The icicles under the eaves were dripping water. It was the 15th of February 1781, the day when the snow and ice melted. It was a rare sight to see the sun in the sky. Looking down from the top of the Bulin Hill, many diligent housewives in the streets and alleys of Morent City had taken their furs and quilts to their roofs or courtyards to dry. Because the rainy season was coming, if they did not dry the quilts now, they would have to endure another month in these damp or moldy furs …
It was a pity that he couldn't find any cotton. Lollister suddenly missed the smell of cotton clothes and blankets after they were exposed to the sun. The textiles of the Galinthia Continent were mostly coarse hemp, fine hemp, linen, and silk. There were also woolen fabrics such as blankets and sweaters woven from animal hair. As for the cold-resistant materials, they were all made from various kinds of fur, with the fur of major monsters being the best. The Norton Family had shipped over 400,000 pieces of winter clothing made from the fur of magical beasts from the Northern Lands, and they were all sold out in less than a month and a half. The only regret was that the clothing was too old and not well-made.
Basically, all of the residents of Morent City who had purchased the clothing made from the fur of the magical beasts began to tailor and remake the clothing. Those who were skilled with their hands made the alterations themselves, while those who were incompetent spent money to hire someone to make the alterations. The main reason was that the price of the clothing made from the fur of the magical beasts that the Norton Family had sold was simply too cheap. It was only about twice the price of the fur of the cows and sheep that had been grazed by humans, but its cold resistance was many times better than the fur of the cows and sheep.
Therefore, Morent City was still bustling with activity in this winter that was about to pass. The residents wearing re-tailored clothes made from magical beast fur filled the snow-covered city with vitality and vigor. In the past, most people would stay at home for the winter. However, this winter, the streets were still bustling with people. Many people even piled up various ice sculptures on both sides of the streets. Children's cheerful and clear laughter echoed in the streets and alleys from time to time.
This is the Moronte City in my heart, Lollister thought. Back then, Locke was exiled by his family and came to Moronte City to study. At that time, the Trade Union was in its golden 20 years of development. Moronte City shone with unparalleled vitality and brilliance, and it was here that Lollister transmigrated, adapted, and entered the world of impetus called the Galinthea Continent. He had grown up here, left, and ten years later, returned with his family's armed forces to occupy this place …
The voices of Fatty Shi and a servant came from the gate of the villa. "Where is His Highness?"
"Her Highness is enjoying the scenery over there."
Soon, he heard footsteps behind him, but Laurist did not turn around. "What's wrong?"
"Your Highness, the Flying Tiger Corps and the Hunting Corps have returned to Bruvia City. But this time, they captured a lot of captives. Ledos was very angry and protested to us … "
"How many people?"
"About … about seven hundred thousand …" Fatty Shi was also a little embarrassed.
Alright, this was basically turning the few provinces around the Mana Hill Plains into white land. It was no wonder that Ledos would protest angrily. Settling so many captives, oh, they should be considered refugees, was a very difficult task for the Freedom Alliance, especially before the rainy season arrived.
"Nonsense!" Laurist was also shocked by this number. The Flying Tiger Legion and the Hunting Cavalry Legion only needed to escort the refugees to the Mana Hill Plains and then leave them to the Freedom Alliance. However, they did not consider whether the Freedom Alliance would be able to shoulder this responsibility. Laurist was also shocked by this number. Laurist was shocked.
"What do you have in mind?" Laurist asked.
"Let's divert them." Fatty Shi seemed to have thought of how to deal with this. "We'll send half of them to Yungesandra Province and let them settle there. Sadekamp sent a letter saying that in the next two years, we'll be preparing to develop the Egret Lake Swamp. We'll need a lot of farmers there, or else the land will be abandoned and become a swamp after a few years. Thus, we'll arrange for half of the refugees to go there. These refugees are not residents of the old Commercial Alliance in Moronte City or the Mana Hill Plains, so it should be fine to send them there. As for the rest, let the Freedom Alliance arrange for them to open up wastelands and farm in the few stronghold cities in front of the Mana Hill Plains. "
"What about Ledos?"
"Your Highness, Ledos' protest is mainly because these refugees are causing trouble for them. The Freedom Alliance's administrative committee's plan is to focus on the development of the Crystal Hills and the reconstruction of Port Elbania. They did not make any arrangements for the Mana Hill Plains. "Originally, we thought that even if we defeated the Commercial Alliance, the Mana Hill Plains would still be the focus of small-scale conflicts in the next few years. Thus, we did not prepare to develop the areas around the stronghold cities in front of us.
