Iron Powder and Spellcaster

Historical experience tells us that celebrations must end with feasting and drinking, which is irresistible and unstoppable.

Winters wanted to spend less and do more, but the atmosphere in the square had just reached a climax.

He was really embarrassed to tell the people who were shouting, "I don't have any money. Let's go back to our homes. Let's break up."

Seeing that hemorrhaging from his purse was inevitable, Winters smiled more and more sadly.

According to the original plan, the scale of the celebration banquet was limited to those within the army. How did it end up like this?

Priskin Sr. trembled and ran up to the execution platform to confirm that his grandson was really safe and sound. His first action was to slap his grandson hard in the face with tears in his eyes.

After the slap, the elder Priskin didn't say a word to his grandson.

He wiped away his tears, smiled, and took advantage of the situation to help the newly appointed tribune who was financially strapped: "My lord, the guilds of Gévaudin pray that a big banquet can be held in your name, and they also hope that you will give us this gift." An honor.”

Old Priskin saw clearly that there were many prisoners, military flags, and captured weapons in the parade, but not even a dime of gold or silver coins.

Winters was overjoyed and held the old man's hands happily: "Mr. Pliskin, mayor of Gevaudan, I think you should be the one to do it."

Being in a military-controlled province, Gévaudan does not have a mayor, only a garrison officer. The elder Priskin had been wise enough to protect himself a long time ago, and even the city council member resigned due to illness.

But at this moment, he nodded heavily without hesitation: "No problem, I'll do it!"

So they held a banquet in the square.

The pigs and sheep were taken directly to the open space for slaughter, and the two butchers in Gevaudan were very busy.

The cattle and horses were valuable farm animals ordered to be protected by Winters and were lucky enough to escape.

In a small border town like Gevaudan, there are not many delicacies, but everyone brings out the best.

A grill was set up in the square, and the few large iron pots in the city were also brought out.

Cheese and bacon are constantly being moved out, and bread is always available.

Even more rare is beer!

I don’t know what means Old Priskin used, but the always stingy brewer [the widow Mrs. Allen] also donated generously.

Like a rolling hoop, the barrels rolled into the square one after another. Before Mrs. Allen could open the lid, there were already several drunkards waiting respectfully with bottles in their hands.

Gevaudan people donated their tables one after another and arranged them in the square.

The square could no longer accommodate the soldiers and citizens, so the tables stretched out along the street.

Children were running around among the adults, and women were exchanging news about the big things in the city.

A drunk man forced his reluctant wife to dance, causing a burst of shouting and laughter.

All this was nominally provided by the new tribunes, but in fact it was paid for by the various guilds in Gévaudan.

Winters was very satisfied because he saved a lot of money and successfully completed the impossible goal of "spending less and doing more".

Old Priskin and the gentry were at ease, and the citizens of Gevaudan were also happy.

In a happy atmosphere, Winters walked through the lively square, through the crowds and long tables, and met Anna.

The two stood face to face, as if there was another layer of separation between them.

Winters wanted to hug Anna, but he stretched out his hand but dared not touch his lover.

Anna threw herself into Winters' arms. She held Winters tightly, as if she was afraid that her lover would fly away.

"Maybe the more you know me." Winters tried to control his emotions: "The more disappointed you will be."

"I want to know more about you." Anna clung to her lover's chest, crying silently.

Winters hugged Anna hard, as if to hold Anna into his body.

…

The rooftop of the city hall is the best place to watch this feast.

So Winters brought Anna here.

The two of them broke the door lock and slipped onto the roof hand in hand, just like Winters taking Anna, who had skipped classes, to the mercenary loggia.

Anna's heart was racing. She didn't know where she was going, so she followed stupidly all the way, and ended up on the roof.

The roof is not blocked by the surrounding buildings, and the wind is strong, so it is a bit cold.

"You sit down for a while, I'll be back soon." Winters took off his coat, put it on Anna, and ran away as fast as he could.

"Don't go! What are you going to do?" Anna stopped in panic, but Winters was gone.

Ms. Navarre was left on an empty roof, wearing a lieutenant's coat, standing alone in the cold autumn wind.

While she was thinking wildly, Winters came back happily holding two glasses of beer.

Ms. Navarre was really angry and annoyed.

Winters didn't know it, and handed Anna the beer with a very innocent smile.

As a result, Anna grabbed her arm and bit her hard.

"What's going on?" Winters said, trying not to spill his beer.

"Who asked you to bring me here to drink?" Anna felt aggrieved.

"Aren't you eighteen?" Winters took a sip of beer and said, "Wow, this wine is so bitter."

According to the church's regulations, girls can get married at the age of twelve. Hailan women usually get married at the age of fifteen. There is obviously no problem with drinking a little alcohol at the age of eighteen.

