Bai Xiaowen then used the excuse of searching for the remnants of the plague spreaders to conduct a search in Black Rock City. At the same time, he encouraged the citizens of Black Rock City to clear out the secret strongholds of the Ironthorn Family that were usually heavily guarded.
The operation this time had indeed uprooted quite a few Elite Plague Spreaders. These people were trash compared to the Lich Fisher. Bai Xiaowen didn't even need to do anything. Han Xu and a few Bow Knights from the Whitestone Army were enough to deal with them.
These elites were also a good harvest for Han Xu. After going through two battles, his experience bar had risen to level 6, and his strength had increased.
However, Bai Xiaowen's main purpose of searching the city wasn't to find the plague spreaders, but to clear out the hidden resources and wealth of the Ironthorn Family. Although they found a considerable amount of gold and jewels in the Lord's Manor, Bai Xiaowen didn't think that these things could represent the entire wealth of the Ironthorn Family. After all, this was a noble family with hundreds of years of history.
As expected, in the secret strongholds of the Ironthorn Family, Bai Xiaowen found a large amount of gold, weapons, and armor. It was a great harvest. The wealth of the Ironthorn Family was more than ten times that of White Rock City. This time, after swallowing up the wealth of the Ironthorn Family, White Rock City could finally get rid of its poverty.
In the Lord's Manor.
"Actually, the most important wealth of the Ironthorn Family isn't the gold and jewels, but Black Rock City! To be exact, it's the tens of thousands of people in Black Rock City. "
Bai Xiaowen said in a low voice, "Many of the citizens of Black Rock City have a skill, and they are professionals that White Rock City urgently needs. Perhaps the Northern Lands are dangerous and can't keep those top-notch professionals, but there should still be a few high-level talents. Only by keeping these talents will we be able to digest the fruits of this battle. "
Qiao Rui said, "Currently, Black Rock City is in a state of lockdown. The citizens can't escape for the time being. However, sealing the city is only a temporary measure. If we can't pacify the people quickly, once the city gate is removed or we leave Kane, the senior professionals of Black Rock City will still escape. "
Cecilia said softly, "Dior, I need to remind you that we are illegally occupying Black Rock City. This situation will not last long and will definitely attract the Empire's interference."
Bai Xiaowen replied, "I understand that as well. However, the Empire is currently embroiled in internal strife, and the entire Central Province is in a state of chaos. We have no time to deal with the changes in the North for now."
After a pause, Bai Xiaowen continued.
"Of course, we need to prepare for both eventualities. I will write a letter to Prince Nicholas, stating that Black Rock City has been infiltrated by the Undead Plague once again, and request for temporary authority over Black Rock City. "
"If you write a letter to Prince Nicholas, you'll be joining the prince's war chariot and going against his uncle," Cecilia said.
Bai Xiaowen nodded. "We have no other choice. Originally, Prince Nicholas was the one who pushed for White Rock City's fief, and because of this, he suffered a lot of criticism. Even if we don't express our stance, we will still be regarded as part of the prince's faction. Of course, even if we express our support for the prince, the North does not have the strength to support the Central Province's battle, so we won't get involved in this mess. "
Bai Xiaowen knew his own situation well. He could not leave the North for the Central Province, and time did not allow for it. Otherwise, this would be an excellent opportunity.
"Do you think the prince will agree to put Black Rock City under your jurisdiction?" Cecilia asked.
Bai Xiaowen said, "It's probably impossible for the fief to be permanent, but it's definitely not a problem to have temporary authority over it. The prince himself is already unable to deal with the matters of the North."
Qiao Rui frowned slightly. "If that's the case, even if we stabilize the hearts of the people in Black Rock City and maintain the prosperity of this city, it won't fall into our hands in the end. It'll all be for naught."
Bai Xiaowen said with a smile, "That's why we still need to formulate a series of measures. In this limited time, we need to draw out as much of Black Rock City's accumulated resources as possible and transfuse them to White Rock City. The most important thing is to urge the people of Black Rock City to move to White Rock City. "
"Move? Unless it's a matter of life and death, most people in the North are not willing to leave their homes. Back then, Black Rock Stronghold was a bridgehead against the Sin Domain and was very dangerous, but most of the people did not move. Forcing them to move is not only time-consuming and laborious, but it's also easy to provoke the people's resistance. "Cecilia was afraid that Bai Xiaowen would use force, so she tried to dissuade him.
