198: Good news one after another

Chapter 195: Good News One After Another

Godwin considered himself not a devout believer, but he didn't mind using faith to win people over.

Most of these refugees were humans, and they came from eastern Amn.

Mother Earth was naturally their mainstream faith.

Of course, he knew in his heart that hollow doctrines couldn't bring anything substantial.

What these people truly wanted was food to fill their stomachs and clothes to ward off the cold.

So he brought wine and oatcakes.

Philip's horse also carried some cured pork and sausages.

Bruce, meanwhile, brought some medicine.

Everything was a "blessing ceremony" with a dual purpose that he had discussed with Bart and Gasco beforehand.

On one hand, it was to pick out the healthier individuals to send to Qingfeng Valley.

On the other hand, it was also to provide the refugees with some necessary supplies.

It was precisely for this reason that Bart and Gasco had not shown themselves at this moment.

A malnourished man walked up to Godwin and bowed to him.

He had a sparse beard on his yellowish chin, and an unhealed, tattered hernia on his right cheek.

"My lord," he said, lowering his head.

"Are you the spokesman?" Godwin asked.

The man nodded.

"Then go gather everyone," Godwin ordered.

The man hurried off to gather the refugees.

Soon, the refugees came forward one by one, their feet blistered and swollen.

They eagerly hoped that someone would touch their brows with holy water and whisper words of blessing in their ears.

And then give them some food.

Last night, Bart and Gasco had brought back some food.

But it wasn't nearly enough.

They were already very hungry and desperate. The refugees gradually gathered, emitting a faint, sour smell.

"Come forward one by one and receive the goddess's grace," Godwin said.

Even the roughest brutes among the refugees could only obediently walk up to Godwin.

They bowed before the richly dressed lord and received the blessing.

Then these people walked aside to undergo Philip's inspection.

They mumbled answers to Bruce's questions, and as they left, they made a clumsy prayer gesture to Mother Earth across their chests.

When the blessings were over, Godwin handed the wine flask to the steward.

The man respectfully took it with both hands and began distributing the wine to everyone.

The refugees took out the utensils they carried with them.

Some had coarse ceramic bowls, some only broken pieces of tile, and some even had to use only their hands.

Philip, standing nearby, pursed his lips, his back ramrod straight.

He touched the harpoon in his right hand, regretting having brought it with him.

It made him feel like he was foolishly showing off his strength.

But even without this harpoon, he was still a dozen times stronger than anyone in this group.

Looking at the refugees before him, Philip suddenly remembered his past self.

Willing to do anything for a mouthful of food.

The lord of the village had forcibly taken the last of the village's fish catch.

To avoid starving to death, he could only risk robbing the tax collector.

These people were so similar to the villagers back then, including some children who were skin and bones from hunger.

The wine was quickly distributed, followed by the food.

There was no snatching; this group was like sheep.

They carefully received this hard-won food.

Bart and Gasco must have explained things to them beforehand, Godwin thought.

He gave Bruce a look.

Bruce immediately understood, and after leaving the medicine, he mounted his horse to signal the two carriages outside to enter.

Godwin began patiently reading the doctrinal text.

He made these refugees understand that the food they received today was bestowed by the goddess and Baron Arthur.

Although no one knew who "Arthur" was, the name would enter their hearts along with the food.

When the carriages entered, the refugees' faces showed expressions of surprise.

But Godwin was not as easily swayed by emotions as Arthur; he wouldn't generously give out food for no reason.

Philip had already inspected them; he had a general understanding of the refugees' physical condition.

First, use a little food to ignite these desperate people's desire to "survive."

Then, use more food to make them completely submit; this was his plan.

Once the carriages stopped, Godwin walked to a carriage and began to speak loudly.

His words were direct: either go to Qingfeng Valley, where Lord Arthur resided.

Or go to Tethyr, according to the refugees' original plan.

However, looking at the condition of these people, Godwin thought it would be a miracle if half of them arrived alive.

Last night, Bart and Gasco were clearly bluffing.

They had no ability to go to Tethyr at all.

Fortunately, he didn't fall for it.

"Those who want to join, come to me to register," Godwin finally said. "I promise you will get food and clothes."

The refugees had no other choice but to walk up to Godwin one by one to register.

Not far away, Gasco watched this scene and said to Bart beside him, "It seems everyone chose to go to Qingfeng Valley."

Bart pouted and said, "What else can they do?"

"We promised Godwin to let the refugees choose for themselves."

"They have food, they have clothes, and we have nothing."

Gasco sighed, "I don't like living under someone else's roof."

"If you choose to follow them, then I can only leave."

Bart persuaded, "Buddy, why not wait and see?"

"I'm very curious now what kind of person this so-called Baron of Qingfeng Valley is."

"Aren't you curious?"

Gasco shrugged, "If I and my people can get better terms for you, then I'll stay."

The registration work continued until night.

Before Godwin could even catch his breath, Newt, who had returned from Qingfeng Valley, sought him out.

After reading Arthur's letter, Godwin's fatigue instantly vanished. Settling the refugees had already used up all his funds, and he was worried about money.

Unexpectedly, his lord not only returned the previously provided money but also sent many valuable luxury goods.

Godwin picked up a painting and looked at it. "Although I don't understand art," he said to those present, "I can tell that this must be the work of a master."

"Newt, tomorrow, go to the Warthog Merchant Guild and ask if there's anyone nearby who can appraise paintings and jewelry."

"Okay. Oh, by the way, this is the deed Lord Arthur asked me to bring," Newt said, pulling out a stack of documents from his bag.

Godwin took them and flipped through, nodding uncontrollably, "Excellent, truly excellent!"

"Lord Arthur is truly amazing. He not only solved my urgent problem but also outmaneuvered the Little Finger Merchant Guild."

"Also, that piece of land now belongs to us," Newt added. "Lord Arthur said that the Big Sister—oh no, Miss Catherine and Paul are already on their way back."

Another exciting piece of news.

Good things came one after another, so much so that Godwin even wondered if it was an illusion.

Philip and Bruce, standing nearby, hadn't fully understood what had happened yet.

But the glittering jewels and the acquired land were tangible, visible benefits.

Both couldn't help but exclaim that their lord had truly received immense favor from the goddess.