Grantville Gazette, Volume 56 by Paula Goodlett

Author:Paula Goodlett [Goodlett, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"First, I recommend that the villages have their own market right here," Cotta said.

"The train station does not have a charter as a market town."

"Ask Duke John George for a charter. Or ask the NUS legislature. Or authorize it yourself by putting the station under martial law."

Hans Heinrich blinked. He had not expected that. One of most common complaints the adel made about the NUS was accusing it of anarchy. "If I do that, I have to put troops here."

"You already do. Move a haufen of troops here. Have them buy food from the market here and eat it in view of Naumburg."

Hans Heinrich smiled. "I like that idea, but I do not think it will work. Naumburg has other villages all around it that bring food to its market days."

"So get there first and buy it up," Cotta told him. "In fact, some of that can supply your men. It would be easier for the NUS to send you money than food. If you buy enough of it, some people from Naumburg will cross the river and buy from your villagers."

"We cannot starve Naumburg."

"Of course not. Nor are you able to. Just buy up enough food nearby that it is convenient for those in Naumburg to buy at the new market. Let them cross the river freely, and do not let your villagers gouge them."

"How are we going to get all that food over here?" Hans Heinrich asked.

"Were you not telling me just the other day that you need a small navy?"

"Why are you telling me this? Are you not giving me advice that would split this area away from Saxony?"

Cotta frowned. "Herr Oberst, the New United States has no desire for you to have bad relations with the rest of Saxony. We do strongly object to townsfolk acting as though they are morally superior to villagers. 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . .' "

"Ja, I saw the Gray Adder Regiment left several notices like that in the camp. I was about to deal with it when this came up." Hans Heinrich sighed and went to talk to his officers.

Georg von Nissmitz was aghast as it was. "You propose taking action against a Saxon city?"

"Nein. That Saxon city has taken action against our villages. I propose letting the villages provide for themselves by selling their excess crops. But perhaps I can work something out with Dr. Romanus by the next market day. He is a reasonable man. In the meantime, a week of not doing anything rash will probably reassure Naumburg more than anything else would. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to see whoever is in charge of the train station."

The stationmaster was one Nicolaus Klomann. Hans Heinrich summarized the situation, ending with, "If the villages cannot sell in Naumburg, I may have to put the station under martial law to allow them to sell here."

Klomann did not even blink. "You may not change the train schedules. You alter the schedule, trains crash, people die.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.