Iron Powder and Spellcaster

The battle at Tushe Field was over. Two Dusak dragged the still-dead man with an oval-shaped scar on his face to the second lieutenant.

"I'm only asking you once." Winters sat on a big rock and wiped his saber. He said without raising his head: "Where is your hiding place?"

The four bandits who were captured alive knelt in front of the lieutenant and trembled. The people from Langzhen holding crossbows stood around the prisoners and glared at them.

Once the people in Wolf Town, who have the numerical advantage, are effectively organized, it will be easy to deal with this gang of thirty or forty people.

Winters led the cavalry in a charge, and the bandits who had been showing off their violence just now dispersed.

When Gilad arrived with his rear troops, the battle completely turned into a pursuit of the enemy.

The four gangsters who were still alive were lucky, because the four were captured by the second lieutenant himself, and the second lieutenant wanted to keep a few alive for questioning.

Other gangsters were not so lucky. Everyone in Wolf Town hated them and would kill them if caught.

They even refused to give the seriously injured gangsters a break, leaving them to go to hell in fear and pain.

Without Winters' torture, several bandits had already seen how powerful this young officer was, and they spit out everything they knew like beans from a bamboo tube.

…

This was a premeditated ambush.

The manor houses in Wolf Town travel to and from Gevaudan together every year. Although safe, it also makes them an extremely obvious target.

The bandits and robbers have long been greedy, but intimidated by the momentum of the convoy and the reputation of Langtun Dusak, no one has dared to take action.

Until this year, this time.

According to the prisoners' confessions, they had been guarding Tushe Field half a month ago, and the Wolf Town convoy had not yet set off at that time.

However, when the people from Wolf Town went to Rewardan, it was raining upstream and the water level of the Pangtuo River surged. The convoy detoured through Xiaoshi Town and accidentally escaped an ambush.

But their luck always runs out, and when they return, they fall into the trap of this group of bandits.

To be precise, this is not a "group" of bandits. A small group of bandits cannot afford to take down the Wolf Town convoy.

Several gangs of gangsters joined together to form this large gang of more than forty people. Some gangsters even came from Linjun to join the gang.

…

In the middle of a hidden clearing in the dense forest, a small dark black iron pot was cooking something on the fire.

A bearded man was stirring the contents of the iron pot with a long-handled spoon, while another thin man was slowly peeling radishes.

There were a dozen simple tents surrounding the fire, looking like a makeshift camp.

"Tommy! Haven't you finished peeing yet?" the bearded man shouted impatiently.

A young, dirty blond kid ran back from outside the camp with his pants held up: "Here he comes! Here he comes!"

The thin man chuckled and said, "Lazy people poop a lot."

The blond child suddenly stopped mid-run and looked behind him in confusion.

"Standing still? Why don't you come here to help me?" the bearded man shouted dissatisfied.

"I hear the sound of horse hooves over there!" the blond child said loudly, pointing behind him.

"The sound of hooves?" The bearded man dropped the spoon and stood up suddenly: "Then the boss must be back!"

When the blond child looked back, he only saw a black afterimage, and then severe pain came from his forehead, and he lost consciousness.

The bearded man and the thin man tried to run away, but the sound of horse hooves surrounded them from all directions.

A flaming red war horse passed by the two of them. The moment they met, the old rider on the horse struck the bearded man unconscious with a club.

The thin man was so frightened that he wet his pants and knelt on the ground begging for mercy.

Another rider threw out the rope and dragged the thin man down.

"Don't waste time, search!" Seeing that everyone in the camp had been controlled, Winters, who was holding the battle behind, signaled Dusak not to get entangled with the prisoners.

Sergei and the other Dusaks began to pull down the tents in the camp one by one.

"There are still people here!" Dusak shouted.

Sergey immediately jumped off the saddle, grabbed the collar of the man in the tent and asked fiercely: "Say! Who are you? If you don't tell me, I'll beat you to death!"

"Don't kill me." The man whose hands and feet were shackled repeatedly begged, "It was the bandits who tied me here."

Dusak's exclamation came from the distance again: "There are people from Wolf Town!"

…

At the bandit's hideout one kilometer away from the gang's point of entry, the three remaining bandits were all captured by Dusac led by Winters.

They also rescued several kidnapped passers-by - as well as the eldest son of the Benting family.

But old Mr. Benting could no longer bear the torture and died.

