This time, Li Ke didn't have to wait too long. Whether it was Mr. Ryan or the secretaries of the family heads, they quickly gathered a large number of people and prepared to take over the city that was stopped by the plant. And as expected, there were smart people who tried to escape the city, but all of them were bound by plants that emerged out of nowhere at the edge of the city and sent to prison cells that had begun to restore order.
The first to be unsealed were the secret forces. Under the persuasion of the secretaries and ministers, they gave up on resisting and were temporarily under the command of Ryan and the rest. They went out on the streets with the useless policemen to maintain law and order. They also informed the confused and frightened civilians that the times of Pi City had changed. They told them to stay at home and wait for the next arrangements.
Due to the lack of manpower, Li Ke had no choice but to hire some people who didn't participate in the persecution. For example, the so-called elites like Bernard to be his secretaries. And Miss Sarah, who returned with a bunch of boorish crew members, also got her and her crew members some good positions: the naval defense of Pi City and the commander of the fleet.
Also, Li Ke promised a few 200-meter long magic wooden ships.
But that was all. Although the people she brought over were not bullies, they had nothing to do with the word 'good' either. That was why Li Ke gave Sarah an actual official position and didn't give any important positions to the people she brought. He only gave Sarah a certain amount of authority and let her handle it herself.
However, Sarah's help was limited to this. Although she was the future Pirate Empress, her current ability wasn't enough to take over Pi City's navy. Those old foxes would definitely obey and use all sorts of methods to misinterpret her orders. Therefore, Li Ke estimated that he would need to help her solve some of her problems. Only then would she be able to truly take over Pi City's navy and become a force that he could mobilize.
However, there were more troublesome matters that he needed to deal with.
"Open the granaries of the noble families and distribute food. Don't let anyone starve to death before we restore the order of this city. Do you understand? Bernard, if someone is up to no good, then everyone responsible for this matter will be hanged … Also, Mr. Huck, I want to know why I saw a large number of cannons approved in the documents, but I didn't see any of those powerful cannons on the city walls during the battle with the army. "
Li Ke sat at the plaza between Pi City and Pi City. After inspecting the sparse cannons on the city walls, he first ordered Bernard to prepare for the civilians. Then, he turned to a 'young' man with short hair who seemed to be around 40 years old and asked his question. This man who wore a suit and had a smile on his face, after Li Ke asked his question, he used a gentle and sincere tone to answer Li Ke's question.
"About that, sir. Who do you think the cannons on the city walls are used to defend against?"
Li Ke frowned. He hated this kind of gentleman who had rich experience in fooling people. Thus, he extended his hand, and Bernard immediately handed over the paper containing Mr. Hank's crimes. He silently prayed for this senior of his who worked in Peel City's security bureau.
"Let me see. Treason, corruption, threatening competitors, usury. How interesting. Your usury didn't even force anyone to die. Can you tell me why?"
Li Ke was a little surprised, because this mister was not involved in the business of the mafia, nor did he have any experience of persecuting the commoners at the bottom of society. The only thing that deserved to be hanged was that he was a loan shark. Moreover, it was not the kind of loan sharks that paid 90% to 13%, but a 'high-interest' loan for apprentices. Among the evidence collected so far, he was considered one of the cleaner ones. Those who could not pay their debts were not forced to die by him. Instead, they were hired by him with the important persuasion reason of 'working for him would delay the increase of interest'.
"Ah, because the most precious wealth in this world is people. My mister, I think you are very clear on this point, right? Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. Instead, I would've been hanged by you or sent to prison to await a public trial. "
He paused for a moment.
"Therefore, I only lend to those with potential. After they learn, through work and invention, they can repay the money I lent them. Then, not only can I earn a huge sum, I can also obtain the gratitude of a capable person. As for those who I misjudged, they have the most basic ability to work. They can work in my shop to repay the money. I can obtain a group of above standard employees. "
With a slight smile, this seemingly flawless person continued to speak.
"What's more, how much money can those poor people who have really fallen into extreme poverty have? What kind of capital do you have to pay me back? Only smart and capable people can invest in it, right? "
Li Ke paused for a moment. He carefully sized up this person who was in charge of all security matters in Pi City. Then, he shook his head.
"If I wasn't lacking in manpower, mister, just based on your words and your ability to speculate, I would've hanged you. Alright, back to the topic. Of course, I know you prepared cannons to defend against the Noxus people. But these cannons didn't appear on the walls of Pi City. Therefore, as a trusted ruler, I have to know where these cannons went. "
He was currently in charge of the city's armed forces, which was why he asked about the location of these cannons. After all, even if he wasn't afraid of the cannons, the civilians and Sarah weren't. Therefore, the location of these missing weapons must be investigated. However, Mr. Huck only shook his head helplessly and spread out his hands.
"Yes, mister, no offense, but I have to tell you that the Noxus people won't attack us before the war ends, so …."
He lowered his voice.
"… You just have to let the civilians believe that they are protected."
After speaking, this mister revealed an awkward but polite smile to Li Ke. Then, he took out a document from his pocket and handed it to Li Ke.
"There are many more such cases, so I've specially prepared a list of equipment for you to ensure that you don't have to worry about non-existent equipment. If you still want to know the true whereabouts of the equipment that disappeared despite the fact that the funds were allocated to it, then … "
He spread out his hands with a helpless and serious expression.
"I think you need to interrogate all of us here and then hang all of us."
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