Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics

The pale knight opened his mouth and immediately realized that this might actually work.

Wealthy people aren't necessarily smart, and poor people aren't stupid; they would definitely know that this so-called auction is just the pale knight crying poverty and putting on a show.

But can that stop them from wanting to buy these quality goods at extremely low prices?

Of course not, because the poorer you are, the more you try to save money. If you can avoid buying, you won't buy; if you need to buy, you won't buy new; if you can get third-hand goods, you won't buy second-hand goods; if you really need to buy new, you definitely shop around - saving every penny is the survival rule for the poor.

Now, the things piled up in the yard outside are all quality goods, even the peeled-off wallpaper is not just a simple printed paper, but a thin fabric embroidered with exquisite patterns, just one roll can decorate your home like the Louvre.

Yes, the poor might not need such an exaggerated decorative style, they don't need intelligent toilets from Germany, nor hundred-year-old plane trees from France, but if these items are only a third of the second-hand market price, then they need everything.

They don't have to go home and paste their own peeled wallpaper, nor replace the toilet, they can completely sell these items second-hand, or even strike a deal with the second-hand company right on the spot as long as they can make a profit in between.

They know this is a show, but it doesn't matter, if someone is willing to put on such a show every day, then they will crown him the new Gotham King.

The saying goes, "Bite the hand that feeds you," people who benefit will certainly praise the mayor greatly, and if the mayor doesn't require praise, then whatever the mayor says goes.

The mayor claims he is poor, they will say he once begged for meals; the mayor says he cares for the poor, they claim he is Jesus on Earth, come specially to save the poor; the mayor says he wants to tackle pollution, they will claim he is a Child of Nature, representing the will of Earth.

Stances are nothingness, interests are eternal, Shiller put down his teacup and continued: "Repeating your common stance with them ten thousand times is less effective than bringing them a bit of benefit, that is the foundation of your regime's stability."

"More importantly, such actions let them understand that if you gain something, you will share with them, then they will fight for what you deserve, trust me, they will exploit you greatly."

The pale knight slowly closed his eyes.

About four hours later, Batman stood in his own manor's bedroom looking down, as reporters, like schools of fish, rushed in through the gates of Wayne Manor, led by Shiller to the front row of seats.

Now, the entire front yard of Wayne Manor has been transformed into a temporary auction arena, with a huge banner hung on the façade of the manor, bearing the word "charity sale."

The news also broadcast emergency messages, almost all Gothamites who heard the news were rushing towards this side, including wealthy people from the manor's affluent district and nearly all the journalists in Gotham.

It wasn't long before the voice of the pale knight delivering his speech echoed over Wayne Manor.

"...With your support, I successfully became the mayor, I have to prove to you that the promises I made aren't just empty talk, even though you have been disappointed many times, I assure you, it won't be like this again."

"Every time I think, as I sit in my luxuriously decorated office, drinking high-quality coffee, eating exquisite lunches, while you, who used your votes and propaganda to place me in this position, are still hiding in poorly heated small homes, warming yourselves with cheap hot coffee, working into late nights, still unable to cover expensive bills, I feel like Jesus nailed to the Cross, bleeding all over."

"I absolutely cannot bear it all, desperately wanting to rid myself of everything around me, my desk, my chair, even the toilet I use, the trees I pass by the doorway, all of these are evidence of my pursuit of pleasure, and proof that I am distancing from you, approaching the devils who disappointed you countless times."

"Therefore, I have to do something... do something immediately, I organized this auction, I know not everyone will benefit, but I can no longer tolerate these luxury indulgences, I'm destined to stand with you forever."

Sitting 下面, listening, Shiller now understands why the pale knight pued attract people's hearts so quickly; his speech ability is indeed excellent, an emotionally contagious style of speaking, his staunch supporters who rushed here upon hearing the news were already brought to tears halfway through.

This does seem heavily performative, but sadly, in a broken place like Gotham, most people don't even put on an act.

Perhaps in other cities, mayors not fulfilling promises upon taking office would at least offer some explanations, but in Gotham, mayors become corrupt upon ascending, collecting votes from the lower class, then seamlessly turning to join the upper-class society's parties, helping oppress those very poor who helped them rise, without anyone finding it problematic.

Not only mayors, any position with a bit of power behaves the same, they don't even promise, but curse the poor while demanding their votes.