OBS Chapter 263 Refugee Wave
Chapter 263 Refugee Wave
Winter 1452
Although it was not yet snowing in Monde-Marsan like in the north, there was already a slight chill in the air.
At this time, in the embassy, John was dealing with the issue of the army's wintering.
"At present, all the hiding places of the gang leaders have been searched. The value of the coins and some valuables inside is estimated to be about 100,000 gold coins. Of course, it will take some time to convert the valuables into cash."
"As for food, the last batch of food arrived yesterday. Excluding losses, the remaining food is enough to ensure that all soldiers can spend the winter under normal training conditions."
"Yes, Not Bad."
After listening to the White Wolf Knight's report on the army's pay and food, John felt relieved. Now he just had to wait until the spring and then wait for the king's next clerical appointment.
According to John's guess, with the southwestern border in such a terrible state, the king should at least give John a deputy commander, or directly replace Hoss, and lead the standing army and his own army to directly cross the border, defeat all the opponents, and then he can return home victorious.
"How is the construction of the military camp going?" John asked Pav, who was in charge of the construction of the military camp.
"Your Excellency, the barracks' housing and warehouses have been built. The only things left are the outer walls, trenches, and drainage canals that are still under construction."
"Tell your team to hurry up and build. If all else fails, recruit people from the construction guild next door and try to finish the project before the snow season arrives."
John had seen all the buildings that Pav had built, and they could almost replace the buildings built by people sent by the system. Moreover, John had recently conducted a survey through the White Wolf Knights where Pav had been, and most of the locals had a positive view of Pav.
In their opinion, the houses built by Pav are habitable, the bridges built by Pav are passable, the wages paid are real money, and the snacks distributed during work are delicious. More importantly, Pav is always focused on his work and considerate of his subordinates. He can be regarded as an excellent engineer and contractor.
"But sir, a new group of refugees has recently arrived in the outskirts of Mont-de-Marsan, and it looks like they'll be staying here for a while."
John naturally thought of this problem. If the people in his own territory were like this, John would definitely send people to build temporary houses immediately, and then mobilize food and other daily necessities to help the people tide over the difficulties. But if it was the current Governor of the Southwest, I'm sorry, John doesn't have enough money, and everyone should go somewhere else to make a living, so as not to be beaten by the army.
"How many refugees are there near Mont-de-Marsan now?" John asked, looking at the map.
"It is estimated that there are at least 30,000 people at present. Moreover, as the grain-producing areas in the south have been plundered, the prices of grain and vegetables in Mont-de-Marsan have begun to rise." Jacques reported.
"Those Chambers of Commerce are raising prices again? Didn't they raise prices once just as winter began?" John found it unbelievable. Lana's invasion of the South happened before winter began. Logically speaking, one price increase should have been enough. Now they are raising prices again. Not to mention the refugees, even the citizens of Mondemarsan will not have enough to eat.
After thinking it over, John said to Jacques:
"Go find Charles. He is recruiting soldiers. Ask him to take some refugees to Saint-Remy as laborers. The rest can go north to Cass. There should be enough food there."
But this is not enough. Not to mention whether there will be another batch of refugees after this batch of refugees leaves, the rising food prices alone are enough to turn citizens into refugees.
"Send people to all the chambers of commerce that do grain trade and tell them that I want to talk to them about grain prices." John said. This time they must be given a tough time. Today it's the grain price, tomorrow it's the price of weapons, and later who knows what other things they might do to humiliate them.
In the afternoon, horse-drawn carriages arrived at the gate of the embassy, and well-dressed and elegant chamber of commerce representatives got out and walked into the embassy.
Looking at these elites who are so arrogant in the eyes of others, John on the second floor couldn't help but murmur:
"It's like the Calabash Brothers, so colorful."
In the meeting room on the first floor of the embassy, John looked at the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce who had arrived and said to them with a smile:
"Dear representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, I invited you here this time mainly to discuss with you the current grain prices."
"As you all know, the current border situation is tense. Rana's army has carried out an inhumane massacre on our border, causing food supply problems in the entire southwest region."
"At this critical moment, I hope that the chambers of commerce to which all the representatives belong can donate generously to lower the price of food."
"I've looked at the prices of grain. Currently, most grain stores charge two silver coins per pound for wheat, two silver coins plus 2 copper coins per pound for barley, and two silver coins plus 50 copper coins per pound for oats. But from what I've learned, the cost you spent on purchasing grain was all 2 copper coins per pound."
"What I mean is that at this time, you should not just focus on making money. When the Lana army arrives here, you won't be able to save your lives, let alone money. So I'm giving you an idea. You should lower the price of food to 1 silver coin plus 60 copper coins. This is twice the amount of food you can buy back, which is enough for you to make some money."
Having said that, John looked at the Chamber of Commerce representatives and said:
"How about this?"
As soon as the voice fell, John heard a few whispers, and then the representative of the Andrew Chamber of Commerce stood up and said:
"Governor, my master also has a plan. I wonder if you agree with it."
"Please go ahead." John knew something was wrong when he heard this, but he still wanted to hear what he had to say.
After getting John's consent, the Andrew Chamber of Commerce representative who looked dignified and well-mannered took out a bottle from his pocket, took out a black spherical object from it, and said to John:
"Governor, please look at this. This is a hunger-replenishing meatball specially developed by my master. It contains barley, wheat, oats, potatoes, sweet potatoes and other staple foods that can satisfy hunger. After eating it, people will not feel hungry for three days. If you produce this and distribute it to the victims, then you don't have to worry about famine anymore."
The representative of the Andrew Chamber of Commerce paused, then continued:
"Of course, you can also directly give it to our Andrew Chamber of Commerce for production. The price is absolutely fair. Each meatball only costs 10 copper coins."
"Okay, okay." John clapped his hands and asked:
"How do you prove that this meatball is useful?"
When the representative of Andrew Chamber of Commerce heard this, he swallowed the meatball, closed his eyes for a while, then suddenly opened them and said to John:
"My Lord, I feel my stomach is warm now, and I am not hungry at all."
After hearing this, John smiled at him and said:
"You're really not hungry at all?"
"Not at all."
"Three days and three nights are okay?"
"Don't worry, three days and three nights will be no problem."
"Hahaha, that's good." At this point, John's smiling face suddenly turned gloomy, and then he shouted with a hint of anger:
"Someone is coming!"
Two White Wolf Knights immediately came forward and looked at the frightened Andrew Chamber of Commerce representative. John pointed at him and said:
"Lock this man in the dungeon and starve him for three days and three nights. If anyone wants to let him out during this period, just beat him up and throw him in the dungeon."