Lady of the Lord From the East

Because the news that King Prady would send troops quickly spread in the refugee's residence, the people were panicked, and these refugees couldn't sit still, and they all found a way out for themselves.

But there was no choice but to become serfs or slaves, and if there were, they wouldn't stay here forever.

They have had a hard time here, and now they have to face the army again, as long as they think of that picture, a chill emerges from the bottom of their hearts.

Rather than staying to meet death, the loss of freedom becomes less important.

With the help of the new serfs who took the initiative to help persuade their family and friends, in the end, Sardinson's recruiters took away a large number of registered refugees, as many as 2,000, and most of them were dragging their families. Bringing the mouth, the whole family follows along. Although such a family has both young and old, not necessarily all of them can work, but compared with the middle-aged labor force who is alone and widowed, they are obviously more trustworthy. It's not easy to make trouble.

Although not all the refugees were taken away, it was a pity for the Sardinsons who suddenly recruited so many refugees recently, but compared to before, this time they were able to take nearly half of the refugees, which can be said to be a bumper harvest.

And after they began to recruit people on a large scale, other slave traders followed suit immediately, not only accepting slaves, but also those who were willing to be serfs, and even paid a little more than what Satinson gave , to make some refugees who have not been recruited move their hearts and go to them instead.

Some of these people believed the false rumors about Sardinson, believing that the new serfs who came to persuade were all bought and deceived, and some had to find other slaves after being rejected by Sardinson businessman's.

A wise old man sighed and shook his head with joy when they got the money. What if the price paid by the slave traders was high, they would eventually be sold out to other nobles. Who knows what kind of people those nobles will be? , Especially for them who are not Prady people, as serfs, it is difficult to find nobles who are willing to want foreigners like them. What is the final destination of these people, I can only ask God to bless them.

What's more, it is also common for some slave merchants to use the banner of recruiting serfs to deceive people and then brand them as slaves and sell them as slaves. These people do not believe in the benefits given by Sardinson, but It's not a wise decision to trust those slave traders.

There is an order from the Earl of the Sardinsons, saying that if they stay for two or three days, they will stay for two or three days. Once the third day is over, they will go back with the recruited refugees, without any hesitation. , made some refugees who hesitated and hadn’t decided where to go to regret it, but when they hurried to the Sardinson camp, the camp was already empty, leaving only messy traces and The extinguished fire also tells that a group of people once lived here.

No matter how regretful those who hesitated, they always left.

It’s not easy to travel with so many refugees, but fortunately, the large army will arrive soon. Felix’s side really has no manpower, so let these recruiters figure it out early in the morning. If the recruiters are too large Many, you can directly find a reputable mercenary to **** them back.

So those knights had already contacted two mercenary teams on their way to **** the new serfs to the western border. One of them was the mercenary team that used to help Felix send serfs from the capital to Sardinson County. After that, they I often receive commissions from Sardinson County, and now it is developed in Sardinson County. I usually deliver goods to those merchants who come to Sardinson County to do business as a guard or something. Life is better than in It was much better for Wang Dushi and others to fight for the mission. This time their team happened to be free. When they heard that the Earl had something to do, they agreed immediately, and helped them contact another well-reputed mercenary team. .

Later, because they recruited a lot more refugees than expected, when they returned, they found another mercenary team. Together with the soldiers brought by the knights, they gathered enough escorts of 500 people. The refugees were all safely sent to Slootshire.

This time, they still traveled by land. Although a large number of carriages were also employed, the speed was naturally not as fast as that of land and sea. Fortunately, when they were on their way, it was already the time when the flowers were blooming and the land was rejuvenating. There was no snow on the road to affect the journey. The speed is still much faster than the previous batch, and it takes almost a month to hurry up.

But this month is the time for spring ploughing. It can be said that they missed the best time because of their hurry.

Because of this, the refugees who have traveled all the way to Sloot are worried, and feel that even if they arrive at Sloot now, they will miss the spring ploughing this year, so even if there is any wasteland tax-free benefit waiting for them, they will still be there when they get there. We have to settle down first, and then talk about land reclamation. In this case, wouldn't it take longer? Maybe the weather will start to heat up by then, and summer is not a suitable season for sowing.

In fact, these refugees who originally lived in the countries west of Prady originally lived in colder areas. Even if it is just after the beginning of spring, the temperature of Prady can almost catch up with the summer in the country they came from. When the temperature is up, these refugees who are accustomed to the cold took off their heavy clothes early one by one, and the appearance of not being afraid of people makes those escorts who are more afraid of the cold a little envious. The climate is not very suitable, and there are more or less signs of acclimatization. Fortunately, it is only now that the temperature is not rising fast. In addition, we are running all the way from the cold area to the warm place. During the period of their adaptation, the Sardinsons took special care of them, but no one died on the road.

