Stayed in fear among the hungry people in Kitzby for two days. On the third day at noon, the grain transport convoy that detoured from Sapp to meet at Kitzby just arrived in the city, which was a full day later than the agreed time.
"Felix, what's going on? Did something happen on the road?" Art asked, looking at Felix who looked unhappy.
Felix took off his heavy armor, sat down on a low stool in the room, and said angrily: "Forget it, since entering Provence, it has not stopped all the way. From Sap to approaching the border of Provence, it was pretty smooth. After all, a large number of bandits have been wiped out now, but I didn't expect..."
As soon as the convoy led by Felix walked out of the mountains and entered the Provence border and headed east, it was entangled by castle owners along the way. The Provence court had ordered the Burgundian merchants transporting grain to the south not to pay any taxes, and the various checkpoints and fortresses must also be allowed to pass. These lords would not blatantly disobey the palace's strict orders. However, although there was no starvation like in the southern war zone, the northern lords also needed food to feed their subjects or appease the refugees. Therefore, Sapp's grain transport convoy was entangled by the lords all the way, and they all wanted to intercept a batch of grain from Sapp's convoy.
「How did you get rid of it?」
"How else can we get rid of it? Sapp's grain is always bought by people on the border just after leaving the mountains. We rarely go so far east with grain. It used to be okay. This year, the food in the southern continent has dropped sharply. There is a shortage of food everywhere. Everyone wants to take a bite. If I dare to give it a breath, these fifteen carts of grain will never reach Kitzby. So I flatly refused one by one."
"Aren't you afraid of offending the lords along the way?"
"What am I afraid of? Baron Galvin's name may not be of much use elsewhere, but it is still of some use in the central region of northern Provence. Every year our grain trucks are continuously transported to all parts of northern Provence, and they don't dare to do anything to us. Besides, I also promised that after a period of time, I will let Sarpburg alone transport some grain to sell to them."
Art praised Felix with approval.
"Hey, who made you my brother-in-law? I must do what you asked me to do. By the way, now that the convoy has arrived, how do you plan to bring such a large convoy to Aosta? I heard that the road from Kitzby to Aosta is not smooth. There are rebels, deserters, refugees and a large number of bandits. These guys will not let the fragrant bread slip away from their mouths."
At had already made his own plan. He replied: "It is really dangerous for us to transport so much food by ourselves across the road infested by bandits and insurgents, so I plan to go to Baron Balian first and ask him to try to help us transport the food. The Provence court also needs the help of Baron Balian."
…
On the second day, Art placed two grain transport convoys at the warehouse in Kitzby city. He led the sentries and Felix on horseback and ran towards Kalk Castle near Aosta.
If the situation along the way was as expected, just after leaving Kitzby and not walking very far, the bandits along the way had already reached the point of being unscrupulous. These guys who block the road and plunder are not the savages in the wilderness. Many of them are young refugees led by deserters and rebels. These people can find ways to feed themselves at any time.
However, no matter how powerful the bandits were, they still did not dare to attack the heavily armed cavalry team, so there were no dangers along the way. Art led a dozen cavalrymen to reach Kalk Castle in the northeast of Aosta City in less than two days.
When the group of people arrived at Kalk Castle in the dust, they almost passed by Balian, because Balian was about to lead the army to the Wilno war zone.
"Brother Art, I didn't expect that you have become a knight now. I should respectfully call you Sir Art now." Balian's inner knight led Art and his party into Kalk Castle.
"It's just a fluke. How is Baron Balian doing lately?" Art asked.
The inner knight who was leading the way stopped, turned around and looked at Art with a smile, and said, "Brother Art, I forgot to tell you just now that Lord Balian has been promoted to the title of viscount for his military exploits and served as the commander of the First Army of the East. He leads 600 troops (including 300 standing troops and 300 levies). And you are very lucky. This afternoon Lord Balian will lead the army to the Wilno war zone. Now our army is competing with the Lombard army. To seize Wilno, we only retreated from the north of Wilno for repairs at the end of June. A week ago, the Lombards gathered a mercenary regiment and entered the hilly area north of Wilno. We must invest more troops to maintain the front line. "
The knight in the palace started to lead the way again, turning to Art and asked: "I heard from the soldiers guarding the city that you were transporting food south for sale. Where is your food? Didn't you come with us?"
At replied: "That's why I came to ask Balian, Viscount Balian for help..."
I admire you very much. It's not that I'm unwilling to help you. As you can see, my army is about to go to the war zone to fight the Lombards. I really don't have the energy and strength to protect the food for you. Please forgive me. I'm afraid I have to let you down. If I can return from the war zone alive this time, I will definitely help you if you come to me again."
Att did not deploy "Eagle Eyes" in Provence, and the information collected through the refugees fleeing north was limited, so he had no idea that Balian had been promoted to viscount and became the commander of a regular legion (the so-called "legion" in Att's name was just a self-proclaimed one).
