Chapter 646 The Hidden Secret
The next morning, before dawn, Art was located in the lord's hall of the mansion near the Sheriff's Department.
At this time, Angus, the deputy commander of the legion, and Lusignan, the captain of the cavalry company, were already waiting here.
Today, Art plans to visit the garrison camp of Lavati and the Palace Guards in the south, which is half a day’s walk from Sauronburg. The main purpose is to discuss with the merchants and nobles in Rawati City how to restore commercial trade and city defense.
As the largest autonomous city in northern Lombardy, Lavati's business is extremely prosperous. Coupled with being located on the main trade route between Lombardy and the northern continent, a steady stream of wealth has flowed into the pockets of the Lavati people over the years.
But now the war continues, and it has been looted by the Duke of Lombardy, which makes the merchants in the city complain endlessly. The trade routes were interrupted, goods from the south could not be transported to Lavati, and the goods stored in the shops and warehouses in the city could not be sold. Every day, a large number of traders went bankrupt overnight, which had a huge impact on Lavati's business.
Now that Lavati is under the rule of Art, the commercial guilds in the city hope that Art can take measures to stabilize the current situation, gradually restore commerce and trade, and let Lavati, which is almost at a standstill, regain its former glory.
For Yete, the importance of Lavati is self-evident. In the near future, this autonomous city will become a sharp knife in the hands of Art. While bringing him a large amount of gold coins, it can also send some kind of signal to other autonomous cities in Lombardy. "Master, why don't you wear that set of Milan plate armor? It looks so powerful." In Art's study, the bodyguard Ron was arranging Art's armor.
"The thing is good, but it is only suitable for use on the battlefield. Wearing this leather armor is still comfortable on weekdays." Art tugged on his collar and looked at the polished black boots. Then he put on the bearskin coat, put on the dark gray calfskin belt, took the long sword handed over by Ron and slung it around his waist.
After tidying up his clothes, Art came to the Lord's Hall. I had a simple meal of minced wheat porridge with pork bacon with Angus, Lusignan and Ron who were accompanying them.
This time when he went south to Lavati, in addition to discussing Lavati's trade issues and inspecting the Guards, Art also planned to take this opportunity to learn in detail about the distribution of manor castles and market towns and military villages on the land he occupied north of Soronborg, as well as the surrounding land, forests, rivers, lakes and other topography.
Not long ago, a preliminary survey of the occupied area adjacent to Burlindi was conducted under the organization of the Government Affairs Office. The relevant statistical information will be registered by the government and re-planned and arranged based on the existing population and the size and fertility of the land area.
Hence, in addition to the several officers accompanying him, Art also ordered Baron Bob, the secretary of the Chinese Army, to specially select several clerks who were good at cartography and statistics for this trip south.
When Art and his team arrived at the entrance of the Chinese army's command camp after breakfast, Bob had already loaded all the things Art needed onto the carriage,
and sent two soldiers from the Radiation Division to follow Art south. The accompanying clerk was already waiting at the door.
"Bob, have you prepared enough food and drinks for everyone?" Art walked around the carriage, patting the supplies covered with oilcloth from time to time.
"Sir, please don't worry, I asked the people from the Radiation Department to prepare three barrels of Welsh beer and one barrel of wine for you, plus more than forty pounds of various meats and some fruits and vegetables." Bob said it all in one breath. "Sir, do you think there is anything else you need?"
“Yeah, that’s enough, that’s enough.” Art waved his hands repeatedly. "We are going south to Lavati this time, and it should take some time to return to Santia City. If we are unable to make a decision in an emergency, you can send someone south to find me."
"I understand, Sir."
"By the way, can the interrogation of the prisoners of war be completed in accordance with the regulations of the legion?"
"Sir, the interrogation of the prisoners of war has ended. Still in accordance with the previous regulations. The standards are divided into three categories.
In addition to those who are recruited into the army as combat soldiers and handed over to the reserve group to maintain security, there are about two hundred people who are timid, cunning, and unwilling to be loyal. Most of these guys came to fight with the Duke of Lombardy from the Western Front battlefield. There is also a viscount, three barons, and a dozen knights." Bob counted them one by one.
"It's not surprising. Those who can follow the Duke of Lombardy must be the elite of the Lombard army. They are naturally different from the mercenaries who are paid to sell their lives. Anyway, since they are unwilling to surrender to me, then all of them will be punished as war slaves. Tell the people under my command that these people must be under my strict supervision, and their families will naturally take them when the time comes. Come and redeem the people with gold coins. "
"Don't worry, my lord, these guys are personally escorted by Commander Odo to the camp where the prisoners of war are held, and specially assigned to guard them. In addition, he suggested that these prisoners of war should not be escorted back to the valley for the time being, but should stay in the city to help build the city wall and do hard labor to reduce the burden on the legionnaires."
"Tell Odo that this suggestion is feasible. Also, don't let these guys eat too much, otherwise they will be asking for trouble."
"Yes, sir, I will definitely convey it." Bob nodded repeatedly.
