Claude now has only one question in his mind: Since in the next six months or even longer, the Kingdom of Hicks has lost its threat to the territorial war zone, then why does the Kingdom’s Army Department send a Kingdom General to replace him? The position of supreme commander of the theater, and at the same time also brought a Guards Division force. What is their purpose?
When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden? Claude shook his head slightly, this is impossible. Since he took over the position of Marshal Michelchi as the supreme commander of the theater, he has followed the rules and done nothing provocative at all. Moreover, he had just made a great contribution to the kingdom and annihilated the three main legions of the Hicks Kingdom in one fell swoop. If the Kingdom's Army Ministry wanted to deal with him, there was no need to go into such a big fight and just issue an order to return to the capital to report on his duties.
Besides, sending a high-level general like the Kingdom Admiral to lead an officer and soldiers of the Guards Division to deal with him would be looking down too high on himself. This is just an overseas territory under the direct jurisdiction of the Nubicia continent. For those high-ranking and powerful figures in the kingdom, being sent to serve here is like exile. Otherwise, how could he become the supreme commander of the theater as a small major general and honorary baron of the kingdom? Marshal Michelle's recommendation was certainly one thing, but the corresponding senior generals of the kingdom who could take up this position were unwilling to come. Being employed here is also an important deciding factor.
Think about it from another angle, if it is not against yourself or any senior general in the war zone, does the kingdom's general, hereditary earl General Algeske Osmolin, go to the war zone to serve in the war zone, has he offended a high-level powerful person in the royal capital? , was he really exiled here as he suspected? This is also unlikely, because if he is really exiled, he has no need or the right to command a division of guards officers and soldiers to come with him
Claude began to look through the newspapers from the royal capital and the handwritten gossip news that Mr. Veblen had brought. However, it was obvious that the newspapers were all official articles, and the news about other countries was in dire straits, and the people were in dire straits. News about his own country The situation is all good and prosperous. In particular, news touting the victory in the Third Colonial War took up most of the page. Claude suddenly found that he had dozens of lovers and a dozen illegitimate children.
Titles like "My Past with the General" and "The Most Valiant General in the Kingdom" abound on the third page of newspapers. They are nothing more than a beautiful young aristocratic lady recalling the wonderful time she spent with Claude. . Or maybe a famous lady in the capital recalled that she and General Claude fell in love at first sight at a ball, and they were engaged for life and then had a secret marriage. However, the general went overseas to serve the country directly under the jurisdiction of the country, and the two were forced to separate in the end.
Damn it, this is unreasonable, Claude was furious: "Can I sue these newspapers for libel?"
Mr. Veblen was drinking tea slowly, waiting for Claude to read the newspapers and handwritten gossip documents he had brought. 35xs Hearing Claude's question, he raised his eyebrows calmly: "You won't win"
"Why?" Claude was stunned.
Mr. Veblen put down his tea cup: "It's very simple. The third page of all newspapers has a general name. You see there is a line of small words at the top, which says that the sources of all articles on this page are from folk fiction. Any similarity is purely coincidental. , is not responsible. That’s why the third page of the newspaper is also called the rumor page. It itself says it is a rumor, but if you sue it, it will become a joke.
It’s not like no one sued before, but no one won. For example, when you watch that lady recalling the wonderful time she had with Claude, you may not know her, but she knows another Claude. She is not talking about you, you just have the same name. There is also the famous social lady who said she gave birth to an illegitimate child for General Claude. That is simpler. The man she knew was named General Claude, not Claude, so you are suing her just because you misunderstood. "
ha? Claude was speechless when there was such a thing. However, being exposed to these tidbits in the newspapers made his worries lessened a lot. To be honest, the news published in newspapers such as the Royal Capital is of little value. It is better to analyze the truth from the gossip and anecdotes in the newspapers.
Claude began to read the handwritten gossip documents that Mr. Veblen had brought. They contained information that was circulated privately in the capital, and were of more reference value than the news in newspapers. Just like General Algeske Osmolin went to serve in the territorial war zone, as mentioned above, even the establishment of the subordinates of the Guards Division he brought with him has detailed records. It is worth noting that the Guards Division underwent some personnel changes before departure. Dozens of senior officers from established aristocratic families joined the Guards Division
Apart from this, there is no other news about General Aljeske Osmolin and the Guards Division. Claude looked at Mr. Veblen and asked: "Your association already knows that General Algeske Osmolin is coming to the war zone to serve as the supreme commander. Is there any more information about him?"
