Iron Powder and Spellcaster

Without the jingling gold and silver, the war cannot be fought.

The old Duke of Lothair once said bluntly to his son-in-law, Emperor Richard IV of St. Murro: "Three things are needed to launch a war, money! Money! The third thing is money!"

With periodic financial ruin, Richard IV lost his best generals and all of his territory south of the Shade Mountains.

But in essence, money cannot be used directly for war.

Gold cannot be used as gunpowder, and silver can be used as weapons and armor. War requires money because money can buy war resources.

Brother Reed once told Winters: "The most murderous weapon in the world is not the sword, but the mobilization."

Winters didn't understand it at that time, he just thought it was the old magician making a fool of himself.

But after seeing the ordinary people in Matou Town waving war bonds, and listening to the old mendicant monk analyzing how the Plato Republic raised war funds one after another.

Although Lieutenant Winters Montagne still didn't quite understand the word "mobilization," he felt a genuine fear.

The military history course of the Lu Academy reveals this truth: war is a game for a few, at least before the cake is divided.

The war between kingdoms is actually a war between kings.

Common people had to pay taxes and serve in the king's wars, but they had no choice but to do so.

No one wants to fight in a war for free. Some people don't believe it, so they don't pay the soldiers, and they end up miserable in the end.

Tax payment, service, feudal obligations, etc. can still be regarded as a kind of property of the king. In essence, the king is still using his private property and his treasury to support his war.

Therefore, too much taxation, too much corvee service, and too much exploitation of vassals, leading to their overthrow, is also equivalent to a kind of bankruptcy.

Therefore, dynasties and empires that were dominated by population, wealth, and culture were destroyed by barbarians who rose up in remote places.

Rich countries and bankrupt royal families are not uncommon;

In terms of population, land, and wealth, the Duchy of Forslander was not worth mentioning in front of the Holy Empire, but in the end it was the "traffickers and rabble" in the emperor's words who had the last laugh.

In the final analysis, war is not about how much gold, silver and population can be controlled, but how much gold, silver and population can be mobilized for the war.

Among the republics, Plato has the second-to-last population, and its wealth is far inferior to that of Veneta, the United Provinces, and Vann.

If it were still the Principality of Plato, the successive conquests would have moved the Grand Duke’s head long ago—either by the Hedians or the Platos.

But her territory is the largest, and it is getting bigger.

Where did the Plato Republic get the money to fight the war?

Answer: Borrowed.

It is common for monarchs to borrow money to fight wars, but the essence is still private borrowing. The borrowers were limited to wealthy businessmen, churches, knights and bankers.

Most of the time I borrowed and repaid, and occasionally I defaulted on my debt.

Thirty years ago in Plato, there was a rebellion caused by royalists inside and an invasion by Hurd's cavalry outside. The Republicans were trapped in the castles of the kings and were busy holding public trials and sending people to the guillotine.

Faced with a shortage of men, food, and most importantly, money, General Ned pioneered another method of borrowing to raise military funds: special war bonds.

[Note: Ned Smith was still a general at that time]

These bonds are of small denominations and are open to purchase by anyone.

There is no collateral, and it is expected to be repaid with all the proceeds from the war, including the private property of the nobles that has not yet been paid, the seizure of future battles with the Hurds, etc.

It sounds like a free throw, but maybe that's why bonds are selling so cheaply.

Four silver shield denominations sold for only one silver shield—and even then there were only a few buyers.

Then Ned Smith had a small victory and ransacked a knight's house.

Valuables, fields, houses...all loot was put up for sale at low prices, but could only be purchased with bonds.

Because they could be exchanged for physical objects, people gradually began to buy bonds, but the price of a bond with a denomination of four silver shields rose to two silver shields.

Then Ned Smith had another modest victory and ransacked the house of an earl.

The spoils of war were dealt with as usual, and the price of bonds with a denomination of four silver shields on the market has risen to three silver shields.

Gradually, Ned Smith's soldiers began to agree to be paid in bonds—at market value, of course.

Bond buyers became shareholders and the military became buddies.

The war became a business, or a gamble.

Every Platuan who bought bonds prayed for more victories and more spoils for Ned Smith.

After his eighth victory, General Ned announced that all bonds would be repaid at the end of the war.

There are two reasons: first, during the war, the real estate, the largest piece of loot, could not be sold at a high price; second, he wanted to continue investing the movable properties in the spoils into the war, which was equivalent to using the profits to expand operations.

The decision was a major blow to bond confidence, but Ned Smith had backup.

"Open the free buying and selling of bonds."

General Ned also announced that in order to allow bond buyers to recover their investments, the "Bond Exchange" of the Kings Castle was established.

If you don't want your bonds, just take them to the trading floor and sell them. It may be a loss or a profit, it all depends on your ability.

The world's first [Bond Exchange] was born three months after the birth of [War Bonds].

Through this method of financing, Ned Smith mobilized money from ordinary people such as craftsmen, merchants, and maids, and turned it into war funds.

Through this method of financing, Ned Smith turned the fight between a small group of people against another small group of people into a war between the Plato Republic and another small group of people.

