Chapter 230 Influx Of Population



The carriage rolled onward to the government complex where his office is located. The rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves provided a comforting soundtrack. With each passing street, the surroundings grew increasingly familiar. Finally, the carriage came to a halt with a gentle tug on the reins.

Riz gracefully stepped down onto the solid ground. The cool touch of the cobblestone beneath his shoe sent a shiver up his spine. The air was laden with a scent of petrichor, the earthy fragrance of rain mingled with the delicate fragrance of nearby blossoms.

Taking confident strides, Riz ascended the staircase leading to his office. Along the way, he came across the staff working in the building. Their bowed heads in respect to his presence.

As he climbed, the bustling sounds of the city below gradually faded, replaced by a serene hush that embraced the upper floors.

Riz reached the top of the staircase, he turned the ornate doorknob of his office. The door swung open, revealing lines of shelves filled with books and documents.

Settling into his chair behind the majestic desk,  Riz's eyes were drawn to a sealed envelope placed on top of a stack of papers. The envelope wasn't there when he left the office.

With a sense of curiosity, he carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter. Apparently, it was from Wilmot. He began to read the content. A smile formed on his face, "At last..."

Wilmot's words revealed the news he had been eagerly awaiting - the Tetherswest region had fallen into their grasp. The intricate details woven within the letter painted a vivid picture of the military campaign.

Closing the letter, Riz leaned back in his chair. His mind was abuzz with ideas and plans for the newly acquired territory. His tapping fingers on the desk mirrored the quickening pace of his thoughts.

With a ring of the bell, he summoned his trusted staff, instructing them to gather a team of experts from the Bideford Research Center. Geologists, geochemists, agronomists and other specialists were to be assembled promptly.

....

Half an hour later, a flurry of activity filled his office as the experts arrived. However, there's an extra presence in his office.

"Theodora, Charlotte... What brings you here?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"We have something important to report, but it can't wait," Theodora responded.

Riz gestured for them to take a seat first. He then cleared his desk, making space for the unfolding conversation. The map of the newly conquered territory lay spread out before them.

Wasting no time, he proceeded with the specialist in briefing them on the task at hand - to set up an exploration team tasked with searching the natural resources hidden within the newly conquered territory.

As his finger traced the contours of the map, Riz discussed potential areas of interest where valuable resources might lie hidden. He emphasized the need for thorough research and careful analysis. 

As the meeting draws to a close, the experts filed out of his office. 

Riz turned his attention to Theodora and Charlotte, who remained seated.

"Now, Theodora, Charlotte, tell me more about the urgent matter that brought you here," Riz asked, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Theodora and Charlotte exchanged a glance before Theodora took a deep breath and began, "Riz, the urgent matter we wish to discuss pertains to the influx of refugees into our kingdom's borders. In recent months, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of individuals seeking refuge within our lands."

Riz leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "I've noticed the rise in people seeking refuge here. What's the problem occurred?"

Theodora nodded, her voice filled with worry. "With so many refugees arriving, our resources such as food are stretching thin. Sooner or later, it will affect our own population. Moreover, the overcrowded living conditions in the city will cause health risks and sanitation issues."

Charlotte chimed in, her concern was evident. "Milord, as the population grows, we are witnessing a rise in small-scale crimes, and makeshift slums are starting to emerge. Our agents having a hard time curbing this problem. They no longer focus on espionage and intelligence gathering but rather engage in peacekeeping."

Riz listened intently to Theodora and Charlotte's concerns, contemplating the gravity of the situation. "Which city the refugees are in, Charlotte?"

"Mostly they are concentrated at Manfura and Bideford," she replied. 

"So, they are not widespread yet..." he muttered in a low voice.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, he leaned forward, his voice filled with determination.

Sigh-

"You're right. We must address these issues head-on," Riz said, his gaze focused. "To ensure the safety and security of our people, I will deploy a portion of our army to maintain peace and order in the affected areas. We need to instil a sense of stability."

Not only he is going to ask the soldiers to keep the peace, but it also serves as a chance to move his army closer to Naharog for the eventual war.

Theodora nodded in agreement. "That's a wise decision, Riz. By having a visible presence of our forces, we can deter potential conflicts and criminal activities."

Riz then turned his attention to the issue of overcrowding and strained resources. "In order to prevent them from causing problems within our border, we will break the refugees into smaller groups. Less chance for violence to occur."

"I suggest we offer them jobs as construction labourers. We have several ongoing construction projects, and this will not only help them earn a living but also contribute to the development of our kingdom," suggest Charlotte.

Riz nodded, appreciating the idea. "Excellent suggestion, Charlotte. We can provide them with minimum wages and ensure that they at least stay alive to keep working."

Theodora raised a concern. "But, what if they are a skilled labour force? Wouldn't it be a waste if they become construction labourers?"

Riz snorted, "We prioritize our citizens first. I mean, how skilful they might be? If they are truly outstanding, I don't see the problem. But, with our education system here, I don't think we lack of skilled workforce."