Iron Powder and Spellcasters Chapter 342

   Chapter 342 Lieutenant Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel

   There is a contradiction in Pierre's recounted experience, which old Vogt did not seem to have noticed.

  In Jiangbei Province, the farce of soldiers drinking and causing trouble is staged every day. If military law is strictly enforced, the military government will soon be out of troops.

   Therefore, as long as the big-headed soldier did not stab the big basket, it usually took a few whips.

  Pierre was imprisoned in Shilin Prison as a "deserter" not because of trouble, and there must be another reason.

   But Pierre only talked about the experience of being arrested in general, and he did not talk much about the previous things. The old man lived decades longer than Pierre, so naturally he didn't ask any more questions.

   What made the old man unable to restrain his curiosity was not Pierre's life experience, but another mysterious figure - the young captain.

   With just a glance, the old man could see who was the real boss.

   "Your Excellency who came to pick you up." The old man asked cautiously, "Who is he?"

  Pierre glanced at the old man and said hesitantly: "He is..."

   At this moment, the tent curtain was lifted. A light came in and interrupted the chat between the two.

   A stout middle-aged man stood outside the tent, the eagle's beak-shaped sterling silver saber handle gleaming around his waist. Although his temples were gray and his figure was a little out of shape, there was no doubt that he was still as strong as a stone wall, and would never be destroyed by a violent storm.

   "It's time to go." The middle-aged man said with a sullen face.

   "Understood." Pierre put one hand on the ground and stood up with difficulty.

The    curtain was lowered, and the middle-aged man turned to leave.

  The old man recalled the appearance of the middle-aged man, and secretly looked at Pierre's facial features, vaguely feeling that the two might be related by blood.

   "Your father?" the old man asked tentatively.

   Pierre didn't answer. The persistent low-grade fever caused him to stand up suddenly and only feel dizzy. It took him a while to regain his balance.

   He squeezed out a smile and stretched out his hand to the old man: "It's time for us to say goodbye too."

   Out of the tent, the sun is shining.

  The tent where Pierre and the old man are located is only a corner of the camp. Outside the tent, it was a busy scene just before the camp was pulled out.

   There was no swearing or scolding, and men, old and young, dismantled the camp in silence, loaded carts, fed the horses with refined grains, and prepared in an orderly manner.

   Several powerful riders said hello and galloped out of the camp first, apparently to explore the way.

The old man was brought before the young captain, who kindly handed him a purse: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Voigt."

When    sneaked into Jiangbei Province, Winters only brought one Vashka.

   By the time he was about to leave, a miniature army of more than 200 people was already by his side.

  Although far from the center of power, Arpad Duyoom was nominally the supreme commander of the military government. With Arpad taking care of him personally, Winters did not suffer too much difficulty and obstruction, and successfully retrieved his old department.

   In addition to the sons and daughters of Wolf Town and Dussack from Wolf Town, Winters also took away many old troops who fought under his command and were still alive during the Battle of the Great Wasteland.

The    people are all found, the next question is how to go.

   Pierre, Vashka and others are still recorded as deserters in the Third Republic's wanted list; once Gillard, Sergey and others leave the army, they will also be considered deserters.

  Winters obtained an "understanding" from the military government by virtue of his "personal relationship" with Arpad, but this did not mean that the military government was willing to see the "deserters" leave Jiangbei Province with great fanfare.

   The safest strategy is of course to come in secrecy and go quietly.

   However, the size of the team has soared to more than 200 people, including many cavalry. All the way to eat, drink and Lazar, clothing, food, housing and transportation, no matter what, it is impossible to be as secretive as before.

  So, Winters ordered the purchase of freight carts and horses, disguised as a caravan and left Jiangbei Province.

  Some subordinates worry that the caravan's goal is too large, and once it is inspected, it will be revealed.

"What the bureaucracy needs most is 'compliance,'" Winters explained: "If someone is determined to break through, then even Alpad can't keep us. But if no one wants to break through, then even just We are also safe through a layer of fine gauze."

   Actually, Winters needs no explanation at all. In this temporary team, in addition to his old team, it is the father of his old team. In the final analysis, it is his one word.

   Therefore, no matter whether others were persuaded or not, seeing Winters' firm attitude, they consciously maintained his authority, and no one objected.

   In the process of purchasing goods, carriages, horses, and supplies, the potter and thief [Old Vogt], who had lived in Xiaoforge for half his life, threaded the needle and helped the foreign visitor Winters a lot.

  Because of the war and banditry, the painted pottery in Xiaolu City lost sales, and each workshop had a backlog of goods more or less.

