Less than five days before the end of the year, most of the Welsh Army had just left Fort Marcy and headed south.
This time, more than a hundred people were added to the team. These people were the soldiers originally stationed at Fort Marsi. When they received the news that the army was about to return to the valley, the soldiers began to pack their bags and wait for the arrival of most of the troops. They all look forward to returning to the valley with the army and reuniting with their families they haven’t seen for months.
The soldiers who were injured in the previous siege of Marsiburg have basically recovered after several months of treatment and training. When I heard that the Welsh Army had won a great victory in Thorne City, and that my lord had been named the Earl of the Frontier, I couldn't help but feel happy.
When one person attains enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. As Art's status further improves, his officers and soldiers will naturally receive promotions and awards. Now that the war is over, we can finally return to the valley to rest. It is believed that the previous military merits and war rewards will also be distributed to the soldiers soon after returning to the valley. Everyone followed Art through life and death for nothing more than this.
Once the military reward was obtained, many soldiers were thinking about how to settle down in the valley. Use your reward money to ask craftsmen in the valley to help build a house of your own, then marry a wife, have children, and live a good life.
In the middle of the army returning south, the flag captain Rigg and his men Hans and Burry were walking in the middle of the army. Rigg's horse was led by a guard behind him.
In the battle of Thorne City, the captain Berry made a huge profit. According to post-war statistics, Bury killed the most enemies among all soldiers, reaching eight. Except for the two people who were killed during the siege, the rest were killed after the city was broken, chasing down the fleeing enemy soldiers.
Combined with the previous "harvest" at Fort Marcy and the eastern border, Bury could receive a large reward after the war.
"Bury, your performance on the battlefield these few times has been very good. I think you may be promoted to squadron leader."
Rigg, who was walking in front of Bury, analyzed. As soon as he opened his mouth, Berry couldn't help it. He quickly grabbed Rigg and ran in front of him.
"Sir, are you telling the truth?"
Bury's eyes were as big as bells. In addition to exchanging the enemy's heads for rewards, Bury also hoped to rise in his military rank. Seeing those officers with higher positions than himself being particularly respected, Berry always felt itchy in his heart.
"I'm just speculating. Just let go and talk as you walk."
Berry immediately took his hands away, smiled and patted the dust on Rigg's shoulder, looking flattering.
"At the last military meeting in the Chinese Army Command Camp, it was believed that there should be another promotion channel for those soldiers who fought very bravely. They should not be restricted because they are uneducated and should be treated differently. I thought of you first at that time~"
Berry scratched his head and said nothing. Reg's words made him ashamed.
"You boy, is this what it is? You seem to have changed."
Hans on the side muttered a few words when he saw Burry suddenly lowering his head and became silent.
"Bury, look up like a man!"
Rigg glanced back and raised his voice. Berry slowly raised his head and stared to the other side.
"I know that, as your commander, I have hurt your self-esteem. But, let me say something ugly before you. If you really want to climb up step by step, you can't do it without education and time. You can't just rely on bravery to fight a war, you also need to use your brain. You can't be a squadron leader for the rest of your life!"
Bailey lowered his head again and said nothing.
"It has already been said in the military meeting that soldiers who are brave in combat can at most hold the position of squadron leader. If they want to go up, they must attend the officer academy. After passing the exam, they will be directly awarded the rank of flag captain. Now that the war is over, you can think about it after returning to the valley."
After Rigg said that, he got on his horse and faced Berry. He glanced at Bury and walked forward.
"Bury, Commander Rigg is doing this for your own good. You should think about it after you return to the valley."
Looking at Hans disappearing into the team, Bury rattled the sword at his waist. This is not because I am angry with the two of them, but because I hate myself for not living up to expectations~
………
The southern border of the Hou Kingdom, which was once a desolate and barren remote land, has now become a province.