When they finally got close to their destination, they walked on the cement official road that was repaired by Sardinson. Soon, they changed direction at a fork, and went all the way south, directly into Sloot.

At this time, the land in the far northeast of Sloot was selected as the foothold of the new city because it and part of the land in Sardinson County. With the expansion and development in the future, no one was arranged to live in the entire north of Sloot, and it was deserted again. For several years, weeds have grown everywhere after the spring, and in these weeds, we can still vaguely see the dilapidated scene left by the collapse of the house, which is indescribably desolate and dilapidated.

From the very beginning, the refugees were excited to know that they had finally arrived in Slaughter County. When they saw that they were getting more and more desolate, the more they looked, the more they didn't look like what their relatives said, and their blood was cold. down.

They were not deceived, were they?

The new serfs who went to persuade their families to sit with their family members, they have also experienced this, thinking of the complicated feelings when they first came to Sloth and saw this place, they quickly explained to their family members: "No, no, I really didn't lie to you. Slot didn't have a lord before, so this place was abandoned. Later, the earl took over and planned to build a city here, so the freedmen and serfs who came back were arranged to be in the south. It's in the sea, so you can't see people here, I really didn't lie to you!"

Although they tried their best to persuade them, most of them were still very uneasy, but because the Sardinsons did not treat them harshly along the way. Although they had to rush every day, they did not need to go in a carriage every day, and they could eat a full meal every day. Yes, although there is only one meal, but they stay on the carriage every day, either chatting or dozing off. They don't need to work at all, and their physical exertion is low. One meal a day is enough.

It's not that the knights abused them, it's just that everyone was rushing home, they were always on the road, they didn't bring their own to stop and rest, and the food for so many people was not easy to prepare, and it took a lot of money to prepare a meal every day. They don’t have enough time, and the food they bring is not enough for so many people to have two meals a day, so they can just arrange one meal to keep everyone full enough to last for a day. Even the knights themselves are hungry and they just take out some dry food and take it as they please. Eat a little and go down.

That is to say, although they only had one meal a day, they did not really starve to death. Although these refugees were uneasy, they did not make trouble, and no one thought of running away, and if they dared to make trouble, the guards would also Not good looking.

The restless refugees finally saw some people after passing through the weeds for a long time. Those people were far away from them, but it was just like what other people said. Everyone was busy, like building a building. What it looks like, there are rows of temporary wooden camps on the side, it seems that they have spent a lot of time here.

A new serf pointed to the other side and said loudly: "The construction team is building the new city over there. They recruit men who are strong and able to work. If they can order woodworking, masonry and other techniques related to building houses, they can also go there. , they all want it, regardless of the meal, the wages are not low."

The people who were skilled in these words were very excited, but soon they stopped.

"What nonsense, we are serfs, how can we leave the master's land at will, let alone find a job, you are still thinking about wages, it is beautiful to think about."

"I'm not talking nonsense. The Earl of Slootshire has no scope to encircle the manor, so as long as we don't go out of Slootshire, we can move freely. If it can be seen by the construction team, going there to work is also for the Earl. I work, so I agree that it can be regarded as labor, and it can be deducted from taxes. After deducting the deductible part, of course I can get wages!"

"You'll find out when you get there. Among those who came with us, several old men and uncles were sent to work by the person in charge of the construction team because of their skills in building houses. Now they have a better life."

Now the average life expectancy of ordinary people is not too long. People who die at the age of 40 or 50 are not considered to die prematurely. Although many people will not retire at such an age in future generations, but at this time they can already It is an old man. The construction team originally only needed the prime-age labor force in their 20s and 30s, but because there was always a shortage of people, they gradually relaxed their age. As long as they can work or have skills, they will also accept them. The amount of work that can be done and the appropriate adjustment of wages, even so, make many people happy.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for some of the new serfs to be picked up by the construction team. After all, Felix did not stipulate the scope of action of these serfs, nor did they specifically arrange for them to do anything, so as long as they don't go to Slaughter, they can be as they are. .

The refugees were dubious, but after seeing the crowds, their anxiety dissipated a little.

Then we went further south, perhaps because it was approaching noon, the weather was getting hotter and hotter, and many people started to sweat because they were wearing a lot of clothes, and they finally saw the familiar thatched cottage.

"Look, then this is the village where the free people live. After a few more miles, you will cross a cement road and you will arrive at the fishing village. We serfs live in the fishing village!"

The villages of the free people have grown from two to three in a period of time, so the additional villages will also radiate from the south to the north. The new serfs in this new free village have never been seen before, but it does not prevent them. They recognized it at a glance.

