159: Three things a new official does when he takes office

Chapter 157: New Official Takes Office with Three Fires

After discussing with the high-ranking officials of Mist Town, everyone finally decided to hold a funeral presided over by Arthur the next day.

This arrangement was made, on the one hand, to allow all the Townsfolk of Mist Town to participate;

On the other hand, after the funeral, Arthur would be elected as the true leader of Mist Town.

Since that was the case, Arthur no longer declined.

He had always disliked the drama of refusing three times and accepting three times.

The most urgent matter at hand was to get the entire Mist Town running again.

For this, he began to formulate the next steps with the high-ranking officials of Mist Town.

“The most pressing issue right now is undoubtedly the food problem,” Louis began, “Previously, most of our food came from the Plantation and the Black Goat Caravan.

“But now, we can’t count on the Black Goat Caravan; it’s already a blessing if they don’t come looking for trouble with us—”

Grey interjected, “There’s another point, Joshua still has quite a few accomplices left.

“I’m sure these people will definitely cause trouble at this time, and we must be careful.”

“Louis, I heard that you and your wife used to run a small business, is that right?” Arthur asked.

Ruby answered him—this burly Black woman had many bandages wrapped around her.

“Sir, you are truly flattering my wife and me.

“Everyone here is family, so we won’t hide anything.

“What my wife and I did was actually some smuggling business.

“Ever since those Undead began to besiege Mist Town, Joshua monopolized the local supplies.

“His prices were ridiculously high, and many people were forced to sell their family property just to get a bite to eat.

“We couldn’t stand it anymore, so we gathered our brothers and sisters and found ways to smuggle supplies from outside.”

Louis just smiled awkwardly at the side.

“Smuggling requires channels and people on the outside to assist,” Arthur said, “I imagine you were trading with the Warthog Merchant Caravan, right?”

A hint of surprise appeared on Ruby’s face: “No wonder everyone says you’re a smart person.

“We were indeed doing smuggling business with the Warthog Merchant Caravan.”

Arthur nodded: “Very good. The Pioneer Group’s vehicles are limited and cannot provide a large quantity of goods.

“So I need you to contact the Warthog Merchant Caravan and have them connect with my people.

“A portion of Mist Town’s supplies will still have to be transported by them.

“Additionally, I plan to implement a rationing system throughout Mist Town.”

At this point, Arthur paused to give the others some time to digest the news.

Ruby quietly asked her husband what a rationing system was, and after getting an answer, she fell into thought.

“I agree,” Brussian was the first to state, “I can feel the Goddess’s power slowly repairing this land, but it’s not enough to produce sufficient food.

“Coupled with this damn weather, we’ve already missed the best planting time.

“Unless we can reclaim the Plantation before spring ends, at the current rate of food consumption, we won’t make it through the next winter.”

“I also agree,” Louis echoed, “Unified material management is most beneficial for the current situation.”

“But people might not be happy,” Grey said worriedly, “People are restless now, and there are too many idlers. And those dissidents…

“This is where our role comes in,” Ruby interjected, “I don’t understand what a rationing system is, nor do I know why we need to do this.

“But since this method works, I support it.

“If anyone is dissatisfied, let them see whose fist is harder.”

Ismark quickly interjected: “Calm down, Ruby. Mere suppression cannot bring true obedience.

“We need to work on both fronts: on the one hand, explain clearly to the Townsfolk why we are doing this, and on the other hand, implement control.”

“That’s right,” Arthur cast an approving look at the young man, “At the same time, all of us must also lead by example, only then can we gain the trust of the people.

“Of course, if anyone deliberately breaks the rules, they must also be severely punished.

“Grey, Louis, Ruby, I’ll leave this matter to you.

“We will requisition Joshua’s business as a distribution station, with our people responsible for transporting supplies, and the distribution work will be yours.

“As for the specific rationing plan, I will give you a basic template, and you can adjust it based on that.”

Ismark opened his mouth to apply for work at the distribution station, but Arthur raised his hand to interrupt him: “Don’t rush, young man, I have other things to assign to you.

“Everyone, the second urgent problem to solve is the Plantation.

“If we cannot reclaim the Plantation, our food will not be self-sufficient.

“Although we defeated the Undead army and eliminated Jean Candy and Luke Candy, Isgrasa, the ancestor of the Candy Family, is still hiding in the ancient tomb of the Plantation.

“We must eliminate him within five days, otherwise, he will gather the scattered Undead and close the ancient tomb.

“In that case, the difficulty of eliminating him will greatly increase.”

Ismark and Heir immediately understood what Arthur needed them to do.

As descendants of the Lovich Family, Isgrasa was their family’s nightmare and curse.

Eliminating him was not only to fulfill the last wish of their family’s ancestor but also to restore the family’s glory and credibility.

“I think you two should know what I need you to do, right?” Arthur looked at the Lowechi siblings.

Ismark and Heir nodded.

Arthur then ordered: “I need you to select a team—it must be the elite of the elite.

“You will lead this team to scout the Plantation, eliminate scattered Undead, and find the location of the ancient tomb.

“But remember not to act rashly; I have reason to believe that the ancient tomb must be filled with traps.

“I have already arranged for a professional to come over, and she will provide reliable assistance then.

“After we thoroughly investigate the situation of that place, we will then go to eliminate that so-called King of Death.”

The two siblings readily accepted the order.

Arthur added: “Of course, if you encounter any difficult problems, go to Jessica; he will provide assistance.”

Finally, Arthur entrusted the task of tending to the oak trees to Brussian.

As the wisest person in Mist Town, this Druid knew the importance of those oak trees.

Arthur would also send the Mountain People to assist him. After arranging all these matters, Arthur finally felt that he could rest for a while.

He left the Mayor’s house and went to his residence.

When the Townsfolk saw him, they all stood up straight like Scorpions, respectfully saluting him.

Halfway there, he also encountered a group of local soldiers led by Snake Eye.

As Scorpion’s older brother, Snake Eye appeared more composed.

He led the survivors from the battlefield to thank Arthur. “If you hadn’t healed us with divine magic on the battlefield, we would have been dead long ago,” Snake Eye said, “From now on, Lord Arthur, our lives are yours.”

The people behind him also echoed his words.

They swore allegiance to Arthur and begged the priest to baptize them so they could become members of Mother Earth.

More and more Townsfolk gathered on the street, and Arthur looked at the scene before him, feeling it was a good opportunity.

So, he performed the Ceremony, and amidst the sacred light and chanting, he began to baptize those people.

Led by Snake Eye and others, many onlookers also joined in.

Unbeknownst to him, the Goddess’s followers had increased significantly.

After completing this, Arthur returned to the Pioneer Group, expressed gratitude to all its members, and offered condolences to the injured and the families of the deceased.

Then, he informed the high-ranking officials of the Pioneer Group, telling them the decisions just made and asking them to cooperate with each other.

By the time everything was done, it was already afternoon.

He finally lay exhausted on his bed.