Before he finished speaking, another row of teeth marks appeared on Winters' arm.

For the next time, the two sat on the roof, sipping bitter beer.

"I still like sweet things," Winters commented.

Ana said softly "Hmm".

Winters explained: “Gévaudan’s beer is made with hops added to preserve it for a long time, so it becomes bitter.”

"Yeah." Anna stared at the crowd in the square.

"Even if these are bitter, I drink less." Winters sighed longly: "These were all brewed last year. This year's barley was confiscated by the garrison, and then I got it. I can't use the grain to make wine. , farmers don’t want to sell their grain. So today is the last drink, and after that Gervaudan may not be able to drink beer for a long time.”

Anna held her lover's arm: "You have done a good job."

Winters sighed again: "We can do better."

"You can't save everyone."

"That's what I said." Winters smiled softly: "This is the third time I heard it."

"Who are the first two people?" Anna asked curiously.

"Bud, there is another great wise man." Winters took a deep breath, brushed away the haze, puffed out his chest and said proudly: "Just watch, Anna. In one year - two years at most, I will let him Gevaudan and even Tiefeng County will be restored to their original appearance. I want to restore prosperity to the city and restore vitality to the countryside. Believe me and witness me."

Anna gently rubbed Winters' shoulder: "I didn't come here because of your achievements. If you want to make achievements, I just want you to be safe."

"How much fate favors you to bring you to me." Winters wanted to cry a little. He hugged Anna tightly: "How can I be worthy of you..."

"It's good that you know." Anna hummed in dissatisfaction, leaving two rows of teeth marks on Winters' shoulder before she was relieved.

As the banquet came to an end, some citizens in the square brought musical instruments and played to add to the fun.

A citizen held a bagpipe and puffed his cheeks to play.

The sound of the bagpipes was sharp, but the piper's tune was melodious and quickly cut through the cacophony of the square.

A female voice began to hum along, and more and more people sang along softly:

"The money I have,

All have been divided among my companions;

The harm I caused,

In the end, I only hurt myself;

The wisdom I seek,

long gone;

So fill up this cup of stirrup wine,

May joy always be with you;

…”

According to the custom of the Palatine people, when farewell friends step on the saddle, the farewell person will bring the last glass of wine to the departing friends.

This cup of farewell wine is therefore called "Stirrup Wine", and the native Plato people will sing this farewell song called "Stirrup Wine".

Anna leaned against Winters, quietly listening and watching the living beings in the square - what a vibrant picture of living beings.

"I should have brought the easel," she said ruefully.

"This is my first time seeing someone like you painting outdoors," Winters joked.

However, Anna told Winters seriously about how she accidentally saw five men and a skinny ox plowing a field in Wolf Town.

"That scene was not beautiful, but it was very touching..." Anna thought about the adjectives distressedly.

Winters gently held Anna's hand: "It's shocking and sad, but it also feels calm, natural, and peaceful. Right?"

Anna smiled and nodded: "Well, it's a very complicated emotion. So that scene is also very beautiful. I want to draw it, so I asked you to make an easel for me."

Winters was also touched: "Is it done?"

"There are only sketches." Anna's cheeks were slightly red: "I... don't have any paint."

"I'll go find paint for you." Winters said with deep guilt, "I'm sorry."

Anna held Winters' arm tighter and said nothing, just rubbing her lover's shoulder.

Winters suddenly had an idea and took out a map book and a small bundle of graphite strips from his arms: "How about using this as a small draft first?"

Anna took the two things in confusion and smiled.

…

Winters returns to his family life, and he and Anna are very sweet and happy, so comfortable.

But in the town of Blackwater, a hundred kilometers southwest of Jevaudan, Bud was mentally and physically exhausted.

As the messenger was still on the way, Bard neither knew that he had been elected as a "military tribune" and "tribune", nor did he know that Winters was giving a banquet to the whole city in Gevaudan.

No matter from any aspect, Bud is responsible for the most difficult task of this battle: ensuring the stability of the refugee camps and bringing them to the southern towns.

Winters went to fight the visible enemy, while Bud sat on the powder keg and tried every means to prevent the powder keg from exploding. Moreover, he also faced a serious shortage of manpower and material resources.

All the resources in Tiefeng County were put into the battle, and very few could be allocated to the refugee camps.

Bard only had forty soldiers and ten horses, and few of them could even hold swords, let alone those who could read and write.

But he faced more than 20,000 refugees.

But Bud, the son of a tenant farmer and a servant of the monastery, continued to solve the problem quietly without complaining or complaining.

He transferred farmers and soldiers from Wolf Town and Shengke Town to supplement the existing manpower.

He also selected guards within the refugee camps to control the refugees with refugees; he implemented the cruel continuous sitting method, and maintained limited autonomy within the sixteen refugee camps to balance the pressure.

