Propagandist

In these times, food was incredibly precious. Many people starved to death due to the inability to have a full meal. Forget about fine grain; even coarse, throat-scratching grains or chalky soil were luxuries that these people, living like dogs, dared not waste. Yet, due to the chaotic scramble, rice porridge spilled all around the large pot, coating the ground.

Those who had scrambled for the porridge now hung their heads in shame. An older man was the first to squat down, disregarding the dirt on the porridge, and scooped it into his bowl, dirt and all. Seeing this, the other laborers followed suit, quickly gathering the scattered porridge.

The relief porridge they drank before often contained more sand than what had been spilled on the ground. To officials, these disaster victims were less than human, and even the victims themselves saw themselves as subhuman, sometimes competing with pigs and dogs for food.

Magnus Valorion stepped forward and declared, "Listen up, everyone. From now on, anyone working for me will not go hungry. But if there is any more chaos like earlier, you'll all starve."

Magnus's intent was to instill a sense of order and obedience in these people. Green River Town was at the crossroads of the Great Latium Imperium, the Altai Tribe, the Sami Tribe, the Tuareg Tribe, and the Celtic Tribe. Simply repairing the town walls wouldn't suffice. Magnus planned to recruit local militia after fortifying the walls to defend the town.

The most crucial aspect of any military force is order and obedience. A militia that Magnus couldn't command was useless.

While Magnus envisioned leading a well-disciplined and victorious army, Neil Thompson dragged a sly-looking, round-faced man in front of him.

Magnus glanced at the kneeling man and asked calmly, "Neil, what has this man done?"

Neil bowed and replied, "My lord, this man is an idler we caught. His name is John Falstaff, known for his laziness and indulgence. He didn't come to work on the walls this morning but snuck in during the porridge distribution. Please, my lord, decide his punishment."

Magnus looked at the plump John Falstaff, wondering how he could be so well-fed in a town where most people struggled to eat. "So this is John Falstaff? Quite a distinctive appearance."

Instead of punishing him immediately, Magnus ordered a constable to bring two bowls of porridge and pickles. Though his men were puzzled, they obeyed.

"John Falstaff, did you get enough to eat?" Magnus asked.

John Falstaff quickly kneeled properly and pleaded, "Mercy, my lord! I'm not originally from Green River Town. I came with my wife for business but was robbed by marauders. With no other choice, I stayed here. I foolishly snuck in to get some porridge. I only had two sips before your men caught me. Please, my lord, have mercy. I'll work hard this afternoon."

Magnus, smiling, pointed to the two bowls and asked, "Did you enjoy the porridge?"

Terrified, John Falstaff kept kowtowing, knowing that a stern-looking official might be easier to handle than one with a smiling face.

"Yes… yes… it was good…" John Falstaff stammered.

Magnus leaned in and whispered, "But you must know, my porridge isn't freely given!"

Despite the soft tone, John Falstaff shivered in fear.

"Mercy, my lord, mercy!" he pleaded.

Magnus wondered, "Am I really that intimidating?"

John Falstaff's reaction convinced him he was right about Magnus's character.

Magnus continued, "I urgently need hands to repair the walls. You see those two bowls? One is for you to eat, and the other is to recruit more people for me."

John Falstaff was taken aback, "You want me to tell people in town that there's porridge and pickles for those who help with the walls?"

Magnus nodded.

John Falstaff hesitated, then asked, "My lord, will you not punish me for today?"

Magnus snorted, "If I see only a few workers tomorrow, it means you didn't do your job well. Then you'll be punished for both offenses."

John Falstaff kowtowed gratefully, "I'll bring many people to work tomorrow, my lord."

"Good, now drink your porridge and get to work," Magnus ordered.

John Falstaff thanked him profusely, then gulped down his porridge. The pickles' salt made him ravenous, and he savored the heavenly taste, determined to recruit many workers for Magnus.

After finishing his porridge, John Falstaff saved the rest of his pickles to share with his wife, hoping to win her favor.

He walked around town with a bowl of porridge and pickles, telling everyone about the food available for those who helped with the walls.

"I'm telling you, today they served fine rice porridge, without any dirt or stones, and the lord even gave out pickles with salt and oil," he praised.

The townsfolk, skeptical of the lazy John Falstaff, didn't believe him until he showed them the white porridge and red, oily pickles, dispelling their doubts.