Chapter 009: The Booming Census

Cough, cough, this is not important... In any case, the census must be completed as soon as possible, and not only must it be completed, but there must also be no errors or omissions. If a gentle approach does not work, then we must take a firm stance. I will send the soldiers from the Earl's territory to you. If anyone is still hesitating to register or causing trouble, break their legs!

Old John is one of the few blacksmiths in Idar City. When the census was just beginning, due to various rumors circulating in the streets, he almost dodged any officials responsible for the population statistics, fearing that he would be caught and suffer some misfortune.

If they do not believe, then make them believe. Not only must they be made to believe, but they should also constantly remember the grace of the church. They should not only commit the church's scriptures to memory, but also always bear in mind the high respect that the lord has for the regency council and the church

In fact, Bruno is well aware that food is the greatest obstacle in his way. For the serfs, as long as there is something to eat that can prevent the entire family from starving, they would not care whether they are made to work or to farm.

In addition to one wife at home, there are also three children, which adds up to five coins. Holding them in hand feels heavy, and this is probably all the money earned from a week's work.

Information asymmetry? And what other frictions?

Old Ford has left, yet Bruno sits there with a furrowed brow

The serfs have all been accounted for, but less than one-third of the commoners have been surveyed. Old Fort displayed a look of shame, saying, "I instructed people to go door to door for registration as per your directives, but most individuals are unaware of the meaning of the census. In fact, many ignorant commoners even believe that it signifies an impending war, causing some panic in the city"

Indeed, when the soldiers of Idar City left the barracks next to the lord's castle and entered Idar City under the leadership of their respective commanders, the census suddenly became orderly.

Furthermore, all registered civilians are entitled to receive a copper coin, including serfs. You have two final days to complete this task. As for those who are causing disturbances, the regent council intends to conscript fifty laborers, so let them be conscripted. In my view, their idleness and propensity for unrest stem from my excessive leniency, allowing them to be too well-fed

The Earl is truly a benevolent person

He understood the latter part of the conversation, which was merely a compliment to Bruno's noble character, but the main point at the beginning... Old Ford was truly left in a state of confusion.

Bruno said in a low voice

Understood, understood. Old John shivered and replied tremulously

Yes

"Approximately how much has been counted?" Bruno asked with a furrowed brow

I hope that the various chaotic methods I heard about in my past life are reliable

"With your words, I can rest assured," Old Fort replied in a low voice. Although he still had some doubts, he felt helpless; after all, Bruno was the true master of this territory.

When it was his turn, the official asked without even raising his head: "Can you read and write?"

The issue of grain... I will resolve it, and I certainly will not allow the serfs to go hungry while undertaking large-scale construction.

If there is nothing else, then go ahead and take care of it immediately

Then let me ask, and you shall answer. You must remember that everything must be answered truthfully. In the future, we will send people for random inspections. Once it is discovered that someone has provided false information or concealed the truth, the entire family will be reduced to serfdom.

Old Ford hesitated for a moment, then said: "Sir, I have heard people say that you wish to build a ... garden"

... ...

Cradling several brand new copper coins in his palms, Old John felt a surge of delight in his heart

"What did Shabi tell you?" Bruno asked淡淡地.

There seems to be nothing to be concerned about. I have expended such great effort to assist them, yet they remain ungrateful? How can these foolish individuals reconcile with their own conscience? When you conduct the census, you must clearly explain to them that this is to alleviate frictional unemployment caused by information asymmetry in the labor market. Moreover, it is even more important for them to understand the noble intentions of Count Idar, and to realize how upright and selfless I, the count who is devoted to the people, truly am. How can these foolish individuals reconcile with their own conscience? When you conduct the census, you must clearly explain to them that this is to alleviate frictional unemployment caused by information asymmetry in the labor market. Moreover, it is even more important for them to understand the noble intentions of Count Idar, and to realize how upright and selfless I, the count who is devoted to the people, truly am.

It seems that ... ... is the case. Old Ford pondered for a moment and nodded thoughtfully.

However, the main reason is that some rogue moles refuse to be disciplined, roam around everywhere, and even assaulted the person in charge of registration

You have come to persuade me as well, haven't you? In fact, I can already guess what you will say, it is nothing more than the same old rhetoric about insufficient food, lack of funds, and other such nonsense

However, today, not only have numerous announcements regarding the census been posted along the roadside, but even in densely populated areas, officials from the count's domain are loudly proclaiming.

Old Fort bent over, waiting in the study, quietly anticipating the orders of his master

Old Ford's concerns are not without reason, but for Bruno, there are indeed solutions available

After all, upon registration, one can receive a copper coin, and it is said that if one loses their means of livelihood, they can find new employment with the assistance of the noble lord.

However, my lord, if construction is truly to take place, food supply is indeed the most pressing issue

Once the inquiries were completed, the official in charge placed five copper coins on the table, and Old John quickly and carefully received them.

Ah, I should have anticipated this. There are always some foolish individuals in this world who do not understand my heartfelt intentions," Bruno sighed regretfully. "Just think, if the lord had access to detailed population information in our territory and understood the suitable jobs for each individual, then, once someone becomes unemployed and loses their source of livelihood, wouldn't we be able to use this information to help them find new employers?

Old Ford thought to himself, saying: "The Regency Council claims that it is necessary for the common people to believe in the Church, but those troublemakers are mostly filthy bugs hiding in the shadows; where is their faith..."

Nowadays, it is no longer the case that officials go door to door for statistics; the common people of Idar have lined up in long queues in front of the temporary wooden houses set up in the city center, fearing that if they arrive late, they will miss out on receiving their coins

Although Old Ford understood Bruno's words clearly, he found it difficult to grasp the overall meaning. What exactly is frictional unemployment?

Soon, the officials of the Earl's territory began to throw out questions one after another, such as age, address, occupation, skills, and so forth, to which Old John responded one by one

Understood, my lord. "Old Fu nodded slightly, affirming.

Old John arrived early, thus he was positioned relatively near the front. Moreover, with armored soldiers maintaining order, the crowd was not overly crowded or jostling. After all, everyone was dressed in tattered clothes, and some individuals emitted a peculiar odor. Gathered together, they were not particularly pleasant to smell, which naturally prevented any pushing or shoving.

"No, I won't." Old John scratched his head and said

Although he, like the officials responsible for the presentation, could not understand what frictional unemployment was, nor could he grasp the meaning of information asymmetry, he finally realized that this was a good thing

The census in Old Fort did not proceed smoothly; for the residents of Idar, the term "census" was truly an unfamiliar concept, leaving them somewhat at a loss due to its strangeness

... ...