Thanks to Bader's dedicated and tireless work, not a single refugee disappeared without any reason, nor did any riots occur.

During the relocation process, the refugee camp did not harm the villages along the way. The surrounding farms gradually dropped their guard and even sent food to express condolences.

But there was one problem that Bud couldn't solve on his own - land.

So after leading the refugee camp to the area between Oxhoof Valley and Blackwater Town, Bard set up camp.

He ordered the refugees to make farm tools and prepare rakes. If there was no iron, they would use wooden plows, and if there were no livestock, they would use human power.

Rumors spread in Nanba Town, and the manor owners were uneasy.

All the abandoned land is in the hands of various manors, and there is no land reclamation for the refugee camps - it is impossible to open up land in time for the farming season now - so it is clear what Lieutenant Bader wants to do.

But apart from preparing farm tools, Bud did nothing.

He did not seize the property from the manor, nor did he order the refugees to work directly in the fields. He did not even see the manor owner who came to visit him.

Seeing that the sowing window for overwintering crops is getting shorter and shorter day by day, he still stands still.

He was waiting, waiting for the victory or defeat of Gévaudin.

Finally, after the excruciating wait, dawn finally appeared on the horizon.

"Lieutenant Bard!" Angelou shouted and ran into Bard's tent: "Win! Big victory!"

The pony boy was trembling with excitement, but Bud's expression was as calm as ever.

He took the letter, read it from cover to cover, and finally couldn't help but say "good" three times in a row.

What Bud received was the first letter sent to Winters after he joined forces with Don Juan.

Further good news is still on the way.

"Angelou!" Bud shouted.

"Yes!" The young stable boy suddenly stood at attention.

"Hold the military flag! Go to all the nearby villages and towns and tell me about this great victory!" Bud laughed loudly.

"Yes!" Angelou turned to leave.

"Come back!" Bud called to the young stable boy: "You can arrange for someone else to deliver the good news. I have something more important to give you."

Angelou put away his smile and looked directly into Lieutenant Bader's eyes seriously.

"You go to Blackwater Town." Bud narrowed his eyes: "Bring all the manor owners here."

The refugee camp needed some cavalry to manage, so Winters sent Angelo to Bard.

According to Winters, the two have a good personality. The young stableboy could learn a lot by letting Angelou follow Bud.

It's true that Bud and Angelo have many similar parts, but Bud is tougher, more mature, and more determined. The pony boy gradually changed from fear to admiration for Lieutenant Bud. Bud's position in the pony boy's mind was second only to Winters.

Bard gave the order, and Angelou never questioned it.

The ponyboy raised his hands in salute, turned and walked out of the tent.

…

Angelou acted quickly, and all the manor owners in Blackwater Town were taken to the refugee camp either voluntarily or unwillingly.

The manor owners, who could be called "prominent families" in this small place of Blackwater Town, were waiting in fear for the young lieutenant's verdict.

"Time is running out! I'm not going to talk nonsense with you." Bud said straight to the point and spoke quickly: "I have 20,000 people, and I can't afford to support them. So if I want your land to grow food, I can give you some land rent as compensation. etc. In the future, the wasteland will be reclaimed and your land will be returned to you."

Although they were mentally prepared, the estate owners of Blackwater Town were still stunned by the heavy news.

"Your Excellency, may I ask a question?" Richard, the largest manor owner in Blackwater Town, said bravely.

"explain."

Richard plucked up his courage: "In my opinion, you are trying to make all the refugees into you...or rather farmers, workers and tenants in the new settlement."

"Yes, that's it." Bud didn't hide it: "The refugees must work for us for seven years before they can regain their freedom. In the future, the land will not be given to them in vain, they must redeem it."

"Then why do you need to go to such trouble?" Richard, who is the owner of a large manor, suggested: "Wouldn't it be better to let the refugees work as tenant farmers for us, and let us pay the food to the garrison?"

Bud clapped his hands and laughed, laughing so hard that the manor owners were baffled.

After wiping his tears, Bader's face instantly sank: "You have a damn good idea!"

The manor owners in the tent all trembled with this angry shout.

Bud made his attitude unabashedly: "Farmers will continue to be tenants for you and tie their labor force to your manors. They will not be able to play their due role at all! They will be exploited anyway. Instead of enriching you, I'd rather it be me who squeezes them."

The gentle and generous Bud opened his eyes, which can also scare people's knees: "I'm not afraid to tell you that we are at war with the New Reclamation Army. We want food! We need soldiers! Without food and soldiers, we will If you are eliminated! You will be killed!”

"So, whoever doesn't give us food and who doesn't give us soldiers will be our mortal enemy!" Bard's eyes swept over everyone, and the manor owners lowered their heads: "This is a matter of life and death, and we will never be soft. ! If you agree, I will give you some compensation. If you don’t agree, I will destroy your family!"

