As expected, the construction workers’ enthusiasm for work greatly increased under Wang Lun’s policy of increasing wages.
The second expansion of Yale City was in full swing.
But as Bran said, there were still many empty buildings in Yale City that weren’t being used.
In order to effectively increase the city’s population, Wang Lun made a move.
This time, he didn’t post a notice in the city, but posted a discount announcement in his store.
“Is it true?”
Several merchants who had arrived at Transmigration Wholesale in the morning stared at the announcement on the wall and discussed it skeptically.
“I don’t think the baron would play such a joke with us!” A merchant said as he stroked his short beard back and forth.
“Let’s help him promote it so that more people will come to live in Yale City. But then again, Yale City already has a lot of residents!”
“What do you know? You think the city lord is the same as those former barons who weren’t interested in developing the city to a high level?”
“That’s true. Yale City isn’t under the control of Earl Miller anymore. Baron Wang Lun has become independent, so Yale City won’t develop as it did before.”
“Anyway, these aren’t important. We can ask the baron about it after he arrives.”
Shortly after, it was time for Wang Lun’s store to be opened for business.
And Wang Lun, who only showed up when transporting goods to the store, came to the store today.
“Guys, you must have been waiting for a long time!” Wang Lun said with a smile.
“My lord, we know that your goods are in short supply, so if we don’t come early, we may run out of business today!” one of the merchants teased.
“Hahaha, there are plenty in stock!” Wang Lun said while walking into the store to count the merchants’ early purchases.
“But my lord, is the announcement on your store true?” Someone hadn’t forgotten about the offer on the announcement.
That was the nature of merchants!
Wang Lun lifted his head, looked at the merchants, and said, “It is true. You will definitely have discounts if you are willing!”
“But how are you going to confirm that we have made the announcement?”
Wang Lun stood up straight, pointed to the merchant who spoke, and said, “That’s a good question. When the time comes, you tell your names to the people who want to migrate to Yale City.
“When they arrive in Yale City, we will do the statistics. By then, we will know which one of you did the publicity, won’t we?”
Once the merchants heard his words, they nodded and agreed that his method was good.
“In that case, we’ll look forward to it, my lord.”
Wang Lun shifted his gaze to them. The people in Yale City knew that he was a man of principle.
However, these merchants were from out of town and had only worked with him a few times.
That was why he was understandable about their doubt.
“Everyone in the entirety of Yale City knows that I’m the most trustworthy. As long as I make a promise, I never go back on my words.”
The merchants carried the goods to their carriages in an orderly manner, and one by one, they left Yale City.
A few days later, Yale City welcomed several groups of immigrants, and among those were of course refugees without permanent residence.
The registration showed that all of them had been advertised to by the merchants. They didn’t know that a city like Yale City existed before.
The merchants were also rewarded accordingly.
However, such a wave of immigration didn’t last for too long. Some merchants came back reporting a matter that was enough to create a stir in Yale City.
Wang Lun also hurriedly reacted to this matter and told the merchants temporarily not to head out for business.
“Hallmark, has the scout I told you to dispatch returned with a report yet?”
Inside the main hall, Wang Lun gathered the important people in Yale City and discussed how to deal with the upcoming calamity.
Hallmark stood up from his seat, bowed, and said, “My lord, the scout has returned. Baron Hawks of Seron City has indeed begun his march to Yale City, though their pace is really slow.”
Wang Lun asked, “Have you gone to investigate yet?”
Hallmark said, “Yes, my lord. Hawks has also joined forces with two barons from other cities—Baron Oliver and Baron Mason.”
“Heh. It seems like this guy is going to take us on head-first this time. Is he prepared to attack Yale City in one fell swoop?” Wang Lun asked.
Although he heard that the enemy army was advancing towards Yale City from three places, he didn’t have any sense of nervousness at all.
On the contrary, he felt like a win was within reach.
“What do you think, Sergeant Clive?”
Upon seeing that the seated Clive was waiting for an opportunity to speak, Wang Lun decided to give him a chance.
Clive stood up and said, “My lord, I was thinking that the enemy army is gonna attack Yale City from three sides. I don’t know if it’s necessary for me to be concerned, but I think we should prepare sufficient boulders to pile up on the city walls beforehand. We should also prepare barrels of oil as they will be useful in unexpected situations.”
It was true that oil could be effective in unexpected situations during war. Wang Lun had witnessed its usefulness the last time.
He had also read a book about a general who used fire to overwhelm the enemy army, leaving them with no solutions but to retreat.
“General Hallmark, what do you think?”
Hallmark said, “I think that Sergeant Clive’s suggestion is perfect. We will be able to establish an advantageous position for ourselves. We must do it.”
Wang Lun nodded, also affirming Clive’s plan.
“Do we still have time to prepare the materials?”
Hawks replied, “Yes, my lord. Baron Hawks’s army, who is the closest to us, should take three days to reach Yale City according to their current pace.”
“My lord, leave this matter to me. I will definitely get everything ready before the enemy arrives!”
It was Griffin who spoke. Wang Lun looked at him. Ever since Griffin was promoted to a private, he became the commander of the first lancer battalion.
This was the only time an exception was made in the army—having a private as the commander.
That was why Griffin had the qualification to discuss military affairs in the main hall with these important people.
Wang Lun nodded and said, “Good. Griffin, you will be in charge of this matter.”
“Also, I want both of you—Hallmark and Clive—to split the soldiers into three big camps. When the time comes, they will respectively defend the city against the three enemy armies!”
In addition to the soldiers in the city busy preparing to defend against the oncoming enemy, the commoners also helped carry boulders and other necessities up the city walls.
Three days later, Hawks’ army first appeared in the far front of Yale City.
However, they didn’t attack. Instead, they set up camp directly outside the city.
“He isn’t attacking. It seems like he wants to wait for the other two armies to arrive before attacking us together!”
“My lord, how about I lead some of the soldiers out of the city to fight him in the field?”
“No, our army’s ability to fight in the field hasn’t yet reached the appropriate level. Besides, we must aim to reduce our losses. Even though there are enemy troops attacking from three sides, there’s nothing for us to be afraid of!”