At the south gate of Kodor City, following an order from the defending knight above the city wall, the gate was opened with the combined efforts of four soldiers. Then, the soldiers of the Welsh Legion walked towards the city under the personal leadership of Count Codor. Art and others followed Earl Codor into the city on horseback.
I saw soldiers pouring in outside the South City Gate, and the team extended from the South City Gate to the center of Kodor City.
Looking at this neat and majestic army marching all the way, scattered pedestrians on the street gave way. Residents upstairs on both sides of the street cautiously opened their windows and looked outside after hearing the noise outside...
Of course, what contrasts sharply with the cautious fear of ordinary civilians are the women who slowly walk out of the "Moulin Rouge" on the roadside. Their revealing clothes and extremely flattering eyes indicate that the most abundant harvest season is coming...
"Hans, look, the women here are really more beautiful than the last." Looking at the women at the door of the Moulin Rouge who were flattering the soldiers walking in the middle of the street, Bury's eyes were bigger than bells.
"You kid, you want to squander the reward you just won on these women again." Hans knew this guy Bury well. Every time he got the reward, he would either use it to find women, or he would lose all his money gambling with the guys in the baggage team, and he would always ask Hans for help.
"The team behind will follow." While the two were talking, Rigg's voice came from behind. Looking behind, I saw that all the soldiers at the end of the team had entered the city gate.
"I prepared a dinner for Mr. Art and your officers at the house in the evening, and I also asked Mr. Art to attend."
"Thank you, Lord Earl, for your invitation. I will definitely pay a visit."
After that, Art ordered Angus to personally arrange the Welsh Legion soldiers to garrison various important places in the city, and he took Ron to the Chinese army command camp that had been set up.
………
"Hurry, the North City Gate will be closed soon~"
On the street leading to the North City Gate in Kodor City, two guys who looked like vendors were jogging all the way towards the North City Gate.
At this time, the North City Gate was under martial law, and only a few business travelers came in and out.
"Sir Knight, we are traders from around the city of Kodor. We are rushing out of the city to prepare the leather goods that will be sold here tomorrow. Can you please make it easier?" After saying that, the vendor took out a bag of jingling coins from his waist and handed it to the soldiers guarding the city.
The soldier guarding the city looked around, took the money bag and stuffed it into the bag on his waist, "Let's go, let's go."
"Thank you, Lord Knight, God is with you." The two vendors who had just jogged down the street hurriedly walked out the door after paying the "toll". At this moment, the soldiers of the Welsh Legion who were responsible for taking over the city defense were already walking towards the city gate~
………
On the commercial road one mile outside the north gate of Cordor City, two "hawkers" who had just left the city looked back towards the city gate. At this time, the Welsh Legion soldiers stationed on the city defense were already standing on the city wall.
"It's so dangerous, I almost couldn't get out." One of the vendors said.
"Quick, rush back to Thorne immediately to report to the Earl that the Earl of Codor has surrendered to the Welsh Army."
"Okay, let's go."
On the commercial road, two figures walked all the way north...
In the Lord's Hall of the Earl of Codor City, looking at Art and a small number of senior officers of the Welsh Legion who were already seated, Earl of Codor, who was sitting on the main seat in the hall, stood up and stretched out his hand to signal everyone to quiet down.
"Everyone," Earl Codor said, "Today, I am very happy that Sir Art and the officers of the Wells Legion can attend this banquet." After speaking, Earl Codor nodded politely to Art and others. Art stood up slightly to respond, but Odo and other high-ranking officers were unmoved.
"Today, we will not talk about other issues. I have people prepare good wine and food, and I only want to enjoy it with everyone here under the blessing of God. Let us raise the wine glasses in our hands and drink this glass of friendship." After saying this, everyone in the hall raised their glasses and drank.
The party lasted until midnight. Looking at the good wine and meat in front of them, the officers of the Wells Legion who attended the banquet did not drink too much. Ron and his personal guards were always vigilantly observing the entire banquet.
On the contrary, the officials around the count drank heavily and ate meat, enjoying a rare gluttonous feast.
