One day after leaving Diguan Town, the Welsh regiments traveling on the trade route in the western part of the country had left the low hills behind.
What is presented to everyone at this time is the plain area of Codor Province. The group of people who had been waiting in the valley for a long time couldn't help but be filled with emotion when they saw the scene in front of them. Looking into the distance, you can vaguely see lakes of different sizes sparkling in the sunlight. In addition to grassland, the area around the lake is filled with acres of wheat fields and other land growing vegetables and fruits. A gust of wind blew, and the air was filled with the smell of fruits, causing all the officers and soldiers to swallow their saliva. If the legion had not ordered the soldiers to strictly prohibit disturbing the people and eating fruits and vegetables from farmers' fields, these greedy guys would have rushed into the fields full of fruits and started to eat.
If the crops in the valley do not increase production through "special" methods, they will never be as lush as here. It’s no wonder that Côte d’Or is so rich and prosperous. The sight in front of me is the best explanation.
At the front of the team on horseback, Art, Angus, Odo and others couldn't help but sigh when they saw the scene in front of them.
"Sir, it would be great if our valley could have a scene like this. Look at the flat, fertile land for dozens of miles around here, and how well the wheat grows in the land." As Odo spoke, he used his nose to feel the fragrance of wheat mixed in the air.
"Yes, this is a plain area, and there are good places for farming everywhere. Unlike our valley, it takes a lot of time and energy to find a suitable place to cultivate fertile land. And you have to constantly maintain the fertility of the soil, otherwise the land will become extremely barren in a year or two." Art said while looking at the wheat fields in the distance.
"Sir," Angus continued, "Do you think that if we defeat the Thorne army this time, will the new king grant you a fertile land for your merits?"
"Yes, sir. If so, we can support more troops and recruit more subjects." Odo said excitedly.
"The war is not over yet, so it is not the time to consider these things." Art said calmly.
As he was speaking, there was a sound of horse hooves galloping ahead.
"Report!" The soldiers in charge of sentinels at the front of the army rushed to a few people.
"What's the matter?" Art asked.
"Reporting to your lord, a man claiming to be the personal bodyguard of Count Codor suddenly appeared in front of the army. He said that Count Codor has a secret letter to forward to you."
"Count Codor?"
"Sir, is this a trick of that guy to delay our attack on Codor City?" Angus asked eagerly.
"It's possible. Now that he's here, let's see what conspiracy he can have." Art looked at Angus and said.
"When it comes to intrigues, I'm afraid that count can't keep up with our lords." Odo joked, causing the three of them to laugh.
"Okay, bring him over immediately." Art said to the messenger.
"Yes, my lord."
...
"Are you the one sent by Count Codor to deliver the message?" Art asked the personal bodyguard of Count Codor.
"In reply to your lordship, yes. Your lordship, the earl, ordered me to give you this secret letter, and told me to see you open it yourself." After saying that, the guard handed Art a secret letter sealed with fire paint.
At took the secret letter, opened the seal and took out the sheepskin inside. Angus and others looked at Art and saw that he gave the sheepskin to Ron and put it away with a quick glance.
“You go back and tell the earl that I will definitely arrive at Kodor City at sunset tomorrow.” Art said to the messenger after looking at it.
"Yes, sir. I will go back and tell the count." After saying that, the guard picked up his horse and ran towards the city of Cordor.
Watching the retreating guards gradually disappear at the end of the road, Angus and Odo slowly laid their eyes on Art.
"You must want to know the content of the letter." Art deliberately kept it secret. It made the two of them look forward to it even more.
"Sir, just say it." Odo urged.
"Okay, I'll tell you~" Art motioned for the two of them to come closer.
“What, make peace?” Odo almost shouted after hearing this.
"Let's not talk about this now. It's getting dark. Order the army to camp on the spot." Art said to the two of them.
"Yes, sir." Otto said immediately, "That bastard is not a good person. He led troops to attack Fort Marsi a few days ago, and today he sent people to make peace. There must be a conspiracy in this."
Att did not speak, but just walked around the camp. When the two stopped talking, Art spoke.
"There is nothing impossible about this. Now the Thorne Palace has been continuously retreating under the fierce offensive of the Liberation Army. Moreover, Lord Galvin also wrote to me before, and the Principality began to re-support the Besançon Palace of the new monarch. The Archbishop of Paris and the Paris Palace also announced their support for Flanders. The situation is now very clear." Art analyzed the situation of the County and the support of various forces for the Besançon Palace to the two of them.
"My lord, to use what you said before, Thorne's court is now a grasshopper after autumn." Angus used this new word with interest. It caused everyone to laugh.
"Sergeant Major, you are right. This is because the Thorne court is now isolated and helpless, so Earl Codor proposed peace. I think this is a good proposal. This will not only reduce unnecessary casualties, but also speed up our march into Thorne." Art explained.
After final deliberations, the army will speed up its march tomorrow and arrive at a place half a mile south of Kodor City before sunset to set up camp. Then discuss peace negotiations with Count Codor. If there is any fraud, the Wells Army will immediately prepare for war and attack the city of Cordor. If the Count of Codor opens the city and surrenders, the army will enter the city of Codor.
