Iron Powder and Spellcaster

It is hard to say whether the Southern Front’s debut in Zhuwang Castle was a success or a failure.

On the one hand, the size of the federal army that walked out of the port amid the welcome of the “model citizens” was too small.

Anyway, no matter how many people from Zhuwang Castle were present, they could not count more than a thousand.

On the other hand, the spirit of the federal army made the people of Zhuwang Castle shine.

All the federal soldiers were young and strong men, walking with vigorous steps and high spirits.

Their weapons and equipment were also excellent - although the helmets and breastplates on their bodies were not polished, they were carefully polished and no rust could be seen;

The spears and muskets in their hands were obviously carefully maintained, the muskets’ medicine grooves were clean, and the iron tips of the spears were shining.

The strict military appearance, complete equipment, and full spirit were really pleasing to the eye.

Moreover, although there were no cavalrymen in gorgeous clothes and horses, nor heavy cavalrymen in helmets and armor with arrogant demeanor in the marching column of the Federation, the dozen or so cannons following the Federation infantry were equally majestic and intimidating. It is said that the Federation had more cannons on the dock, but they just hadn't pulled them out. What surprised the people of the Kings Castle even more was Brigadier General Jason Cornelius who led this unit. When many representatives of the Kings Castle first saw this "gentle" and impeccable middle-aged officer, they thought he was just a staff member who came to the front. When they learned that the person in front of them was the "Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Front of the Union Army", the people of the Kings Castle at the welcome reception were all shocked. What surprised the representatives even more was that Jason Cornelius was a general and the commander-in-chief of the front, but his attitude was extremely approachable. The Brigadier General showed full respect and courtesy to the Palatine gentry present. He was much better than the Blue Rose gentlemen who looked down on people in the past. He made the representatives of the people of the Castle of the Kings feel like spring breeze and couldn't help but feel good about him.

But good feelings are just good feelings. Good feelings can't turn into soldiers, good feelings can't make money, and good feelings can't make the Xinchuangdi rebels who may appear under the Castle of the Kings tomorrow disappear overnight.

So the gentry of the Castle of the Kings who were "invited" by Grove Magnus to attend the welcome reception looked at Jason Cornelius who went alone into the dragon's den with sympathy and pity, but no one stood up to express their opinions.

Only a few bold widows quietly left their handkerchiefs to the elegant general of the Federation.

Soon, at the reception, Grover Magnus announced: the 1,000 soldiers and 20 cannons that arrived at Hong Kong today were not even the advance troops of the Southern Front, but the advance troops that served as the front station for the advance troops;

The real main force of the Southern Front - "four legions! A total of 20,000 troops! More troops than the Hongchuan rebels and the Xinkendi rebels combined!" - is training in the Federation and will set off for Pa soon;

"By then! Once the friendly reinforcements arrive! The Xinkendi rebels will be immediately crushed to dust!"

The celebrities of the Kings Castle present heard Speaker Magnus's impassioned speech and responded with warm applause indifferently.

Grove Magnus struck while the iron was hot and revealed an important piece of news to the gentry of the Kings Castle present:

"At this moment, when all the respectable friendly forces arrived at the Kings Castle, the four corps of the Western Front of the Alliance Army - also a full 20,000 troops - also crossed the border at the invitation of the Grand Council and launched a full-scale attack on the rebels entrenched in Hongchuan!"

"The Alliance Army, reborn from the ashes, will sweep away the remnants of the corrupt Magyar nobles with a thunderous force! Pull out the poisonous sores on the back of the galloping horse! Completely eradicate the Blue Rose rebels who have harmed the Republic for decades!"

This time, the applause that everyone present gave to Grove Magnus was a little bit sincere.

The welcome reception lasted until noon, and Grove Magnus took the trouble to introduce "His Excellency the Commander" to each representative of the people;

Jason Cornelius also cooperated very well, maintaining a humble and polite attitude throughout the whole process, exuding charm and elegance without dead ends.

