Not long after, a large group of bandits advanced towards the territory of Yale City.
Thanks to the additional guards recruited from the expelled merchants, Yale City now had sufficient manpower for patrolling. That was how news reached the city hall so quickly.
Wang Lun hurriedly gathered soldiers from various posts back into the city to withstand the enemy’s attack together.
As Wang Lun brought back a large number of crossbow bolts from Earth through his spatial storage bag, the soldiers didn’t need to use them sparingly.
“My lord, you don’t need to be on the city wall this time, do you? Right now, we are well-equipped, and there are enough of us.”
Hallmark advised Wang Lun not to participate in this war.
Wang Lun, on the other hand, didn’t want to do as Hallmark suggested. He laughed, “My knight, although we are much stronger now, there are more enemies outside our city this time around too.
“They must be eyeing the supplies in the city. You see, they have prepared weapons for siege too. It seems that they are determined to win this time. I must participate in this war.”
Wang Lun’s voice sounded resounding and powerful.
Hallmark knew that it was redundant to say anything else and firmly nodded. “Please be careful, my lord.”
Shing! Buzz!
He quickly unsheathed the sword hanging on his waist and held it with both hands in preparation for the war. “I will be responsible for your safety at all times.”
Wang Lun rested his shotgun on his shoulder, patted Hallmark’s shoulder, and said, “My knight, just focus on killing the enemies!”
The army of bandits gradually approached the city wall from the outside, and the soldiers above the city wall also boosted their spirits.
“Soldiers, slot the bolt on your crossbow now. You are aware of the range of the bolt, so as long as the enemy comes within range, fire away.
“Don’t conserve your bolts!”
Wang Lun shouted.
There were many bandits reaching the foot of the city wall, almost several times as many as those soldiers above.
“The enemies are about 100 steps away from range!”
“90!”
“50!”
“30!”
“Fire!”
As soon as the command was given, hundreds of bolts instantly flew out of the crossbows at a rapid speed, ripping through the air in a sharp, high pitch.
The bandits charged ahead, while the catapults were placed relatively closer to the rear due to their heavy weight. The bandits also carried ladders as they rushed forward.
When they saw the bolts raining from above the city wall, they instantly lifted their shields.
“Wahaha, does he think he can defeat us again this way? This strategy has already been used once. This city lord sure is naive.”
Gazing at the bolts shot out from above, Nick disdainfully said.
“Hmph, you’re just gonna rely on a shield like that?” Wang Lun said.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
The bandits thought that the bolts would be deflected as soon as they came into contact with the shield. But to their horror, the bolts punctured the shields and at the next moment, bandits collapsed one after another.
The bolt penetrated the shield and pierced the body of the wielder.
It didn’t make sense at all.
As the order was given by Wang Lun, bolts were continuously fired as if there were an unlimited supply of them.
The war lasted for a whole hour, finally ending with the bandits retreating.
It was at that moment that the people of Yale City witnessed the city lord’s ability to guarantee their safety as he promised.
A month later, the coldest of winters finally arrived, which also meant that more wars would soon occur in Yale City.
Wang Lun couldn’t help but feel lonely in the city. He stepped out of the city hall and went for a stroll in the city with Lucy.
Before fully immersing himself in the relaxation of the walk, he encountered something that left him in a dilemma.
According to the report of the soldiers on the city walls, a group of refugees seemed to be heading toward Yale City.
Wang Lun received the news and immediately went up the city wall. He grabbed a pair of binoculars from one of the soldiers.
“How is it, my lord?” Lucy asked.
Wang Lun put down the binoculars and said, “They are indeed refugees, and there shouldn’t be a doubt that they’re heading toward Yale City.
“In this harsh winter, coming here is their only choice.”
“They’re coming here?” Lucy cried out, “But we have enough population in the city already. If they were to join us, we will face another crisis with our food supplies!”
“You’re right. But still, we have to take them in,” Wang Lun said.
“My lord, are you sure?”
“Yes, soldier. Open the city gates and let them in,” Wang Lun said. “You don’t have to worry, Lucy. I will think of a solution for the issue with food.”
“Well, it would be great if one consumes less food, but is still satiated.”
At that moment, Wang Lun suddenly looked at Lucy in excitement. “You are truly a smart and beautiful young lady!”
The weather was chilly, and tiny snowflakes started drifting across the sky.
Wang Lun wrapped his coat tightly around his body and walked down the city wall.
Lucy’s words instantly reminded Wang Lun of Earth’s compressed biscuits, which was a type of food that looked small but was packed with a lot of calories.
After Wang Lun went back to Earth and brought compressed biscuits back to Yale City, they were highly sought after by the people.
The temperature gradually decreased, but some residents of Yale City seemed to be lacking dry wood to burn and warm their homes.
“So is there dry firewood available?”
The soldier who Wang Lun sent out to scout returned to the city hall.
The soldier shook his head, took his hat off to pat away the snow on it, and said, “I don’t think so. The snow has covered the trees, so it is impossible to tell which ones are dry.”
“My lord, perhaps we can use the dry firewood, which was originally left for people who weren’t in a condition to gather for warmth together.”
Bran stepped forward and said after some thought.
Wang Lun carefully pondered, nodded, and said, “But we must have a shelter that can accommodate so many people.”
“Is there such a place when we first constructed the buildings?”
Bran shook his head and said, “There isn’t!”
Bran was in charge of the construction of the houses, so he was very familiar with the style and type.
There was no shelter that could accommodate a large number of people. In that case, it was impossible to use a small amount of dry wood to keep all of them warm.
“We can’t just start building one right away because by the time it is completed, it may be too late for the people.”
The soldier knew that he shouldn’t interrupt, but he spoke up anyway.
“Hmm?” Wang Lun looked at the soldier.
The soldier subconsciously withdrew a few steps and timidly looked at Wang Lun.
“My lord, my apologies for interrupting!”
The soldier hurriedly admitted his mistake.
“What did you say?” Wang Lun asked with a tight frown.
“That’s right!” Wang Lun clapped his hands together. “We can build a large, temporary dormitory!”
“Temporary dormitory?” Bran was puzzled.
“Bran, you are still in charge of this matter. Gather the architects and build a temporary dormitory.”
Bran said, “But my lord, even a temporary dormitory requires several weeks!”
Wang Lun waved his hand and said, “There is no need for any material. Just build the structure with wood, and I will give you something that can keep you warm.”
“Build it according to this plan. I give you three days, so see if you can finish it.”
Bran did some calculations in his mind, before replying, “No problem, my lord.”
Wang Lun, on the other hand, returned and procured special items from Earth that could retain heat in the enclosed space and equipped them directly on the structure of the dormitory.
And just like that, the problem with heat was solved.