great-warnovel Chapter 366 The Rulers
Chapter 366 The Rulers
Chapter 366 The Rulers
"Even for us, this number is far too many!"
The wizard representing Busbarton in the city council shouted.
"Don't even mention 100,000 living people! Even 100,000 spotted earthworms could devour Hogwarts!"
"Where did we get so much food?! Beauxbatons isn't a wishing machine, he can't just give you as much as you want!"
Professor McGonagall looked worried. The people pouring out of the fireplace seemed endless; half a day had passed, and people were still coming out in droves. Malfoy Castle was too cold without the protective barrier; it would freeze to death at night.
We must ensure that at least all the Muggles are moved here before nightfall.
Hogsmeade's biggest advantage is its super-large weather circle, so at least you can camp outdoors at night without any problems.
"It's fine to take in citizens from the outer city; they have property and skills. We just need to provide them with a batch of grain."
"Soon they'll be able to integrate into the new city and become one of us!" said the black witch of Vargadu.
"But in just half a day, we have already received several cases of theft and robbery from those vagrants." Those wild wizards and Muggles who couldn't even afford the city entry tax before had no skills, no education, and no moral burden.
Everything around Black Lake is fresh and clean: the water, the green plants, the exquisite paving stones, and the open shops are all very attractive.
"Shouldn't we be focusing all our energy on preparing for the Quidditch World Cup right now?" Ilfamoni's representative rubbed his head.
"The fairies are already working at a high capacity; they simply cannot spare the manpower to build housing for 100,000 people. This has completely disrupted our city development plans!"
From the bottom of their hearts, even the most profit-driven Beauxbatons businessmen would be very happy if the city could quickly become the world's largest gathering place with the largest population, which would mean that they would reap even greater rewards.
But everything requires a gradual process. This small town, which originally had fewer than 10,000 people, suddenly saw its population increase tenfold.
It could even cause the originally healthy development of the new Hogsmeade to fall into chaos and collapse.
"Select and organize the well-behaved prisoners of war into temporary order maintenance personnel." Hermione walked in from outside, looking travel-worn. She had just returned from Malfoy Castle and rushed here without stopping.
"The Aurors from Malfoyburg will join in, and together with the well-trained Soviet soldiers, maintaining order shouldn't be a problem."
She sat back down in her seat: "The construction of the Quidditch stadium can be slowed down. When the World Cup will be held is still up to us. Living people should be more important than celebrations."
"The fairies and workers who have been transferred can start the third phase of the new Hogsmeade project ahead of schedule. There's no need to rush the progress. The nights by the Black Lake won't freeze to death. Just let them see that the housing is being built." The rational and indifferent voice made the wizard Beauxbatons, who had some opinions, choose to shut up. This way of handling things was unlike the "good guys" of Hogwarts. Instead, it seemed more like their operation.
"As for food—" the little witch hesitated for a moment.
"Some of what was salvaged from Malfoy should be enough to tide us over, but Busbarton will need to contribute the bulk of the money." She then turned to Vargado and Castrobusher.
"We need to expand the agricultural area as soon as possible, which requires a lot of dragon manure fertilizer, moon beast manure fertilizer, and crop seeds."
The representatives of both factions nodded; this wasn't a major problem.
"But—but so much food—" The representative from Beauxbatons was somewhat unwilling. The destruction of Malfoy Castle meant that their businesses in Diagon Alley had suffered losses, and now they had to continue to bleed money, which was truly painful.
"Could we get the recipients of the aid to sign a loan agreement and repay the aid in the future?" He rolled his eyes and came up with a plan.
These people are penniless and have no choice but to sign the contract to survive. Since they have no money, they can only work to pay off their debts. If the operation is reasonable, with interest compounding, Beauxbatons can collect tens of thousands of free laborers out of thin air.
Hermione stared at him expressionlessly: "Not a single air cavalryman from Malfoy Castle was lost, and quite a few of their brooms were salvaged."
These people have families and children who need to be fed. Do you think they could accept becoming slaves?
Beauxbatons' representative held firm; the pureblood air cavalry might not be the strongest, but their equipment and training were quite good.
They also defended their homeland many times and made outstanding contributions.
"City leaders should not only focus on profits; winning over these people is more meaningful than a few gallons."
She stood up and looked at the adults: "The ruling class of Malfoy Castle has been almost completely wiped out, and the once world's number one wizarding city has been utterly destroyed. But if New Hogsmeade can take in these displaced people, take in all the industries and people, we will become the next number one in the world, and our previous dreams will be within our grasp!"
The representatives of the various factions present all knew that when Hogwarts had three Arch Wizards, the rise of the new Hogsmeade would be unstoppable. They had come to help before precisely because they wanted to get a share of the profits from this rise. Now, the sudden influx of 100,000 people, a large amount of labor and industry, if they could really take it in steadily, would be equivalent to saving the city from taking twenty years of detours.
"Besides these problems in the city, things aren't peaceful at the school either," Professor McGonagall said, rubbing her temples.
"The effects of the drug on the pure-blood children wore off, and they started causing trouble in the castle. They wouldn't listen to anyone, and they were picky about the food and their living quarters. The elves were especially harassed by them."
"There were also some older Slytherin students who, knowing their parents had been murdered, started a riot." It can only be said that Lucius's previous plan was executed too secretly, silently devouring hundreds of nobles without being discovered.
"How about appointing Mr. Slughorn as Head of Slytherin?" Hermione suggested.
"Right now, only he can keep these little snakes in check."
"Also, tell Narcissa and Draco not to go back to school for the next few days, until the students have calmed down a bit." McGonagall nodded, pursing her lips.
After everything was mostly settled, Hermione stretched her stiff body and prepared to go back to rest.
But as soon as she stepped out of the council chamber, she saw Professor Sprout waiting for her outside.
"Dumbledore wants to see you," the fat professor said seriously.
"I don't know what happened to him in Malfoy, but he's not doing well and is currently in the lily of the valley greenhouse at the cemetery."
That would make him more stable.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Half a day had passed since the fight at Malfoy Castle, and she thought Dumbledore had calmed down, but the situation seemed to be more serious than she had imagined.