   Knowing that Winters' caravan is interested in purchasing, the workshop owners can't wait to sell and deliver, just to clear the inventory as soon as possible, so as not to fight.

   After some purchases, the fake caravan has actually become more like it.

   That's why Winters gave old Vogt the money. In his view, the old Vogt had contributed as a middleman and should receive a salary.

   But old Vogt refused to accept it.

   "No no no! I can't have it." The old man shook his head vigorously: "You rescued me from the dark prison. I can't finish this kindness. It's just a little help, I can't take the money."

   "Old man, one yard is one yard." Winters looked into each other's eyes: "You work for us, and we pay for it, it's fair."

  The old man took a step back and bowed: "The Lord will bless you, Your Excellency. I can't take this money."

   Winters felt that old Vogt was not being courteous or trying to play hard, so he said something sincere.

   He put the purse into old Vogt's hand, and said sincerely, "Old man, the world is not good. After we are gone, you have to live."

   Old Vogt bowed his head, but this time he did not refuse. The captain's words couldn't be more straightforward. Although his debts have been erased, in this world, what will a bad old man live on in the future? Steal?

   Pierre suddenly said: "Master, otherwise you can go with us. With such a large caravan, you are not alone."

  Pierre's body was far from recovering, and the cold air outside the tent made him cough violently. He coughed and said, "My family has a manor, and there is enough space. There is always a bite for you to eat. If you die, there is also a place to bury you..."

   Girard, who was standing beside him, gave his son a distressed and angry look.

   Feeling distressed because Pierre's body was almost destroyed by the black prison; angry because Pierre was disrespectful and made a promise in front of Captain Montagne without permission.

   Winters and Pierre did not feel any difference. Since Winters returned to Iron Peak County, Pierre has served as Winters' adjutant until he came to Jiangbei Province to find him.

   But to Girard, who was deeply entrenched in hierarchy, Pierre's behavior was disrespectful and offensive—a cognitive difference between father and son.

  Suddenly, Winters remembered that the Mitchell Manor had been... expropriated...

   He hadn't had time to tell Pierre and Girard about it, and it wasn't a good time to say it.

   "If you want, you might as well go back to the new land with us." Winters quietly circumvented the content of the manor: "Although it is a little remote, there is always a place for you."

  Old Vogt wiped the corners of his eyes, raised his head, his face full of smiles: "My daughter still lives in Xiaoforge, I don't want to be too far away from her."

  Old Vogt took a step forward and squeezed the captain's hand tightly: "The word 'thank you' is too useless... Please believe that if there is a chance, I will repay you."

  Winters was surprised at first, and then smiled and held the old man's hand: "You can also bring your daughter."

   "It's a bit difficult to explain..." Old Vogt shook his head and swore to repeat: "If there is a chance, I will definitely repay you, please believe me, please believe me."

   Farewells are always short-lived. After the tents are all put away, the carts are all covered, and the goods are all loaded, it's time to set off.

   "Check the ropes one last time!" Winters led the horse and patrolled all the way from the end of the convoy: "The car is loaded with pottery, not food. The road is bumpy, be careful to break it."

   [Lieutenant Colonel Elek], who was ordered to assist Winters, was dumbfounded when he saw this scene.

  Lieutenant Colonel Elek was born in the artillery department. He presided over the bridge construction project in the Battle of the Styx, and he was an old acquaintance with Winters. Arpad sent him to approach Winters with this in mind.

   In the opinion of Lieutenant Colonel Elek, since there is a pass issued by General Arpad, and he himself is in charge. Winters and his party can travel unimpeded under the military government, so why not cover up?

   Therefore, seeing that Winters was not in a hurry to set off, but instead was scanning goods around Xiaoforge, Lieutenant Colonel Elek could only helplessly sigh: "As expected... as expected..."

   After checking the convoy from end to end, Winters tied the horse behind the first cart and swiftly turned on the cart.

  For some reason, Winters was in a very good mood. Looking at Gillard Mitchell who was sitting in the driver's seat, he suddenly laughed loudly: "Mr. Mitchell?"

   "What's the matter? Captain?" Girard became more restrained.

   "Last time we escorted the cart together, it seems that we still go to Revodan?"

  Gillard was stunned for a moment, remembered the past, and laughed: "Then... I hope I don't encounter bandits this time."

   "This is Jiangbei Province! It's not your new land!" Lieutenant Colonel Elek urged displeasedly: "Why are there so many bandits? Let's go!"

   "Okay!" Winters took a deep breath and yelled, "Go!"

  The coachmen whipped their long whips happily, and the savvy Dussacs sang obscene tunes loudly.

  The carriages drove away one by one, leaving only pale ash on the old camp site.

   Then, on that night, the caravan encountered the first group of bandits.

