Legend Of The Defenders

Chapter 4: The Saboteurs

The staff of ministry of agriculture is asking for fund on the land the ministry advertised farmers could get free, Laran lamented to Jose.

Oh! You've gone there? They are not trustworthy people. That's what they were doing.

Is that so? Laran asked in surprise. The situation had provoked agitations from the farmers association, Jose mentioned. The farmer association had concluded they will protest about this extortion, high price of fertilizer and many other matters of concern, Jose further explained.

When will they protest? Laran inquired. I need to join them in this protest. 

As you can see, foodstuf prices, petroleum products prices, transportation fees have all gone up. Almost everything in the city is currently expensive, Laran stated.

It is true, Laran, something needs to be done. It is possible the king is not aware. It is good we call his attention to the situation in the city.

I will let you know when the protest is going to hold, Jose informed Laran.

Jose and Laran are neighbour. There apartments are on the same street.

Jose had placed a call to Laran to inform him that the protest will be held from 9am to 12 noon the next day.

Hey Great! I will be at the association building before 9am to join in the protest.

It is over three months after the king secret service apprehended the prince and his associates for their involvement in activity detrimental to the king's government.

King had enjoyed period of peace since they all had been confined in correctional facility in the city.

King attention was brought to agitation of farmers, over hundred of these farmers with placards and banners. The placards and banners carry instructions indicating that there are extortion, high price of fertizer, high price of petroleum products, high transportation fee, foodstuffs price increment, etc.

They stand in the palace gate shouting, singing; change, the city needs good welfare, oh king! listen to your people.

King was in a meeting with the chiefs when the protesters stormed his gate.

The noise of their agitations made him to peep from the window. He couldn't believe what he saw from the window.

The farmers protesting! What for? He requested from the chief in charge of agriculture.

My king I don't know why, the chief responded.

There are many things written on their placards as their complains. Please, go and find out and advised me accordingly.

The concerned chief proceeds to the gate to me the protesters. On sighting the chief, the protesters started shouting furiously vexing their anger and displeasure.

But he standing some distant from them, told them that the king had heard them. And besides, all their complains will be looked into and attended to.

While he was addressing the protesters, a servant from the king told him that king will like to meet with their leader.

The chief was not comfortable with that instruction but had no option than to comply.

Please, the king will like to me with your leader if he is here.

A man in blue suit with a black briefcase came forward to the gate.

Guards open the gate for him. The chief then walked him down into the palace.

He introduced himself as Mr. Hedge after greeting the king.

What is this protest about Hedge? King inquired.

Mr. Hedge simply opens his briefcase and bring out a prepared letter. He hands it over to the guard closeby to give to the king.

King receives the letter and takes his time to read it. He looks up some minutes later not happy.

"Hedge, I have read your complain letter. Be rest assure that drastic strategies and measures will be put in a place to stop the difficulties the farmers and people in the city are facing.

Thank you for bringing all the issues to my notice." King then asked the guard to walk Hedge to the gate.

Mr. Hedge disclosed the message of the king to his fellow protesters.

They were all happy that king had heard and had indicated that necessary measures will be put in place to address the people's problems.

Thereafter, he encouraged the people to give the king government some time to effect whatever strategies and measures to stop all the problems they were facing.

After which he dispatched the protesters.

Although, the king sensed some foul play from ministries of agriculture and petroleum, he decided not to ask the concerned chiefs any question in the meeting. 

He decided a proper investigation would be appropriate to uncover what was going on in those ministries.

After the meeting, he called the head of financial investigation unit, Mr. Edward, to commence investigation on the alleged financial crimes in the concerned government ministries and report back to him.

In less than one month, Mr. Edward, had uncovered many irregularities which he reported back to the king.

King was devastated after reading the report. He never knew such sabotaging activities were being perpetrated in those ministries.

Afterwards, he called the head of secret service to get the concerned persons apprehended for their  misconducts.

Meanwhile, king set up a committee that will ensure the two refineries repairs are fixed, prices of  petroleum products fixed in convenient position for the people and prices of fertilizer fixed in convenient amount for the people.

It is expected that these measures will alleviate the suffering of the people of the city.