Release that Witch

At the dockside, more than a dozen sailboats lined up in a line. The top of the mast and the staggered hemp ropes were wrapped in snowflakes to form a white silver line. The refugees sneaked out of the cabin and rushed to the open space in front of the dock.

This is not the first time that Bianbu Town has received refugees from all over the Grey Fort. The whole process is in order. The four-iron railing divides the crowd into two slender columns that control both the flow of people and the ability to step on. On both sides of the railing are police officers holding a short stick to patrol, and those who push and attempt to cross the railing will pick up a stick. There are also penalties for nature and rewards. In order to appease the people who have arrived through the hardships, the refugees who pass through the railings can get a bowl of steaming porridge. In any case, filling your stomach first can effectively reduce the panic and discomfort of refugees in unfamiliar territory.

This time, in addition to the police, the First Army and the City Hall officials, the Nightingale and Sylvie also participated in the inspection, in order to find out those who took care of the drug in the crowd. In the eyes of the magic eye, no matter whether it is a pill or a snow powder, there is nowhere to hide.

"Thank you for all this for the West," Roland retracted his eyes and said to Margaret next to him. "If it weren't for your fleet, these people would have to spend the winter in the slums of other cities."

"It’s rare for my Highness to ask me for help in such an urgent tone. I naturally have to go all out," she smiled. "But many crew members are not willing to sail in heavy snow, so they can only get together such thirteen ships."

"It’s better than a boat," Roland said. Since learning that a large number of refugees have been stranded in Silver City, Chishui City and Liuye Town, he sent a letter of assistance to the Margaret Chamber of Commerce, hoping that the other party can collect a fleet to help them transport the refugees.

Although the 13 ships are less, the two can always transport people back according to a sailboat. It takes two weeks to calculate the round trip. The three thousand stranded people will spend almost one. Half a month. The Golden Dragon carried by the First Army squad could not support that time, so this return trip had to carry food and cold-resistant clothing. Roland did not want refugees to take the boat to the sea, but eventually could not reach the destination.

For the blessing of lightning, Margaret finally set the transportation cost twice as much as usual. For other businessmen, I definitely think that this is a stupid sale. The freight is more than the value of the goods. The average shipping cost per two people is one. A good quality slave. Margaret also questioned him, but Roland still insisted on bringing this group of people back to the West.

From the moment they followed the messengers on the sailboat, they were regarded as the people of the West, and they had the responsibility to provide them with shelter. Moreover, in the eyes of Roland, the value of these refugees is far from being comparable to that of slaves. After education and reemployment, the wealth they create in their new posts will be incalculable.

Returning to the castle's living room, Roland ordered the kitchen to be a soup for the cold of Margaret. "Drink this, your hands and feet will be warmer."

“Thank you for your kindness,” the businesswoman picked up a spoonful and smelled it. “There seems to be liquor in it?”

“Yes,” he laughed. “In addition to this, there are pepper and honey, and the bottom is chicken soup.” High-alcohol is a great drink to chill at any time, and the heat with chicken soup also makes the taste become More mellow, plus seasonings that mask its stimulating taste, make the whole bowl of soup fresh and spicy, and people who don't drink often can easily enter.

After Margaret slowly finished the soup, she breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s really good. Every time I come to you, I will be full of expectations. I don’t know what new things you will make, but unfortunately I can’t find a way next year. Always visit your territory."

“Do you mean trading opportunities?” Roland keenly captured the meaning of her words.

The businesswoman nodded. "Tefco has issued an order prohibiting the trading of saltpeter. Now it is not only the king, but also the saltpeter in Yinguangcheng and Chishuicheng. It is not allowed to be sold outside, except for the low price supply to the alchemy association. Can be sold to the nobility in the city."

Roland brows up.

"And according to the news I heard from the City Hall channel, he seems to be planning a comprehensive blockade of the West. I am afraid that not only is the saltpeter, but even the merchants will be blocked in the Chishui City. At that time, not only the Bianbu Town, Changge Fortress, Liuye Town It will also be affected. Although many nobles have expressed their opposition, Tefko should not take back the order." She shook her head helplessly. "When the coming year, I will not be able to transport the saltpeter and the ingots here. Even the steam engine transaction may have to be discontinued."

It seems that he is urging him to be anxious, otherwise he will not move out of this same purpose that is equally harmful to the royal family. Roland can't help but imagine that trading in other territories may be violently interfered without completing centralization. The rebellious mentality of the lord and the great aristocracy. Even if Feifeko sent his own troops to hold the land and rivers, it would be easy for the local lords to sneak out from behind, as long as he enforced this policy for a year and a half.

But the trade is the dead hole in Bianbu Town, not to mention that even if it is half a year, it will never be allowed. Saltpeter is a raw material for large-scale acid production, and its importance is irreplaceable until artificial ammonia is not solved. Once the supply is stopped, the 152mm gun becomes a display, and the replacement of the new burst gun will be delayed.

However, compared with weapons, the most important thing is the steam engine trade. There are not many gold dragons left in the town hall treasury. Some of the money-making coins are used for infrastructure construction, and jobs are constantly added. Some of them are paid to the townspeople as compensation. Grain, convenience goods and housing transactions are recycled to form a cycle. This economic model needs to constantly inject gold dragons into the market, at least equal to the wealth created by the people.

Today, Bianbu Town is still in its original state of accumulation, and there is no credit currency. Once the steam engine is lost, this is easy for the finances to fall into the dry position of not paying. The next step is the overall economic collapse.

In any case, the interruption of funds is absolutely unacceptable.

"This situation will not last long," Roland said. "I believe that you will soon be able to visit this western town again. By that time, you should see a brand new city."

Margaret was slightly surprised. "Would you like to build a city here?"

"On the end of the demon moon," he laughed. "In addition, I intend to open a trade route directly connected to the fjord, not through Haifeng County or the clear water port, but directly from the west to the fjord. Don't know if you are interested in participating?"

To be continued.

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