"By the way, how is the recruitment of those Lombard craftsmen going?"
"Replying to your lord, we have checked all the blacksmith shops, tanneries, carving workshops, stonemason workshops, etc. in the city of Santia. Except for a few who escaped from the city, Most of the craftsmen and their families have stayed. According to the salary offered by the legion to recruit craftsmen, most of them have expressed their willingness to be loyal to the lord." "Excellent!" Art is very satisfied.
"Previously, we went to Lombardy to recruit craftsmen with preferential treatment. It was difficult to bring these craftsmen, who were regarded as valuable treasures by the lords, back to the valley. Now that the Welsh Army has gone south, it has recruited so many craftsmen from various industries at once, and will provide assistance to the expansion of the Province of Wales. This incident alone is worthy of being credited to you, the secretary of the Chinese Army!"
"I am willing to serve you!" Bob quickly bent over and beat his chest, feeling extremely grateful to Art.
"Okay, it's getting late, let's go!"
"Yes, sir!"
After saying that, the group got on their horses, turned the reins, and walked towards the south city gate.
Tonight, the group will go south along the commercial road and spend the night in a military fort between Santia City and Lavati.
North of Santia City, a team of more than 200 people dragged a long queue slowly towards the north. The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the fleur-de-lis heraldic flag raised high, and the cold wind blows on the wheat fields on the Po River plain. Looking around, one feels an endless sense of desolation.
The rustling autumn wind beat the flag mercilessly, making a whistling sound. The group of people kept silent and kept moving forward with heavy steps.
Last night, the team camped outside a small market town seven miles north of Santia. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, the group did not enter the city. After briefly replenishing our physical strength at the camp, we left camp early the next morning. They had to rush to the Rock Castle in the Lombardy border area before dark and set up camp there.
Along the way, passers-by kept looking at the team and nodding their heads from time to time to express greetings. There were even peasant women holding vegetable baskets on the roadside handing the rye bread in the boxes to the marching soldiers, but their kindness was always rejected.
The carriage in the middle of the team was always protected by more than a dozen Iron Guards holding long swords. The carriage was closely followed by a cavalry,
Never take a step away along the way.
At the head of the team, the young Phoenix, who was tall and mighty astride a brown war horse, led the entire team towards the direction of Wales.
Sir Galvin, who was following Phoenix, looked tired. Since Flanders was injured, he has been with him day and night, worried and often awakened by nightmares in the middle of the night. There were a lot of white hair on the temples unknowingly, and the messy beard was not taken care of, making him look listless.
Every time he walked a certain distance, he would turn his horse's head and walk towards the carriage in the middle, lift the curtain by the carriage window and take a look at Flanders lying quietly inside, always hoping that the monarch would get better.
Looking at Lord Galvin's haggard and tired face, Phoenix, as a son of a man, felt heartbroken. Even now, he doesn't know how to comfort his father. The two of them rode like this in the wilderness of the Po River plain, without saying a word.
A few days ago, when Art told Phoenix the news of Flanders' assassination, other than shock, Phoenix didn't feel much shock. Although he and Flanders were both named after the family name Otto and came from the same bloodline, their relationship did not get closer.
On the contrary, the relationship between Phoenix and Art is extraordinary. The two became a family because of Phoenix's sister Lottie. Coupled with Art's unique personality charm and outstanding military talents, he is highly respected by Phoenix.
When Art ordered him to escort the king of Flanders back to Besançon, he was extremely reluctant. But before leaving, Art told him one by one about the powerful relationships, and only then did Phoenix understand Art's difficulties.
Now, as one of the few men in the Otto family, Phoenix shoulders a heavy responsibility. Looking at his father next to him again, he decided to break the silence.
"Father, has Cousin Flanders ever confessed anything particularly important?" Phoenix asked in a low voice as he approached Galvin.
Lord Galvin hesitated for a moment and sighed. Of course he understood what Phoenix meant.
As the Palace Treasurer, Lord Galvin held an important position in the court of Besançon and was highly regarded by Flanders. Coupled with the blood relationship between the two and Lord Galvin's help when Flanders ascended the throne of Burgundy, Lord Galvin became Flanders' most trusted minister. Whenever there was a major event related to the national destiny of the Burgundy Kingdom, the first thing Flanders thought of was his uncle.
This time is no exception.
While Flanders was still conscious, he called Lord Galvin to his side alone and confessed a few things that he was most worried about. The most important one is about Lord Galvin's son-in-law, Earl Art on the southern border of the country.
Flender's decision shocked Galvin. But as a member of the Otto family and having sworn allegiance to Flanders, Lord Galvin tearfully agreed to Flanders' request and kept this secret in his heart.
Now, Phoenix suddenly raised such a question, leaving Master Galvin a little at a loss.
After thinking for a moment, Lord Galvin turned to Phoenix and said, "I will let you know when you should know."
Phoenix did not continue to ask, he understood what his father meant.
Looking back at the tightly guarded carriage, I remembered my father's words that contained too many secrets. He knew that soon, a storm would come to the country again.