   In the afternoon of the next day, we encountered the second group.

   "Hey, this thing..." Lieutenant Colonel Elek explained to Winters embarrassedly: "I really didn't know it would be like this."

  It was already dark, the convoy camped in a flat open space, and used carts end to end to form a circle as temporary fortifications.

  Winters wanted to laugh, but was too embarrassed to laugh, so he could only drink the soup silently.

   Where is the ordinary gangster's opponent of Winters' old department, the Dussacs charged away the gangsters like chopping melons and vegetables.

   It was only two days in a row that he encountered bandits blocking the road, which really made Lieutenant Colonel Elek, who had sworn to guarantee the security of Jiangbei Province, a little embarrassed.

The orderly also brought a cup of soup to Lieutenant Colonel Elek, and Lieutenant Colonel Elek held the cup, silent for a long time, and said inexplicably: "But...it's strange, our team has never made a mistake...Where did so many come from? villain?"

   Before Winters could speak, old Sergey, who was sitting by the campfire sharpening his knife, snorted heavily.

   Having been in contact with Lieutenant Colonel Elek for a long time, old Sergey also saw that Lieutenant Colonel was a good-natured person. As a result, the ironic desire in old Sergey's heart that he was not used to everything overwhelmed the fear of the school officer's uniform.

Sergei - Vashka's old father - deliberately made the sound of sharpening the knife louder, and vented his grievances on the sharpening stone: "Lieutenant Colonel, you don't even think about it, how many times your head has been kicked by a horse. Only the bandits have the courage to rob the army's carriage?"

"Well."

   "Anyway, as long as you don't grab military vehicles." Old Sergey pretended to be relaxed: "That means bandits don't exist?"

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek did not get angry, but his orderly couldn't hold his breath.

   The orderly jumped up and kicked over the whetstone beside old Sergey: "Presumptuous! You are talking to a lieutenant colonel!"

  Old Sergey also burst into flames. He raised his saber, bared his teeth like a wolf, his face ashen: "Little brat! Be careful!"

The confrontation did not last long, and Winters coughed lightly: "Mr. Morozov, please go and check the dark post tonight."

   Old Sergey's tense body relaxed.

   Winters gave old Sergey a look and nodded.

  Old Dussack obediently left, and even before leaving, he glared at the orderly.

Lieutenant Colonel Elek also motioned for the orderly to sit down, and after Old Dussac was far away, he smiled wryly and said, "Did you see the look in his eyes just now? It really looks like a wolf. Alas, unruly free man (Dussac), I really don't know how the old marshal subdued them back then.”

   Winters thought for a while: "I think that Dussac, who seems to be rebellious, actually worships power more in his bones."

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek thought.

  Shadows are cast on the wagon, and someone walks towards Winters' campfire. The lighting was poor, and Winters didn't recognize Gerard Mitchell until he got close.

   Old Mr. Mitchell's steps were a little heavy, and his expression was a little tired.

   "How is Pierre?" Winters asked directly.

   "It's still a low-grade fever." Girard replied in a low voice, "I let him rest."

   Pierre's body has not yet recovered, Winters refused to let him ride a horse, and found him a special carriage.

  Mr. Mitchell can finally be lazy without being beaten up by his father, but not in the way that everyone wants to see.

   "People who go to the next town to ask for a doctor should be back soon, don't worry." Winters could only try his best to comfort old Mr. Mitchell: "Father Kaman is also waiting, he must have a solution."

  The tired Girard nodded, sat down for a while and then left to rest.

Next to the    campfire, only Winters, Lieutenant Colonel Elek, and Lieutenant Colonel Elek's orderlies were left.

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek handed the drinking cup to the orderly and stood up: "It's getting late, I have to rest too."

   "Lieutenant Colonel?"

"how?"

  Winters took out a small notebook from his arms: "There is something I need to explain to you."

   "What?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek raised his eyebrows slightly.

   Winters spread out his little book and said with a smile, "Tomorrow we'll go west."

   "To the west?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek raised his eyebrows: "To the west? Where?"

   "Ma Tau Po Town."

  Go west to Matoupo Town, which is the route to the wasteland.

"Why are you going to Matoupo Town?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek suddenly became suspicious: "Continue to the south, go to Jinghu County and cross the Jinliu River, won't you arrive at the new reclaimed land? If you don't take the nearest route, you What are you going west for?"

   Of course because someone was waiting to the west - Winters couldn't have told the truth.

   So Winters chose to state another part of the truth.

