In mid-February, Art was preparing to hold a special family dinner at the Valley Wood Castle. The people invited to participate are mainly officers above the company captain of the main battle corps of the Wells Army, the Southern Xinjiang Garrison Army (including the County Soldier Company, the Andermatt Fort Company and the Sapp Company) and the Valley Garrison Army.
Hite planned to use the banquet to allow officers at all levels to strengthen contact, and at the same time learn about the recent situation of soldiers from various units of the Welsh Army.
For this reason, Art specially ordered the people in civil affairs to purchase a batch of high-quality beef, mutton, and some fresh fruits and vegetables from the county, intending to reward these loyal subordinates who had followed him all the way.
On the second Sunday in February, officers from all the legions gathered at the wooden castle in the valley as scheduled.
At noon, after the count’s personal chef ordered the servants to place all kinds of fragrant and hot food on the table, the officers sat down on both sides of the table in order of rank.
As the Earl of Wales, Art sat at the top.
"Everyone!"
After seeing everyone seated, Art said.
"Today, I specially ordered the servants in the house to prepare these sumptuous foods for the senior officers of the Welsh Army present here. Firstly, it is to strengthen the contact and communication between various departments and bring you together. Secondly, I have previously ordered the sergeant major and Card. Zach and the two are responsible for counting the military exploits of officers and soldiers at all levels in the legion, as well as military rank assessments and battle losses of each department. Now it is time to report. "
"Sir~"
Angus suddenly stood up.
Art waved Angus and sat down to speak.
"Today is a family dinner for the officers of the Welsh Legion, so these ceremonial things are not required."
"Yes, my lord."
Angus then sat down.
"Come, everyone~"
At raised his glass.
"As the Earl of Wales and the Commander of the Legion of Wales, I would like to take this opportunity to toast. You are all coming with me. Senior officers of the Legion who have lived and died. Without you, we would not be where we are today, and I would not be the Earl of Wales. Therefore, I toast you this glass of wine!”
"Okay, now everyone can eat and drink freely, just like at home, no need to be restrained."
"Thank you, Lord Earl!"
Looking at the rich food in front of them, these guys with military backgrounds grabbed the meat on the plate and stuffed it into their mouths, their mouths full of oil.
「下面，各部开始说一下士兵们的伤亡情况吧。军士长，你先来。」
安格斯赶紧将口中没嚼烂的牛肉一口吞下，差点没喘过气来，就着杯中的啤酒咽了下去。 It made everyone laugh.
“Report~Ahem~ Sir, a total of more than eighty-seven people were injured in various units of the Southern Xinjiang garrison, of which thirty-five were killed in battle.”
Matt nodded and continued: "Kazak, Odo is not here. You are temporarily acting as the branch leader of the first branch. Please tell us about the damage to the main battle legion."
After finishing speaking, Matt stuffed a piece of beef into his mouth.
"Sir, the total number of casualties in the First Division is one hundred and forty-six, of which seventy-six soldiers were killed, forty-five were seriously injured, and the rest were lightly injured."
This number is what Art does not want to see. As the core force of the Legion, the elite soldiers of the Wells Legion have played a huge role in all previous battles. He didn't expect that the battle in Thorn City would cost him so much. There was a burst of pain in my heart.
At picked up the wine glass and drank a large glass full of wine.
After adjusting his mood, Art continued: "Bass, please tell me about the situation of the Valley Guard Corps~"
"Yes, sir. The Valley Guard Corps has injured one hundred and five people. Among them, 45 people died, 32 were seriously injured, and the rest were lightly injured."
After several senior officers of the regiment finished their reports, Art suddenly picked up his wine glass and stood up. Everyone also stood up.
"Everyone, these dead and injured soldiers are the pride and glory of our Welsh Legion. Today, let us take this opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who have left, and may their souls rest in peace in heaven~"
With that, everyone poured the wine from the glasses on top to commemorate the soldiers who died in the battle.
“One more thing, I have previously entrusted the sergeant major and Kazak with full authority to count the combat achievements of officers and soldiers at all levels. Please tell me about the situation.”
"Yes, my lord."
"According to the regulations of the legion, this time..."
...
Halfway through the banquet, Art informed the officers present about Odo's formation of the Western Guard Corps in Bona City.
