Iron Powder and Spellcaster

Winters suddenly sighed and asked softly: "Is there going to be a war?"

"If you want to fight, you have to have an enemy, right?"

"Tanilians, the Republic wants the islands." Winters gave the answer calmly: "I am really too slow to figure it out now."

Antonio neither denied nor affirmed, but just asked: "Then tell me why Veneta wants to go to war with its important source of raw materials and trading partners?"

"I don't know the reason. I learned something from history. People can have 10,000 reasons to start a war, and they can also have 10,000 reasons to stop a war. War is not a duel between two people. All interested parties in the war have conflicting interests. Reason. As for the root cause of the war, that can only be known from the history books after the war is over. I am just guessing the direction of the wheels through the rut marks."

"What ruts?" Antonio seemed to be interested.

"Some fragments of information, rumors in the military academy, the conflict between the archipelago and Hailan, the tense atmosphere in the army headquarters, the call for reserves that you mentioned casually... and most importantly, what's the point of leaving the case to pirates? Army Can we still control the pirates? They just want to lead the fire to the islands."

"interesting."

Winters asked with difficulty: "Do we have to fight?" This is really not a question that a soldier should ask.

"Not necessarily. War is just a means, not an end. Preparing for war with great fanfare is sometimes just to gain more bargaining chips. Veneta is not a piedmont, and the final means will be decided by the ruling committee." Antonio's The voice is clear and calm,

He said unhurriedly: "But military deterrence comes not only from force, but also from the determination to use force. If the wrong message is sent and the Federation of Islands thinks that Hailan does not dare to use force, then the only way is war. I have seen it. Are the big general and the little general fighting with the wild cat from the yard?"

"I've seen it before. The little general is smaller but more fierce." Every night in spring and autumn, there would be cats fighting around Winters' house, causing them to cry and howl.

"Wrong, it's not that the little generals are more ferocious, but that the wild cats think that the little generals can be bullied and dare to challenge the little generals. What about the big generals? Whenever they see wild cats entering their territory, they will rush to fight to the death. The nearby wild cats They were all afraid of it and would hide away when they saw it. In the end, the little general who didn’t like to cause trouble ended up fighting more with the wild cat.”

"Then is the Republic ready for war?" Winters digested these words. He felt that he knew too little.

"Yes, and no. Plans have been made one after another a few years ago, but the Directory has not made up its mind, and the plans are just pieces of paper." Antonio snorted coldly, seeming to be very dissatisfied: " It was not until the consul's fiery speech in the Senate a month ago that the Council of Thirteen agreed to make material preparations for war."

[The Committee of Thirteen, the Military Committee of the Republic of Veneta, whose members are composed of high-level officials from the army and navy]

"I don't think the United Provinces will just watch us take control of the islands." If Hailan takes over the islands, it will inevitably break the delicate balance within the alliance.

"'Feleng Cui' is now on top of the northern boundary river and 'Running River'. Otherwise, why wouldn't you be allowed to take the land route this year instead of letting you return to Veneta by sea?"

[The 4th ‘Feleng Cui’ Legion, Seablue Republic Army]

[Second 'Running River' Regiment, Army of the United Provincial Republic]

The hair on Winters' back stood up. The two alliance standing armies were already confronting each other on the border. No wonder this year they would take a boat instead. But he felt incredibly ridiculous: "Is it possible that we have to fight with the people from the United Provinces first?"

"How is that possible? No matter how crazy the federal army is, they dare not risk the world's disapproval to start a civil war." Antonio laughed and comforted his nephew: "Their intention is nothing more than to contain us so that we cannot use our full strength to control them. The Islands buy time.”

"The federal province also wants to control the archipelago?"

Antonio asked back: "Hailan and Piedmont each occupy half of the bay. Whoever can get the islands can control the inland trade. Let me ask you, if you were the Secretary of State of the United Provinces, would you want to control Tanilia?" "

In the past, the Taneria Islands were also a Crown Domain. But in contrast to Hailan who became the emperor because he was rich, Tanilia had to become the emperor because he was so poor that no one wanted him. Before the introduction of cash crops such as sugar cane, it was a barbaric land. Apart from the islanders who fended for themselves, there were only exiled prisoners.

