Realm of Power

Casting his gaze on the crowds of people walking on the street outside, Algernon Julia had a thoughtful look on her stern pretty face. Compared with the coldness inside the car, the scene outside the car window could be described as full of spring. The windows of the shops on both sides of the street along the way were decorated with thousands of decorations. Full of flowers. Thick new green covers everything people can see

April, early summer, is the most comfortable season with moderate temperature and humidity for the Rusty region, which is located at the outside of the Great Basin of Gaul. The rainy season subsides, and the bright spring scenery returns outside, with the breeze blowing the scent of early summer. , seeping into people's skin through thin clothes, making people's hearts active. People were coming and going, including ordinary civilians, businessmen, and noisy hawkers. The clouds were changing and flowing rapidly in the sky. Children after school were also playing in the streets as if they were being urged, flying toward their homes with laughter. Ben, crisp laughter came, just like a peaceful and prosperous scene,

The carriage passed through the downtown area of ​​the city. No one seemed to care about this unmarked carriage. Occasionally, some people expressed a little curiosity about the cavalry of the Falcon Empire guarding the carriage, but it was just curiosity. Algernon Julia could clearly feel the huge changes in the entire central urban area. The scenery remained the same, but the people here seemed to have accepted the rule of the Falcon Empire at a staggering speed.

"I can't believe it. Half a month ago, this was the battlefield where we fought fiercely with the Falcon Army! And now..." Opposite her, Andalin, who was wearing a smart female knight uniform, looked at the scene outside the window. Showing shock, he said with a bit of weirdness in his tone.

"It's just a temporary attitude of gentle rule. It's just a trick used to deceive the ignorant! If these Gauls knew the brutal nature of the Falcon Empire, they wouldn't be so happy and happy." Algernon Julia in Pick up a document from the other side. He said with a slightly disdainful look, "

"The Falcon Empire is indeed cruel, but in terms of war and government affairs, it has always been remarkable!" Andalin glanced at a stall passing by not far away and said, " According to the teacher's information, since the Falcon Army announced its occupation of the central city, the aristocratic class in the city has not been purged as expected.

The Falcon Empire simply declared that the common people of Gaul had the same rights as the nobles. Everyone is equal, and the children of common people can be sent to school to study like the nobles. The nobles can do business freely and participate in various chambers of commerce. Peasants can get land for farming. A large number of land outside the city has been taken back and then started again. distribute.

The nobles whose lands were taken back have all received compensation from the Falcon Empire. To be honest, even the teacher said that whether we like it or not, we have to accept that the area occupied by the Falcon Army is stabilizing. Or maybe this is what the teacher calls "people's hearts"! "

Although very reluctant, Andalin was assigned by her teacher Hassen Rimbaud to serve as Algernon Julia's adjutant. During the five months of confrontation with the Falcon Empire, Hassen Rimbaud did his best to collect intelligence about the enemy. . He can be regarded as the person who currently knows the most about the Falcon Empire among the senior officials in Gaul.

Andalin wearing a standard female knight outfit. Her dark blond hair is cut very short, making people think she is a handsome young man at first glance, but her slim figure, smooth skin, and the orange scarf exposed at the neckline seem to prove that she is a handsome young man. A woman.

She seemed very dissatisfied with Algernon Julia's disregard for civilians, and was even a little angry.

Algernon Julia clearly felt this. She put down the document in her hand and said with a smile, "Miss Andalin, you have to know that civilians are just civilians. There are tens of millions of such people in the empire. Their power is as weak as ants. Facing How much role can they play in such a behemoth as the country? Compared with the interests of the empire, these so-called people's hearts are very ridiculous! "

"And the word "people's hearts" does not come from my Gallic language family, but from the Central Bian language family. It seems that Lord Hassan Rimbaud was also influenced by Central Bian culture while fighting on the eastern battlefield! And I, After studying for three years at the most prestigious Kyoto Academy in the Central Asian Empire, I know better than he does what people's hearts are.

