Iron Powder and Spellcaster

On the outskirts of Steel Castle, in the village of Zug near the legion's station, a huge convoy was making preparations for departure.

The sky had already brightened, but it still looked gray. At a quarter past eight, the church night watchman rang the morning bell on time.

When they heard the bell, all the busy people stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads in silence to pray.

After a while, the bells stopped ringing, and the statuesque people resumed their activities, continuing to oil the axles, feed the draft horses, and check the goods and luggage.

All things begin and end, and Winters is about to leave Steel Castle. But before setting off, he still had some matters to wrap up and some friends to say goodbye to.

For example, Covilyan, the head waiter at the Lakeside Hotel.

"He is Koch, your contact person." Winters raised his chin and motioned Covilyan to look at the sturdy man who had just walked into the tent: "From now on, you will be the ones to deal with, let's get to know each other formally."

Covilyan turned to Koch, his manner a little confused because he didn't know what to salute. Finally, the old foreman bowed his head deeply, but the sturdy man stretched out his right hand.

Covilian couldn't help but be startled, but he quickly recovered and cooperatively accepted the other party's kindness. Just like that, the two shook hands.

Winters nodded slightly, Koch touched the heels of his boots, raised his arms in salute, and walked out of the tent neatly.

"His behavior simply shows his identity written on his face." Winters sighed and turned his head to look at Covilyan: "But he is already the least awkward person among my subordinates who speaks Monta dialect."

"Monta has many veterans who have served, so Mr. Koch's behavior is not out of the ordinary." Covilyan flattered tactfully: "Besides, loyalty is the most important quality, and Mr. Koch obviously does not lack it at all. "

Winters raised the corner of his mouth and continued without further words: "I will establish a stronghold in Lucerne. As I said before, you only need to follow my request and send family letters to Lucerne regularly. I will We will also abide by the agreement and ensure Mr. Roger’s safety.”

Covilyan listened respectfully.

Winters's attitude was frank and natural: "This is easy to say, it's nothing more than sending a letter. It's hard to say, but extremely difficult. There are three autonomous states and hundreds of kilometers between Steel Castle and Lucerne. Timely, stable and secretive - think It is not easy to do anything. All I can provide is maximum funds. But how to establish and maintain a line of communication depends entirely on your wisdom and judgment and that of Koch."

Having said this, Winters paused for a moment and sighed again: "To be honest, Mr. Covilyan, I don't have a few subordinates who can really stand alone. Even if I did, I would not leave them in Monta—— Because it is a shameful waste. Koch is the best help I can give you. I trust him completely, but my messenger can't help him. In the country of mountains, the person I count on... It’s always been you.”

Covilian did not dare to show any slightness, bowed slightly, and assured with sincerity: "Your Excellency, I will never betray your trust! You can completely trust my loyalty."

The helpless smile appeared on Winters' lips again: "You don't need to put on such a show to please me, Mr. Covilyan. I used your nephew's life as collateral, and my behavior was tantamount to kidnapping and extortion. What kind of loyalty can a blackmailed person have to his kidnapper?"

Covilian lowered his head lower: "What happened to Roger was all caused by himself, and he deserves to be punished. Your ability to spare his life is an act of kindness that I should not ask for. I will never forget your kindness." Degree and kindness.”

"I will copy this sentence of yours." Winters stood up holding the small table, clapped and laughed: "Maybe I can use it one day."

Facing the Baron, who acted completely unscripted, Covilyan could only narrow his shoulders, lower his posture, and appear as submissive as possible.

"You may think that I am playing tricks, but I have neither the ability nor the idea. I have seen some people - the more you respect them, the more they despise you; the more you look down on them, The more majestic they feel you are. In my opinion, you do not belong to that category. You are a person who has both self-respect and sufficient wisdom, so I choose to communicate with you honestly."

Winters picked up his cane from the table and stood face to face in front of the old foreman:

"I don't like blackmail and kidnapping, but what has happened cannot be changed. Your nephew has seen too much and knows too much, but he still doesn't understand the value of silence. The risk of letting him go is too high, so I can only take him Walk.

But please believe me, I chose this way of handling it, not because there are no other easier and more permanent ways, but because I see some valuable qualities in him.

If there were ten righteous people in Sodom, it should not be destroyed. Your nephew still has the courage to sacrifice himself for others, so it would be a pity to kill him just to keep the secret. So I chose to bring him under my control. He would leave his hometown, but I would also provide him with a way out for education and advancement - which is a good outcome among bad outcomes.

So do you. I never viewed you as a subordinate, a prisoner, or a slave, I viewed you as an equal collaborator. I purchase a service from you and pay you a fair compensation. There is no doubt that this was a forced sale and I apologize. "

After saying that, Winters took half a step back and saluted seriously.