More than thirty years ago, the Alliance Navy (pirates), which only had a few galleys, set out from Taneria and madly plundered the empire's sea transport ships, forcing the emperor to cross the Shade Mountains to supply the Duke of Orleans. As the Alliance Navy's stolen goods and supply points, the Islands attracted the most greedy sailors, mercenaries and speculators on the continent, and the Islands began to prosper.

It was during this time that sugar cane was introduced to the land. Plantations began to appear in the interior of the islands.

After Madman Richard withdrew, the Federation of Captains and Planters also took this opportunity to declare their separation from the empire and become a permanent "neutral free port". For more than 20 years, it has been living as a loose association in the cracks of various forces. .

Antonio said without doubt: "To be fair, do you think the conflict between the United Provinces and the Islands is greater, or the conflict between us and the Islands? Do you think the price that the United Provinces can offer to the Islands is better, or the price that we can offer to the Islands? Good price?

The Federation of Islands is a political entity that is too loose. Negotiating with the Federation is like talking to a hundred ducks at the same time. If we fight for it island by island, Taneria will sooner or later become the eighth province of the United Provinces Republic. It's not that Hailan wants the islands, but that Hailan doesn't want the United Provinces to get the islands, so the methods have to be more drastic. "

After listening to Antonio's words, Winters felt a chill from the inside out even though it was midsummer: "Tell me the truth, the Victory Arsenal wasn't burned down by people sent by the Throne, right?"

"What are you thinking?" Antonio said to Winters in a reproachful tone: "The competition between the United Provinces and Hailan for Tanilia is just an internal competition within the alliance. Although the United Provinces are not against us, we are also Brothers and allies, not enemies. The Victory Arsenal is an important equipment procurement place for the Navy Army. How could we burn down the Victory Arsenal?"

"That's good, that's good." Winters breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, he was really worried that the tension between the republics had reached the point where they would fight in the next second.

Antonio taught Winters earnestly, "I tell you these things because I want you to break away from the limitations of the chess pieces and see what the chessboard looks like. Taking this assassination case out of the hands of the customs is nothing more than a master plan." People from the war faction want to use the topic to put pressure on the ruling committee, coerce public opinion, and advocate war. This kind of little trick is not interesting, so don't learn it. Because whether the assassin is a Venetian or a pirate, it will not affect the decision-making of the ruling committee. "

"Then are you a war party or a peace party?"

"I am neither a war party nor a peace party. I only have one principle, and that is to put Veneta's interests first. You must also remember this. You are a Veneta soldier, and your duty is to protect Veneta. The interests of the tower, rather than being united and opposed by different parties." Antonio's tone was very solemn.

Winters nodded heavily: "But I still don't understand why this case was handed over to the Military Police Department?"

"No matter who investigates this case, there are only two ways to go. Either investigate this unsolved case and get to the bottom of it; or follow the wishes of the warring factions and pass the blame on the pirates. The latter way is to close the case easily. , but if there is no ironclad case, the consequences will be very serious if the case is overturned in the future." Antonio laughed loudly: "This kid Field is too crazy, and he has no control over his words. Recently, he has offended people again for some reason. Everyone has a lot of dissatisfaction with him, and this case was given to Field purely to disgust him."

Antonio added: "But don't worry, you are just a trainee in the military police department. Even if the case is overturned, you will not be implicated in the future. It's just that this kid Field will have to go to the war history department."

Winters remembered Lieutenant Colonel Field's "heroic appearance" at the trainee volunteer introduction meeting. It was probably that time that he offended all the senior officers present.

When the case was mentioned, Winters suddenly thought of the coachman again. He hurriedly said to his uncle, "I think it's best to replace the coachman at home."

"Why?"

Winters explained in detail how he discovered that the family's coachman seemed to be involved in a secret society.

Antonio was quite disapproving: "Isn't it just a secret society? There are many such things in Hailan City. Not to mention the carriage drivers, the porters carrying goods on the dock all have secret societies, and there are several of them."

However, Winters still insisted on changing the coachman. After all, the people who usually took the coach most often were not two men, but two ladies at home. He felt that the coachman must be a reliable person.

Antonio finally agreed with his nephew's opinion, and the two finally agreed that Antonio would send someone to talk to the coachman, confirm that there was no problem with the coachman, and then fire the coachman with a severance payment. Finally, two honest auxiliary soldiers were hired from the Third Army to serve as coachmen and horsemen.

