Chapter 337 - 10 Days And Results

Wisps of cooking smoke rose outside Cardiff City.

The more than one hundred thousand civilians who had surrendered were split into separate groups by the Cardiff City army to prevent any chance of them gathering and causing trouble again.

At the same time, hundreds of large cauldrons had been set up across the fields outside the city, each simmering with rice porridge. The gentle aroma of cooked rice made many of the disaster victims swallow hungrily.

Timothy rode on horseback, constantly patrolling. The people were now lining up in front of the cauldrons, waiting for their share. The rumour that Cardiff City was truly taking in and feeding refugees had finally become reality.

And that steaming porridge calmed them.

’If there’s food to eat, who would still want to fight just to survive?’

But it was still dangerous to have so many people gathered together. Orders had already been given to relocate these civilians to different cities within Prince Simon’s domain, in small groups.

Even so, they would not be forced to move. Their consent would be sought.

"Everyone, as you’ve already heard from those inside the city, His Highness is a man of great virtue. He promises that anyone willing to settle in Brambleford, Dunmere, or other cities will receive their own land to farm. You’ll be able to live in peace and security. After tonight’s meal, if you wish to go with us, gather at the North Gate. You’ll be registered and sent to your new homes."

Timothy paused and added:

"Of course, if you prefer not to go, we won’t force you. Each person will be given three catties of rice, and you’re free to go wherever you wish."

The crowd listened intently to his speech.

As soon as he finished, whispers spread through the refugees.

Timothy carefully watched them. According to their own accounts, many had only recently been forced to follow the King. Some were even dragged into his army by neighbours or friends.

Many had originally planned to escape to Cardiff City, but were caught up by the rebel army on the way, and never expected the King would actually attack the city.

These people had been ordinary civilians. Most never wanted to fight; all they wanted was a safe place to live.

"Sir, are you telling the truth? We really get land if we go?" One brave man asked.

Timothy nodded. "Absolutely true. Some refugees in the city have already received land. You can go ask them. The people stirring the porridge ahead were once refugees just like you."

The man didn’t hesitate; he walked straight to the front to ask. After a brief conversation, he returned.

Everyone eagerly surrounded him. "Is it true? Is it real?"

"It’s real! He got twenty plots of land. The Cardiff City authorities even gave him grain to survive the season. They said he only needs to repay it after the first harvest, and he won’t have to pay taxes for three years."

"Such good fortune exists?!" The others were stunned. It felt like a dream.

Timothy smiled and went on to explain the policy at other locations.

A bowl of hot porridge, paired with a generous policy, slowly melted the people’s defences. Under the strict discipline of the Cardiff City and Brambleford troops, none of whom dared bully the civilians, the refugees gradually began to trust again.

They began to long for a new life. That night, many families sat together, seriously discussing whether to relocate.

The next morning, the North Gate was packed with people eager to move to the six cities.

Simon and Aiden looked at the scene with deep satisfaction. With the right policies, people would always be drawn in. After all, when faced with the choice between hell and paradise, the decision wasn’t hard.

Some still didn’t want to leave their homelands. As promised, Simon gave them enough food for the road so they could seek refuge with relatives elsewhere.

This gesture earned Simon great respect among the refugees. In a time when many officials made empty promises, he was one of the few who delivered.

His compassion quickly spread across the land through the mouths of those fleeing in all directions.

To Simon’s surprise, some of the civilians who had fled during the previous battle came back on their own, willing to accept resettlement from the Cardiff City government.

In just over ten days, Cardiff City had resettled 200,000 people, and that number was still growing.

"My Lord, we’ve finally handled the refugee crisis," Aiden said. "It’s just a shame that so many people died. The King... Despicable. With the reavers invading, instead of serving the nation, he chose to grab land and grain for himself."

Simon nodded solemnly. "His greed knows no limits. But clearly, he’s no ordinary man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to take several cities so easily."

"You’re right, My Lord." Aiden agreed. "We were lucky this time; our surprise use of cannons and flintlocks broke the enemy’s spirit. If we’d only had regular weapons, this would’ve been a brutal fight."

Just as they were speaking, the sound of shouting came from outside. Moments later, two guards, Thomas and William, helped a bloodied scout into the room.

Simon and Aiden immediately turned pale.

Seeing Simon, the scout gasped. "Your Highness... The reaver reinforcements have arrived. General Benjamin’s army is trapped in Cobblestone by 80,000 enemy troops. The Guard Camp escorting the grain collapsed without a fight. On their retreat, the food supply was stolen by the King."

The scout collapsed as soon as he finished.

"Bang!" Simon slammed the table with his hand, chest heaving in rage.

"The King! You shameless bandit! Do you have no sense of duty to our people?!"

Aiden’s face was red with fury. First, the King had attacked Cardiff City, and now he was stealing supplies from the army fighting the reavers?

"This man is no righteous leader. He’s just a criminal rebel!"

"And that Guard Camp is useless!" Aiden fumed, stomping in frustration.

When Benjamin departed for Preston, part of the Guard Camp had escorted food supplies for the Brambleford army.

After reaching Cobblestone, Benjamin had ordered them to wait for the imperial army and look for a way to break through the enemy siege.

Since he expected a long campaign, he had ordered the Guard Camp to make repeated trips to stockpile a month’s worth of food, just in case they got surrounded.

Now that the supplies were stolen, the Brambleford army didn’t have enough rations.

How could Simon not be worried?

"Cobblestone is even weaker than Cardiff City." Aiden reminded him calmly. "Its walls are just mud bricks. The top priority must be to break the siege around Cobblestone."

Simon sighed. He hadn’t expected the war to become so difficult. Now that the reaver reinforcements had arrived, Preston might soon become a giant meat grinder.

He turned to Aiden and said:

"Send orders: Timothy will lead 5,000 cavalry and 3,000 flintlock gunners to Cobblestone at once. If we lose this battle, the royal family will have no foothold in the North."