Chapter 195: Undead Coin
Being a puppet lord under the Taranthan system was by no means an easy feat, as could be seen from the drastic transformation of Charlie Rex in just half a year. While puppet lords elsewhere might indulge in leisure and luxuries, such a notion was inconceivable under Yang's command.
Despite lacking real authority, one would still bear the full weight of a lord's responsibilities. Endless rural inspections, relentless surveys of public sentiment, interminable meetings, and intricate accountings. Any slip-up would invite Yang's scrutiny—an ordeal far from humanly bearable.
"Can I decline?" Tuttle Joe set down his cup of milk, his expression grave.
"Probably not," Rex replied honestly. "You know I don't have the autonomy to appoint someone on my own. Yang decided to make you the new lord of Weisshem."
A heavy silence fell in the room occupied by four individuals…
The city hall comprised three buildings: a five-story main building and two four-story annexes. The main building and left annex were dedicated to office spaces, while the right annex, with its luxurious offices complete with rest suites, lay empty, as its previous occupants were now detainees at the west gate camp, awaiting their fate.
Naturally, this building would be repurposed for new uses—communal areas would be turned into shared facilities and offices partitioned into employee dormitories with minor adjustments to the furniture.
The former bandit trio of Hal, Tuttle, and Finley were unsung heroes of the covert battle to take the city. Without their tireless efforts, Yang Qiu would have struggled to surgically remove all illicit businesses tied to the nobility or criminal factions. Thus, when allocating rooms, Yang specifically instructed Rex to provide the brothers with a living space that had a dining area and balcony.
Although sharing a segmented living space among the three might seem subpar, Rex's own modest bedroom was just next door… Hence, even Hal couldn't voice any complaints.