Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 469 - 200, What is Compassion?

Upon seeing the carriage appear, the eyes of the people at the gate almost turned blood-red. They waved their dirty hands, continuously hurling insults and curses at the clerks unloading the goods. It was evident that if it weren't for the presence of soldiers, these people might have rushed forward and looted the black bread from the carriage.

At this moment, the shopkeeper came out. This was a middle-aged man with a few strands of white hair, deep-set eyes, a large eagle hook nose, and yellow skin that made him seem not quite local. He was not very tall, only about 1.7 meters, and the heavy burden of his mind and body seemed to have weighed him down. He gestured for the clerks to hurry up and not delay.

As soon as the shopkeeper appeared, a frenzy of curses arose from the crowd.

"Cavendish is a skilled artisan from Estalia. His craftsmanship is good, able to make many things. About fifteen years ago, he came here to Fogler and served as an artisan for the Knight Lord, Count Fogler." Francois said to Laine, "After working for the Lord here for about ten years, Count Fogler noticed Cavendish's age and, understanding his hardship, allowed him to work only three hours a day and spend the rest resting at home."

The Knight Lords highly value artisans who come bearing excellent skills, so Laine wasn't surprised. Rather than let the artisan work himself to death, it's better to let him train more apprentices to take over. If he lives long, the Lord is happy, and he is happy as well.

"But Cavendish isn't one to stay idle, so he decided to open a shop. It's a way to make some money and also reunite with his family." Francois saw the elders and elderly women all crowding at the shop door, wise eyes flickering with a look of disgust, "But as you know, Laine, in this country, the peasants' living standards aren't good. Perhaps on your and my land, peasants can ensure they have enough to eat, and even slaughter a chicken during the New Year, but on other lands where taxes take nearly everything, peasant lives are much more difficult."

"Soon after opening his shop, in an exceptionally cold winter, an elderly woman came to his doorstep with some copper coins, wanting to buy a little bread. Seeing her famished and shivering, out of goodwill, Cavendish provided her with ginger soup and bread for free, allowing her a hearty meal, marking the start of everything."

"Cavendish began to notice the plight of the peasants; many elderly peasants went hungry because they lacked the ability to work. Thus, as a devotee of the Merciful Goddess Shalya, he made a decision to distribute free black bread to the elderly peasants in Fogler Town. Anyone over fifty-five years old, poor peasants, and residents registered with Count Fogler can come to his shop to receive black bread."

"This act can truly be called benevolent." Laine nodded, noticing many elderly men and women leaving with bags of bread. However, contrary to Laine's imagination, there was no sign of gratitude on these people's faces, only a sense of entitlement and assumption.

"Heh~ Laine, continue listening to me." Francois continued, "The peasants were of course happy about such good deeds, and thus the elderly peasants began to come to Cavendish to receive black bread. As the news spread, rumors of free black bread being given at Fogler circulated, and townspeople and peasants from nearby towns also frequently came by. Even some able-bodied peasants began to approach for handouts. Cavendish didn't pay much attention to this; hence, each month, he had to give away hundreds of black breads. Moreover, during holidays, Cavendish would also send gingerbread to the Temple of the Merciful Goddess."

"The story reaches here, Laine, do you feel this is a story filled with compassion and kindness? Cavendish made a heartfelt gesture?" Francois laughed, but his smile was icy.

Laine looked up. Many elderly people who had received bread were leaving with a sense of contentment, while those who hadn't received any continued to curse wildly. Without soldiers maintaining order, perhaps they would have started fighting and overturned the shop.

He began to understand: "It's gone too far. Perhaps Cavendish's intentions were good, but people are always greedy, always never satisfied. He can relieve a portion of the people, but he can't alleviate everyone. He can fill some peasants' stomachs, but he is destined not to change the status quo."

"Exactly, that's right. Cavendish's efforts not only didn't earn the peasants' gratitude, not even hypocritical thanks." Francois looked coldly at the shop entrance.

Once the free black bread was gone, there were always some people who hadn't received any. These individuals vented all their resentment and dissatisfaction using the wildest and most vicious curses and insults, then left ranting.

"Cavendish's kindness did not receive gratitude; instead, he earned curses. Two months after starting to give out bread, the peasants crazily insulted this Southern man, calling him a despicable thief because Cavendish hadn't told them he was bearing the cost of the bread. The peasants heard from somewhere that Cavendish had taken the relief grain provided by the Lord and Lady of Mercy for himself, only giving out a pitiful amount to them."