On the last week of December, the Tarburg garrison held a simple but grand dinner to celebrate the Christian Mass. Everyone who had been idle in Tarburg for nearly half a month was looking forward to this banquet.
There was no need for Art's arrangement at all. As soon as day broke, the soldiers spontaneously gathered around Spencer, the army baggage officer, and listened to the instructions of the "kitchen steward".
Just eat wheat flour, so you guys are responsible for relying on some rye bread. By the way, there is a small bag of fine wheat flour in the baking room. You can bake some white bread for the adults and officers separately. "
"Bangeda, I will leave that sheep to you.
"Andrew, well, you guys seem to have nothing to do, so go and chop some dry firewood and come back. Chief Odo said you can light a bonfire in the open space at night."
"The others will clear the snow from the training ground, and then come to the kitchen to help with chores..."
Spencer arranged work for everyone one by one.
In the inner castle of Tarburg, Art was convening several officers above the squad leader to discuss the withdrawal of troops. According to the palace's plan, new troops will come to Tal Fort next month to replace the defense.
Att sat at the head of the wooden table in the inner fort, looked at several officers, and said: "After the changing army takes over Tarburg, I will take a small number of soldiers to Besancon and personally report to the Deputy Prime Minister the battle situation of Tarburg garrison in the past six months. If everything goes well, I should be able to cut off the swallow tail of the heraldic flag in Besancon."
"After evacuating Talburg, Odo led most of the army back to the valley through Andermatt Castle in the southwest direction, and handed the personnel and materials we brought back to Cooper for placement. The army should not have any major combat missions until the end of the cold winter. After returning to the valley, all officers and soldiers will resume their normal military pay, allowing the army to rest for a period of time."
"You can also prepare for the military merits and military rewards first, make a rough plan, and wait for me to come back from Besançon to discuss the merits and rewards. After a period of rest, you will still have to train. If the snow is too thick and you can't train, you can bring soldiers to help Cooper build a wooden castle in the valley. You can discuss the specific matters with Cooper."
"Okay, sir, how many soldiers will you take to Besancon?" Odo asked.
"I will follow the sergeant major and Ron, and then select ten elite soldiers who can ride horses to follow me, and you will take the rest back to the valley."
"Leave it to the sergeant major to select the soldiers. Ron will go to the stable to select a few horses that can ride long distances and look stronger, making up thirteen horses. All other mules and horses will be brought back to Odo."
"In addition, I will give you another task. This task is not urgent, but you must think about it carefully."
Several officers sat up straight and listened carefully.
Matt paused and continued: "After returning to the valley this time, I will expand the army. I initially estimate that the number of soldiers will be gradually expanded to fifty. In addition, I will also request the palace to retain my position as the southern border patrol officer. Later, I will also set up a special team to patrol the southern border of Tyniec County. After you go back, based on the battles we have experienced this year, think about how to form an army and patrol teams, including sergeants. The formation of soldiers, the equipment of weapons and armor, the salaries and benefits of commanders and soldiers at all levels, the training items of soldiers, and many other matters. You should think about these things yourself first and then discuss them with each other. However, I suggest that you discuss it with your group leader soldiers after you go back to learn more about what the soldiers think. You can write down any good ideas you have. I will discuss these issues with you when I come back..."
Matt's mouth was dry as he spoke. He stood up and went to the fireplace, picked up a copper kettle and poured a bowl of hot water to drink. Then he turned around and continued: "Everyone, you have been fighting with me for the past six months. I will not ignore the blood you shed for my injuries. From this battle on, we will no longer be unknown people hiding in the dense forests of the valley..."
…
It was getting late, and a tall flame was lit in the training field behind Talburg. The long-awaited Christian Mass began with Art's toast. On the iron grill next to the bonfire, half of the fat pig with its internal organs and skin removed was sizzling and oily. Bone-in mutton with onions and fennel was steaming in a deep copper pot. A laborer was pouring half a basin of chopped dried apples into the mutton soup. A long table next to the bonfire was filled with toasted bread, roast pork, bacon sausages, chopped onions, apples, cabbage and other foods. Two round barrels filled with light beer were placed on the edge of the table.
As the "high-level" figures of this banquet, Art and several commanders did not enjoy the food alone in the castle. They distributed the white bread and honey-coated barbecue specially prepared by Spencer for the officers to all the soldiers and laborers (including the rescued slave farmers).
Beside the burning bonfire, Art accepted one round of toasts from the officers and soldiers. Before the dinner started, Ron had already led his sentries around to make sure there was no danger around him. Art didn't have to worry about sudden enemy situations, so he was willing to drink with everyone who came.
Spencer, the person in charge of the Christian Mass Dinner, saw that the officers had already clinked glasses with Art, and walked towards Art with a large glass of light beer.
