The night in March is still cold to the bones.
This small town on the southern border of Burgundy has just concluded a grand dinner party.
As the owner of the territory, Art emptied out almost all the beer, cider, bacon and vegetables stored in the town, allowing two groups of hundreds of soldiers who had been marching hard for several months to enjoy a hearty night of food and drink.
Hate even led several of his commanders to personally hold a private banquet for Knight Charis and his army commanders in the hotel in the market town. The drinks were limited, so Art, Odo Angus and others did not drink happily, but gave precious high-end drinks to Charis and others.
After months of wandering and now returning to their homeland, the officers and soldiers were very relaxed, so the banquet lasted until late at night...
Late at night, the town that had been bustling all night finally quieted down. Simon, the garrison commander of the border town, held a basin of steaming hot water in one hand and opened the curtain of the camp tent set up in the outpost with his feet. As he entered, he said to Art who was sitting on a wooden bench: "Sir, Sir Charis and the others have arranged to enter the brigade. They settled in the hotel, and the rest of the soldiers also moved into the tents set up in the military camp. "
Simon put the hot water in the copper basin in front of Art, "This is the hot water you asked for."
"How about you stay in the hotel, I will have the merchants kicked out and I will make a guest room for you." Simon advised.
In order to prioritize the accommodation needs of Sir Charis and several of his commanders, Art did not stay in the inn in the market town, but instead set up a tent in the outpost next to the warehouse.
"Simon, we are still counting on making money from that hotel. In the process of doing business, the customer is God. If you drive this customer away, he may not come to our hotel again, and then we will lose a way to make money." Art rejected Simon's suggestion.
"Then why don't you stay in our barracks, and the soldiers and I will go and squeeze in with the guys in the military camp." Simon then considered letting Art stay in his own barracks.
"Come on, there are only bedbugs in your den. I really can't live there. Besides, I can't occupy the soldiers' shacks and make the guys feel cold." Art rejected Simon's suggestion again.
"How about~"
"Stop, stop, stop, you're not a baggage officer. Why do you care so much about my place? I'll live here, that's fine!"
Matt interrupted Simon. Then, he pointed to the steaming hot water under his feet and said: "With this thing, I can sleep anywhere." After saying that, he took off his wet cowhide boots and put his somewhat white and swollen feet into the hot water, with a look of enjoyment on his face.
After closing his eyes for a while and enjoying the comfort of the rising heat, Art opened his eyes and looked at Simon and asked: "Simon, did you hear everyone's compliments on you at the banquet today?"
Simon smiled knowingly and replied humbly: "It's all the praise of the superiors. I just did what you and the old butler explained."
Matt nodded and said with satisfaction: "What I asked you to do is not simple. I am very satisfied that you can do it so well. This also proves that I did not choose the wrong person at the beginning."
"Sir, Brother Benjamin also contributed to this. Now I only have one disabled arm. Brother Benjamin personally led everyone to complete many things. No, at this moment, Benjamin is still busy arranging accommodation for friendly soldiers and our own army's commanders and soldier brothers." Simon did not forget to give credit to his brothers.
"You have all done a good job, and I am very pleased. I will tell you my merits after I return from the Eastern Territory this time."
"Thank you, sir."
After exchanging a few words of encouragement, Art got down to the topic and said, "It's rare to be able to calm down, so why don't you briefly tell me about the situation on the border during this period." As he said this, Art pushed another wooden stool next to Simon to Simon, motioning for him to sit down and talk.
Simon pulled the wooden stool and sat on it, and replied slowly: "Sir, you have seen the construction here at the outpost. Let me tell you about some of the more important things that have happened recently."
"Okay, tell me."
“First of all, I would like to report to you the transit commercial tax collected by the outpost in recent months. From October last year to the end of February this year, we collected a total of 13,000 pfennigs in four months. However, due to the construction of buildings, purchasing equipment, recruiting refugees, and the food and drink expenses of the outpost garrison and officials, after deducting the expenses, a total of 7,200 pfennigs were handed over to the valley civil administration. The tax collectors have accounts and documents for verification. This amount of money is indeed not much, but it is also caused by the sudden decrease in the number of passing caravans since the beginning of winter. The amount of commercial tax will definitely increase sharply when spring and summer come."
Yate nodded and said: "Although the amount of commercial tax at the border is a little small at the moment, it is more stable. It will naturally increase when the trade routes prosper. By the way, are there any caravans who refuse to pay taxes or cross the border to avoid taxes?"
"Yes! Last month our patrol sentries caught a group of caravans trying to sneak across the border from the lower reaches and bypass the outpost. After I caught these people, I immediately seized their goods and detained them for two days. I forced them to pay ten times the commercial tax as punishment before letting them leave. I warned them that if they dare to evade taxes again, what awaits them is not just a few days of detention for punishment."
