Neverwinter City, Longsong District wharf.
Two cement ships were docked at the shore, workers were unloading burlap sacks from the ships, and the newly appointed agricultural officer was counting the number of sacks. The whole wharf was filled with a lively atmosphere, which was rare for the stronghold where the Evil Moon's influence had not yet dissipated and snow still remained on the ground. After inspection and statistics, the seeds in these burlap sacks would be distributed to each farmer by a dedicated person.
"Your Highness, can the Golden No. 1 seeds really increase wheat yield by more than three times?" Pei Luo still couldn't believe it, "Doesn't that mean that the output in the fields can fill everyone's stomach?"
Roland had also heard this from Barov, or rather, in the eyes of most nobles, it was normal for civilians to go hungry. "It is the most basic responsibility of a lord to ensure that everyone is fed. We have only taken the first step. Besides, you don't need to treat it as my kindness. You have to know that people who are hungry can't devote themselves wholeheartedly to city construction."
"But...this is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement. As far as I know, no city in the kingdom can do this."
"The achievement is indeed worthy of praise, but I only accounted for a small part. The most critical thing is relying on the witches - without Leaf's modification, Golden No. 1 would be impossible to talk about."
Pei Luo was silent for a while, "Maybe we were really wrong before."
"What?"
"On the view of witches." He sighed, "Most nobles do not take the church's propaganda seriously, but they are equally disgusted and wary of witches. Cooperating with the church to suppress them is just a matter of taking advantage of the situation. Even if they are utilized, they are basically strictly controlled like slaves...Only you have seen their value, treating them as ordinary people. This is the most incredible thing - they are clearly not ordinary."
You not only didn't see the value of witches, but also ignored the power of the people. In fact, the potential of the latter is even more amazing. Witches are like catalysts. When the two are combined, they can bring about a leap in civilization. The more developed it is, the greater the improvement. However, Roland did not say what was in his heart, "It's not too late to remedy it now, after all, we belong to the same origin."
"Your Highness, the boiler has been boiled, and the Victory is ready to set sail at any time." The guard reported.
"Let everyone get on the ship, I'll be right there." After the prince instructed, he looked at Pei Luo, "The agricultural guidance team should arrive this afternoon. They will tell you how to plant Golden No. 1. As for the mining construction, population expansion, popularizing education, and opening factories, we have talked enough at the meeting, just implement it according to the plan. If you encounter any problems, try to solve them yourself first, and tell me if it doesn't work." He patted the eldest son of the Honeysuckle family, "After I leave, I'll leave it to you here. Do a good job, the executive officer of Longsong District will not be your end."
"I will not let you down, Your Highness." Pei Luo bowed.
Roland boarded the cement ship and ordered the departure. As the whistle sounded, the Victory slowly left the shore and headed towards the Border Region.
*******************
"How many bald boats is this?" Qiao smacked his lips, "They are all coming from the direction of the town!"
"That's called the Border Region. Didn't the lord say that we are now a city with the town," Snake Tooth pouted. Bald boats were the nickname that Qiao gave to those strange boats on the inland river without sails, but he preferred the name stone boats - the wide gray hull was like a rock, even if the porters ran back and forth on it, it would not move. "What was it called again?"
"Neverwinter City." Tiger Claw echoed.
"Who cares, it has nothing to do with us," Qiao shouted excitedly, "You will also take such boats to the town, remember to take a good look at why they can move without sails and oars, and what is the white mist and black smoke spewing from the top!"
This really has nothing to do with us, Snake Tooth thought, after the city was built, at least everyone can find a job.
"Are you really not planning to stay?" Kui looked a little unhappy, "They are all handymen, why do you have to go to a strange place?"
"One more silver wolf," Tiger Claw said happily, "The salary for staying here is six silver wolves, and it is seven to go there. Anyway, we are all working, of course we choose the one with more money."
"I didn't ask you," Kui rolled her eyes at him and stared at Snake Tooth.
For some reason, Snake Tooth suddenly felt a little guilty. After Neverwinter City was established, the lord seemed to have fulfilled his promise. Countless recruitment announcements appeared in the square overnight, but there were not many opportunities for rats. They were basically handymen and apprentice bricklayers, and the salary was lower than that of others. Of course, it was better than being a rat and starving - if these salaries could really be paid on time as stated in the announcement.
His explanation to his partners was that he could earn more by going to the Border Region, but his real idea was that it was closer to White Paper. Looking at Kui's scrutinizing eyes, the words that came to his lips were swallowed back, "My idea...is the same as Tiger Claw."
"Then will you come back?"
"Di — Di —" Just then, a whistle sounded from the direction of the dock, and a red flag was waving.
"It's our turn, let's go!" Tiger Claw grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the dock.
With the whistle, the crowd around him also surged, and when entering the inspection channel, he was almost pushed forward. Snake Tooth hugged his luggage to his chest and looked back, but behind him were all black crowds. He couldn't find Kui and Qiao.
Several black-clothed policemen were checking boarding passes at the end of the passage, "Your name? Assigned team? Show your proof!"
After Tiger Claw passed, it was soon his turn. Snake Tooth took out the warm, crumpled piece of paper from his inner pocket and carefully handed it to the police, "Snake Tooth, Red Flag Group Fifth Construction Team, you see..."
The other party completely ignored his "introduction", unfolded the boarding pass and glanced at it, and impatiently patted it on his chest, "The ship on the left, next!"
Boarding the ship, Tiger Claw was already waiting for him at the entrance. "They didn't ask for extra money, it's unbelievable."
"Yeah...they didn't." Snake Tooth folded the proof back indifferently, put it back in his arms, and looked towards the dock area, looking for the location of his partners.
Until the stone boat made a high-pitched sound and slowly sailed away from the dock, he found the two on a stone step on the embankment - Kui was waving Qiao's coat, and Qiao was shrinking behind her with his arms folded.
Snake Tooth quickly took off his coat and shook it vigorously, ignoring the surprised eyes of others.
The two's eyes finally met again.
"Take care!" he shouted loudly, and the other party seemed to be saying something, but the roar of the ship drowned out each other's voices.
Kui chased along the embankment for a while, but was still pulled farther and farther away by the stone boat and gradually disappeared from sight.
Until the end, Snake Tooth couldn't give an answer. (。)