Iron Powder and Spellcaster

[Maplestone City]

[town Hall]

More than half a month had passed since the Battle of River Valley Village, and the coalition commanders finally had the opportunity to sit down and discuss the distribution of the results.

Although in the land of galloping horses, everyone knows the proverb: “Don’t light a fire until you’ve caught your prey.”

But in a sense, the disposal of spoils tests the wisdom of decision-makers more than the acquisition of spoils.

Therefore, whether it was Baishan County, Leiqun County, or Bianjiang County, they were all facing a formidable enemy and paid full attention to it.

Colonel Geza Adonis, Colonel Skull Meklen and Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Corwin each brought a large number of entourages. In addition to the clerks responsible for the handover, all official personnel who did not need to lie in the hospital bed to recuperate. Officers were called to show their strength, and even some of the more respected "honorary officers" were allowed to attend.

The three parties came to the city hall in large numbers, crowding out the negotiation venue prepared in advance by the Tiefeng County party.

Seeing this scene, Mason couldn't help but be speechless: "Why are there so many people here?"

Winters was also dumbfounded.

Because apart from the necessary accountants and scribes in Tiefeng County, only Winters and Mason attended the meeting.

Bard was not present - the real tribune was still counting the abandoned land and properties in Wargne County and making every effort to organize re-cultivation;

Although Andre has a very leisurely life every day, he has always hated such occasions where saliva is spitted, and he refuses to come even if he says nothing. However, he did leave a message: "If a fight breaks out, remember to call me."

As a representative of the "academic officers" within the Tiefeng County Army who were not directly affiliated with Winters but who had made great contributions, Major Seber theoretically also had the right to attend the spoils distribution meeting.

However, considering Major Seber's unique personality charm, Mason cautiously excluded the major from the negotiators, and finally decided that only Winters and Mason would attend the meeting, with Major Seber as the "vital general reserve team." "Standby.

Therefore, Tiefeng County only prepared two interconnected conference rooms for this negotiation.

According to Mason's original idea, one room was reserved for clerks and one room was reserved for representatives of various parties, which was more than enough.

The actual scene before Mason's eyes was: the people in the conference room had been pushed to the table, and there were still people outside the conference room who had not been able to come in. Their chests were touching their backs, and their elbows were touching their elbows. Except for the three school officers' There was still some space around the seats, and everyone else was squeezed into the small conference room and struggling to maintain grace and decency.

So much so that the clerk next door couldn't help but lower his head and snicker when he saw this group of sweaty "officers".

The three school officials also looked a little confused, but no one spoke first.

On the other side of the "empty" conference table, after discussing with Winters, Mason and Winters decided to open the auditorium of the city hall and invite Colonel Gesar Adonis, Colonel Skull Mecklund, Matthias Cole Lieutenant Colonel Wen's entourage temporarily went to the auditorium to rest.

Major Seb, who was on standby, was dispatched urgently. The major, who had been gearing up for a long time, rushed to the venue with a stick and was disappointed to find that it was not a fight. However, as a lust-hunting animal who was once active in the social scene of the Kings Castle, Seb Carrington It is actually easier to deal with this situation.

The major quickly found someone to bring drinks and meals, and also called all the regular officers of the Tiefeng County Army in Maplestone City to accompany him, and resolved this little farce without any fuss.

When the door to the conference room was closed again and silence and solemnity returned to the room, Winters finally said the opening sentence that he had rehearsed countless times in his mind.

"Gentlemen." Winters nodded to the three school officials: "Let's talk."

"Follow the process of sub-item discussion." Mason cleared his throat, took Winters' speaking baton, and said in an orderly manner: "Captain Montagne and I think that the 'trophy' can be divided into three sub-items-Maplestone City's War storage, enemy personnel captured by various departments, and jurisdiction from Wargne County to Mirror Lake County.”

As he spoke, Mason nodded to the assistant behind him who had a red birthmark on his face. The latter then presented the three files to the three school officials.

"Three Your Excellencies." Mason explained in an unassuming manner: "The materials seized by our department, the captured personnel, and the assets of the New Reclamation Corps received in Wargne County are all registered in this file. Not a penny is too much or a penny. few."

Hearing this, the three school officials couldn't help but look sideways.

Including Colonel Gesa, the three school officers had taken it for granted beforehand that this meeting was mainly to carve up Maple Stone City's war-prepared warehouses, but they did not expect that the two young boys gave them a blow at the beginning.

Details of captured supplies, captured personnel, and receipt of Legion assets?

