Chapter 679: Chapter 422 Displaced Serfs_2
The impact of farmland pollution was gradually becoming apparent across the entire Tilamei Plain.
"Is the Sidney Family preparing to leave the Tilamei Plain?" Colin furrowed his brows.
Upon arriving at the Queen’s study, Jennifer reported the news to him first.
"Yes, just now Harries asked me to inform you of this matter," Jennifer continued.
After pondering for a moment, Colin carefully said, "The Sidney Family can leave if they wish.
But tell him, all their assets and the entire family’s wealth must be left behind, otherwise we will continue to pursue their charges of usurpation."
Councilmen manage areas that are not truly lands of their own, therefore, nobles and common citizens living in those areas have the right to leave and migrate elsewhere at any time—this was a rule established by the Supreme Council that naturally Colin could not change.
But for the Sidney Family, who had just attempted to usurp power yesterday, he had a reason to limit their departure.
However, that course of action was pointless; even if he imprisoned the entire Sidney Family, it would merely be wasting manpower and food.
As for forcing them to stay and work... Colin was more worried about them becoming a nuisance.
His upcoming plans had no place for these traditional wizard nobles; it was better to exhaust the Sidney Family’s wealth completely.
Moreover, although Councilmen wield great power, it does not mean they can act arbitrarily, nor could he make Harries, a Second Rank Wizard, his slave.
"All of their wealth?" Jennifer was momentarily stunned.
"When they leave, they should carry only up to a week’s worth of food supplies and essential clothing items with them."
Colin did not think this was an unreasonable demand.
If Harries was a wise man, he should understand that he had been sufficiently merciful. Compared to the people of the Sidney Family and himself as a Second Rank Wizard, those riches were truly insignificant.
"Alright, get ready, while it’s still early, I’ll take you to inspect the entire Tilamei Plain."
With the Sidney Family’s matter temporarily settled, Colin continued.
"Okay." Jennifer paused briefly but quickly nodded, showing no hesitation.
Dressed in a black robe, Joe stood silently behind her like a quiet shadow. Seeing this scene, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This inspection of the Tilamei Plain might return in half a day, but it could also take several days. Colin had already spoken with Atbolde and Lillian beforehand, and once Joe had notified the Roon Family, the three of them immediately set off.
In the Silver Stream shuttle, Colin’s expression was as solemn as a sculpture, with Jennifer and Joe quietly sitting behind him.
Understanding is the first step in any endeavor, and managing the Tilamei Plain was no exception; he urgently needed to grasp the current state of the entire plain.
About five minutes later, they arrived at their first destination—the Borlay Kingdom.
The Tilamei Plain consisted of seven kingdoms, with the Roon Kingdom in the center, and the other six smaller kingdoms evenly distributed around it.
Borlay was a kingdom located southeast of Roon Kingdom, and it was the closest one.
It was still early afternoon, and the weather was somewhat sultry.
In the central stone-brick square of New South City in Borlay Capital, a crowd of raggedy-dressed people packed the area—the sour smell of sweat mixed with the stench of feet and fermented excrement permeated the air, utterly nauseating.
Matt, the King of Borlay, stood on a high platform at the forefront of the square, trying to soothe the serfs in front of him despite the foul odor, as sweat quickly began to trickle from his forehead.
Just then, Colin descended from the sky, startling not only Matt but also Cook, the real ruler behind Borlay—a Second Rank Wizard.
Although the seven kingdoms were presently independent of each other, they were all once ruled by the Roon Family, and each capital had a Communication Ring Tower for mutual contact.
However, those towers had been destroyed in a Divine attack and had not yet been repaired, so Colin’s arrival was completely unexpected.
Colin wasted no time and revealed the Ring of Tilamei, asking in a stern voice,
"What is happening here?"
Matt was still a bit puzzled, but Cook, recognizing the ring from behind him, quickly bowed and greeted,
"Noble Lord of Tilamei, good afternoon."
"We are distributing porridge to the serfs."
Distributing porridge... Colin turned around, as if reminded of something, then pointed to Jennifer beside him and said,
"This is the Queen of Roon Kingdom. From now on, your six kingdoms will continue to be governed by the Roon Kingdom."
"Yes."
Cook stared at the young girl in front of him, momentarily stunned, but he still bowed his head, greeting the future queen with Matt who stood by his side.
Jennifer graciously accepted their salutes with elegant composure, showing not the slightest unease.
Behind her, Joe, shadow-like, remained silent, but his heart was a tangled mesh of emotions.
When Uncle Erwin was still alive...his greatest wish, apart from reclaiming the Roon Family’s legacy, was to see the six countries bowing down once more.
And now, such wishes had been easily fulfilled.
"What exactly is happening with these serfs?" Colin continued to inquire.
Logically, upon his arrival, the serfs below should have at least lifted their heads to glance upwards, but in reality, they paid no mind to the changes on the stage.
Each of them stared straight ahead, eyes only on the knights distributing porridge.
Even the knights distributing the porridge, whose backs were to the stage, had not noticed the changes above.
"The farmlands are polluted; those nobles refuse to bear the burden of feeding these serfs any longer, driving them all out," Matt answered first, unable to suppress a sigh.
"Yes, sir, these serfs even rioted a few times recently, resulting in many slaves’ deaths," Cook added.
Colin fell silent, recognizing that similar events had occurred in the Roon Kingdom as well.
The nobles of the Tilaimei Plain relied primarily on their farmlands for livelihood, thus they kept a large number of serfs.
Previously, this had been manageable as there was plenty of land and food, making keeping these serfs a minor affair.
But now the farmlands were destroyed, and there seemed to be little hope for recovery anytime soon.
Food had become increasingly precious, and maintaining these serfs had turned into a loss-making endeavor, prompting many nobles to relinquish this "business."
"Do you plan to continue distributing porridge like this?"
"I don’t know, sir...we’re just taking it one step at a time," Matt sighed.
Everyone knew that distributing porridge was only a temporary solution; but what else could be done?
Could they perhaps order the nobles not to drive away their own serfs?
If such an order were indeed issued, the next day would bring news of various accidental deaths among the serfs.
Of course, there was something else Matt didn’t mention.
They were still clinging to a hope—if they could hold out until the arrival of the new Lord of Tilamei, perhaps these issues might be resolved.
Colin continued to gaze down at the stage.
Most of the serfs, though spiritless and filthy, were at least not reduced to mere skin and bones, gasping for survival.
Colin also keenly noticed that the knights distributing porridge deliberately scooped drier portions for serfs who had children.
"Well done," Colin turned and offered praise, but a shadow crossed his heart.
If such was the scene in the Borlay Kingdom, the other five kingdoms of similar circumstances were likely facing the same issues.
And while the Borlay Kingdom had chosen to provide relief by distributing porridge, the other kingdoms might not do the same.
With this thought in mind, Colin suddenly felt a sense of urgency. After pondering for a moment, he continued speaking to Jennifer and the others:
"Let’s go, we’re heading to the next kingdom."
’Are we leaving already?’
Matt and Cook were taken aback, feeling oddly disappointed inside.
"Continue distributing porridge, ensure as much as possible that the serfs don’t starve to death."
"And remember, with the summer heat, be vigilant in preventing any diseases among the serfs."
However, amidst the light cast by the Silver Stream, Colin’s voice suddenly came through.
"Yes!" Matt and Cook quickly nodded.
After exchanging glances, a faint glimmer of hope seemed to be reborn in their hearts...