Bai Xiaowen said, "This will require us to use some ingenious methods."
Whoosh, whoosh. Everyone in the hall looked at Bai Xiaowen.
… …
Soon, the new Lord gave a reply to the issue that the people of Black Rock City were most concerned about — the Undead Plague Virus infection.
Almost all of the residents had to fill in a form to register. On the form, they had to write down their professions, specialties and other personal information. Then, they had to undergo a compulsory quarantine.
Those who were found to be "potentially infected" were brought to the quarantine area. It was worth mentioning that those who had been in the profession for more than ten or twenty years, such as high-grade blacksmiths, high-grade jewellers, high-grade apothecaries, and high-grade magic apprentices, were all found to be seriously infected with the Undead Plague Virus. Some of the high-grade people with secondary professions were not infected, but their family members were found to be infected.
After the quarantine results came out, the panic-stricken people of Black Rock City cursed the previous Lord, Kager Stantine, for being a shameless bastard, while waiting for the rescue medicine from White Rock City — the Plague Bane.
A day later, the first batch of the Plague Bane arrived, but the price was set to be frighteningly high.
One vial of the Plague Bane medicine cost ten gold coins!
What kind of concept was this? A skilled craftsman could work hard for a month, and when business was good, he could only earn about ten gold coins.
More importantly, the Plague Bane was not an effective medicine. The treatment process posted by the officials was very clear — it required three continuous courses of treatment to completely remove the Undead Plague Virus.
Three courses of treatment would take twenty-one days.
Most of the craftsmen could not afford this amount of money — the tax burden of Black Rock City was not light. The craftsmen worked hard for a year, but they could not save much gold coins. Sometimes, they would even run out of money.
Fortunately, the new Lord gave everyone a way to survive.
The price of the Plague Bane in Black Rock City was high, but this was the "public price"! If the residents of White Rock City bought the Plague Bane, they could enjoy the internal price discount, only a few silver coins per vial.
Many people began to inquire about how to become a resident of White Rock City.
The officials quickly posted a notice, giving two options.
First, residents of Black Rock City could apply to join White Rock City. The application was not guaranteed to pass, and it required a qualification check. Only those who were skilled in a particular profession were qualified to become a resident of White Rock City.
The total number of people who passed was limited, and it was first come, first serve. Those who were late would not have the chance. When the quota was full, the White Rock Army would escort the new residents to White Rock City. They would have new houses, furniture, and other items distributed by White Rock City. They would also be assigned jobs, and at the same time, they could enjoy the privilege to buy the "Plague Bane" at a discounted price.
The second option was for those who did not have the means to pass the qualification check.
These mediocre residents with no skills could apply to join White Rock City as refugees. The White Rock Army would form a refugee phalanx and guide these residents to successfully reach White Rock City. However, as refugees, they were not qualified to be allocated housing, furniture, or jobs. But they could still buy the Plague Bane at a discounted price.
After the notice was posted, the temporary "White Rock City Household Registration Office" set up by Bai Xiaowen was immediately overcrowded. Many families took turns queuing at the registration office, hoping to pass the qualification check and move to White Rock City.
"Xiaowen is still the best." Li Shuyi sighed when he saw the grand scene at the registration office.
"I was at the registration office just now and flipped through the application forms. Most of the professionals who applied were mid-level talents. Those who were truly skilled are still observing. "Qiao Rui said.
Bai Xiaowen said, "That's normal. Skilled craftsmen usually earn more than mid-level talents. It's not that they can't afford the treatment fee of more than two hundred gold coins. It's just that it will empty their savings, which is quite painful. Also, most of these people are a little arrogant. They think that with their abilities, as long as they apply, they will definitely pass the qualification check, so there's no rush … "
"Then what should we do? Our time here is limited. "Li Shuyi said.
"Actually, I already have a plan. Those skilled craftsmen will not be able to sit still unless they are determined to stay in Black Rock City. "Bai Xiaowen said with a smile.
That afternoon, a new notice was posted on the notice board, announcing the number of people who passed the qualification check on the first day.
A total of three hundred and twenty-one people passed the check. Currently, there were still one hundred and seventy-nine people left.