Matt raised his reddish face and said to Spencer who came to toast: "Spencer, the banquet you hosted is very good. You have also worked hard these past few months. Otto told me what you have done in the past few months. At first, I thought you were a lazy coward when you were unwilling to train or go to the battlefield. It seems that now I have to get to know you again."
Spencer didn't expect that Art had a good impression of him. He was a little excited. His right hand trembled slightly and he raised his glass and said, "Sir, I was really afraid of dying in battle and being tired from training, but now I feel fulfilled doing these piecemeal jobs. It's worth it to follow an adult like you!" After speaking, Spencer drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
At also raised his head and took a big sip, put down the quilt and said to Spencer: "You can't be drunk yet. Remember to send someone a piece of pork and mutton soup to the brothers stationed on the outer wall. They are working hard."
"Don't worry, sir, I have sent someone to deliver it to the brothers." Spencer replied.
“Yeah, well, excellent, excellent. Go and eat and drink yourself.”
Spencer turned around and toasted several officers such as Odo Angus and Ron Bass one by one...
On the eighth day after the Christian Mass, the army that came to defend from Besancon arrived at Talburg under the leadership of a knight named Asil Dia. This army consisted of more than eighty people, including sixty soldiers (including forty legionnaires and twenty conscripted peasant soldiers), twelve laborers, and three carriages filled with food and baggage.
After Att welcomed the defending army into Tal Fort, he held a simple welcome banquet for Sir Asil and several officers in the inner fort.
"Lord Asil, this military fort will be guarded by you from today on. There is no enemy situation around Tal Fort now. Firstly, it is because it is winter and it is inconvenient for the enemy to move; secondly, because we have crippled Biltenburg's army in the past six months. As long as Swabia does not deploy troops from the north to besiege Talburg, there should be no problem in the defense here." Art briefly explained the military situation around Talburg to Asil, who was sitting in the main seat.
Asil was the second son of a high-ranking official in the palace. After hearing about Ater's achievements in Talburg, he took the initiative to come to Talburg to garrison, hoping to establish meritorious deeds here. A little-known little trainee knight can make great achievements here. Asil thinks that he is still better than the guy in front of him.
“Well, Sir Art, I know what you said. Now that I have taken over this military fortress, I will definitely turn it into the strongest fortress. No matter how many people the Swabian bastards send, I will let them die at the gate.” ! "
"In addition, after my army rests in the military fort for two days, I will lead my warriors to attack Biltenberg. The battle on the northern front is lively, and our side cannot be deserted." Asil looked arrogant.
"Sir Asil, Biltenburg is now heavily defended, so it's better to be more cautious~" Art reminded him kindly as he was worried that this young guy was too arrogant and would take someone to rape him in Biltenburg.
Knight Asil replied proudly: "A warrior should not be afraid of strong enemies. If I am going to stay weak in this castle, then why should I go to all the trouble to come here?"
"Uh, you're right~"
…......
"Master, I think this guy is a bit ambitious. Judging from his posture, he can lead an army to attack Tebulun." After leaving the inner fort, Ron whispered to Art.
"Okay, since he refuses to listen, it's useless for us to say more. Go ahead and urge Odo and the others to hurry up and organize the supplies. We'll leave Tal Fort early tomorrow morning..." After Art said this, he walked straight to the army's temporary camp in the open space behind Tal Fort, because Art had generously given up the inner fort and several wooden houses to the new garrison.
Early in the morning of the second day, Art took forty-eight soldiers, five laborers, thirteen slaves, and two families of craftsmen and their families captured from the southern manor, and drove their mules, horses, and livestock toward the west, carrying materials and farm tools. As for the stubborn enemy prisoners of war in the dungeon, Art handed them over to the new garrison. These people probably would not waste food on the enemy. The good days of the prisoners of war were coming to an end.
Outside Talburg, Knight Asil led a group of officers to bid farewell to Art's army. Before leaving, Art persuaded Asil to be cautious about sending troops to attack Bültenburg. However, the high-spirited Asil did not take Art's words seriously, and Art could only wish them to create new achievements in Bültenburg~
On the night of the withdrawal from Talburg, Art led his army into the city of Gelaru. Viscount Herrith personally held a simple dinner to see Art off. Art wanted to express his gratitude to Viscount Herrith for his help during the siege of Tarburg. To express his gratitude, he specially selected a set of exquisite silver tableware and several pieces of raw silk from the captured trophies as gifts to Viscount Herace. At the same time, Art also paid a high fee to Herace for the doctors in the city who treated the wounded soldiers in the army.
Matt's impression of this Viscount Herreth is not bad. Although he is stingy, he can distinguish priorities at critical moments. It makes sense that this person can guard the southeastern border for many years.
Everyone did not delay too much in the city of Glalu County. After resting for a night, the army was divided into two groups. Odo picked up the soldiers who were recovering in the city and led most of the army to the southwest and returned to the valley, while Art, Angus and Ron, led ten elite riders and ran toward Besançon in the northwest.