After a brief thought, Art stood up holding the wine glass and said: "Lord Balian, you must send someone to protect this food convoy. After all, the food transported by the convoy is your guarantee for the next battle."
"Is it the guarantee for my battle? Did I hear wrongly." Balian did not believe his ears.
"You heard me right, this batch of food I transported is food for your army." Art replied.
Balian put down his glass, "Sir Art, I don't understand what you mean."
“Lord Balian, your legion will continue to fight south soon, right? As far as I know, the entire Provence is in dire need of food, not to mention the war-torn areas in the south. Your legion has six hundred people, and you have more than two hundred more Private soldiers, these eight hundred mouths need a lot of food to feed them. I guess the Provence court is also worried about food in the war zone. Otherwise, how could it have united with the Count of Burgundy to issue a call and exempt grain sellers from all kinds of taxes in the south. "
Balion did not answer after hearing Art's words, but looked at Art and motioned for him to continue.
At also put the wine glass on the table and said seriously: "This time I brought thirty-four carriages of food, which is expected to provide thirty-five thousand pounds of military food for your army. Now the price of food in the southern theater of Provence has risen to three-thirds and two copper coins per pound. In some places, it is even as high as one copper coin per pound. However, the food I brought this time is only bought to you at the price of half a copper coin per pound. Whether you are yourself You can make a lot of money by reselling the army's rations to others. "
"And I have hoarded 100,000 pounds of grain at the border, and this stockpile can continue to increase. As long as I can ensure the safety of the food transport convoy going south, I can continuously provide food supplies to you or the Eastern War Zone."
The conditions Art said are enough to make anyone's heart.
Balian was secretly surprised after hearing this, "It seems that you have become more than just a knight."
"Thirty-five thousand pounds of low-priced grain! Your bait is big enough. Tell me your terms." Balian didn't want to beat around the bush with Art.
"I only need to ask for your help on two things. First, it is impossible for my army to enter Provence without authorization, and the number of guards and combat power of the caravan is limited. Since it is transporting food for you, you have to send people to protect the convoy from bandits along the way. "How about the harassment of the army? "
"If it is as you said, I can send my lord's private soldiers stationed at Kalk Castle to escort the food convoy to Kitzby City. But you have to ensure that there will be a steady flow of food shipped from Burgundy to sell to me."
“Yes! I will buy you food at a price that is 20% lower than the market price in the war zone, and the quantity will be guaranteed.” Art replied.
"Tell me about your second condition. I think the second condition is the purpose of your trip south this time." Balian picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip.
"Yes, sir. My second request is that you can introduce me to the Palace Finance Minister and help me obtain a charter allowing me to operate southern goods in Provence." Art revealed his true purpose.
Balian had a question on his face, "Now that Provence is affected by the war, many trade routes have been cut off. Do you still plan to come to Provence to do business? Besides, there is chaos everywhere now. As long as you have enough courage, is there anyone who will not let you do business? Why do you need a charter?"
贝里昂说的是实情，一个战乱不止的国度必然商业凋敝，那些平日垄断各类行市的行会早就烟消云散，这个时候只要有胆量在战乱中带着商队经商贸易，根本没有谁去理会。
"Sir, you are right. If I just want to take advantage of the war to take risks and make a handful of coins, I don't need the permission of the Provence court at all. But I believe that the war will eventually subside one day, because Provence has outstanding generals like you. Leader. When the war stops, my unauthorized entry into Provence to do business will become illegal."
After listening to this, Balian analyzed it quietly for a while, and then he realized that the little knight in front of him had a big plan.
"Then what conditions do you have for the palace to grant you a license to deal in southern goods?"
“Grain, iron, leather, woolen goods and all the goods needed by the south. Especially grain. If the Provence court grants me a concession for ten carriages of southern goods, I will provide a supply of food for twenty carriages; if the court grants me a concession for fifty carriages, I will provide a supply of food for a hundred carriages, and the price will definitely be lower than that of the war. The district purchase market price. Now that Provence's grain production has dropped sharply, and the continuation of the war requires a large amount of grain supply, I think there is no reason for the palace to refuse to exchange a charter for a stable and large-scale grain supply channel. "
"You think so?" Art touched the wine glass gently with Balian.
Balian came back to his senses and replied: "I have to think about the second thing, but I can promise you the first thing first."
"Here comes someone!" Balian called out the door.
A follower opened the door and walked in.
"Send an order to the commander of the Fort Kalk garrison to select fifty elite guards to follow Sir Art to Kitzby in my name to guard a batch of rations." Balian ordered, then turned to Art and said: "Brother Art, I must set off to assemble in Aosta City today. I will send my lord’s private soldiers to transport the grain with you first, and then I will discuss the second condition with you after you transport the grain to Aosta City. How about it?”