The whole territory of Tyniec, including the Sap and valley areas, is now named after the surname of At, and is called the province of Wales. After years of hard work, the once unpopular patrol officer gradually expanded his territory from the valley area until he included the entire Tyniec County. Not only that, it also owns Fort Marsi, which is on the western trade route of the princely country, and Beaune City, a border fortress in the western part of Saône Province.
One week after Art was granted the title of Earl of the Marquis's Frontier, the news spread throughout Tyniec. After hearing the good news, the people in the Valley Territory rushed to tell each other, and they were sincerely happy. This is exactly what everyone wants to see. Because once the war is over, their relatives who are fighting on the front line will return to the valley with the army and share the fruits of post-war victory with them.
Several months have passed since the last disaster in the valley, and the pain in the hearts of the people and the fear of war still cannot be eliminated. But everything changes with the arrival of this good news. Because the war is over, the men will go home, and the threats facing the valley will be lifted step by step. The tension and uneasiness of the people in the valley have naturally eased a lot.
After months of hard work by the civil affairs officials and the people of the territory, the Valley Territory and several manors directly under the jurisdiction of Yate have regained their former vitality.
The undamaged wheat fields in various places have been harvested and stored in granaries. The cultivated land has been cultivated and has been sown again, just waiting for next year's harvest. The shortfall in food has been fully replenished with the help of the caravan. This winter, no one will go hungry due to lack of food.
In addition, the damaged Wincheston Manor has been repaired and everything is restored to its original state. Not only that, many low-rise houses were added around the main house for the residents who cultivated the land around Wincheston Manor. Now, in addition to the people who previously belonged to the Wincheston Manor, the civil administration has also recruited a large number of refugees and assigned some of the surrounding land to them for farming.
After the battle in the valley, the Beiguan Army Fort was severely damaged. After civil affairs deliberations, it was decided to rearrange the defense of Beiguan Army Fort. Not only did the gates be strengthened, but the walls around the fort were also more than doubled in height. In addition, several tall platforms were built inside the fort gate to accommodate more soldiers at the same time.
At this time, the valley has entered winter, and the people who have been busy in the fields for a year can finally get a moment of rest.
Because the land and food in the valley were not damaged, an unprecedented bumper harvest was achieved this year. Although many people died under the enemy's sword in order to defend the valley, resulting in a reduction in the labor force in the valley. However, under the reasonable arrangements of the civil administration, the grain that should be collected into the granary did not rot in the ground or make it cheaper for animals that often steal food.
A heavy snowfall a few days ago left the entire valley covered in silver. The thick snow caused many roof beams to be broken, but fortunately there were no casualties. The houses were renovated with the help of the civil administration, so that the residents would not suffer from the cold. In Art's territory, such a thing should not happen.
After a heavy snowfall, farmers in the valley who are good at hunting went into the mountains in small groups to hunt within the limits permitted by the civil administration. I was usually busy with things in the fields, and now I finally had some free time. Naturally, I went to the mountains to catch some game and improve the food for my family. And you can also exchange animal skins for a little bit of pocket money to supplement your family income.
Although the people in the valley are not exploited and squeezed by their lords like the people in other territories in the princely state, in addition to ensuring that the family is not hungry, it is also a luxury to want to eat some meat. I can only hope to go hunting in the mountains and forests and try my luck.
On the second floor of the Lord's Mansion of the Wooden Castle in the Valley, the hostess Lottie was busy sewing a mink fur coat for her husband who was about to return, to withstand the cold winter this year.
Lottie bought the mink skins from hunters in the valley. They are all high-quality furs. Of course, Lottie did not give those hunters any less money because of her status as a mistress. Instead, she paid a higher price for the furs they had. Maybe it's because of kindness, maybe it's to establish a good image for her husband.
Ever since she received a letter from her father, who served as finance minister in the court of Besançon, informing her that the war was completely over and Ater was promoted to count of the borderlands of the princely country, Lottie had never closed her mouth. I smile every day and become more generous to the people around me. After all, she is now a countess.
"Madam, when will the master and the others come back?"
Oli, who was cleaning Lottie's fur at the side, suddenly looked up and asked.
