Iron Powder and Spellcaster

There was a contradiction in Pierre's story that Vogt seemed not to notice.

In Jiangbei Province, farce of soldiers getting drunk and causing trouble happens every day. If military law is implemented to the letter, the military government will soon run out of troops.

Therefore, as long as the big-headed soldier didn't make a big mistake, he usually just whipped him a few times to get rid of the problem.

Pierre was imprisoned in Stone Forest Prison not because he was causing trouble, but as a "deserter". There must be another reason for this.

But Pierre only briefly talked about his experience of being arrested, and he didn't talk much about the previous events. The old man lived decades longer than Pierre, so he naturally 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 one glance, the old man could tell who was the real leader.

"The 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 opened. A ray of light came in, interrupting their chat.

A stout middle-aged man stood outside the tent, a sterling silver saber handle in the shape of an eagle's beak shining at his waist. Although his temples are gray and his figure is a little out of shape, there is no doubt that he is still as strong as a stone wall and will never be destroyed by the violent wind and rain.

"It's time to go." The middle-aged man said solemnly.

"Understood." Pierre put one hand on the ground and struggled to stand up.

The curtain was lowered and the middle-aged man turned around and left.

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 feel dizzy after standing up suddenly. It took him a while to regain his balance.

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

Stepping out of the tent, the sun was shining brightly.

The tent where Pierre and the old man were staying was only a corner of the camp. Outside the tent, there was a busy scene just before breaking camp.

There were no curses or scoldings. Men, old and young, were dismantling the camp, loading carts, feeding the horses with fine grain, and making preparations in an orderly manner in silence.

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

The old man was brought to the young captain, who kindly handed him a money bag: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Vogt."

…

When he sneaked into Jiangbei Province, Winters only took Washika with him.

By the time he was about to leave, a miniature army of more than two hundred people had appeared beside him.

Although far away from the center of power, Arpad Duyomu is still nominally the supreme commander of the military government. With Arpad's personal care, Winters successfully regained his old unit without much difficulty or obstruction.

In addition to the disciples of Wolf Town and Dussac, who was born in Wolf Town, Winters also took away many of his old troops who fought under him during the Great Wasteland War and were still alive.

Now that everyone has been found, the next question is how to go.

Pierre, Vashika and others are still recorded as deserters on the wanted list of the Third Republic; once Gilad, Sergey and others leave the army, they will also be regarded as deserters.

Winters obtained the "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" leaving Jiangbei Province in a big way.

The safest strategy is of course to come secretly and leave quietly.

However, the size of the team has soared to more than two hundred people, including many cavalry. The food, clothing, housing and transportation along the way can no longer be as secretive as before.

Therefore, Winters ordered the purchase of goods, carriages and horses, and left Jiangbei Province disguised as a caravan.

Some subordinates are worried that the caravan's target is too big and the secret will be exposed once it is inspected.

"What the bureaucracy needs most is 'compliance'." Winters explained this way: "If someone is determined to expose it, then even Alpad can't protect us. But if no one is willing to expose it, then even if it's just Separated by a thin gauze net, we are also safe.”

In fact, Winters needs no explanation at all. In this temporary team, apart from his old team, he is also the father of his old team. In the final analysis, it is his voice.

Therefore, no matter whether others were convinced or not, seeing Winters's firm attitude, they consciously maintained his authority, and no one expressed any objection.

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

Due to wars and banditry, the sales of painted pottery in Xiaolu City have been cut off, and various workshops have more or less backlogs of goods.

When they learned that Winters' caravan was interested in purchasing, the workshop owners were eager to sell and give away the goods, just to clear out their inventory quickly, lest a war break out.

After some shopping, the fake caravan actually turned out to be pretty.

That's why Winters gave old Vogt the money. In his opinion, Vogt Sr. had contributed a lot 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 prison, and I can't thank you enough. It's just a small favor, and I can't take the money."

"Old man, one code equals one code." Winters looked into the other person's eyes: "You work for us and we pay you. This is fair."

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

Winters felt that the old Vogt was not being polite or trying to get something, so he also said something sincere.

He put the money bag into old Vogt's hand and said sincerely: "Old man, the world is not good. After we leave, you still have to live."

Old Vogt lowered his head. This time he did not refuse. The captain's words couldn't be more straightforward. Although his debt has been wiped out, in this world, how will a bad old man make a living in the future? Stealing?

Pierre suddenly said: "Old man, otherwise you can come with us. In 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. While coughing, he said: "My family has a manor, and the space is enough. You will always have something to eat. If you die, there will be a place to bury you..."

Gilad, who was standing nearby, glared at his son distressedly and angrily.

