Unknown Knight

Chapter 370 Returning Home for the Winter

After the army returned to Kudan City, Aix stayed in the city for two days, took a tour and inspected it, and then returned to Tangquan Fortress.

Winter was coming soon, and the winter in Tangquan Fortress was extremely cold, so he decided to get there before the snow fell.

It is said that due to the blockade by hostile forces in recent years, the people in the territory have been living in hardship. Aix is ​​not too worried about other places, but in a cold and bitter place like Tangquan Fortress, the word "hardship" can be life-threatening when winter comes.

But as he walked along, Aix did not see any starving people on the road, and the scene was bleak.

Instead, there were busy figures everywhere. The common people were wearing patched clothes. Although their faces were pale, there was light in their eyes and their backs were straight. Everyone was busy with the work in their hands.

Starting from Kudan City and following the avenue along the river, Aix discovered that beside this previously sparsely traveled road, forest farms, farms or pastures occasionally appeared. It seemed that the population of the territory had indeed increased a lot in recent years.

Although Aix is ​​not here, his wife Tsunde, Atiman, Bandak and other lords of the territory should be doing a good job. The so-called hardship may be relative. Compared with when Aix was here a few years ago, there was no external blockade, there were many channels to make money, and there were dividends from foreign wars from time to time.

The people in the territory lived a very comfortable life at that time. Although they did not drink and eat meat every meal, at least everyone had a rosy complexion and looked healthy and energetic.

In the past few years since Aix was away, the territory has been forced to adopt a low-key and conservative policy, and has been passive in every aspect. Coupled with the rapid population growth and high expenses and pressure, it is normal for the quality of life of the people in the territory to have declined significantly. This is how it is in a bitter and cold land. Without the decision-making leadership of the territory, the people here would definitely live in greater difficulty. Tsunade, Atiman, Bandak and others maintain the operation of the territory, and it is already very good that the people in the territory have not frozen to death or starved to death.

"Sir, old sir, have all the relief food and money been distributed?"

Axe asked Atiman, who was in the same carriage. The knight who considered himself his retainer was in a daze. With gray hair on his temples, he looked much older. Axe knew that with his personality, he must have worried about all the affairs of the territory during the years when he was away. So Axe spoke to him very politely, with respect in his words.

"Oh, oh, I was just about to tell you that according to your instructions, all military dependents, lonely elderly people, and families with heavy family burdens have been given enough food and money to survive the winter. The lords have also mobilized the high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen in the territory to collect a batch of old clothes, which have also been distributed. We guarantee that no one will go hungry or cold this winter."

Hearing Axel's question, the old man came back to his senses and reported the situation truthfully.

Aix had a great admiration for Atiman. This knight could always find ways to do better than Aix asked him to do. But there was one thing. Perhaps because he wanted to repay Aix, he cared too much about Aix and always tried to reduce expenses for Aix. He was very stingy in his administration and tried to save as much as possible in everything he did.

Aix thought for a moment and continued:

"The workers in the workshops, mines, and construction sites will have their winter vacations early this year. Their salaries will be paid as usual, and an extra month's salary will be given to them as compensation for their losses over the past few years.

Well, the workers cannot be left idle after returning home, otherwise they are prone to drinking and causing trouble. Sir, you have to worry more about it. Work with other lords to organize everyone to inspect the residential houses and public facilities throughout the county to ensure that all houses with people living in them can achieve the insulation effect.

The Military Support Office should also prepare enough firewood for heating for the families of martyrs. In addition, we should also find ways to prepare enough firewood for the elderly and families with heavy financial burdens.

We need to hurry up and finish these things before the snow falls. I want all the people in the territory to have a warm and prosperous year this year. Don't be afraid to spend money. We have seized a lot of loot from Fort Sageche this time, and the territory will be more affluent in the future. Believe me."

Seeing that Atiman seemed to be about to refute something, Aix added, directly blocking his words from his mouth.

It has been more than two years since he left Tangquan Fortress. When he returned here again, Aix felt a sense of homecoming as if he was celebrating the New Year. This was the place where he had truly gained a foothold in this world. As soon as he entered the castle gate, he felt very safe.

Atiman had originally planned to arrange a grand welcome ceremony, but it was rejected by Aix. Firstly, the people in the territory were busy with autumn storage. They had to prepare enough firewood, food, and vegetables before the snow fell, repair warm clothes, repair damaged houses, etc. In short, they were very busy.

Qiu Chu is a very important matter in Tangquan Fortress, and it even concerns the life safety of an entire family. The North Wind God here can take lives.

A welcoming ceremony, from preparation to completion, always takes one or two days, which is very precious at this time of year, as no one can guarantee when the North Wind God will come with snowflakes.

Looking through the veil of the carriage window, he saw the busy people on the street. Many of the people he once knew brought back memories for Aix, and he had the urge to get off the carriage and walk around. There were many new faces among the pedestrians. They should have settled here in the two years since Aix left, which also showed that Tangquan Fortress had developed well.

Originally the streets were all paved with gravel, but the main road in the middle has been replaced with better stone strips. Not only does it make driving on it smoother, it also looks a lot tidier.

There are many newly built two-story buildings on both sides of the road. Some wealthy families have painted colored wall paint on their exterior walls. It seems that they are products developed by the Technology Research Institute. There are not many colorful exterior walls. They are interspersed with the rough and primitive exterior walls of ordinary families with exposed old stones, adding a lot of artistic sense to this old and simple town.

The carriage drove into the main castle. The castle grounds were already full of people. There was no need to hold a welcome ceremony, but the high-ranking lords of the territory could not lose their manners, so they had been waiting here long ago.

Bandak, Fatis, James, Desevi, Manide, Resarit, Catherine, Zhang Ping, Li Da, Liu Tang and so on, all the lords who lived in Tangquan Fortress gathered here. Even Ran Hu and Robin Hood who were stationed in Lerag Fort came specially. Judging from their weather-beaten faces, they should have just arrived.

The new nobles of these territories stood on both sides with happy smiles on their faces to greet their beloved and respected lord Aix.

At the innermost of the crowd, standing on the steps at the entrance of the main castle hall were Axe's four wives, Mrs. Tand, Mrs. Cress, Mrs. Sophia, and Mrs. Berry, and in front of them were their three children, Eric, the son of Mrs. Tand, Victor, the son of Cress, and Fifi, the daughter of Sophia.