Chapter 1482: Gratitude

A sound of retching came from the restroom...

For some reason, Father Xiusi had stayed in the restroom for a day and a night; when he emerged, his gaunt cheeks were even thinner.

His complexion was terrifyingly pale, and he looked completely exhausted.

Later, people said that Father Xiusi had been punished because he had accidentally eaten some grain seeds during a meal.

Because of Father Xiusi's personal example, no one dared to eat the seeds distributed by the Longyan Army anymore.

The sowing went very smoothly.

There was even a moderate autumn rain that watered the land, as if telling the residents of Prussia that good days were coming soon.

The Longyan Army could pacify the nation and kill enemies on horseback, and they were also experts at farming when off their horses.

With the help of the Longyan Army, they finally managed to plant these Winter Wheat before the onset of winter, and even sprouted tender seedlings.

Winter was approaching bit by bit, and every morning, one could feel the bone-chilling cold wind.

The falling leaves covering the sky seemed to be telling Ling Chen that winter was coming soon.

But for the Longyan Army, this was not a good thing; surviving the winter required food, but the grain and fodder the Longyan Army had intercepted were now running low.

The Wheat would not be ready for harvest until the following spring.

Ling Chen looked at the map of Europe and their current location; without grain and fodder, they could only seize it from those hostile forces.

War-Nourished Warfare.

Just at this moment, Ling Chen heard a commotion outside; he was stunned—who would be making such a racket here?

After Ling Chen occupied this place, he moved into the former barracks of the Prussian Army, which had also once been the barracks of the Austrian Army.

"General, this is bad."

The Strategist ran in, panting, and said hurriedly.

Ling Chen frowned, looked at him, and asked, "What happened? What is going on with you?"

Only then did the Strategist notice that his clothes were disheveled and torn, and several buttons were missing.

His trousers were also pulled up on one side and down on the other.

The Strategist hurriedly straightened his military attire, gave an awkward smile, looked at Ling Chen, and quickly said, "It's nothing, but a group of Prussian civilians has arrived outside, clamoring to see you."

"See me?" Ling Chen was bewildered.

But he still put on his coat, prepared to go out and see: "What do they want to see me for?"

"You'll understand once you go out."

Ling Chen looked at the Strategist's smiling face, frowned slightly, and muttered, "How strange."

He pushed open the door to go out and see what had made his Strategist look so disheveled, yet still grinning.

But as soon as he pushed the door open, Ling Chen found he couldn't leave at all and could only stand at the doorway.

Ling Chen looked at the crowd filling his doorway and was slightly stunned.

Diana and the priest were also surrounded.

They seemed to be refusing something, but were unable to do so.

"General, you've finally come out."

"This is a small token of our appreciation; we hope you can accept it."

Ling Chen looked at these people carrying things on their backs—it was all food; so they had come to deliver grain and fodder to him.

A smile appeared on Ling Chen's face, but he hurriedly refused: "No, we cannot accept these things."

"We appreciate your kindness, but please take these things back."

Ling Chen urged.

The Strategist stood to the side, watching the food and swallowing hard.

"Why aren't you coming over to help?" Ling Chen shouted.

Only then did the Strategist react, running over to join Ling Chen in persuading these people to take their things back.

They exhausted their tongues emphasizing that they would not accept this food.

Ling Chen actually wanted to accept it, but he couldn't.

The Longyan Army built their popular support for the sake of war supplies, but absolutely not through this method.

Prussia had experienced the ravages of war, and the food in the hands of these civilians was already pitifully scarce.

This might be their rations for the winter.

They absolutely could not accept it!

"Go back; you also need to prepare food for this winter. We, the Longyan Army, have backup supplies, so please rest assured."

Ling Chen urged with a smile.

These Prussian residents sighed, and one of them said, "You are the messengers sent by the Lord to save us, to rescue us from the hands of the Austrians."

"You even distributed seeds; we must repay this kindness. These things are not valuable, so please just accept them."

Ling Chen waved his hand and said, "These are all the guidance of the Lord; there is no need for this."

"Besides, when we distributed the seeds, we said we would collect one-tenth of the grain next year; you have even less reason to thank us for this."

"One-tenth of the grain is not much. The seeds were yours, and when it came time to plant, it was the Longyan Army that helped; we are the ones who benefited without effort, so please just accept these."

"Otherwise, we will feel uneasy."

"Yes, please just accept them," the Prussian residents said in unison.

The decisive Ling Chen had encountered such a problem for the first time; he looked at Diana for help, but Diana was overwhelmed herself.

He looked at the Strategist, but the Strategist just watched Ling Chen in silence.

Ling Chen sighed and could only say helplessly, "Alright, we will accept it this time, but there must absolutely not be a second time!"

The residents of Prussia nodded heavily upon hearing this.

Ling Chen glanced at the Strategist, and the latter immediately understood what he meant.

"Everyone, come here; I will register you all."

These people followed the Strategist and left.

Diana walked over, took a look at Ling Chen, and bowed slightly: "General, you really are... I feel like crying."

Ling Chen looked at the beautiful woman before him, dressed in a white robe with holy, pale golden hair.

He was slightly stunned, then smiled: "I haven't really done anything."

Diana, however, disagreed; she revealed a smile that suggested she understood everything.

In her view, the reason Ling Chen wanted to record what these people had given was surely so he could repay them in the future.

Such kindness, such a charitable act—it was just a pity that Ling Chen was not a follower of Protestantism.

Otherwise, Ling Chen would definitely have become a priest within Protestantism.

Benefiting the entire region.

Every time Diana came into contact with Ling Chen, she felt that this man was radiating charm at every moment.

Every move he made was full of deep meaning.

Just like now.

Just like the figure of him killing the enemy that day, all of it made Diana's heart stir.

She was a member of the Protestant clergy, but she was still a young woman.

Members of the Protestant clergy were allowed to marry, and if Ling Chen wanted to...

Ling Chen looked at Diana in confusion; it seemed that ever since this pure young woman had started following him, she would show this expression he once found familiar every time she saw him.

But he just couldn't remember where he had seen that expression before.

Forget it, never mind; the most urgent task now was to solve the food problem after the start of winter.

That was the top priority right now.

He needed Diana to help him determine the enemy's formation and where they might be storing grain.

"Diana, come inside; I have something to tell you."

Diana's heart stirred; she looked at Ling Chen, nodded, and followed him inside.

Ling Chen must have found her because there was something very important.

Perhaps it was...