Lord Harland.

The time has entered September, and the autumn harvest has just ended.

After a year-long construction effort of more than 3,000 people, more than half of the construction of Fort Sophia has been completed.

The foundation of the city wall has been completed, and most of the rammed earth wall has been completed.

When the outer wall is covered with bricks next year and some fortifications are built, the construction of the city wall will be considered complete.

The main project of the City Lord's Mansion has been completed, leaving only the decoration project, the main road has been laid, and even the sewerage project was completed before the snow this year.

More than half of the houses in Sophia City have been repaired this year.

Li Cha was inspecting the construction site and arranging the latest work. Jennings hurried to his side.

Richard looked at everyone and said goodbye to everyone calmly.

After many people managing the construction site left, he quietly said to Jennings: "Is something wrong?"

"Lord Baron, a group of refugees came to the territory after winter and were discovered by our patrol members. Are these people so audacious that they actually shoot arrows at the patrolling soldiers?"

"How are the casualties?"

"No one was injured. The patrolling soldiers saw that the group was very large in number and protected by professionals. There was no recklessness."

Richard nodded and said to Jennings: "Send someone to Fort William, call the First Squadron, and look for this group of refugees tomorrow. See where they have fled to?"

Although the third squadron where Jennings is located has been trained for almost a year and is no longer a recruit, its combat effectiveness is far from comparable to that of the two main squadrons.

Since the intelligence revealed that there were professionals among the refugees who broke into the territory, Richard must not underestimate them.

When a lion fights a rabbit, he also uses all his strength. Richard would never reveal his flaws easily.

Now that the territory lacks a population, since this group of refugees has broken into the territory, Richard will naturally not miss the opportunity.

Now that the fat meat has been brought to his mouth, Richard naturally wants to take a bite and swallow the refugee.

Jennings paid a military salute, and immediately sent troops to Fort William to deliver a letter. With the transfer order written by Richard himself, the No. Squadron left Fort William in a hurried march and arrived at Fort Sophia at nine o'clock in the evening.

Li Cha arranged for someone to prepare dinner for the No. Squadron, and held a meeting overnight with the main officers of the No. and No. Squadrons to discuss countermeasures.

Everyone unanimously decided that soldiers are precious and fast, and raid the refugee camp tomorrow morning.

Early the next morning.

Richard led two squadrons of soldiers and ran for fifteen kilometers to the vicinity of the refugee camp.

This group of refugees was very vigilant. After being spotted by patrolling soldiers yesterday, they immediately sensed the danger.

Although very tired, they still chose to transfer overnight.

But a cunning fox is no match for an experienced hunter.

An army of more than two thousand refugees marched very slowly through the forest.

The forest is full of human footprints, and the traces are very obvious.

After walking for a long time, the refugee team was already looming.

This group of refugees came from the Orc Empire.

Last summer, in order to repel the invading forces of the Grant Kingdom, the Orc Empire mobilized a large number of troops from the northern foot of the Eagle Mountains.

In July, the Orc Empire was defeated and the legendary quilboar was killed in battle. After the news came out, the human slaves in the northern foothills of the Eagle Mountains rebelled one after another in winter.

After the defeat of these human resistance forces, they crossed the mountains and entered the south of the Eagle Mountains this spring and summer.

Seeing winter, the climate in the mountains is getting colder and colder, so this group of refugees took the risk to choose to move south.

Realizing that Richard was chasing after him with his troops, the refugee team immediately became very confused.

Seeing that the team was about to collapse, several strong refugee leaders organized soldiers and formed a loose queue.

The first squadron stopped, and the veteran took out the armor from the backpack, and put on the armor with the help of his comrades.

This squadron has been established for three and a half years. It has fought several battles without too much reduction in personnel. After practicing breathing techniques for more than three years, more than a dozen soldiers have been promoted to advanced soldier students.

Most of the soldiers in the No. Squadron are veterans, and many of them have more than four strength points.

Despite carrying dozens of kilograms of iron armor, their physical strength was still maintained very well. He put on armor before the battle and did not panic.

The lower-level officers all wore snake-like human scale armor, and they looked very capable at first glance.

A few months after the steel plant was put into operation, the territory's steel output increased significantly. Dozens of new pieces of armor were added, basically equipping two main squadrons.

More than half of the soldiers in the main squadron wore iron armor, and the remaining soldiers were also protected by leather armor.

This kind of equipment is no longer weaker than the second-line army.

The leaders of the refugees were all captured officers who had fought in the war.

Some of them came from the Kingdom of Grant, and some came from nearby neighboring countries.

Seeing this scene, these people immediately knew that they had no chance of winning.

"You have invaded the territory of the Harland family. Put down your weapons and surrender immediately."

Richard and the soldiers shouted.

"Drop your weapons and surrender immediately!"

Seeing that the soldiers of the No. Squadron had already raised their bows and set their arrows, several leaders looked at each other and sent people to shout: "Don't shoot the arrows, we are willing to negotiate."

Under the absolute disadvantage, unless they are brave warriors who are willing to die, most people will not dare to fight to the death.

Several people walked over tremblingly.

In the Chenxi Continent, there is also a rule that the two armies do not fight each other.

Generally speaking, noble lords will basically not violate it.

Integrity is the virtue of knights. Violation of integrity will deal a heavy blow to the reputation of nobles, spreading bad reputation and affecting future development.

The refugee leaders were very cautious. They had no mutual trust with Richard. Most of them sent their cronies instead of coming to negotiate terms in person.

Only one daring leader of the refugees came forward in person.

"Who are you, why did you break into Harland's territory?"

"We are free citizens of the kingdom, and there are three noble officers in the camp."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Frank, my lord."

Richard gently picked up the riding crop and calmed the Iron Wildebeest. Pointing at Frank's chest, he said: "I already know your identities very well. Many slaves captured by the orcs this year have fled to nearby territories. There are more or less incidents of refugees entering the lord's territory.

My territory is short of people, no matter what you say, it is destined to become a meal on the plate of Master Harland.I hope you will recognize reality, give up illusions, surrender your weapons and surrender. "

"We hate our status as slaves. From the day we took up arms, we made up our minds that we would never be slaves. Without freedom, we would rather die."

"Only those who are afraid of death will be captured by the orcs. Real warriors will only die on the battlefield and let the orcs bleed. Mr. Harland standing in front of you looks young and has participated in many wars. Created a hereditary baronet.

Your threats will only make you shed your own blood. "

Richard pointed to his chest and said loudly to Frank: "Negotiation or war? You can choose the conditions?"