"...Everyone, I can't bear to throw such a big stall to you again. I originally intended to stay in the county and run some of the territories with you, but now the war in the country has not stopped, and the outcome of the east and west is uncertain. As long as the western border is not settled, we will have no peace for a day. For this piece of paradise that we have worked hard for so many years, I must draw my sword and go to war again."
"No." But everyone can rest assured that the Burgundy Kingdom is no longer able to hold on. Both the east and west borders are at the end of the war. The situation will definitely ease after this year. I firmly believe that this is the last darkness before dawn."
"I hope you will encourage me to walk with me and tide over the difficulties."
Hence As soon as Art said this, Civil Affairs Officer Cooper took the lead, and a dozen or so high-ranking Civil Affairs officials in the Lord's Hall of the mansion stood up.
At stood up and raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, and then his serious expression gradually relaxed, "Everyone, this is the end of the civil affairs meeting, stay here for the night. Today is the fiftieth birthday of our old butler Sir Cooper..."
In the official room on the first floor of the Castle Lord's Mansion, Art left Old Cooper alone.
"Cooper, the national war a few years ago caused the entire southern border of Provence to rot. Countless civilians died or fled. The people from the European Trading Company spent a long time in Alfero and nearby areas to find the child." The child was only four years old when he was picked up and sent to the monastery. It's really hard to tell whether he is related to you by blood. His parents are probably no longer alive. "
Matt's original intention was to go to the south of Provence to find Cooper's relatives, even if they were cousins with some blood relationship. However, the Lombards in the south of Provence were slaughtered arbitrarily, and the native people of Alfero were at odds with each other. In the end, the European trading company spent a lot of money to find a six-year-old boy in a dilapidated monastery who claimed to be "Alford".
Just three days ago, Continental Trading Company sent someone to send the child back to the valley. Cooper was so excited that he burst into tears when he learned that this was Art's "gift" specially prepared for his fiftieth birthday.
Cooper was very busy. As Art's territory expanded day by day, he became busier and busier. However, besides the extremely busy territory affairs, he also became more and more sad. The loss of his wife and son was an indelible sorrow for the old man who was nearly fifty years old.
"Sir, that child is my great-nephew, the son of my cousin." Cooper had a special background, and his only distant cousin only had a daughter who was married to Lombardy, but he could not refuse a sincere blessing.
Matt clapped his hands and said, "Great! I was worried that the people in the trading company would just find a kid to deal with me."
"In this way, this child will follow you from now on, and he will be your grandson. If the child is too young, give it to Guy for the time being and let him be an apprentice in the parish school. In the future, he will become a civil official like you."
"By the way, I have some good news for you. Lord Alfero who was chasing you back then was killed by the Lombards. Although you didn't kill him yourself, at least the evil man went to hell."
Cooper didn't show much excitement after hearing the news, maybe because he didn't want to mention the past.
The atmosphere in the room was suddenly awkward. Art was just about to find a topic to talk about when Ron knocked on the door and walked in. "Master, the nail workshop you designed has been completed. These are the five I picked out."
Ron said as he put a bunch of things he was carrying on Art's office desk and paid his respects to Old Cooper.
At stood up, picked up one and played with it in his hand.
This kind of iron tool is shaped like a wild thorn, with four sharp claws. If you throw it casually, three prongs will stand on the ground, and one tip will stand upright. When the upper tip is pushed down, the lower tip will rise again.
This object is made from scraps left over when making weapons and armor. The craftsmanship is very simple and the shape requirements are not strict. It is much faster to make than light arrowheads. It can be thrown in front of the military formation to injure the charging enemy cavalry, so it is called Zama Nail (scientific name is caltrops).
There is a small hole specially drilled in the center of this kind of horse nail, and the hemp rope can be passed through to connect it into a line, so it can be thrown individually one by one, or it can be laid strip by strip around the camp or on the pass trail...
"Sir, the weapons workshop has made a total of one thousand horse nails according to your drawings and delivered them to the army for use. If the effect is as you said, they will step up their production."
Matt tried the triangular iron tip of the horse nail with his hands. Although it was only roughly polished, it was enough to break the sole of the horse's hoof without the protection of the shoe. Needless to say, the consequences of stepping on it were needless to say.
"Cooper, tell the weapons workshop to make three thousand more horse nails. There is no need to test the effect of this kind of thing." Art handed a horse nail to Cooper.
Old Cooper was also quite amazed, "This kind of thing is definitely a weapon to break the enemy's cavalry charge!"
At also nodded with satisfaction, "Ron, put these thousand horse nails away, tomorrow we will take them to Fort Sap and hand them over to the army for use..."
The last few days of June were spent at the wooden castle in the valley.
The banquet for Cooper's fiftieth birthday was not too lively. Except for the fact that many high-ranking officers of the army had left the valley and could not attend, the atmosphere of war also made the banquet a little less lively.
hh Ate led his army to attack Kodor this time. The outcome was indeed unpredictable and dangerous, so in the last few days before the expedition, Ate spent time with his wife and children at the wooden castle mansion. During this period, he also visited several villages in the valley...
hhh..... .......