Old Bentin went to Gevaudan with only his eldest son, and when he returned, Bentin and his son secretly set off in advance. Unfortunately, they were intercepted by bandits near the Tusche Field.

Finding that they only had land deeds and no cash, the gangsters severely beat Benting and his son.

Young Ben Ting was strong and survived, but old Ben Ting was beaten to the point of dying and died that night.

The impermanence of fate is lamentable.

…

After cleaning the battlefield, the convoy split into two groups at the Pangtuo River.

Mayor Mitchell led the large troops and continued towards Wolf Town.

Second Lieutenant Montagne led six Dussac and four carts to pull the bodies of prisoners and bandits back to Gevaudan.

When Winters finally returned to Wolf Town, there was less than half a month left before the deadline to submit the militia roster.

In previous years, every household in the town would be happy when the motorcade returned, but this year it was particularly sad.

Mourning, funerals and beatings had to go on at the same time.

More than 20 drivers and employees of the convoy were killed or injured, and those who were seriously injured soon could not hold on and died.

In comparison, Dusak was really tough. No Dusak was killed and only six were injured.

All the estates in Wolf Town jointly contributed a sum of money to pay for the funeral and to provide compensation for the dead and injured.

The second lieutenant took the prisoners and the corpses of the bandits to the county garrison and learned that many of the bandits who ambushed the Wolf Town convoy still had bounties hanging on their heads.

Especially the bandit leader with the oval-shaped scar on his face - that bastard was lucky enough to survive being stabbed in the back - and he was also a famous gangster, nicknamed "Horseshoe Ivan".

Horseshoe Ivan's bandits were roaming around and committing crimes in the newly cultivated land. There were eight counties in the province, and seven of them were offering bounties on his head.

…

"Ivan Horseshoe was originally a Tussac," Major Ronald told Winters.

When he was serving in the army, he was kicked in the face by a war horse, leaving an oval-shaped horseshoe mark, so he was nicknamed "Horseshoe".

Later, when he was drunk and causing trouble, he accidentally killed someone. Ma Zhang fled in fear of the crime and simply started robbing and killing for a living.

Because Matshoe himself was extremely powerful and had experience in the army, he quickly gathered a group of thugs around him.

This guy is well versed in the essentials of the army, and he also knows the connections between the army and the local area.

In the new reclamation province, only the military police of the Legion had the ability to conduct inter-county raids, but catching thieves was a local task.

Therefore, Horseshoe only robs civilians and does not touch the army. If it cannot stay in one county, it will jump to another county. All county governments are extremely troubled by the Horseshoe gang.

Horseshoe committed more and more crimes, became more and more famous, and his nickname changed from Horseshoe to "Horseshoe Ivan".

"The notorious Horseshoe Ivan." Major Ronald patted Winters on the shoulder and praised happily: "In the end, he fell into the hands of Second Lieutenant Montagne and was captured alive. Well done!"

Horseshoe Ivan was arrested in Tiefeng County, which also made Major Ronald very embarrassed.

Especially being captured alive meant there would be a "grand" public execution - something Winters didn't understand at this point.

In fact, it was not only Ivan the Horseshoe, because several groups of thieves worked together to commit the crime, but several other well-known thieves also died under the sword.

But compared with Horseshoe Ivan's reputation, the other gangsters were nothing.

"It's mainly due to the work of Mayor Mitchell and Wolf Tun Dussac." Winters sighed: "Only after you said it, I figured out why they were just bandits and robbers, but they could seize the opportunity to ambush. So good."

Check the points beforehand, conduct repeated reconnaissance, attack halfway, and seize the moment when the convoy escort force is dispersed...

If Winters hadn't come back in time and the second lieutenant happened to be a spell caster, it's very likely that Horseshoe Ivan would have succeeded this time.

Major Ronald was stunned for a moment and said with emotion: "Rebels are always more dangerous than bandits."

Once a person with military skills does evil, the harm caused is far greater than that of a desperate farmer.

In the imperial era, the most destructive bandits were often bankrupt nobles and down-and-out knights.

…

Major Ronald kept Horseshoe Ivan, and the major asked Winters to take the remaining seven gangsters back to Wolf Town.

"You captured the person, and he will be judged by you according to the law. I will keep the horseshoe, and you will take the remaining guys back to Wolf Town to kill them." Major Ronald specifically ordered: "In order to calm the grievances of the families of the dead and injured, Even if you are angry, you must also serve as a warning. When everything is done here, I will let the executioner take your place."

