Chapter 359 Banning Child Labor
Yawn~
In the pre-dawn hush, Riz found himself standing in the heart of his publishing company's printing facility instead of sleeping on his bed.
Outside, the world was still enshrouded in the dark cloak of night, the sky barely tinged with a hint of purple, and the sun had yet to cast its first rays on the city.
The printing facility was a vast, cavernous space filled with the steady hum of machinery. Enormous presses stood like silent giants, their mechanical arms poised and ready to bring words to life on the pages of countless newspapers.
The air was redolent with the scent of fresh ink and paper, a distinctive aroma that was weirdly comforting to Riz.
He reached out and plucked a newspaper from a neat stack of freshly printed copies.
The paper was still warm to the touch, a testament to the speed and efficiency of the printing process. It was no longer the place it used to be as the facility had undergone a major renovation, embracing the latest in technological advancements.
Gone were the days of manual presses and labour-intensive typesetting. Instead, the facility now hummed with the power of steam.
Massive steam-powered printing machines, a marvel of engineering, stood as the backbone of the operation. They could produce newspapers at a rate that was once unimaginable, allowing information to be disseminated faster than ever before.
As Riz's eyes scanned the printed words on the front page, he was interrupted by a woman's voice. "Is there some mistake, Your Majesty?"
Riz looked up to see a young woman in her early twenties standing before him.
Emily Emiliano had been one of his important head managers, managing the publishing company in his stead for the past three years.
Despite her young age, Emily was remarkably competent which increased her value in his eyes.
Just like him, she looked equally sleepy as she stood in front of him.
It was way before her working hours officially began.
But since the king wanted to make a visit, she had to be there accompanying him.
"No mistake, Emily," Riz replied with a slight smile and slight shook of his head. "I'm just checking the content. I bet it will shock a lot of people."
"No doubt about it," Emily agreed. "But in my opinion, I feel like this enforcement is too sudden and hasty."
"I know and I purposely do so." He stated. "The more time I gave, the more excuse people gonna come up with to object this idea. So, let's not give them time to think."
....
As the sun rose on the capital, its warm rays bathed the city in a golden hue, signalling the start of a new day.
The early morning air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the promise of fresh beginnings.
In every corner of the capital, the newspaper was being distributed to the vendors for sale.
The city began to stir to life. People emerged from their homes, their faces illuminated by the soft, early morning light.
Street vendors set up their carts, arranging their wares in anticipation of the day ahead.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of sizzling breakfast treats filled the air, enticing passersby to stop and indulge in a quick morning meal.
The atmosphere in Bideford remained joyous and celebratory even today.
The city seemed to still bask in the afterglow of the ceremony, and a sense of pride and gratitude remained.
In the bustling marketplace, people eagerly lined up to buy the newspaper, a habitual morning habit for many.
They knew that within its pages lay the stories and updates that would connect them to the wider world.
The contents of the newspaper were as expected, with detailed accounts of the military awards and the remarkable recipients.
It still succeeds in getting the public's attention as not everybody has time to attend the ceremony.
In front of the newsstand, a group of people huddled closely, each engrossed in the newspaper's accounts of valour and sacrifice.
They were among those who didn't attend.
"Damn! Look at their contributions," exclaimed one of them, his eyes widening as he scanned the articles. "These soldiers have gone above and beyond."
Others nodded in agreement. "I didn't know the enemy managed to come dangerously close to the capital. It was terrifying if you guys think about it."
The next person chimed in. His finger pointed at a familiar name on the list of recipients. "Hey! I know this guy! He lives in the same neighbourhood as me," he exclaimed with a smile. "I can't believe he got a medal as well."
As they kept reading the content of the newspaper, one article stood out prominently among the rest.
No, to call it an article would be a misnomer. It was more of a royal decree, a statement that would undoubtedly reshape the future of the kingdom.
[Children's Education and Child Labor
By the will of the king, Rizieri Ryntum, in the effort to protect the welfare and future of the children, we hereby proclaim the following decree;
As of the 1st day of March 304 Paign Era, it is the royal command that children who have not yet reached the age of thirteen are forbidden from engaging in any form of employment, labour, or occupation.
For every child, aged 12 and below, it is compulsory to attend school and be afforded a full and proper education, thereby ensuring the development of their intellect and character.
It is incumbent upon the parents, guardians, or lawful guardians of children within the stipulated age group to ensure their progeny's enrollment in educational institutions.
Ministry of Education, in close partnership with all relevant governmental bodies, will conduct vigilant surveillance to identify any instances of non-compliance.
Any violation of this royal decree, including the unlawful employment of children aged 12 and below or any hindrance to their education, shall be met with severe consequences.
This royal decree shall be disseminated to all subjects and shall take effect on the aforementioned date.]
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel