Chapter 454 (1/2)

Chapter 454: Pensions and Punishment

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

Roland made a speech at the theater of Longsong Stronghold three days later.

To advertise the speech, he asked Petrov to relate the details of the rebellion to the entire city beforehand and also instructed Maggie to bring Echo from Border Town.

There was a smaller audience than he had expected. Although it was already spring, the endless snow stopped people from going outside.

Fortunately, driven by the prince’s promise that “soldiers killed in action will be well compensated”, all members of the Second Army and their families came to the theater. It would take Roland some time to earn trust from the rest of his subjects, but Roland believed the best marketing was word of mouth. Once the seed was sown, it would spread its roots to more people. This was the reason he insisted on an army consisting of ordinary men.

They were as sharp as swords, as impregnable as fortresses, and perfect role models for publicity.

“Good morning, my subjects. I’m the lord of the Western Region, Roland Wimbledon. I believe most of you have already heard my name.” Roland surveyed the audience and continued, “First of all, I’d like to express my deepest sorrow and grief for those who were injured or lost their lives in the rebellion. This was a conspiracy plotted in King’s City. In order to disturb the peaceful Western Region, Timothy has tried to wage war against us numerous times. Unfortunately, the four families of Western Region didn’t side with the people, but instead helped the wicked perpetuate wicked deeds, thus causing this tragedy.”

The prince did not linger on the details of the rebellion. Compared with a formal speech, people were usually more interested in the rumors circulated in taverns. Therefore, he soon switched to the more popular topic of compensation after a brief introduction.

“During the rebellion, 56 out of 112 soldiers in the Second Army were killed in action. In addition, rebels looted and burned the residences, leading to 48 deaths among civilians and reducing 12 properties to ashes,” Roland spoke in a low voice. “I hereby apologize to the subjects in Longsong Stronghold. As the lord of the territory, I’ve failed to fulfill my obligations.”

The prince’s words stirred up the audience, who apparently had never heard any royal family members apologize to civilians. Many of them were shocked and startled, but Roland thought this was the attitude a lord should have. He was not as inscrutably arrogant as other nobles, who always treated civilians with an air of scorn and condescension. History taught him that a ruler would not be truly accepted by his people unless he viewed them as his equals.

“I promise that those people won’t die for nothing! Not only would soldiers killed in battle receive a proper burial, but their families would also receive a pension of five gold royals. Plus, they can apply for food and charcoals from the City Hall as additional compensation every month in the future. This pension plan is exactly the same as the First Army’s, and I assure you subjects who join the Second Army as of today will also be equally compensated!”

Few people cheered for the prince’s promise. Apparently, most of them were skeptical about Roland’s alleged pension plan. Corruption and briberies among officials were normal on this land, so even winter relief rations were sometimes mixed with sand and leaves. How could they possibly believe that they would receive gold royals?

Nevertheless, Roland had already thought of a solution to maximize the effects of his advertising. He clapped his hands, and two soldiers from the First Army came up to the stage with a vault, followed by Petrov and Iron Axe. “I’ve got a list of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves in the battle here. Now the governor of Longsong Stronghold, Petrov Hull, will distribute pensions to you personally!”

When the soldiers dumped the shiny gold royals on the table, the audience finally became a little more enthusiastic.

“Ayat, from the First Gun Battalion of the Second Army!”

“Chapiter, from the First Gun Battalion of the Second Army!”