After the banquet, Art and others returned to the camp under the watch of Count Codor.
At noon the next day, the personal bodyguard of Earl Codor came to the Wells Legion station and informed Art that Earl Codor invited him to discuss peace talks. After Art arranged the affairs of the legion, he took Angus, Ron and others to the Lord's Hall of Kodor City.
When everyone was about to arrive at the Lord's Hall, they saw Count Codor already waiting outside the door, followed by several officers and clerks.
"My distinguished guest, please come in quickly." When Art walked towards the Lord's Hall, Count Codor quickly greeted him.
"Good morning, noble Earl." Art responded.
"Lord Art, everyone, please come in." Count Codor greeted the group of people and walked inside.
When everyone was seated, Earl Codor said: "Lord Art, now we will start discussing peace talks, what do you think?"
"I am willing to listen to the arrangements of the Earl." Art said politely. It was so formal that it gave Art goosebumps all over his body. As a military man who has been fighting abroad all year round, he has long forgotten those aristocratic etiquette. If it weren't for dealing with this guy, he wouldn't bother to talk so much nonsense.
"Lord Art, let me first tell you my conditions for this peace negotiation." Count Codor cleared his throat and said.
"Please speak, Lord Earl."
"First, while the Welsh Legion is in Cordor City, they are not allowed to leave the station at will without your order, they are not allowed to harass the residents of the city, and they are not allowed to rob property, kill people or set fire."
"Second, you are not allowed to stay in the city for more than three days. After three days, you can leave and go north to the Saône Province."
"Third, you cannot be held accountable for the casualties and losses caused by the Codor army's attack on Fort Marci. These are my conditions."
"I would like to ask your lord, after the army moves north and leaves the city, will you join forces with the Thorne army in the north to jointly attack the Welsh Army?" Art asked.
"This, the noble Viscount, I am willing to guarantee with the honor of the nobles that I will never attack the troops of the Welsh Legion again." Earl Codor quickly explained.
"Your Majesty, I am not a child of two or three years old. The country is currently in turmoil. If I hand the rear of the Welsh Army into your hands based on your words, I am afraid that the officers around me will not agree." As he said this, Art turned around and looked at the people behind him.
"Lord Ater, you and I are both nobles of the Earl's country, and we all have the honor that nobles should have. If you hadn't used your reputation as a noble to guarantee that you would not burn, kill, and loot after entering the city, I would never have let you enter the city." Count Codor was already a little angry at this time.
At watched Count Codor argue his case, and continued: "My lord, you think that your army cannot withstand the attack of the Welsh Army."
“This~” Count Codor stopped arguing.
"As far as I know, there are more than 530 troops in Kodor City, including your earl guards and mansion guards. What's more, Kodor City is located in a plain area and there is no danger to defend it. In just two days, I can turn this place into a tomb." There was a hint of threat in Art's tone.
At this time, cold sweat broke out on Earl Codor's forehead. He did not expect that this guy had already understood the situation in Codor City clearly. If there was a fight, I am afraid that he would have become that guy's prisoner by now.
"Your Majesty, Earl, let me tell you my conditions now. First, after the army leaves the city, the defense points of Kodor City and the surrounding important checkpoints will be garrisoned by soldiers of the Welsh Legion. When the army's campaign is over, they will return to Kodor City again. If anything happens to the soldiers of the Welsh Legion stationed here during this period, I think the Earl knows the consequences." Art stared at Earl of Kodor.
"Second, the province of Codor immediately issued a proclamation, swearing allegiance to the new king Flanders, breaking away from Thorne's court, and declaring Bernard a traitor." After speaking, Art glanced at the Earl of Codor. He continued: "Your Majesty, this is my condition."
At this time, Earl Codor said nothing. Just sit there quietly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Count." Seeing that Count Codor was silent, the officer beside him reminded him in his ear.
"Well~ Lord Art, I understand your conditions." Count Codor was unable to deal with this cunning and ferocious guy like Art. "I agree to your conditions."
"Okay! Your Majesty the Count can think of the overall situation, and the new king will definitely not treat you badly in the future. But~" Art was always on guard against the guy in front of him.
