Seeing Chen Yu’s earnest assurance, Kyle could only put his heart at ease.
With the city lord himself making such a declaration, what else was there to fear?
Spending!
When the money in his hands was almost gone, he had been contemplating how to reduce the city’s expenses. Since the city lord was being so generous, it wouldn’t seem right for him to be stingy.
“Alright!”
“I happen to have spotted a few sets of defensive equipment a few days ago, so I’ll place an order for them as well.” Kyle waved his hand, about to tap his wristband.
Upon hearing ‘defensive equipment,’ Chen Yu felt something was amiss and quickly grabbed Kyle’s wrist.
“How much?”
“Each set is about 2 million gold coins, which shouldn’t be too much for you, City Lord.” Kyle blinked his innocent eyes. Chen Yu immediately lost his composure. “Don’t cause any more trouble. Let’s talk about it when our funds are more abundant. I really don’t have much on hand right now. Let’s be a bit frugal; our future funds won’t be arriving for some time.”
Only then did Kyle quietly withdraw his hand from his wristband.
“Is that so?”
If it weren't for the clarity in his eyes, Chen Yu would have suspected Kyle was deliberately trying to embarrass him. Amidst this, Chen Yu couldn't help but sigh.
He, was actually short on money.
Since entering the caves, he hadn’t known what it was to be short on money. His talent for critical hit multipliers meant he never lacked food, which significantly reduced his daily expenses.
He owned a city-state that had entered a stable routine and was now raking in profits.
He could also forge equipment.
Before coming to Hurricane City to take over this city, Chen Yu truly didn't know what it meant to be short on money. In his eyes, the gold coins in the caves were just numbers.
In reality, if he were truly in need of funds.
He could simply send a message to Kailin or Fuhua Alderton, and Wind Rise City's financial deficit would be instantly replenished. Free City-State was rightfully his, and if he needed funds, Kailin would never hesitate. Furthermore, Chen Yu had helped Fuhua Alderton evacuate the Alderton family to River Town, owing him an immense favor.
When the Alderton family safely arrived at River Town, Fuhua Alderton had personally sent a message of thanks.
Getting money was simple.
It was just that Chen Yu didn't want to resort to such an easy method.
Whether it was the funds from Free City-State or the Alderton family, it was essentially his own money. Although Wind Rise City was also his city, and investing funds wasn't a loss, he didn’t want to constantly use his own family’s funds to plug the holes. He needed to find funds from elsewhere.
In the caves, there were plenty of ways to make money.
Earning money might be difficult outside, but in the caves, with a little ability, one wouldn’t know what it was to be short on money.
While contemplating, Chen Yu and Kyle arrived at the granary.
“City Lord.”
Lauren, the guard stationed at the granary, showed respect when he saw Chen Yu. Chen Yu smiled slightly, nodding as he surveyed the surroundings. The granary was guarded by only about a dozen people. Although the number of guards was a bit meager, there was no other way, as the city was indeed short of manpower.
His gaze swept around, and Chen Yu’s attention stopped on a knight standing in a relatively corner position.
“Come here.”
The knight who was called was visibly taken aback, but without any delay, he ran over.
“City Lord.”
“Are you a native of this city?” Chen Yu’s eyes were filled with a smile. The knight being asked looked visibly flustered, frowned, and shook his head. “I… I suppose I’m not a native here. I joined Hurricane… Wind Rise City five years ago and the knight corps a year ago.”
“What’s your name.”
“Loma.”
“What is your position?”
“Third-class probationary knight.”
Chen Yu glanced at Lauren, who immediately understood and explained.
“City Lord, a third-class knight is the most ordinary knight. Above that are second-class and first-class, and only then can one be considered a qualified knight.”
“After a year, he's still the lowest-ranked probationary knight?”
“This…” Lauren chuckled awkwardly. “City Lord, knights need to hunt monsters or make outstanding contributions to be promoted. The situation in our Wind Rise City over the past year…”
“I see.”
Wind Rise City had been in internal strife during this period, making it difficult for the knight corps to even protect themselves, let alone venture out to hunt monsters and earn military merits.
“So, it seems I can’t promote him to a knight.” Chen Yu said.
Although Lauren remained silent, Chen Yu could sense it from his expression.
Absolutely impossible!
Chen Yu understood his personality; he definitely wouldn't be willing to do anything outside the rules. Chen Yu didn’t press the matter.
“It’s a pity, you bear a strong resemblance to a close friend of mine.”
With a sigh, Chen Yu patted probationary knight Loma’s shoulder and said,
“When I saw you, I thought you were my friend, and I was thinking of promoting you, but you don’t have enough merits.”
Loma, who had been tense all along, let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
“City Lord, I am very grateful for your appreciation, but I have always aimed to become a true knight, and I hope to become a true knight through my own merits in the future.”
As he finished speaking, Loma puffed out his chest even further.
Even Lauren nodded slightly at this sight.
“Ambitious.” Chen Yu’s eyes also revealed a smile. He patted Loma’s shoulders twice. “I also hope you will always adhere to the knight’s code and become a true knight. Although I cannot make you a true knight outside the normal process, our Wind Rise City is indeed in need of talented individuals, and I have felt your ambition. I have a task for you; I wonder if you can handle it.”