"Well, for those who dare to evade taxes. We need to be more cruel, lest they think we are freeloaders. "
Simon said excitedly, "Yes! In late autumn last year, there was a caravan claiming to be a noble from the north. With the support of people and strong caravan guards, they directly rushed to our checkpoint and slapped me."
"What? Did you fight back?"
“At that time, the opponent had a large number of people, so we took a deep breath. After the caravan passed by, we quickly detoured and reported to the garrison in Boulder Town. As a result, the caravan was suddenly appeared at the junction of the wilderness and dense forests in the north of Boulder Town. A large group of bandits attacked, several guards were killed, and a lot of goods were robbed."
"You want to pass through my territory safely without getting my tax payment documents? There is no door." Art said harshly.
"Yes, sir, since then very few caravans have dared to ignore our existence. However, it seems that some people have complained to the county about us secretly collaborating with bandits, and the county has also sent people to verify it~"
"Don't pay attention to them." Art said.
Humbling about Tyniec County, Simon added, "Sir, there is one more thing that comes to mind in this county."
"Huh?"
h "The county town of Tyniec twice sent people to the border post to collect taxes, but I refused both times. They threatened to come again until we paid the taxes. This group of people took Viscount Pierre's Warrants are difficult to deal with. "
The palace only promised not to collect land taxes from the two fiefs in Ater, but the issue of commercial taxes on free land was not clear, so the jealous Tyniec County sent people to collect taxes from the outpost.
"If someone comes from the county next time, you don't have to deal with them, just let them come to me in person!"
"Okay, sir."
"Then let me tell you about the trading goods at the outpost. Through the operation of the two caravan stewards Salt and Lawrence and the north and south caravans, there are already a group of caravans that frequently trade goods across the border. Many of them trade directly with the outpost more or less, and buy us a certain share of the goods they carry."
"But last month Baron Antayas sent Sir Druid to the outpost to conduct trade. During a trade of southern goods, Steward Sart personally negotiated with Sir Druid. Baron Antayas's caravan bought eighteen thousand pfennigs worth of southern goods on credit, so there is currently very little stock of goods in the military warehouse. The special manager said that there will be more business travel and cargo exchanges here after the spring of this year. "
"As for other things, there is nothing particularly important. Anyway, everything is going well here at the border post."
Att kept rubbing his feet in the hot water basin, feeling very satisfied.
"Very good, you will maintain the current stable momentum for the next period of time. If you continue to build new houses in the future, you must not build them randomly everywhere. You must build the houses according to the area I designated for you before. I don't want this place to become a mess in the future. If you have difficulties, report them to the valley in time, and I will ask Cooper to help you. I also saw the military camp next to the outpost today. The military fortress was built in a hurry last year in response to the attack of the Dean family. Although you later squeezed it out, it is still not complete. Next, you have to spend more time on the military fortress. Not only do you need to heighten and thicken the outer wall, but you also need to continue to dig deep trenches around the outer wall and set up traps to stop the horses. The military stronghold is the fortress of the border outpost, and we need to prepare in advance. "
"I've written it down! But this will cost a lot of money, food and supplies~"
"You don't have to worry too much about money, food and supplies. We have gained a lot of victory in this battle south to Provence, so just go ahead and do it. It's best if the border is self-sufficient. If it's not enough, apply for it from the valley."
Simon is reassured and feels more confident.
Matt closed his eyes and rested for a while, opened his eyes, straightened up and smiled at Simon and asked: "I heard that you have recently become obsessed with a girl in the civilian area next to the outpost?"
Simon's face turned red.
At looked at the shy look on the one-armed man's face and couldn't help laughing: "As long as you are a man, there is no one who is not obsessed with women. What is there to blush about?"
“Where did that girl come from? How did you meet her?” Art asked with interest.
"She is a peasant girl from Linjun, my hometown. Both her parents died in the war. She went north to escape the war in the early winter last year. When she got to the outpost, she was almost frozen to death~ I think she is pitiful——"
???"You saw that she was pitiful, so I led her to your bed to warm her up~" Art interrupted Simon with a smile.
????Simon’s face turned even redder.
? Art stopped teasing Simon and said seriously: "Since you have already slept with this girl, then just ask her to be your wife. I will take care of this matter for you personally after I return from the east. But you have to send her to live in the valley, and I will ensure that you have time to reunite."
“Thank you, sir!!” Of course Simon is happy to be able to have a woman reasonably and legally.
) a a a a a a “ Maybe I miss this family all the time. You see, that guy Art has been gone for several months, so I feel relieved to leave you alone at home."
"When he comes back from Provence, you must give me a grandson." In the bedroom on the second floor of the Lord's Mansion in the Valley Castle, Lottie's mother, Baroness Galvin, and Art's mother-in-law had just come to the valley from Sapp to visit their daughter.
“Mother, Art is also fighting for a better future for us. It’s hard enough for him to fight on the battlefield, and I can’t cause any more trouble for her.” Lottie never forgets to protect her lover.
