Chapter 360 Reaction
The friends, their faces frozen in shock, stood in stunned silence.
Their eyes darted between each other, exchanging perplexed glances that mirrored their collective astonishment.
It was as if an invisible weight had descended upon them, leaving their minds reeling and struggling to process the gravity of this unexpected royal decree.
"This... is unexpected," said one of them.
For so long, employing children as labour had been an unquestioned norm.
It's understandable why they were so shocked by the children banned policy.
Around them, the crowd that had gathered near the newsstand shared their astonishment. Murmurs and gasps rippled through the onlookers.
"What the? Am I seeing this right?" said a middle-aged man, his voice quivering with incredulity. The middle-aged man stood there, a portrait of astonishment, his eyes widened with disbelief.
"If my child goes to school, then my family income would be reduced," remarked another, his brows furrowing as he contemplated the potential financial strain this new policy might bring.
"What are you talking about? Do you want to endanger children's lives for a few coins?" snapped a woman who happened to overhear the man's complaint. She vehemently disagreed with his perspective.
The man scowled in response. "I'm just saying, it wouldn't hurt to gain a few extra incomes for the family."
A nearby vendor chimed in, "But don't you see? Education is an investment in our children's future. We can't keep exploiting them for short-term gains."
This sparked a heated argument among the people gathered around the newsstand. Voices grew louder as opinions clashed.
"Childhood is meant for learning and playing, not labour!" declared a school teacher, who had joined the crowd. "This policy is long overdue."
The responses were emotionally charged and varied, separating the camp into two sides.
Some nodded in agreement, recognizing the importance of education and child welfare.
Others were apprehensive about the immediate impact on their family's finances. While the remaining of them grumbled about their business's operation cost will increase from now on.
....
Somewhere in Bideford,
Irene sat in a dimly lit room, carefully reading the newspaper. The room was bland with plain walls and minimal furnishings.
"So, this is the policy Albert is talking about," she mused, flipping the newspaper to read further. Her eyes darted across the page, absorbing the implications of the policy. "This definitely would piss them off."
She then closed the newspaper and turned to her subordinate, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Tell our agents to get ready," she said, her voice low and calculated. "Ryntum is about to enter a stormy period, and we're going to use this chance to add some chaos."
Her subordinate nodded, "Yes, ma'am," he replied.
....
Irene was absolutely right. In a well-appointed office in the Rafoldrod, a group of business owners gathered to discuss the recent policy highlighted in the newspaper.
They came from various industries such as textiles, manufacturing, mining, and more, and their interests were intricately tied to the labour practices that had long been the norm in the kingdom.
Their expressions were a mix of anger, frustration, and disbelief as they read through the details.
"Well, this is absurd!" declared one of the industrialists, slamming his hand on the polished wooden desk. "Mandatory education for children? Do they even realize the economic implications of this?"
Another chimed in, "It's a direct blow to our businesses. We rely on child labour to keep costs down."
"Now, now, please calm down, everyone," Albert stepped in, trying to pacify the agitated group. "Didn't I tell you before?"
All eyes turned to him, curiosity mixed with frustration. "What are you suggesting, Albert? Should we immediately increase the price of our products now?"
"Exactly!" Albert responded firmly. "Isn't it a natural response? The king has given us a narrow window to replace child workers. Our production will be affected, and costs will increase. It won't be easy to find immediate replacements. So, yes, it's only natural to consider raising prices."
Albert's words momentarily quelled the heated discussions.
One industrialist, known for his pragmatism, nodded thoughtfully. "Albert has a point. We can't simply abandon our businesses. If the cost of production increases, we'll have no choice but to pass it on to consumers."
One of the more pragmatic industrialists nodded slowly. "Raising prices might indeed be our only option. Although it could alienate our customer base, the price can be controlled so that it remains just slightly above the average market price."
For them, increasing the prices comes with no risks, as Ryntum is the only nation with the capability to mass-produce a variety of unique products.
Who are they going to buy the product from except from them?
Albert couldn't hide his satisfaction. "Great!" he exclaimed. "That's exactly the kind of forward-thinking we need in this situation."
He went on to outline their next steps with a determined tone. "First, we need to act swiftly. I suggest we immediately terminate all child workers in our factories to show that we are complying with the order. This action should be well-publicized, so everyone knows that we're taking the king's decree seriously."
The other industrialists nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of setting an example.
"Once that's done," Albert continued, "we will simultaneously raise the prices of our products. We'll explain to our customers that this price increase is an unavoidable consequence of the new decree, with the additional costs incurred in hiring adult workers and ensuring our compliance. We'll need to communicate this message clearly and consistently."
Their decision was set, and the meeting was concluded with a shared sense of purpose and determination.
Albert didn't waste any time.
He immediately dispatched his men to contact his trusted associates in all regions.
Each of these associates was expected to implement the same strategy.
On the same day that the policy was announced to the public, tens of horses galloped out of Rafoldrod, each rider carrying a sealed message and clear instructions.
They branched off in different directions, heading towards the various industrial regions where the factories were situated.
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