………
In the city of Codor, early in the morning after the personal guard returned from delivering the letter, the Earl of Codor ordered the butler to arrange a grand banquet in his Earl's Mansion. It just said that there was an important guest for the banquet, but he didn't mention the specific person. Only a few of his confidants knew the inside story.
At this time, the walls of Kodor City were also extremely busy. The materials prepared in the past few days such as rolling stones, logs, and kerosene were also moved into the warehouse under the command of the officer. After seeing that these enemy defense supplies were no longer needed, the soldiers guarding the city of Kodor were filled with joy, because this meant that they no longer had to fight. The soldiers guarding the city were also withdrawn, leaving only a few people on guard on the city wall.
………
At sunset, a team of nearly two thousand people slowly came towards the city of Kodor under the guidance of several outposts. The soldiers standing on the south wall of Kodor City did not panic after seeing the appearance of the large army, but ran quickly to the Lord's Hall of Kodor City to report to Count Kodor.
Early this morning, Count Codor told the knights guarding the city that once the northbound army appeared in the south of the city, they would immediately report to him without making any noise. Violators will be severely punished.
"Report!"
"What's the matter." In the Lord's Hall of Codor, Count Codor, who was explaining the banquet matters to the steward, called the messenger to come over.
"Your Majesty, the army has arrived half a mile south of the city." The messenger whispered to Count Codor.
"Okay, let's go down."
"Is everything I told you clear?" Count Codor turned to the steward beside him and said.
"Don't worry, noble Earl. I will definitely handle the things you asked me to do."
After saying that, Earl Codor walked towards the outside of the lord's hall.
………
Outside the south gate of Codor, Count Codor was already waiting not far outside the city gate with a dozen personal guards and several knights and civil servants. According to the agreement in the letter he ordered to give to Yate yesterday, at sunset, he will lead his people to wait for the arrival of Yate and others outside the south city gate to discuss the terms of peace.
After standing outside the city gate for a long time, no one came. Count Codor, who was already a little anxious, saw a few knights and civil servants whispering behind him, and he suddenly became furious.
“Shut up, everyone!” Count Codor turned around and roared at several people. One civil servant was so frightened that his felt hat almost fell to the ground. When Earl Codor turned his head and looked towards the southern commercial road, he saw more than fifty cavalrymen following Art, coming towards a few people menacingly.
"Honorable Lord Viscount, you are indeed a person who keeps your promise." Seeing Art riding over, Count Codor lowered his attitude and hurriedly greeted him. The group of people behind him also hurriedly followed Count Codor, for fear that something might happen to their master.
"My distinguished Earl, I have kept you waiting for a long time." Art replied politely after dismounting.
"Lord Ater, it's getting late now. Do you think we can discuss peace talks after we enter the city? I have prepared a banquet for you and your officers, and we are waiting for the distinguished guests to arrive."
"Thank you Earl for your kindness," Art thanked him. "It's just that there are soldiers from the Welsh Legion behind me. As the highest officer of the legion, I can't let them go hungry while enjoying wine and meat."
"If the Earl feels embarrassed, how about inviting the Earl to be a guest in my central army camp." As soon as Art said these words, the knight behind Earl Codor put his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. Angus and Ron, who were standing behind Art, took a step forward to protect Art, and their right hands had already made a gesture to draw their swords.
"Stop!" Count Codor turned to the knight behind him and yelled.
“Lord Art, I made you laugh.” Count Codor apologized. "As you can see, there are no soldiers defending the enemy on the city wall. I have already withdrawn them all early this morning, just to prevent you from being too worried. This can also show my sincerity in peace talks." Earl Codor quickly explained.
Facing the enemies he had just fought with a few days ago, Art naturally had a hand in reserve. Before the army marched into the city of Kodor, members of the task force were ordered to lurk in the city to find out the enemy's city defense situation. Once Count Codor cheated, he immediately led an army to attack the city.
Art, who had already known the situation in Codor City, said to the Earl of Codor: "I understand the sincerity of the Earl. If I take my officers into the city to eat and drink, and leave my brothers aside, I am afraid they will be unhappy." Art turned around and forgot to glance at the Wells Army station half a mile away.
"Well, since Lord Art insists on the Welsh Army stationed in Kodor City, you must agree to a condition and guarantee it with the honor of the nobles." Earl Kodor looked serious.
"Your Majesty, please speak." Art looked at Angus beside him, then turned to Earl Codor and said.
"After the Welsh Army enters the city of Cordor, they are not allowed to harass the residents of the city, and are not allowed to burn, kill or loot. I have found a station for your soldiers and provided them with food. But they are not allowed to leave the station without permission. As long as Atta is large The people agreed to my terms, and the Wells Army can follow me into the city immediately."
"Okay! Since the Earl is so sincere, I will lead the Wells Army into the city."
"Send the order, the whole army enters the city!"
“Yes, my lord.” After saying that, Angus rode towards the temporary camp of the Welsh Legion.
When the army arrived at the city, Art ordered the soldiers of the Welsh Legion not to disturb the people after entering the city, and not to burn, kill or loot. After arriving at the station, no one is allowed to leave the station without orders. Anyone who violates the order will be severely punished.
Having said that, under the leadership of the Earl of Codor, the soldiers of the Welsh Legion entered the city of Codor in a mighty manner...