Chapter 271: A Way Out


    The administrative efficiency of the British government had waned in recent times, which was to be expected given the increased intensity of parliamentary struggles. In the past, the main yers in the country''s parliament were the Tories and the Whigs, and ever since the reign of King George III, the Tories had gradually gained the upper hand, ensuring swift passage and implementation of government policies.


    But recently, this situation had abruptly changed. The previously dominant Tories had splintered, turning the entire parliament into aplex triangle of the Tories, the New Tories, and the Whigs. These factions were constantly at odds with each other on various issues, causing government bills to face dys in parliament, and the formtion of certainws to be slower than before.


    However, on the matter of restoring order in London, there was little need formunication between the three factions. In less than half an hour, they swiftly passed the government''s proposed "Public Order Act" and reinstated the ancient "Vagrant Act."


    ording to the old "Vagrant Act," loitering, idleness, and ack of industry were all defined as criminal behaviors. The unemployed and those without work were considered "criminals," subject to arbitrary arrests by the police and incarceration.


    Of course, the prisons couldn''t amodate all these "criminals." So, the "Vagrant Act" provided an opportunity for these offenders to reform. After the first arrest for "crime," the punishment was not too severe; they''d receive a fewshes, have their records marked, and then be released.


    But if the "criminals" continued their idle and criminal ways, the punishments grew harsher. After three days of flogging for the same offense, they would be sentenced to hardbor.


    Of course, the British legal system was quite merciful. The purpose of hardbor was not to inflict suffering but to help these individuals reform their idle and criminal habits. However, such habits were challenging to change, and recidivism wasmon, much like some web novel authors'' frequent hiatuses and unfinished works. Hence, longer sentences were often necessary to reinforce the treatment, simr to how certain web novel authors needed extended time in the "ck room" or 14-day istion.


    Those sentenced to hardbor often found themselves leased to enterprises like mines. Although the government did specifypensation for losses (which went to the government, not the "public ves" or their families), it was a virtually costless transaction for the government. Consequently, the conditions for these "public ves" were harsh.


    However, in a sense, this system was still considered benevolent. Even though the plight of "public ves" couldn''tpare to the cotton-picking, watermelon-eating ck ves in North America, they were not the most wretched. The most miserable position went to a type of ve formally known as "freeborers."These "freeborers" weren''t owned by anyone; they weren''t ves of individuals or the state, so no one had any incentive to treat them kindly. For any business owner leasing them, the optimal approach was to use them to the maximum. If it became apparent that excessive use might damage them, they would be discharged to avoid risks. After all, in free trade, everyone had a choice. As a result, "freeborers" with some structural damage and decliningbor capabilities were left to starve. Comparatively, "public ves" at least had jail cells to call home.


    So, this was why Subi preferred ckwell Ind over bing a "freeborer."


    For unrepentant "criminals" who persisted in their idle and criminal lives after their release, thew permitted them to be hanged. Nevertheless, the reformation efforts in Great Britain were showing remarkable results, and most "criminals" did notmit the same offenses again. After undergoing rehabilitation, they typically heeded the call of a better life.


    Of course, the final punishment in the original "Vagrant Act" was a bit too severe. Therefore, the Addington government made some modifications, recing hanging with exile. Fortunately, Great Britain had many territories to choose from.


    Following this decision, the British state machinery immediately kicked into high gear. Large numbers of criminals were apprehended and incarcerated, and masses of "public ves" were sent to various coal mines, iron mines, and other high-risk industries.


    As George walked down the street, a police officer suddenly stopped him.


    "What do you do? Do you have a job?" The police officer asked, cing his hand on the handle of his gun tucked into his waist.


    "Officer, I do have a job. I work at Andy Machinery Factory. Look, I have the factory''s work permit right here," George replied while handing a small card to the police officer. The officer took the card, nced at it, and then tossed it back to him, saying, "You have a job, so why are you roaming around here?"


    "Officer, I''m on the night shift. I came out to buy some food to eat before going to work," George quickly replied, picking up the small card and carefully cing it back into his pocket.


    "Now, get lost," the police officer said.


    George hurriedly walked away, took a few steps, turned a corner, and disappeared into an alley.


    George did indeed work the night shift, but not at Andy Machinery Factory. His work permit was a forged one he had acquired from the local gang. However, in this era, there weren''t any sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures, so it was generally easy to pass off a fake.


    His real job was housebreaking.


    With the enforcement of the newws, rather than diminishing, criminal activities had be even more intense. Everyone was racing against the clock.


    All the "criminals" knew that staying in Britain was a perilous choice. Whether bing a "public ve" or a "freeborer," neither was a way out. The only viable option was to quickly gather enough money to buy a ticket to the New World and seek freedom in America.


    George, of course, had no intention of bing a "public ve" or a "freeborer." He nned to take a chance with hisrades. Tonight, they would try to borrow some money from a respectable household and then flee to thend of liberty, America.


    However, as he emerged from the alley, ready to scout the vicinity near arge mansion, he heard a cry, "Recruiting tenant farmers, recruiting tenant farmers! Louisiana is recruiting tenant farmers! If you can farm, you can go to Louisiana to grow wheat. Farm consecutively for five years, and you''ll gainnd ownership!"


    "Is there such a thing?" George was surprised. He turned to see a newsboy waving a newspaper and running towards him while shouting.


    George quickly grabbed the newsboy and asked, "What does it say on there?"


    "How should I know?" the newsboy retorted.


    "Then why are you shouting?"


    "People told me to. If you want to know, go to Apron Lane; there are people there who handle this."


    "Apron Lane?" George wasn''t a local Londoner and was unfamiliar with these ce names.


    "Just ask around yourself. Many people want to go there."


    George thought it was still early, not yet nighttime, and a trip to Apron Lane wouldn''t waste much time. In any case, if he could indeed be a tenant farmer again, it would be a better option than risking burry.


    In Apron Lane, the "butcher" who collected fees was busy selecting tenant farmers willing to go to Louisiana. This task was assigned to him by Jacques Gurlong. It was said that Jacques and his associates had purchased a significant piece ofnd in Louisiana, and they were in need of settlers for farming. However, the butcher felt that things might not be as straightforward as they seemed.