"I have only been married for a short time and yet I am always speaking for him." The Baroness complained.
"Mother, what is father doing during this time? He was not at home last time I went back to Sapp, and he did not come with you to see me this time." Lottie changed her mother's topic.
Thinking of her old man, the Baroness complained again. "Your father, that old man, only focused on doing business and making money when he was young, and never cared about foreign affairs. Now that he is old, he has begun to be obsessed with worldly affairs. The last time you went back to Sarpe, he was invited to go to Longxia, and he has been out frequently since then. Ten days ago, he went to Dijon with the Count of Flanders in Longxia..."
The Baroness realized that she had spoken too much and stopped speaking.
"Go on, why did father go to Dijon? Is the Count of Flanders my cousin? I remember that we had never interacted with this cousin. When did my father have such a close relationship with him again?"
"Maybe it was business dealings, hey, let's ignore this old guy, no matter what he is messing around with all day long." The Baroness stopped the topic.
"Are you used to life here now?" the Baroness asked, stroking Lottie's hand.
"Mother, actually it is not as difficult as you think. The valley is becoming more and more prosperous day by day, and the lives of the people are getting better and better day by day. Needless to say, you have seen the situation here in the wooden castle. Even the farmers in the valley to the south can have enough food to fill their stomachs. Two villages have been built in the valley over there, and the wasteland has been reclaimed into fertile land. I think that in a few years, this will become the second Sap Castle."
The Baroness nodded in approval. Nowadays, the carriageway in the valley has been connected, and you can ride a comfortable carriage in and out. Moreover, the wooden castle is becoming more and more prosperous, with everything from taverns and shops to workshops and schools. What is even more rare is that the people living here are full of hope and vitality. The people respect Art who brings them a good life. As the wife of the lord, Lottie also enjoys the love of the people in the valley.
"Hmm! To say that Art's ability to manage the territory is very good, he is somewhat similar to your father." The Baroness is also the mother-in-law who looks at her son-in-law, and the more she looks at him, the more she likes him.
"Yes, Art has both the shrewdness and ability of his father, and the bravery that his father does not have. Such a man is more worthy of entrustment." Lottie said about her man, the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, and her face was full of happiness.
“Don’t praise him so much when he comes back, scold him first, otherwise he will think you are easy to deal with.” The baroness taught her daughter the secret of managing a husband.
Lottie pursed her lips and smiled a few times, "By the way, mother, has Felix written to you recently?"
The Baroness's face darkened for a moment, and she said in a bad tone: "Don't tell me this heartless thing! Since I met his brother-in-law Nan He hasn’t written to us once since the war! "
"Art mentioned Felix in the letter sent back, saying that he was very good and had made many military exploits in the Eastern Army. Art told us not to worry, he would take good care of Felix." Lottie quickly comforted her mother.
“A father and a son belong to the same family, and neither man is a good person.” The baroness scolded her husband and son together.
…..
Aqiu!
Felix sneezed heavily.
Matt turned his head and glanced at Felix who was following him, and found that his right ear was red, and teased: "Felix, what's wrong? Which girl is missing you?"
Felix grinned and rubbed it He rubbed his nose and said, "I don't know, I don't have a girl I love yet~"
Angus took a step forward and said jokingly: "Master Felix, you have to hurry up, your brother Ron has a girl he likes at home who is missing him."
Matt turned his head and found that Ron was not following him side by side. He pulled the reins and moved to Ron's side.
Ron's left cheek was forever left with a long scar, and his handsome face was torn apart by the scar, suddenly becoming a bit ferocious.
Since recovering from his injury, Ron has never smiled again. Except for Art and Odo Angus, he rarely talks to people anymore, and his whole person is much gloomier.
"Master, why don't I go back to the valley this time? I'll chase after Commander Odo and head north with the soldiers. You can just bring peace to my family for me." Ron sat on the saddle, lowering his head and whispering.
"No! Come back to the valley with me, this is a military order!" Art said in a stiff tone.
"But I~" Ron raised his head, tears shining in his eyes.
“A scar should not be an obstacle that prevents you from returning to your loved ones, and those who love you will not turn you away because of a glorious scar.”
At pointed to several wooden boxes containing the bones of dead soldiers hanging on the back of Angus's saddle, and said to Ron: "If you don't go back this time to see your parents, sister, and the good girl waiting for you, next time you may be put in a box and come home with me."
As soon as Art spoke, everyone fell silent.
Ron said nothing and obediently followed Art's horse.
"Sir, we have arrived at Boulder Town." Angus stood on horseback and pointed to a tall sentry tower not far away.
Matt raised his hand and raised his eyebrows, stood up and looked at the smoke rising from the Jushi Town garrison camp, "Just in time for their dinner!"
A group of five or six people rode towards Jushi Town...