Covilian also saluted hurriedly. He quietly studied the baron's expression, trying to find something he was more familiar with, but he gained little.

After taking some time to digest the baron's words, Covilian still replied cautiously: "I can't repay you for your tolerance and kindness. Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my best to collect all the information you need."

"No, that's exactly what I don't need you to do." Winters reiterated seriously: "I don't need you to actively collect any sensitive information. As I said before, I only need you to collect public, daily information. Information - the price of wheat and flour, the wages of ordinary people, city hall notices, the weather.

And no matter what the situation, you must prioritize your own safety. I don't want to go to war with the Monta Republic. I just hope to keep a pair of eyes and a pair of ears in Solingen State to observe everything happening in the country of mountains on my behalf. That's all. "

The old foreman fell into silence. After a while, he raised his head. His face was no longer complimentary and submissive, but uneasy and suspicious: "Can I ask a question? Your Excellency."

"Please say."

"why me?"

Winters replied matter-of-factly: "Of course because you are the best person."

"If it's just a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, Mr. Carlo Aide is more suitable than me. He can see wider than me and hear more than me." Covilyan hit the nail on the head and pointed out the difference between Baron and Nasty. Varley Trading Company Connection: “Why me?”

"Precisely because you are not him, you are the most suitable candidate." Winters leaned on his cane and explained calmly: "Carlo Aide is first of all a partner of the Navarre Firm, and secondly a Veneta person. Finally, he is my friend. Whether he intends it or not, the information he provides must have been screened. I hope to have a pair of Monta people's eyes to observe for me. These eyes must be sharp enough, experienced enough, and not able to The stakes are high. After weighing it repeatedly, I think you are the most suitable candidate."

Covilyan fell silent again. After a while, he asked bitterly: "So I was tied to your chariot and never had a chance to leave?"

Winters replied seriously: "I have considered this. How about we agree on a time, five years?"

Covilyan couldn't believe it easily: "Five years? I served you for five years and then you let Roger go?"

"If Mr. Roger is still willing to return to Monta after five years, then he can move freely." Winters nodded, and he hid half a sentence without saying anything - if five years later, Koch still has only one clue Man, you can't blame others.

Covilyan took a deep breath in pain, and then exhaled heavily. He pressed his chest and bent deeply: "Please don't forget the promise you made today. Because that's the only thing Roger and I have. "

Winters held out his hand.

…

Covilhã was the first guest invited into the tent, but not the last to leave through the side door.

The second guest who met Winters in the tent was a tall, thin, middle-aged man with low-key clothing and a clean shaven beard. He did not give his name, but his surname was "Da Este."

The middle-aged man took off his hat and held it in his hand, saluting meticulously but distantly.

Winters leaned on his cane and nodded slightly.

"[Old language] Your Excellency Montagne." The middle-aged man spoke first: "[Old language] On behalf of Flora's master, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you. Thank you for your assistance and testimony. You will always be our friend. "

"I'm just testifying truthfully." Winters replied in common language.

"[Old saying] White Eagle will repay a favor."

Winters smiled in agreement: "You just have to fulfill your agreement."

The middle-aged man saluted again, put on his hat, and turned around to leave with the arrogance unique to the White Eagles.

After the middle-aged man went out, Charles opened the door and walked into the tent, pouting: "What a white eagle, he walks like a goose. Traitor, what are you so arrogant about?"

Winters sat down with his knees propped up, rubbed his sore left leg, and said with a smile: "If they are really proud, they won't break their promises. Isn't that a good thing?"

Charles stopped talking.

Thanks to Winters’ timely rescue, Borso da Este is alive and well today—even though Winters’ original purpose that night was not to save people.

As for how Borso can escape from Monta's subsequent accountability? That depends on the skill of the Esther family.

At least after consulting with the emissary of the Este family, Winters provided the following testimony: There is no evidence that Mr. Borso da Este was directly involved in the actions of the Imperial spy that night; Mr. Aster had advance knowledge of the Imperial spies' plans; however, there is evidence that he was one of the Imperial assassins' targets that night.

"Who else is out there?" Winters asked Charles.

"Mayor Paul Wooper sent people, and several wealthy men also sent servants to deliver gifts. I sent them all to Miss Navarre." Charles thought for a while and said seriously: "Mr. Fuller Mr. and Mr. Schmid came in person, and they said they wanted to thank you in person. Do you want me to invite them in?"

"No need." Winters waved his hand: "I'll just go out and say hello later."

Ciel nodded obediently.

