City Hall

There was a good reason for their reaction because every new lord who took over the city had made up lies to deceive them. In fact, all of them ended up scavenging the place and fleeing away.

In the eyes of the nobles, the lives of these lowly refugees were nothing.

Wang Lun didn't know if it was due to being aware of his identity as the city lord that they didn't act aggressively toward him anymore.

Hallmark guarded himself against them while driving the carriage deeper into the city.

On the way to the city hall, Wang Lun noticed that all the stores in the streets were closed.

Hallmark also realized the situation and exclaimed, "Sigh, it's even worse now. The year before the last, there were at least some stores open here. Perhaps they are now too afraid of the refugees robbing them that they no longer dare to do business.

"My lord, I would advise you to leave this place. There are no guards here, and not even minimum safety is guaranteed. I'm afraid that…"

However, Wang Lun shook his head. After seeing so many refugees, he had already made up his mind.

One had to know that on Earth, labor was the most expensive thing.

These refugees—as long as they were given food to fill their stomach—would definitely be grateful and listen to his orders. They would also have a sense of belonging.

When Yale City faced dangers in the future, Wang Lun was certain that these people would step forward to protect their homes.

He was confident that these refugees would be at his disposal.

Soon after, the two of them arrived at the entrance of a city hall.

From the outside, it looked rather atmospheric. Although some parts had been destroyed, it wasn't hard to see its former glory.

Several dents were seen on the tightly-shut door, made by the impact of heavy objects.

Hallmark went to the door and knocked, loudly announcing, "The new lord of the city, Baron Wang Lun, has come to take over Yale City. Please open the door."

After identifying themselves, the door slowly opened. The person who opened the door was a man in his late fifties.

"My name is Bran. Greetings, my lord!" The middle-aged man bowed respectfully.

Wang Lun glanced at the middle-aged man and asked, "Have you always lived here?"

Bran nodded and replied, "We came here with the previous city lord, but a month ago, he left us servants behind and fled with his wife and family."

Immediately afterwards, several servants appeared behind Bran, both men and women, each with a thin body and a simple bag behind their backs.

"What are they?" Wang Lun asked with puckered brows.

Bran sighed and laughed bitterly, "It is no longer possible for us to stay here anymore. We need to find somewhere else to make a living, or we will starve to death here sooner or later.

"Sigh, my lord, you must have offended Lord Miller, or else you wouldn't have ended up here. Please heed my advice; it's better to leave now before it's too late. Yale City will be done for soon."

Hallmark frowned and looked at Wang Lun for instructions: "My lord, we…"

Wang Lun had already made up his mind. He interrupted and said to Bran, "You guys know this place very well, so I hope you can stay. Of course, you can leave if you really want to. I won't stop you."

With that said, Wang Lun took out a few loaves of bread and added: "Eat them on your way out. You can treat this as a kind of a ceremony for the city handover."

Several of the servants were stunned, and it was only at Bran's hand gesture that someone cautiously accepted the bread.

"Thank you, my lord."

The servants repeatedly thanked him, albeit having no intention to stay. They eventually left the place.

On the contrary, Bran hesitated and didn't leave in a hurry.

Bread was a luxury food passed down among the nobles. And now, the baron before him was so generous as to give it to several lowly servants.

He was many times better than the previous city lord.

Furthermore, even if Bran were to leave now, he wouldn't know where to go for the time being and might even end up as a refugee.

He could choose to stay and perhaps this generous baron before him would bring hope to Yale City?

This sudden thought surprised Bran himself.

Is that even possible?

"What about you? Do you choose to leave or stay?" Wang Lun looked at Bran and smiled plainly.

Bran hesitated for a long time before he looked up abruptly and said, "My lord, if you don't mind my presence, I'll stay."

"Good!" Wang Lun patted Bran's shoulder and replied, "I won't let you regret your choice today."

Bran felt flattered because no nobleman had ever made such an intimate interaction with lowly servants like them before.

In an instant, he had mixed feelings. However, he also became more attentive, taking the initiative to bring Wang Lun around the city hall.

The entire city hall was as huge as 10 soccer fields. There was a large garden upfront, while the main building in the middle was divided into many functional areas, such as living rooms, banquet halls, office halls, and so on. There were also several spaces for accommodation, and a large stable was also in the back.

After taking a stroll in the city hall, Wang Lun realized that the entire place was very empty, where there was nothing except some rotten food on the table.

"Hallmark, head to the nearest city and contact Robinson, the food merchant we traded with last time. Ask him to send over as many grains as possible—immediately."

After some consideration, Wang Lun instructed Hallmark.

He was prepared to carry out his plan.

Hallmark and Bran displayed horrified expressions, lifting their heads and looking at Wang Lun incredulously.

Bran, in particular, asked somewhat stiffly: "My lord, what do you intend to…"

Wang Lun laughed without saying a word, and urged Hallmark to hurry up.

On the other hand, Hallmark also didn't ask any more questions and drove off in the carriage.

After a long while, a massive convoy entered the city.

They were 20 carriages fully loaded with grains.

As soon as they entered the city, all the refugees' eyes glinted and they subconsciously licked their lips.

"Grains!"

"God, are they really grains? I've never seen so many grains in my life."

Many refugees crowded over, but didn't dare to get too close, for beside each carriage were several heavily-armed cavalrymen.

The convoy arrived at the city hall, and the refugees followed curiously.

Wang Lun had already been waiting at the entrance.

Walking ahead of the convoy, a bearded, muscular man named Robinson spotted Wang Lun and shouted affectionately: "My dear friend…"

"Oh, no! I should address you as 'my lord' instead. Knight Hallmark has already explained the situation to me. Hahaha, thank you for doing such huge business with me. But my lord, I advise you to leave this place. Lord Miller is a sly and dishonest man. My friend, there is no oil available here anymore."

Wang Lun felt somewhat helpless as Robinson was now the third person who tried to convince him to leave this city.

"Don't worry, my friend. I have decided to stay for a while. I may also have to trouble you often in the future. For now, help me unload the grains."