Learning that His Highness had a way to cure the plague, Tasa's anxious mood finally calmed down.
And once there was something to do, the next few days seemed to pass much faster.
In addition to visiting the wine estate in the suburbs and planning the caravan route, he also memorized the terrain from the canal wharf to the city gate.
Now it was much more troublesome to enter the royal city. Because of the refugees outside the city, all the city gates of the royal capital had been closed, prohibiting outsiders from entering – especially after knowing that the Church was distributing holy medicine, desperate crowds were attacking the city gates every day, hoping to go to the Church for treatment. The guards on the city wall responded without hesitation with crossbows, and many corpses had accumulated at the city gate, emitting an unpleasant smell under the scorching sun.
The only side gate open was only for nobles and merchants transporting grain – fortunately, Tasa had served in the patrol team for quite a long time, and was a local of the royal city. Most of the guards on duty knew him, and he only needed to say hello when entering and leaving.
Because of this, contact between the inside and outside of the city was almost interrupted. Even if the refugees were transported from the wharf in a big way, the news was difficult to reach the city. What's more, for the upper nobles, they couldn't wait for someone to take away all these Eastern Territory refugees who could explode at any time, so they wouldn't have to concentrate the patrol team to suppress the riot.
Tasa probably understood His Highness's mood when he decided to leave on the same day he received the letter. These people had been abandoned by the royal capital. If the Church sent priests out of the city to distribute holy medicine at this time, I am afraid that most of the refugees would become devout believers.
If His Highness could take these people into his command before the Church, and bring them new life and a place to live, there is no doubt that they would become fanatical supporters of His Highness.
On the morning of the fourth day, the returning fleet arrived at the canal wharf on time. Tasa was surprised to find that His Highness had sent as many as three hundred soldiers from the First Army, and they had basically replaced their equipment with revolving rifles. With this powerful team as a guarantee, even if the Church knew the news, it would probably be unable to prevent the refugees from leaving.
"Lightning!" Margarita, who was also waiting at the wharf, couldn't wait to step forward and hug the little girl as soon as she saw her.
"Who is this...?" Iron Axe asked.
"The owner of the royal capital's large chamber of commerce, Ms. Margarita," Tasa introduced. "All the ships needed for this transportation were contacted and provided by her. She has contributed a lot to the implementation of the plan."
"I see," Iron Axe nodded to her. "Thank you for your help."
"I will deduct this fee from His Highness," she shrugged. "And instead of thanking me, you should thank Lightning."
Lightning tilted her head. "Why?"
"Cough, cough, it's nothing," Tasa coughed twice. "What are you going to do next?"
"Set up a camp south of the wharf, and control the wharf area at the same time. The rescue will begin in the afternoon," Iron Axe said. "We'll leave the ships to you."
*******************
Brian couldn't help but frown when he led his men into the refugee area.
Everywhere were dying patients, the skin on their bodies cracked and oozed black blood and pus, attracting swarms of flies, but they didn't even have the strength to drive them away, letting these insects crawl around on their bodies and lick the blood.
He couldn't help but think of the People of Border Town trapped in the slums of the fortress during the Month of the Demons, facing the erosion of hunger and cold, just as helpless. If this was really done by the Church, it would be an unforgivable crime.
"First, gather those who can still move," Brian said. "It's up to you, Echo xiaojie."
Rushing to announce to the crowd that they have medicine that can cure the plague would inevitably cause a sensation. If the crowd all rushed to the wharf area, they would not be able to suppress it with just a few dozen people. Therefore, the notification must be carried out in batches. His Highness's arrangement for Echo to accompany him was precisely for this reason – her ability can specify the sound to be heard in a certain area, or in someone's ear.
Brian only saw her open her mouth, but no sound came out, and some of the refugees were already looking over.
Soon, a group of people stumbled over. "Sir, is what you said true? As long as I can cure this disease, I am willing to go to the Western Territory with you!"
Success, Brian was overjoyed. "Of course, our ships are already docked in the wharf area. Bring your family and come with me!"
Other soldiers also stepped forward to help carry the patients lying on the ground who could not move. The team quickly expanded to hundreds of people, heading towards the canal wharf. Many people noticed this scene and followed. Back at the wharf, the First Army soldiers had placed bags of Purified Water on a long table, and the entrance to the gangplank was guarded by Iron Axe's team. Only two people were allowed to pass at a time, ensuring that everyone who boarded the ship drank the Purified Water.
"Listen up, everyone, these water bags contain medicine to cure the disease. As long as you drink it, you will be cured immediately." A platform was also set up next to the long table, and a soldier stood on it, constantly preaching His Highness's manuscript. "The Church's so-called plague is caused by witches, and the idea that only holy medicine can remove the root cause is nonsense. They just want to earn more coins and make you kneel down to thank them for saving your life. And Roland His Highness not only brought the medicine, but also doesn't charge any fees! That's right, not even a single Copper Eagle is needed!"
These words caused a stir in the crowd, and the first person to drink the Purified Water quickly felt the changes in his body. He tore open his clothes in disbelief, watching the black spots quickly fade. "This medicine really works! I'm cured, I'm cured!"
"Me too, God is above, the wound is no longer bleeding!"
"God? Where is it? I only see a bunch of liars!"
"That's right, this medicine has nothing to do with the Church!"
"Long live Roland His Highness!"
As more people recovered, the reactions of the crowd became more and more excited. If the First Army soldiers were not controlling order, the long table where the water bags were placed would have been overwhelmed by the refugees.
"Now Roland His Highness is developing the Western Territory, and needs a large number of people to cultivate fields, build houses, and build roads... He does not charge for the medicine, nor does he force you to go to the Western Territory," the soldier in charge of propaganda continued loudly. "But His Highness promises that as long as you are willing to go to the Western Territory and work for him, you will receive food, housing, and salary! No matter what your special skills are, you can get a matching job! Those who are willing, take a step forward, follow the mercenaries on the ship, and go to your new home! Those who are not willing, it doesn't matter, you can leave after helping us here for three days. The food for these three days is also provided free of charge by the caravan!"
"Is there really housing and salary?" Someone asked loudly.
"Of course, these are the conditions Roland His Highness personally said!" the soldier nodded in response.
"Please let me on the ship, I am willing to work for His Highness!"
"Me too!"
"And me, sir!"
"I am a blacksmith!"
"..."
Brian was delighted to see that none of this group of hundreds of people chose to stay in the royal capital, but all boarded the sailboats heading to the Western Territory. A ship was immediately dispatched after being filled, and subsequent empty ships followed one after another, without any pause under Margarita's command.
Next, Brian constantly shuttled back and forth between the refugee camp and the wharf, relying on Echo's telepathy to attract batches of Eastern Territory refugees, each time controlling the number within three or four hundred people. Just as he was returning to the wharf with a newly recruited team of patients, he suddenly saw the First Army stationed in the wheat field to the south take action. A small team sped towards the north bank of the canal, their rifles already in hand.
"What happened?" he asked Iron Axe's subordinate.
"Lightning xiaojie who is doing reconnaissance said that someone secretly jumped ship and fled," the other party said after saluting. "Probably a rat hiding among the refugees?"