"Chairman Ge Angqi, this is no longer just an ordinary mob!" Mitney, who usually wore a smile, now had a face full of seriousness.

In the chairman's office on the second floor of the Constitution Hall, he leaned over the walnut table with three curved legs, his upper body almost over the table.

The copper candlestick on the table flickered as he spoke, casting wavering shadows.

Beneath the marble archway, outside in the corridor, behind a ring of desks against the wall, stood people dressed in monk robes and jackets, in groups of two or three.

Among them were the Hundred Households Captains and Monastic Leaders from near Rapids City, as well as representatives of the public gathered in the city.

They were either whispering to each other or keeping their heads down in silence.

Sitting behind the long table, Advisory Council interim chairman Ge Angqi leaned back in his high-backed chair after hearing Mitney's words.

His eyes narrowed, showing no hesitation in his deliberation: "I know, but proposing to use shore defense cannons to strike civilians, this is truly..."

"As the Deputy Mayor of Rapids City, I ask you to give the order." Mitney pressed his hands against the table, almost overshadowing Ge Angqi.

"Mind your position, Mr. Mitney." A representative from the Advisory Council stood up nearby.

Night Watcher Carl stepped out, glaring fiercely at him: "What position do you hold? To lecture Mr. Mitney here?"

Mitney ignored these two, focusing intently on Ge Angqi's eyes.

Seeing Ge Angqi's hesitation, Mitney's eyes filled with disappointment, and he turned to face the gathered representatives and monks.

"I must remind you, this is not a sudden incident caused by rising prices; there must be manipulators behind it.

If it's a spontaneous action by the people, how could they propose such clear demands and petitions?

Moreover, they know how to utilize the dock area strike to pressure us; could this be ordinary rioters?

I dare say, this isn't a petition, but a threat!

Faced with such a threat, should we succumb? Sacrifice the war monks at the front lines to appease them?"

"The batch of military rations has been docked in Rapids City for five days, supposed to depart today."

"Do not succumb to threats."

"This mob, watch me send artillery over and blast each one of them into the sky!"

The Holy Alliance monks and public representatives already had their opinions; some applauded Mitney's words enthusiastically, while others watched coldly.

"We know the mob needs to be suppressed, but is it too much to use shore defense cannons?" someone shouted from the crowd.

"They've already tasted success from robbing grain ships; they must be severely deterred." Mitney immediately retorted, "Otherwise, once that door is opened, unchecked greed will lead to more deaths when trying to suppress it!"

Mitney looked around but couldn't find the speaker, so he continued to respond:

"If Yihe Shu were still here, he could suppress them, but now there are less than five hundred Night Watchers and gendarmes combined in the city.

Aside from shore defense cannons, I can't think of any other method to deter them."

"Are they truly at fault? They've been incited too."

Mitney didn't expect an ardent supporter of the Holy Path to stand out: "Ignorance isn't a crime; we should capture the instigators, why bombard civilians?"

"Mr. Mitney, you're a bit too extreme."

"Among those attacking the grain ships, I recognize some; normally, they're kind and friendly, even including former Salvation Army soldiers."

"But we can't find the instigators!" Mitney smashed his fist on the table, "Bombing civilians loses the support of Rapids City's people. Losing the war means losing everything from the Thousand River Valley!"

Supporters of Mitney shouted in the crowd: "This is a necessary evil."

"In the Holy Path's lexicon, there's no concept of necessary evil!" Another stood up to counter, "They suffer because of our mistakes; are we really to kill them? How are we any different from the Empire then?!"

"Fine, you're morally superior; but have you considered what to do about the lives of the thirty thousand monks prior?! Are you sure everyone attacking is good?"

"I..."

"Enough, enough." Staring blankly at the table before him, Ge Angqi shouted, "Is now really the time for quarreling?"

Both sides quieted down.

Clearing the blocked river isn't difficult.

Canals often get obstructed; the residents and laborers in the dock area are well experienced.

But the difficulty is that the dock area seems united now, with numerous traces of activities by nobles and guilds.

They conspired and incited some, blocking the river and streets with many unknowing followers.

They won't work or let others work without a statement or explanation.

Everyone present is aware that it's a threat, yet Mitney and Carl advocate firmness, while others propose appeasement first.

Ge Angqi silently gazed at the wall mural of the Holy Tree Angel.

Everyone awaited, waiting for the opinion of this chairman controlling the gendarmes and shore defense cannons.

But the longer he pondered, the colder Mitney's heart grew.

"If we do not accept the petition, nor show consideration, is there any way to make them lift the blockade?" Ge Angqi's voice rose, calm as water.

The previously stiffened room began to stir again.

"Summon His Majesty back to handle this? The citizens surely listen to him."

"But the Truth Newspaper says Bear Castle Territory has declared participation in the war of claiming the Thousand River Valley. Judging by the timing, the army might already be nearing the border; can His Majesty step away?"

Ge Angqi grew more worried: "At this moment, His Majesty should be learning of this."

"The speed of message transmission is too slow; if only something faster than boats or horses existed."

"I heard Miracle Nun Novia of the Ry Court Barracks uses a spring mechanism called Flywheel, supposedly faster than boats and horses."

"I think this doesn't solve the root issue; we should write a simple manual for the laborers and force them to learn, preventing similar incidents in the future."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, are we not discussing whether to accept their petition?" Ge Angqi restrained his urge to curse.

"Even if we accept their petition, can we solve the dock problem?"

With this key question raised, the Holy Alliance monks and representatives began sharing individual suggestions.

"Not necessarily, but it's better than now; no matter what we say now, they won't listen, so first show a stance."

"Let's first show an attitude, let them start working, and slowly handle the petition matter."

"For example, we first vote on whether to let the petition into the review system, then whether to proceed... many areas can delay."

"And..."

"Bang!"

Before the monks and representatives could conclude, a heavy door slam resounded.

"Was that?"

"Judging by the back, it seems like Mr. Mitney."

To everyone's surprise, the usually good-tempered Mitney charged out of the office without a word!

Amidst puzzled looks, they watched as the hot-tempered Carl stood up with a frown: "Mess it up till there's no grain on the front lines, mess till the troops get defeated; today in this room, who can survive?!"

"Carl Night Watcher..."

Ignoring the calls of others, Carl followed Mitney out of the office as the second person.

Then a dozen more left the office, instantly making the once-crowded room spacious.

Those who remained were silent, finally whispering among themselves: "Mr. Ge Angqi, should we call them back?"

"I was too impolite earlier, I'll go call them back." The monk from the Holy Path, who initiated the discussion, stood ready to leave.

"No need!" Ge Angqi's face was a bit flushed, raising his cane as if to throw it.

But he feared clashing with Mitney and others, only lightly tapping it on the table in frustration.

"Let them be, announce to the whole city, especially the dock area, stating that there will be a public vote tomorrow, clearing the rumors meanwhile!"