The newly arrived refugees also followed. Their carriages passed by the village, and they could see that the houses were indeed newly built. Although they were all thatched huts, the whole village had a neat layout. At first glance, it was planned. Yes, even the road is straight and straight. Although it is only a dirt road, it is also flat and spacious, and it is very convenient to enter and exit.

"The foundations of their houses are all given by the earl. They are given to the homestead according to the population of the family. They don't need a copper coin. They are all free. Even the houses are built. You can see the size of the houses and know about the How many people live there?"

The refugees exclaimed: "There is such a good thing?"

The people who spoke were very proud of their reaction, and eloquently talked about the benefits of a bunch of free people. They were envious of these refugees who had only changed from free people to serfs.

"Of course, free people have the benefits of free people, and the treatment of serfs is not bad."

Although these refugees were assigned to the original empty house in the fishing village, which is not considered to be their own house, it can only be said to be temporarily living, but they have so many people now, it is impossible to live there all the time, right? , Lord Earl will give them a house sooner or later. I heard that the serfs near Fort Sardinson don't need money for their homestead like the freedmen.

The refugees looked at the village with admiration. The village was surrounded by newly cultivated fields, which had already been sown. Some of the seeds had already sprouted and were green. However, it could be seen that these crops were indeed average, but also It's much better than they thought, especially for crops that grow in the same field as wasteland, it's already very good to have such a performance.

The new serf only stayed in Slot for a month, and he didn't have spring ploughing before. He didn't know much about the farming here, but he didn't express much thoughts on these fields, and he talked endlessly about the fishing village. The life of others is not tired of hearing it, after all, this is where they will live in the future.

On the way, they passed by the patrolling knight squad. The leading knights on both sides just nodded to each other and did not stop to speak, but this team wearing armor and riding a horse still made all the refugees look at them, although they were afraid The army, but for such a neat and tidy team of knights, I still have respect.

After crossing the wide cement-paved road and walking a little further, you will arrive at the fishing village where the serfs live.

As people living in inland areas, they have never seen the sea, and the concept of a fishing village is just a small fishing village on the edge of a large inland river. In their impression, there is no difference between a fishing village and an ordinary village, at most it is there The people of the village live by fishing every day, and every household in the village will dry and pickle fish. As for the houses, like the houses they used to live in, they are all dilapidated, looking poor and destitute.

But the fishing village here apparently turned all their ideas upside down.

Before entering the fishing village, they first saw the taverns and hotels that were built with good materials such as cement and stone by the cement road. The rows of such buildings looked very new, and there were endless caravans on the road. The continuous, unexpected prosperity is in stark contrast to the desolation they have walked along the way before, making people think that they have hallucinations.

After passing this tavern and inn, and walking back, two adjacent fishing villages appeared in front of them. They were indeed two fishing villages that looked a bit shabby, but they did not look poor at all. The busy serfs in the villages Their clothes are neat and clean, their bodies are clean, they look very energetic, and there is no sign of distress on their faces, even when they are dealing with unpleasant kippers, they are still smiling and laughing. laugh.

Although their houses are thatched houses, if you look closely, you will find traces of renovation. There are also some stone houses mixed in. There are also many half-built stone houses on the edge of the fishing village, as if they are only missing a roof. moved in.

The new serfs also found that it didn't look the same as when they left. If it was different, it was probably because the scale of the fishing village seemed to be much larger.

"Lord Knight, good noon!"

When such a large group of people came, it was naturally impossible for the people in the fishing village not to see it. Soon they went to notify the village chief. Soon after, together with the village chief and a few stewards, they all appeared in this group of people. in front of.

They were all notified early in the morning that the refugees were coming, and they waited here on purpose.

"Lunch is already being prepared, why don't the knights have something to eat before going back?"

The refugees in this group will stay, but the knights, soldiers, and even the mercenaries will leave after escorting people to the place. The knights will return to their lives, and the mercenaries will also go to the castle to get the rest of the reward. .

The time for a meal was not delayed, and they were indeed hungry.

"That's the best. We rarely have the chance to have a good meal along the way. I heard that Sloth's seafood is very good. I hope you don't let us down."

"Of course, the adults will be satisfied." They are very confident about the current Sloth cuisine, but the past merchants are full of praise, and will deliberately stop here because of the cuisine. !

Of course, the people who can eat these delicacies are not the whole team. Although they did make a lot of preparations after knowing the number of refugees, they will specially entertain them. Only those knights and their subordinates, even the mercenaries are As a result, those refugees will naturally not have such preferential treatment.

But their food is also prepared.

The food of the knights is made by the chefs in the hotels and taverns by the roadside. They are the best cooks among the serfs, and they have received special training from the chef from the castle. Even Wei Wei is full of praise for the food made without any special food preparation methods, not to mention the indigenous people who have never been influenced by food.

