A Successful Meeting, A Practical Answer…
Pedro Barra called on Francos the day after the gathering at the hanger. “Ser Morales, it was a success. Many of these people have skills we need here in the city. If they have not found a position with a merchant, they have arranged to do some hours of work. However, we now have a problem. Where are they to live?”
“My wife suggested we open some of the houses where the families were lost in the plague. Some of the runaways have been trying to live in them but this would give them permission. They would need to make repairs and that would be a way of giving them credit.”
“I know of that area and most of the building are still roofed. Water may be an issue, but it will give those who have not found work something to do.
“What do you hear from the trade negotiations?”
“They have had serious problems with El Canalla and his brigands. My son reported that the talks are on hold until they can catch him and get that settled. There have been raids on both Port and the east coast of Utopia. He says the trade discussion will go faster once they can get these bandits controlled. He said that the third land mass may be a solution to many of the problems.”
“Since this is a rotation year for Utopia, we will not have as much bread meal or grain,” Barra said. “I only hope they can find some way to keep things going when they move everyone around. I have never understood why they do that.”
“Lord Kearney translated the full book that they base the way the country is planned. I was fortunate to get a copy and read it. The author reasoned that people would get attached to their homes and since everything is commonly owned, they move so they won’t. What the founders didn’t know was in the book that they have extensive trade with the mainland near them, so they didn’t have to make everything.”
“Was this author serious about running a country this way?”
“From what we have read in our archive, he was probably making fun of his own times. Unfortunately, the founders of the NeoUtopian Society didn’t have the complete book.”
“And we and the Utopians must suffer,” Barra said softly. “I hope that translation is widely distributed. Everyone needs to know.”
“I have discussed it with Ser Roblies,” Francos said. “He said it was not a good idea because what was planned was so different from what the original book says. It might cause problems. He will have some of the more advanced students read it.”
“Reasonable, I just hope the new prince speeds up some of the changes.”
“Really, and aren’t you the one who cautioned me about making too many changes too fast?” Francos grinned at the other man. Barra stared, then laughed.
“I believe you are correct, Ser Morales.”
| ← Chapter 11 | Coming soon! |
Should you want to read the whole story…
Book One
Book Two
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