After leaving the Hillfort Fortress, Lei Xiao and his party first came to the Fortress of the Rest, which was closest to the Hillfort Fortress.
Currently, it is garrisoned by 3,000 mountain fortress levy troops led by Ju Bai.
Arriving at the outskirts of this city that was originally controlled by traditional nobles, Lei Xiao discovered.
Compared with before the war started, this place is already a completely different world.
I saw that many dilapidated villages around the city no longer looked lifeless, but were filled with yearning and expectations for life, as if they had already begun to take shape.
Since each village has set up a varying number of food and other material distribution points, treatment centers, recruitment offices and other facilities, the free farmers are crowded with people and filled with laughter and laughter that have been stagnant for hundreds of years.
All of this proves that those bloodthirsty demons are dead, and the heavy shackles that imprisoned them no longer exist!
While observing secretly, Lei Xiao noticed further with pleasure.
Even though under his own orders, various cities opened warehouses to release grain and distributed sufficient grain and daily necessities to these free farmers, the fields around the village were still being cultivated in an intense and orderly manner, without any slack.
.
Moreover, whether it is the material distribution point with long queues, the recruitment office where young people rush to gather, or the treatment center where most of the people are old farmers, everything looks orderly.
"Lord, this is the true appearance of the Cold Flame Kingdom!"
In a corner in the center of a village, Ariel, who had been following Lei Xiao closely, couldn't help but said excitedly: "Whether it is a member of the royal family like me or nobles from all over the country, there is only one thing that needs to be done.
That is to protect these smiles that come from the heart!”
After finishing speaking, Ariel looked at Lei Xiao with gratitude and said sincerely: "Thanks to the lord, these people of the Cold Flame Kingdom have a longing for the future in their originally dim pupils.
The light!”
"Ariel, since just now, you have been thanking me all the time. My ears are almost calloused."
Lei Xiao casually touched the head of Princess Lengyan and said with a smile: "Follow me to look around again."
While continuing to observe, the conversations among the free farmers also reached Lei Xiao's ears one after another.
"Mama, these soldier uncles broke my father's leg a few days ago, why did they start sending us things today?"
"Child, these soldier uncles have been replaced. They are no longer the hawks and dogs of the noble gentlemen, nor do they bring unscrupulous beatings and bullying, but are people who are truly willing to protect us with their lives!"
"The people who really protect us? So are the soldiers actually good people? I thought they would only wave whips and knives at us..."
"No, there will never be such a soldier uncle again, because now we are protected by the gentle and brave Her Royal Highness the Princess and the strategizing guest minister!"
"Your Highness the Princess and Your Majesty the Guest? Mom, when I grow up, I will also become a soldier to protect Her Royal Highness the Princess and the Guest! I will also protect Mom and everyone!"
…
"Grandpa, you are so old, you don't have to work in the fields anymore!"
"You bastard, how dare you meddle in your grandpa's business? Give me the hoe quickly! Your Highness the Princess and Your Excellency Ke Qing have paid so much for us. Even if the old man breaks his back from exhaustion, he still has to plant an acre of land for His Royal Highness the Princess and Your Excellency Ke Qing.
of food!”
"Grandpa, listen to me. The sassy female general said early in the morning that from now on, whether it is directly owned land or our own land, magical wheat seeds will be distributed, and the yield will be the same as before.
It’s several times more than that, there’s no need to cultivate those wastelands anymore!”
"Oh? There is such an incredible thing? Doesn't this mean that only half of the previous labor force is needed to achieve the annual food target?!"
"Yes, grandpa, with enough food, we can eat delicious bread and soup every day from now on!"
"You silly boy, why are you still standing here? It's enough to have me and your father and mother at home, why don't you quickly respond to Her Royal Highness's call and become a glorious new recruit of the kingdom? This hard-won new future
, let us protect it on behalf of Her Royal Highness the Princess and Your Majesty the Guest!"
"Hey, to be honest with grandpa, my brother and I have signed up very early in the morning!"
