Paul was stunned when he received the news of the riot.

The astonished expression stayed on his face for half a minute.

"What did i do wrong?"

After reacting, he asked himself such a question.

"Count, now is not the time to ask this kind of question, please hurry up and gather all the adults to discuss how to suppress it."

Cecil, the intelligence chief who came to report the news, persuaded anxiously.

"Uh...you're right. Quick! Help me call all the directors of the Government Affairs Council and all the officers above the company level staying in Huxin Town to the Lord's Mansion."

Cecil went away in response, while Paul came to the hall in despair and waited for the arrival of everyone.

Ever since he awakened the memory of his previous life, he has always taken it as his duty to promote the progress of this world, inventing all kinds of novelty gadgets, opening factories, and promoting education, isn't it all for the better life of the people on this land? And judging from the town of Huxin where I live, the lives of the residents are indeed getting better and better.

Why didn't this kind of thing happen in the territory next door, but it happened to his "enlightened and progressive" lord.

…

"Rebellion! This is rebellion!"

Hansel was very excited when he heard the news, and he was the first to jump out and shout, "Please send troops immediately to suppress the mob."

Others including Ford's manager also nodded, saying that the first priority is to send troops to suppress.

Chief of Staff Schroeder, Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion Claude, and Commander of the Fourth Infantry Battalion Andrew said that the army is always at his disposal.

"Gentlemen, please calm down."

Paul said to let others calm down, but actually panicked in his heart.

"All the news we know now comes from the person named Baden. It is not certain whether it is really a riot! Maybe... er, maybe they just gathered together, and then the person named Baden broke out. I was so frightened that I deliberately exaggerated."

Manager Ford shook his head: "Even so, without the permission and supervision of the lord, large-scale gatherings are already prohibited, and it is reasonable to disperse them, and the leaders must be punished."

While they were discussing, a second message came, this one by army pigeon.

"The investigators sent by the Navy confirmed that the residents of Fabei Village and its surrounding areas were ablaze and smoke billowing! There were indeed signs of large-scale riots, and many rich people's homes were robbed."

Schroeder frowned and read out the contents of the note, and the information sent by the Navy confirmed the previous statement.

"Someone shouted... shouted..."

Schroeder said in a low voice: "Shouted the slogan [Down with the lord]."

"Lord Earl, without delay, please make a decision as soon as possible. Mayor Theodore asks you to allow the navy to counter the rebellion. To be on the safe side, please send two more companies to support it."

"Uh…"

At this time, Paul hesitated. According to his deep-rooted thinking, the uprising of the people at the bottom has natural justice, and it is too rude to suppress it indiscriminately.

Moreover, it may be because of the divergent thinking, he thought of Qin Ershi, Yang Guang... thought of countless rulers who were killed by peasant uprisings, didn't they all have a little spark at the beginning, and then it became more and more unmanageable .

If I rashly choose to suppress, will I be nailed to the pillar of shame in history in the future?

"I said, can't we send someone to talk to them first? Find out why they rioted, maybe...maybe they have some compelling reasons."

talk? As soon as the words came out, everyone looked at him with an unbelievable expression.

Negotiating with the mob? Is this what a lord should say?

"Cough!" Hansel coughed lightly, and asked, "My lord, what should you do if they make some kind of demands, such as tax relief, out of those [forced reasons]?"

Paul thought for a while, and replied: "If the demands are not too excessive, I think I will satisfy them. I have been working towards the direction of being a benevolent lord."

Hansel said seriously: "No! Don't do this! Once you open this hole, it will be forever!"

"Why? Isn't it normal for the lord to decide whether to accept or not after the lord weighs his or her wish?"

"That was in normal times. If they didn't riot, but just expressed their wishes to you through the usual channels, that's fine. Whether you agree or not, the initiative is in your hands and there will be no consequences. But not now The same, they have launched a riot, in this context, if you agree to their demands, what will others think of you?"

"What will you think of me?"

"As a lord, you can be coerced and bullied. No matter what you think in your heart, others will think that the initiative is on the side of the mob. Then your authority will no longer be strong, and it looks inviolable on weekdays Your lord Earl, you used to be obedient when you make a fuss."

"This...isn't that serious?"

Seeing that Paul was still "persisting in his obsession", Manager Ford also began to persuade him: "My lord, Hansel is right. The people are a large group, and there are many small groups within them. Each of these small groups has its own characteristics. Demands, some even conflict with each other, their desires are endless, and what you can give them is limited after all. You satisfy one group, and another group will emerge. As a lord, You can only give alms to the people, but you must not let the people take anything away from you! Therefore, please quell this riot immediately, dispel the delusions in the hearts of the mob, and deter those who are watching and ready to move."

Schroeder nodded and said in agreement: "In this case, even if the other party's request is reasonable, you should not agree to it, so just don't ask, and put down the riot first. Sir, please don't worry, it's just some villagers A few well-armed knights can disperse them~lightnovelpub.net~ not to mention our strictly trained army equipped with muskets and cannons."

Paul opened his mouth slightly, he didn't expect two respected seniors to say such "reactionary" words.

After thinking about it, Paul finally said: "I ordered, first, notify the military service stations in all villages and towns to organize the militia, and the person in charge will keep abreast of the situation in the area under their jurisdiction and not slack off. Second, send troops from two companies to rush there overnight, Cooperate with the navy and internal guards over there to isolate the riot area, and then..."

Everyone waited for the lord to say the word [repression].

"Then give an ultimatum to the people involved in the riot, asking them to stop their previous behavior immediately, but not to attack without my order."

Hansel and the others were about to continue persuading, but Paul rushed to say:

"One night, guys, give me one night. I'll decide how to proceed with this."

…

On the way out of the lord's mansion, Hansel and Cecil discussed what happened just now while walking.

"Have you noticed that the Earl seems to be afraid of something other than his reputation of benevolence being damaged."

"It seems to be true. Are you afraid that the army will not be able to defeat the mob? This is too ridiculous. Master Schroeder also said that a few knights can disperse them."

"By the way, Cecil, why didn't you see our beautiful education director and Miss Advisor, they are also members of the Government Council, didn't you inform?"

"Things like riots are too cruel to women, so let's not bother them."

"Oh? Is that all?"

"Okay, I admit it." Cecil shrugged and said, "I'm afraid that the character and opinions of the two ladies will interfere with the Earl's judgment."

"Your concern is justified."