Winters glanced at the Newlon clock on the table, stood up and walked to the clothes rack. Ciel hurriedly stepped forward and helped Winters change into riding gear.

"Just take the carriage." Charles said a little unhappy: "Why do you have to ride a horse?"

Winters snorted softly: "What's the point of riding in a carriage? Have you sent the horses for Colonel Berne and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas?"

"Sent them over. I handed the reins to them with my own hands."

Winters coughed a few times: "Did Changfeng get it back?"

"Bring it back." After all, Charles is still a child. He is very happy and angry. He was depressed just now. When he talked about Changfeng, he immediately became energetic: "In my opinion, if we hadn't taken the initiative to ask for it, that lieutenant colonel would definitely have What a waste. Huh, mountain people."

"Okay." Winters' tone was rare and stern: "Don't talk like that."

Xia Erden immediately stopped, but his mouth was still pouting.

…

Today's situation is special. Colonel Berne and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas did not send anyone to the scene, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that this convoy is inextricably linked to the garrison.

Because Winters' "convoy" had a pass signed by Colonel Berne, and was nominally going to the border trading city of Lucerne to purchase grain.

After the fire, Solingen was short of everything, especially food. The victims who had nothing left had to consume thousands of pounds of bread every day, and the rations provided by the garrison were only enough to provide temporary support, and sooner or later they would be all consumed. The visible food crisis has made farmers and businessmen afraid to sell food.

Solingen has asked Linzhou for assistance, but relying solely on internal food, Solingen's demand will raise the price of flour in neighboring free states.

The knowledgeable people in the Monta Republic have turned their attention beyond the mountains.

But if you rely on external purchases, the flour from Varn and Nordmonta will not quench your thirst. On the contrary, Plato is the closest to Solingen - the vast and sparsely populated Plato is not only rich in wool and cured meat, but also wheat. , an important producing area of ​​rye.

There were subtle differences between the interests of the federal provinces and Monta's interests. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas used this to help Winters open up the joints within Monta's army and ensure that the checkpoints along the way would turn a blind eye this time.

In exchange, Winters promised that the "Third Republic of Plato" would sell Lucerne enough food to meet the needs of Steel Castle for at least three months - although he did not obtain permission from the military government of Plato at all.

Of course, Winters sent a messenger to General Arpad immediately after the incident. However, the weights at both ends of the scale became "ordnance" and "food plus transit rights."

By mistake, Winters Montagne took over the first brokerage business in his life, and it was a business that was deceived by both parties. If Bai Ying, who is behind bars, knew, he would definitely applaud with tears in his eyes.

…

Taking off the clothes of the imperial nobles and putting on the attire of a Plato rider, Winters suddenly smiled.

"What are you laughing at?" Charles was confused.

"When you see Plato-style boots, don't you feel a strange sense of familiarity?" Winters felt nostalgic and sighed. He put on the boots with difficulty: "When we were in Veneta, we didn't wear these. Of boots.”

Compared with Venetta style boots, Palato boots have a higher straight leg and harder leather material, making them more troublesome to put on, but they can be fixed on the feet without leather straps. To keep out the cold, Plato's winter boots also have fleece on the inside.

"I learned how to ride a horse in Plato," Charles whispered. "I didn't wear boots in Veneta."

Winters sat in silence for a while and helped Ciel adjust his belt: "Do you want to go home? Ciel."

"I don't want to." Charles scratched his hair in distress: "I don't want to either."

Winters rubbed Ciel's head.

The sound of footsteps came from outside the tent, and then the door curtain was lifted: "Tribune, Senator Servetus is here."

"Finally here." Winters helped Ciel stand up: "Please come in."

John Servetus was still wearing the same black clothes - of course, it was more likely that he had many sets of identical black clothes. The buttons were still buttoned to the collar, but there was a little dust on his knees and the hem of his coat while riding.

Seeing that "The Baron" had changed into a complete set of travel equipment, Servetus's unimpressed eyes showed a little surprise: "You are leaving today?"

"If you come any later, you might not even be able to see me." Winters smiled cheerfully: "Are you here to inform our blacksmith guild of the voting results?"

"Yes." Servetus replied solemnly, clearing his throat.

"Wait a moment." Winters stopped the other party's speech.

Servetus frowned and asked with his eyes.

Winters looked at Charles: "Go and ask for Ms. Navarre."

[Recent updates are not good, sorry Or2]

[But things will get better in the future, and life and work will finally get back on track! I won’t wish you all a happy Lantern Festival in advance, because I must finish writing “The Echoes of the Mountains” before the Lantern Festival, ╰(‵□′)╯]

[Thank you book friends for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation votes, monthly votes, rewards and comments, thank you all]