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

Winters and Pierre didn't feel anything strange. After Winters returned to Tiefeng County, Pierre served as Winters' aide-de-camp until he came to Jiangbei Province to look for him.

But in the view of Girard, who has deep-rooted hierarchical concepts, Pierre's behavior is rude and offensive - this is the 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 yet, and it wasn't a good time to talk about it now.

"If you are willing, why not come with us back to the new land?" Winters calmly avoided the content about the manor: "Although it is a little remote, there is always a place for you to stay."

Old Vogt wiped the corners of his eyes and raised his head, with a smile on his rugged face: "My daughter still lives in Dawnforge, and I don't want to leave her too far."

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

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

"This matter... is a bit difficult to explain..." Old Vogt shook his head and repeated as if swearing: "If I have the opportunity, I will definitely repay you. Please believe me, please believe me."

The farewell is always short. After all the tents are put away, all the carts are hitched, and all the goods are loaded, it’s time to set off.

"Check the rope for the last time!" Winters led the horse and patrolled from the end of the convoy: "The cart is loaded with pottery, not grain. The road is bumpy, so be careful and it may get damaged."

[Lieutenant Colonel Elek], who was ordered to assist Winters, saw this scene and couldn't laugh or cry.

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

In Lieutenant Colonel Elek's view, since there was a pass issued by General Arpad, he was still in charge personally. Winters and his party can move freely under the military government, so why should they be secretive?

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

After checking the convoy from end to end, Winters tied the horse behind the first cart and quickly climbed onto the cart.

For some reason, Winters felt extremely comfortable. Looking into the eyes of Gilad Mitchell who was sitting in the driver's seat, he suddenly laughed loudly: "Mr. Mitchell?"

"What's wrong? Captain?" Gilad became more reserved.

"The last time we escorted the car together, it seemed we were going to Gevaudan?"

Gilad was stunned for a moment, then smiled when he remembered the past: "Then... I hope I won't encounter bandits this time."

"This is Jiangbei Province! This is not your new land!" Lieutenant Colonel Elek urged displeasedly: "How can there be so many bandits? Let's go quickly!"

"Okay!" Winters took a deep breath and shouted, "Let's go!"

The coachmen crackled their long whips happily, and the sassy Dussacs loudly sang obscene ditties.

The carriages drove away one after another, leaving only clouds of pale ash at the site of the camp.

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

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

…

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

It was already dark, and the convoy set up camp in a flat open space, with large vehicles connected end to end in a circle to serve as temporary fortifications.

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

Ordinary gangs were no match for Winters' old troops. The Dussacs dispersed the gangsters with one charge.

It was just that bandits blocked the road for two consecutive days, which really made Lieutenant Colonel Elek, who had sworn to guarantee the security situation in Jiangbei Province, a little embarrassed.

The orderly also brought a cup of soup to Lieutenant Colonel Elek. Lieutenant Colonel Elek held the cup and remained silent for a long time, puzzled and said: "But... it's really strange, our convoy has never made any mistakes... Where did it come from?" So many villains?”

Before Winters could say anything, old Sergei, who was sitting by the campfire sharpening his knife, snorted heavily.

After having been in contact with Lieutenant Colonel Elek for a long time, Old Sergey also realized that the Lieutenant Colonel was a good-tempered person. Ever since, the sarcastic desire in old Sergei's heart that he couldn't understand everything overcame his fear of the school officer's uniform.

Sergei, Vashka’s old father, deliberately made the sound of sharpening the knife loud and vented all his grievances on the whetstone: “Lieutenant Colonel, you don’t even think about it, you have to be kicked in the head by a horse. How many times do bandits have the courage to rob the army's carriage?"

"Well."

"Anyway, as long as we don't rob military vehicles." Old Sergey pretended to be relaxed: "Does that mean the bandits don't exist?"

Lieutenant Colonel Elek didn't get angry, but his orderly couldn't swallow it.

The orderly jumped up and kicked over the whetstone next to old Sergei: "How outrageous! You are talking to a lieutenant colonel!"

Old Sergei was also furious. He raised his saber, bared his teeth like a wolf, and his face was ashen: "Young man! Be careful!"

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

Old Sergey's tense body relaxed.

Winters gave old Sergei a look and nodded.

Old Dussac left obediently, even giving the orderly a vicious look before leaving.

Lieutenant Colonel Elek also motioned to the orderly to sit down. After old Dusak walked away, he smiled bitterly and said: "Did you see the look in his eyes just now? He was really like a wolf. Alas, an 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 Dusak, who seems to be unruly, actually worships power more deeply."

Lieutenant Colonel Elek mused.

Shadows fell on the carriage as someone walked toward Winters' campfire. The light was not good, and it was not until the other party came closer that Winters recognized the person as Gilad Mitchell.

