The fighting continued until Haskins arrived with his guards, forcibly ending it. According to incomplete statistics, approximately 120 people participated in the conflict, resulting in four deaths (a craftsman, an apprentice, and two merchant guards), seven serious injuries leading to disability, and countless minor injuries.
Afterwards, Todd personally presided over a public trial in the square in front of the church. By comparing the merchants' ledgers and the workshop's material purchase orders, he found several witnesses who touched the Bible and spoke the truth before the cross. This allowed the incident, known as the "blood mine conflict," to be properly resolved.
The merchants who sold inferior goods were ordered to compensate the workshop for all its losses, pay the deceased's pension and funeral expenses, and have their business licenses in Muxi Town revoked.
After dealing with the incident, Todd consulted with Brother Joe, Rachel, Hudgens, Alfonso, and others to analyze its causes. The final conclusion deeply worried him.
As the town's population grows and the gap between the rich and poor widens, the conflicts among residents, which were previously resolved by community elders and guild leaders, have become increasingly irreconcilable. On the other hand, due to the unique management system of Twilight Town—the land belongs to the Church Knights and is not under the jurisdiction of the secular kingdom—the administrative institutions and management methods have gradually lost their effectiveness, which is why such large-scale conflicts have occurred.
The Blood Mine Conflict had a huge impact on Twilight Town, and in the short term, it directly led to the birth of two new things.
The first is the industry association. Unlike the industry alliances in the past, where members relied on the influence of industry leaders and the composition and communication of members were relatively loose, the new industry association is a close-knit organization with a complete organizational structure, bylaws, rules for members, and goals.
It has four main functions.
I. Economic Functions. Within the industry, share market information and the latest news, and when receiving large orders, subcontract to members based on size and reputation.
II. Religious Functions. Serving as a communication and management tool for the Westtown Church, and promoting and strengthening the faith of its members.
III. Relief Function. Each member contributes a small amount periodically to establish an industry reserve fund, which helps a member continue operating when it suffers losses due to force majeure. (Somewhat similar to industry insurance.)
IV. Judicial Functions. It coordinates relationships among members and with other guilds, and has established a department similar to an industry court to handle related matters.
The second new development is the "Holy Order Arbitration Court." This is a rather special institution, established specifically for the unique circumstances of Twilight Town. At the suggestion of Brother Joe and Rachel, Todd, in order to ensure town security and the enforcement of laws, decided to reclaim jurisdiction from the Knights and specifically established a new institution—the "Holy Order Arbitration Court." While nominally the presiding judge, the actual affairs are handled by two vice-presiding judges: Joe Humphrey and Rachel. The former is primarily responsible for managing and mediating administrative affairs within the town, while the latter is mainly responsible for handling and controlling matters involving non-human elements.
The "Holy Order Arbitration Tribunal" has a "Holy Order Enforcement Corps" under its jurisdiction, which is managed by Huggins. Its members are mainly catechumens and peasant soldiers, equipped with standard weapons, and have the right to mobilize the town guard when necessary.
After dealing with agricultural upgrades, town planning, the "Blood Mine Conflict," and the Holy Order Arbitration Tribunal, Todd finally had some time to himself. It turned out that only one month remained before the Papal States issued the Holy Ministry's official document regarding the "Twilight Knights." He had one urgent matter to attend to: quickly expanding the main legion of the Twilight Knights and strengthening its military power.
He conducted a survey. The total number of military forces that could be mobilized in Muxi Town was pitifully small.
Alfonso refused the 'Dragonbone' parasite. Putting him aside, the combat power his squires could provide was extremely limited. Although Rachel and the other mutants had considerable combat power, due to the sensitivity of their mutant abilities, they were unable to go to the battlefield and could only serve as the last trump card of Twilight Town. What remained were only Harkins and his 12 soldiers who could truly form the fighting force of the Knights Order.
After some calculations, the Knights Order actually only had 13 men available to use...
With only 13 people, let alone waging war, they probably couldn't even form a basic formation. It's time to recruit and expand the Knights' army in Twilight Town.
Todd frowned and wrote the first line on the paper: "Expand the army."
Then he wrote the second line: "Elite troops".
The talent pool has already been established, so why not try to convert all of Harkins' subordinates into "inheritors"?
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