Release that Witch Chapter 362: Dilemma

dock side, more than a dozen sailing ships are lined up. The top of the mast and the interlaced twine have been wrapped in snowflakes to form a white silver line. Refugees flow out from the cabin and rush to the open space in front of dock.

This is not the first time Border Town has received refugees from all over Greycastle. The whole process appears orderly. Four iron railings divide the crowd into two slender columns, which can control the flow of people and avoid stepping on them. On both sides of the railing are policemen holding short sticks to patrol. Those who push and attempt to climb over the railing will be hit by a stick. There are punishments as well as rewards. In order to appease people who have arrived here after hardships, refugees who pass through the railings can get a bowl of steaming porridge. In any case, filling the stomach first can effectively reduce refugees' panic and discomfort in unfamiliar territories.

This time, in addition to the police, First Army, and City Hall officials, Nightingale and Silvie also participated in the inspection, in order to find out those Timothy placed in the crowd of drug users. Under the review of Magic Eye, neither the pill nor the snow powder can be hidden.

"Thank you for all that you did for Western Region," Roland looked back and said to Margery next to her, "If it weren't for your fleet, these people would probably have to spend the winter in the slums of other cities."

"It is rare for Your Royal Highness to ask me for help in such an urgent tone, and I will of course go all out," she smiled. "But many crew members are unwilling to sail in snowy days, so they can only get to these 13 ships. . "

"It's better than no ship at all," Roland exhaled. After learning that there are still a large number of refugees stranded in Silver Light City, Scarlet Water City and Willow Town, he sent a letter of help to Margery Commerce, hoping that the other party could recruit a fleet to help him transport refugees.

Although the number of 13 boats is less, but two more trips can always bring people back. According to a sailing boat with 100 people, it takes two weeks to calculate one round trip. The 3,000 stranded population is almost the same. It took one and a half months. The gold royal carried by the First Army team could not support that time, so this return trip had to carry food and cold-resistant clothing. Roland did not want refugees to hold the Greek wing to board the ship, but ultimately could not reach their destination.

Thanks to the benefits of Lightning, Margery finally set the transportation cost at twice that of weekdays. For other merchants, I definitely think this is a stupid business. The freight alone exceeds the value of the goods. The average freight of gold royal per two people can be bought according to the current market price. Good slaves. Margery had also asked him questions, but Roland still insisted on bringing these people back to Western Region.

From the moment they followed the envoy group on the sailing boat, they were already regarded as Western Region's citizen, and they had the responsibility to provide them with asylum. Moreover, in the eyes of Roland, the value of these refugees is far beyond that of slaves. After education and training and re-employment, the wealth they create in new positions will be immeasurable.

Back to the castle meeting room, Roland instructed the kitchen to serve a thick soup for Margery. "Drink this, your hands and feet will be much warmer."

"Thank you for your kindness," the business woman sniffed, and said, "There seems to be white wine in it?"

"Indeed," he laughed. "Besides, there are peppercorns and honey, and the base is chicken soup." Alcohol is an excellent drink to dispel the cold at any time. The taste becomes more mellow, and the seasonings that cover its stimulating taste make the whole bowl of soup delicious and slightly spicy, and people who don't drink often can easily eat it.

Margery After drinking the thick soup slowly, released a long breath, "It's really good, every time I come to you, I will be full of expectations, I don't know what novelty you will come up with, but unfortunately I do n’t think I can come here often next year. Your territory is now. "

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

The business woman nodded, "Timothy has issued an order prohibiting saltpeter transactions. Now it is not only Kingdom Capital. Even Silver Light City and saltpeter of Scarlet Water City are not for sale, except for low-price supplies to Alchemy Association, they can only be sold to the city. noble in here. "

Roland frowned.

"And according to what I heard from the City Hall channel, he seems to be planning to completely block Western Region, I am afraid that it is not only saltpeter, but even businessmen will be blocked on the Scarlet Water City front line. By then, not only Border Town, Longsong Stronghold, Willow Town will also be combined Has been affected. Although many noble have expressed opposition, Timothy should not withdraw the order. "She reluctantly shook her head and said," In the coming year, I will not only be unable to ship saltpeter, ore ingot here, even the steam engine transaction may have to be suspended. It's over. "

It seems that he was pressing him, otherwise he would not move out of this decree, which also hurts the royal family equally. Roland couldn't help but imagine that he would interfere in the trade operations of other territories without the centralized situation. It is likely to stir up the resistance of feudal lord and noble. Even if Timothy sends its own troops to guard the roads and rivers, it is easy to be removed by the local feudal lord from behind, as long as he enforces this policy for a year and a half.

However, trade is the dead point of Border Town's, let alone one year or half a year. saltpeter is a raw material for large-scale acid production. Before artificial ammonia is not resolved, its importance is irreplaceable. Once the supply is stopped, the 152mm cannon will become a display, and the replacement of the new style gun will be delayed a lot.

However, compared to weapon, the steam engine trade is still not much gold royal in the City Hall vault. Some of the money is used for infrastructure construction, increasing jobs, and part of it is paid to townspeople as salary. It is then recycled through food, convenience goods, and housing transactions, creating a cycle. This economic model needs to continuously inject gold royal into the market, at least equal to the wealth created by citizen.

Today, Border Town is still in the original accumulation state, and no credit currency is issued. Once the steam engine part of the trade income is lost, the finances can easily fall into a dry place where no pay can be issued, and then the economy is completely collapsed.

Anyway, funding interruptions are absolutely unacceptable for situation.

"This situation will not last long," Roland said, "I believe you will soon be able to patronize this Western Region small town again. By then, you should see a brand new city."

Margery was slightly surprised, "Are you planning to build a city here?"

"Just after the end of Months of Demons," he laughed, "In addition, I plan to open a commercial route directly connected to the fjord, not through Sea Wind Region or Port of Clear Water, but directly from Western Region set off to the fjord islands. No Know if you are interested in participating? "

To be continued.

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