“Please instruct me, City Lord.”
“The granary is the foundation of our city; our citizens’ future food supply will be stored here. I need someone like you to ensure the granary’s safety. Can you do it?”
Loma almost instantly placed his hand over his chest, his gaze resolute, and performed a standard knight’s salute.
“Please rest assured, City Lord!”
“Then, the granary is entrusted to you.”
The appointment of Loma as the granary’s security personnel was a minor interlude. The knight appointed by Chen Yu stood tall, and other members looked at him with intense envy.
Being entrusted with an important task by the City Lord was something every knight dreamed of.
At this moment, a considerable number of citizens who had heard the news had gathered outside the granary, and upon seeing the large granary before them, they couldn’t help but murmur among themselves.
Food is paramount for the people. For them, nothing provided a greater sense of security than ample provisions.
Although the granary was not built in a particularly grand or magnificent manner, based on their trust in Chen Yu, they viewed the granary with a favorable bias.
Chen Yu stood before the granary’s main entrance, with Kyle and Lauren flanking him.
Every time Chen Yu looked back, he could see Loma’s gaze fixed upon him.
Sensing Chen Yu’s gaze, Loma would stand even straighter.
“That young knight is quite responsible.” Kyle said with a soft chuckle. Chen Yu, with a smile in his eyes, did not respond but instead chuckled softly, “Have the transport personnel for the grain been prepared?”
“They are all in position.”
Kyle had no objections to this.
He understood Chen Yu’s intention for this trip. Having the grain transport teams pass before the citizens and enter the granary, allowing them to witness the city’s grain reserves firsthand, would make them feel more at ease.
The citizens of Wind Rise City were mostly refugees, and food scarcity was their deepest fear.
“Alright, let’s begin.” Chen Yu glanced at his wristband to check the time, then raised his right hand. Instantly, the citizens outside stopped their discussions, their eyes filled with respect and adoration as they gazed at Chen Yu.
“Everyone!”
“From the initial internal division of the city, widespread starvation, to the current prosperity and peace of the city, we have achieved this in less than a month.”
“I am not trying to boast about my capabilities.”
“Instead, I want to praise you. It is you who have given this city new life, leading it step by step towards prosperity.”
“In this past month, Wind Rise City has undergone significant reforms.”
“This is all thanks to all of you.”
“Therefore, today, I invite everyone to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the granary. This may not be a particularly significant event, but I want everyone to see the changes in Wind Rise City, to see with your own eyes that what you have experienced before will not happen again, and that this city will no longer lack grain. You can live here with peace of mind, put down roots, and view this city as your future.”
“In short, Wind Rise City will never lack grain!”
Almost as soon as Chen Yu finished speaking, rows of grain carts began to appear from the distant streets, each laden with various grains and meats.
One cart after another!
Every cart filled with grain that passed before the citizens’ eyes was a signal of reassurance, letting them know they would no longer go hungry.
As long as they worked diligently and with peace of mind in this city.
They would receive ample provisions.
Many citizens couldn’t help but shed tears as they witnessed this scene, and some even knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably, murmuring the names of loved ones who had left them due to hunger in the past.
Food scarcity was unbearable.
These surviving refugees had the good fortune of having Chen Yu as their city lord, but before Chen Yu’s arrival, too many of their loved ones had starved to death.
Now, seeing countless grain carts entering the granary, they no longer had to fear days without food.
Chen Yu watched this scene silently, but his focus was not on the weeping citizens; rather, he was purposefully observing certain individuals among the crowd.
Those whom Chen Yu had his eye on were the primary reason for inviting the citizens here.
From his observations, the effect seemed to be quite good.
After a good half hour, the grain carts from the streets finally ceased. Chen Yu glanced back and spread his arms.
“Everyone!”
“You have all seen the grain carts that transported the grain just now. I believe those who are good with numbers can estimate that our city has nearly ten thousand tons of grain in reserve.”
“Even if you work with all your might, the city’s grain reserves will last for half a year.”
“Do you want to have more grain stored in your homes? Do you want to never suffer from hunger again? Go ahead and work with all your might. Wind Rise City can sustain you.”
The observing citizens cheered incessantly. Chen Yu reveled in their cheers, watching the drive reflected in their eyes.
His gaze then shifted towards the granary.
At this moment—
The last transport team that entered the granary was looking with utter bewilderment at the little devil in black clothes standing in the empty granary.
The members of the transport team were all carefully selected by Chen Yu.
Among them were individuals Chen Yu had encountered when he returned to Wind Rise City from River Town, so they naturally recognized the little devil.
“Why are you here?”
The somewhat foolish Abel scratched his head, looking confusedly at the empty granary.
What was going on?
They were the last grain transport, and by rights, the granary should have been filled with grain. Yet, they couldn't see a single grain here.
“I didn’t expect you to be driving the cart in the end.”
The little devil smiled slightly at the dazed Abel, placing one hand on his hip and slowly raising his right hand.
“Hand it over, the grain handover.”