Mr. Veblen laughed: "General, I came here tonight specifically to talk to you. There are some news that we cannot put on paper to avoid giving people clues. We can only pass it on by word of mouth. If you tell me, Mouth, enter your ears, I will not admit that I have said these words outside.
In fact, General Algeskai Osmorin came to the war zone to serve for only one purpose. He wanted to lead all the troops in the war zone to capture Vibato Port, occupy all the colonies of the Kingdom of Hicks on the Nubisian continent, and end this war. Colonial War, while paving the way for his promotion to Marshal of the Kingdom. ”
Claude suddenly understood.
I have been wondering why the Kingdom's Army Ministry is so slow to report the results of the Third Colonial War this time, delaying it for more than two months. It turns out that the Kingdom's Army Ministry is also paying attention to the reaction of the Kingdom of Hicks. What I wanted to understand through the articles published in the newspapers of neighboring countries of the Hicks Kingdom, the Kingdom's Army Department could naturally analyze clearly. After concluding that the Kingdom of Hicks was unable to provide military support to the colonies on the Nubisian continent within six months to one year, the Kingdom's Army Ministry decided to end this endless colonial war.
At this time, Claude remembered the rumors that General Bolognik had told him about General Algeskai Osmolin. He was the kingdom's most adept commander in positional offensive warfare. No matter what kind of castle or fortress, he would Conquered by him. The only regret is that the troops under his command will suffer heavy casualties
The kingdom wants to end this colonial war with the Kingdom of Hicks. If the Kingdom of Hicks refuses to negotiate, the best way is to retaliate and occupy all the colonies of the Kingdom of Hicks on the Nubisian continent. Without the colony, the Kingdom of Hicks would have no foothold, and would no longer be able to send army troops to the Nubisian continent to compete for supremacy. Perhaps it can send the Sea King fleet to harass in the future, but such piracy can only be solved by setting up some urban defense artillery at coastal ports. If you can't get ashore, you can't occupy the territory.
That's why General Algeske Osmolin came to take office with a division of Guards officers and soldiers. He was worried that he would not be able to command the five reinforced divisions in the theater, so he needed a trusted armed force. to carry out supervision responsibilities. As the former commander of the Guards Corps, he easily asked the Kingdom's Army Ministry to dispatch a division of troops.
"By the way, you just said that General Algeske Osmolin wants to be promoted to the marshal of the kingdom?" Claude asked.
Mr. Veblen nodded: "This is his only chance. After all, the only place where the kingdom is still at war is in our directly administered war zone, which is where we can still earn military exploits. In the five-year war in the eastern region, Algesky General Osmolin commanded the Guards Corps to attack the Principality of Rimodra and fought fiercely for three months. Although some progress was made, the casualties suffered by the Guards Corps and several second-line legions that assisted in the attack were too heavy.
Prince Hansback had to let the Guards rest and remove him from his post. Because according to the intensity of his attack, the Kingdom would have to pay at least one million casualties in order to attack the Principality of Klimodra. This was a price that no one could afford. Because of this, General Algeske Osmolin failed to take a step closer to becoming the Kingdom's Field Marshal in the war in the eastern region. This time, he volunteered to serve as the supreme commander of the war zone, in order to capture the port city of Vibato, achieve great success, and be promoted to marshal of the kingdom. ”
Claude thought for a moment: "So this General Algeske Osmolin is not the prince's man?"
Mr. Veblen laughed: "General, the general of the kingdom who is going to take over your position is not originally Prince Hansback. He is the representative of the old noble families on the royal side. In the dispute over the royal heir, Among them, they belong to the neutral faction and neither support the eldest prince nor the second prince. Our association believes that he will take over your position as the supreme commander of the theater mainly because he has spotted this fighter opportunity. The port city of Vibato is currently Only a standing legion of the Kingdom of Hicks is left on defense. He is confident that he can conquer the city wall and seize the entire city, but the casualties are just higher."
