Jarvis Pentaphraxis
Stats: Assets 5 / Power 0 / Production 1 / Influence 5 / Charm 5
As the old man struggled through another one of his coughing fits, Jarvis silently seated himself, clasping his hands in front of him on the table. He leaned forward slightly and listened intently to Lord Green. Everyone around this table had heard of his change of heart and the consequent policy changes that had taken place in his factories. It seemed quite clear that although the man must have been quite the economic opportunist in his youth, he now seemed to be quite past his prime and more cut out to be a bureaucrat than a captain of industry. What was needed today, was a revolutionary approach to the age old problems that councilmen had been stumped with for eons. He glanced at Katherine, who also appeared to listen intently, but Jarvis thought he saw a slight glazing in the eyes that indicated thoughts elsewhere. If it was there she hid it well. He suppressed a bemused smile at what Madame must think of the old man in his new-found piety. Master Lanc spoke up - ahh, there was a practical man! Very gently he refuted the old man and presented his consolidation plan that would improve improve efficiency - how much like an engineer, no less than expected from him. He certainly was not one to sit idle and shuffle documents in an office.
Jarvis expected Madame Greywind to speak at this point, but she maintained her silence. Giving a generous pause to allow anyone to chime in, he spoke.
"Master Lanc, consolidation of farmland would indeed increase efficiency and output per invested asset - yet I fear that you forget to consider the human element. These farmers are no more favorable or trusting of government as the throngs outside these gates. As you know, farmlands, more so than nearly all other industries, are passed down for generations. These men cling, defend and maintain their plots with staunch individualism. Many kings in past times have attempted absorbing these men and their labor into their government machines - they stand free to this day as testament to the power they hold over any nobles via such a basically essential commodity as food. If there is any group of people to choose to coerce, farmers are the most dangerous by a pillar length. But...". Jarvis pretended to hesitate for a moment, and continued: "... but there are ways to make them come running to our beck and call without force, and with their willing cooperation. I will reveal how this can be accomplished in due time."
Until how he had sat with his hands clasped before him, he stood once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen. What is work without men to do it? What are men without work to do? It seems clear, that we posses a virtually inexhaustible source of both. As we all well know, the great majority of Dakhen land currently lies underdeveloped or utterly unused. All we must do, dear councilors is bring the two in contact with each other. I propose to create the 'Workers League' - WOL for short. Any healthy, able-bodied man over the age of 16 may choose to join. Each man receives two hearty meals of greens and grain [referring to bread products] with a cup of water each day, with three meals on every 7th, the last of which contains meat."
"Set garrisons for roughly two hundred men, each with enough cots for all men at locations where we will construct new farms, factories and roads, and any other infrastructure. They will not be paid. Not in a conventional way; in addition to consistent food and a place to sleep, they receive a seasonal set of work clothes, and basic medical care. Rather than payment in coin, they receive the fruit that they sew every day with their hard labor. Members of the Workers League will work twelve hours each day at construction or other tasks, such as regional emergency response to cave-in, fires, and water leaks. Each week one day is allotted for rest, and each man is privileged to a week of rest at their home of origin every two seasons."
"You have all seen the numbers Lord Green has kindly shown us, unemployment is incredibly high. What do all of them do to stay alive? They steal, they scavenge dumps and starve - spreading crime, disease, and desperation along the way. There is not one among them, who has not dreamed of stable honest work on which he can live. The Worker's League is their dream come true. The most outspoken and potentially violent demographic - young men in their prime, are those who we will earn gratitude from."
"The Worker's League slashes at the roots of civil unrest, causing many to consider that perhaps we are not the old king's men and can be relied on."
"The Worker's League will be an incredible machine to take our infrastructure to never before seen heights."
"The Worker's League employs those who would have to resort to crime and scavenging to otherwise survive."
"The Worker's League, fellow councilors, is our hands across all of Dakhen to aid the populace in catastrophe increasing our popularity, and even assisting against assault on our homeland if the need were to arise."
"These are all enticing, and beneficial outcomes for every party involved - but the most important advantage remains unsaid. We create an entire generation of well-nourished, hard working, physically fit and loyal men. Each of you see the vitality and prosperity that this would inject into our homeland."
Jarvis, slightly out of breath from his tirade, began to sit, but as if remembering something looked up at Master Lanc. "Before I yield; Master Lanc, one of your points did ring a very important truth. Training in skilled work with hydroponics and other machinery would be a next step in the Worker's Guild for any man capable enough. Not only will this generation be healthy, but also well trained in skills that they can pass down to their children and lessen the effort we must exert in years to come".