No one wants to serve for free, but everyone who buys war bonds is voluntarily contributing to the war effort.

…

"Wait a minute, what if we lose the battle? Won't the bonds be gone?" Winters asked the old man with a frown.

"It's very simple, just don't lose." Brother Rhett chuckled and said, "Don't forget, that's Ned Smith! The invincible hero!"

…

At the end of the One Year's War, the royalists were purged and the Hurds fled. The Republic of Plato was formally established and became the third member of the Senas Union.

All bonds issued during the war were repaid at face value, and Ned Smith took off the door sign of the "Special War Bond Exchange" and returned to the Union Province.

He got news that Richard IV was about to go to war in person.

This time, the emperor vowed to crush the rebels completely.

…

"This is mobilization, a country's ability to devote resources to war." The old monk said slowly: "War between countries is like two clumsy drunkards wrestling. No matter how strong a man is, if he can only use 10% of his strength, He will also be thrown down by a weak man who can exert half his strength."

Winters strained his ears and listened.

"The crudest mobilization is to recruit manpower, such as military service, corvee, and your militia; the more advanced mobilization is to mobilize money, and if there is money, there will be people, as is Ned Smith, and so is taxation; further up? I I don’t know. I’m afraid I’m going to devote all my resources to the war and turn the entire country into a weapon.”

"How to cast it?"

"If you want to forge the entire country into a weapon, you have to unite as one. Huh, the human heart?" The old monk sneered: "The human heart is the most difficult thing to predict in the world. I really can't figure out how to control the human heart."

After hearing this, Winters couldn't help but sarcastically said: "People in the team are almost worshiping you as a living saint. You still don't know how to control people's hearts?"

"You can't learn anything about life and death." The old monk hit Winters hard on the head: "If you have Ned Smith's skills, you will be invincible."

…

After crossing the raging boundary river from the pontoon, there is no road under your feet.

The world is vast, with only vague tracks guiding the direction in the vast wilderness.

The horses were foaming at the mouth and walking hard. Militiamen carrying muskets and spears walked beside them, helping to lift out the wheels that were stuck in the mud from time to time.

More than two hundred large vehicles were winding their way through the wasteland, unknowingly forming a long queue of more than two kilometers.

People in front often just climb over a slope or go around a mound, and then disappear from the sight of those behind.

Winters patrolled back and forth to ensure the order of the march. Any carriage that breaks down will be quickly pulled out of the queue and awaits rescue by Lieutenant Bader, who is responsible for mopping up the rear.

Crossing the border river meant leaving the Republic of Plato in a legal sense, and everyone was a little nervous.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, except for a carriage whose rear wheel fell off.

The tension quickly subsided and fatigue flooded into the body.

Marching is extremely boring work, in fact it means walking non-stop. Moreover, the lieutenant colonel strictly prohibited his subordinates from putting weapons and sundries on the cart.

The militiamen were walking on the wasteland with thirty or forty pounds on their backs, one foot deep and one foot shallow, thinking only of rest.

Lieutenant Colonel Jessica strictly controlled the pace of the march, and the team could take a break only every two flips of the hourglass - about an hour.

It was not until noon that the lieutenant colonel ordered the long rest bugle to be blown.

…

The "buffer zone" between the Hedian tribes and Plato has existed since ancient times.

For hundreds of years, the two sides have been at war and at peace. Whenever there was a disaster, the Hittites would go to Plato to clear grass and valleys. When Plato was strong, they would also raise troops to conquer the Hittite tribes and plunder livestock and slaves.

Historian Bonnie Seifer described it this way: "The Platuan people are essentially agricultural and civilized Hud people. Even in the eyes of the Monta Mountain people who lacked education, the Platuan people were too barbaric. "

The Hed tribes were unwilling to nomadically live in the pastures near Plato, and the Palatuan people did not dare to settle near the Hed tribes. In the end, a no-care zone was naturally formed.

Thirty years ago, when Marshal Ned signed a peace treaty with the three major divisions of Hurd.

It was even stipulated in writing that "for two hundred miles here, the Palatuan people will not cultivate land and the Hittite people will not raise livestock." The buffer zone has a formal legal basis.

According to Ned Smith's vision, maintaining distance may be the best way to avoid military conflict.

But the fact is exactly the opposite of what he thought.

[Note: Arlean the Butcher was defeated and killed in 526 Imperial Calendar. The following year, there was civil strife in the Duchy of Plato, with royalists and republicans attacking each other. Hed Khan "Xi Ban Jue Ye" took the opportunity to invade eastward. Ned Smith led the alliance army to defeat him and killed Jue Ye Khan. Since then, the Hed tribes have been unable to recover]

…

"No wonder we have to send troops in winter!" A voice came from afar: "This bad land is only easier to walk in winter. When there is rain in spring and summer, the ground will definitely be full of mud, and the big car will not be able to move at all."

Before seeing the person, I heard his voice first, and it turned out to be Second Lieutenant Andrea Cellini. Second Lieutenant Cellini is currently recognized as the number one voice within the Jessica Brigade.

