When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

"The Patriarch and the Autocratic Public Order decree that all soldiers receive their rewards at the training ground, no armor required."

The blue cloaks of the military police cavalry fluttered in the wind, the scroll fell to the ground, rolling several times.

The centurions grumbled as they stepped forward to pick it up, dusting off the dirt, and giving the middle finger to the backs of the military police.

After the start of summer, the golden silk grass near Ladanburg finally transitioned from its yellowish sprout stage to its tender leaf stage.

Standing on the earthen platform in front of the training ground, Horn could see the lush green meadows crossed by silver ribbon-like rivers.

On this meadow outside Ladanburg, countless grass sheds and tents now stood.

The Mountain Infantry Regiment, dressed in charcoal black uniforms, gathered in groups of twos and threes, their eyes all focused on the earthen platform.

At the center of their attention stood Moreyattie in her smart military uniform and Horn in his monk's robes.

Nearly a hundred soldiers, amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the others, couldn't help but smile as they went up onto the platform one by one.

The master of ceremonies' shrill voice rang out, and with each announcement, a soldier walked onto the platform.

"Andre Massey, for his outstanding command during the Battle of Rust River, leading his soldiers... awarded the First Class Rust River Medal and the 'Pope's Fist' Medal."

"Lafer 'Iron Water' Hunter, for his bravery and decisiveness, successfully driving several knights out of the fortified camp... awarded the Third Class Rust River Medal."

"Kaler de Hans, for operating the falcon cannon to kill two Edict Knights... awarded the Second Class Rust River Medal."

"Good lad, your name is Kaler, isn't it?" Retracting his gaze, Horn looked at the young soldier before him, who in his estimation was not yet an adult. "Heroes have emerged since ancient times."

As he spoke, he picked up a bag full of silver coins and placed it in Kaler's hands.

Kaler bowed in a daze before walking towards Moreyattie amidst Horn's kind laughter.

Moreyattie, with a stern face, first gave Kaler a military salute, and then solemnly pinned the Second Class Rust River Medal on his chest.

"Work hard, I hope to see you at the centurion's award ceremony next time."

Touching the gilded medal engraved with the Rust River, Kaler trembled all over.

Just as his brother-in-law had said, being named on the award platform is what makes a good man.

This is no ordinary silver piece, but a true certificate to becoming an officer.

Seeing that the young man, not yet eighteen years old, had actually received a Second Class Medal, the mountain knights were grinding their back teeth.

The Gravel Plain army on the Nauan River line was too cowardly, couldn't they be as aggressive as the Red Cedar Duke?

Watching the cheering award-winning soldiers and the other soldiers who were biting their lips in envy, Horn and Moreyattie exchanged glances, knowing they had come to the right place.

This time, Horn had brought 12,000 gold pounds in cash and 6,000 gold pounds worth of supplies.

In addition, he had specially melted a large amount of silver and commissioned a batch of gilded craftsmen to make a batch of medals.

Although the current medal system has not yet been officially implemented, the actual Rust River Medal belongs to the category of campaign commemorative medals.

Campaign commemorative medals are generally awarded to senior commanders for the first class, to middle and lower-level commanders and soldiers who have made extraordinary achievements for the second class, and to soldiers who have shown bravery for the third class.

And Bessar's "Pope's Fist" medal is a medal of honor, which can directly promote one rank.

As the awards were given out one by one, and everyone sang the "Thousand River Valley Military Song", the ceremony came to an end.

After dismissing the crowd, Horn and Moreyattie entered a private prairie cabin.

"I didn't think you would come."

Unlike before, Moreyattie, having taken off her iron mask, did not hug him, but poured Horn a cup of black tea.

"The Thousand River Valley and the Holy Alliance are, after all, one entity, and since the war has begun, I also hope that you can win." Horn looked at Moreyattie's rebellious eyes.

"Didn't the Holy Alliance just get a new little lover called the Black Serpent Bay Federation?" Moreyattie put her iron fist behind her back. "Without the Thousand River Valley, I'm completely finished, and without the Thousand River Valley, you still have Black Serpent Bay."

"What kind of talk is that?" Horn couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. "I share weal and woe with the Thousand River Valley, do you think I would run away?"

"I didn't mean that." Moreyattie's tone was indifferent, but it sounded somewhat sarcastic.

"I heard that in three days, you will officially set off to attack Salt Beach Market?"

"Yes."

"I'll say this first, I don't object, but there are some requirements I want to state to you, after all, the Thousand River Valley belongs to everyone." Horn tried to restrain his temper. "These are the results of the military's secret discussions day and night."

Moreyattie, who had originally been acting like a rebellious girl, calmed down.

"First of all, you must take the initiative in this battle. When it ends should not be determined by the enemy, but by you.

Because you know that our strategic goal in attacking the Gravel Plain is not invasion, but defense.

The Gravel Plain is right next to us, and we can come for their territory at any time, don't be impatient."

Horn knew that Moreyattie was stubborn, and he was afraid that she would get stuck in a dead end and do something that would win the battle but lose the war.

Currently, the Laya Kingdom is already besieging Duke Nedbach's last stronghold.

If the city falls, the Duke will only have to surrender.

After half a year of rest, after the farming season, it is expected that they will attack in March or April.

Moreyattie must not drag the war into the new year, let alone into March or April.

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"Understood." Moreyattie nodded solemnly.

"Secondly, the Shepherds and the Gravel Plain people, although they are enemies now, will be our people in the future.

If you treat them well, they will treat you well. Don't underestimate the Shepherds, they can provide you with unexpected help.

I can provide you with more supplies and more management talents, but you'd better restrain the army's discipline."

Through Cheka and the front-line monks, Horn knew what the northern army of Thousand River Valley had been doing in the Gravel Plain during this period.

Forcibly conscripting men was considered light, what with impersonating bandits, robbing women, eating free meals... they were proficient in all four subjects of trickery and deception.

"If we restrain military discipline, where will the fighting spirit come from? If we don't allow looting, how heavy will the soldiers' resentment be?" Moreyattie sneered. "It's not like they've done anything that provokes the wrath of the heavens, didn't your Black Champion do that often before?"

"Can that be the same?" Horn was momentarily speechless.

"What's different? I can't afford your high salary, what else can I do besides using looting as a reward?

You give me a full salary for the soldiers, and I'll immediately rectify military discipline...

How about it? Speechless? Helpless, aren't you, aren't you helpless?"

Horn was indeed helpless.

He had a negative opinion of this war in the first place, one of the reasons being that he was afraid that the current economy of Thousand River Valley could not afford two consecutive wars.

Moreyattie took the initiative to start the war, and now she says she has no money and has to rely on the soldiers to loot.

The target of the attack is the lord, and if the locals are angered, then maintaining stability and the legitimacy of the regime will be a major problem.

If it costs 50,000 to fight the war and 100,000 to maintain stability, then what's the point of fighting?

It's better not to fight.

This is the difference in the underlying logic between the two.

Horn believes that people make up a country, and if you bring the people over, the country will follow.

Moreyattie believes that the country rules the people, and if you conquer the country first, the people will come.

If it were Earth, Horn would be sure that he was right.

But in an empire with transcendent beings, he wasn't so sure.

Seeing Horn frown, Moreyattie still gave him face: "I will order them to consciously rectify military discipline."

But it's hard to say how much effect it will have.

Moreyattie hid the second half of her sentence under her tongue.

"Hopefully it will take effect." Horn said with a cold face.

Thus, the conversation between the two ended unhappily once again.