The power of trial: an officer stationed in a small town can decide a person's life or death. This is a power that the officers of the Republic of Veneta dare not even think of.

The Palatine Army's status as a feudal lord in the newly cultivated land was not a lie.

The bandit's body was exchanged for silver coins in Gévaudan, and Winters, the bounty hung on Horseshoe Ivan's head in Tiefeng County, was collected directly at Gévaudan garrison.

Major Ronald also generously paid in advance the bounty of Winters Horseshoe Ivan in the remaining five counties in accordance with the bounty notices issued by other counties.

With the bounty and seven bandits in custody, Winters returned to Langtun Town.

Before this, no one would have thought that the newly built prison of the police station would be put to use so quickly.

The old blacksmith Misha and his assistant Balian had to build the shackles overnight.

Winters originally wanted to leave the seven bandits to Major Ronald for trial, but he realized that he had no power to deprive the victims' families of revenge.

…

The drawing work in Wolf Town is progressing very smoothly.

After Winters brought the good news back to Wolf Town that "time in the militia can be deducted from one term of service," the people of Dussa were very happy.

Gillard sincerely disapproved of "system arbitrage", but he did not oppose it publicly and left the choice to each Dussa family.

In the end, a total of 32 underage Dusak signed up, all between the ages of 15 and 20.

The centurion team is full of 80 people, and the remaining 48 unlucky ones will be determined by drawing lots.

Pierre's name was prominently on the list of Dussac who actively applied.

Although Mr. Mitchell Sr. firmly opposed it, the real speaker of the Mitchell family was not him, but Mrs. Mitchell.

Pierre finally told his mother about the beating his father had given him - he was beaten so badly that he couldn't hide it even though his face was bruised and bruised.

To Pierre's surprise, his mother, who had always doted on him, not only supported his father after learning the cause of the matter, but also educated him.

When it came time to decide whether to join the auxiliary militia, Pierre and Girard were on the same side again.

Girard hated breaking the oath of alliance, while Pierre would rather die than become a civilian husband.

But Mrs. Mitchell thought it was a good idea to join the militia, which did not violate the law or the oath.

Girard Mitchell and Ellen Mitchell had a big quarrel. Winters, who was staying at Mitchell's house, hid outside the mansion and could hear Girard's roar and Mrs. Mitchell's cries. .

Scarlett Mitchell, the unmarried youngest daughter of the Mitchell family, hid in the pavilion in the backyard. She hugged the second lieutenant's arm, blocked her ears and sobbed.

"It's normal for couples to quarrel. I saw it when I was a child." Winters had to comfort the frightened little Ms. Mitchell: "Haven't you seen it?"

Ms. Mitchell Jr. sobbed and replied: "They never argued before... Would my dad kill my mom?"

"No... don't worry, it won't..." The little girl's imagination made Winters stunned.

After a long time, the mansion became quiet, and Mrs. Mitchell returned to her usual gentle and demure appearance, but there were still a few tears in the corners of her eyes.

Winters quickly stood up to greet him.

Seeing her mother coming, little Ms. Mitchell ran away quickly.

"Mr. Second Lieutenant." Mrs. Mitchell bowed slightly in greeting.

"Madam." Winters nodded in return.

As soon as Mrs. Mitchell spoke, she burst into tears again: "Within your militia...can Pierre be safe?"

Winters pondered for a long time and replied solemnly and seriously: "Madam, once you join the war, no one is safe. I can't guarantee that Pierre can return home safely. If the war goes well, the possibility of surviving as an auxiliary soldier is far greater than The fighting troops are bigger. If the war doesn't go well, the auxiliary troops will be the first to be abandoned. I can't make any promises to you, war is a cruel and sad disaster."

"If the war goes well, the auxiliary troops will be safer, right?"

"That's right."

"Thank you, Mr. Montagne." Mrs. Mitchell left sadly after saluting. She murmured to herself: "Father, brother, I can't lose my son again. They will understand in the future... they will understand..."

When the mistress of the Mitchell family made up her mind, Girard and Pierre's attitude meant nothing.

In the end, Mitchell still signed the roster full of complaints.

…

32 personnel have been determined, and the remaining candidates are just waiting for the drawing of lots.