"In the face of absolute power, the power of people's hearts is so small that it can almost be ignored! Don't believe too much in such illusory things." Algernon Julia's voice was comfortable and crisp, full of the pleasant feeling of music, but also full of a kind of cold arrogance. Something is inside,

"Although the people's hearts are weak, as long as there are enough, they can still be gathered into a huge force that can drive the entire era!" When Andalin heard Algernon Julia's words, her face turned pale with anger, and she said without any sign of weakness, "The teacher once said to China expressed appreciation for the concentration of imperial power in the Biya Empire, that power was highly concentrated in The system in the hands of the emperor was the most ideal system for the Gallic Empire. In particular, the teacher believed that the popular theory of the Central Asian Empire was the core key to studying the entire Central Asian culture, because the replacement of imperial power in the Central Asian Empire was based on it! On this basis! You can see the rise and fall of an empire from this!"

"Mr. Hassan Rimbaud must have never told you that the country that believes in the so-called "people's heart" is currently facing a powerful invasion from the northern barbarians. Thousands of people were slaughtered, and the sound of wailing spread across the earth. And that country There is nothing we can do except launching the so-called volunteer army. Is this the power of people’s hearts?”

Algernon Julia looked at the unconvinced Andalin, smiled slightly, her eyes filled with deep sadness, and said slowly, "If people's hearts really matter, then the powerful northern barbarians would have been wiped out by "people's hearts" long ago. It is also because of this that I gave up my studies in the Central Asian Empire and quietly returned to the Empire, because I finally understood that the only thing that makes the Empire strong is the iron-blooded sword and ruthlessness towards the enemy. Everything else is just dazzling! It’s just an appearance.”

"Cold-blooded animals!" Andalin looked at Algernon Julia's indifferent expression and whispered very rudely.

"If it's for what you protect, it doesn't matter even if it's cold-blooded!" Algernon Julia curled her lips. He cast his eyes downward, unwilling to argue any further. He continued to flip through his documents with a calm expression. This time, in addition to the so-called "piano appreciation", there was another more important matter, which was the redemption of prisoners, the battle on the Eastern Front, and the local defense of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. . . . After the seven local garrison regiments were completely wiped out, more than 30,000 people died in the battle. In addition to the 7,000 or 7,000 people brought back by Hassen Rimbaud, more than 5,000 blue holy beast cavalry were withdrawn when they realized something was wrong in advance. The Falcon Army captured 124 Gallic garrison officers and 57,000 soldiers in one fell swoop.

The condition offered by the Falcon King was a ransom of 2 million gold coins. Because the matter was extremely secretive, the only person who knew about it was Hassan Rimbaud. For a total of more than 50,000 captives, this was a ransom of 2 million gold coins. It's really not a high price. Faced with the Falcon Army's request for this meeting, Algernon Julia, who is the real person in charge of Rusty's defense line, really has no choice but to refuse. The empire can lose its meager popular support, but it cannot show the same indifference to the nobles and military who support the empire's precarious building as it does to the civilians. If ignored, the entire Rusty defense will be shaken.

"To tempt myself into the game with such conditions, there is no doubt that the Falcon King has ulterior motives! If I am not wrong, the Falcon King may use me as a hostage to put the general into a passive situation. Therefore, please Sir Hassan Rimbaud before I leave. During this time, she can pay close attention to the movements of the Falcon Army, and Julia is ready to abandon herself if necessary!"

When Algernon Julia met with Hassen Rimbaud before leaving, she expressed her sincerity in attending the meeting in person. As the head of the military and the person most responsible for the Eastern Front War, Hassen Rimbaud showed the character of an outstanding soldier. The iron-clad character means that he will personally arrange the defense and not give the Falcon Army any chance to take advantage of it.