The manor owners who could not help but swallow their saliva just now, now have dry and bitter mouths.

Bud picked up a stack of land deeds, which were all the files of the Gévaudan garrison: "We know exactly how much land you have. Did you not cultivate land illegally? Did you not encroach on public land?

I don’t even need to check on you for stealing land! Next year’s real estate taxes will increase fivefold! If you feel it’s not enough, double it ten times! If you can't hand it over, please hand over your property!

Let me tell you, there is no good or evil in life and death, and we have a way to deal with you. It is our kindness to talk and discuss with you now.

There are sixteen towns in Tiefeng County. No matter what, I have to carry out this matter in Heishui Town. Otherwise, wouldn't the other fifteen towns learn from it? You guys need to figure it out yourself. If you agree, come and sign the contract. If you don’t agree, just go home, wash your neck and wait to die! "

Richard said bitterly: "Sir, our family property has been accumulated by generations of hard work. We work hard, buy land, and build a family property. Are we still guilty?"

"You don't understand, do you?" Bud drew out his saber, pointed at Richard, and asked, "This is a matter of life and death. We are not going to kill you, but you are killing us! Let the labor force continue to work as sharecroppers for you? Who gives us soldiers? Who gives us food? Without soldiers or food, we will die. Aren’t you going to kill us?"

Richard stepped back and shook his head desperately.

"I'm telling you, I'm saving you." Bard thrust his knife into the ground, pointed at the refugee camp outside, and shouted sternly: "There are more than 20,000 hungry people outside, and they are not allowed to farm. Wait for them." The day I run out of food, I will eat you! Do you not understand? Or are you pretending not to understand?"

Richard was speechless when asked.

"And it doesn't mean that your land will be taken away for free." Bard's tone became gentle and steady: "When the wasteland is reclaimed, your land will be returned to you. That's why I made a contract with you to protect your land." Private property. Besides, isn’t your land being abandoned now? No matter how good the land is, it will be abandoned if it is not planted for two years. We are here to help you maintain the land and compensate you. Where can you find such a good thing in the world? "

The more he spoke, the more kind and friendly he became, not at all like the impassioned one just now: "If I really want to rob, why do you need to waste your words here? I will destroy all your families, and the land that no one inherits will naturally be taken back to the garrison. Isn't it simpler? ?”

Richard could no longer tell whether the man in front of him was a devil or an angel, and so did the other manor owners.

"You don't have to say anymore." Richard said with difficulty: "The hilt of the knife is in your hand, and you have the final say. I have signed this contract, but I hope you will not forget your promise. When the time comes, you will still have to take care of the land. Give it back to us!”

"I know you don't believe it, so I brought something." Bud took out a wooden box.

Open the lid, and inside is the golden emblem of Saint Athos.

The owners of the manor were startled - they recognized what it was.

"I swear in front of the fragments of the true Holy Emblem." Bard put his hand on the emblem of Saint Ados: "If I violate the contract, let me fall into hell forever, and let my soul be burned by the fire of hell forever. Burn! Not even the Lord’s forgiveness can save me!”

This oath is too strong, harsh and vicious, and I’m afraid even the Pope himself won’t be able to pardon it.

Richard gritted his teeth, walked to the table, signed his name on the document, and officially handed over his land.

With him taking the lead, other manor owners also stepped forward to sign.

"Everyone, you will always receive my gratitude." Bard bowed deeply, and when he stood up, he asked casually: "Have you ever considered moving to Gevaudan?"

Thanks to book friend [forest_wind] and book friend [Red Panda Masato] as the ally, thank you very much.

Because I send out a new chapter every day before checking the author assistant’s push messages, I’m sorry for the delay in acknowledging it.

[The song that appears in this book is The parting glass, also called stirrup cup, or le coup de l'étrier, which means parting wine, horse wine. It is a Scottish folk song. It is said that before the birth of "Auld Lang Syne", this song was the favorite song of the Scots at the end of their banquets]

[When painting truly became a "technology", most of the paintings were done indoors, in the studio]

[Outdoor painting did not become popular until the era of Impressionist painters in the 19th century. Before that, painters mostly sketched outdoors and made simple drafts]

[I don’t paint outdoors, partly because of the subject matter, partly because of the hardware, and partly because of the technology. This topic can be discussed for a long, long time. The number of words in "Author's Words" is limited and will not be expanded upon for the time being. Interested book friends can look up art history on their own]

[The artistic aspects of this book are less rigid than the military aspects, and are not necessarily limited to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, but are as free as Anna]

[Thanks to book friends for their collection, reading, subscription, recommendation votes, monthly votes, rewards and comments]