In previous years, the people of Wolf Town used a simple and crude way of drawing lots, one lot per person, and whoever was unlucky enough to be drawn would be the one.

But this time Constable Winters-Montagne established a simple charter.

First, everyone, whether they were hired laborers, yeoman farmers, or the family of the manor, had to participate in the lottery;

Secondly, families of militiamen who died in animal disasters are exempted;

Third, the only child only has one lot, and the others have two. Directly exempting the only child is too preferential treatment, but some care should be taken;

Fourth, other townspeople who were not selected paid money according to the three levels of employees, farmers and manor owners on a per capita basis, and the money was equally divided among the members of the militia as compensation.

This is a very rough plan, but at least it can be accepted by the people of Wolf Town. Giving some compensation to the unlucky ones who are drawn can also reduce the risk of desertion.

…

What Winters didn't expect was that after learning that he had money to claim, the little hunter Bell was the first to find him.

"Sir? Is there any money for joining the militia?" Bell asked the second lieutenant impatiently.

You must know that Bell is not among the 32 Dussacs who voluntarily signed up, but the ponyboy Angelou is among them.

"There are some." Winters asked calmly, "Are you short of money?"

Bell did not answer directly, but asked eagerly: "I also signed up to join the militia. Can you advance the money to me?"

Winters couldn't ignore it now. He frowned and asked again and again: "Are you short of money?"

Bell shuddered involuntarily and nodded without saying a word.

"What to do?"

Bell remained silent.

"What are you going to do?!" Winters raised his voice by three points.

"Pay off the debt," Bell whispered.

"What debt should I pay?"

"My father's debt."

"Oh." Winters sighed: "How much do you want? I'll get it for you. You don't need to join the militia."

Bell said stubbornly: "No, I can't ask for other people's money."

"Why are you so pretentious? Do you still want the money?" Winters asked.

Bell was like a deflated rubber ball, humming softly and saying: "I want..."

…

The little guy didn't ask for much money, but Winters was still worried.

Money wasn't important to him, but he had to make sure that Ralph's son didn't go astray.

That night, he quietly followed Bell into the woods and followed Bell until she returned to the hunting lodge.

After the old hunter died, Bell was brought to live in the town by Winters, and the Orion family's wooden house in the forest remained idle.

The little hunter secretly returns to the old house, and there must be something strange in it.

"You little guy, what are you doing!" Winters kicked open the door.

"Ah!?" Bell stood up in panic and blocked it: "No... nothing..."

Winters' pupils tightened and his breathing accelerated suddenly. He pointed at the shadow behind the little hunter: "What is that!"

Bell knew he couldn't escape, so he hummed softly and said: "Cat..."

"Fart!" Winters laughed in anger: "How big can a cat's claws be?"

Smiling and laughing, Winters suddenly felt lightning and thunder in his mind, and he asked in shock: "That...that is...the cub of the giant lion?"

Behind Bell, the little lion let out a sweet "ouch".

——Cut——

"Record of Rare and Rare Beasts"

Bai Ruisi[author]

"... Cave lions give birth to one or two cubs each time, and their habits are more like tigers than lions. The female will raise the cubs alone... There are reliable records showing that as late as 580 AD in the Imperial Calendar, there were still cave lions at the northern foot of the Golden Summit Mountains. Haunted... However, as the population and habitat continued to shrink, this living fossil-level species eventually disappeared completely... Today, people can only explore the true face of cave lions from legends and documents..."

Without adding some fantasy elements, I would almost forget that this book is classified as fantasy (face covering)

However, the setting of Little Lion and Bell is not a temporary idea. There is a chance that a lion will give birth to two cubs, and it is actually very sad for an old hunter to kill the cubs. If you pay attention to the old hunter's initial attitude, you can see that he is unwilling to kill indiscriminately.

Thanks to the book friends who voted for recommendation before;

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Thanks to book friends behere370, social life path, Gan of the Mohican, Moon Night's Edge, book friends 120325172509365, 54 months, the yellow rabbit of the flower grower, Nothing is Xiao Gao, an ideal uncle in his thirties, Calm Hui Guo, Wolf Qibao , Jiang Xue Diao Weng, Book Friends 20191007064325842, Xu Mi Ghost Fox, Sky Lens, Aging, Yakumo Zimo, Kepler B22’s recommendation votes, thank you all, refills.