As Algernon Julia entered the area controlled by the Falcon Army, the situation on the Rustic Western Front began to become tense. As the night wind blew through the fields, the grass and woods made a rustling sound, and the night sky in early April was filled with stars. , the temporary legion headquarters of the Gallic Army was also fully prepared for war. The legion staff running back and forth started from the moment they walked into the gate. , one sentry every three steps, one post every five steps, patrols wearing cloaks and fully armed walked back and forth from time to time. In the military camp outside the city, the troops who received the order to set off were assembled and on standby. At any time, they may need to march into the most intense battle. area, at the corner of the hall corridor, a soldier blocks the path of an aide, carefully checking the certificate of the messenger

These soldiers had serious faces and were wearing the uniforms of Hassen Rimbaud's personal guards. This was a sight that was only seen in truly important meetings. The rare tense atmosphere made all the Gallic generals who walked into the conference room feel a little bit confused. nervous

"What's going on, what's going on, Mr. Hassan Rambo! At this time, it would be a blessing if the Falcon Army didn't take the initiative to attack. Why do you have to do this!"

"Yes, is this simply asking for death? Let's wait for the supervisor to come! This crazy practice must be stopped. The sounds of various low-pitched discussions and the sound of people walking back and forth make the air in the entire conference room tense. Their troops have just received orders to Seeking to reverse the previous retreat, they quickly built a series of wooden camps within the defense line. Under the command of Hassan Rimbaud, the 250,000 Gallic troops launched an extremely rare attack posture. It felt like Launching a provocation to the Falcon Army on the opposite side

"Bang bang" a burst of rapid footsteps came from the door, and then the guard raised his voice and shouted, "Lord Hassan Rimbaud is here!" Brush! Like an unusual tacit understanding, the low-pitched chatter immediately stopped, and all that could be heard was the sound of the cold wind blowing against the trees outside.

"Everyone stand at attention." The sound of all the Gallic generals standing up in unison shook the entire conference room, almost filling the entire conference room. Hassan Rimbaud waved his hand to everyone, "Everyone, please sit down. Lord Supervisor is not coming back. I will preside over this meeting alone!"

"What! Why didn't the Lord Supervisor show up?" The voice was made by Tie Lan. He stood there with an angry face and asked loudly, "Sir Hassan Rambo, why did the Lord Supervisor not come, or did the Lord come?" Inform the Lord Supervisor about this meeting. If this is the case, this meeting is against His Majesty’s will! I need your Lord to give us an explanation.”

"Yes, why didn't the Lord Supervisor come? What's going on!" The generals also looked at each other. Everyone knew that the person who was really in charge now was Algernon Julia, and as for Hassan Rimbaud. It was only a matter of time before he was deprived of the position of chief, and all the generals remained silent. But their suspicious eyes said it all,

Hassen Rimbaud took a deep breath of cold air with a livid face. The situation before him made him feel angry, but thinking of the dangerous situation in the depths of Algernon Julia's supervision of the army and the need for military support, he could secretly hold back a breath and said, " Algernon Julia is currently not on the Western Front because of a special mission. She is now on the territory of the Falcon Army. And we are about to start negotiations with the cruel Falcon King. This is why I called an emergency meeting. For the supervisory army who is in danger, the courage you are showing now is also strong, and the more effective it is for negotiations. Guarantee, so we must show the combat power of the Gallic army so that the Falcon King on the opposite side does not dare to act rashly against the Lord Supervisor! "

"The Lord Supervisor is on the territory of the Falcon Army!" When the news came out, the faces of all the Gallic generals who participated in the meeting changed immediately. The first thing everyone thought of was whether Hassan Rimbaud had poisoned the Supervisor. , this statement is really unconvincing! The hesitant expressions on the generals' faces made Hassen Rimbaud feel the urge to vomit blood. He was already so distrusted by his subordinates. Sure enough, the woman was right to give the token to him before leaving, but it was sad to say that he had been fighting for the empire for more than ten years. He worked hard and had scars all over his body. Not as trustworthy as a woman

