Outside the meeting room of Tieliang Village, there were densely lit torches. Many slaves from the village were standing outside. They were emaciated and shivering in the night wind, but they looked hopefully at Zhou Qingfeng and others who came out.
There are many foreign bankrupts in the Black Forest. Some stay in Black Marsh Village to fend for themselves, while others seek refuge with the leaders of various settlements and become slaves who have lost their personal freedom.
The construction of Harmony Village began, and free adventurers and civilians all rushed in. Many remaining slaves were forcibly controlled by the leaders of various families and could not leave. The life and death of these people were not paid attention to at all. They just died early and died late.
That's all.
Zhou Qingfeng had always felt that since there was a mine in Iron Furnace Village, his iron-smelting furnace should not be short of iron ore. However, the most unlikely thing happened. Fei Zhe would rather not make money than sell more ore.
This is unacceptable for Harmony Village, which is developing rapidly. Besides, Fei Zhe still has something in Zhou Qingfeng's hands, so naturally he must be dealt with as soon as possible and control the mine in his own hands.
"Victor, do you want to confiscate Fei Zhe's family territory?" Inisa followed Zhou Qingfeng and reminded in a low voice. She agreed to deal with Fei Zhe, but she always felt that her man had to do more than that.
Zhou Qingfeng sneered in a low voice: "I'm fed up with those small forces that only care about themselves and completely ignore the overall situation. From now on, under my rule, there will be no more enfeoffed territories. All those who are loyal to me will only receive salaries.
"
This..., this step is too big.
Even Inisa couldn't accept this, so she wanted to grab Zhou Qingfeng and persuade him to take back this idea. But Zhou Qingfeng said more directly: "I declare that in my ruling area, it is prohibited to keep fish.
slave.
All slaves will regain their status as free citizens and can move freely and choose their own jobs. I will promulgate laws to protect basic rights in life. No slavery will be allowed."
Slavery, an inefficient production method, completely hinders social development. If the big slave owners control too many people, who will I recruit to work in my factory?
In a civilized society, we should at least talk about human rights.
When Inisa heard this, she was even more shocked. She had already held Zhou Qingfeng's hand and lowered her voice and said urgently: "Banning slavery will offend many people. This is more excessive than banning enfeoffment."
But Zhou Qingfeng had already spoken, and the slaves who heard his declaration were confused at first, but soon they started shouting noisily. After a while, the shouts turned into a uniform sound - Victor Yu.
Long live Guo, long live, long live!
The slaves shouted almost with all their strength. They had long been looking forward to personal freedom and could leave the mines in Tieliang Village and go to Harmony Village to live a good life. Zhou Qingfeng's move completely freed them from the heaviest shackles.
.
Of course, if the life in Iron Furnace Village is better than that in Harmony Village, the slaves definitely don't think so. Now they are naturally filled with joy and cheering long live.
It is not that Zhou Qingfeng did not take Inisa's warning into account. However, if he does not solve some basic policy issues before his own power truly grows, more vested interests will stand up to oppose him when his power becomes stronger, and there will be no way to solve it.
It's better to make our position clear now.
Cheers echoed back and forth, and the entire Iron Furnace Village was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Only then did Inisa understand what Zhou Qingfeng wanted to do - this guy clearly wanted to take over power and would not allow any independent forces under his rule. Everyone must rely on him. This was tantamount to determining the form of the government.
While the slaves were cheering, Zhou Qingfeng even asked people to open the warehouse in Ironforge Village and distribute clothes and food first. He also brought Bruno, the gray dwarf foreman of the forge, and ordered him to take charge of the mine.
"Can the Elf mining machinery be used?" What Zhou Qingfeng is most concerned about is whether the mining efficiency can be greatly improved, otherwise his action of liberating the slaves will be meaningless.
Ironforge Village has a complete set of mining equipment left behind when the elves retreated. Huge windmills provide power, lay tracks, set up winches, and use large mine carts to transport ore. There is even a specialized mining machine in the mine. The only flaw is.
.....
"The life of the elves is too exquisite. Their mining machines are actually powered by magic. I don't understand magic and arcana."
After the gray dwarf was encouraged by Zhou Qingfeng, he also felt that his past ideal of just swinging a hammer was too low-level. But now it is a bit difficult for him to play with the mining machine left by the elves.
Zhou Qingfeng was about to frown when the gray dwarf said again: "But I can change those mining machines to be driven by animal power. It should still work, but the efficiency will be much lower."
"How much lower?"
"Maybe only one-tenth of the efficiency of the magic mining machine."
"So low? Compared to manpower?"
"Compared to manpower, it is naturally at least ten times better, or even dozens of times. Those mining rotary knives are very powerful, as easy to use as wind-powered forging hammers. The things made by elves are still a bit interesting."
The gray dwarf danced and tried to explain what a rotating knife was, but Zhou Qingfeng rolled his eyes, patted its head, and said in a deep voice: "Bruno, next time you speak, talk about the good things first. Otherwise, I will be mad at you."
Zhou Qingfeng is very satisfied with improving mining efficiency not to mention ten times, but two or three times. After all, the entire Northland is extremely poor, and the market is only so big, even if the productivity is backward, it can meet the demand.
Bruno also wanted to explain the elves' wonderful inventions, but Zhou Qingfeng gave serious instructions: "Next, I will deprive other human settlement leaders of their territories and liberate more people.
The former slaves will become free people, and I will send some people to mine. At the same time, I will ask Rubio to come and help you, and sign employment contracts for all the miners, so that they can have enough food and drink, enough room for advancement, and can mine happily.
"
Zhou Qingfeng's words sounded a bit complicated, but Bruno understood instantly, "Sir, I understand what you mean. I was a slave under the dark elves back then, and I know very well how difficult it is to live in fear.
The dark elves are masters at playing with people's hearts. I have learned a lot from them and know how to make the miners work hard and not be lazy. You are just more merciful, so I don't need to use such cruel methods."
Bruno patted his chest for assurance, and Zhou Qingfeng felt that he might have really hired a gray dwarf who was good at management. He could escape from the hands of the dark elves to the ground, and at least he was not a fool.
With limited food and limited population, Zhou Qingfeng can only take the route of elite soldiers. This requires enough iron ore and enough steel. Only with enough steel can the small forces controlled by Zhou Qingfeng become more powerful.
toughness.
There is a saying that ‘steel is the country’, and this is unmistakable.