Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1336

In recent years, the workers requisitioned for the riverworks project came from both inside and outside the capital. The same group of workers and conscripted laborers for the riverworks project were employed for various tasks.

Cameron was the head of the Waterworks Department, which was under the Ministry of Infrastructure. Under the guise of river repairs and irrigation drainage projects, the department had seized a considerable amount of land and resources.

They scattered houses across these areas, but not in any organized way. Workers and some conscripted laborers for the riverworks project now lived in those places.

The river channel crisscrossed the land, and the areas they'd taken covered all directions—east, west, south, and north. Jacob marked these locations and connected them with lines, revealing that they encircled the palace district like an inescapable net.

If these workers were private soldiers of the true mastermind behind the rebellion, then guarding the city gates would have been useless. They had been right there inside the city, constantly surveying the terrain in their free time. In fact, they likely knew the capital's layout better than even the Garrison Unit and the Capital Guard.

Carissa studied the map, a feeling of unease creeping over her.

She then posed a question, "Given that they have requisitioned so much land, they must have received approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the king, right?"

"That's correct," Jeremiah confirmed. "But as part of the river and drainage project, they weren't supposed to be building houses. Now, they've settled quite a few people in these areas. I went to the government office to check the household registrations, but none of those people are officially listed."

"Are the conscripted laborers living there as well?" Carissa asked.

"Most of them. The conscripted laborers requisitioned from outside the city are all housed in these locations. These are men who've spent years doing hard labor. They're strong—lifting a heavy hammer or sword is a trivial task for them."

Carissa furrowed her brow. Building the river channels and foundation dams sometimes required stone cutting. They had tools like large hammers, axes, and knives, all of which were provided by the court.

What they had uncovered was only part of the puzzle. There was still much to be investigated. Not wanting to waste any more time, Carissa set out early the next morning to report to Salvador.

Upon hearing her report, Salvador couldn't help but scoff. "That rabble—are you suggesting they're rebels?"

"Your Majesty, they are not just rabble. These men have been working as conscripted laborers for years. They're strong and capable of feats of great strength," Carissa replied, standing firm.

Salvador shook his head slowly, his expression turning serious. "You've been in court for only a short while. You don't know how the Ministry of Infrastructure has been using them for years to clear river silt, open irrigation channels, and even clear the mountains.

"If they were truly rebels, they had their chance when the Mystic Army was at the Southern Frontier. That would have been their moment to strike. Even if you think Prince Nicholas is behind Prince Yuvan, could he have commanded them from Nerovia? Or are you suggesting that Prince Hayden is the one pulling the strings in the capital?"

Carissa pressed forward with her analysis, explaining, "Your Majesty, during the war at the Southern Frontier, the treasury was running low and the riverworks were limited to basic dredging. The conscripted laborers involved were minimal.

"But this time, it's different. This is a massive operation—there's large-scale construction of foundation dams, digging of river channels for irrigation, and building reservoirs. Together, the conscripted laborers and workers number nearly 20,000. Can you afford to take such a risk, Your Majesty?"