CHAPTER 552: CHAPTER 530: REBUILDING RAPIDS CITY STARTING FROM THE PORT

Morning of January 3, 1446, Rapids City.

A heavy horn sounded from the lookout post, and the forced-to-dock shipowners all looked up.

A wall of moving shadows occupied all their sight, and under the officers’ shouts, all the War Monks already lined up on the deck.

In the cold wind, these black-clad War Monks stood straight, silver-gray long guns rested on their shoulders, brass-colored Holy Guns slung on their backs, military swords neatly worn on one side.

From the side, they appeared like a line of orderly Ancient Aier sculptures, their gaze sweeping indifferently across the curious yet fearful citizens.

The cross-pattern of gun and sword on the bow of the black ship was something the citizens had seen on notice boards and streets in the past few days.

Salvation Army, Guard Battle Group.

Four months later, this formidable army returned once again to its loyal Rapids City.

Among the sailors’ shouts, five or six ropes were tossed from the ships, and the dexterous dock workers quickly looped the ropes over the anchor racks to pull tight.

The ropes wrapped tightly around the anchor racks on the riverbank, even raising wisps of white smoke and dust due to the rapid friction.

With the captain’s superb piloting skills, the number one barge docked steadily in the pier-formed bay.

Seven or eight sailors hooked the iron-tipped end of the long plank to the ship’s railing, first, a few gendarmes and Holy Gunmen descended and lined up beside the road.

Then, amidst the gaze of all, Horn descended lightly from the long plank, dressed in a wool twill priest robe and wearing a high leather hat.

Civilians "spontaneously" brought flower petals and colorful flags, and under the urging of the heads of the trade and guild, they continually tossed and waved them towards Horn.

Despite being in the spotlight, including the onlookers, movers, and shipowners, the total numbered less than a thousand.

Catherine specifically limited the number to prevent Shadowless Men and Demon Hunters from mixing in.

Ludvik’s death had given her a sorrowful lesson, so much so that she kept a letter requesting Horn to send the Cheka for supervision tucked in the drawer beneath her study table, but she never decided to send it out.

Due to Rapids City’s unique status, Horn had somewhat relaxed his local supervision efforts.

Judging by the restoration level of the Port District, this measure did have some effect.

Compared to the complete ruins from four months ago, the inferno-scorched ruins were nowhere to be seen.

The semicircular dock was flanked by numerous shops, metal signs engraved with scissors, jars, and hammers hung in front of the doors.

Behind the low shops stood a broad masonry building, which was the recently restored Rapids City Exchange Hall.

Despite conscious washing, the scorched black marks from fire remained unhidden.

A clock tower under construction stood at the center of the dock plaza, modeled precisely after the one in the Ry Court Barracks.

"Didn’t imagine we’d meet again so soon." Catherine, donning a wide-brimmed felt hat, looked gleefully at the gracefully approaching Horn.

Today she wore a long red dress, but with a vest commonly worn by merchants, only made of the finest black kersey material.

"Time is like a wild donkey, once it runs, it never stops." Horn strode forward unabashedly and embraced Catherine.

After meeting with Mitney, Carl, and other Rapids City high-ranking officials, this group started to exchange pleasantries on the dock.

The Secret Monk behind immediately started recording Horn and Catherine’s conversation:

"Both parties engaged in a cordial and friendly dialogue regarding the situation in Joan of Arc Castle and Rapids City, and thoroughly exchanged views on each other’s height and age.

His Holiness the Pope expressed serious concerns about the age of the Rapids City Governor, whereas the Governor similarly looked forward to the Pope’s stature..."

Horn and Catherine were chatting away at the dock not because they weren’t afraid of the cold but to make a stance.

They wanted the forces within Rapids City to know that Catherine had backing, and that their relationship was exceedingly good.

The plank vibrated as over a thousand black-clad soldiers neatly disembarked, lined up along the road, and marched quickly towards the camp outside the dock.

Horn and Catherine’s show finally ended. He rubbed his icy cheeks: "Why haven’t I seen Jeanne?"

Leading the way, Catherine shrugged: "She took six hundred cavalry to Xiaochi City and left yesterday."

"Is the situation so dire?"

"Not exactly. The latest reports say the Church’s army was celebrating the New Year Festival a few days ago, temporarily halting their attack, and only resumed their offensive today."

"Has Blago elected a new Abbot?"

"No, the seventh round of voting held during the New Year Festival still hasn’t passed the two-thirds mark. They’re now conducting the eighth round of voting."

After a long silence, Horn pushed himself into the warm carriage by gripping the car door: "A truly evenly matched opponent."

Must there be a vote? Can’t they just follow Napoleon’s example and dissolve the parliament, fight the war first, and then talk?

Compared to the cold weather outside, not only was there a fire pan lit inside the carriage, but a layer of warm wool and fur was laid down.

Although quite warm, Horn always felt uneasy.

He lifted the curtain of the carriage, gazing at the slowly passing street scene outside.

After leaving the dock area, rubble on the street and roadside ruins appeared more frequently, as did the clustered construction sites and billowing dust.

After the battle in Rapids City ended, there was a strong internal demand in Rapids City to abandon the Port District, leaving only the docks as passageways.

But Catherine refused this request, instead insisting on revitalizing the Port District, for if this area was abandoned, people’s expectations would be lowered.

Rapids City’s prosperity in commerce and the Port District were absolutely interconnected.

Upon realizing there’s a possibility the Port District may not be rebuilt, most citizens reliant on its livelihood would choose to leave.

Their emigration targets are likely the now-rising Joan of Arc Castle and Ry Court Barracks.

The earlier Rapids City emigrants had long sent news back from Joan of Arc Castle and Rapids City. Throughout the four months, with the mutual grain trade between Joan of Arc Castle and Tenryu Temple, many rumors about Joan of Arc Castle and Ry Court Barracks were dispelled.

Many citizens favor more the Ry Court Barracks trend, especially after signing the "Sugar Grain Exchange Agreement," at least two hundred citizen families migrated there.

To promptly reverse this trend, even if funds weren’t available for construction, gestures must be made so people feel there’s still hope.

Thus, Catherine mimicked the Salvation Army Government’s habit here by announcing the "1448 Port District Vision Plan," which stated not only to reconstruct the Port District but also to make it even more prosperous.

Catherine’s first action was to complete the dock area’s facade, then clean and wash the garbage, and finally restore most key buildings.

For instance, the Commodity Exchange, Baihua Cathedral, Holy Seat Bank, and Meigedi Bank and so forth.

Though not yet restored to its former glory, and with the Rapids City Government deeply in debt, at least the people’s morale was preserved.

"However..." Catherine’s lips curved in a bitter smile, "Some people still don’t recognize my identity as a Saintess. After returning to Rapids City, there have been over a hundred cases of desertion.

Those are just the ones caught; I speculate there are even more uncaptured. Currently, the escapees from our Salvation Army territory, having fled to Hotam County or Deer Horn Town, number three to four thousand."

"Let those ignorant fools go," Horn dismissed, freely waving his hand. During Horn’s initial capture of Joan of Arc Castle, a large number similarly escaped to the southern Jinhe Town.

Yet now, aren’t they still working honestly for the Saint’s Grandson?

"Speaking of Deer Horn Town, how about the Gray Horse Knight’s offensive?"

"A few days ago, he replied with gratitude and slowed his attack, instead first taking over Sentry Post Fort, making it an advance-and-retreat hub."

Upon hearing this, Horn felt as comfortable as having hot stew in his pants in winter.

Finally, a teammate who listens – it’s not easy.