Link placed the five silver coins into Raymond's palm and then asked, "Raymond, can you read?"
"My Lord, I am only skilled at fighting on the battlefield. Reading... I am truly sorry, I am really not good at it. However, I can recommend Scholar Slo to you."
Raymond scratched his head, a little embarrassed, then pointed to an old man in the crowd.
The old man was thin and small, with hair as white as snow, and his face was covered with the ravages of time. At this moment, he was squeezed in the middle of the crowd, looking uneasy.
Hearing Raymond mention him, the old man tottered out from the crowd, his steps faltering as he walked towards Link on the high platform, bowing respectfully.
"Very good, Old Slo, my Lord's Mansion is in need of a butler. From now on, you will serve as the butler in the Lord's Mansion. Raymond, you will be responsible for the subsequent construction of the slum and the resettlement of retired Soldiers. Both of you will receive a monthly salary of ten silver coins!"
"Yes, my Lord!" Raymond and Slo responded in unison, their voices full of vigor.
It seems that Winterfell City is not entirely filled with mediocre people!
Link thought to himself, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
At this moment, seeing Raymond actually receive five silver coins and also secure a job with a monthly salary of ten silver coins, the crowd below immediately erupted in an uproar.
A salary of ten silver coins a month was enough to ensure a family of three lived comfortably!
In the crowd, people whispered to each other, their discussions rising and falling.
"Raymond really got five silver coins!"
"Oh my god, the Lord really isn't deceiving us!"
"Honestly, I'm so regretful! I wish I had tried too."
Hearing the discussions of the crowd, Link's lips curved slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
The story of "Moving a Log to Establish Trust" is probably familiar to everyone.
Link was imitating this method to build the most basic bridge of trust with his people.
Money might have a price, but trust is priceless.
Only by letting the people see tangible benefits will they firmly believe his promises.
"Silence! My dear people, the reason I am doing this is to make you understand that I, Link, the Lord of Winterfell City, always keep my word! Therefore, you need not have any doubts about the new laws I am about to promulgate!"
Link pressed his hands down slightly, signaling for everyone to be quiet, then raised his voice and spoke loudly.
"Firstly, from today onwards, Winterfell City will abolish all unreasonable exorbitant taxes and levies! Those absurd water taxes and birth taxes will all cease to exist! Winterfell City will only retain the most conventional taxes, such as land tax and commercial tax, to ensure that taxes are reasonable and legal, allowing you all to live and work in peace, with no more worries!"
"Secondly, from today onwards, I will recruit people externally, with a daily wage of fifteen copper coins, or equivalent food, to gather everyone to collectively repair the city walls, build new houses, and clean the entire Winterfell City! Everyone can improve their living environment through their own hard work, and at the same time contribute to the construction of Winterfell City!"
"Thirdly, from today onwards, we will vigorously promote the newly introduced food crop—potatoes. Potatoes are new crops that have traveled across the ocean; they are very easy to grow and can be harvested once every three to four months. This winter, I will not allow any of my people to die of hunger!"
"Fourthly, from today onwards, young and strong men will be selected from within the city to join the City Guards and undergo strict training! Those who join the City Guards will not only receive free food and lodging but also a daily salary of twenty copper coins! This way, they can have a stable income and also safeguard the security of Winterfell City!"
"Fifthly, from today onwards, a comprehensive population census will be conducted! All citizens within Winterfell City must go to Scholar Slo to apply for an identity card, registering their name, age, place of birth, as well as their specialties and advantages, and strictly prohibit any deception. From now on, children must be registered immediately after birth! Otherwise, they will not be able to enjoy the various new policies of Winterfell City. The population census aims to gain a deeper understanding of the actual situation of the people, so as to provide more accurate and thoughtful services for everyone!"
...Link arranged all the new laws and policies he had thought of last night, one by one.
"Moving a Log to Establish Trust" and "Work Relief" were both wisdom from ancient Chinese ancestors.
In this knowledge-scarce medieval world, it should have a good effect.
Hearing Link's new policies, the people below the stage fell silent. The whole place was quiet, as if they had heard something astonishing.
They had never imagined that the Lord would make so many changes; these policies were like a timely rain for them, nourishing their long-parched hearts.
"Slap!"
Suddenly, a woman holding a child slapped her child's bottom, leaving a red handprint.
The child cried out, but the woman felt relieved.
"My child cried, he felt pain! This is not fake!" the woman said excitedly, tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Oh my god! I'm not dreaming!"
"The Lord wouldn't be lying, would he? Paying us to repair and build our own homes? And letting us plant those potatoes?"
"Oh my god! Thank the Lord for his benevolence!"
In an instant, the crowd below erupted in cheers!
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