The sound of wheels rolling across the ground forms a monotonous and brisk tune on this quiet and peaceful morning. It was early in the morning, but the people of Storm City were already up and busy. People in the city have endless work to do, whether it's a cotton mill or a weapons workshop, or a construction site outside the city. In the last six months, there has been a lot of excitement in Storm City, and as long as you are diligent enough, you can earn twice or even triple the money of previous years.

There's nothing more uplifting than the melodious sound of a gold coin.

As more and more cotton mills moved to Storm City, the influx of workers made it clear that there was not enough living space in Storm City. At the decision of Lord Edward, Stormtown began to expand its original city to the north of Stormtown, on the other side of the Arsenal and Steelworks. It has now become a busy construction site, with a new urban area under construction according to the design and planning.

From a distance, you can see that the site has been erected with the outlines of many buildings, and a large number of horse-drawn carriages come and go in it. Timber, stone and other construction-related materials are constantly being brought in to inject fresh blood into the city.

It's an ordinary morning, and people get up before the sun even comes out. The women had already made breakfast, and the men had eaten it and then walked out of the house. Most of them choose to work hard, so men often work in weapons workshops, steel mills or construction sites. As for the women, after they have finished cleaning up the dishes, they take their children to the cotton factory.

The work of the cotton mill was always easier, but for the men, spinning was a boring job. They prefer to sweat in the sun rather than sit in a shed rocking a loom. So the workers in the cotton mills are basically women, and they bring their children with them. Naturally, most of the children brought to the factory were younger. The older ones have already been sent to the academy for classes.

Yes, Academy.

This is another place where Lord Edward is known. You must know that originally in the border land, there is no place for children to attend classes and study. Normally, children at the age of seven or eight will start to work with their fathers, living a life of inheritance from their fathers and children, and life never gives them too many choices. And those who have more money have the opportunity to send their children to other cities of the empire to receive a better education.

But the opportunities are also handful.

But now, the children finally have more choices. Edward carved out a piece of land in the city and built an academy. In addition to the most basic disciplines, the college also has a number of specialized courses such as combat technology instruction, military education, theology, industrial foundation, agricultural foundation, etc. However, professional courses are advanced disciplines, and students need to complete their basic studies and then be selected according to their talents.

The teachers of this academy are concurrently served by officials of all levels in Storm City, for example, the main instructor of combat skills instruction and military education is Regiment Leader Regg. Of course, they are not teaching for free. Edward would pay them an extra salary, and now that the academy had just opened, the students were basically taking basic courses. Although many people questioned Edward's approach, those who had a long enough vision could see that the academy would continue to train talents in various fields for the lord.

Of course, the people who benefited the most were the lords, so Edward was already a wise and benevolent lord in their minds. So when the early workers saw the carriage with the lord's sign driving through the streets, and the people chanted Edward's name, it was their most heartfelt greeting. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Edward smiled and nodded to the passing lords, his posture and expression perfect without a trace of flaws.

In the corner of the carriage, in the faint morning light, a woman sat quietly opposite Edward. She was Edward's wife, Nilou, and the daughter of the late Sir Ethan had a gloomy look on her face. Edward lowered the curtains, looked at his wife and asked softly, "What's wrong with you?" ”

"Why did you have to move to Storm City?" Nilou looked up and said, "Isn't Sur City good?" Although the place where I used to live was damp, it was not as spacious as it is now. But there, there are memories of me and my father. I really don't want to leave. ”

"Didn't I say that? As lords, we should set an example for our people. Since we advocate the movement of cities, we should lead by example. ”

"So I can't figure it out, everybody's living well. There were a lot of people, their grandfathers, their grandfather's grandfathers lived in Sur City, why did everyone move to Storm City? ”

Edward smiled, "This is to cut costs, and this side of Storm City is more suitable for everyone to develop and live." You see, we have factories, we have newly expanded urban areas, and now we have colleges and churches. Here, people have jobs, children can learn, and everyone can find their faith in the church. Isn't life in Storm City better than in Sur City? ”

"As a lord, you naturally have an obligation to make everyone's life better, isn't it?"

