Urban Sims

Chapter 27 Prelude to War
One day in August this year, Lord Baron Connor hurriedly took a few knights to the castle of the Earldom, and within two days, he hurried back to Granland with the knights.

What followed was a depressive and tense atmosphere that permeated the Grand Land.

Going to war.

A real war.

Everyone is likely to bleed, including lords, knights, and even those auxiliary peasants.

The cause of the matter still has to start with the two noble factions that have been fighting for more than 300 years in the noble court of the royal capital. These two factions are bounded by the north and the south. , the seven counties in the north of the kingdom are united as the "Northern Faction".

Perhaps because of the king's acquiescence, the two factions fought fiercely in the noble court, often over some issues such as the amount of tribute to the king, the candidates for the court judge, the candidates for the generals who fought against neighboring countries, and the candidates for the palace ministers of the kingdom's internal affairs... ... and so on, there are often quarrels due to huge differences, and no matter whether it is the southern faction or the northern faction, they all want to fight for greater interests for themselves in the noble court.

For example, this time, regarding the distribution of the 500 horses that should be paid tribute to the king this year, the southern faction asked the northern faction to undertake the tribute task of 400 horses on the grounds that there are more highlands and high-quality war horses in the north, and the southern faction should undertake 100 horses. .

The northern faction asked the southern faction to bear 400 horses because the south was warm and prosperous, and the north was cold and poor, but the northern faction could only afford 100 horses.

Both sides had their own reasons, and they fought fiercely. In the noble court, they even rolled up their sleeves and staged a martial arts show. The nobles with bruised noses and swollen faces lost all grace and dignity.

After the king was alarmed, he asked the judge to make an arbitration: the southern faction and the northern faction can each send a representative to fight a battle on the border between the two sides. The winning side only needs to pay 100 horses a year, and the losing side On that side, you need to pay 400 horses.

If the two sides are tied, then one side will bear half, and each will pay 250 horses.

After some discussion and discussion, the nobles from the north and the south agreed to the arbitration, and even increased the stake!The losing party not only has to bear more tribute horses, but also has to cede one-third of the land and population of an earldom.

It was like pouring a pot of cold water into a boiling oil pan, and the earls of the two factions called for a fight, trying to open the heads of those "South (Northern) guys" who had long been disliked.

In the end, Baron Connor's direct superior, Earl Lausitz, took the task, and his "County of Rhodes" sent troops to fight the war with the "County of Merlin" of Earl William, who was adjacent to the north. If Earl William's army can be defeated, one-third of the land and population of the "Earl of Merlin" will belong to Earl Lausitz.

As for whether or not to lose?

Count Lausitz said that he had never thought of this problem at all!

Count Lausitz hadn't thought about losing, but Baron Connor had to think about it, because his Grand Territory was right next to the Earl of Merlin. Once Count Lausitz lost, there was no doubt that he would lose. Granland will definitely be ceded to the territory of the Earl of Merlin.

At that time, the lords and knights of Granland and several other baronies that will be ceded will completely lose their territories and subjects, and become wandering lords and knights. They need to rely on the charity of others to find a shelter .

"Conscript all the knights, take out all the property in the castle, hire some mercenaries with good combat effectiveness, and all the strong farmers in the territory, immediately stop the farming work in hand, all recruited, take up arms, and participate in this battle fighting!"

In the castle chamber, Baron Connor quickly made a decision.

"Father, there is no need to mobilize so many troops, right? Now the farmers are harvesting the wheat fields, and the war will not start until September after the wheat is harvested. If the farmers are asked to stop their farm work now, won't the autumn harvest be delayed? Besides, those farmers It’s useless, just give them a spear temporarily.”

Edward, who was sitting by the long table, said disapprovingly. He heard that the Yankees were very powerful, but they were not so powerful that they needed to be taken seriously.

"The farm work must be stopped immediately! Seize the remaining time for some training, Edward, this is a real war, not your one-on-one contest in the Knight Academy. If you lose the contest, you will be injured for a few days at most That's all, if this war is lost, we will have nothing!"

