Oxiulia Duchy, Destiny Fort.

Lady Merston of [Lord Ao Sha] has been in a good mood recently, even the number of times she's resorted to murder has significantly decreased.

However, it's not because she suddenly changed her character, but rather because those she identified as threats/potential enemies are nearly nonexistent.

It's hard to say how many innocent lives perished in the bloody storm she stirred, but ironically, when these people indeed died, everyone was surprised to discover:

The pollution was gone, public order improved, unemployment addressed, corrupt officials and cowardly sycophants disappeared, and the societal atmosphere was unexpectedly good, with people's happiness index at an unprecedented high.

It was only at this moment that people realized that the slaughter of [Lord Ao Sha] was not senseless madness; her actions were indeed extreme, but the result was good.

In the Border Abyss, there's a saying: what makes you give up revenge is never despair, but the hope of life.

The reasons people choose to commit crimes are mostly not innate. Admittedly, some ethnicities indeed have a knack for crime rates, but most of the time, crime involves a consideration of costs.

The economy and interests are the fundamental reasons for crime.

When the economy is poor and social order disturbed, risking life for survival resources, like beasts trading blood for rewards, becomes a justifiable reason for crime.

But when the economy is relatively good and the rule of law sound, people think it's clearly not worth risking imprisonment for a few hundred dollars.

Therefore, for rulers, building a sound legal system and maintaining a normal economic environment is far more conducive to social stability than investing a large police force to maintain order.

However, social stability is indeed a bit challenging for a country like Oxiulia where even the feudal system is not sound.

The methods of [Lord Ao Sha] are actually not unusual.

The change of dynasties, the new king not yet crowned, uses absolute violence to eliminate all unstable factors, leaving only quiet and submissive, law-abiding and tax-paying citizens. Meanwhile, the loss of a large population naturally leaves job vacancies — thus resolving the original intense conflict between people and land instantly.

However, everyone knows this is not a way to achieve long-term peace and stability; it can even be said to be drinking poison to quench thirst.

The population is the lifeblood of a nation.

Bleeding can temporarily relieve dizziness, activating the body's immunity, but if a liter of blood is directly drawn, that's suicide.

However, that's a matter for the future.

By the time Little Leos grows up, although he will undoubtedly encounter these issues, by then the population should have recovered significantly, and Leos can take advantage of this reason to promote some reforms, like opening borders or attracting immigrants.

After concluding the morning meeting, Merston was in a pleasant mood. The rebellion in the south had been quelled, weapons and equipment were ample, and most crucially, taxes were fully paid so the fiscal deficit this year was not much, allowing prices to stabilize basically.

Due to the unique environment and physical laws of the Border Abyss, industrialization here is extremely difficult. Even the Narrative Civilization only achieved self-sufficiency in the capital area. For a small country like Oxiulia, maintaining the current scale without worsening relations with the "Crimson Blood Alliance," being content with picking up what the alliance leaves behind, suffices.

Population remains the factor limiting the development of both Oxiulia and all Border Abyss countries. To develop the Pathway, population is needed, and High-Rank strong men need talent to share their Underwater Abyss Curse.

Ultimately, it always comes down to the problem of people.

She leaned back against the throne's chair, quietly considering her next steps.

Merston is planning to introduce some immigrants from the Platinum Orchid Confederation to Oxiulia, but this might cause dissatisfaction among the population of the Platinum Orchid Confederation. This year's farming already falls short, with external natural disasters and beast plagues; diverting manpower at this time could likely lead to a man-made disaster.

However, bringing in some Royal Family-required servants to serve the Duchy is a plausible excuse. After all, the Platinum Orchid and Oxiulia belong to a federated community, under the guise of recruiting maids and retainers for Little Leos, there should be quite a few willing.

"This might be a good opportunity to enhance relations with the Platinum Orchid, promote some offspring of Platinum Orchid nobles into the royal palace, and if countries can be merged in the future, that's naturally the best... The Alete family's daughter is nice, very smart, and looks decent and beautiful, but not suitable as a concubine for Leos. The Coudre family seems to have a 12-year-old boy who can be groomed to pledge allegiance to Leos as a Knight..."

While she was building a team for her beloved nephew, an aide suddenly strutted up and whispered in her ear:

"Lady Merston, someone has come to apply as an attendant for Lord Leos."

"Oh? That's quite fast. I was just thinking of transferring people from the Platinum Orchid, and it turns out the locals are quite proactive."

Merston nodded, got up, and said to the ministers below the stage:

"I have matters to attend to, if there's nothing else, you may leave."

After dismissing the nobles and retainers, Merston turned and left directly.

Now was the time of employment, and involving close personnel for Leos, she had to personally inspect.

Soon, she reached the interview room, where a considerable queue had formed at the entrance.

"Looks like the compensation I offered is quite good," Merston said nonchalantly.

The aide replied, "The compensation is secondary; mainly, the reputation of the Dawnbreaker Family is good. The Grand Duchess often provides benevolent medical services, earning people's hearts. Unfortunately, Lord Leos can't be like his mother..."

"... Who knows."

Merston's eyes dimmed slightly. Outwardly, she maintained a facade of indifferent attitude:

"My nephew has inherited the same bloodline as mine; he will naturally find his way."

"Yes."

"Now, let me see what kind of people have come to apply."

She did not conceal her presence, striding boldly through the crowd. Those applying for positions, overwhelmed by a Demigod's aura, mostly felt their legs go weak, the better ones drenched in cold sweat, only a few barely remaining calm.

Merston deliberately circled around, ensuring each one was enveloped by her aura, then she came to the interviewer's seat and asked lightly:

"How's it going, Melia?"

The interview was conducted by the cook Melia, whose strict attitude as a Half-Heaven Realm devil was evident. Holding a stack of materials, she said without reservation:

"28 people have come to apply, of whom 12 are unqualified. 8 people are careless in their work. The rest are pretty good; I plan to take a batch into my kitchen."

"Take whoever you want," Merston said carelessly. "Any suitable for Leos?"

At this, Melia showed an awkward expression:

"Well, there's one rather special, you should see for yourself, madam, I am not sure if they are suitable."

"What do you mean by suitable or not? Melia, after being with me for half your life, can't you tell?"

Merston didn't bother to drag on, took the resume directly from her hand, glanced at it, and looked towards the crowd:

"Which one is Qinlan Jiuge?"

The crowd looked at each other, beginning to discuss.

"Is it that woman?"

"It must be, I saw her showcase her talent earlier."

"She is indeed a perfect woman, even beyond looks, skilled in everything, responds fluently, and is literate..."

Merston tilted her head, seemingly this girl had good abilities, even winning over the crowd coming for the job.

A delicate white hand slowly raised in the crowd, followed by a sweet, gentle voice:

"It is I, madam."

The next moment, a pathway opened up within the crowd, and Merston lifted her head to see a plainly dressed woman appear before her.

"Oh ho—"

She raised an eyebrow, quite surprised, and said:

"There's actually such a beautiful woman in the world, you're Qinlan Jiuge."

"Yes, milady."

Qinlan Jiuge slowly lifted her head, her stunning beauty captivating everyone to silently admire. Her blue hair cascaded over her shoulders. Despite her simple peasant attire, her dark-golden vertical pupils gazed at Lady Merston with a demeanor of neither humility nor arrogance, dignified and graceful, much to [Lord Ao Sha]'s liking.

"My name is Qinlan Jiuge, and I have come specifically to apply for the position of maid to Lord Leoz the Dawnbreaker."

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