“Art, you are so powerful. You killed several of the troops before they were fully assembled. You might as well kill me too.” The furious Viscount Pierre scolded Art in the military tent.
Although both sides used sticks in the "competition training" in the afternoon, their hands were not heavy after the red eye. Six of Dean's ten soldiers were knocked down on the spot. The little leader's head was broken, his right hand was broken, and his face was swollen into a pig's head. It is estimated that he will never be able to hold a weapon again. Others Several soldiers in the army were also seriously injured; several soldiers in Art's patrol were also injured... "Sir, those guys started this matter. I did not violate your military orders to have a private fight. We were training in martial arts, and my soldiers were also injured." Art was not convinced by Viscount Pierre's partial words.
Pierre didn't want to continue to pursue Art's fault. Fighting among soldiers in the army could not be stopped. Besides, he also asked someone to interrogate him afterwards. It was indeed Dean's soldiers who took the initiative to cause trouble in the patrol camp, and the rioting soldiers were already lying in the camp.
This matter has to be dropped.
After a "competition training", Art's gains were huge. Not only did he get a month's military pay, but he also really shocked those guys who were pointing fingers at the patrol team. From then on, no one dared to provoke the "black robe army"~
Back to the patrol team camp, the dinner was held as usual. The atmosphere of the banquet was even more intense because of the wonderful competition training in the afternoon. This was a banquet for the victors.
At the banquet, Art gave special praise to Spencer, the baggage officer, because this guy who was once expelled from the army not only did a good job in cooking and doing chores, but also fought bravely today, and he also understood the principle of killing the enemy leader first and disrupting the enemy's command. Of course, he didn't know that Spencer didn't understand this principle at all. He just wanted to beat the little leader.
However, as the instigator of the martial arts training, Spencer did not join in the happy atmosphere of the dinner, because the guy was lying in the military tent and sleeping soundly. During the "competition training" during the day, Spencer led the charge alone, and then received many sticks. Finally, he led others to beat the little leader. Although he was very brave, he still suffered a lot of injuries. After the war, he lost strength and suffered from injuries. He fell down and fell asleep when he returned to the camp.
At will not put too much energy into these trivial matters. He is more concerned about the trade situation of the caravan accompanying the army.
"Cub, how are you doing at the various merchant houses in the city today?" Art asked the old housekeeper who had returned from Lucesen City.
Old Cooper gently put down the wooden bowl in his hand, wiped a handful of the soup on his beard, and replied to Art: "Master, today Salt and I inquired about all the large and small merchant houses in Lucesien, including salt, cloth, olive oil, wine, dried fruits, etc. The price of goods here is relatively high. It is best to bring valuable goods such as raw silk satin, tea, spices and porcelain to Besancon for sale. After all, there are many dignitaries there." After hearing this, Art asked Salter: "Sarte, what do you mean?"
Salt has been wandering around the city all day, and has not even bothered to eat lunch. Now he is sitting around the campfire eating a big meal. After listening to Art's question, Salt rolled his eyes and swallowed the bacon in his mouth. He sprayed the food residue and replied to Art: "Sir, I have the same idea as the old butler. We also leave the valuable goods to Besancon for sale; and the vehicles we have vacated after selling the goods in Luces can be parked in Luces. Well, continue to buy some barley, pig iron, fur, velvet, woolen and other goods that are abundant in the north and transport them to the southern counties for sale. On the way back, we can buy goods from the southern counties and transport them northward. Anyway, after the army is assembled, it will take a while to train. Instead of letting the caravan idle and wait for the army to leave, it is better to pull it out and do some trade. In addition to providing food supplies for you, the caravan also has to make money~"
Matt secretly admired the businessman's shrewdness, "Sart, what you said makes sense. The first priority of our caravan is to raise food supplies for the army during the expedition, and the second is to make money to support the army. Our army needs two thousand pfennigs every month for wartime pay alone, and for food and grass every month At the expense of one thousand pfennigs, the money in my hand can only support less than eight months of expenses. If we need to replenish weapons and armor after the war begins, it will be a greater expense. The outcome of the war is unpredictable. If we cannot capture it on the battlefield, we can only rely on the caravan to support it. "
Salt swallowed another mouthful of bread, puffed out his cheeks and said, "Sir, most of the goods we brought were purchased from Provence at half the price last time, and cost less than six thousand pfennigs. Since the north-south trade route was blocked, most of the goods from the north flowed in from the mainland from east to west, and the prices have increased a lot. I have estimated that goods such as linen, salt and olive oil can be sold for three times the purchase price, while raw silk and satin can be sold for three times. Valuable goods such as tea and spices can be sold for at least four times the price. This batch of goods can be sold for nearly 20,000 pfennigs. I suggest that the money be invested in the caravan temporarily, but the subsequent trade will not be so profitable, because we cannot cross the border to Provence in the south to purchase goods. The purchase price of goods in the southern part of Burgundy is also very high, and the selling price cannot reach three times the purchase price..."
At held the cup and listened carefully to Salt's analysis. After thinking for a long time, he said to the two stewards of the caravan: "Cooper, Salt, you can discuss the specific affairs of the caravan, and keep in mind the two main tasks of the caravan. In addition, this time in Lucese, you can order a few carriages to expand the size of the caravan. If the price does not increase, let the quantity increase. The caravan currently has five carriages, and you can purchase four more carriages and the mules that pull the carriages."