However, we did not expect to achieve such a great victory this time. The Commercial Alliance will not be able to recover in a few years. "Furthermore, the Flying Tiger Corps and the Hunting Corps pillaged the few provinces around the Mana Hill Plains, making the situation even worse for the Commercial Alliance. Judging from the current situation, the Mana Hill Plains is safe and sound, and can be vigorously developed and restored to production. Ledos' protest is nothing more than a request for food and production assistance from our family. You also said that crying children get candy … "
Fatty Shi's reply made Laurist laugh. Last September, the news of the Commercial Alliance's armed forces invading the Mana Hill Plains had reached Moronte City. At that time, Moronte City had been plunged into chaos and panic. Even though the Freedom Alliance had proclaimed that they would resist to the end and protect the freedom and equal rights of the millions of citizens, there were still more rumors spreading among the citizens, causing them to feel uneasy.
After all, the close to two hundred years of rule by the Commercial Alliance had left a deep impression on this city. The former glory and splendor, unyielding and perseverance, and even the suppression and helplessness in the last few years could not make the millions of citizens of Moronte City forget that they had once been under the rule of the Commercial Alliance. In the hearts of most of the citizens, they had already become the rebels of the Commercial Alliance. They supported the establishment of the Freedom Alliance and fought against the Commercial Alliance, setting up another banner. To them, the invasion of the Commercial Alliance army meant despair and the destruction of their beautiful lives. It was the arrival of a calamity.
When Laurist led his family's armed forces and left Moronte City for the frontline of Bruvia City, the atmosphere in Moronte City was so oppressive and cold. Countless citizens on both sides of the street silently watched the fully armed Norton Family's armed forces march out of Moronte City. There was not a single cheer. Even though there was hope in their eyes, they were not willing to shout out loud. Laurist understood that these citizens were worried that the Commercial Alliance's armed forces would return to Moronte City to settle the score with them if they won. Therefore, they could only remain silent …
When the Norton Family's armed forces defeated the Commercial Alliance's armed forces, Laurist returned to Moronte City with his guards. Only then did he discover that the entire city had fallen into a carnival. There were people singing and dancing everywhere. The thousand guards that Laurist brought received an indescribably warm welcome. Due to the surging crowd, they had no choice but to dismount from their horses and walk on foot. In the end, everyone's hands and arms were filled with all sorts of food and gifts. Many of the handsome guards even received kisses from many beauties. Even Genolio had two red lipstick marks on his face.
As the actual occupier of Moronte City, the Norton Family's armed forces tried their best to downplay their identity as occupiers. They adhered to discipline, traded fairly, did not bully the weak, and were willing to help others and maintain order. They were even more civilized and polite than the people's army in Laurist's previous life. However, in the eyes of the citizens of Moronte City, they were still an army from outside. Very few of them were willing to take the initiative to make friendly contact. However, after the war, the citizens of Moronte City affectionately called the Norton Family's armed forces "our protectors." Some of the family's soldiers who were on vacation even received invitations from beauties when they went out to play. They had a beautiful romantic night …
Before the war, even though the Norton Family had vigorously supported the newly established Freedom Alliance's governing council, the administrative orders issued by the council were always a little bumpy. Although the commercial activities of Moronte City were already on the right track, the citizens of Moronte City were more anxious to invest in commercial activities in the short term. Everyone was worried that if the Commercial Alliance's armed forces came back to occupy Moronte City again, all the money they had invested would be for naught.
Even though the Freedom Alliance's governing council had launched many plans and was prepared to invest heavily in the Christopher Hills to redevelop and build large-scale public infrastructure, the response from the citizens of Moronte City was still mediocre. But now that the war had been won, countless citizens formed new merchant associations and took the initiative to inquire about various matters related to investing in the Christopher Hills. Even when it was snowing heavily, there was still a long queue of people waiting for consultation outside the governing council's office. The fervent atmosphere pervaded the entire winter.
It was no wonder that Ledos would protest. The Norton Family's armed forces had simply caused trouble for the governing council. They had placed their focus on the development and transformation of the Christopher Hills this year, and were simply unable to bear the burden of settling so many refugees. They did not have the energy, manpower, or the means to transfer large amounts of funds and rations from the Christopher Hills. Thus, they could only turn their attention to the assistance that the Norton Family could provide.
"The Ferocious Tiger Roth and Freya have plundered a lot of property?" Ledos asked.
