The majestic Drifting Snow City still shines in the sunshine,

But judging from the streets, the snowy city, which should have been bustling and lively, showed a bit of depression.

It was a good time in spring, but there were not many pedestrians on the street, and occasionally a few pedestrians were also in a hurry, full of uneasiness, and lost some of their previous self-confidence.

The original bustling main street was less than a third of the caravans, and only a few shops on both sides of the street were barely operating with their doors open.

It has been more than a week since the news of the fiasco of the Jingbei Army in the wilderness and the retreat of Marquis Wade to Fort Hull.

This defeat was too loud, and the routs who failed to return smoothly were scattered everywhere, and the news could not be suppressed at all, and within a few days of receiving the information, the matter had already spread.

The tavern in an alley is still a little popular at this time,

After the number of caravans plummeted, many of the men who worked in the city had lost their jobs for the time being, so they could only gather in this remote tavern to drink some inferior rye wine, talk highly, and pass the time.

"I said, this Jingbei army seems to be quite capable of fighting, how can you let that group of ogres in the wilderness fight like this."

"Who knows, the Jingbei Army has not suffered such a defeat for many years, and now it is making people panic."

"I heard that the ogre in the west has already conquered the castles of several minor nobles, and they have killed a chicken and dog."

"Hmph, I can't care about anything else, if the ogre really hits this Drifting Snow City, our men in Drifting Snow City are not soft eggs."

"That's right! There is still a family living in this snowy city, if the ogre dares to come, we will fight with them! ”

"I don't believe that this ogre can still break this Drifting Snow City!"

"Come, drink!"

The atmosphere in the tavern suddenly became warm.

Although the ogre is terrifying, after all, it is too far away from these people who live near Drifting Snow City all year round.

They couldn't understand how the Jingbei Army, which looked mighty and majestic, couldn't defeat a group of barbarian races that drank blood.

Of course, if you don't understand it, you don't understand it, after all, the people of the Northland are fierce, and there are many men who dare to work hard, especially the residents of Drifting Snow City, who have one or two weapons.

If the Lanster family wants to recruit young people to defend the city, they can easily gather 100,000 Ding Zhuang with good quality.

……

There is definitely no shortage of soldiers in the north, but there is definitely more to the higher-ups than meets the eye.

Lint was sitting in his room at this time, and the room was very well lit, and the light was transparent.

But apparently Lint's mood was not as bright as in this room, or since the defeat of the Jingbei Army, Lint's mood has not been good.

The tea on the table had been cold for a long time, and Lint took another sip of tea as if he didn't know.

"Young master, the tea is already cold."

Sander still stood aside, a careful reminder.

"Well, did you bring back the grain you bought from the valley last time?"

Lint put the cup down and didn't add any more hot water, but turned to Sander and asked.

"The first batch of grain has arrived, and the second batch has just left the river valley, and the dark cavalry group has been arranged to escort it, so it should be foolproof."

"What about the third batch of grain?"

"The merchants on the other side of the valley said that the supply was a little tight, and they would rather pay us liquidated damages than give us grain at the previous price."

"These profiteers."

"Then increase the price, and ship this batch of grain back first at the price they gave."

Lint's tone was very calm, as if he had expected this situation for a long time, and there was not much anger even if the other party broke the contract.

Before the Jingbei Army was dispatched, Lint took out a large amount of funds to arrange for his subordinates to purchase a large amount of grain in the river valley with rich grain reserves.

Although the area of the river valley is not large, the land is very fertile, and the supply of grain has always been oversupply, and the price of grain has always been very cheap.

Lint ordered millions of stone grains at one time just in case, and such a huge purchase volume naturally could not complete the transaction at one time.

The whole trade was divided into three parts, and after the deposit was paid on the Lint side, the grain merchants of the valley began to raise grain.

That is, there is a surplus of grain in the river valley, and the warehouses everywhere are basically full, but the first batch of grain has been raised in a few days, and it has now been transported to Drifting Snow City.

But not long after the second batch of grain was loaded, the Jingbei army was defeated, and the news of the eastward invasion of the ogres in the wilderness had already reached the river valley.

The second batch of grain has been handed over to Lint, so it will naturally not be affected, but the third batch of grain is still in the hands of the merchants in the valley at this time.

Northland has been hit by ogres, and no matter what happens next, food production will be greatly reduced in the coming year, and food shortages are almost a foregone conclusion.

In this case, grain merchants began to sell one after another, and the price of grain naturally rose in response, and the price of grain has doubled compared to the price when Lint booked.

Now the grain that has not been out of the warehouse is naturally impossible to sell at the previous price.

As for how many people in the north will starve to death in such a grain settlement?

I'm sorry, but this is not within the scope of the grain merchants in the river valley, and their conscience has been lost since they started to be a businessman.

"Is there any news from the royal capital?"

"Not yet."

"Alas, there is news from the royal capital to inform me as soon as possible."

"Yes"

Don't look at how much preparation Lint made at the beginning, but once this kind of thing happens, no amount of preparation is actually enough.

More than one million stone grains seem like a lot, but if you sprinkle it into this huge Drifting Snow City, it can last for another month or two.

If the ogres continue to wreak havoc eastward, next year half of the entire Northland will be hungry.

What can be counted on now is that the royal capital can send dragon knights to help, there is no need for more, as long as one or two dragon knights come, the passive situation in the north at the moment can be greatly improved.

"Report!"

While Lint was still a little troubled by the lack of supplies, a guard hurried to the door.

"Speak"

There was only Sander in the room, and Lint asked the guards to tell the information.

"The senators are about to convene a council of senators in the council chamber, saying that they want to discuss the next management of the city."

"Bang!"

Lint slammed his fist on the table.

"Shhh

It's a pity that this angry state didn't last for a second, and Lint hissed in pain, and the corners of Sand's mouth twitched when he saw it, looking like he wanted to laugh but didn't dare to laugh.

"Let's go, I'd like to see how the elders plan to manage Drifting Snow City."

No longer fighting the table, Lint and Sander walked to the council chamber without hurry......