"I can't talk about you." Nilou looked away and said, "But Edward, do you have something to hide from me?" ”

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you always make me feel like I'm hiding a lot of secrets, and my father ......"

Edward raised his eyebrows: "What happened to Sir Ethan?" ”

"Why did my father suddenly go crazy, why did he go crazy when we went to visit him?"

"Nilou, what exactly do you want to say?"

Nilou's fingers pinched the corners of her clothes hard, as if she had mustered up courage, looked up at Edward, and said, "Did you do it?" Or was it your young master Allen? Because they say, 'You took advantage of my father, that's why you have the power you have today.'" ”

Edward's smile gradually narrowed, and his eyes gradually became cold, "Nilou, do you know how dangerous such suspicions are? Sir Ethan was mad that you were there that night, and he even wanted to kill you. Do you think I can do anything so that he doesn't even recognize his own daughter? Besides, if you doubt me, that's fine, but if you even question Sir Allen, that's a bit too much. ”

"How do you think everyone can live so well now? I can't do it alone, and if it weren't for Sir Allen's bloody struggle, do you think we could have lived so safely? Edward said solemnly: "So these words, you are not allowed to say them casually in the future." Or do you want to ruin everyone's lives? ”

"I don't want to!" Nilou cried, her eyes already dripping with water, "But you and Sir Alan have a lot of secrets. I have asked you more than once where your hometown is. I can't meet some family members. I'm your wife, but you don't tell me. Even, since you got married, you haven't touched me! ”

Edward didn't expect her to react so violently, and when he heard her question, he couldn't help but smile: "I didn't say it, I'm an orphan, how can I have any family." Even the thing you said, you can see, I have so much work to deal with every day......"

"Don't use work as an excuse!" Nilou exclaimed, "You don't love me at all, as they say, I'm just a pawn for you!" ”

Her voice was heard by the grooms outside, and Edward frowned and sat down beside Nilou. He put his arm around Nilou, who struggled at first, but eventually leaned into Edward's arms and cried, "I don't want this." I don't want that, you know? If you don't love me, don't marry me. Do you know how lonely it can be to be alone at home every day? It's so lonely that I want to finish myself. ”

"I'm sorry......" Edward sighed softly, "Not anymore, Nilou." Please forgive me for ignoring you for so long, it's my fault. I'll make it up to you. ”

Back at the City Lord's Mansion, Nilou had calmed down her feelings, and Edward asked her to go back to her room to rest first. If it's too boring, you can go to the church or other parts of the city. Nilou departed, full of grief. Edward smiled helplessly, and just as he returned to the study to read a report, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The butler pushed the door open and said, "My lord, Sir Alan is back. ”

"He's back?" Edward put down what he was holding and stood up, "Where is Sir Alan now?" ”

Outside the city, Edward saw a convoy heading in the direction of Storm City. The convoy wasn't long and didn't have many people, but Edward saw Allen at a glance. He was on a war horse, and his silver hair glowed with endless glow in the sun, which could not be more conspicuous.

At this time, Eren raised his head and looked in Edward's direction, and smiled brightly.

"Storm City has changed a lot, Edward, it's great to have you for me."

Alan, who had walked around in Storm City before returning to the City Lord's Mansion, couldn't help but pat Edward's shoulder with emotion. Edward smiled and said, "If I can't do even this little thing, I'm too bad." ”

"These are not trivial matters, especially for the academy where the children go to school, I didn't expect to have such an academy. Your head is still pretty good. Alan nodded his head and said with a smile: "At least it's much better than mine, so quickly think about how to develop such a large territory that I just fell." ”

Edward smiled bitterly, "That's probably something that can't be explained in a few words, and you just came back, don't you think you should listen to my report first?" ”

"Okay, okay, don't be sad, I know it's going to be hard for you. But you're right, tell me about Storm City's current situation. ”

The two walked to the study while chatting, Edward only gave a brief overview of the current situation in Storm City, and as for the specifics, he would naturally give Alan a detailed report. However, Edward's words were concise and precise, and in a few words, they had already given Alan a general idea of the latest situation in the Far Lands.