There were more people coming to get their second meal. Fortunately, the three of them had been waiting in the square and managed to get a place near the front.
It was not until he joined the queue that Snaketooth realized why the fences were built around the wooden platform. The speaker on the platform had changed, but he was still talking endlessly about the new policy. Snaketooth probably had to listen to his nagging before he received his oatmeal.
The crowd moved forward slowly. After about a quarter of an hour, he finally went around to the back of the wooden platform.
"Show me the back of your right hand," the guard said.
Snaketooth did as he was told, and the guard pressed a seal on the back of his hand.
"Next."
At this point, the wooden fence expanded to both sides, forming an open area. However, the queue was still not over. Under the guidance of the guards, everyone received their wooden bowls, got their porridge, went to the other end to eat the porridge, and put down the bowls. It was hard to believe that this orderly order was created by ordinary civilians and Rats.
Snaketooth looked back at the long queue behind him and could not help but feel a sense of absurdity. It was as if they were not begging for charity, but completing a solemn ceremony.
"What did he stamp on us?" Tigerclaw poked his head out from behind him. "I can't erase it."
"Probably to prevent us from lining up again after we finish our porridge," he said, curling his lips.
There were tall tents around the open area. Through the light from the fire, he could see many people busy inside. From time to time, someone carried heavy wooden buckets to the long wooden table by the fence, and the guards distributed them to everyone. Obviously, the food was freshly cooked. When the steaming oatmeal was poured into a bowl, Snaketooth's hands could not help but tremble.
How long had it been since he had tasted hot food?
The oatmeal was not thick, and there were no vegetables or seasonings, but the white surface and the overflowing aroma were enough to make him salivate. Compared with the black bread mixed with pebbles and chaff, the food in the bowl made him taste the sweetness that he had not tasted for a long time.
"Oh no, my eyes are getting sore again."
Snaketooth finished the bowl of white porridge in a few gulps, and even licked the bottom of the bowl clean. Although he had the urge to run back and ask for another bowl, he gave up the idea when he saw the guards watching over him. Reluctantly, he placed the wooden bowl in the designated basin and followed the crowd out of the fenced area.
There was a wooden stage at the exit, and the speaker was enthusiastically answering the questions of the crowd.
With warm food in their stomachs, even the cold wind was not as cold as before. Snaketooth and the other two slowed down and followed the crowd to the wooden platform.
"You're asking why His Royal Highness is distributing relief rations? That's a good question! " "Because His Highness is determined to completely eliminate the rats in the fortress, those who are threatened by the rats and have no choice but to obey them for food can be completely liberated and will no longer be threatened by them! At the same time, some families who did not have enough food could also use it to tide over their difficulties! This is His Highness' benevolence! "
"But you said that the oatmeal would only be served after the Months of Demons. What should we do after that?" someone asked loudly.
The crowd quieted down. Most of them were waiting for the answer. Snaketooth also pricked up his ears.
"Very simple! You can support yourselves! "The announcer laughed.
"Feed … yourself?"
"I don't know how to farm."
"Your Excellency, can you explain it more clearly?"
"Don't worry, let me tell you slowly!" He waved his hand. "After the Months of Demons, Longsong Stronghold and Border Town will merge into a new city. The land in between needs a large number of workers to reclaim and build. This is how you can support yourselves! Work. Only work can create wealth and change your fate! You'll get a stable salary, which can not only support yourselves but also your families! At the same time, His Highness has promised that anyone who has a formal job will be accepted as a citizen of the new city! "
His words caused a stir in the crowd. Snaketooth felt his heart beating fast.
"Yes, I know what you're all thinking," the announcer said loudly. "There are many rats among you... or citizens who were forced to become rats. But it doesn't matter. Through labor, you'll get a new life. You won't have to live in the dark underground anymore, and you won't have to worry about being sent to the gallows one day. You can rely on your own hands to exchange for legitimate rewards, whether it's food, clothes... or even a shelter from the wind and rain!"
"Sir... as long as we're willing to work?"
He nodded with a smile. "When the time comes, His Highness will need more than tens of thousands of people, so... yes, as long as we're willing to work."
Snaketooth suddenly felt like he understood something.
…
In the next few days, the three of them went to the central square to get oatmeal at noon. More and more citizens heard the news and went there, almost occupying half of the square. Of course, some people didn't come for food, they just wanted to witness the end of the Black Street Rats.
Almost every day in Stronghold was like a festival.
After the oatmeal was served at noon, a trial and execution took place on the other side of the square.
Just as the white-robed woman had said, not a single rat could escape their pursuit. Snaketooth saw Kanas's figure in the trial. His face was pale, and he was trembling slightly while kneeling on the scaffold. He had completely lost his usual arrogant demeanor.
Then, with a roar from the iron pipe, his head was smashed.
In addition to Kanas, there were many other big shots whose names he had only heard of.
For example, Bloody Hand, Iron Raven, Ripper... they were all notorious kings of the Black Street. Their performance was not much better than Kanas's. The death of each Rat King would set off enthusiastic cheers. In the end, the onlookers chanted "Long live His Highness" while watching the criminals being executed.
On the fourth day, Snaketooth saw Joe again. He seemed to have completely recovered, and the four of them hugged each other excitedly.
"Where have you been these days?"
"I don't know." Joe shook his head. "I was in a daze, and when I woke up, I was already lying in a tent. My head didn't hurt anymore. Then I ate and slept until the fever subsided... There were several patients like me, and they even put jerky in their oatmeal. I almost swallowed my tongue the first time. "
"Is there such a good thing?" Tigerclaw widened his eyes. "Damn it, I want to be infected with a cold plague!"
"Anyway, it's good that you survived," Sunflower said happily.
After everyone sighed for a while, Snaketooth suddenly said, "When the Months of Demons are over, I want to find a job."
"Maybe those nobles are just fooling us, and there may be all kinds of additional requirements." Tigerclaw spread out his hands and said, "You see, they've already started to recruit soldiers and policemen of the Second Army. They're all asking for a fixed address, a clean background, and no criminal record. They're not even allowed to steal. They're not taking us into consideration at all."
Snaketooth shook his head and did not answer. The things mentioned in the announcement were becoming reality bit by bit. He realized that the so-called new city of the prince might be far beyond his imagination. In these few short yet long days, he had gradually felt the changes.
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