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The Bartalises\' prior actions of transferring assets and moving their heirs away had already destabilized the city defense force. A sudden change in command would completely undermine the military\'s effectiveness.

Reluctantly, Adra III had to release Horn to lead the troops again while humbly following the old steward’s advice and commanding the city hall to organize manpower and conscript "militia" within the city. Since the nobles had already turned their backs, he really had no choice but to turn to the city hall.

Conscripting "militia" from within the city wasn\'t a good idea. City youths weren\'t as easily intimidated as rural farmers, but this was the only method Gould could think of at the moment… Given that Weisshem\'s takeover was inevitable, the best option was to cause as much trouble for that bastard usurper!

Casualties were inevitable in wars. If Rex\'s undead army caused harm to the city\'s civilians, he would find it difficult to hold the position of lord comfortably. Once the Bartalis family had "strategically relocated" to a safe place and regathered their strength to return, the local populace, bearing deep grudges against Rex, would surely welcome their return with open arms.

While the Bartalis family seized this last opportunity to cause trouble for Rex, Viscount Darcy, upon returning to his estate, urgently inquired of his steward, Ford, about any news from his granddaughter Gina, who had been sent to Weisshem nearly about a week ago. Viscount Darcy, who hardly remembered what his granddaughter looked like, showed unprecedented concern toward her marriage prospects.

Steward Ford awkwardly reported, "Miss Gina already sent someone back to make a report two days ago. Charlie Rex has shown no interest in her and she asks if she can return…"

In a fit of fury, Viscount Darcy threw a teacup across the room, cursing the granddaughter who had never shown any talent and brought shame to the Darcy family.

Steward Ford remained silent.

Miss Gina was indeed the least attractive among the granddaughters, and Viscount Darcy, who looked down on Rex, thought his least impressive granddaughter sufficient to deal with that illegitimate child… Whose fault could that be?

Although Viscount Darcy had already anticipated this to be the case, he would never admit his own negligence. Instead, he blamed everything on the incompetent Gina.

At a time when two armies clashed, sending his most beautiful granddaughter to Rex\'s camp would turn the Darcys into a laughingstock throughout Indahl. Viscount Darcy paced his study, agitated, unable to figure out how to submit his "declaration of allegiance."

Knowing it was time to offer a solution, Steward Ford stepped out of the study, directing a servant to bring in the items he had prepared: a set of denim outerwear, a four-piece bedding set with two pillowcases, a furry scarf and gloves that appeared to be made of fur, and a plastic thermos.

"What is this?" Viscount Darcy frowned at the thermos, unable to discern its purpose.

"These are products that Weisshem folks sneaked into the southern district for selling to civilians during the conflict," Steward Fort explained with noticeable excitement, picking up the denim outerwear to show Viscount Darcy the sturdy material.

"This kind of robust clothing, akin to canvas, is priced at only 20 copper coins per set. The civilians in the southern district are nearly going mad over it. Our male servants couldn\'t even get their hands on one; we had to pay triple the price to acquire this set from a drunk."

"Twenty copper? For a set?!" Viscount Darcy was astounded.

Steward Ford put down the outerwear and enthusiastically presented a bedding set. "There\'s also this type of bedding, going for 20 copper a set, too."

Well, these were actually the sort of bedding advertised as pure cotton but actually made of synthetic fibers that were priced at around 15-18 RMB a set in discount stores, which could be gotten at wholesale prices around 10 RMB on Alibaba…

Viscount Darcy took a step forward to get a feel of the bedsheets and, on experiencing its soft touch, couldn\'t help echoing the soul-searching question the commoners of the southern district had, "Gosh, where does Weisshem get all these cheap goods? Wouldn\'t Rex bankrupt his estate, selling them at these prices?"

Steward Ford put down the bedsheets, then picked up a furry scarf in one hand and equally warm-looking gloves in the other, and said excitedly, "These scarves and gloves are also 10 copper coins each, and the women in the southern district are fighting over them!"

These weren\'t real fur but synthetic fiber fur scarves and gloves, available on Pinshaoshao for about 6 RMB each, possibly even less in bulk.

Viscount Darcy grabbed the scarf to feel its texture, his jaw dropping in disbelief.

"And lastly, this." Ford lifted the plastic thermos, his breathing slightly heavier. "This double-layered thermos is only 20 copper coins each!"

Viscount Darcy\'s hand trembled, and the scarf fell to the ground.

This world did have thermal insulation technology, with most middle-class and noble families using silver-plated glass-lined thermoses, which were quite expensive and priced in silver coins.

This batch of thermoses for winter home essentials that flowed out of Weisshem was sourced directly by Yang Qiu from a local township enterprises in G Province. Not only were the exteriors beautiful, featuring high-end and elegant pastel designs, but the price was also very reasonable, costing around 10 RMB each, including shipping.

