Chapter 19

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“As long as you dare to do it, we will be able to force our dearest city lord to restrain us no more.”

As long as you dare to do it?

Since they didn’t choose to go into battle, how could they still be beheaded as a punishment?

Suddenly, a few of the merchants stood up as if they were inspirers of the masses.

“What’s there still to discuss? As long as you say the word, we will definitely do it. Right, guys?”

All the merchants had lingering fears, but after such a strong, inspiring statement, the concerns in their heads were completely forgotten.

Some of them slowly raised an arm, but didn’t follow the example of those merchants who stood up. Gradually, the rest also raised their arms. Soon after, all of them stood up and shouted their slogan in unison.

“Boycott the city hall! Return our freedom to run our businesses!”

“Boycott the city hall! Return our freedom to run our businesses!”

Since their meeting place was rather secluded, they weren’t heard by any outsiders though their voices were loud.

Benny saw the sight in front of him and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift into a treacherous smile.

“City lord, I thought you wouldn’t last more than a month and didn’t expect you to be so admirable. But you shouldn’t have come to Yale City. This isn’t a stage for you to perform clown tricks.”

The crowd quietened down and began asking Benny the plan he had.

Benny once again brought the cigarette in his hand to his mouth, saying, “Since the city lord mistreats us, we shall collectively stop recruiting workers. Even as we do so, we will not give the corresponding high wages. We will close our stores as soon as we sell a certain amount of our goods every day. We will also raise prices and see how long Yale City can last without us.”

“Is this really okay? The city hall has the right to seize our stores.”

There were some merchants who quickly calmed down despite loudly yelling the slogans before.

Benny replied, “Don’t you know that we’ve spent more time in Yale City than the city lord?

“Besides, if we resist him altogether, do you think he will chase all of us merchants out of Yale City? You are too naive, my friend. He isn’t capable of that.

“You should know how a city ends up without merchants. He would not dare to take such a huge risk. Moreover, he’s just a baron; Earl Miller doesn’t even dare to offend us merchants, so how will a mere baron dare to?”

Benny’s words were brimming with confidence as if the outcome of this plan was already set.

“You’re right. How will he dare to confront so many of us merchants?”

“That’s right. When the time comes, let’s wait for the city lord to come knocking on our doors and beg us for help. Hahaha!”

“What’s the bet this time? I bet he will beg us within five days of our plan being implemented.”

“I’ll bet three days, and whoever loses will give up 30 slaves as compensation.”

Several merchants who were on good terms with Benny echoed one after another and began betting.

At the end of the meeting, Benny also didn’t forget to let the merchants sign the agreement to prove that they were all willing to fight against the city hall together.

Thereafter, various stores in the city began laying off staff overnight, raising prices and giving less wages than originally stipulated.

The residents of the city stirred up like ants on a hot pot.

Some of them believed that it must have been due to the notice posted by the city hall a few days ago, causing the merchants to make such a move en masse.

It was already winter. How could they survive without the food supply from the merchants? Furthermore, prices of goods also rocketed, while some faced unemployment.

Citizens were instantly knocked back to their original shape despite just stepping into a good life. The discontentment in them exploded.

Continuous riots erupted in the city, where at almost every moment there were people robbing food supplies.

“My lord, there is a crisis in the city!”

Such situations increasingly happened. It took three days before the city hall finally got news of it.

At that moment, Wang Lun was in the city hall, while Lucy was imparting some knowledge about this world to him.

Upon seeing Bran scurrying into the city hall, Wang Lun frowned and asked, “Bran, what’s the matter? Why are you all panicky?”

Bran arrived in front of Wang Lun, nearly tripping over. Fortunately, Wang Lun extended his arm in time to support him.

“My lord, we’re in trouble!”

If someone else had said such words, Wang Lun might still think that the situation wasn’t that serious. But since it was Bran who said it, Wang Lun couldn’t help but pay attention.

Wang Lun immediately widened his eyes and said, “What? Tell me all about it!”

“There is chaos in the city!”

“Chaos?” There was no greater chaos that Wang Lun had encountered since arriving in Yale City than almost being killed.

“The merchants in the city have started to act in rebellion.”

“What kind of rebellion could they show?” Wang Lun became agitated.

Bran gasped for air and tried to calm his breath.

“The merchants laid off some of the workers and also raised the prices of goods considerably. The people in the city have started to riot.”

“What?” Wang Lun turned red. “How dare they mess with me!”

“Get Hallmark to see me immediately!” He yelled at the guard standing outside the door.

The guard heard his order and hurriedly ran off.

Shortly after, Hallmark arrived in front of Wang Lun.

“My lord!”

Wang Lun said, “Gather the soldiers and follow me to the city.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Hallmark didn’t ask for the reason. He could see that Wang Lun was serious.

“Bran, do you know who is leading the charge? A collective one-time revolt must have been instigated by a leader.”

Bran nodded and said, “Someone in the city reported that it was the biggest merchant, Benny.”

“Are you sure?”

“There should be no mistake. He is the only one who can drive the merchants in Yale City because he is an authoritative presence among them.”

“Very well. No matter what his status is, the moment he goes up against the city hall, Yale City will never tolerate it.”

Wang Lun, Bran, and Hallmark stepped out of the city hall and went straight to Benny’s store.

The soldiers smashed open Benny’s store entrance and stormed inside. Sure enough, Benny and a few merchants were happily discussing something.

“My lord? Welcome, your arrival sure brings light to my humble dwelling!”

The person who spoke was precisely Benny.

“The first time we met, we were looking at each other from afar. Never have I expected us to be so close to each other in our last meeting,” Wang Lun spoke. “Capture him.”

Without any hesitation, the soldiers arrested Benny.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Benny looked as if he didn’t know what was going on.

“Perhaps you know better than me. Confiscate all of his properties. His guards will join the city hall.”

“I protest!”

Those were Benny’s last words before he was escorted out of the store.

Wang Lun shifted his gaze to the few other merchants. “As for the few of you, you will face the same consequence and be expelled along with Benny!”

“My lord, it has nothing to do with us. Benny forced everything on us!”

“My lord…”

“What about the other merchants, my lord?”

“We will make an example of you and they will not be up to no good anymore.”