Chapter 740: Bribing People's Hearts
The group of people left the dungeon and walked out of the inner castle. At this time, the last ray of sunset in the west just disappeared on the city wall.
Matt took a deep breath, crossed his hands on his chest, and stopped outside the door, watching the scene in front of him with interest - the pedestrians on the street and the Souma caravans shuttled through the streets and alleys, and the shouts of vendors not far away resounded throughout the fortress.
If it weren’t for the seven or eight craftsmen in the southwest corner who were busy repairing the big hole that had been made and the burned-to-ruins houses nearby, it would be hard to believe that this fortress of prosperous commerce had just experienced a catastrophe a few days ago.
What is even more surprising is that the former owner who turned this dilapidated military fortress into a prosperous trading star in the central plains of Lombardy is now alone in a dark and damp dungeon. And the person who personally sent him in was also inextricably linked to this fortress ~
Suddenly, there was a sound of the wooden door slamming behind Art. When he turned around, the guard Ron's face was already squeezed into a ball.
"Sir!" Ron smiled and handed the parchment in his hand to Art.
Looking at the crooked traces on the map that finally led to the junction of several gentle hills and dense forests not far from the northern valley, Art couldn't help but muttered, "What an old fox!"
"Old fox?" Ron asked doubtfully.
Ate did not answer. He stared straight at the final dot marked on the map·
It can be seen from the marks on the map that Ward Burley hid the huge treasure in the area where Lombardy and Ate were located at the exit of the valley. That valley has been inaccessible for hundreds of years, wild animals are rampant, and miasma is permeating it. It is indeed an excellent place to hide treasures. In addition, this place is surrounded by high mountains and ravines, making it difficult for outsiders to enter.
even Christopher, the old knight of the Art family, and his people have not discovered this treasure for many years. It is conceivable that Wadbury must have put a lot of thought into hiding this property that he had looted and looted over the years.
But based on just a few words from him, Art would definitely not believe that there was a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry piled here. In addition, the Welsh Army is about to move south. If you want to prove that what that guy said is true, you can only send a reliable person to verify the truth.
Matt put away the map and walked back and forth on the steps, thinking about the best person to complete the treasure hunting mission -
Odo and Angus, as deputy commanders of the legion, need to take command and be responsible for the defense of Solonborg. Other company captains and officers above cannot leave the legion easily to beware of changes in the south.
After much thought, Art decided to hand over this task to the bodyguard Ron.
Matt shouted softly to Ron, "Come here!"
Ron stepped forward quickly, "Master!"
Matt looked around and whispered: "I will give you a secret mission now. You take -"
When it was dark, seven fast horses rushed from the north gate of Soronborg one after another under the whip of their riding whips. The raised dust formed a gray mist, which swept away with the departing cavalry.
On the city wall not far away, Art and Angus stopped here, watching the charging horses gradually disappear at the end of the road. Angus stood behind Art, glanced at the full moon that had appeared on the horizon, then turned to look at the motionless Art, and said stiffly: "Sir, the moon is really full tonight!"
When Angus said these incredible words, Art was shocked. He smiled and said: "Ha! Why is the sergeant major so interested in the moon hanging in the sky tonight? This really sounds like what was said by a noble man in the south."
Angus touched his head awkwardly and said with a smile: "Hey, sir, you are just joking." Then Angus Si changed the subject, suddenly became serious, and said loudly: "It's all the fault of that guy Odo. Now he talks more and more like those noble lords, if it weren't for him~"
"Huh?" Art looked at Angus with wide eyes, obviously having objections to Angus's remarks. "Sergeant, what's wrong with Odo?"
Facing Art's "question", Angus lowered his head and stopped defending.
It turns out that after Angus and Odo were awarded the title of baronet, Art had repeatedly asked them to learn more aristocratic etiquette in order to prepare for emergencies.
Compared with Angus' wild and uninhibited ranger character, Odo always keeps Art's teachings in mind. After all, in this era, it is not allowed by secular society for a low-class person with a background of labor who wants to learn the etiquette and daily language of the nobility. Otto naturally cherishes this opportunity.
And Angus is a typical negative teaching material. He could neither understand the social etiquette of aristocrats, nor bother to imitate their daily language. Perhaps it was because he saw clearly the false aspects of his noble status that he was more willing to follow his inner thoughts.
Facing the different choices between the two, Art did not make any intervention.
Angus just said these words, and Art naturally knew his true purpose. So he said: "Sergeant, if you have anything to say, just say it."
Angos slowly raised his head, holding the hilt of the sword in his left hand, and asked doubtfully: "If what Walder Burley said is true, is it true? Are you really going to let him go? "
"Let him go?" Art turned around, "Who heard me personally agree to him?"
"After Art said this, Angus was overjoyed.
"Sergeant, do you remember how Bernard died?" A cold glint flashed in Art's eyes.