…
"Sisters, what do you think the guest minister who defeated these noble gentlemen looked like? He must be very heroic, right?"
"That's natural. He is a big shot assisting Her Royal Highness the Princess! It is said that Lord Keqing is both a brave swordsman and a wise magician. Not to mention how powerful he is!"
"It's exactly what I imagined! He is a distinguished guest with both civil and military skills! If I can meet the guest, I would be willing to stay unmarried for the rest of my life!"
"Stop dreaming. A big man like Mr. Ke Qing must have everything on his plate. How can he be something that a village girl like you can see casually?"
"Hey, you sound like you are not a village girl. Your brother secretly told me that when you were dreaming last night, you were shouting the words "King Qing". Now you are pretending to be noble."
"Nonsense... nonsense! I definitely didn't dream about lying in the arms of Mr. Keqing!"
"By the way, sisters, I heard that the City Lord's Mansion is recruiting trainee maids. Maybe you will be lucky enough to meet your guest there!"
"Really?! I'm going, I'm going!"
…
After hearing this, Lei Xiao smiled helplessly.
Unknowingly, I seem to have become an idol in the minds of many people.
"I have to say, this feeling is quite good."
Thinking of this in his mind, Lei Xiao's expression became solemn again and he nodded thoughtfully.
At least as far as the free farmers are concerned, they no longer need to worry.
"Okay, let's go find Jubai."
Nodding to his subordinates, Lei Xiao took another step forward, started to read, and ordered Ju Bai to meet at the designated place.
"Lord, you are here!"
Not long after, in the hiding place outside the gate of Staying Castle, Ju Bai, who had been waiting for a long time, took a step forward, bowed and saluted: "I see you, your lord!"
"No need to be polite."
Lei Xiao waved his hand and said to the Queen's general in front of him: "Ju Bai, it seems everything is going smoothly."
"Back to my lord, the free farmers have almost worshiped you and the princess as gods!"
Ju Bai nodded excitedly at first, then raised his eyebrows and reported: "In addition, the money, food, and various rare treasures in the Lord's Palace of Flowing Castle are more abundant than the subordinates imagined. Even if the warehouse is opened to release food, there will still be more money.
There is a large surplus, and it seems that these degenerate nobles have obviously squeezed the common people to the bone."
"Then if I do this, it can be regarded as taking it from the people and using it for the people."
Lei Xiao raised his eyebrows, smiled lightly and said, "How is the recruitment of new recruits?"
"Back to Lord, it went very smoothly. It can even be said to be extremely popular."
Orange Bai stroked his chest and saluted, and responded: "Since this morning, nearly 2,000 people have successfully signed up in various villages around the Fort, while ensuring food output, and this number is still increasing!"
"Very good. The training of new recruits must be carried out quickly. We don't have much time left."
Lei Xiao nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Select the strong and strong among the recruits to focus on training, and the others can stay in the local area and train slowly. Maintaining the stability of the rear is also an indispensable part."
"Don't worry, Lord. With the enthusiasm and perseverance of these free peasant recruits, I believe it won't take long before they can become a good fighting force."
Ju Bai nodded confidently, and then a touch of helplessness appeared on his fair face, and he continued to report: "Lord, in sharp contrast to the excitement of the villages outside the city, the situation of the new citizens in the city is a bit disturbing.
People are worried, and most of them almost stay behind closed doors."
"Is that true?"
Lei Xiao looked as if he was expecting it, nodded to Jubai and said, "Come with me into the city to have a look."
"As you command, Lord."
Ju Bai bowed again and began to lead the way.
Under the guidance of Ju Bai, it didn't take long for Lei Xiao and his party to enter the city gate of Flowing End.
Looking around, Lei Xiao suddenly frowned.
Just like what Ju Bai said, there were only a handful of scattered pedestrians coming and going on the rather spacious streets. Most of the shops were not even open, and the few that were only open were also empty. Everywhere
Extremely cold.