Odo wrote that he has organized his officers to recruit two hundred young soldiers, and is currently organizing training while continuing to recruit. In addition, the food, grass, baggage, weapons and military wages promised by the palace have all been received."
"But~"
Art paused, put down the roast rabbit in his hand, and wiped his hands.
"The Marquis also dispatched five junior officers to the Western Army."
Everyone immediately put down the food in their hands and turned to look at Art.
"Sir, those guys are obviously the Marquis' spies placed in our Western Territory Guard Corps~"
Angus couldn't help but say. As a senior officer in the legion, he was very clear about Flanders' intentions.
Matt reached out his hand to stop Angus from continuing.
"Sergeant major, everyone, please keep these words to a minimum. If it reaches the ears of the Marquis, I'm afraid everyone will have a hard time~"
Everyone stopped responding.
"In addition, the company responsible for the defense of Fort Marsi has also been formed and has begun patrolling the surrounding area..."
After listening to the military affairs report, Art learned about the situation reported by the ideological and political officer Dennis about the agitated mood of the legionnaires in recent days.
The legionnaires have been back in the valley for a long time, but they have not received their military rewards for a long time, so they can't help but feel a little suspicious. In addition, Art has become the Earl of Wales, but there is no news about their military achievements, and there are a lot of discussions.
In view of this situation, Art ordered the officers present to restrain the people below, and the military merit awards would be implemented immediately after he and the senior officers discussed and approved them.
The party lasted until evening. After the officers at all levels had eaten and drank, they returned to their respective stations.
………
At night, Art writes and draws alone in the secret room of the bedroom on the second floor. The wooden table is covered with scattered papers. It can be vaguely seen that the candle on the candlestick has almost burned to the end, and the wax oil under the candlestick has accumulated a thick layer~
On the two neatly arranged papers in front of Art, there are faintly visible "...three counties and two fortresses in the province..." "Valley Village Upgraded to Valley Bunker..." "Valley Wood Castle School Upgraded Will" The words "Scottish Civil Affairs College" and other words were written on the other pile, and the other pile was "...the Wells Army maintains its current size, reorganizes the Southern Xinjiang Garrison Army, and streamlines the Valley Garrison Army" "Improving the peasant-soldier system in Wales, hiding troops among the people..."
The quill in his hand has begun to drip ink, soaking the paper, but he has been unable to write.
eaten
An ink bead dropped onto the slightly yellowed white paper.
At simply put the piece of white paper with "Lord's Record of the Province of Wales" written on it to the candlelight and let it be consumed by the flames. The ashes of the paper fell all over the floor.
"The scene has become too big to balance~"
Art rubbed his temples and sighed one after another...
Just when Art was thinking about the matter in front of him, the thick wooden door of the secret room was gently pushed open. Lottie came in with a glass of steaming fresh milk.
"My dear, the night is already very late, it's time to rest."
After saying this, he handed the milk to Art, turned behind him and rubbed his shoulders.
"Dear, you still feel sorry for me~"
Matt touched Lottie’s smooth hand, and a feeling of warmth arose.
"You go to sleep first, I still have to think about giving honors to my subordinates. It is not easy for them to work hard step by step with me these years. I must reward them well, otherwise no one will be willing to work for me in the future. But This matter is not as easy as imagined. The Marquis gave me the name of a province, but I only have one county and one valley...Do you think this is an internal worry? "
Lotti leaned over Art's face and kissed him. Seeing his beloved working so hard every day, he couldn't help but feel a little sad ~
After Lottie left, Art continued to pick up the quill and started writing and drawing again. It wasn't until dawn the next day that I dragged my tired body into the warm bed, and fell asleep as soon as I touched the bed~
…
In the south of the Burgundy Kingdom, Milan, the capital of the Lombardy Principality, the palace hall.
The Duke of Lombardy convened a large meeting to discuss the change of political power in northern Lombardy.
Almost overnight, another Burgundian kingdom supported by the Kingdom of France suddenly appeared in the north. Although the vassal state was first established, the state was still weak. But with the support of the Kingdom of France behind him, his status cannot be underestimated. What's more, France is still a country that covets other countries' land ~ This makes the Duke of Lombardy uneasy.