Looking at Edward, Baron Connor stood up and said very seriously: "We must use all means to increase our chances of winning, even if we sacrifice all the farmers in the territory!"

"Yes, Dad!" Edward put away the contempt on his face and nodded solemnly.

"Willard, Morris, you are responsible for training those farmers who lack training, and try to let them form a decent formation within a month." Baron Connor ordered the two guard knights who had followed him for many years.

"Yes, Lord Baron!" The two knights got up to protect their chests and said.

……

Zhou Ming in the castle quickly noticed this strange atmosphere.

Groups of farmers put down their farm work and were gathered at the training ground in front of the castle. Each of them distributed a brand new spear and a thick hardwood shield. Continuously carried out the training of marching in formation, stabbing with spears and anti-bow and arrow shooting.

Even the butler Bunode, who has always been known for his miserliness, made the cook prepare a whole pot of delicious beef and mutton, baked yellow and soft oat bread, and a lot of dried meat, cheese and eggs for these hard-trained The farmer replenishes his strength every day.

During the interval of training, the housekeeper Bunode walked among these farmers and said loudly: "Practice the spears in your hands! Your lord baron said, when you arrive at the battlefield, kill a farmer and you will be rewarded with 50 silver coins. A mercenary will be rewarded with 1 gold coin, and if you can kill a knight, you will be rewarded with 50 gold coins! All perform well, and if anyone makes meritorious service, Lord Baron will definitely not treat you badly!"

Hearing these seductive words, among the farmers present, except for some young people, their eyes lit up and they asked, "Is this true?" "Is there really so many rewards?" Except for the enemy, most of the farmers had lukewarm faces on their faces, as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

Zhou Ming, who was silently paying attention to the side, thought to himself: Except for a few young people who were dazzled by rewards, these farmers should think about how to save their lives on the battlefield, right?
Looking at the castle training ground, the nine knights who are training intensively, and the more than 100 mercenaries hired by Baron Connor with a lot of money, who just arrived at the castle yesterday, were also wielding knives and axes. Zhou Ming guessed: These are well-equipped The mercenaries with fierce, fierce appearance and even a lot of barbarians in the team will definitely have no problem fighting with the wind, but if they really want to risk their lives and fight a strong enemy to the last moment, I am afraid it is [-]% impossible.

"That is to say, the more than 110 knights and mercenaries that can really be used by the Granlings now are the more than 1000 farmers who are training outside the castle. Use your stamina..."

Zhou Ming couldn't help but tremble. Fortunately, he has become Downey Jr.'s servant now, otherwise if he also goes to the battlefield along with him, good or bad will be unpredictable.

"Ryan, the Lord Baron just said that some strong servants in the castle will also participate in training. You are in such good health, go to the battlefield with us!"

Edward's knight attendant - Fat Baum appeared behind him at some point, looking at him with a wicked smile.

Zhou Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Master Baum, my chest was slapped by a black bear last year, and it hasn't completely healed yet..."

"It's been more than a year, how can it be still not good? Don't make excuses Ryan! The baron didn't raise you to let you eat and drink here all day! It's time to work for the baron. Just now I also told the baron Having said that, Lord Baron said that since you have this intention, you can follow me as an auxiliary soldier and help carry some food and grass... Can't you even do such a small thing?" Baum said in a dissatisfied tone.

"It was done, of course it was done."

Zhou Ming clenched his teeth and said, this damn Baum actually wanted to frame him!

But even if he went to explain to Baron Connor now, he would leave an extremely bad impression on the baron... He could only knock out his teeth and swallow it.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Seeing Zhou Ming's receding back, Baum laughed heartily, Ryan, come to the battlefield with us, I will let Master Edward arrange you to the forefront of the battlefield, and when you die, you are so delicate and lovely My little sister, let me, Baum, take care of her. Of course, I also told Master Edward that Alice's first~night should be left to him to enjoy first...

(End of this chapter)