"It's as if the city has been occupied by the Holy Night Army. It seems that the hostility of the new citizen class in the city is still full."
Lei Xiao curled his lips helplessly and asked the Queen's General next to him: "Jubai, have the news of improved benefits and tax reductions been conveyed?"
"Go back to the lord and convey everything."
Ju Bai bowed and saluted, and responded: "Following the Lord's instructions, my subordinates even distributed and communicated the newly formulated subsidy details, justice laws, and pension matters for fallen soldiers, but there was still no receipt.
The effect was so great that only a small number of new citizen officials persisted in their posts."
"To be honest, Lord, my subordinates believe that these generous measures you have formulated are enough to make every new citizen's heart beat. It can be seen that the problem lies in the sense of trust."
Ju Bai still maintained a respectful posture and added: "Only when the concerns of these new citizens are dispelled, can everything proceed smoothly."
"So I brought our Princess Ariel over as planned yesterday."
Lei Xiao smiled faintly and ordered to Ju Bai: "Okay, gather all the new citizens in the central square of the city. The princess's speech will begin immediately."
"According to your orders, Lord, the subordinates at the venue have already completed preparations, and the new citizen officials at their posts have also made preparations to gather other new citizens."
Ju Bai nodded, stroked his chest and saluted, "I'll do it now."
Not long after, under Orange Bai's neat arrangements, Ariel was already standing on the podium set up in the central square of the city.
Beside Ariel, there are the main subordinates such as the tiger stick who are disguised and responsible for the security work. With the protection of the fifth-level strong men, there is no need to worry about Ariel's safety.
Outside the podium, there are two teams of magicians who are performing amplification spells. With their protection, Ariel's voice will reach every corner of the city.
As for Lei Xiao, surrounded by Hong Ye, he stood in a hidden part of the venue to observe, while Jiang Lei was still working non-stop to build a space beacon.
Looking at the gradually gathering crowd in the square, Lei Xiao couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Originally, I thought that the number of new citizens coming to the square would be extremely limited, but judging from the current situation.
As the fifth princess, Ariel's appeal is obviously much stronger than she imagined.
"Lord, it seems that these people want to wait for a definite answer."
Hong Ye, who was crossing her arms, raised her eyebrows and said to Lei Xiao, "That's to see if you really intend to treat them sincerely."
"On the battlefield, although they are pawns against the fallen nobles, they are not just pawns in the hands of the fallen nobles."
On Lei Xiao's gentle face, he said with a calm expression: "And all I have to do is to help them recognize this reality. Those so-called privileges and status as being higher than free farmers are just for the sake of
It’s better to just let them work hard.”
"As for whether I am sincere, the answer is of course yes."
Lei Xiao also raised his eyebrows and continued calmly: "Instead of confusing people, it is better for everyone to clearly understand that they are not only fighting for me, but also fighting for themselves and the future, because I have
Ability to create a future that everyone aspires to."
"As expected of the lord, the words he speaks always make people's blood boil."
A flash of uncontrollable reverence flashed through Hong Ye's starry eyes, and she said sincerely.
At this moment, Hong Ye felt filled with emotions.
You must know that in the realm of death not long ago, it was the young man from the alien world to whom he swore allegiance, who saved his life!
While sighing, Hong Ye's starry eyes moved and looked at the podium not far away, murmuring: "Next, it's time to see Ariel's performance."
On the podium, Ariel, wearing a small crown on her head, looked at the increasingly dense crowd below the stage, with a solemn look on her delicate face.
She saw a pair of eyes with awe and a little fear and confusion, which undoubtedly represented distrust of herself and uncertainty about the future.
What I need to do is to dispel everyone's concerns and let everyone clearly understand.
Both the lord and myself as the fifth princess of Lengyan have the ability to create a better future for everyone present!
Thinking of this, Ariel slowly took a deep breath, and then opened her red lips slightly, transmitting her clear and firm voice through the amplification array to the ears of everyone present.