vstars Chapter 332 Hypocrisy
Chapter 332 Hypocrisy
The next morning, the citizens of Logronia were awakened by a loud noise. People opened their windows and doors, trying to figure out what was going on.
Before my eyes, a soldier wearing the armor of the Lana regular army stood firmly on a carriage, holding a megaphone in his hand, and his voice was loud and clear:
"Residents of Rogronia, considering that the flood has caused considerable damage to your lives, the merciful Lord John has decided to distribute relief food to you to alleviate the famine problem in Rogronia. Please go to the nearby square to receive it!"
"What's going on? Have our people fought back?"
At first, the citizens thought that their country's army had reoccupied this place, but when they saw the Midland flag still flying in the distance, they realized that these Lana soldiers might have become traitors to the Midland people.
Some citizens believed that it was impossible for these Midlanders to give them food for no reason and that they must have bad intentions. However, those citizens whose houses were destroyed by the flood and who had become homeless had already had empty stomachs. Faced with a whole day of hunger, they finally made a choice.
As time went by, more and more people began to walk out of their homes and head toward the square. No matter old or young, almost everyone gathered together and walked toward the square bathed in sunlight. Although people's expressions were somewhat hesitant, they were more expectant and eager for food as they walked along the bumpy streets toward the square.
In the square of Logronia, the sun shines through the mist onto the ground, making it look particularly warm. Soldiers wearing the armor of the Lana regular army stand in the center of the square, busy distributing relief food to the waiting citizens. Next to them, several Midland soldiers are solemnly maintaining order, ensuring that people receive relief food in order. Although the relief food is far less than the daily food of the citizens before the war, it is the life-saving straw that the hungry residents have longed for.
Citizens lined up in long queues, their hearts full of expectation and anxiety. The so-called relief food is actually a large bag of oats. If cooked into porridge, one bag is enough for an adult to eat three times a day for a month. The precious food and clothing symbolize hope. Although their faces are full of fatigue and worry, they wait firmly.
On one side of the square, a soldier in Lana armor stood on a high platform, attracting everyone's attention. His voice was loud and resonant:
"Hello everyone, I am a soldier of the Midland National Army!"
"I am also a Mitlan farmer from the northern part of the Lana Kingdom!"
He continued, his tone mixed with anger and sadness.
"We were once citizens of the Rana Kingdom just like you, working hard in the fields every day, but we were oppressed by those cruel Rana nobles and had no dignity at all. They used their power to deprive us of our property and livelihoods, and plunged our families into endless suffering."
The crowd's mood gradually gathered, the audience's eyes began to become focused, and many people stopped and pricked up their ears to listen to his next words.
"However, when the Midland army arrived, everything changed!" The soldier's voice became more and more excited.
"We united and overthrew the rule of those nobles. Their lands were distributed to our compatriots, allowing the once helpless peasants to own their own fields again and restore the dignity of life!"
After the soldier finished telling his story, he continued in a sonorous voice: "Citizens, as part of Logronia, you pay taxes to the city council on time every day. However, what do you get in return?"
"The powerful people in the city greedily use your hard work and sweat for their own enjoyment. While they are enjoying a luxurious life, many citizens in the city are exploited by the lackeys of these powerful people when they go out, becoming helpless victims! What's even more hateful is that before the Midlan army besieged this place, these selfish nobles had already fled Rogronia, abandoning you and leaving you helpless to face the impending disaster!"
"What a bunch of heartless guys!"
There was a low murmur of indignation among the crowd, many people showed dissatisfaction and resentment, their eyes were shining, and they strongly resonated with the soldier's appeal and story.
"This is a betrayal to so many citizens!"
The soldiers shouted passionately.
"At the most critical moment, the nobles chose to flee, but the citizens still stayed here, continuing to bear responsibilities that did not belong to you. What you deserve is support and protection, not being abandoned in the storm!"
His voice was like a sharp blade, cutting through the anger and helplessness in people's hearts and inspiring endless resonance. Many people nodded frequently, silently expressing their approval.
"Now, the situation has changed! We must unite and take back our rights! We must let those nobles who shirk their responsibilities know that they can no longer decide our fate!"
The soldiers' firm eyes and powerful words inspired the hearts of every citizen.
The crowd began to boil over, and their anger turned into a strong belief. The atmosphere in the square was like a burning fire, warm and full of power, making everyone feel unprecedented hope.
Looking at the excited citizens in the square, Earl Hawes on the inner city wall slowly put down the telescope in his hand. Even though his relationship with John was not harmonious and even tense, at this moment, he could not deny the outstanding means displayed by John.
However, he still had some questions, so he asked John:
“Where the hell did all that oatmeal come from?”
"Picked from the city's warehouses."
John added casually after he finished speaking:
"Fortunately, the flood is not deep, and there are still some food bags that have not been soaked by the water. You don't think that I am being merciful and taking some food out of the baggage to give to them."
Earl Hawes was stunned for a moment. He was a little surprised by the answer.
"What a difficult guy."
Earl Hawes stood quietly on the city wall, the shouts of the citizens still echoing in his ears. As he thought more deeply, he realized that John's success in the war was not just due to his invincible army, but the so-called zero-cost division of the enemy was the key to his victory. From the previous measures, Earl Hawes saw more and more clearly how John gradually weakened the enemy's strength.
"If this war were a political struggle..."
Count Hawes thought to himself.
"Then the threat posed by John will be even more terrible."
He imagined that in that complex game of power, if John could manipulate the situation as skillfully as he did now, divide the hostile forces, and provoke trust and cooperation among members, then the opponent would undoubtedly suffer a greater blow and the situation would be completely reversed.
At this moment, a White Wolf Knight climbed up the city wall and said:
"Sir, a letter from Lord Hawke with news about the new governor of the Forest Territory."