Chapter 393 - 382: Knowledge Is a Ladder (Part 2)

Chapter 393: Chapter 382: Knowledge Is a Ladder (Part 2)

Selas Aurilian

Level: Level 3 Priest

Bloodline: Radiant Scion (Secret Silver Tier) 36%, Mixed Bloodline 64%

Abilities: Divine Spark, Sunfire Touch, Light of Faith

Overall Evaluation: The energy of his bloodline can be converted into two practical forms. First: channel life energy through ’Sunfire Touch’ to promote tissue regeneration in a target, achieving rapid healing. Second: project the divine radiance into a target’s spirit through ’Light of Faith’ to fortify their will and dispel negative emotions.

’A Secret Silver Tier bloodline... and he can use Divine Art-like abilities without implants. He’s a genuine member of the True Origin Sect, no doubt about it. Since they’re heretics actively suppressed by the Church, they can’t be spies. His identity is confirmed.’

’Their predicament means they’re bound to be looking for allies. A territory like mine, founded on technology and order, would be naturally attractive to a sect like theirs. Their motive is perfectly reasonable. And the bargaining chip they bring to the table... an intelligence network leading to the heart of the Empire. That’s exactly the pair of eyes I desperately need to counter Hector.’

’As for the risks... accepting them is tantamount to openly declaring ourselves enemies of the Empire and the Church. But Hector’s actions have already pushed not just the White Tower Territory, but the entire Duchy into that very position. The risk can’t be avoided, only managed. We’ll just have to tighten control over internal information. As long as the other side can’t produce evidence of the Count of White Tower directly collaborating with heretics, where the Blood Cough Potion came from becomes less important.’

’This deal is feasible.’

Velin stopped tapping his fingers.

"Very well."

The two words made Mateo and Selas both sigh in relief.

"But I have three conditions." Velin raised a single finger. "First, all intelligence you provide must be subject to cross-verification. If you intentionally provide false or misleading information even once, our cooperation is terminated immediately."

He raised a second finger.

"Second, all activities of your people within the White Tower Territory must be reported to the Government Hall. I need to know who is coming, where they are, and what they are doing."

Finally, he raised a third finger, his gaze landing on Elias.

"Third, and most importantly. You may study your doctrines here, but you are absolutely forbidden from proselytizing publicly within my territory, or attempting to recruit a single follower. Your faith is your own affair."

Mateo lowered his head without hesitation.

"Your Lordship’s conditions are fair and reasonable. We accept them completely."

"Very good." Velin looked at Tristan. "You’ll be responsible for the follow-up coordination. Arrange accommodations for them and establish an encrypted communication channel."

"Yes, My Lord." Tristan closed his notebook.

An agreement was reached.

A secret intelligence line to the heart of the Empire was thus established.

After Elias left with the two monks, only Velin and Tristan remained in the reception room.

Tristan did not leave. Instead, he pulled another report from his satchel and presented it to Velin.

The cover read, in neat script: *An Analytical Report on Recent Labor Structure and Industrial Upgrading Bottlenecks*.

"My Lord, while we’ve been dealing with external threats, a new internal problem has emerged."

Velin took the report and opened it. It was mostly charts and data.

They spoke as they walked out of the port authority office, heading toward the City Hall on the top level.

The sunlight was a bit harsh, and daisies bloomed brightly along the path. But Tristan’s tone was anything but relaxed.

"The territory’s total registered population has tripled in the past two months. The new immigrants have filled the labor shortages for the construction of the dam, roads, and new urban districts." Tristan pointed to a crew of workers paving a stone road in the distance. "But our industrial upgrading has ground to a near halt."

"The variety and quantity of magic plants in Mist Spring Valley are surging, but we are severely lacking apprentices capable of learning to identify plant traits and perform delicate cultivation. Sarah is also facing problems; our demand for animal labor has skyrocketed, which means the newly hatched larvae are not receiving enough care. Even the Government Hall lacks enough literate clerks to handle the increasingly complex files."

Tristan chose his words carefully.

"We have a large amount of low-skilled labor, but we lack more ’high-level’ artisans."

Velin stopped walking and turned his gaze to the laboring immigrants. Most were sallow and thin, but their eyes held a newfound sense of security. They swung their tools with all their might in exchange for enough food to fill their stomachs and a place to live.

"So, the root of the problem is knowledge," Velin said.

Tristan nodded. This was the exact conclusion of his report.

"Yes, My Lord. Over ninety percent of the workforce in the territory is illiterate. They can’t read safety regulations, can’t understand work orders, and it’s impossible for them to learn from complex technical manuals. This means we have to assign a number of literate foremen just to supervise their work, which has become the biggest bottleneck to our development."

"I have a preliminary concept." Tristan looked at Velin, his eyes shining. "I call it the ’Light of the White Tower’."

"Go on."

"We will take literacy and basic arithmetic, which are currently privileges of citizenship, and turn them into a public service available to everyone, including immigrants. To that end, I propose:"

"First, a comprehensive expansion and establishment of night schools. Our previous small-scale pilot program for night schools has proven its value. Now, we should implement them on a large scale in the name of the Government Hall, in Minas Tirith and all subordinate settlements. Any laborer who wishes to improve themselves can apply. To ensure educational resources are not wasted, and to slightly offset the financial pressure, participants will be required to pay a small tuition fee."

"Second, establish a standardized ’Knowledge Level’ certification system, which will include and separately rate literacy and basic arithmetic. For example, literacy levels could range from Level 1, the ability to recognize one hundred common words; to Level 2, the ability to read the *White Tower Weekly*; all the way to Level 5, the ability to independently read technical manuals. Arithmetic levels would be similarly divided, from mastering basic calculations to being able to perform engineering estimates." ℯℯ𝑙.

"Third, and this is the most crucial step. We will link the ’Knowledge Levels’ to our current ’fourteen-rank merit system.’ When a citizen takes a promotion exam for their merit rank, their certified literacy and arithmetic levels will earn them bonus points. The higher the level, the greater the advantage. Furthermore, certain key positions in the future, such as workshop supervisors or departmental clerks, will not only require applicants to have a specific merit rank but also hold the corresponding literacy or arithmetic level certificate as a hard prerequisite for consideration."

"We won’t force anyone to learn, but we will firmly bind knowledge to the ladder of advancement. We want every single person in this territory to understand one truth: here, knowledge itself may not be money, but it is the most reliable path to achieving higher status and greater rewards."

Velin’s gaze fell upon his chief administrator. In the sunlight, Tristan’s eyes were bright and resolute, filled with hope for his plan.

A moment later, Velin walked forward, raised his hand, and gently placed it on Tristan’s shoulder.

"Tristan, you’ve done very well." Velin smiled in affirmation. "You always see the details I overlook and turn them into workable plans."

He withdrew his hand, his gaze turning to the bustling port and the ever-more prosperous city in the distance.

"You have a free hand," Velin said. "You will perfect the details of the plan. Within three days, I want to see the complete bill. Implement it in the name of the Government Hall. You have my full support."

This praise and trust caused Tristan’s tense expression to relax. A warmth surged through his chest, washing away the fatigue of many long days of work.

"Yes, My Lord!" He bowed deeply, his voice resounding and firm. "I guarantee it will be done!"

Without another word, Tristan turned and walked away at a brisk pace, quickly disappearing down the road leading to the Government Hall.

Velin watched his retreating figure, then turned and began walking slowly along another stone path, alone, toward the Lord’s Mansion.