However, Snaketooth did not expect that something even more unbelievable was yet to come. The speaker's next message made him unable to move his feet.
"Five days later, in the second week of the first month of spring, City Hall will distribute relief rations in the square! Everyone will receive two portions of hot oatmeal, one for lunch and one for evening. Citizens, let's thank His Highness for his kindness! "
Hearing this, there was a sudden uproar in the crowd.
"Gosh, Gower didn't lie. There's really such a thing in the announcement!"
"Yeah, I just wanted to confirm it."
"Did I hear that right? Oatmeal every day? "
"You're coming too? Don't you have a lot of oatmeal and jerky? "
"That's still two portions for free. The Guardian didn't forbid me from receiving them. Didn't you hear what he said? Everyone!"
"Sir!" Someone suddenly asked loudly, "Is the oatmeal really free? When will it be distributed? "
This was also the question that most people were concerned about. The crowd immediately stopped talking and looked at the noble's attendant.
The latter waited until the crowd's anticipation was met before he calmly said, "That's right! The oatmeal is indeed free, and it will be distributed until the end of the Months of Demons! Go and tell more neighbors and friends about this news. His Highness' promise will definitely come true! "
Hundreds of people were instantly excited, but Snaketooth still could not believe his ears.
What did it mean to provide food for free? They could temporarily get rid of the threat of Kanas and no longer have to worry about starving to death in the cold snow. No, not only them, but all the Rats could easily obtain food. In this way, King and Belly would not be able to control their tails!
Kanas would never sit back and watch this happen. What would he do? Send someone to disperse the crowd and disturb the porridge distribution... or bribe the City Hall officials to pour the oatmeal into the Redwater River?
However, Snaketooth also noticed that the speaker repeatedly mentioned His Highness, which meant that the one requesting for relief rations this time was the legendary Prince Roland, not the Duke or the Five Families of the past. Would he let these Rat Kings do whatever they wanted, or was he really different from the other nobles?
He did not want to trust any nobles. The scene where Paper was cheated away was still vivid in his mind.
But there was a voice in his heart that kept asking himself, 'What if it's true, what if … it's true?'
Fortunately, this doubt did not last long, because the Elk attendant on the stage had already begun to announce the next piece of news. He originally thought that these decrees were just new tricks that the lords came up with to torment the citizens, and that they had nothing to do with a homeless child like him. However, the first two pieces of news surprised him greatly, and the third piece of news pointed directly at the Rats.
"Citizens, listen up, your good days are coming!" The speaker first calmed the noisy crowd with a few words, and then said word by word, "In five days, starting from the porridge day, His Royal Highness will launch a severe crackdown on crime in Longsong Stronghold, including the elimination of Black Street organizations, cracking down on theft and robbery, as well as all illegal activities that threaten the lives and property of the citizens! When the time comes, don't linger in Black Street, and don't go to taverns, casinos, or other places to avoid unnecessary harm! "
"The order of Stronghold needs to be maintained by all citizens. Now the City hall is recruiting people, including public security personnel and police officers. Now I'll explain the recruitment requirements in detail!"
Snaketooth was no longer in the mood to listen. He squeezed out of the crowd and quickly ran to the bonfire. "Hurry, let's go back!"
"Are you done?" Sunflower rubbed her hands and said reluctantly, "You should also warm yourself up before you go."
"No, let's go now!" he said anxiously.
"What's the matter?" said Joe, sensing something was amiss.
"I'll explain it to you on the way." Snaketooth stamped his foot. "We have to hurry back, or we'll be dead when Kanas hears the news from someone else!"
…
The gathering place of the Western Rats was located in a two-story house deep in the Endless Alley.
Kanas was a strong one-eyed man with a ferocious face. His temper and methods were as cruel as his face. Snaketooth had seen him nail one of his men to the wall and whip him to death after he messed up the job. In addition, he was in charge of the food supply of several Rat groups on the street, so no one dared to disrespect him.
Snaketooth was the same. He carefully knelt in front of Kanas and repeated the news he had heard.
"Lord Castellan wants to attack us?" Kanas frowned. "What's going on?"
"… Not Lord Castellan," Snaketooth cautiously reminded him. "That man has been talking about His Highness."
"You know nothing!" He spat. "No matter how powerful a noble is, he can't do anything in someone else's territory. This is Longsong Stronghold, not Border Town or King's City. Without the approval of the Elk Family, he can't do anything. So what if he's the nominal guardian of the Western Region? Just look at who's sitting in the castle. That king is still nominally in charge of Graycastle. Who cares about his orders? "
"You're right," a woman next to Kanas said in a sweet voice. "Besides, even if there's a change in power, it has nothing to do with us. Nobles are nobles, and Rats are Rats. Don't be fooled by the fact that both of them are in the same city. "
"Rats are Rats? I like what you said. "Kanas pinched the woman's butt." But the second news is a little strange. In the past, the nobles would inform us in advance if they want to earn a good reputation by giving out food. And if they want to give out food, they'll give out a limited amount. Why does it sound like they're going to feed everyone in the city? "
No one could answer this question, but Snaketooth knew that everyone was thinking about the two free bowls of oatmeal.
"Could it be … that the lord wants to get some benefits from Lord Bloody Hand?" The woman chuckled.
"Who knows?" Kanas shrugged. "I'll ask the boss later. He's the only one who knows about the nobles."
The so-called Bloody Hand was the king of the Western Region. It was said that he was close to some small nobles. In a sense, he could no longer be regarded as a pure Rat, but an "underground noble" without a title. In fact, every king had similar connections.
Thinking of this, Snaketooth could not help but sigh. He knew that Kanas's little lover was right. The nobles had existed for hundreds of years, and so had the Rats. No matter how things changed in power, the underground world always had its own set of rules … His Highness was also a noble, so what could he change?
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