Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 27 "Arbitrator"

Howard, exhausted and returning from the Hantmann West Dome, stood at the front on the left.

"My Lord, I have recruited workers from the surrounding domes, and all the factories in the Khanty-Mansi Dome are now back in operation."

"During the night shift, I will announce the work standards for each position at the Magnito Steel Plant and give a speech to convey your will to all workers."

"Very good," Nimrod looked at Yelena, "Yelena, it's your turn."

"My king, the Hive City Security Force has completed its first recruitment. After Busak conducted their first training, order in the Upper Hive has been restored."

Busak noticed that the nobles who had looked down on him in the past were now looking at him with such disdain.

He smiled and puffed out his chest.

The strategy agreed upon by Ning Lu and Yelena was that he would not come forward at first, but would create a more relaxed atmosphere so that the major families could see the benefits, and then he would come forward in the end to establish rules and constraints so that cooperation could be efficient in the contract.

He and the cabinet ministers tacitly did not mention this matter. After being asked about matters such as road reconstruction, he made the announcement.

"I will be in Nightkeban, attacking the Lukopo Hive."

The nobles and court officials looked at each other in bewilderment. They had not heard any news before. Many people now remembered that Captain Rollslev, who had risen to prominence with the new king, was absent from this impromptu court meeting.

Howard felt everyone's eyes were on him. After becoming the "arbitrator", he knew that Nimrod must have more magical powers, and he was also sure that Lukopo could not compete with this god of war.

He ignored everyone's gaze. Nimrod's trust was more important than anything else, and he longed for the next gift.

Everyone turned their attention to Yelena, the Count and the founder of the cabinet.

The Countess felt another gray hair on her head, and she spoke helplessly.

"My Lord, are you a little anxious?"

"Wouldn't it be more appropriate to start with Mazov?"

"Too slow!"

Ningluo rejected Yelena's suggestion, "Since you have the ability, there is no need to beat around the bush."

Everyone felt the confidence he exuded, not as a judgment, but as a prophecy.

The court meeting ended, and ten minutes before the night shift, Ningluo walked out of the Nest Tower.

He looked past Rosicky and towards a truck surrounded by servitors.

"Your heavy halberd has been delivered. The armor is estimated to require another fourteen cycles of work."

Ning Lu nodded, walked to the front of the truck, and reached out to pull out a dark black alloy heavy halberd.

A mechanical servant on the opposite side heard the sound of strong wind above his head. He used the force to look up, but only saw the tall figure. He left with a word "not bad" and strode away.

At the same time, Howard also rushed back to the Hantmansi Dome. He took the silver cup from the captain of the guard and drank the pure water brought from the upper nest.

He suddenly thought of something, covered the cup, and without handing it back to the guard, he gave orders.

"Bring my dinner to the factory's high platform."

"As you command, my lord."

The captain of the guard immediately sent his men to carry out the order.

As Nimrod boarded a specially made open chariot, Howard also climbed onto the platform.

Thousands of workers below all looked up at the nobles on the stage, as if they were looking at a living creature.

Howard, without a gas mask, sniffed the foul air mixed with the stench of money and oil, frowning.

But it was just a habitual discomfort, not a physical one. His strengthened body overcame it immediately. He smiled and said, "My fellow workers, I have good news for you. Good news that will change your destiny."

A worker in ragged clothes and covered in oil stains picked his ear with his little finger.

"My Lord, what good news do you have? Is it a pot of rat stew?"

"I heard that King Nimrod, who had just ascended the throne, gave his workers rat soup, and one worker even ate rat tail."

"That smell, just thinking about it makes me intoxicated!"

He and dozens of workers around him swallowed their saliva. At the same time, many workers in other factories who were watching Howard's speech through the video screens set up could not help but have their eyes shining.

"Quiet, you guys..."

The captain of the guard was so angry that his face turned pale. He drew the laser pistol from his waist, wanting to teach these scum from the lower nest a lesson and tell them how much respect they should have for the Earl.

Howard stretched out his hand to stop his men. A flash of anger flashed in his eyes, but he immediately calmed down, with a smile still on his face.

"You've only ever eaten rat meat and think it's the best delicacy in the world."

He picked up the aluminum lunch box at his feet, opened the lid, and the aroma immediately filled the air, and all the workers craned their necks.

"what is that?"

"This is tuna from the Symphony of the Sea, which is an ocean world."

"It's in its nest now, and few people get to eat it, but now you have a chance."

Howard had not deceived them. The coalition forces of the various Vostroyan hives had not gained an advantage against the alien pirates, and the impact of the obstructed transportation had begun to show in the upper hive.

While workers at other factories jeered and questioned each other, the Magnito Steel Plant fell silent.

The workers were gradually infected by Howard's convincing words and smile. In their eyes, the blond nobleman was no longer a high and mighty noble lord. They quieted down and listened to the speech of the "arbitrator".

The guard commander was satisfied with the transformation of the scum in the lower nest, but also felt a little strange. He suddenly heard his master speak in a stern and majestic tone.

"On behalf of King Nimrod, I declare that from this moment on, a new rationing system will be implemented."

"Each type of work has a quantitative requirement. Anyone who completes the task will receive a portion of corpse starch."

“Those who exceed their targets will receive corresponding compensation in proportion.”

Workers from other factories didn't even bother to spit on the ground or on the machines next to them.

"You're kidding! When did we get paid based on how much we worked?"

"Ever since the servants of Om Messiah abandoned their nest, those gangs of thugs have only known how to beat us with sticks. When have we ever had enough to eat?"

"I think even if it's true, it's impossible to meet the standards. It's just a trick to trick us into working hard."

Inside the Magnito Steel Plant, many workers did not make any noise. Howard seemed to be emitting an invisible aura that made them subconsciously want to obey.

Howard walked towards the podium and spoke at the same time.

"You must think the standards are too high to be achieved, but let me tell you right now that you can definitely do it if you work a little harder."

The guard commander hurriedly followed, gripping his weapon tightly and looking nervously at the scum around him.

The blond noble walked into the crowd without any nervousness. In addition to strengthening his spirituality, giving him convincing charm and sufficient authority, the "Arbitrator" also gave him excellent fighting skills.

What's more, he was wearing fine power armor, so even if the workers rioted, Howard was confident that he could fight back.

The workers didn't move, their eyes following the blond noble.

(End of this chapter)