————Cut————

One hundred beeswax candles illuminated the side hall of Navarre House, and the faint aroma produced by burning beeswax diffused in the room, giving this elegant living room a more private atmosphere.

It was a small reception, not many people. The main hall is too large and will make guests feel deserted. Of course Mrs. Navarre would not make such a stupid mistake.

There is no dance floor in the side hall, but at this moment, Mrs. Navarre is the most elegant dancer.

She flitted between each small group of guests, and whenever there was a sign of a dispute, Mrs. Navarre would eliminate the conflict virtually with a witty pun. If she noticed that a guest was uncomfortable, Madame Navarre would skillfully guide the guest to a circle of conversation more suitable to him.

The people talking in the living room are all men, they are eloquent and talkative. Men long for an audience, for attention, but Mrs. Navarre does not seek to make everyone listen.

With a look, a smile, a glass of wine, and a witticism, she made every guest feel like spring breeze, and more than enough to protect the pleasant atmosphere of the party.

Although the men occupy the stage, it is the empathetic hostess who truly rules the roost here.

However, even Mrs. Navarre, who can easily mobilize the atmosphere of the party, there are people who can make her helpless. As she looked around, part of her focus was on her daughter, fearing something would happen again.

Her eldest daughter was now standing in front of a tempera painting of Aphrodite, surrounded by several men. People in this small circle were listening to a handsome man with a beautiful beard commenting on the painting.

To this critic, this young girl is probably the most competent listener in the world. She is seventeen years old, and has lost the immaturity of a child, but she has not yet matured as a married woman. We are in the most youthful and energetic stage of life, and we are looking forward to brilliance with every smile.

As a listener, what is even more valuable is that there is no look of impatience on her face. Mrs. Navarre's daughter carefully admired the painting, listened with a smile, and nodded slightly from time to time, saying yes.

Critics thought they had gained an admirer, but Mrs. Navarre had already realized from the subtle changes in the girl's brows and habitual hand movements that her daughter was now furious and on the verge of breaking out.

"...The biggest problem is that the painter has a biased understanding of beauty." With the beautiful lady at his side, the critic was encouraged and criticized the painting in front of him more and more vigorously: "Aphrodite is obviously the goddess of love and beauty. God, but the goddess in this painting lacks beauty, let alone makes me think of love..."

"Anna, come here." Mrs. Navarre called her daughter, who was standing a little further away.

Ana Navarre nodded slightly to the men with a smile, as if apologizing for having to leave, then walked straight to her mother, passing between the men who moved out of the way.

From an objective point of view, Anna's appearance is not considered beautiful in the traditional sense. She did not inherit her mother's soft and gentle face, but instead inherited her father's strong facial features. But even if there is nothing coquettish about her, the opposite sex will still involuntarily cast their eyes on her fair shoulders and lustrous hair.

Mrs. Navarre took her daughter's hand and squeezed it gently, reminding her daughter to be polite. Anna understood what her mother meant and snorted in dissatisfaction, but she still followed her mother to another part of the living room.

Madame Navarre placed her daughter in a small circle of mostly young people, and resumed her duties as hostess to look after her guests.

At the same time, Antonio and his nephew had just arrived at the Navarre mansion.

Winters had not yet fully enjoyed the ride, so he reluctantly handed over the reins of Qiang Luck to the livery-clad pageboy. Under the guidance of the butler, Antonio followed him into this magnificent side hall.

"General Serbetti, how are you?" Mrs. Navarre greeted Antonio enthusiastically and complained in an angry tone: "Why are you here so late? I thought you were not willing to show your favor."

"How could it be? I am your most loyal servant." Antonio bowed his head politely and kissed Mrs. Navarre's hand gently.

Mrs. Navarre covered her lips with a folding fan and said with a smile: "You are not loyal at all, so please introduce me to this handsome young man."

"Don't you recognize who he is? My nephew, Winters Montagne, just returned from the Army Academy this year."

"Elizabeth's son?" Madame Navarre exclaimed softly. She measured the position of Winters' waist with her hand and said with emotion: "Oh my God, I have become an adult in the blink of an eye. But in my impression, there are still only children this tall."

Listening to this, Mrs. Navarre seemed to have met Winters, but Winters no longer had any impression. He couldn't remember anything about his childhood, so Winters just smiled politely and said nothing.

"Alas, the military academy taught him to be a fool. You have to take good care of him."

