Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

Chapter 114: Shameless Scoundrel

Luo Ning looked down at the crowd below, his voice echoing throughout every corner of the square:

"From this day forward, Calon II will never be abandoned again."

I assure you: we will rebuild our homes, we will eliminate all the green-skinned people, and we will ensure that everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to live.

For the Emperor! For the Empire! For our homeland!

"For Lord Luo Ning!"

I don't know who shouted it first.

Immediately afterwards, countless voices converged, forming a towering wave.

"For Lord Luo Ning!"

"Long live Lord Luo Ning!"

Hearing the cheers from below, Luo Ning stood still. At that moment, all his efforts had paid off.

Although he paid a heavy price, what he gained was the mineral industry, which he desperately needed.

In the foreseeable future, the production speed of his tank factory will be greatly improved, and he will no longer have to worry about the scarcity of various metals preventing him from mass-producing new weapons.

After the ceremony, Ronin returned to the governor's mansion left behind by Jet, preparing to lay out maps and formulate plans for the mine cleanup and planetary reconstruction.

Suddenly, a guard knocked on the door and entered, bowing and announcing, "Lord Ronin, the noble representative from Caron II requests an audience."

Luo Ning rubbed his temples, understanding dawning on him.

As expected, what's meant to happen will happen.

Even in Vatos VII, which he controlled, he could only eliminate the troublesome and overly powerful old nobles, but he could not eradicate this class from its roots.

After all, the economy, production, and people's livelihood of the entire Chaodu have long been inextricably linked with these deeply entrenched families.

Moreover, this is a mining world that has been run by noble families for hundreds of years.

"Let them in."

The guards withdrew in response, and soon a group of richly dressed nobles entered.

Leading the group was an elderly man with gray hair and a slightly plump figure. He wore a velvet suit embroidered with gold thread and a large gemstone ring on his hand. His well-maintained face showed no signs of hardship, creating a stark contrast with the sallow-faced, emaciated, and ragged people outside.

"Lord Ronin, I am Graham Walker, a viscount bestowed by the Empire. The Walker family has been operating on this planet for five hundred years."

The old man bowed slightly, his tone carrying the slow, deliberate manner characteristic of nobility, but his eyes, when looking at Luo Ning, held no reverence whatsoever, only scrutiny and contempt.

"You led your army to recapture Charon II and personally slew the leader of the Greenskin war. This achievement is unparalleled in the entire southwestern sector. On behalf of the Walker family and all the nobles of Charon II, I extend my sincerest gratitude to you."

Luo Ning leaned back in his office chair and said calmly, "Viscount Walker, you're too kind. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Graham forced a fake smile and, without waiting for Ronin's signal, sat down in the chair opposite the desk.

The other nobles behind him stood obsequiously, not daring to raise their heads, looking like a group of servants attending to their master.

"This morning, Lord Luo Ning gave a speech in the Central Square. I and the other clan leaders were all present. Your words were truly awe-inspiring."

He paused, then abruptly changed the subject, his tone revealing undisguised disdain:

"However, Lord Ronin, I have heard of your achievements in reforming Vatos VII. Your army is mighty and your planet is powerful, but I'm afraid your methods won't work on Charon II."

Luo Ning frowned slightly; he had already guessed the other party's intentions.

Graham leaned forward, his tone carrying an undisguised arrogance:

"Lord Ronin, as you know, Karon II is different from other hive worlds. The rocks here are harder than people, and the mines are deeper than people. Our Walker family has been here for five hundred years. We know better than the Imperial Code which veins have lithium, which mines are prone to collapse, and which foremen can control the miners."

"Your reforms were well-intentioned. But the lowly are still the lowly. If you feed them, they will never pick up a pickaxe and go down into the mine again."

He leaned back in his chair, and continued with that fake smile:

"How about this: You can sit comfortably in the Governor's Mansion and oversee things, while I'll build your reputation in the sector; I'll double the annual tithe you pay to the sector, guaranteeing Commander Mason won't find a single fault. I'll manage all the mines and factories. We'll split the profits fifty-fifty."

As he spoke, he waved behind him without turning his head, and two nobles behind him immediately stepped forward and placed two heavy briefcases on the desk.

The box was opened, revealing neatly stacked gold and high-purity lithium ingots, so bright they were almost blinding in the dim light.

"This small gift is probably too little for Lord Ronin to appreciate, but it is a token of our appreciation from all the nobles of Caron II," Graham said with a smile, as if he had already won Ronin over.

Luo Ning looked at him and instantly understood.

The reforms he had implemented in Vatos VII had already touched upon the core interests of these old nobles.

They came today partly to bribe and partly to threaten.

They simply wanted him to be a figurehead governor, so he wouldn't touch the power and benefits they held.

Luo Ning sat up straight, patiently forced a smile, and slowly said:

"I understand what Viscount Walker means. But why don't you try my method? I tried it in Vatos VII, and with just a little bit of protection, the workers worked ten times harder than under the overseer's whip. Give them a small benefit, and we can gain far more than we do now."

"Lord Luo Ning, forgive my bluntness. In the Nest City, what we have in abundance is people. Giving these lowly people human rights is meaningless. These lazy gluttons will become insatiable once they receive even a little benefit."

He grunted, his tone crude and sarcastic:

"Besides, under my supervision, not a single worker dares to slack off, and the ore supply has never had the slightest problem. Lord Luo Ning, you'd better not do these pointless and wasteful things. If you don't have their lives in your hands, why would they work obediently for you?"

Luo Ning looked at him and suddenly smiled.

He finally understood.

What these nobles cared about was never that small amount of income from the mines.

What they care about is the sense of superiority that comes from being above others and having the power to decide the life and death of others at will, and the sense of power that comes from treating the lower classes like livestock to be driven around at will.

That good-for-nothing Jeter who deserted in the face of battle was nothing more than a puppet they put on the stage.

For the past five hundred years, every governor of Caron II has been nothing more than a puppet of these noble families.

Now, they want Ronin to be as obedient and compliant as his predecessor.