Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress-Chapter 739: An Uprising?

Before announcing it, they needed a countermeasure or at least be able to assure the people that the pests and disease they were battling would not spread further.

Or else, it would cause panic and chaos among the people.

They needed a solid plan in place to mitigate the potential fallout.

The quick spread of pests and disease to several territories was already a pressing concern, and premature disclosure could incite widespread panic and disorder.

Most especially since winter is approaching and might start any day now.

More affluent families might preemptively hoard supplies in fear of prolonged shortages. They would think that no new supplies will arrive until the next harvest due to ruined crops and produce this season.

Such hoarding would then cause a lack of supply and even lead to scarcity for the less affluent.

This would intensify the common people’s struggle in securing their daily needs when it was already difficult in winter.

Valeria is much more affluent than other nations but they also have less affluent territories that are facing challenges unbeknownst to them here in the capital just like the situation of Safiro, Prudencia, and Sibruh the past few months.

Furthermore, some merchants would exploit heightened demand, inflating prices beyond reason.

Meanwhile, unable to afford inflated prices, some people might resort to theft and other crimes to meet their needs.

People’s daily lives could be askew from a single announcement they would make. It could create social tensions and destabilize communities.

A lot of things could happen all at once.

It might even lead to conflict among territories as they prioritize self-preservation over collective welfare, becoming unwilling to send out their supplies to sustain their territory’s own population.

It could indeed lead to chaos as Ferdinand had predicted if this was not carefully managed.

Prudencia and Safiro were finally recovering after several months of turmoil and suffering.

Arabella did not want their newfound stability to be shaken to the core once again. She was determined to keep them safe as they continue to recover.

However, as the Court Session was about to end, Arabella was dismayed to discover that rumors of the pests and disease had already permeated other territories.

[Our merchants have been cautioning against travel to Sibruh. They claim entry and exit points are heavily guarded and blocked by His Majesty’s knights, indicating he must be there.] One attendee thought.

[Why haven’t Her Majesty or His Excellency addressed the situation in Sibruh?] Another wondered.

[Until when are they going to hide it? The people may not be ready to know, but we, the ruling households, should be informed.] Another attendee thought.

Household heads with territories near Sibruh had received word of the blockades and halted trade.

It raised alarm bells since it was a huge loss for them. Thus, they had it investigated and learned of the situation.

In Valeria and most of Eliora, ruling households typically facilitated their merchants’ entry into neighboring territories, fostering trade and prosperity.

Thus, it was the ruling household’s responsibility to help their merchants since they return with useful goods that their people would buy in turn.

Merchants also help the territory a lot since they pay the most taxes. Though taxes for merchants were lowered, they still earn the most, thus, their taxes were so much bigger when compared to other sources.

They were significant taxpayers and also wielded considerable influence. They even served as vital sources of information due to their extensive travels.

Arabella had learned about this network from Dimo and the dark guilds that operated in the shadows. If there was information they could not gather by themselves, they usually buy it from merchants and their designated information brokers.

Merchants were among the key sources of information since they travel around to sell their goods and thus stay updated with the happenings around the empire.

Most of the biggest merchants in Eliora have employed information brokers who buy and sell valuable information as they travel. They were the among sources of information of the organization Arabella once joined in her past life when she was plotting and cooking up things.

These brokers, shrouded in secrecy and guarded fiercely, held sway over powerful interests, including noble houses and even royalty of various nations, due to valuable information they could provide.

"Your Majesty, I wish to voice a concern," someone raised his hand.

It was Duke Rendon Riverio from the Dukedom of Riverio, a large territory near Sibruh.

In her past life, Riverio was one of the territories that suffered badly from the disease. Seeing that the Duke was still here, it meant the pests and disease had not reached Riverio yet.

’This must be about the blockade. Has he also heard of the rumors about Sibruh and the others?’

"You may speak."

When Arabella approved, Duke Rendon continued.

"Some of our merchants who went to trade could not return due to blockages in Emlin and other neighboring territories. I had been trying to get more information about this but reached a dead end," Duke Rendon dared to ask, prompting a collective intake of breath from the assembled households.

Emlin was a medium-sized county connecting Riverio to Sibruh and other territories.

"We do too."

"Yes, my territory as well."

Other household heads seconded Duke Riverio.

"We also constantly see smoke rising from Emlin. Is there an uprising? Reports said His Majesty’s knights were guarding the borders," the Duke pressed because he could no longer gather more information about it.

"An uprising?!!" The tension in the throne room palpably heightened.

"Who would dare organize an uprising against His Majesty?!!"

The ministers’ attention was also piqued.

[This lady right here.] Alwin thought and Arabella wanted to throw something at him but held it in. He could even manage to joke around in a situation like this.

{That was in the past!} Arabella barked.

It was good that she did not need to be on her toes with Alwin all the time but it was surprising to know he could sometimes keep joking around even in serious situations.

Was it because he knew he could do something about it anyway?

{I know. I was just stating a fact.} Alwin replied nonchalantly.