Chapter 1067: Chapter 1010: Sugar and Grain Jams and the Refugee March

After Bartow fainted, everyone noticed he was fine, so they left him as he was, and it was just as well there was one less person drinking.

When the gathering dispersed and people returned, they found Bartow was already awake, just lying on the bench, weeping.

He had long been numb, but after hearing what Huyuren said, he felt an inexplicable sense of grievance.

It turned out they could have lived well, there were ways, his parents, wife, and two daughters could have not starved to death!

But who could he tell this to? Who should he blame?

Xie Li felt a pang of profound sympathy but only helped Bartow up without saying much, and the two supported each other to the dock.

When they arrived at the dock, Halifax was nowhere to be seen; only a guard remained.

The guard told the refugees that it was too late and let them sleep in the town for a night.

The local Town Mayor even arranged for them to stay at a monastery on the outskirts and provided a free dinner.

Stay at the monastery? And a free dinner? What a delight!

Naturally, the refugees were overjoyed and happily went there.

But the next day, when they wanted to board the ship again, they shouted that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Because the dock was empty, there was no sign of their ship.

"Where’s the boat? Where has my boat gone?"

"There’s a boat thief!"

"Priest Halifax, you wouldn’t have stolen all our luggage, would you?"

Halifax pressed his hands downward for calm, but no one paid attention and they continued shouting.

With no other option, Halifax had to cough heavily, and the guard nearby immediately drew a rubber baton and stepped forward.

A few strikes on the troublemakers, and the scene quieted instantly.

"Um, let me say a few words," Halifax’s face looked a bit better. "Your boat, don’t worry, was borrowed by the local Priest-in-Charge to transport grain.

Your luggage is being watched over by people on the boat.

Let’s walk together to the next small town, Merlin Town, and by the time we arrive, the boat should have finished unloading the grain and returned.

By then, we’ll board the ship again."

At this moment, the local Priest-in-Charge, Polk, stood out, saying: "Due to sugar grain blocking the way, our grain transport ship didn’t arrive on time, so we had no choice but to borrow your boat.

Of course, not for free, I’ll hire people from among you to stay here, and you can allocate new farmland.

Furthermore, I will also gather a few donkey carts and horse carts to carry the weak, women, and children, and everyone, regardless of age and gender, will receive compensation..."

Upon hearing this, the crowd quieted down a bit and began whispering about how to extort a bit more.

Thus borrowing the boat, Polk was also helpless.

For the past two years, he had delivered the grain on time, without any mistakes in all the work, so he was awarded excellence for two consecutive years.

The local County Governors last year received only "good evaluations" due to misjudgments and untimely grain deliveries during the first grain levy after three years of no collection.

But Polk had made timely preparations and delivered on time.

If you count this year, that would be three years of excellence.

Do you understand the value of three years of excellence!

However, the local favor market manager was too greedy, having rented the ship, insisted on slotting in a consignment of hard liquor to Xia Lvcheng.

Now sugar grain blocked the way, one ship harmed two worthy men.

No matter if that manager lives or dies, what about my Polk’s excellence award?

He dreams of going to the capital, dreams of progressing further.

Coincidentally, the Ludwig Relief Association was present, and he and Halifax were fellow countrymen, so they lent a hand.

Priest-in-Charge Polk spoke from above, and Anselm followed below.

"What is sugar grain blocking the way?"

Huyuren explained: "It’s just when sugar cargo ships and grain cargo ships fight for the way, it’s as simple as that."

In Huyuren’s terms, sugar cargo ships didn’t just mean sugar but also the transportation of fabrics, spices, mortar, rapeseed oil, and so on.

These cargo ships would all head to Rapids City, then transport goods west to the Leia Region or south to Falan.

If this coincidentally met the envoys from various counties transporting grain to the ry Court Barracks after the winter wheat harvest, it would create the spectacle of hundreds of merchant ships clogging the river channel at Rapids City.

If, at this moment, a ship happened to have an accident and sank, it would be more disastrous.

After listening to Huyuren’s explanation, others didn’t respond much, but the speculator Reggie instantly became interested.

"Wouldn’t the futures market be greatly stimulated?"

"Of course, every year, during the shipping block season, at least a dozen or twenty people like you end up bankrupt!" Huyuren said with a hint of sarcasm, but it was also a warning to Reginald.

But Reginald remained oblivious, as if the stronger the storm, the pricier the fish, others feared while he was greedy.

If no one went bankrupt, who would he earn money from?

Seeing Reginald’s stubbornness, Huyuren could only shake his head.

Unlike the indifferent attitude of several others, Xie Li had cold sweat soaking through his clothes.

Upon hearing this news, he nearly fainted.

The Holy Cabinet and numerous sacred artifacts were still on the ship!