Colonel Gesa, Colonel Skull and Lieutenant Colonel Matthias did not prepare these things, and it was hard to say whether they could even prepare them.

The new Reclamation Corps—and even every army established according to Ned Smith’s ideas—had a distinctive feature, that is, the officers had a strong grasp on administration and military affairs.

That is to say, in the regular army of the alliance, officers are both logistics administrators and military commanders.

With the large number of official officers killed and injured in the Hehe Village battle, the administrative management of the three-county troops, including the Baishan County troops, tended to collapse, and the accounts of many departments turned into bad debts.

The troops of the three counties urgently need a batch of supplies that are independent of the original logistics system and can be accessed at any time. This is why the Leiqun County Army and the Bianjiang County Army are so eager for Maple Stone City's combat readiness storage.

After a brief eye contact, Colonel Scull took out a silver box from his arms. After opening the silver box, he carefully took out a pair of monocles, clamped it on his right eye, and unceremoniously flipped through the Tiefeng County Army. List provided.

Colonel Gesar, however, pushed the file directly to Captain Mason without even looking at it.

"Seized materials, captured personnel, and received legion assets?" Gesa took out his pipe and knocked the ashes on the long table, making a clanging sound.

Then, while pressing the tobacco leaves as if no one else was around, he said disdainfully: "Why are you so civilized? Isn't it just about money, people and territory? In the final analysis, we are just four robbers sharing the stolen goods. In this case, no matter how fine the division is, what does it matter? How about using it? Why don’t you just go ahead and tell me directly, how much do you want to take?”

Gesar Adonis deliberately behaved arrogantly, but the two lieutenants were not intimidated.

"Colonel." Winters stretched out his hand and tapped his fingers in the air.

About two arms' distance away, a wisp of smoke drifted out of Geza Adonis's pipe without warning.

Colonel Skull was too focused on looking at the supply list to notice Winters' movements. Lieutenant Colonel Matthias on the other side unconsciously tensed his neck and his pupils expanded uncontrollably.

Although Matthias had heard that the young captain in front of him might be the spellcaster closest to the level of the Imperial Court Mage in the history of the Alliance, he had also heard from his subordinates who had experienced the Battle of River Valley Village about the horror left by the "Blood Wolf" on the battlefield. It was a sight, but seeing Winters Montagne use "magic" lightly with his own eyes still made the hairs on Lieutenant Colonel Matthias' back stand up.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthias even subconsciously moved his body away from the blood wolf - this was a normal reaction for a rational person sitting next to a powder keg.

Gesa himself was just stunned for a moment, then nodded to Winters as if to express his gratitude, and smoked his pipe as usual.

"Robbers also have their own ways of dividing the spoils." Winters said with a smile: "It is common for robbers to divide the spoils unevenly and kill each other."

Mason coughed lightly and hurriedly stopped Winters' dangerous speech: "What's more, we are not robbers, are we? We are friendly forces."

Winters smiled and said no more. Colonel Gesa also snorted and said nothing more.

Mason wiped the sweat from his forehead, opened the file in front of him, and tried to guide the negotiation on a regular basis: "Since the matter is complicated, it is better to start with the simple one - starting with the combat readiness warehouse in Maple Stone City."

Colonel Skull and Colonel Gesa looked at each other and nodded slightly in agreement.

After getting approval from the other party, Mason explained enthusiastically: "The combat readiness and storage accounts of the New Reclamation Corps are very clear. From when General Adams took charge, to when Colonel Sarnell occupied Maplestone City, and then to when our department took over, all the account books were in full. It must be preserved in good condition. Although it was used during the period, it was all recorded in the register."

Mason paused and added: "Colonel Scull has also sent people to inventory the warehouse, check the account books, and copy backups. This should be able to prove that what I said is true."

Colonel Geza looked at Colonel Skull questioningly, and the latter nodded slightly.

"Okay, I know you took good care of it and didn't embezzle it." Gesa said noncommittally: "Go on, how do you want to divide it?"

"Based on the principle of fairness." Mason subconsciously glanced in the direction of Winters. After seeing the latter's supportive gaze, his Adam's apple twitched and he solemnly said: "I think distribution according to proportion of troops is the best solution. "

The three school officials instantly frowned, and the conference room fell into silence.

Mason's heart also tightened, and he clenched his fingers hard under the table.

In the previous period, Winters had been handling affairs in Wargne County. The so-called "Tiefeng County proposed a distribution plan for the spoils" was actually formulated by Mason.