Viscount Darcy scrutinized the light green thermos decorated with fresh floral patterns, contemplating the potential profit from shipping a trainload of these to the royal capital. Now, he couldn\'t help but share the steward\'s enthusiasm.

"We need Rex\'s friendship!" Viscount Darcy declared resolutely. "Where are those people from Weisshem? We must protect them and ensure the Bartalises don\'t harm them!"

Steward Ford knew his master all too well and flashed a broad smile as he tried to claim credit. "I\'ve already had our male servants keep an eye on those Weisshem folks. They\'ll step in to help at the slightest sign of trouble."

"What good are mere servants? Send—" Viscount Darcy caught himself, abruptly remembering that most of his private troops had been decimated at the city gates, leaving only a handful to return in disgrace. He grimaced, and through gritted teeth, said, "Send those useless ones over too!"

Steward Ford was aware that he had touched on a sore spot and responded with a submissive nod.

———

Due to the ongoing conflict outside the city, the mobile mill wasn\'t operating, leaving Johan with no odd jobs to earn his day\'s wage.

After sneaking a peek at the combat from an abandoned warehouse near the mule and horse market at noon, Johan returned home for lunch, brimming with excitement as he described to his family how brave and strong the Weisshem undead were and how they routed the forces of the local nobility.

Johan\'s mother was aware of her eldest son\'s close association with the mill workers from Weisshem, but she didn\'t harbor any dislike for the Weisshem folk despite the undead\'s presence. However, years of life experiences taught this woman, who appeared aged beyond her early forties, the importance of caution.

Gently, she advised her son, "Don\'t talk about it too much, Johan, in case your brother gets too excited and runs to watch the fighting. That would be too dangerous."

Johan nodded, immediately adopting a stern face to warn his brother, "Barry, did you hear what Mom said? You\'re not allowed to go near the mule and horse market these days. Otherwise, all the sugar at home will go to Jenny."

The little boy protested, "We weren\'t going to play there anyway. If you want to favor Jenny, just say so!"

Jenny, the youngest child in the family, though frail and unassuming, was very sensible. "It\'s okay, Barry. I\'ll share half of the candy with you," she said.

The little boy retorted, "I don\'t need your pity. Keep it for yourself."

Johan patted his brother\'s head, turning to his mother. "Mom, I want to go into the city this afternoon to see if I can find some work."

"Better not, with all that fighting going on. We can still manage without a couple of days\' earnings," she advised. "The city\'s nobility just lost a battle. I remember your grandfather saying when those nobles are in a bad mood, it\'s trouble for everyone below them. Who knows if there\'ll be chaos in the city?"

"I know, I won\'t go where it\'s crowded," Johan assured her. "The gangsters are all missing these days, and it\'s easy to find work in the tavern district. I\'ll be back before it gets dark and crowded."

After some hesitation, the mother, considering her son was grown up and needed some leeway, reluctantly agreed, "Then be careful."

After lunch, Barry went to play with his friends, their mother went to work at the laundry, and, as usual, Johan took Jenny to their uncle\'s house down the alley.

Boys in the slum could roam freely, but girls could not. When adults were busy, they had to send their daughters to a relative\'s home where adults could watch them. Otherwise, they might not find their daughters again—too many men in the area would take advantage of unattended girls.

After settling his sister, Johan joined his friends Sanchi, Tommy, and Bobby, and the four young men, chatting and laughing, headed toward the south city gate.

Yes, Indahl was about to change, and the old master at the city lord\'s manor was going to be replaced. But what did that have to do with them?

They didn\'t know what the city lord looked like, had never entered the city hall, and hadn\'t even been to the central district. It wasn\'t just the central district; they weren\'t allowed in any decent neighborhood. Burly patrolling city guards wouldn\'t let these poor folks near the homes of respectable people, lest something got stolen and no one held accountable.

The southern district was as per usual, except the men who had free time to chat in the roadside taverns during the day were now discussing the future of Indahl instead of which street had more promiscuous women.

Sticking to the promise he made with his mother, Johan explained the situation to his friends, and the four didn\'t venture into crowded areas, taking familiar alleys to the tavern district on Saint Joseph\'s Street.

Emerging from the narrow, winding alleys onto Saint Joseph\'s Street, Johan and his friends immediately sensed something was amiss.

There were many city policemen on the sidewalk!

People looking for work on the streets feared the city police the most. The four instinctively wanted to retreat back into the alley… but it was too late.

The policemen, surprised to find these four young men, eagerly surrounded them, grabbing them without a word.

"Wait a minute, sir, we\'re just—ah!"

Johan, not new to troubles with the city police, tried to argue but was immediately yanked by the hair and thrown to the ground.

"Shut up!"

The city police knew how to quiet those poor beggars from outside the city. Thick cowhide boots slammed into Johan\'s stomach, followed by a few stomps on his limbs left the dirty young man curled up into a ball.