Need County, Iron Felt City.
The city, which was once somewhat run-down, has been revitalized in the past two years. As soon as you enter the city, you can hear the sound of ironwork emanating from the streets and alleys.
The sound is rhythmic, followed by the sizzling, boiling sound of steel being quenched in oil. Neat rows of brick-red factory buildings stand on the open space on the north side of the city, their long chimneys billowing black smoke from morning till night.
Although the city has become noisy, it is now full of vitality. It has the atmosphere of prosperity. The merchants, travelers, hawkers on the streets, women and children walking around together build this steel city.
Since Loran Hill came here two years ago, steel mills have been built here and skilled craftsmen have been trained on a large scale. Almost one out of every two households of the original residents works in the factory.
Compared to the miners and farmers who used to work in factories, becoming a skilled worker in a factory can earn significantly higher wages. The factory also provides some benefits and security. If an employee is injured, their medical expenses will also be covered by the factory.
After working for a certain number of years, there will be a pension mechanism, where you can do some leisurely work as a warehouse guard, or receive a certain amount of money every year.
Today, this county capital has also attracted most of the residents from the surrounding mountainous areas, causing them to migrate to the city, and subsequently various shops and industries have flourished.
On the main street near the city gate, six horsemen rode swiftly along the road. People nearby gave way when they saw them, and they, in turn, avoided pedestrians with their superb riding skills.
Finally, they stopped at the City Lord's Mansion. After showing the tokens and documents representing their identities, they were immediately welcomed in by the staff.
More than half an hour later, these people followed the city lord out and came to the central square.
Boom——
The sound of the big bell was particularly prominent in the bustling city. After hearing it, many people gradually gathered in the center of the square. The crowd was crowded, and they were wearing mainly blue-gray clothes, looking at the people in the center.
These people are the current mayors and chief executives of Iron Felt City.
"Everyone, be quiet." The city lord shouted with full energy, and the scene became quiet.
"I have something to announce today."
"As many people know, the country is currently at war with the Frost Alliance. Many of the original garrison troops in this county have been withdrawn to the capital. After reorganization, they will follow the army south to the border."
"Considering that the war will not end anytime soon and that this area is also on the border, and that the Black Rock Principality to the north is restive, the War Preparation Coordination Department has issued another order."
"First, a new round of conscription will begin immediately. The enlistment age is 18-36 years old. There are physical fitness requirements, and those who have received military training will be given priority."
"Second, trade in grain, cloth, steel, weapons, and armor will be restricted, and the volume of trade will be centrally managed and regulated by the government."
"Third, all residents aged 15 to 55 will take turns receiving basic military training as reserve forces to prepare for possible crises."
"Hard times are coming. The government knows everyone is working hard during this period and has been working overtime to forge armor and weapons. During the first round of conscription, considering that Ned County had made great sacrifices during the revolution, the number of places allocated to our county was deliberately smaller to preserve more fire."
"But even so, I hope everyone will not forget the hardships they once endured, and will not forget how hard it was to get all the good things we have now. Swords should be used to make swords, and wars should be used to stop wars. Only by taking up arms can we protect everything we have now."
"Fight, keep fighting, advance, keep advancing, this is the will of Clancy."
"Let us face all this with pride and calmness. These hardships will become the sharpening stone of our sword, and we will surely win!"
As an old revolutionary base and the starting point of the uprising, the people of Ned County are proud of Clancy and have a sense of honor that is difficult for outsiders to understand. After the speech of the old city lord, this long-accumulated emotion also broke out.
"Hurray, Clancy!"
The sound was exciting and enthusiastic, surprising and confusing some travelers and merchants from afar. But no matter what, the shouts spread in all directions in the city like waves. Even some people who were working would shout in response after hearing the shouts.
"Hurray, Clancy!"
Street vendors, women drawing water from the well, workers calibrating steel mills, craftsmen threading armor in armories, students attending classes at the city’s military academy, security officers on patrol, cart drivers transporting wood outside the city, and so on.
On those faces were real and genuine smiles and pride.
Since the country was reborn, they have never been so happy and fulfilled, and are willing to dedicate their lives to this country.
After the notices were posted in the city, messengers on horseback left the city with flags on their backs, galloping through the mountain roads, delivering news to remote towns and villages, telling them the current situation and instructions of the country.
Because they are also members of this country and one of the masters of this country, they naturally have the right to know the current situation and experience of this country.
With administrative efficiency that amazed others, Clansia was highly united, and its speed of integration was completely incomparable to that of the former West Wind or any feudal state.
War struck the newborn nation like a hammer, tightly connecting the originally loose iron together. And with the tempering of iron and fire, the concept of nation would be deeply imprinted in everyone's memory and spirit.
————
On the eastern side of Nedshire, amidst the precipitous mountains, a group of about a hundred men were advancing on horseback. They wore dark green cloaks, uniform plate armor, and rode grey-legged horses with coats of varying shades of gray.
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