The weather was extremely hot in mid-July, but the atmosphere at a border outpost in the southern part of Burgundy was freezing.
Three days ago, a small-scale conflict occurred at the border post. The cause of the conflict was that a caravan of southern goods guarded by more than 20 people refused to be repatriated to the outpost. When the garrison tried to detain them, the more than 20 guards drew their weapons and resisted. As a result, they were defeated by the legion soldiers stationed next to the outpost. Seven of them were killed, and the remaining guards had their weapons confiscated, bound and imprisoned. Of course, the goods carried by the caravan were also confiscated.
Two days ago, the Dean family, who learned that the caravan was intercepted and killed, finally couldn't sit still. They complained to Tyniec and the palace that the border defenders were openly robbing the caravan responsible for transporting the palace's baggage, and threatened to go to the border outpost to "rescue" the caravan. The caravan kidnapped by the "official bandits" gathered together the recruited and recalled mercenaries and guards. Under the personal leadership of the palace guard knight Dean, the "Dean Legion" of nearly a hundred people set out from Wincheston Manor and moved slowly towards the south.
One day ago, the city of Tynets sent two waves of people to mediate the conflict between the Dean family and the Valley Knights respectively. Viscount Pierre knew that this bloody conflict between Art and the Dean family was inevitable, but he really did not want fighting conflicts between lords to occur during his time in charge of Tynets County, not to mention that this small-scale conflict between small lords also cast the shadow of the struggle between the palace powerful...
At noon, Sir Jerry, who came to the Valley Knights to mediate on behalf of Viscount Pierre, had just been sent away. At the lord's hall, Art summoned all the stewards who were staying in the Valley Knights.
"The war is a foregone conclusion. The caravan we defeated a few days ago was actually a trap set by the Dean family. Now that there is a name, the Dean family's improvised army has begun to move south. I will leave the valley with the new recruits who have completed basic training in the afternoon. I will leave it to you to lead the Valley Knights."
“Scott, Lawrence, Geer, and Lynn, starting from this afternoon, you will bring the regular farmers and soldiers of the Valley Guard to the Beiguan Military Fort construction site to station. The outer wall of the military fort is already five feet high. You will be stationed in the military fort, and the food and baggage prepared for you will be transported there together. The enemy should not come here. But we have to be prepared. In addition, you select a few smart farmers and soldiers to set up a sentry post in the south of Jushi Town. If Jushi Town is attacked and needs reinforcements, the sentry report will be reported immediately, and you will rush to Jushi Town with the guards to rush for reinforcements."
The four of them responded in unison, with faces full of excitement.
"Cooper, you will stay in charge of the wooden castle in the valley and the land between the valleys. Now that the wheat has been harvested, you have all the registered young peasants and soldiers gather here at the wooden castle. Firstly, they will conduct training and be ready to support the Beiguan Army Fort or accept deployment. Secondly, they will help the craftsmen's workshops to forge and repair weapons. Don't worry about the consumption of money, food and materials during this period. We will win this time. There will be a steady stream of goods entering the valley. In addition, you can select a few brave and reliable men from the registered peasant soldiers to form a security team, and tell everyone that if there are war slaves (unfree prisoners of war) or civilians who take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, they will be killed directly. "
"Okay, sir, don't worry." Cooper stood up and answered.
Att lowered his head and thought again, then continued his instructions: "Also issue short spears and single swords to the apprentices in the parish school, and ask them to form a patrol team to patrol and guard the knights in the valley. Let Redoan's son be the temporary patrol leader. That wild guy has been in a bandit's den and is brave enough. "
"Okay, sir."
After answering, Cooper hesitated for a moment, and then asked Art in a low voice: "Sir, I heard recently that Baron Galvin is in poor health. Could you please ask Madam to go back to Sapp to visit Baron Galvin?"
Matt was still a little moved after listening to Cooper's words. He knew that this old man was worried about the crisis of the Valley Knights, and wanted Lottie to return to Sapp Castle to avoid danger. This would also make Art less worried and worried.
Matt glanced at Cooper gratefully and replied: "Cooper, I know what you are worried about, but my wife told me that she is already the mistress of this valley. She will not abandon her people to seek stability alone in times of crisis. She vows to protect this valley with you all." Valley......"
... ...
"Brother-in-law, Lusignan has returned with the sentries, shall we set off immediately?" Felix rushed directly into the bedroom on the second floor.
At the moment, with Lottie's help, Art is putting on a modified set of plate and chain armor. "Let Lusignan take the sentry team to rest for a while before setting off, and water and feed the war horses."
Turning back to look at Lottie, Art called Felix back as he walked out of the door. "Felix, what I mean is that you stay in the valley for me to help command the valley guards. I am still worried whether the Valley Knights will leave a combat officer to sit in. Besides, your sister also wants you to stay and protect her."
Lottie looked at Felix and nodded repeatedly.
Felix smiled, "Okay, brother-in-law, I know what you mean, but now I am a soldier under you, and I have the right to fight with the army."
"Since you admit that you are a soldier under him, you should obey "Follow his orders, you should obey if he asks you to stay and guard the valley!" Lottie was really worried about her brother going out to take this risk. The bandits' raid on Boulder Town and the assassination on their last trip north had put Felix in danger. Lottie didn't want the heir to Baron Sapp to be in danger at all times.
"Sister, if you say that, I am not Sir Art's subordinate. I am the guest commander of the Sojourn Legion. I want to lead my soldiers to fight for Sir Art." Felix simply acted rogue.
Lottie was so angry that she almost cried.
Matt quickly comforted him, "Lottie, sooner or later Felix will bear the burden of the Sapuyug family. You should give him some experience. Besides, if he stays with me, I will take care of him." The two men I love are sent to the battlefield at the same time, how can I not worry~"
"Okay, it's okay, I promise God, we will return to the valley safely."
"Felix, let the new troops assemble and stand by, we will set off soon!"
On the fifteenth day of the blockade of the border post, Art led the last team to leave the Valley Knights.
This team composed of twenty recruits who have just completed basic training, six sentry cavalry, and three guest cavalry (Felix and two followers) will be the only combat reserve team in the upcoming armed conflict. This team will roam the Boulder Town garrison and border outposts, and will rush to support wherever needed.
At the edge of the dense forest in Beiguan, more than twenty new soldiers sat in two rows on the ground to take a rest.
Yat is boosting the morale of the new recruits who are going out to fight for the first time, "Fear soldiers and brothers, from today on you will enjoy the treatment of soldiers - monthly salary, rewards for killing enemies, medical treatment for injuries, land for retirement, and heaven for those who die in battle."
“And after this battle, you will be directly included in the legion soldiers. Some of you will be promoted to combat team leader, squad leader, or squadron leader based on your merits. Your status will be raised step by step with the heads of the enemies at your feet..."
The fear of the recruits' first expedition was gradually alleviated by Yat's inflammatory words. They were not fighting for any ideals and beliefs, but mainly because during this period they had become familiar with the high salaries and various combat rewards of Yat's army soldiers, as well as the medical treatment and recuperation after injury.
These recruits are all the poorest "untouchables" living at the bottom. They never thought that their lives could become valuable, so when they were inspired by Art, the morale of the recruits quickly improved. Although they could not drive away the fear of death, at least they had the motivation to grit their teeth and charge...