Richard kept speaking: "The Efficiency Departnt will have absolute law enforcent power, managing all matters throughout Shalin with an emphasis on efficiency. Everyone loyal to Shalin will be integrated into this system to play their role."
"My initial idea is to first establish the headquarters of the Efficiency Departnt, appoint a Deputy Director in charge, and then have the Deputy Director find ways to set up branches and improve the entire system. As for the candidate for the Deputy Director, I have not decided yet. I want to either recomnd soone from among you or hold an election, and the one with the most support wins. So, who among you is interested?"
The faces of those present changed several tis as they listened to Richard’s words.
Initially, they thought Richard wanted to seize power, but upon hearing more, they realized he was actually centralizing power and handing it to one of them. According to Richard, he himself would assu a nominal role as the head of the headquarters, but the Deputy Director would be the one actually handling matters.
Such a person would hold significant power, becoming the second most influential figure in Shalin, second only to Richard. For those who usually only manage their own territories, such an opportunity seed almost like a dream.
Becoming the lucky one would an a qualitative change, but failing to be elected would an being subject to soone’s jurisdiction and control, which is a different matter entirely.
Among the seated, several powerful managers were tempted to try it.
After all, trying wouldn’t cost anything.
Even if they couldn’t be the second in command, being the third was still better than their current status.
As everyone exchanged glances and observed each other’s attitudes, one person stood up first and said loudly: "Great Lord Richard, I am willing to try to beco the Deputy Director of the Efficiency Departnt and ensure your wishes are perfectly conveyed to all subjects."
Richard looked toward the person who stood up and saw him smiling with respect, holding a bowler hat elegantly. He was Mayer Grover, previously nad.
"Mayer, is it." Richard glanced at him without much change in expression, just nodded slightly, and looked at the rest, asking, "Is there anyone here who supports Mr. Mayer, please raise your hand?"
The people in the seats all looked at Mayer, who smiled back confidently.
After a brief silence, the people in the seats began to raise their hands, reaching nearly forty percent within seconds.
Naturally, these people were not attracted by Mayer’s personal charisma, thinking that his becoming Deputy Director could lead Shalin to a better future. Instead, they had intricate, ambiguous ties with Mayer and believed his election would benefit them.
Seeing his popularity, Mayer couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows with a hint of pride but quickly restrained himself, seriously watching Richard, waiting for his response. In his view, the situation was almost certain; unless sothing unexpected happened, he would beco the Deputy Director.
From this perspective, although it was his first eting with Richard today, he began to like Richard a bit. After all, Richard seed to have traveled far just to help him strengthen his power. Where else in the world is such a good thing found?
Others who originally intended to run for Deputy Director went silent collectively at this mont, looking sowhat upset.
They didn’t raise their hands in the vote just now because they had varying degrees of conflicts of interest with Mayer; his election would negatively affect them in many ways. If possible, they would definitely cause trouble.
However, seeing the situation, Mayer was too strong, with forty percent support. According to their estimates, they could only gather around ten percent at most, completely unable to compete with Mayer.
It seems they will face harsh days ahead.
Thinking of this, they started sighing inwardly, pondering counterasures.
At this ti, Richard, on the high platform, spoke, looking at Mayer: "Mr. Mayer, congratulations, it appears you have indeed gained significant support and qualify to beco Deputy Director. Next, I will ask you a few questions. If your answers are satisfactory, you can take office."
"Yes, my Lord." Mayer bent over, trying to maintain composure, but the joy in his eyes was almost overflowing.
"Very well, please answer the first question." Richard looked directly at Mayer and said, "I have learned that your jurisdiction is quite large, ranking first in Shalin, and you have good relations with several other neighboring jurisdictions, forming a kind of economic alliance."
"Economic alliance?" Hearing this unfamiliar term, Mayer was slightly dazed and puzzled, but he continued to listen.
Richard continued: "During my investigation, I found your economic alliance quite favorable, but there are small issues, naly that the security in the alliance area isn’t good. Thief Groups are rampant, severely threatening trade routes and obstructing material exchanges. Just in the past week, sixteen large and small rchant caravans have been robbed, the situation hasn’t been contained, and it’s getting worse. I want to know how you plan to resolve this situation?"
Hearing this, Mayer was taken aback. He expected personal questions, not inquiries about the Thief Group.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Mayer organized his words and looked at Richard, starting to speak: "My Lord, I am currently training a new elite force under my command, about a few hundred n. Although small in scale, it’s more than enough to deal with the Thief Group. So, give so ti; when the training is finished, it will be the end of the Thief Group, and I will make sure to eradicate them."
"Very good, I appreciate your plan." Richard nodded, then with a smile, asked, "However, regarding the head of the largest Thief Group — your brother-in-law, Shawke Tole, how do you specifically plan to address this? Will you show no rcy and eliminate him, or do otherwise?"
"Ah?!" Mayer was stunned, as if struck by a hamr, his body visibly shook, and it took him a long ti to speak, the hat in his hand getting crumpled.
"Huff huff—"
After two deep breaths, Mayer smiled again, looking at Richard and saying: "My Lord, there might be so misunderstanding; as a manager, the Thief Group has always been my enemy. I have no acquaintance with any Thief Group leader, nor do I know anyone nad Shawke Tole. This must be slander or malicious rumor, probably orchestrated by so rival of mine."
As Mayer finished, he gave a hard glare at a few strong competitors nearby, then looked at Richard with very certain eyes, his face virtually reading: I am not lying!
Richard glanced and then laughed.
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