Timeskip

A few months later.

"I wonder if Arthur's trip is going smoothly."

Hosea stood by the window of the villa, a cigarette in his hand, looking worried.

Although these children were all much more capable than him, he always feared they wouldn't know how to protect themselves when out and about.

"Alright, Hosea, they've only been gone for less than two months, and you've already said that fifteen times! Arthur and the others aren't fools; the environment and conditions outside are much better than the West where we've lived for so many years!

So you don't have to worry about them. What you should be concerned about now is me. Damn it, you're driving me crazy with all that talk!"

Dutch sat on the sofa, angrily extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray, then sighed deeply.

Arthur, John, and Davey had only been gone for a little over a month, and people kept coming to ask him about them every day.

It was really getting on Dutch's nerves!

As Dutch was sighing, Mary walked in, saw Dutch, and went over to him.

"Dutch, oh, Dutch, has Arthur not replied yet? Dutch, I'm very concerned about his current situation. He said he would write to me when he came back, but he hasn't written yet. I'm afraid something might have happened to him?"

Mary was full of worry, and Dutch covered his head, feeling a throbbing pain.

"Enough, Mrs. Morgan, you've already asked me twice this morning! I've told you, Arthur and the others are not only transporting goods this time but also raising provisions, so they won't be back so soon!

Moreover, the direct distance from Europe to the American East takes at least twenty days of sailing. A round trip will take at least two months, so why can't you wait? Wait and then ask me! If I get any news, I will definitely tell you immediately!

Oh, please wait another half a month before asking. I beg you."

Dutch shooed Mary away. He sat on the sofa, sighing, feeling only distress in his brow.

Arthur and the others had been gone for a month and a half. Currently, only Davey, Charles, or Javier had returned midway. After all, the distance wasn't far, and they could take the opportunity to return when transporting people back to report on their work.

Only Arthur and John might still be in Europe, or they might have already boarded a return vessel.

In the past, they would often leave the gang, but never for long. Only John had left the gang for two years due to using a public vehicle for private purposes, and Hosea had left the gang for several years because of a relationship. Only Arthur, who never left the gang for long periods, had been gone for over a month this time, which truly felt a bit unaccustomed.

Not to mention Hosea and the others were unaccustomed; Dutch himself was unaccustomed.

In the past, although Arthur always went out to seek opportunities, he would either return at night or within two or three days at most. The longest he would be gone was never more than a week. This time, over a month was indeed the longest.

Dutch also felt a bit like a mother worrying about her child traveling far, but he wouldn't show it, unlike Hosea, who was indecisive and deeply worried.

"Alright, Hosea, stop thinking about Arthur. Come with me now, old friend. Let's go see how the school construction is coming along!"

Dutch stood up from the sofa, pulled Hosea along, and they rode their horses leisurely through the city.

Under Mr. Van der Linde's management, New Hanover and Lemoyne were changing and growing at an astonishing pace.

People came and went on the streets, and the sight of beggars had completely vanished.

Countless workers, dressed simply but neatly, moved about the streets, showcasing the city's prosperity.

Their faces were rosy and healthy. Some were shopping with their families, while others wanted to buy things themselves to take home and share with their families. This also made the shops on both sides of the street packed, with astonishing profits.

Girls in simple clothes walked arm-in-arm with young men in simple clothes, joyfully strolling down the street. Cart-pulling workers stopped by the roadside to wash their horses, laughing and talking with their colleagues.

Freshly baked sugared bread from the bakeries was now a hot-selling item in Saint Denis. Almost every household would buy a portion from one of Mr. Van der Linde's bakeries after work, so their children coming home from school could have some, saving a bit for them to take to school as breakfast the next day.

The taverns were also bustling. Not only did male workers enjoy staying in the taverns after dinner, but female workers also liked to have the disabled tavern employees serve them a whiskey and listen to the tavern storyteller recount Mr. Van der Linde's red book and his noble idealism.

For a long time, there hadn't been any drunkards venting their emotions in the taverns, because everyone was doing well now and had no pent-up feelings, so there was no need for so-called venting. They now preferred to sing a little dirty song together after a drink, or eagerly discuss the contents of Mr. Van der Linde's red book, expressing their hostility and hatred towards American East capitalism.

Red banners had been hung on both sides of Saint Denis's main thoroughfare, with large characters ensuring that everyone passing by could see them.

(Img- Flag made by Translator -)

'Mr. Van der Linde once said: The highest masters and the lowest bandits in America are of no use to society whatsoever. They are both bandits, but one makes rules to rob, and the other breaks rules to rob.

All the misfortunes of American citizens can be attributed entirely to them.'

This place had become a spiritual sanctuary for the people of Saint Denis. Almost every worker would glance at it every day on their way to work and exclaim how incredibly true the statement was!

And those new immigrants or lower-class people from the American East, upon seeing this statement, would be completely shocked, then enlightened, thus achieving the first step of brainwashing.

As people came and went on the street, they would burst into exclamations upon seeing the slowly moving white horse, followed by tearful greetings.

"Oh, it's Mr. Van der Linde!"

"Look, Mr. Van der Linde!"

As Dutch rode the white horse through the street, it was as if true faith had arrived before the people, bringing tears to their eyes and overwhelming emotion.

The one-armed sanitation worker standing on the street set down his broom with his remaining hand, his eyes filled with excitement and fervor. Facing the approaching white horse, he raised his remaining right fist high, placed it over his chest, and then shouted loudly:

"Hi, Van der Linde!"