Only after he had recognized almost all the celebrities from the Kings' Castles present did Jason Cornelius find an excuse to leave.

Before leaving, he also nominated a few subordinates who were good at socializing to stay at the venue to finish the meeting.

Fritz from Nice was certainly not among them, so he followed the head of the department to leave the venue immediately.

The two walked out of the banquet hall from the side door and entered the dark corridor leading to the back room. Before Fritz had time to speak, Grof Magnus chased him out.

"Sir Cornelius!" Grove Magnus said with a smile, "You really taught me a lesson today! How did you do it? All the gentlemen and ladies who have met you have praised you highly. In my opinion, you will soon - no, you are already the most popular guest in the social scene of the Kings Castle!" Grove Magnus asked enthusiastically: "Tonight, my humble home has prepared some light wine to welcome you. I wonder if you are willing to..." As he spoke, Magnus felt something was wrong - the person in front of him had changed. He was no longer the gentle, humble and polite general. Jason Cornelius became indifferent and sharp, exuding an aura that kept people away from him. Grove Magnus still gritted his teeth and finished his words, "... honor me?" "No time." Cornelius replied coldly.

"But," Grover Magnus didn't want to give up. He asked with an embarrassed look on his face, "There are still some important people who need you to meet..."

"Chancellor Magnus," Cornelis stopped the other party's performance and said unceremoniously, "I know you have finally found a life-saving straw now, and you want to show it to everyone immediately - but, too Being too proactive will only be counterproductive!”

Grover Magnus hit two hard nails in succession, but the smile on his face did not diminish at all. He flexibly came up with another set of words, "Okay, I understand, please have a good rest, we Let’s discuss political matters in detail another day.”

After saying that, Grover Magnus nodded and saluted, turned around and left neatly.

Fritz watched Grove Magnus' back disappear into the corridor. He waited until he could no longer hear the footsteps, then frowned and asked in a deep voice, "Mr. Speaker does not seem to be a magnanimous person. Is it inappropriate for you to humiliate him like this?"

"If this piece of crap had any use," Jason Cornelis said dismissively, "we wouldn't be here now."

When Fritz heard this, he secretly glanced at the director, feeling a little strange, because he had never seen the director belittle someone so unabashedly.

But this is actually because Fritz spent too little time with Jason Cornelius, and because he was a subordinate personally recruited by Jason Cornelis, he was always treated differently by the latter.

Minister Cornelis, who has been in charge of the alliance's highest military academy for twelve years, never makes any cover-up when he wants to belittle someone, even if the other person is standing in front of him.

Fritz was still a little worried, "But after all, he is still the speaker of the Great Council of Plato."

"We have to let him figure it out. Who has the final say now!" Cornelius had no intention of wasting any more time on this topic. He waved his hand without any excuse and announced the end of the discussion. "Lest his tail wag the dog and spoil our business." thing!"

"Understood." Fritz nodded helplessly.

Cornelis kept giving orders: "Arrange manpower to move gunpowder ordnance back to the station as soon as possible. Especially gunpowder, the sooner the better."

"yes."

"Let Montecuccoli give priority to emptying the cargo of the Marco Good Luck, and let the captain of the Marco Good Luck continue to go upriver as planned - I would like to see the inland sea battle. Where can the boat sail on the Jinliu River?"

"yes."

"Isn't Lieutenant Colonel William Lodewijk here yet?"

"No," Fritz shook his head and explained, "I specifically told him that if Lieutenant Colonel Lodewijk returns to the Castle of the Kings, no matter where I am or what I am doing, he will notify me immediately - and now I Haven’t heard from him yet.”

——

William Lodewijk, the real commander of the "advance force."

After the news of the Battle of River Valley Village was transmitted back to Guitu City, William Lodewijk led two infantry brigades and rushed to Plato. In the chaos, he stabilized the situation in the Castle of the Kings, which has been maintained to this day.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is the man who saved the lives of Grove Magnus and the Red Rose regime.

——

Cornelis frowned: "Go to him, go now!"

"yes!"

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