wanted the exclusive sales rights for the alloy and plastic steel industry.
It was a safeguard for his interests, ensuring that the market path he paved wouldn’t be taken over by others later.
Eliminating competitors and creating a monopoly would obviously be more profitable.
But Gu Hang didn’t allow it.
He argued persuasively, saying things like, “This will help me serve the Governor better,” and “This will help me expand my influence in Garbage Town, allowing me to do more for the Governor in the future.”
However, none of his arguments moved Gu Hang.
Gu Hang blocked him with just two sentences:
“I can give you the power you want, but I won’t give it for free. You haven’t done anything yet, so why should I give you so much?”
“Prove your loyalty with your actions.”
With the conversation reaching this point, what else could Henry say?
He nodded heavily, “I will prove it to you, Governor.”
“Also, help me with another task.”
“Just give the order.”
“My camp needs more manpower. There are so many refugees dependent on urban life in Revival City. Bring them here.”
“No problem, I will definitely bring you healthy and reliable refugees, and the price will be absolutely cheap.”
Gu Hang shook his head, looking very dissatisfied, “Why are you talking about money? Those refugees are not recognized as official residents by Revival City, but I recognize them. Every human on Fury Owl Planet is a subject of the Empire, my subjects. I want you to propagate my benevolence, my policies, my proclamations to them and get them to migrate here. If there are difficulties, you need to provide them with necessary assistance, and if necessary, I will directly help them. Do you understand what I mean?”
Henry was stunned.
How could he not understand?
Of course, he understood.
Freeloading, huh?
You just don’t want to spend money but still want people to come, right?
Henry put on a very ashamed expression, “Yes, that’s right, I was being shallow…”
But according to the Governor’s words, it doesn’t seem completely hopeless.
Revival City is large, but the number of jobs it can provide, the number of people it can sustain, is limited.
Outside the city, there are plenty of refugees who can’t survive.
Spreading the word and getting these people to voluntarily migrate here is not impossible.
“But… Your Excellency, please forgive me, if we do it this way, the number and quality of the migrating refugees cannot be guaranteed. Those who can’t survive are mostly the old, weak, sick, and disabled; the strong and able-bodied can still find jobs to support themselves.”
Gu Hang waved his hand and said, “This is your job. Spreading my will to the people is also a demonstration of your loyalty. Do not disappoint me.”
Damn, he really wants to freeload!
Denison Henry could only reluctantly say, “Yes, I understand what to do.”
…
After sending off the ambitious merchant, who was ready to do great things while also having to meet his reasonable and unreasonable demands, Gu Hang immediately got busy with another matter.
He instructed his attendant, Zhang Chao, to send another communication to Revival City.
The issue of Wohan, the Alliance Council Member, being a cultist needed an explanation from Revival City.
Of course, how they explain it isn’t important.
Gu Hang needed an opportunity to exploit the situation.
This opportunity, he originally had to work hard to find.
Now, there was a ready-made one.
A cultist member within the nominal ruling body of the Alliance, the Alliance Council.
When Wohan resisted and used Storm Sorcery, Gu Hang immediately recognized that it wasn’t his own psionic power but came from another source.
He almost burst out laughing.
After capturing Wohan alive, he had already conducted the necessary interrogations and gathered the needed intelligence.
This guy was indeed a cultist.
Though he wasn’t a devout believer, he genuinely believed in the doctrines of the Original Owl Beast Sect and was willing to use his status as a council member to provide operational convenience to those cultists, as well as offer money and resources.
He wasn’t a core member, just a follower, albeit a wealthier one.
He also gained some benefits, such as receiving the ‘blessing of the god’ and mastering Storm Sorcery. He could get the cultists to do some covert tasks that he couldn’t handle himself.
In fact, he had planned to let the Original Owl Beast Sect cause trouble for the Governor, but they refused due to a temporary lack of manpower and other ongoing activities.
With these confessions and Wohan still alive, Gu Hang had the leverage he needed.
When the communication with Revival City was established, the person Gu Hang spoke with was still the Alliance Council President, Millian Hodgson.
“Good day, Governor,” Hodgson greeted first.
Gu Hang didn’t give him any face, speaking sternly, “Mr. Hodgson, I am very disappointed in your work.”
Hearing this, Old Hodgson already felt a headache coming on.
The Governor was about to start causing trouble again!
You wanted a large amount of supplies, and you got them; you wanted me to betray people, and I did.
What more do you want now?
Hodgson responded weakly, “Please, Governor, enlighten me.”
“An Alliance Council Member being corrupted into a heretical cultist? How are you doing your job as Council Head? Does the Alliance Council still pledge allegiance to the Empire? Has Revival City become a lair for the Original Owl Beast Sect?”
Gu Hang’s series of accusations came down like a barrage.
Hodgson had never expected Gu Hang to drop such a bombshell, putting a huge burden on him and leaving him completely stunned.
Before this, he had no idea that Wohan was a cultist.