"If you don't believe it, here is the autographed letter left by the Lord Supervisor!" Hassen Rambo took out a letter with a wry smile and handed it to Tie Lan, who made the loudest noise. "The Lord Supervisor did have extremely important things to leave." , if you continue to struggle here, it will only make the situation of Lord Supervisor more passive! "

"An autographed letter from Lord Supervisor?" Tie Lan took the letter and glanced at it suspiciously. The delicate handwriting on it was indeed the handwriting of Algernon Julia. The handwriting was clear and smooth. It didn't look like it was forced. When it was written, Tielan handed it over doubtfully. To the next person, he finally showed a look of trust on his face and said slowly, "Okay, although I can't be sure whether this letter is true or false, I am more willing to believe that you are loyal to the empire. For the safety of the supervisor, I will Sir, please explain the arrangements for this battle immediately!

Hassan Rimbaud finally breathed a sigh of relief, walked back to the wall with the map, pointed at the Western Front area, and said loudly, "This time, our mission is not to fight, but to put pressure on the Falcon Army's front-line combat troops! Tell us! They, our Gallic army will not give them any chance to take advantage of them."

Hassan Rambo stretched out a finger, pointed at a city on the map and said, "The meeting place of the Lord Supervisor is here, and the nearest army is 30 miles away from us. In order to ensure the safety of the meeting of the Lord Supervisor, we can only push the front line." Therefore, I decided to have the 17th Heavy Garrison Regiment be deployed to the north of the meeting place, together with the 21st and 24th Guards. The defense lines of the reserve regiments echo each other. As for the Kyoto Army, I need to get rid of Lord Tielan's Kyoto Army's 15,000 cavalry, which is deployed at the entrance to the Andes Mountain Pass. If necessary, we can attack from the left wing. I will personally lead the Sixth Army and The 22nd and 24th local garrison regiments are pushed to the right wing, so that we can form a solid iron triangle. The 18th garrison regiment also needs to advance to the Alonsodi Corridor.

There is the entrance to the straight-line passage to the rear of our army. There is a solid fortress in the middle, and 17,000 troops of the 19th and 20th Garrison Regiments are stationed there. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and has little strategic significance. Even if the passage is reached, At the end, we will also need to face the fierce counterattack of my 250,000-strong army. Unless the opponent is crazy, the possibility of launching an attack is extremely low, but it is best to achieve complete defense. His troops fully deployed their forces according to their respective defense zones. In terms of strength comparison, the Northwest Legion of the Falcon Army opposite, because they need to leave manpower to guard the central urban area, is still inferior to us in terms of overall strength. Currently, according to intelligence, in Opposite us are 70,000 people from the Central Army of the Falcon Empire, 50,000 people from the Southern Second Army, and 30,000 Dongting combat cavalry, for a total force of 150,000! Relatively speaking, we have an advantage! "

"Lord Hasen Rimbaud, what if the Falcon Army launches a full-line attack on us?" A Gallic general said with a hint of worry. "Although our army has the advantage in numbers, when it comes to combat power and equipment, it is outclassed by the opponent." The morale of the soldiers is low, and the subordinates are worried that they will collapse in the face of direct contact! "

"Yes, the Falcon Army is famous for its good fighting skills. Even the Confederates were beaten and moved to Kyoto. If they are separated from the defensive line, our army will be completely unable to compete head-on!" Another Gallic general agreed.

"If we encounter a large-scale attack by the Falcon Army, I grant you the right to make a decision on the spur of the moment!" Hassan Rambo looked very helpless. It was because the Falcon Army fought too fiercely and lost their armor along the way. The generals also They were afraid of being beaten. From this point of view, it was a strategically helpless move to give up the central line and secure enough troops for the western front.

"If you don't have any questions, please go back and make arrangements immediately!" Hassan Rambo glanced at the uncertain faces of everyone, and said in a serious voice, "I leave the safety of the supervisor to you! I wish our warriors the best. Fight hard and become a strong shield for Lord Supervisor in the enemy camp! "