However, there are also rumors circulating: Although it is not visible on the surface, Lieutenant Montagne's voice can be so loud that it scares people to death.

Looking back at its source, it was probably that a certain Wolf Town militiaman, while drunk, vividly told the story of a second lieutenant who "scared the giant bandit Ivan Horseshoe to death with his roar."

Andre strode towards Bard and the others, rubbed his hands and laughed and asked: "Belion, what are you having for lunch today?"

Bud, Brother Carman, and Brother Red sat on the ground, under a large piece of canvas.

Several people were waiting for the food to be served, but Bud came here from the end of the motorcade.

Ever since Balian was transferred to the rank of orderly, more and more people had lunch and dinner with Winters.

"The main course is slow-cooked pork knuckle, sir." The chef holding the iron pot replied: "There is also cream and mixed vegetable soup, but the bread is from yesterday."

Balian opened the lid and saw steaming pork knuckles simmered in sugar and sauce. The meat that has been stewed all the way is soft and juicy, and the bones can be removed with a gentle pull.

"Have you been to the previous camp?" Winters jumped out of the carriage with a basket of bread: "Are you back early enough?"

Andre stared at the pot and replied casually: "Twenty kilometers round trip, how long will it take?"

During the conversation, several people around the iron pot began to divide the meat. Balian returned to the carriage and brought out another pot of mixed vegetable soup.

Brother Rhett took a small sip and exclaimed: "Mr. Balian, with your ability, I think you are more than enough to serve as a chef for the emperor."

The blacksmith smiled and said nothing.

"Which emperor's court have you been to? Mad Richard's? Oathbreaker's?" Winters couldn't help but choked back.

As a well-established soldier of the Republic, Mr. Montagne was most disgusted by the word "royal".

"I've never been there, but that doesn't hinder my evaluation criteria." The old monk was content and unmoved at all.

…

The long break of the baggage team is also lunch time. Most people in the team are eating dry food, which is best served with pickles.

The most important thing during the march was dinner, because only at night there was time to light a fire, and the other two meals were made casually.

Before Balian became an orderly, Winters mostly ate cold bread for breakfast and lunch.

But since Balian was in charge of the food, Winterston had hot food at all times.

The blacksmith built a special iron furnace. The stove is half a person tall, made of pure iron, and divided into three levels: upper, middle and lower:

The middle layer is the combustion chamber, where wood and coal can be burned;

The remaining ash falls to the bottom floor. There is a push-pull door on the bottom floor, which can not only discharge the slag, but also adjust the ventilation to control the fire power;

The top floor was used to hold pots, and there was a chimney behind the stove.

The most wonderful thing about this iron stove is that it does not leak open flames, and it can not ignite the wood by using a stone slab to support it, and it can also control the burning speed.

Balian set up the iron stove on the carriage, cooked something and kept the fire low when setting off in the morning. Winters had hot food to eat during the lunch break.

And according to Winters' observation, this iron stove is far more fuel-efficient than a campfire.

…

There was no dining table in the wild, so Winters and the others spread a piece of cloth and sat on the ground, which was a bit like a picnic.

"When we were besieging Gusa, I dreamed of taking a sip of hot soup." Bud said with emotion: "If there had been such an iron stove at that time, we wouldn't have been in such hardship."

"Belion." Winters also echoed: "If you take this iron stove to Hailan to sell it, you will make a lot of money by keeping it."

Andre sang the opposite: "It's good, but don't look at how much iron is used in the stove! Is it enough to make ten pairs of breastplates? How many people can afford it?"

Winters immediately retorted: "Are cast iron and steel the same thing? Breastplates also cost money for craftsmanship. The more iron is used, it means the materials are good. This stove will be used for decades and it won't be a problem. Spend a one-time money Buy something that can last a lifetime. Some people in Hailan are willing to buy it! When I get home, I will install one in my study."

The two Venetas argued with each other, while Balian just ate.

He also sat in this small circle, dining with the centurion and the priests - this was specially requested by Lieutenant Montagne.

The blacksmith refused anyway, but the second lieutenant insisted that "it's just eating, there are not so many rules of respect and inferiority."

Winters didn't have much idea, except that Balian's initial transfer as an orderly meant that he was being served meals like a servant, which made him uncomfortable.

After a while, Winters' military policemen Heinrich and Charles also rushed over. The two of them saluted first and then sat down to enjoy the food.

The soldiers in the Ten-man Corps would take turns being responsible for preparing food, but the gendarme was directly subordinate to the centurion and not to any Ten-man Corps.

So Winters asked Charles and Heinrich to start a gang with him.

Other officers may not be able to accept it, but Bud, Andre, Reverend Carman, and Brother Red are not people who care much about the concept of superiority and inferiority.

Everyone sat around eating and chatting, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Colonel Jessica came here for inspection and rode away without saying anything.

The baggage train arrived at the camp safely, and Winters and others had dinner together as usual. Lieutenant Colonel Jessica saw them again, but the lieutenant colonel still said nothing.

Until the next night, the lieutenant colonel stopped the three second lieutenants: "From today on, you three will eat with me."

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