"You have to prevent your precious nephew from being deceived by some lady." Mrs. Navarre walked up to her gracefully and took Winters' arm affectionately.

Winters felt the woman's soft body and body heat on his left arm. Apart from his family, he had never had such close contact with a woman. This sudden attack made him stiffen and his face suddenly turned red.

"Your friends have been waiting for you for a while." Mrs. Navarre said to Antonio: "Leave this young man to me."

Antonio nodded with a smile, left the helpless Winters beside Mrs. Navarre, and left the party.

"Elizabeth and Kesa are both my friends. You are here as if you are at home." Mrs. Navarre found the little guy's reaction very interesting. She took a glass of wine from the waiter's tray and gave it to Winters: "Are you very reserved when you are with your elders? Let me introduce you to some of your peers. Have a drink and don't be so nervous."

"Thank you, madam, but I don't know how to drink." Winters said sincerely: "Uh... do you have anything to eat here?"

Winters' words made Mrs. Navarre laugh. It was the first time she had seen anyone looking for food at such a reception. A gathering of this size is neither a banquet nor a buffet. There is no food, only wine.

But Winters was really hungry and dizzy now. He went to the customs prison with Lieutenant Colonel Field in the afternoon, and ended up vomiting out everything he had eaten for lunch. When she got home, Kesha took her to the tailor shop. She didn't come back until it was almost dark, and then she and Antonio went to the Navarre House without stopping. He was already extremely hungry, but for some reason now his stomach started to churn again.

Winters looked calm and sounded sincere. Madame Navarre understood that he was not pretending, but that he was really hungry. She felt more and more that this little guy had no social experience and was simply cute and stupid, so she explained to Winters: "There is no food here, but there will be in the kitchen. I will have someone take you there."

Mrs. Navarre called her daughter softly and introduced to Anna: "This is Mr. Montagne. You take Mr. Montagne to the kitchen and ask the chef to make something that Mr. Montagne likes."

She turned to Winters and introduced: "This is my daughter, Anna, let her lead you to the kitchen."

Mrs. Navarre's daughter smiled, held up her skirt, curtsied, and said softly: "Mr. Montagne, please follow me."

Winters blushed even more as he looked at Anna's smooth forehead and graceful neck. But as a spellcaster, his keen perception allowed him to see that Miss Navarre was actually very unhappy.

She was smiling, but there was no trace of smile in the corners of her mouth or eyes. She felt like a doll to Winters.

"Just call me Winters." Winters also bent down and bowed in return. He didn't like to cause trouble to others, so he said to Mrs. Navarre: "You don't need to bother this lady, just ask a waiter to take me there. .”

"You are a distinguished guest, how can you let a servant accompany you?"

Mrs. Navarre's attitude was very firm, and Winters had no choice but to accept her kindness.

Under Anna's guidance, Winters passed through the small groups of guests and left the side hall through another door.

Before leaving here, Winters' eyes were involuntarily attracted to the tempera painting of Aphrodite - how could he not be attracted? The goddess in the painting has an almost nude body, boldly showing off her delicate body, with only a little bit of it covered.

Poor Warrant Officer Montagne, the paintings he has seen most in his life are military maps, and other than that are church murals. The saints are all tightly wrapped, and even if there are occasional nude images, they are all male. He had never seen such an unabashed display of the beauty of the female body.

Seeing that Winters was stunned, Anna stopped. Winters was embarrassed and followed him in panic.

The two opened the door and left the side hall, walking through the corridor one after another until they reached the kitchen door. Both of them were silent all the way.

Before Anna opened the wooden door of the kitchen, she suddenly turned her head and stared into Winters' eyes, and asked him seriously: "What do you think of that painting of Aphrodite?"

"What? Is that the God of Beauty?"

————I am the dividing line for accurately stepping on thunder————

Because basically no readers tell me what they think... But I also feel that these chapters are a bit too delayed, so after Anna Navarre appears, I will push the main story as soon as possible...

(The following is in chronological order) Thank you book friend 2018010005850390 for your recommendation vote, thank you book friend 20170726153222839 for your recommendation vote, thank you book friend 20181013204343295 for your recommendation vote, thank you book friend 20200303132821369 for your recommendation vote, thank you book friend Qinggui w for your recommendation vote.

Thanks to book friend Qinggui W for the tip.

This time I will let my Hanhan business bow to everyone. (Hanhan is a cat)