More people came to collect the second meal, but fortunately the three had been waiting in the square, managing to secure a relatively forward position.
It wasn't until he actually joined the queue that Snake Fang understood why the fences were set up around the wooden platform—the speaker on the platform had changed, and was still incessantly talking about the new policies. He would probably have to listen to him babble until he received his wheat porridge.
The crowd moved forward slowly, and after waiting for about a quarter of an hour, he finally circled around to the back of the wooden platform.
"Extend your right hand, back facing up," said the guard waiting there.
Snake Fang did as he was told, and the guard pressed a seal onto the back of his hand.
"Next."
The wooden fence expanded outwards on both sides here, forming an open area, but the queue was still not over. Everyone, guided by the guards, took a wooden bowl in turn, received porridge, went to the other end to drink it, and put the bowl away. It was hard to believe that such an orderly system was created by ordinary civilians and rats.
Snake Fang looked back at the long queue behind him, and a sense of absurdity rose in his heart, as if they were not begging for alms, but completing a solemn ritual.
"What did he stamp on us?" Tiger Claw poked his head from behind. "It can't be rubbed off."
"Probably to prevent us from queuing up again after drinking the porridge," he said, grimacing.
Tall tents stood on the outer edges of the open space. Through the firelight, many figures could be seen busily working inside. From time to time, people carried heavy wooden buckets to the long wooden tables by the fence, and the guards distributed them to everyone—obviously the food was freshly cooked. When the steaming wheat porridge was poured into the bowl, Snake Fang's hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
How long had it been since he had tasted hot food?
The wheat porridge was not thick, nor did it contain vegetables or seasonings, but the pure white surface and the overflowing aroma were enough to make his mouth water uncontrollably. Compared to the black bread mixed with stones and husks, the food in the bowl allowed him to taste the long-lost sweetness again.
Damn, his eyes were starting to sting again.
Ignoring the scalding temperature, Snake Fang quickly finished a bowl of white porridge in a few gulps, licking the bottom of the bowl clean. Although he had the urge to run back and ask for another bowl, he eventually dismissed the idea when he saw the guards watching around. Reluctantly placing the wooden bowl into the designated basin, he followed the crowd out of the fenced area.
And at the exit, there was actually another wooden platform, where the speaker was enthusiastically answering questions from the crowd.
Probably because he had warm food in his stomach, even the blowing cold wind didn't feel as biting as before. The three of Snake Fang couldn't help but slow down and move slowly towards the wooden platform with the crowd.
"You ask why His Highness the Prince is distributing relief grain? That's a good question!" the man said, gesticulating wildly. "Because His Highness is determined to completely eliminate the rats in the Fortress. Those people who are coerced by the rats and have to obey them for food can be completely liberated and no longer threatened by them! At the same time, some families with insufficient food reserves can also overcome their difficulties! This is His Highness's benevolence!"
"But you said before that the wheat porridge will only be distributed until the end of the Evil Moon, so what about after that?" someone asked loudly.
The sound at the scene suddenly subsided a lot, and most people were waiting for the other party's answer, and Snake Fang also pricked up his ears.
"It's very simple! You can support yourselves!" the speaker said with a smile.
"Support...ourselves?"
"I don't know how to farm."
"Sir, can you explain it more clearly?"
"Don't worry, let me tell you slowly!" He waved his hand. "After the Evil Moon ends, Longsong Fortress and Border Town will be merged into a new city, and the land in the middle will require a large number of workers to reclaim and build. This is how you can support yourselves! Labor! Only labor can create wealth, only labor can change your destiny! You will receive a stable salary, and this money can not only support yourselves, but also support your families! At the same time, His Highness promises that anyone who has a formal job will be accepted as a resident of the new city!"
His words stirred up a wave in the crowd, and Snake Fang felt his heart beating fast.
"That's right, I know what you're all thinking," the speaker said loudly. "Many of you are rats...or rather, citizens who have been forced to become rats, but it doesn't matter. Through labor, you will be reborn—no longer have to live secretly in the dark underground, and no longer have to worry about being sent to the gallows one day. You can completely rely on your own hands to exchange for legitimate rewards, whether it's food, clothing...or even a place to shelter from the wind and rain!"
"Sir...is it enough as long as we are willing to work?"
He nodded with a smile. "His Highness will need more than tens of thousands of people by then, so...yes, it's enough as long as you are willing to work."
Snake Fang suddenly felt like he understood something.
...
In the following days, the three of them would go to the central square at noon to collect wheat porridge, and more and more city residents went after hearing the news, almost occupying half of the square. Of course, there were also some people who were not there for the food, they just wanted to witness the demise of the Black Street rats.
The Fortress was almost like a festival every day.
After the midday wheat porridge was distributed, the trial and execution were staged at the other end of the square.
Just as the white-robed woman had said...no rat could escape their pursuit. Snake Fang saw Kanaish's figure in the trial—his face was pale, he was kneeling on the execution platform, trembling slightly, completely devoid of his usual arrogant appearance.
Then, he was shattered in the head by the roar of the iron pipe.
In addition to Kanaish, there were many big figures who had only heard of their names.
For example, Blood Hand, Iron Crow, and Gutting Blade...all were notorious kings in Black Street. Their performance was not much better than Kanaish. The death of each rat king would stir up enthusiastic cheers from the people. In the end, the onlookers chanted "Long live His Highness" while sending the criminals to be executed.
On the fourth day, Snake Fang saw Joe again. He looked completely recovered, and the four excitedly hugged each other.
"Where have you been these past few days?"
"I don't know," Joe shook his head. "My head was muddled at the time. When I woke up, I was already lying in a tent, and my head didn't hurt anymore. Then it was eating and sleeping until the fever subsided... There were several patients like me there. The wheat porridge we drank even had dried meat in it. I almost swallowed my tongue the first time."
"There's such a good thing?" Tiger Claw widened his eyes. "Damn, I even want to get a cold epidemic!"
"Anyway, it's good to be alive," Kui said with relief.
After everyone sighed, Snake Fang suddenly said, "When the Evil Moon ends, I want to find a job."
"Maybe those noble lords are just fooling us. Maybe there will be all kinds of additional requirements by then," Tiger Claw spread his hands. "Look at the Second Army soldiers and police officers who have already started recruiting now. They all require a fixed address and a clean background, and they haven't committed any crimes. Even theft is not allowed. They simply don't consider us."
Snake Fang shook his head and did not answer. The things mentioned in the announcement were gradually becoming reality, and he realized that His Highness the Prince's so-called new city might far exceed his imagination—in these short and long days, he had gradually felt the changes.
If what the speaker said was true, then could he also gain a small foothold in the new city? If he could get rid of his rat identity, wouldn't it make her less embarrassed when he saw Bai Zhi again? (。)