The Emperor’s Angel of Death

With the land in hand, Bakhram began the second step: taking all of this land and designating it as public farms, allowing tenant farmers and serfs to claim it. They only needed to pay off the equivalent of two years' total crop yield as tax within the next five years to gain ownership of the land. This price was incredibly low, and the authorities even provided free seeds, farm tools, and interest-free loans in the first year. This immediately sparked a frenzy, and all the land was claimed quickly.

Following this was a large-scale anti-banditry campaign. Bakhram did not resort to indiscriminate bloody suppression. Instead, he wiped out a portion of the stubborn bandits while offering redemption opportunities to those driven by livelihood concerns. These individuals, along with the 'conscripted' slaves, became builders, participating in public works projects such as road construction, irrigation system development, and public service facility construction. After two years, they would receive severance pay and free citizen status. This quickly drew many runaway slaves out of the jungles and mountains, greatly alleviating the security problem.

Everything seemed logical, but upon closer inspection, one would find a significant flaw in Bakhram's entire plan: although the Holy Flame Order had power, it couldn't possibly sustain such large-scale construction investment. Not only were there regulations within the Order, but they also lacked the resources. The entire Grand Diocese needed attention in many areas, and Bakhram's own hands were empty. Therefore, this sleight of hand was bound to be discovered over time.

He then played his second trick: the Hearthkin!

Due to the previous cooperation between Solzhenitsyn and the Great Thorian League, this Hearthkin conglomerate had established a small office in the Grand Diocese. However, since most Space Marines were not very fond of these dwarves, and Ustad had no affection for them, considering these sub-humans too profit-driven, there was little interaction. The Great Thorian League could only sell some scattered technological products in the war zone.

But Bakhram was different. He felt that there was nothing wrong with the Hearthkin. Conducting business for profit was, in a way, very 'pure.' He contacted the Great Thorian office in the Cardinal World, invited their负责人 to come here, and talked for a long time, eventually reaching an agreement that even Jacob thought was not good.

The mineral resources of the Sixth War Zone could be packaged and developed by the Great Thorian. The war zone could be responsible for their safety and energy supply. The League could take 70% of the profits, and the Hearthkin would build a series of basic processing and refining facilities within the star system. The Great Thorian League would hold 65% of the shares, the Holy Flame Order would hold 35%, and the workers would be provided locally with very low wages.

This act of almost 'selling off' Imperial assets earned Bakhram private advice from many within the company. After all, once this matter spread, it would not reflect well on an Astartes. Solzhenitsyn could trade with the Hearthkin because his identity was not only that of an Astartes but also an Imperial governor, with the backing of an administrative system. But for Bakhram, as a company commander, to do this would inevitably attract criticism from within the legion.

But Bakhram's attitude was firm. He told the warriors in the company that the Sixth War Zone had to do this to survive the Tyranid onslaught. To allow more people to live, he did not care about personal fame or position, not even fearing being removed from his position as company commander by the chapter master, and was even willing to abandon personal honor.

To express his determination to cooperate, he even hired several Hearthkin as consultants, and through this sincere cooperation, he won the trust of the Great Thorian, obtaining a large, low-interest loan from the Hearthkin, which he converted into a large amount of grain to implement his work-for-food program.

Under his efforts, the Sixth War Zone began a transformation. With the Hearthkin's powerful construction capabilities, giant mines stood tall on uninhabited planets, magnificent factories were pieced together in orbit, various agricultural machines began to be popularized among the people, and high-quality fertilizers and yield-increasing technologies were slowly filtering down from top to bottom throughout the war zone.

A miracle was born. With almost no reaching out to the rear, Bakhram completed this beautiful hat trick. He even earned the unique nickname of 'Magician.' But this did not mean that everything would go smoothly. With the increase in production capacity and the development of economic activity, many new problems also arose, especially for officials and nobles who had previously managed farmers and agricultural societies, who found it difficult to adapt to the rapid industrial age. At the same time, the pressure from the Tyranids was also increasing. The defense of the Elgre Star System required more and more troops, weapons, and supplies. This was a cruel game of operations and war racing. Falling behind in either aspect would lead to serious consequences.

To maximize the war potential of the war zone, Bakhram regarded the Defender fighters and guerrilla defense ships provided by the Nason Star System as key, but these weapons were currently mainly produced by Zhao-Akada and large factories in the rear, and distributed by the Grand Diocese headquarters. The amount allocated to the Sixth War Zone was not small, but it was not enough. So he planned to build separate shipyards and factories within the war zone, but this required resource allocation.

Standing behind a row of data pads, carefully examining the data from all aspects, Bakhram raised his head after listening to the priest's report.

"How quickly can it be repaired?"

Since a large number of refugees poured in, the problem of gene-stealers inevitably appeared in the Sixth War Zone. Fortunately, their scale had not yet expanded. A batch of gene-stealers hiding among the workers were discovered by the Hearthkin. Bakhram immediately ordered Jacob to launch a heavy blow, but unexpectedly, the other party was determined to destroy the key refinery with an explosion. Although it was eventually prevented, damage was still caused.

The priest did not speak, but looked at a Hearthkin twenty meters to Bakhram's right, wearing a gorgeous blue coat, with a neatly combed beard, and hands full of jeweled rings.

The other party coughed lightly and replied:

"It will probably take two months."

Bakhram looked at the priest again.

"What is the approximate shortfall of promethium over two months?"

"Commander, approximately ninety thousand units."

"Ninety thousand units."

At this time, a man wearing a heavy black coat, covered in jewels and draped in animal fur on his shoulders, with a slightly plump figure, suddenly said:

"There's no need to give those lowlifes too much electricity. They can live with candles. Supply the factories and other important facilities first."

Bakhram glanced at this guy. He was one of the rulers of Planet Giovanithree, a world dominated by eight major families, and also the location Bakhram had chosen for shipyard construction. He didn't think much of any of those nobles. Although this guy wasn't much better, at least he understood the importance of industry and had some insight into trade. Bakhram had made him his advisor and trade consultant, also serving as the war zone's quartermaster.