The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Soshjan's seemingly casual praise was already the best reward for this brave young noble. The Governor quickly nodded and said:

"You flatter him, young people don't know what's good for them, talking nonsense about the big picture. I hope you don't take it to heart. I will definitely punish him severely when we get back. →"

"Hey, but he's right, he shouldn't be punished. I said before, people here can talk about the Empire. Many places have this bad habit, afraid of talking, not allowing people to talk, as if something big is going to happen if everyone speaks up? Actually, letting people talk won't make the hive collapse."

Then he walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking up slightly as if thinking about something. After a few seconds, he suddenly opened his mouth and said:

"What is the current official food reserve of Nason V?"

The Minister of Internal Affairs immediately replied:

"There are currently a total of 3.7 billion tons of food in the emergency supply warehouse."

Soshjan tilted his head to look at the other party.

"Are you sure? If you are sure, I will immediately send people to check them one by one."

"It is possible that there may be some discrepancies in the actual statistics, because some food will be regularly put on the market, and then new food will be replenished, plus"

Looking at the Minister of Internal Affairs, who was covered in sweat, Soshjan raised his hand.

"No need to explain. I won't pursue the past, but now, I'll give you three hours to give me a new number. After that, this number cannot be changed in any way. Do you understand what I mean? How you rectify yourselves is a matter for your Ministry of Internal Affairs, but in the future, I will not be so tolerant of corruption."

Withdrawing his gaze from the back of the Minister of Internal Affairs, who was leaving in a hurry, Soshjan also fell into thought. Obviously, everything he did on Nason V required a huge investment of resources. The child labor problem was ultimately a matter of food. This is also why he didn't directly block the path of child labor over the age of 12. Eating is always the most realistic thing. If their parents can't support them, they can only find their own way.

"From now on, all orphanages in the Nason system will be managed by the relief organizations under the battle group."

After announcing another policy, Soshjan thought for a moment and looked at the Governor.

"In order to make up for the food shortage after the child laborers leave the factory, additional food subsidies for children under the age of 14 must also be carried out immediately. I will arrange for Nason IV to allocate a batch of food to support this place as soon as possible, but the gap is very large, Governor, you must also think of more ways."

Although Veleton XIX nodded in agreement, his face was covered with one word—

Difficult!

Knowing that it was indeed difficult to rely on the Governor alone, Soshjan swept his gaze over the crowd. Although the Mechanicum had many industries, they relied more on servitors and machines. Their possession of food was actually very low. At most, there were some food processing plants, but they only produced and would not store large quantities. Therefore, in the hive city, only one family remained with huge food and resource reserves—

The Ecclesiarchy.

During the Great Vortex Expedition, Soshjan had witnessed the Ecclesiarchy's financial strength. With a wave of their hand, they could easily organize hundreds of millions of zealots. The pilgrimage ships were filled with hundreds of billions of tons of food to supply these fanatics.

After all, they didn't have to pay taxes, and they kept receiving donations from nobles and various religious income from civilians. They didn't have to raise an army, so their wealth could easily reach an astonishing scale. For example, those luxurious cathedrals were probably not cheaper than a battleship.

For Soshjan, it was a waste to leave these riches in their hands. It would be better to use them to feed the Emperor's people.

Seeing Soshjan staring at him, the Archbishop of Nason V immediately understood. Although his expression seemed very calm, and he kept turning the rosary in his hand, he was both angry and helpless in his heart. Who would dare to target the church in the past? Even the Governor could be excommunicated with a snap of his fingers, and then made to kneel on the ground and beg him. But there was nothing he could do about Soshjan, the Astartes.

Because that was an Astartes, an angel of the Emperor, who was religiously superior to all Ecclesiarchy personnel, not to mention that he was the actual lord of this planet. He had no way to resist him legally or reasonably.

But he still had to struggle a little.

"Ahem, since the Chapter Master has such determination, we, as apostles of the Throne, must also contribute. It's just that recently, believers hope to organize a pilgrimage to a nearby holy world. The church's expenditure is very large. We will try our best to put together 200 million tons of food for you."

Soshjan did not respond, but turned to ask the Governor:

"Are there any statistics on the church's tithe payment in the past ten years?"

The residents of the Empire bear many types of taxes, but generally there are three main items: the Imperial Tithe, which is the most basic and official direct tax covering everyone; the second is commercial tax, including stamp duty, etc., which is an indirect tax; the third type is the church tithe. Although it is also a direct tax, it was not mandatory at first, but a "donation" that believers needed to actively pay after going to church. However, with the repeated reforms of the traitorous Ecclesiarchy, the church tithe became a semi-official mandatory tax. The church even had its own huge system of tax officials, which was more efficient than the Imperial government, and could knock on doors to collect taxes from house to house. Usually, the parish also meant the tax district.

The Governor glanced at the Archbishop not far away, gave him a "there's nothing I can do" look, and honestly replied:

"The church's tithe collection rate has basically reached 90% in the past ten years."

"What's the ratio?"

"Usually 8% to 9% of the Imperial Tithe payable, which translates into about 7 to 8 billion tons of food per year."

The church tax does not belong to the hive city government's financial revenue, nor is it included in the Ministry of Internal Affairs' reports, but the Governor knows this very well. Obviously, he has been paying attention to the church's income, perhaps even borrowing money from them—

It is not uncommon for a Governor to borrow money from the church. After all, the Imperial Tithe sometimes comes suddenly and heavily. If the hive city has just experienced turmoil and the people are all destitute, it is impossible to squeeze anything out even with a road roller. At this time, desperate Governors often turn to the Ecclesiarchy for help.

"Archbishop Radhoyaane, 3 billion tons, consider it a loan from the battle group to the church, to be repaid in full in five years."

Although Soshjan sounded like he was requesting, his tone was not to be refused. Although it looked a bit like "eating the big households" and suspicion, he didn't actually ask for too much. After all, the Ecclesiarchy had to maintain its operation and feed so many mouths. Soshjan could understand this, so he thought this number was relatively reasonable.

Even the Ecclesiarchy, with its transcendent status, could only bow its head in the face of the Astartes lord.

"Yes, I will clear out the various holy treasuries as soon as possible to gather them for you."

"Five days, I happen to be going to inspect Nason VI and VII. When I return, I hope to see that this policy has already begun to be implemented."

Saying that, he looked at the Governor.

"Governor Veleton, you will personally supervise this matter."

Saying that, his gaze swept over those great nobles, great factory owners, and great mine owners.

"If there is still a gap, think of a way to solve it yourself. I believe everyone present will fully support you."

His meaning was obvious. The Governor immediately lowered his head and replied:

"Yes."

After that, Soshjan announced that he would convene a star system-level expanded meeting on Nason V, which would invite the Governor of Nason IV and senior management, the sages of Ulanhuda, and all legal expert representatives of the Department of Law, to collectively discuss and announce a series of plans and issues related to trade, industry, people's livelihood, education, defense, and army construction.

The meeting will not be held on the planetary surface of Nason V, but on Nason V's satellite, Gaimeru II, which is also the main "resort" for Nason nobles, with magnificent palaces and many leisure and entertainment facilities.

But this takes time. Before the meeting, Soshjan will first go to see the other two worlds in the Nason system.

So, after staying on Nason V for two days, Soshjan immediately set off for Nason VI.