Angus took a step forward, looked around, and whispered: "My lord, you want to let him go first, and then." Angus raised his palm and made a slashing motion.
Matt nodded silently.
"This matter will be left to you when the time comes. Remember, it must be clean!"
Angus smiled slightly and replied: "Don't worry, sir, I promise to make him disappear completely~"
Suddenly, the dead valet Baron under Walder Burley suddenly appeared in Angus's mind. So, he asked again: "My lord, what should I do with the baron under Ward Burley?"
"There is no need to ask, let's deal with it together!"
"Yes!" Angus answered after the order.
"Follow me and see the defense of the south wall!" As soon as he finished speaking, Art had already walked along the city wall. Before he could think about it, Angus also followed Art, walking towards the south wall accompanied by several guards."
As for why Art didn't publicly execute Walder Burley, the answer was hidden in his conversation with the priest Robert last night.
According to the original plan, Art would publicly execute Walder Burley before the army set off to avenge the murder of his father and the hatred of seizing the title and land.
This way not only can a great revenge be avenged, but the resistance forces in the south can also be shaken.
But as a think tank, Robert put forward a different view.
Although Walder Burley is worthless in the eyes of outsiders, as long as he is used properly, it can help Art's status in the hearts of the people of Lombardy.
Today, in the Lombardy-occupied territories and the restive southern towns, the image of the Earl of the North is no longer as feared and hated as it was originally. On the contrary, under the preaching of Denis, the ideological and political officer of the legion, and the beautification of troubadours and theater artists from all over the world, this devil in the mouth of the Lombard soldiers not only strictly ordered his soldiers to burn, kill and loot, but also provided food and shelter for the refugees who had lost their land and homes, helped them repair their houses, and provided them with daily necessities.
Hence, the human concern shown in Art has gradually taken root in people's hearts. If Wadbury is publicly executed to avenge a private enemy at this time, it will not be conducive to maintaining his own image and the rule of his territory.
After repeated consideration, Art accepted Robert's suggestion to publicly release Walder Burley and his entourage in public.
As for what will happen to this prisoner after he leaves Sauron Castle, it has nothing to do with Art.
Hunter's benevolence and righteousness will soon be spread throughout the southern continent through the mouths of the church and the people of Lombardy. At midnight, a military tent in the middle of the camp of the Guards of the Burgundy Palace outside the south gate was brightly lit, and two soldiers in armor and spears stood upright outside the tent. The flag placed aside whirred in the evening breeze, and its tassels fluttered in the wind.
In the tent, Comer, the commander of the Palace Guards Corps, put his hands on the table and looked quietly at the beautifully carved gift box in front of him.
Comor opened the wooden gift box, looked at the strings of valuable agate ornaments inside, and gradually fell into deep thought. Early this morning, Art sent someone to deliver this valuable gift. According to the explanation from the baron who came to deliver the gift, this was a gift specially prepared by Art for Comor.
Before Comer could refuse, the baron made excuses and took the people away.
This is already the fourth gift from the Earl, and every point is valuable.
Comor is not a noble person, but the other party is so polite, which really makes him a little puzzled. Logically speaking, whether Art is the commander-in-chief of the Southern Expedition or the Earl of the Southern Territory, there is no need to be constantly attentive to a person whose position and status are below him.
In addition, the castle sent a large amount of grain, grass, supplies, wine and food to the Palace Guards camp every three days, so that the legionnaires gradually became familiar with the soldiers of the Wells Legion. While Comor was puzzled, the deputy commander of the legion, James, opened the door and walked in.
"Heh! Lord Legion, this agate looks really good." James stepped forward and was about to reach out to take it, when the gift box closed with a "pop" sound.
James glanced at Comor and then sat opposite him. He smiled and said, "Is it possible that it was sent by the Earl again?"
"Asking even though I know it!"
Comor sighed softly, looked at James, and asked: "What do you think Earl Art means?" ?”
Jaime held his chin, rubbed his rough beard, and then blurted out, “Buy people’s hearts!”
As a high-ranking officer of the Imperial Guard, James also received valuable gifts from Art.
As far as he knew, everyone from Legion Commander Comer to ordinary soldiers had received an extra "trophy." This was a reward specially issued by Art to the Palace Guards in the name of rewarding military merit.
Hearing this, Comor suddenly felt inexplicably uneasy in his heart.
Not long after the news of the death of King Flanders came, the Earl of the South and the commander-in-chief of the Southern Expedition blatantly tried to win people's hearts with unpredictable motives.
The deputy commander of the legion saw that Comor's expression was not good, and spoke again, reminding: "Lord Comor, please don't misunderstand me. Now that the Southern Expedition is imminent, the Guards Corps, as part of the Southern Expedition army, cannot be underestimated. The reason why Earl Ater rewards the legionnaires extra,
It must be that he hopes that we can fulfill the monarch's long-cherished wish!"
Comor didn’t answer, and kept rubbing his fingers back and forth on the wooden box.