July 2, it was expected that the chariots going south and the army heading west would soon arrive at Sap Territory. At last, Ater led the 20-horse central army guard from the valley. Without the delay of the infantry baggage, Ate and the guard could reach Sap Fort on horseback in at most one and a half days.
The Chinese Army Commands the Camp Guards, referred to as the Chinese Army Guards, with a total of twenty people, all of whom are armored cavalry. The Central Guard was born out of Art's Baron Guard, and is essentially Art's guard. However, in addition to protecting Art's personal safety, they now also shoulder the task of protecting the Welsh Army's Central Command Camp (organization).
The Chinese Guards are under the jurisdiction of Guard Officer Ron. The Guards soldiers are carefully selected by Ron from the soldiers of the legion squadron commander. They are all powerful, loyal and brave elites who have fought in the legion for at least two years or have killed more than two enemies. Their origins, character, and background relationships have been strictly screened by Ron, and they are absolutely loyal to Art.
These twenty people were further divided into four five-man squads. In addition to being able to fight on horseback, all guard soldiers must be proficient in drum military orders and familiar with battle flag command. The most important thing is that they must be absolutely loyal to Art and be able to protect the safety of the lord with their lives at all times.
These people bear heavy tasks, and of course they also enjoy treatment that is better than ordinary people. The most common rank of guard soldiers is also sergeants, and they often also serve as flag officers, heralds and other military positions.
The most important thing is that soldiers from the Guard will become the confidants of the general. When the time is right, they will be promoted to the army when they are transferred to the army. For example, Knight Ron, a bodyguard, was once a bodyguard. For example, Stanley, a knight squire and captain of the task force, was once again promoted to a trainee knight because of his outstanding performance in Thorne and Kodor. Another example is Matthew, the bodyguard. After following Art for two years, he was assigned to the second flag of the third company and became a military law sergeant. It is expected that he will be promoted again in the near future.
While Art and Ron were riding towards Sarp surrounded by guards, the 1st Infantry Regiment of the Wells Army led by Odo and Kazak and several teams directly under the Chinese Army had already walked out of the continuous mountainous area and appeared at the mountain pass east of Sarp Castle.
Viscount Galvin, the lord of Sapp, has been away from his territory all year round. Now the owner of Sapp is the new Baron Felix.
Felix received the military order from the command camp of the Welsh Army Corps in advance, and knew that the first division would go to Sarp Castle to temporarily station. Guessing that the time was approaching, Felix took his baron guard to the mountain pass east of Sarp to greet him in person.
Him In the mountain pass, hundreds of soldiers of the Welsh Legion wearing light armor (heavy armor was carried from the south by chariots) and holding weapons came out under the cover of cavalry. The leaders were Odo, the deputy commander of the Welsh Legion, the commander of the first division, and Kazak, the deputy commander of the first division.
Felix galloped forward, jumped off the horse after a dozen steps, and walked forward with a slight limp to salute Odo, "Master Vice-Chief of the Legion, Felix, Commander of the Sap Company of the Second Division, salutes you!"
After saying that, Felix turned slightly and nodded to Kazak.
Otto quickly jumped off his horse, raised his chest and clenched his fists in return, "Baron Felix, you have the title of Baron and you are the military adjutant of the Southern Territory. I can't bear this military salute." Felix has been reborn after experiencing the baptism of fire again and again. He still has arrogance but his arrogance has been restrained. What's more, he sincerely admires Odo, who has gone through battles and gone through blood and fire step by step from a civilian to a knight of the square banner.
Facing these meritorious knights who were promoted purely based on their military achievements, Felix was self-aware.
"Lord Odo, although I was lucky enough to get the title of baronet, in terms of actual military position, I can only be a company captain of the Welsh Legion. You are the deputy commander of the Legion and a knight of the square banner. You can really bear this military salute!" Felix said very sincerely.
“Well, you still call me Felix, and I’ll call you Odo, so we don’t differentiate between birth and death.” Felix suggested a compromise.
Odo stopped talking about the title, handed the reins to the soldiers, and then walked beside Felix with Kazak, "Felix, you have received your military order, how are the arrangements for you?"
Felix straightened his expression, "I have prepared both the border blockade and the preparation of military rations arranged by your Excellency."
"Since three days ago, the stone fort has been completely blocked. I have also ordered the lords from all over the country to close all the mountain trails leading to Kodor. The Sapu Territory has conducted a rape raid. All non-Sap Territory citizens are under strict control and surveillance to prevent anyone from going to Kodor to report. In addition, I asked Mal (Samu Orion origin, Sarpu officer) to lead people to sneak into the Kodor hilly area to scout. They will go there tomorrow afternoon. "In terms of food, we have prepared food for seven hundred soldiers and one hundred horses for five days."
"Odo, the Sap Territory has experienced a lot of battles in the past year, and our food reserves are not too much. With the sudden influx of thousands of people (human and horse), we are indeed in a pinch, but we will obey your military orders unconditionally."
Otto turned his head and glanced at the army that was lining up out of the mountain pass, "Don't worry, the chariot convoy led by the sergeant major is advancing from the south to Fort Sarp via Provence. In addition to carrying bulky weapons and armor, that convoy also transported a lot of emergency rations; and we won't stay in Fort Sarp for too long..."