Everyone knew about this incident that shocked the European continent. They also knew Flanders, the new ruler of this princely state, and they also knew that Flanders was a ruthless character who made his fortune through mercenary warfare. In addition, the Longxia Legion under this guy is very famous in the southern part of the mainland and often appears on one side of the warring countries. Therefore, there is a saying circulating on the mainland: Wherever there is a war, there is Flanders~
The Principality of Lombardy unanimously believes that Flanders coming to power is more detrimental to Lombardy. As a result, the Principality of Lombardy appeared to suppress the Burgundy Kingdom. But there is the Principality of Provence in the middle, and they are beyond their reach.
"You also know that this Flanders is not an easy guy to deal with. Even Bernard, an old and cunning guy, was defeated by him. This man is really not simple. I think back then, Bernard was the king of Burgundy, but it was not long before he became Flanders' prisoner~"
The Duke of Lombardy sighed and shook his head repeatedly.
"By the way, I also heard that the current Burgundy Kingdom has a new province, just in the south. Who is the guardian of this place?"
"Back to your lord, the Duke, this man has fought against our army~"
The palace military deputy said.
"Oh?"
The Duke of Lombardy suddenly leaned forward.
“Who is it?”
"Your Majesty, Duke, do you still remember the war we had with Provence?" Those cities on the border of Vence have long been in my possession!"
The Duke of Lombardy's face suddenly became ugly, and he was very worried about the Count of Burgundy's support of Provence against the Principality of Lombardy.
"The person guarding the southern border of the Burgundy Kingdom this time is the Earl of Wells who previously led troops to support the Principality of Provence."
"Wells?"
The Duke of Lombardy muttered, as if he felt that this last name was somewhat familiar.
「What’s his name?」
Wadbury, who was sitting at the bottom of the hall, was slightly shocked (he was the robber-turned-leading earl who murdered Art's father many years ago and had the Art family wiped out). I thought that Art and his father had been cleaned up by the people he sent long ago, but I didn't expect that guy's fate was so great, and now he has become the earl of the Kingdom of Burgundy. Once that bastard comes back to seek revenge on me, he will definitely be in big trouble~
"Why did Flanders put Bernard in an iron cage so quickly? It turns out that the people under him are not idle people~"
The Duke of Lombardy thought for a moment and said, "I'll give you half a month to find out about this guy named Art Wood Wells. I want to see what this guy is capable of!"
“Yes, Your Majesty the Duke!”
………
After the court meeting, Wadbury returned to the mansion and immediately called his confidants to the secret room.
"Immediately take a few clean people and sneak into the southern province of Wales in the Kingdom of Burgundy to find out for me whether the new uncle is the wolf cub that I missed back then... Once confirmed, find an opportunity to give him to me..."
Ward Burley's eyes were filled with murderous intent.
"Yes, Lord Earl. I will set off early tomorrow morning~"
After his confidant left, Walder Burley paced back and forth in the room, restless. He suddenly heard the name Art Wood Wells at the court meeting today, which reminded him of the servant of the Wells family who died at home a few months ago. It was this person who combined himself to falsely accuse Art and his son, which caused them to be sanctioned by the church and wanted by the Principality of Lombardy.
It's a pity that that guy has shut his mouth forever. However, now it seems that there is an answer to his death~
………
Down the river in the valley, after spending a few days dealing with the matters of the legionnaires, Art finally got free and came to the workshop area to inspect the production and transformation of paper.
After repeated trials, the paper made by Art has taken shape and is named Wells paper after his surname.
Now it’s time to put all that white gold to work. However, he kept the printing technique strictly confidential and did not intend to disclose it for the time being.
Att plans to have the clergy of the Valley Church use these papers to copy twenty hardcover Bibles and give them to the senior church clergy above the diocesan bishop. In this way, Wells Paper will illuminate the world with God's divine light, and Art's treasury will gradually be filled as the white gold spreads.
While he was in a trance, the guards came to report that a young man who claimed to be Art's "Private Secretary" brought his family to the valley and was now being examined at the Beiguan Army Fort.
"Private Secretary? Balor! He is finally here."
Then Art ordered the guards to send someone to meet him.
This man was met by Art in a church library during his previous tour to the south. Because he was good at writing and quite educated, Art intentionally invited him to work in the valley. But due to the situation at home, he did not return to the valley with Art and others. Now it seems that he finally thought it through~