Unaware of the storms he had created in the hearts of his people, Marcus straightened his back and looked at the stunned crowd.
'Even though I just apologized, I still have to do this.'
"From now on… If you are willing to work, even if it's just moving things around or cleaning the city, you'll be qualified to eat to your fill.
"Not only that, when things start to stabilize a bit and shelters have been built, I will assign each and every family a house. I will create good earning jobs for you all and elevate your status in society."
Marcus revealed and the crowd was a bit unsure of how to react.
Working to fill their stomachs was fine, however, jobs that paid well, were they qualified?
This wasn't an issue of skill, but rather, the mentality that their experiences had ingrained in them.
They indeed saw themselves as less.
Seeing this reaction, Marcus wanted to curse out. They were supposed to be happy.
Asipen trembled as the words Marcus uttered settled in his mind, but his heart refused to believe in them.
"Milord, are you speaking the truth?" He asked with a tone tinged with fear.
"I am not joking, Asipen."
"But milord, many of us are illiterate and very few have skills to offer. Do we still deserve to dream of such?"
It was at this point that Marcus realized another flaw in his plans.
Just like he wanted Surfan and the other farmers to ask him about the limestone, he wanted the people of Agard to take charge when curious.
However, these people didn't even think that they deserved good things… how are they to seek knowledge with such a mindset?
In many ways, Marcus's initial thought wasn't wrong. For persistence and determination to be present, there has to be a drive.
He wanted their curiosity and results to be the drive.
After all, this has worked on Dorian and the other blacksmiths.
In the case of the masses, Marcus realized that he would have to take a different approach.
'Yes, this can also be tested and adjusted along the way. I am not all-powerful and all-knowing, I will definitely make mistakes like this in the future again.'
In a few seconds, he made a mental note to make sure he observed his plans from the perspectives of the masses, even if it meant that he had to seek their opinions or advice.
"If you are illiterate, then become literate. I will strive to set up lesson sessions in the near future, where knowledge will be accessible to any and everyone who wishes to change their destiny. Those who learn and even specialize in certain paths will earn more…"
Marcus wanted to add that he would bestow upon them permanent land if they were learned enough, but he held his tongue as the lands in Agard were worth close to nothing.
"Milord…" The Asipen heard, the faster tears ran down his face.
These were words, Asipen never thought he'd hear in his lifetime. He felt like he was dreaming.
Who didn't want to be well taught and literate?
There were a few academies in the kingdom and all of them had a tuition fee that most people in the kingdom couldn't afford.
Now their governor was saying that he would provide this for them?
It all sounded too good to be true, and yet, many were desperate to believe in them.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some stared at Marcus with disbelief, while others clenched their bowls tighter, afraid the promises might vanish.
'Sir, to make such promises. Aren't you moving faster than you can run?' Bradley thought.
There were many things to consider when it comes to teaching, especially when done in groups.
Who would be the teacher?
What doctrine do they use? What books do they have?
Although Marcus's mansion has a library of its own, it wasn't all that.
"Asipen, can you read?" Marcus asked.
"Somewhat, milord. I was once lucky to receive teachings from a saintly scholar when I was younger."
"Good, I have a job in mind for you, but you'll have to give me a few weeks to put some things in place." Marcus turned his gaze back to the crowd and spread his hands wide.
"The same goes for everyone, any Agardian here who can read, I have a job for you all. I'll at least pay each person 150 silver coins a month!"
Brown and the other Knights almost stumbled.
That's our damn yearly wage!
Has the lord gone crazy again!
The knights thought with a stupefied expression on their faces, but none of them spoke a word about it here.
That would tarnish their lord's image in the eyes of the people.
Even the crowd went silent before loud voices burst out from the crowd.
"Milord! I can also read and write!" Someone shouted desperately.
"Milord, me too!"
"Lord Governor, I used to work for a wealthy family years ago, I was taught to read there."
Immediately, their voices became too loud to even pick out what they were saying.
It was difficult to know if people were lying about literacy, but who would blame them?
There were very few jobs that would pay that much a month to people like them.
Even scholars in the Imperial Capital, upon starting their careers, would struggle to earn this much in a month.
The wages paid to workers were usually poor, making it very hard for poor families to become rich.
The rich became richer while the poor stooped lower in their poverty.
Such was the way of life in Ulha.
But Marcus thought differently, to become richer, his people would also have to be rich.
At least they have to be able to afford a living.
'It all comes back to money. Then so be it, if they are not curious now, let's use money to forcefully implant determination in them.' Marcus sighed internally.
Raising a hand up with a smile on his face, the excited crowd quickly calmed down.
"When the time comes, I will ask for all of you. For now, come get your food and eat. After that, look for Bradley and leave your name and information with him.
"Now that we have settled this, I do not want another fight to start here anymore. Anyone who breaks this rule should expect to be punished." He says sternly.
The crowd nodded and Marcus walked back to his office.
Today, he might not have earned the respect and love of the people, but he has caught their attention now.
Marcus leaned back on his chair and started adjusting many parts of his plans.
"Sir, should I start doing research on books we'll need to facilitate these lesson sessions you plan to hold in the future?" Bradley suddenly spoke up.
He said this just to remind Marcus of the difficulty of what he promised.
Not even the King would have made such promises so easily.
"Calm down, Bradley," Marcus chuckled.
"I'm calm, sir."
"Your twitching ears say otherwise."
"Sir, teaching people isn't so easy."
"I know."
"And hiring those qualified enough to teach thousands of people will cost a lot. We'll need to find a way to invite famous scholars just to legitimize the knowledge imparted to them, this can range from two hundred to three hundred gold coins a month."
"Don't worry about all of that, Bradley. When the time comes, all you'll need to do is hire scribes for me. The books, the teachers? We'll raise our own. We didn't need the kingdom's acknowledgement of our doctrine, it will be the other way around."
Bradley was visibly annoyed as one of his eyelids twitched continuously.
Don't worry… calm down…
Bradley had lost count of the number of times Marcus had said this to him since his recovery.
Seeing his reaction, Marcus couldn't help but laugh.
"Just go and let the knights know that I'm waiting for them."
Taking a few seconds to control his emotions, Bradley replied weakly. "Yes...Sir."