To a certain extent, it will determine the fate of millions of people in seven counties of the newly reclaimed land province. , when this plan was really put on the conference table, Mason still felt panic unconsciously.

After a long silence, Lieutenant Colonel Matthias, the lowest ranking among the three, was the first to break the silence: "When will the troop strength ratio be?"

Winters replied calmly: "The proportion of troops when sending troops."

The three school officials exchanged glances, and it was clear that the answer was beyond their expectations.

Distribution according to strength, in other words distribution according to strength. If the loot is divided among robbers, it is obviously a fair plan to distribute it according to strength.

However, with this distribution, the Leiqun County Army and the Bianjiang County Army, which suffered heavy losses, would only suffer a dumb loss, while the Tiefeng County Army would naturally get the largest share.

In fact, in previous internal discussions, the three school officers had determined that the Tiefeng County Army would propose a plan classified according to strength, and the bottom line was also drawn here.

They came here this time just to seek more compensation for Leiqun County and Bianjiang County on this basis.

However, the two lieutenants in front of them proposed that the troops should be distributed according to the "time of dispatch".

It's really... a bit weirdly generous.

"According to the proportion when troops are dispatched?" Colonel Scull asked again cautiously.

"In principle, that's the case." Mason had a lot to say but couldn't explain it clearly in one sentence: "But it's not entirely like that."

After receiving this answer, Colonel Scull relaxed a little.

"Sure enough, he is not so kind." Skull Mecklen thought to himself: "Huh, sure enough, there are other plans."

Mason simply tore off a piece of paper from the back of the file, stood up and placed it in the center of the conference table. While writing calculations on the paper, he explained to the school officials:

"Leiqun County and Bianjiang County provided a large number of cavalry units. If we simply count the heads, it would be very unfair to Leiqun County and Bianjiang County. Therefore, I gave different values ​​to the infantry, cavalry, and artillery units. The infantry is given 'one' and the cavalry is given 'three'. In principle, the distribution is based on troop strength, but Leiqun County and Bianjiang County can get a larger share than the number of people, which is more fair."

As Mason explained, the other end of the long table became quieter and quieter. In the end, there was no sound at all.

Mason also noticed the change in the atmosphere and hurriedly added: "If you have any objections to this assignment, we can continue the discussion. In fact, I have a formula here. As long as different assignments are entered, you can get the distribution ratio under the assignment. …”

"No need to say it." Colonel Skull said with difficulty: "That's good."

Colonel Geza banged the table with his pipe and asked in a deep voice: "Boy, according to your division, it is fair on the surface. But have you ever thought that in this battle, you have to fight hard and easy battles? We have fought vicious battles. Is it really fair to divide the troops based solely on the strength of the troops when they were dispatched? We have died and injured so many people, how should we calculate the compensation for the dead and injured?"

Not only did Colonel Gesar's questioning fail to stump Mason, but it seemed to scratch the latter's itch, making him inexplicably excited.

"I have also considered this, please turn to page 47." Mason responded eloquently: "I believe that the compensation for all the casualties and casualties in this battle should be based on the same standards, from the warehouse in Maple Stone City and the legion received. The supplies will be uniformly spent. The remaining portion will be used as spoils of war and distributed equitably according to the proportion of the troops when the troops are dispatched."

These words were tantamount to firing a thirty-two-pound cannonball into the militia square.

Because the three school officials at the other end of the long table were no longer silent, but began to whisper.

Winters was very satisfied with the effect and quietly gave Senior Mason a thumbs up.

Mason grinned, but the next second, the other party's answer made him stunned.

"I'm sorry, Captain Mason." The bad news was still spoken by Lieutenant Colonel Matthias: "We cannot agree to this pension plan."

"Why?" Mason asked with some stumbling: "Is there anything inappropriate about this?"

"We agree with your plan to distribute supplies according to the troop strength when the troops are sent out." Lieutenant Colonel Matthias said politely: "As for the pension expenses, we will bear them ourselves."

Mason explained anxiously: "But this is unfair to you."

Lieutenant Colonel Matthias shook his head firmly. Colonel Geza and Colonel Skull also leaned back, obviously not intending to continue talking about this topic.

Winters beside him suddenly laughed loudly.

The laughter caused the clerks in the conference room next door to listen attentively, and even caused everyone else around the conference table to stop what they were doing.

"Don't waste your kindness, senior." There was no surprise in Winters's expression. He smiled and pulled Senior Mason back to his seat: "The three school officials will not agree."

"I do not understand why?"

Winters looked at the three school officers on the other side of the long table: "Because they are afraid of us."