The knights have already done their work, so they don't mind drinking more - in fact, they don't drink less along the way, but they are drinking wine as water in Europe, and drinking clean water on the road is better than buying wine. Suffering is required—the wine and fishing village can’t get it, but the beer is enough. This kind of beer without hops can be brewed by almost every peasant woman. In this era, women who can’t brew beer can’t even marry.

The beer paired with the delicious, even steamed, seafood is definitely the best meal they've had these days.

And those refugees were taken to the pier that was built to eat the big pot of rice with other serfs.

The so-called cauldron rice is the food prepared by the peasant women in the fishing village for the workers working on the wharf. The other serfs who did not find another job also eat here together. The staple food is stewed beans and various pastes, but the beans are stewed with bones. The boiled soup has a lot of minced meat in it, and the soup is very thick. It also adds shredded fish and vegetables, and sprinkles salt to taste. It tastes delicious. It can be said that you can taste it every day. to the meaty taste.

In addition to the main food, they can also eat vegetable salad as a side dish, and occasionally fruit. Recently, an egg has been added every two days, and they can also eat a bowl of stewed meat every week. There are several pieces of meat stewed soup, and after eating the meat, you can go to the radish to cook with the meat, you can eat as much as you want, and those radishes that absorb the meaty taste are not bad for stewed meat.

For example, the luck of this group of refugees today is very good. They happened to meet the day of eating meat once a week. Before they got there, they could smell the smell of meat wafting along the sea breeze.

The salty sea breeze was mixed with the aroma of meat, and the rich aroma made the refugees who hadn't eaten meat for a long time couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"It tastes like it's not mutton."

"It doesn't smell like it, but it smells good."

Although they smelled the aroma, no one thought that they could eat meat. In their opinion, it would be good if they could get a portion of the same stewed beans or gooey as before.

As a result, the refugees who came with them had bright eyes.

"Ah, I seem to be eating pork today, and their stewing skills are getting better and better!"

"It should be, I heard that the knights caught a lot of wild boars in the woods. Someone saw them send two of them here this morning, hundreds of kilograms of meat!"

"Let's go quickly, if you go late, the meat may be eaten by others!"

A group of refugees were urged by the serfs beside them to go faster. They didn’t know why, but they speeded up, and then they saw a large wooden shed by the sea. The cauldron, which was bigger than the jar, was roaring with fragrance. There were already several queues in front of the cauldron, each with a bowl in hand, waiting for the peasant woman standing behind the cauldron to distribute food for them. After I got my share, I took the bowl, walked to the side, and went to the other team to line up to receive today's eggs.

The serfs greeted the refugees to pick up the bowls next to the baskets where the bowls were placed, and then went to line up to receive food. Some people who were in a hurry to eat meat could no longer take care of the refugees, but there were also serfs who were instructed by the village chief to make arrangements for the refugees to teach them how to Do.

When these refugees were all queuing up with bowls, they saw that the bowls held by the people in front of them were a bowl. Although most of them were radishes, they all had three pieces of stewed meat, and each piece of meat was **** long. It's so big that a child can't swallow it, and the stew is so soft and fragrant that they can't help but swallow again.

"Is this going to eat meat?" The refugee at the front of the row couldn't help but patted the serf standing in front of him and asked.

The serf was standing on tiptoe to see when it was his turn. Hearing this, he just said impatiently: "Of course, today is the day to eat meat, everyone has it!"

"Do we have these too?"

The serf finally looked back at him: "Of course there is, otherwise why do you want you to come here to line up, remember to eat the meat quickly after you get it, and you can come back and eat another stewed radish after eating, the taste is good Not worse than meat at all."

The refugee stopped questioning, because all he had left in his mind was the phrase "can eat meat"!

The news quickly spread among the refugees, and everyone no longer had the will to speak. Everyone began to hope that it would be their turn earlier, and the people at the back of the line prayed that when it was their turn, they would return To have meat.

As a result, after everyone got their own stew, the last person looked at the stew pot. There was still some meat left under the pot, and the rest of the meat would not be given to them, except for those responsible for Except for the peasant women who cook, only the main personnel responsible for the construction of the wharf are eligible to add meals.

But they were not disappointed, because not only did they get stewed meat and delicious radishes, but the children also got an extra egg - the aunt who was in charge of dividing the eggs was embarrassed to tell them that the preparation was not enough, otherwise the adults would also have of.

This kind of treatment, they didn't have it when they were free people before, but here, they can eat meat once a week and have an egg every two days. What kind of treatment is this, even heaven is nothing more than that. Bar!

This time, even if they haven't been allocated their own place to live, they haven't seen the tax-free land that they will plant. All the refugees are completely at ease and are no longer afraid.