Chapter 361 Price Hike
In the bustling heart of Bideford, where the marketplace was usually abuzz with life, there was an unusual tension in the air.
Weeks had passed since Albert and his fellow industrialists had implemented their plan in response to the child labour ban.
Housewives, clad in their everyday attire, gathered around the grain stalls as they did every week. It was a ritual that had been a part of their lives for as long as they could remember.
But today, as they approached the grain vendors, their faces transformed from anticipation to shock. Whispers and gasps filled the air like wildfire as they examined the prices of the grain sacks.
"Did you see this, Martha?" exclaimed one housewife to her friend. "The price has shot up again!"
Martha, her eyes widening, clutched her purse tightly. "I can't believe it. We just can't catch a break, can we?"
The vendor, a plump and jolly man who was usually met with smiles, wore a troubled expression. He cleared his throat nervously as the housewives gathered around his stall, their expressions ranging from disbelief to frustration.
"I know, ladies, I know," he said, trying to reassure them. "But it's not my doing. The prices have gone up everywhere. You can blame it on the new royal decree about child labour. Many factories had to let go of their young workers, and it's affecting the production and supply chain."
The housewives exchanged knowing glances, frustration etched on their faces. They understood the reasons, but it didn't make the situation any easier to swallow.
"Shouldn't it be easier to find a replacement?" Martha questioned as she scanned the prices, a crease forming on her forehead.
"Exactly!" one of them chimed in. "Finding adult workers to replace the children shouldn't be this difficult. And the wage difference isn't substantial enough to warrant such a drastic increase in prices."
From the beginning of March, the people had seen a visible rise in grain prices. It wasn't just a slight increase; it was a steady climb that sent shockwaves to everyone.
Grains were the foundation of their diet and a critical resource for their livelihoods.
But the problem didn't stop at grains. In a domino effect, the price of bread shot up. Then came the dairy products—milk, cheese, and butter followed suit, as they relied on grain for livestock feed. The increase in animal feed prices drove up the cost of meat and eggs, compounding the issue further.
"Look, everyone," the grain vendor interjected, trying to calm the growing unease. "I'm just a mere seller, not a producer of grains. I, too, feel the price increase. It's affecting all of us. I heard the price is much worse in other provinces."
....
In his office, Riz listened attentively as Charlotte, his intelligence director, reported on the situation in the city.
Charlotte spoke, her voice tinged with concern, "It's becoming increasingly challenging for the people to afford even the most basic provisions. The situation is causing unrest and unease among the people. We have information from our agents that they were holding back the grains from entering the market to drive the price up."
Riz leaned back in his ornate chair, his fingers steepled in thought. The reaction was, to him, within his expectations.
Though this was a different world, the human behaviour remained remarkably consistent.
The only thing is...Riz couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret for not stockpiling grain before implementing the decree. If he does so, he could respond to their action faster.
However, he believed it wasn't a big deal, and the situation remained salvageable.
The majority of the merchants involved in price increases were small to medium-sized grain producers. They were a concern, but their impact was somewhat localized.
The real problem lay with the few large grain-producing companies that owned vast acres of land. Although their numbers were limited, their influence was far-reaching, affecting not only the local economy but also the entire kingdom's grain market.
"These kinds of shifts always stir emotions," he mused aloud, more to himself than to Charlotte, "Change is never easy, Charlotte. But sometimes, it's necessary for progress."
Charlotte nodded in agreement. "Indeed, milord."
"Did all of them already replace the child workers they had?" he inquired.
Charlotte consulted the notes in front of her before responding. "According to our investigation, yes," she replied. "From the big producers with vast estates to the smaller, family-run farms, they've all made the change. I mean, if they don't, they won't have a justification to hike up the price."
"Good, that's what I needed to hear," he said firmly. "Anything else about this report?"
"Yes, milord," she began. "There's something else worth noting. The price increase for grain seems to vary from province to province. It's irregular and doesn't follow a consistent pattern."
She furrowed her brows, clearly intrigued by this anomaly. "I'm not sure if this is being done purposely or if there are other factors at play."
Riz inquired, "Which provinces are you talking about?"
Charlotte replied, "I am referring to the provinces in the east."
Riz considered this information carefully. Inconsistencies in price increases could signify a lack of unity among the grain producers or potentially point to hidden motives.
Either way, it was something that needed to be addressed.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Charlotte," Riz replied. "Keep an eye on it and gather more information. While at it, I think it's about time to react to their selfish actions."
He knew that many of these producers had received financial support from outsiders to maintain their operations and weather any potential repercussions of the decree.
Riz's plan was to cut off that support and leave them vulnerable, without a safety net to rely on.
With their financial cushion removed, they would be compelled to release the grain they might be purposefully holding back into the market to generate income.
This would help stabilize prices for a while but not entirely eliminate the real problem.
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