Lazaz immediately contacted more than a dozen of the most influential tribal chiefs and headed for Mitidja to discuss the matter with the provincial trade officer, Rahman—after contributing greatly to the resolution of the Imperial Guard and navy factions, Rahman had been granted the post of trade officer, making him the fourth most powerful official in Algiers.
In the lounge on the second floor of the Mitidja City Hall, Lazaz said discontentedly, "Sir, people are leaving our tribe every day. Right now it's just the men, but soon their families will follow."
Another tribal chief continued, "There are only a little over 800 able-bodied men left in our tribe. Do you expect women and old people to sow in the spring next year?"
"I originally wanted to buy a few hundred acres of land, but right now, we don't even have enough people to farm our original land..."
Rahman raised his hand, interrupting them: "So, what do you propose we do?"