He took Lieutenant Colonel Elek to his seat and showed Lieutenant Colonel a small notebook: "You can see at a glance... Jinghu County has now been occupied by the troops of the King's Castle. After repelling the Hurd people's looting chapter, that army I haven't withdrawn. As for the other ferry crossings... they are all under the firm control of the New Land Reclamation Corps. In other words, I have no way to cross the Jhinliu River at all, so I can only go west, detour far, and cross the river from the upper reaches."

  Every word Winters said was true: "To tell you the truth, when I came, I took the west route and entered from Matoupo Town."

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek narrowed his eyes and carefully looked at the small book in Winters' hands by the firelight.

   There is a map on the two pages of the palm-sized, folio notebook. Although the size is not large, Lieutenant Colonel Elek, who was born in the Artillery Division, can see at a glance that the rivers on the map are marked accurately.

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek's attention was no longer on the route. He pointed to the small notebook and asked in a stern voice, "Map?"

"Yes."

   "Where did it come from."

   Winters replied flatly: "I drew it myself...with reference to some old maps."

   "Let me see." Lieutenant Colonel Elek reached for the notebook.

   Winters took the lead and put it away: "Only these two pages."

Lieutenant Colonel Elek slowly distanced himself from Wentes, folded his arms, and looked at the [Ghost of Styx]—the officers who had participated in the Battle of the Great Wasteland knew that Wentes Montagne was still alive, and they did not know what to do with them. Since when has it been used privately to refer to the latter, meaning "the one who climbed out of the river of the underworld".

   "You can draw maps?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek asked.

   "Don't you?" Winters asked back, "Isn't drawing a required course?"

   "You painted more than one pair, right?"

   Winters neither admitted nor denied it.

   "You walk and paint all the way in Jiangbei Province." Lieutenant Colonel Elek asked, "What do you want to do?"

   "You want to hear the truth?"

"certainly!"

   Winters put his hands on the ground, sat back, and suddenly sighed: "It's just a habit."

   "A habit?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek mocked, obviously not believing: "A good habit.

   Winters said nonchalantly: "You will accompany me to see someone, and you will understand."

   "Where to? Who to see?"

   "Go to Beacon Fort. I asked someone to check, that person should be in Beacon Fort."

   Lieutenant Colonel Elek frowned and recalled the location of the Beacon Fort. He sketched a map in his mind, and soon found that the Beacon Fort was located a little north between the current camp and Matoupo Town.

   "Go to Beacon Fort? Also in your plan?"

   "It wasn't planned." Winters paused for a moment: "But even if you take a long detour, you have to go."

   Three days later, beacon Fortress.

  Beacon Fortress is a desolate town standing on a bald mountain.

Because the beacon fort has a high terrain, a good view, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it is stuck at the exit of the Quicksand Valley, which must pass through when the Heder tribes invaded, so the ninth Duke of Palatu built a stone fortress and a giant beacon here. Taiwan, Fengsuibao got its name from this.

   Bald Mountain is full of large and small stones, and the land that can be cultivated is limited. In rural areas that rely mainly on agricultural production, less arable land means poverty.

  Because Beacon Fort was too poor to support a knight, and its geographical location was too important, in the past, Beacon Fort was the direct territory of Duke Palatu.

   On weekdays, there are about 60 soldiers stationed in Beacon Fort for a long time. In autumn and winter, the number turns to three hundred.

   Relying on the money and food that leaked from the fingers of the soldiers, the residents of Beacon Fort can live fairly well.

   Thirty years ago, Que Yehan died, and the tribes of Hede were in a state of decline, and the importance of the beacon fort gradually disappeared.

   The fort will no longer need maintenance and the garrison will not come again. The residents of Fengsuibao can only devote themselves to cultivating the barren land of Bald Mountain and pray for good weather.

   Thirty years later, the Beacon Fortress has been completely destroyed. Many people have moved away, and the rest are poor farmers who cannot move.

   Even Lieutenant Colonel Elek was shocked by the poverty of Beacon Fort.

   "Unless the Creator exerts his mighty power," said the lieutenant colonel, "this barren land will never change the fate of poverty."

   After inquiring from various parties, Winters was convinced that the small town of Beacon Fortress - to be precise, only the size of the village - the dark wooden house on the edge was his destination.

   Winters and Lieutenant Colonel Elek had just walked to the fence, and before the gate was opened, the owner of the log house had already noticed them both.

   "Oh, there are guests here." A cold bass came from the house.

  John Jesska stood in front of Winters, holding the door frame.

   [Another weekend of destroying millstones! ]

   [I know I still owe two chapters this week... don't hit me, don't hit me, I'm writing, I'm writing...]

   [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation ticket, monthly ticket, reward and comment, thank you all]

   (end of this chapter)

Chapter end