At the pier, more than ten sailboats were lined up in a line. The top of the mast and the crisscrossed hemp ropes had been wrapped into a white silver thread by the snow. The refugees filed out of the cabins and rushed to the open space in front of the pier.
This was not the first time that Border Town had received refugees from all over Graycastle. The whole process was orderly. Four iron railings divided the crowd into two slender lines, which could control the flow of people and avoid trampling. On both sides of the railings were patrolling policemen holding short sticks. Anyone who pushed or tried to climb over the railings would be hit with a stick. There were punishments and rewards. In order to appease the people who had gone through hardships to arrive here, the refugees who passed through the railings were given a bowl of steaming porridge. In any case, filling their stomachs could effectively reduce the refugees' panic and discomfort towards the unfamiliar territory.
This time, in addition to the police, the First Army, and City Hall officials, Nightingale and Sylvie also participated in the inspection in order to find out the drug users that Timothy had planted in the crowd. Under the scrutiny of the Eye of Magic, no matter if it was pills or snow powder, there was no place to hide.
"Thank you for everything you've done for the Western Region." Roland withdrew his gaze and said to Margaery beside him, "If it weren't for your fleet, I'm afraid these people would have to spend the winter in the slums of other cities."
"It's rare for Your Highness to ask me for help in such an urgent tone, so I naturally have to do my best." She smiled. "However, many crew members are unwilling to sail in the heavy snow, so I can only gather these 13 ships."
"It's better than nothing." Roland exhaled a white breath. Since he learned that there were still a large number of refugees stranded in Silver City, Redwater City, and Willow Town, he sent a letter to Margaery's Chamber of Commerce asking for help, hoping that the other party could gather a fleet to help him transport the refugees.
Although 13 ships were a little too few, they could always transport the people back by two more trips. According to the calculation that it would take two weeks for a sailboat to carry 100 people and a round trip, it would take about one and a half months to transport the 3,000 stranded people. The Golden Dragon carried by the First Army's squad could not last until then, so they had to carry food and cold-resistant clothes on this return trip. Roland did not wish for the refugees to be unable to reach their destination even though they hoped to board the ship.
Thanks to Lightning, Margaery finally set the transportation fee at twice the usual price. If it were any other merchant, they would definitely think that this was a foolish transaction. Just the transportation fee alone was more than the value of the goods. The average transportation fee for two people was one gold royal. According to the current market price, one could buy several strong and high-quality slaves with that kind of money. Margaery had also raised this question to him, but Roland still insisted on bringing this group of people back to the Western Region.
From the moment they followed the emissary delegation onto the sailboat, they were already considered as subjects of the Western Region, and he had the responsibility to provide them with protection. Moreover, in Roland's eyes, the value of these refugees was far greater than that of slaves. After receiving education, training, and reemployment, the wealth they could create in their new jobs would be immeasurable.
Back in the castle parlor, Roland ordered the kitchen to serve Margaery a bowl of thick soup to ward off the cold. "Drink this, and your hands and feet will be much warmer."
"Thank you for your kindness." The female merchant scooped up a spoonful and smelled it. "There seems to be white wine in it?"
"Yes." He smiled. "In addition, there are also pepper and honey, and the base is chicken soup." High-alcohol was an excellent drink to ward off the cold at any time, and when heated together with the chicken soup, the taste became more mellow. With the addition of seasonings to cover up the irritating taste, the whole bowl of soup was fresh and slightly spicy, and people who did not drink often could easily drink it.
Margaret slowly drank the thick soup and let out a long sigh. "It's really good. Every time I'm on the way to your place, I'm always full of expectations, wondering what new things you'll come up with. It's a pity that I probably won't be able to frequent your territory next year."
"Are you referring to the trading opportunities?" Roland keenly captured the meaning of her words.
The female merchant nodded. "Timothy has issued an order to ban saltpeter trading. Now, saltpeter is not only restricted to King's City, but also to Silver City and Redwater City. In addition to supplying it at a low price to the Alchemist Workshop, we can only sell it to the nobles in the city."
Roland furrowed his brows.
"And according to the information I heard from City hall, he seems to be planning a complete blockade of the Western Region. I'm afraid that not only saltpeter, but also merchants will be blocked at the front line of Redwater City. At that time, not only Border Town, but Longsong Stronghold and Willow Town will also be affected. Although many nobles have expressed their opposition, I don't think Timothy will take back his order. " She shook her head helplessly. "By next year, not only will I not be able to transport saltpeter and ore ingots here, but even the steam engine trade will probably be suspended."
"It seems that I've pushed him too far, otherwise he wouldn't have come up with this kind of edict that is equally harmful to the royal family." Roland couldn't help but think, in the absence of complete centralization of power, rashly interfering with the trade activities of other territories is likely to arouse the rebellious mentality of the lords and great nobles. Even if Timothy sent his own troops to guard the land and river routes, it would be easy for the local lords to eliminate them from behind, as long as he enforced this policy for a year and a half.
But unfortunately, trade was the Achilles heel of Border Town. Not to mention a year, even half a year was not allowed. Saltpeter was the raw material for large-scale acid production, and before the artificial synthesis of ammonia was solved, its importance was irreplaceable. Once the supply was stopped, the 152 mm artillery would become a decoration, and the replacement of the new repeating guns would be delayed.
But compared to weapons, the steam engine trade was more critical. Nowadays, there weren't many Golden Dragons left in the treasury of City hall. Part of the money earned was used for infrastructure construction and increasing the number of jobs, while the other part was used as salary for the townspeople. Then it was recycled through the trade of food, convenience goods, and housing, forming a cycle. This economic model required a constant injection of Golden Dragons into the market, at least equal to the wealth created by the people.
At present, Border Town was still in a primitive state of accumulation, and there was no issuance of credit currency. Once the steam engine trade income was lost, the finance would easily fall into a situation where the salaries could not be paid, and then the economy would collapse.
In any case, the interruption of funds was absolutely unacceptable.
"This situation won't last long," Roland said, spreading his hands. "I believe that you will soon be able to visit this town in the Western Region again. No, by that time, you should see a brand-new city."
Margaery was slightly surprised, "Are you going to build a city here?"
"Just after the end of the Months of the Demons," he laughed, "In addition, I intend to open a trade route directly connected to the Fjords, not through the Seawindshire or the Port of Clearwater, but directly from the Western Territory to the Fjords Islands. I don't know if you are interested in participating? "
To be continued.
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