If only he had thought to bring the Holy Cabinet down, he had considered that always moving it made it too conspicuous, fearing someone might come to steal it.

But unexpectedly, the Ludwig Relief Association people took the ship away.

No worries, no worries, calming himself with a pat on the chest, Xie Li steadied his nerves; regretting now would be to no avail.

This time around, the Ludwig Relief Association still seemed reliable, unlikely anyone would come to steal things, especially from refugees.

After speaking, the crowd was rushed to eat the free breakfast, while Priest-in-Charge Polk began picking people to stay behind.

But Polk wasn’t picking randomly; he came prepared.

The central documents stated a need to reduce some grain production, switch to more profitable economic crops, and vigorously develop industry.

Hence, Polk wasn’t picking good farmers; he prioritized artisans familiar with economic crops or small tools.

Unexpectedly within Xie Li’s small circle, Barto was kept by the Town Mayor and allocated thirty acres for planting olives.

"Don’t envy him." Hunchbacked Walin, the rope-maker, suppressed his jealousy, "How much money can he make with olives? We’re going to Fa..."

"Ahem!" Sani suddenly coughed.

"We’re going to Xiaochi City, to work as shipbuilders, that’s where the big money is; fields are lifeless."

Ignoring the two brothers from Eagle’s Claw Bay, Anselm turned to Reginald: "And you?"

"Rapids City, it’s a place with rivers of gold." Reginald was evidently impatient.

"And you?" Anselm asked again, "I’m planning to go to Langsande County, are you headed there too?"

"Yes, I’m going to Joan of Arc Castle to apply as a primary school teacher." Xie Li said calmly, in fact, he was headed to ry Court Barracks.

"Great, I have forty-five acres near Langsande County, we can travel together, look out for each other."

After breakfast, the donkey and horse carts arrived, and everyone officially started their journey.

The refugees had no complaints about walking; they had traveled many roads during their previous escape.

Having been on a ship for a month, they truly missed the land.

But this time was different from their previous escape, carrying pie and dry food, with women and children transported by donkey cart, they journeyed with laughter and chatter.

Still, quite a few, led by the Eagle’s Claw Bay brothers, were constantly worried about being ambushed by highwaymen or Robber Knights.

These bankrupt Extraordinary Knights were the most hateful presence during their previous escape travels.

Xie Li did not have such fear.

He knew the Holy Alliance rose to power by slaying nobles; if any Robber Knights were left after four years, he would seriously consider leaving his will to the Holy Alliance.

Using a fallen branch as a cane, Xie Li walked, scanning the sides.

Right along the road’s edge lay a chaotic yet lively array of wild grasses, thistles, nettles, plantain...

Clusters of fuzzy foxtail grass, and white chamomile were most abundant.

Beyond the thorny bushes and wild blackberries were roughly constructed farm beast fences.

At every crossroads, one could see short stone boundary tablets, previously used by nobles to declare land ownership.

Now, the family crests on them were obliterated, leaving only rows saying "Welcome to such-and-such village, X many miles to Merlin Town."

In distant villages, one could see timber houses and small chapels, along with wooden crosses at road forks and shrines in stone pavilions.

Honestly, Xie Li felt the religious ambience of the Holy Alliance rivaled that of many areas in the Leia Region.

Shaking his head, he refocused his gaze and continued forward.

After walking an entire day, they finally lodged overnight in a village.

By afternoon of the second day, the large group finally reached Merlin Town, seeing the extensive sour plum orchards outside the town.

As for the Eagle’s Claw Bay brothers, they had not yet encountered the thieves and roadblocks they expected, only sporting the black eye circles on their faces.

Nearing the docks, Halifax went to negotiate at the management office, while the remaining refugees rested and moved about.

The farmers were fine, sitting quietly, but the city dwellers couldn’t sit still, wandering to see and join the excitement.

After seeing much, they grew bored, as the small towns in the Holy Alliance seemed too similar.

Blue sky, green land, distant mountains, and nearby wide blue-black river.

The identical cobblestone mortar roads, brick and tile house yards, and the same red tiled roofs.

Looking at Merlin Town, identical to previous towns, everyone thought they had walked the wrong path and circled back.

Huyuren circled around and returned, whispering to Anselm.

After the whispering, Huyuren walked off nonchalantly.

Anselm dusted off his pants, grinning as he approached the seated Eagle’s Claw Bay brothers: "Shall we make a bet? If I win, you return all the money you won from me yesterday, how’s that?"

"What will you bet on?" Sani’s tall figure lit up with a gleam in his eyes.

Anselm pointed to a tightly closed door at the dock, bearing a courthouse symbol on a small chapel: "We’ll bet on the outcome of this trial."