The quota for White Rock City's residents was unexpectedly popular. This time, the entire city was in an uproar.
The mid-level craftsmen who passed the check secretly rejoiced. Those skilled craftsmen who did not want to go at the beginning panicked a little.
Even after the registration office closed that night, the craftsmen and their family members who were waiting in line did not leave. They continued to stay up late and line up. The White Rock Army had no choice but to send people to maintain order. Those who cut the line and caused trouble were all arrested and sent to the Black Rock City's prison.
Actually, their crimes were not serious enough to warrant jail time. However, this was a special time. Bai Xiaowen had to use severe punishment to maintain the fragile order in Black Rock City.
The next day.
"Xiaowen, they're here, they're here … Look, this morning, the registration office added the information of twenty-seven skilled craftsmen!" Li Shuyi's eyes sparkled.
"Finally, they can't hold it in anymore." Bai Xiaowen said with a smile.
"What should we do? Should we open a back door for these people? "Li Shuyi asked. White Rock City did not have any skilled craftsmen. They were definitely thirsty for them.
Bai Xiaowen shook his head. "No need."
"Then what if the quota is used up?" Li Shuyi asked.
Qiao Rui covered his mouth and laughed. "Don't worry. Isn't it up to the captain to decide if the quota is used up? It's right not to open a back door for those people. We have to kill their arrogance. If they don't work hard in White Rock City, it'll be difficult to manage. "
At noon that day, a new notice was posted on the bulletin board. The five hundred quota was full. In view of everyone's support and enthusiasm for White Rock City, the new Lord Dior Si Kail Bloom had granted another three hundred extra quotas for White Rock City residents. All skilled craftsmen were welcome to submit their applications.
Bai Xiaowen left Cecilia and most of the White Rock Army soldiers in Black Rock City to maintain order. He led the White Phoenix team and a small portion of the White Rock Army soldiers to escort the first batch of craftsmen to White Rock City.
Behind them were two square arrays of refugees who seemed to be in a mess. Most of them were carrying their luggage, and they looked panicked and down. Compared to the five hundred craftsmen in front of them who were assigned jobs and housing, the refugees' future was uncertain after they arrived at White Rock City.
The two White Rock Army soldiers who were guiding the refugees patiently explained the White Rock Lord's low tax policy to the refugees. It was half as low as Black Rock City! As long as they worked hard, no one in White Rock City would starve to death. This was to calm the hearts of these refugees.
After a day of marching, the White Phoenix team, craftsmen, and refugees arrived at White Rock City. Bai Xiaowen called the city guard, Tim, over. After instructing him clearly, he was in charge of settling these migrants.
Tim did not see Cecilia. He did not even have time to ask Bai Xiaowen a lot of questions before Bai Xiaowen gave him such a huge task. His head was about to explode. However, there was nothing he could do. After all, the other party was the Lord and he was just a worker.
The honest Tim could only work hard and diligently to arrange housing and jobs for these migrants. He was so busy that his feet did not even touch the ground …
Bai Xiaowen, on the other hand, brought Li Shuyi and Qiao Rui into the Zombie Doctor's underground research institute.
The Zombie Doctor was holding a magnifying glass and observing a tube of green liquid. He was muttering something.
"Hi, Doctor."
Bai Xiaowen's voice sounded. The Zombie Doctor jumped in fright. The test tube of green liquid in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter. Instantly, green mist surged and turned his entire head green.
"Oh, no … Boss, save me …"
The Zombie Doctor's body swayed. The muscles on the surface of his body swelled abnormally. He was like a balloon that was constantly being injected with gas. His face also turned green with a tinge of red.
"What's wrong with you? How can I save you? " Bai Xiaowen jumped in fright. The Zombie Doctor could not die so easily. It would be terrible if he lost key memories and became an idiot.
Fortunately, the Zombie Doctor and Bai Xiaowen could communicate telepathically. Under the other party's telepathic cry for help, Bai Xiaowen quickly pulled open the drawer of the experiment table. He found a tube of red medicine and injected it into the Zombie Doctor.
The Zombie Doctor's swollen body froze.
Then, there was a long and loud fart. Following the sound of the fart, the Zombie Doctor's swollen body slowly shrunk. Finally, he shrunk back to his original size of a beansprout.
The entire basement was filled with an unpleasant smell.
"Ugh …"
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