"Oli, why do you suddenly care about me?"
Lottie glanced at Ollie and asked deliberately.
Ollie lowered his head and said nothing, with a shy face.
“You damn girl, you must be thinking about that silly boy Ron.”
Oli’s face became even redder.
"Don't worry, as soon as the master and the others come back, I will ask him to hold a wedding for you, so that you can become the wife of your ideal husband as soon as possible. So that you will not think about it all day long and be unsteady at work."
"Madam, are you telling the truth?" Ollie suddenly raised his head and asked after hearing Lottie's promise.
Ever since Ron left for the war, she had been thinking about her unparalleled hero all the time. Scenes of two people getting married often appear in dreams. Seeing that her sweetheart is about to return to the valley, Ollie has been too excited to sleep recently.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
While the two were chatting about everyday things, there was a rushing sound on the stairs.
"George, how many times have I told you, be quiet when you go upstairs~"
Just after Lottie finished speaking, a round head was already exposed.
「Mother～」
Come here quickly.
Lotti put down her work and held little George, who had grown a lot taller, in her arms. Although he has not been with his father since he was a child, this guy is still living happily.
As the number of people in the territory increases, there are more and more children in the valley. As the only son of Art, Earl of Wales, little George was extremely popular throughout the valley. Although part of the reason is due to his special status, it is mostly due to George's approachable personality.
Although he is the only son of an earl, he has never had the innate sense of nobility or arrogance. This is inseparable from Lottie's daily teachings.
When Lottie and Art first met, Art was just a poor patrol officer. Although he has no money or status, Art's resourcefulness and bravery win Lottie's heart. Because of this, Lottie did not emphasize her noble status to little George too much, but focused on cultivating his courage, perseverance and wisdom. Teach him how to be kind to others and help the weak. Once you have these good qualities, you are more likely to gain the respect and loyalty of others. Just like his father.
"George, your father is coming back soon, do you miss him?"
Lottie rocked George from side to side, kissing his forehead from time to time.
"Mother, of course I miss my father. Don't you?"
Listening to little George's childish voice, Lottie felt sour in her heart~
………
South of Besançon, the residence of the palace military minister. Art, who was lying on the armchair in the study, kept rubbing the sides of his forehead and sighed from time to time.
In recent days, Yat has been traveling in many places and has constant social activities. He would often drink until late at night and get so drunk that he would return to the mansion under the escort of Ron and his guards, fall asleep and fall unconscious. The result was a headache when I woke up the next day.
According to time calculation, most of the Welsh Army should arrive in the valley in the past two days. Officers and soldiers who have been deployed for several months will have a happy reunion with their families.
But now as the Earl of Wales, Art had no choice but to do something of his own. In order to maintain good relations with all parties in the palace, strive for more benefits, and increase the strength of the territory, Art had to lobby from all sides. In addition, the princely state was newly established, and everything was in ruins waiting to be revitalized. As the deputy military minister of the palace, he must make suggestions for Flanders and consolidate the stability of the border. If you are greedy for enjoyment and just perfunctory, it will not be justified both emotionally and rationally. This is not what Art did.
Yesterday, Flanders summoned him and wanted to hear what the palace military deputy and Earl of Wales had to say about how to run the country in peace and order. Art did not answer immediately, but promised Flanders that he would compile some of his suggestions in this regard for Flanders' reference when he returned.
Now the situation has been basically stable, and the disputes between the various counts and nobles of the princes about the fiefdom have been put to rest because Flanders has kept silent. Everyone is trying to find ways to resume production and construction in their own territories, and there is no extra energy to argue about these things anymore.
Att plans to leave Besançon and return to the valley after advising Flanders to concentrate on running his own territory and European trading houses.
Since leaving the valley, the affairs of the territory have been carried out under the leadership of the civil administrator Cooper, while the European trading houses are mainly managed by Salt. Now that the war is over, it's time to return to the valley to rest for some time.
Once the time is right, Art will start another journey of his own~