Then Art turned to Lawrence who was temporarily organized into the caravan and ordered: "Cooper and Salt are in charge of the trade. You are mainly responsible for managing the two peasant soldiers accompanying the team, the five prisoner-of-war laborers, and the mules and horses pulling the cart. In addition, I temporarily assigned Kazak's second team to the caravan as a guard. The two peasants and soldiers of the fort defense team are temporarily given a weekly salary of ten pfennigs. The prisoner-of-war laborers are not paid, but the food must be sufficient~"
"You first go to various places to explore the roads. If you feel that the trade is smooth, I will use some money from the military expenditure to buy goods for you..." A large number of civilian laborers with the army also gathered towards Besancon. By the time the team reached less than fifteen miles from Besancon, the number had reached more than 500 people. In addition to more than 200 troops recruited from the counties of Lucesne Province, there were more than 100 laborers and laborers with the army. Except for a viscount of Lucesne, most of the others were led by barons or knights from various places.
The army from Tyniec entered the city of Besançon together with several other groups of troops, and were led to the square of the city by several palace guards.
This one-acre square is surrounded by the Cathedral of Besançon and the palace of the Marquis of Burgundy. The square has been occupied by dozens of military tents of various sizes. Troops wearing various military uniforms and armors and carrying various heraldic flags shuttle through it. Art estimates that at least thousands of troops and civilians have gathered here. The spaces around the military camp were already crowded with vendors of all kinds, including those selling grains and vegetables, some selling dried fruits, some selling bacon and salted fish, and some selling firewood and cooking utensils. Even slave traders and "meat traders" began to gather here spontaneously from all directions. The palace had to send more city guards to patrol around to maintain law and order.
After the palace guards led the army from Tynets to the designated station on the square, they took Viscount Pierre and five trainee knights to the palace. Because Tynets County is a direct fiefdom of the Marquis, unlike other armies, they will be directly under the command of the Marquis's personal officers.
As the core of the rule of the entire county, the Besançon Palace is somewhat majestic, with high stone walls, towering towers, heavy iron gates and well-armored and majestic palace guards at the city gate...
Everyone came to the city wall, unloaded their weapons, and walked through the long The long city gate, a clean and bright scene in front of you, a white palace, exquisite sculptures, a long corridor, and officials, guards, and servants coming and going...
"It's so majestic!"
A trainee knight finally couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
After passing through the palace garden and turning around the cloister, the group came to a small hall on the west side of the palace.
The captain of the palace guard said to several people: "My lords, please wait here. The captain of the guard is discussing matters with the Marquis and will come to see you soon."
The captain pointed to the wooden table in the small hall and said: "These are some meals prepared by the palace for you. Please enjoy them." After that, he turned and left the hall.
A few people sat down and ate some fruit bread and beer. After a while, the chief of the palace guard in armor and military uniform came to the small hall with a man who looked like a knight.
"Brother Pierre, you have become even thinner after not seeing you for many days. Guarding the southern border has tortured you, right?" The chief of the palace guard gave Viscount Pierre a warm hug as soon as he entered the door.
Viscount Pierre and the captain of the guard chatted for a while, then brought the captain of the guard to the table and introduced Art and the others: "This is Viscount Geoffrey de Charles, the chief of the palace guard of the Marquis."
Viscount Pierre, they are the newly canonized trainee knights of Tyniec, namely Art and Dean..." Viscount Pierre introduced several trainee knights one by one.
The captain of the guard lost his enthusiasm and smile towards Viscount Pierre when he faced Art and others. He greeted them seriously, and then said with a smile on his face: "I know all about you sirs. Since they can be selected and enthroned by Master Pierre, they must be wise and brave people. The palace recruits you this time to give you an opportunity to establish meritorious deeds. Everyone must cherish it. According to the arrangement of the palace, the army coming from Tinets is under the direct command of Lord Baldwin, the deputy minister of the palace. This is Lord Baldwin’s knight Charles Barber. You guys are temporarily led by Knight Charles.”
"You can go with Knight Charles. Brother Pierre, your mission has been completed. After handing over the documents to the clerk, go to the inner court. The Marquis wants to see you." The captain of the guard left after less than a bowl of porridge.
Hence, Art and others followed Knight Charles out of the palace.
· Knight Charles called over the attendants who were waiting outside the palace gate, turned around and ordered a few people: "Everyone, during dinner, I will come to the barracks to inspect your army on behalf of the Earl. In a few days, several groups of conscripted troops will arrive here. At that time, we will arrange your army numbers and determine your tasks. You must strictly monitor your respective armies these two days and do not cause chaos to the Earl..." After that, he got on his horse and left.
"Is this how the assembly is completed?" Dean, who originally planned to establish friendship with Knight Charles, looked at the disappearing figure, his disappointment palpable.
"Brothers, it's still early, how about we go find a tavern to drink some ale? I heard that the ale in Besançon is really strong~" a trainee knight suggested.
"Okay, let's go, brother Dean, let's find a place to drink and have fun~" Another trainee knight took Dean's sleeve and took the weapon and walked towards the most flowery place in the city.
The invited "brothers" certainly exclude Art. Since the last dispute with Dean in Lucese, Art and the other four have formed two camps. They dare not provoke Art easily, but they will definitely not get close to him.
Yate doesn't want to deal with these noble young masters, but he is happy with them.
Matt hung up his knight's sword and went straight back to the camp in the city square, because he still needed to take Odo and ten soldiers to the military service registration office in the square to register for Baron Galvin the military service assigned to the county.