At the dock of the Longsong District in Neverwinter.
Two cement boats were docked on the shore. Workers were unloading burlap bags one by one. The newly appointed official of the Ministry of Agriculture was counting the number. The whole dock was in full swing. It was a rare scene in Stronghold, where the influence of the Months of Demons had not completely dissipated and the roads were still covered with snow. After checking and counting, the seeds in the burlap bags would be distributed to every farmer.
"Your Highness, can the Golden Ones really increase the wheat yield by more than three times?" Pérot still could not believe it. "Does it mean that the wheat yield from the fields can feed everyone?"
Roland had also heard Barov say something like this before. Or, in the eyes of most nobles, it was normal for commoners to go hungry. "Making sure everyone has enough to eat is the most basic responsibility of a lord. We've only taken the first step. Besides, you don't have to take it as my kindness. You know, starving people can't devote themselves to the construction of the city. "
"But... this is undoubtedly a great achievement. As far as I know, no city in the kingdom can achieve this."
"The achievement is indeed praiseworthy, but I only made a small part of it. The most important thing is the witches. Without Leaf's transformation, the Golden Ones would not have been possible."
Pérot was silent for a while. "Maybe we were wrong before."
"What?"
"About the way we treat witches." Roland let out a long sigh. "Most nobles disapprove of the church's propaganda, but they also hate and are wary of witches. They cooperate with the church to kill witches. Even if they want to use witches, they are strictly guarded like slaves... Only you see their value and treat them as ordinary people. That's the most incredible thing. They're not ordinary at all."
"Not only do you not see the value of witches, but you also ignore the power of the people. In fact, the potential of the latter is even more amazing. Witches are like catalysts. The combination of the two can bring about a leap in civilization. The more developed a civilization is, the greater the leap will be. " However, Roland did not speak his mind. "It's not too late to make up for it. After all, we're of the same origin."
"Your Highness, the boiler is boiling. The Victory can set sail at any time," one of his guards reported.
"Let everyone get on the boat. I'll be right there." The prince then turned to Pérot. "The guidance team from the Ministry of Agriculture should arrive in the afternoon. They'll teach you how to plant Golden Ones. As for the mining and construction of the mines, the expansion of the population, universal education, and the establishment of factories, we've discussed enough at the meeting. Just follow the plan and if you encounter any problems, try to solve them on your own. If you can't, let me know. " He patted the eldest son of the Honeysuckle Family and said, "After I leave, I'll leave this place to you. Do a good job. Your career as the executive officer of the Longsong District will not be your final destination."
"I won't let you down, Your Highness." Pérot bowed.
Roland boarded the concrete boat and gave the order to set off. With a long whistle, the SS Victory slowly left the shore and headed for the Border Area.
*
"How many bald boats have we seen?" Joe clicked his tongue. "They all came from the direction of the town!"
"That's called the Border Area. Didn't the Lord say that we're now a city with the town?" Snaketooth curled his lips. Bald Ship was a nickname Joe had given to those strange ships in the inland rivers without sails, but he preferred to call them Stone Ship. The wide gray hull of the ship was as solid as a rock, and even when the porters ran back and forth on it, it did not move. "What's it called?"
"Neverwinter," Tigerclaw echoed.
"Who cares, it has nothing to do with us," Joe shouted excitedly. "You'll also take a boat like this to the town. Remember to take a good look at why they can move without sails or oars and what the white fog and black smoke above their heads are!"
"It really has nothing to do with us," Snaketooth thought. "At least we can find a job after the city is built."
"Are you really not going to stay?" Sunflower looked a little unhappy. "We're all handymen. Why do we have to go to a strange place?"
"One silver royal more," Tigerclaw said cheerfully. "If we stay here, we'll get six silver royals. If we go there, we'll get seven silver royals. Anyway, we'll all work. Of course, we'll choose the one with more money."
"I didn't ask you." Sunflower rolled her eyes at him and stared at Snaketooth.
For some reason, Snaketooth suddenly felt a little guilty. After the establishment of the City of Neverwinter, the lord seemed to fulfill his promise. Countless recruitment notices appeared in the square overnight. However, there were not many opportunities for Rats. Most of them were handymen and mason apprentices, and their pay was also lower than that of other Rats. Of course, no matter what, it was better than being a rat and starving. That is, if the salary could really be delivered on time as stated in the announcement.
To his companions, he told them that he could make more money in the Border Area, but his real thought was that the Border Area was closer to Paper. Looking at Sunflower's scrutinizing eyes, he swallowed his words. "I think... the same as Tigerclaw."
"Will you come back?"
"Beep." Just then, a whistle sounded from the direction of the dock and a red flag waved.
"It's our turn. Let's go!" Tigerclaw grabbed Snaketooth's hand and pulled him to the dock.
As the whistle sounded, the crowd around them also surged. When they entered the inspection passage, they were almost pushed forward. Snaketooth held his luggage to his chest and looked back. Unfortunately, he could not see Sunflower and Joe in the crowd.
Several black-uniformed policemen were checking boarding passes at the end of the passage. "Your name? Your assigned team? Show me your proof! "
After Tigerclaw passed by, it was soon his turn. Snaketooth took out the warm, wrinkled note from his pocket and carefully handed it to the policeman. "Snaketooth, the fifth construction team of the Red Flag Group. Look..."
The policeman did not pay attention to his introduction. He opened the boarding pass and glanced at it. Then he impatiently patted his chest and said, "The ship on the left. Next!"
When he boarded the ship, Tigerclaw was already waiting for him at the entrance. "They didn't ask for extra money. That's incredible."
"Yeah... they didn't ask for it." Snaketooth absent-mindedly folded the proof and put it back in his pocket. He looked at the dock area, trying to find his companions.
It was not until the stone boat was slowly moving away from the wharf that he found the two of them on a stone step beside the embankment. Sunflower was waving Joe's coat, and Joe was standing behind her with his arms folded.
Snaketooth hurriedly took off his coat, ignoring the surprised looks of the others, and waved it hard.
Their gazes finally met once more.
"Take care!" He shouted. Sunflower seemed to be saying something too, but the roar of the ship drowned out their voices.
Sunflower chased after them along the embankment for a while, but the Stone Ship gradually disappeared from her sight.
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