"I wonder what other conditions Lord Art has."
"I heard that Lord Earl has two sons." Art raised his head and looked at Earl Cole.
"This~ Lord Art means~~" Earl Codor suddenly became nervous.
"What I mean is that I would like to ask the earl's two sons to accompany me on the expedition to Thorne. This will not only show the earl's loyalty to the new king, but also allow the earl's two sons to gain experience in our army and contribute to the new king in the future. Of course, I guarantee their safety." Art explained his intention to Earl Codor.
Earl Codor knew very well that he wanted to take his two sons as hostages to ensure that the rear of the Welsh Army would not be threatened by any threat.
In order to show Art his determination to no longer support Thorne's court, Earl Codor decided to "swear" on the spot.
"Go and invite the distinguished guest." Count Codor turned around and gave a few instructions to the knight beside him, and the knight walked towards the door of the lord's hall.
Not long after, the knight brought up a man who looked like a prisoner.
“Kneel down!” The knight kicked the guy to the ground.
"Your Majesty, Earl, what are you doing~" Art looked at the prisoner in front of him and didn't understand Earl Codor's intention.
"Lord Art, this is the special envoy sent by that old man Bernard. He wanted me to continue resisting the Wells Army, so I locked him up. There is also a private letter from him here." As he said this, Earl Codor handed the letter to Art.
"Your Majesty, Earl, it would be inappropriate for you to show me this letter before it is opened." Art said to Earl Codor when he saw that the paint was well preserved.
"Lord Art, doesn't this just show my sincerity?" Earl Codor continued.
“Since the earl trusts me so much, I won’t be polite.” Art took off the wax paint on the sheepskin and looked at the contents inside. It was nothing more than Bernard's promise to give Count Codor some benefits after the war. After reading it, Art handed the sheepskin to Count Codor. Count Codor threw the sheepskin aside without even looking at it.
"Lord Ater, what do you think you should do with this guy." Just when Count Kodor mentioned the guy kneeling on the ground, the Thorne Palace envoy who had been imprisoned for several days quickly begged for mercy.
"This is the Earl's prisoner, of course you should make your own decision."
"Okay! Then I'll chop off his head and ask Master Art to take it to the old man Bernard. This can be regarded as showing my attitude." After speaking, Count Codor winked at the knight beside him.
"No, Lord Count, don't kill me~" Just as the envoy was begging for mercy, the knight had already drawn his sword. With a shout, the guy's head rolled to the ground, and there was a column of blood coming out of the severed neck. Then the knight wrapped the head in linen.
Looking at the bodies on the ground, Earl Codor looked at Art and others again, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Lord Art, I would like you to hand over this head to that old guy Bernard for me."
"My lord, Earl, I am willing to serve you." Looking at the blood still flowing on the ground, Art motioned to Ron to take the head.
"Lord Art, there is one more thing you must promise me." Earl Codor requested.
"Please speak, my lord, sir."
"My two sons have never been on the battlefield. If they follow you, please ensure their lives." Count Codor knew that he had to sacrifice the personal freedom of his two sons this time in order to exchange for the peace of the entire city of Codor and his own life.
"Don't worry, Earl, I will send special personnel to protect them until the army returns to Kodor City." Art promised Earl of Kodor.
"Okay! I am willing to provide another 200,000 pfennigs and 50,000 pounds of food supplies for Lord Art's army as military expenses to support your attack on Thorne Province."
Hearing what Count Codor said, Art secretly rejoiced in his heart and quickly thanked him. The attendants behind him were also full of surprise.
We all know that Côte d'Or is rich, but they didn't expect that the money they asked for was 200,000 pfennig and 50,000 pounds of grain. It's no wonder that Bernard wants to win over Count Codor to his side. If it were him, he would also like to get this money tree.
After the peace talks were reached, Art led a group of people and left the Lord's Hall. Before leaving, tell Count Codor that someone will be sent to pick up Count Codor's two sons tomorrow.
Standing outside the door and watching Art and others leave, Count Codor let out a long sigh and wiped the sweat from his forehead...