Rarely, Colonel Gesa did not retort.

"The pension list is a list of casualties, and it is a detailed list that covers every individual." Winters said word for word: "If you spend the pensions in a unified way, doesn't it mean that you are allowed to dig into the wealth of the garrison troops in each county?" Do you want it to be clear?"

"That's right." Colonel Skull took off his monocle and admitted openly: "That's right."

"So what Colonel Gesar said is right." Winters' expression was cold and contemptuous: "We are just a group of bandits, a group of bandits with different agendas, a group of bandits who may stab each other in the back. Sitting here - Divide the spoils!”

Senior Mason slumped back in his chair.

"But three seniors, do you really think that?" Winters picked up the plan in front of Senior Mason, slammed it on the table, and asked: "Can our problem be solved with this plan for dividing the spoils?"

The file hit the table hard, and the clerk next door and the guard outside the door trembled unconsciously.

Winters pressed down on the long table, looked down at the three school officers in front of him, and asked coldly: "Do you really think that as long as this spoils-sharing plan is fair enough, we will not go to war again?"

The air was so heavy that it was difficult to breathe. You could hear a pin drop in the room. Although it was midsummer, the temperature dropped so sharply that it sent chills down your spine.

"You don't care whether the distribution plan is fair or not." Winters bared his fangs sharply: "In fact, even if I break all your marrow, you will grit your teeth and accept an unfair plan. Because you just want to get money and supplies as soon as possible, and then return to your territory, recruit troops! Form an army! Then start a war!"

Facing Winters' aggressive questioning, the three school officials remained speechless.

"Can I ask what your next plan is?" Winters' eyes passed through the three school officers and finally landed on Colonel Geza.

He asked himself and answered: "I guess we are going to fight out. The elite field warriors in the King's Fort have been wiped out, and the remaining old, weak, sick and disabled are no more than half a legion at most. Xilin Province has no troops to defend at the moment. Continuing to sit on the newly cultivated land is simply a waste of a God-given opportunity! How could we not fight it out?"

Colonel Gesa snorted: "That's exactly it."

"So." Winters looked directly at Colonel Gesar without showing any signs of weakness, pointing at himself: "What should I do?"

Winters asked the three school officials three times in a row.

"What are you going to do with me?"

"With me behind you, do you dare to move?"

"You can create new land, where should I go?"

No one can give an answer.

"If this problem cannot be solved." Winters took a deep breath, put away his edge, sat back in his seat, and stated the cruel facts without emotion: "No matter how satisfactory the agreement we reached today, it will eventually be Towards the end of fratricide. At that time, either you will kill us, or we will kill you. All noble purposes will be buried in blood. Colonel Bode Gates, who is buried in Maplestone City Cathedral, will also be We cry."

Silence, another long silence.

The scars on Gesa's face twitched. He gritted his teeth and asked the young man in front of him: "What do you want?"

"The coalition in name only is not enough to maintain its own existence, let alone integrate the resources of the New Reclamation Province." Winters answered seriously: "We need a larger framework - we need to rebuild the New Reclamation Army."

Gesar Adonis, Skull Meklen, Matthias Corwin and even everyone who heard this sentence were stunned.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthias muttered to himself: "Rebuilding the New Reclamation Army?"

Colonel Scull retorted rationally: "The garrison forces in each county are close to the strength of half a legion, and when combined they will far exceed the strength of one legion. The structure of the new reclamation legion is not enough to accommodate such a large number of troops. In the end, it can only exist in name only.”

Colonel Gesa sneered: "Isn't the name of the New Reclamation Army not justifiable, but the name of the New Reclamation Army is not true? The New Reclamation Army? Whose New Reclamation Army is it?"

Captain Richard Mason was making crazy calculations instinctively: "To rebuild the New Reclamation Army, we need..."

"This won't work! That won't work either! What do you want?" Winters burst into flames and shouted angrily: "This won't work either! That won't work either! Then there's only one way left!"

Mason trembled unconsciously, fearing that the furious Winters would say, "I'll kill you all right now!"

The door to the conference room was kicked open, and Major Seber, who had heard Winters's roar from far away in the auditorium, rushed in with a lamppost: "Fuck! There's still a fight!"

"There is only one thing that can stop us from killing each other, that can stop us from going to self-destruction, that can stop us from turning our new lands into rivers of blood."

Winters looked around at the three school officers, his comrades and subordinates, and everyone pouring into the conference room, and spoke out the final solution loudly:

"Rebuild the Republic of Plato!"

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