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 fever." Gilad replied in a low voice: "I let him rest."

Pierre's health had not yet recovered, so Winters refused to let him ride a horse and found a special carriage for him.

Little Mr. Mitchell can finally goof off openly without being beaten by his father, but not in the way everyone wants to see.

"The person who went to the next town to ask for a doctor should be back soon, don't worry." Winters could only try to comfort Mr. Mitchell: "Father Carman is also waiting. He must have a way."

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

Only Winters, Lieutenant Colonel Elek, and Lieutenant Colonel Elek's orderlies were left beside the campfire.

Lieutenant Colonel Elek handed the empty cup to the orderly and stood up: "It's getting late and I need to rest."

"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 opened the small book and said with a smile: "Tomorrow we will go west."

"To the west?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek's eyebrows narrowed: "To the west? Where?"

"Matoupo Town."

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

"Why are you going to Matoupo Town?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek suddenly became suspicious: "Continue to go south, take Jinghu County and cross the Jinliu River, won't you reach the newly cultivated land? If you don't take the nearest route, you What are you going to do westward?”

Of course it was because someone was waiting in the west - Winters couldn't possibly tell the truth like that.

So Winters chose to tell another part of the truth.

He pulled Lieutenant Colonel Elek to sit down and showed the small book to the lieutenant colonel: "You will understand at a glance...Jinghu County has been occupied by the troops from the King's Castle. After repelling the Hed raiding group, that army The troops never withdrew. As for the other ferries... they were all firmly controlled by the New Reclamation Corps. In other words, I had no way to take a shortcut across the Jinliu River. I could only go west, go far away, and cross the river from the upper reaches. "

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

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

There is a map drawn on two pages of a palm-sized, facing book. Although the size is not large, Lieutenant Colonel Elek, who was born in the artillery department, can see at a glance that the rivers on the map are accurately marked.

Lieutenant Colonel Elek's attention was no longer on the route. He pointed at the small book and asked in a serious voice: "Map?"

"yes."

"Where did it come from?"

Winters replied flatly: "I drew it myself... based on some old maps."

"Let me see." Lieutenant Colonel Elek reached for the small book.

Winters took the initiative to put it away: "There are only these two pages."

Lieutenant Colonel Elek slowly distanced himself from Wintesla, crossed his arms, and examined [The Ghost of Styx] - the officers who participated in the Battle of the Great Wasteland learned that Winters Montagne was still alive. Since that time, this title has been used in private to refer to the latter, which means "one who climbs out of the river of the underworld."

"Can you draw a map?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek asked.

"Don't you know how?" Winters asked, "Isn't drawing a compulsory course?"

"You drew more than one, right?"

Winters neither admitted nor denied it.

"You walked and painted 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."

"Habit?" Lieutenant Colonel Elek obviously didn't believe it and mocked: "Not a bad habit.

Winters said nonchalantly: "If you accompany me to meet someone, you will understand."

"Where to go? Who to meet?"

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

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

"Going to Fengsui Castle? Is that also in your plan?"

"It wasn't planned in advance." Winters paused for a moment: "But we have to go even if we take a long way around."

…

Three days later, Fengsui Fort.

Fengsuibao is a desolate town standing on a bald mountain.

Because the beacon fort has a high terrain, a good view, is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and is stuck at the exit of the Quicksand Valley that the Herd tribes must pass through when they invade, the ninth Duke of Plato built a stone fortress and a giant beacon here. Taiwan, hence the name of Fengsui Fort.

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

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

On weekdays, about sixty soldiers are stationed at Beacon Fort for a long period of time. By fall and winter, that number will become three hundred.

Relying on the money and food leaked from the soldiers' fingers, the residents of Fengsuigao Castle can live a fairly comfortable life.

Thirty years ago, Queye Khan died. The Hed tribes have been in decline since then, and the importance of the beacon fort has gradually disappeared.

The fort no longer needs maintenance, and the garrison will no longer come. The residents of Fengsuigao can only cultivate the barren land of Bald Mountain and pray for good weather.

Today, thirty years later, Fengsui Fort has been completely ruined. Many people have moved away, leaving only poor farmers who cannot move.

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

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

After many inquiries, Winters was convinced that the dark wooden house on the edge of the small town of Fengsuibao - to be precise, only the size of a village - was his destination.

Winters and Lieutenant Colonel Elek had just walked to the fence. Before they could open the courtyard door, the owner of the wooden house had noticed them.

"Oh, guests are coming." A cold bass voice came from inside the house.

John Jessica stood in front of Winters, holding on to the door frame.

[Another millstone-destroying weekend! ]

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

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