"Yes, Your Highness." Fatty Shi lowered his head and replied, "The Flying Tiger Regiment and the Hunting Cavalry Regiment have almost emptied the five provinces around the Mana Hill Plain. There are mountains of miscellaneous items in Bruvia City. Just the property alone is worth more than ten million gold coins, and this does not include the one million gold coins given to the White Lion Regiment in cash. The remaining rations and various raw materials are uncountable. Manager Spear is also preparing to transport all the miscellaneous items and raw materials back to Moronte City for auction in exchange for gold coins … "
Ledos shook his head. "After the rainy season, you will be responsible for settling these refugees. Select suitable refugee families and let Roth the Ferocious Tiger take charge of moving them by land and sea to Yungesandra Province. It is up to you to decide whether to move 400,000 or 300,000. As for the rest of the refugees, discuss with Ledos how to settle them in the four fortress cities in front of the Mana Hill Plain. The rations and daily necessities that they need will be allocated from the looted goods. The Freedom Alliance does not have the foundation of our family, so it is indeed difficult for them to bear the burden of settling these refugees. In any case, these are all looted goods, so we do not need to be calculative in this regard. Also, order the Hunting Cavalry Regiment to be in charge of helping these refugees build farms, reclaim the land, and resume production. They will have to clean up their own mess. As for the remaining supplies and raw materials, let Manager Spear handle them. "
"Yes, Your Highness."
"By the way, I will ask Shihuard to help you, so that he can help lighten your burden," Ledos said to Fatty Shi with concern.
"Alright, thank you, Your Highness." Fatty Shi heaved a sigh of relief. If he were to be responsible for everything, he would be exhausted. These were more than 700,000 refugees that had been created for him. He did not have a good impression of the Norton Family's armed forces that had put them in such a predicament. Fatty Shi really needed the help of capable people to settle these refugees as soon as possible so that there would not be any future problems.
The year 1781 of the Galinteya Continent's general calendar was a year of peace and tranquility. The various chambers of commerce in the Commerce Alliance were all licking their wounds and waiting for their vitality to recover. There were no wars or conflicts across the continent. On the other hand, the Mana Hill Plains were bustling with activity. The Norton Family's armed forces were extremely busy. Ross the Ferocious Tiger regretted ordering the abduction of so many refugees. When he heard that Ledos had specially ordered him to lead the Flying Tiger Regiment to escort the refugees to Yungesandra Province, he felt a headache coming on. Thus, he found an excuse to become a Master Swordsman and disappeared without a trace, leaving all the troublesome matters to Deputy Commander Mason and Dolus.
In July, Ledos received a letter from his family territory and a congratulatory letter from the second prince. The letter from the family territory was from Princess Silvia, telling Ledos that he had become a father again, and that Fina had given him a daughter more than a month ago. As for Princess Silvia and another concubine, Daisy, it would be another three months before they were due to give birth. In the letter, he expressed his hope that Ledos could be by their side during the birth …
As for the congratulatory letter from the second prince, it was to congratulate the great victory against the Trade Alliance's armed forces on the 10th of October last year. The letter also discussed the possibility of equipping the kingdom's armed forces with gunpowder and cannons. Ledos did not know whether to laugh or cry. Almost nine months had passed before he received the congratulatory letter. Wasn't it a little too slow? However, he also understood that the second prince must have received the details of the war from the White Lion Regiment before writing the congratulatory letter. Ledos was currently in Duke Filim's southern province. Next, he would go to the Fisablon Family's territory to marry another queen. Even if he spurred on horseback, it would still take at least three months for the message to be delivered.
It could not be helped. The territory of the former Crimson Empire was a little too large. If it was not by sea, it would take at least two months to travel from the north to Moronte City. Laurist estimated that it would take ten months for his reply to reach the second prince, provided that the messenger could accurately locate the second prince's whereabouts.
In his reply, Ledos clearly told the second prince that the kingdom's armed forces could not be equipped with cannons and gunpowder. The reason was simple. The war with the Trade Alliance's armed forces had used up all the gunpowder that the Norton Family had accumulated over the past three years. Without gunpowder, the cannons were useless. If the second prince did not need gunpowder, the Norton Family could sell some cannons to the kingdom's armed forces. They could sell as many as they wanted. At the same time, Ledos expressed that he was using the great victory last year to force the Trade Alliance to admit defeat and sign an armistice agreement with the kingdom to restore peace. He hoped to receive a satisfactory reply in the near future …
After bringing back the reply to the second prince's messenger, Ledos asked Genolio, "Is there any news from President Peterson?"
Genolio shook his head. "No, Your Highness. Ever since you released President Peterson, there has been no news. If we had known this would happen, we would not have released him for free. It would have been better to exchange him for ransom. "
Ledos thought for a moment. "Forget it. Let's wait for another month. If there is still no news, we will return to the family territory. Let's leave things here first. We are not in a hurry anyway."
…
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