Paralyzed, all the premature moths have come out. If Claude had not led the Thunder Division to annihilate the three standing legions of the Kingdom of Hicks this time, I believe that General Algeskai Osmolin would still be in the capital. Enjoy the blessings instead of rushing over to claim credit so eagerly.
This kingdom's general's idea is quite cost-effective. The Kingdom of Hicks is currently unable to provide military support to the colony, and there is only one standing division left in the port city of Vibato. He led a Guards Division himself, plus the five reinforced divisions in the theater, which together had the strength of almost three legions. The difference in offensive and defensive strength was almost three to one, which was enough to storm the port city of Vibato.
Even if the enemy's defense is enhanced by the Sea King Squadron, it doesn't matter. It's just that the casualties of the troops are higher. As long as the city wall is conquered, the entire city will soon fall into his possession. All he wants is the record of siege. With this achievement, he can be promoted to the marshal of the kingdom, return to the capital, and leave a mess for the war zone to clean up
What Claude is considering now is whether to lead his troops to capture Vibato Port before the arrival of General Algeskai Osmolin, so that this general who wants to be promoted to the marshal of the kingdom will make a wasted trip. Just this thought came to mind for a moment, and Claude gave up the idea himself. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat the Port City of Vibato, but that there was no need to offend the old aristocratic families in the military.
The other one is that Claude is worried that if he leads the Thunder Division to capture Vibato City, the Kingdom General who came with great interest will be left hanging on the stage. If he leads the troops in the war zone and captures the port city of Vibato, then he can be promoted to the marshal of the kingdom and return to the capital as he wishes.
But if he comes and finds that the port city of Vibato has been captured by him, then it is conceivable that he will regard himself as a thorn in his side. Moreover, without his achievements in siege and occupation of the city, he could not be promoted to the marshal of the kingdom, and he did not know how long he would stay in the position of the supreme commander of the war zone. Obviously, as long as he stays in this position, he is guaranteed to be in trouble with himself to the end, and his dream of letting him be promoted to marshal will be shattered.
Mingzhe protects himself, Claude can only think so. However, Claude was relieved after knowing the clear purpose of General Algeskai Osmolin's visit. Anyway, his Thunder Legion is a light cavalry field army. Although the Third Colonial War was won, the casualties were heavy. One-third of the officers and soldiers were still in the treatment center to recuperate. The thousands of soldiers who died have not yet been replaced.
After the Kingdom's general arrives, he will receive an official order from the Kingdom's Ministry of War to form the Thunder Legion. At that time, he can avoid this eager man and go to Wickham Castle to reorganize his troops. There is no need to stay in the war zone. Listening to others in the headquarters
"By the way, my friend, do you have any other news that you need to convey orally?" Claude relaxed, leaned back in his chair, and asked Mr. Veblen with a smile.
"Yes, General." Mr. Veblen was more alert this time. He put down the teacup in his hand, stood up from the sofa, came to the desk, and said to Claude in a low voice: "The Legend of the King's Capital" According to the gossip, it is said that our King will only be able to survive for another four to five months at most before returning to the kingdom of the God of War."
"What?" Claude was stunned: "Is this news true?"
How many years has Sterling X been bedridden? Claude had really forgotten. Anyway, after the war in the eastern region, he heard that His Majesty the King was in poor health and was resting in bed. State affairs were entrusted to the eldest prince, and the kingdom's prime minister and ministers made decisions through consultation. It has been nearly seven or eight years now. Everyone is used to His Majesty the King being bedridden. Unexpectedly, today we heard that he will die in a few months
"It's true. The source of the information cannot be disclosed, but it is guaranteed to be reliable. His Majesty the King suffered a stroke in the second half of October last year. He could not speak clearly and his mind was sober and confused. It is said that the greatest wish of the ministers of the Kingdom is that His Majesty the King can die before his death. Before the election, designate which prince will succeed to the throne, so as to prevent the two princes from fighting and ruining the current situation of the kingdom."
Claude shook his head: "Why should the second prince argue with the eldest prince? The eldest prince has been handling state affairs for the past few years since His Majesty the King was bedridden. He has done a very good job. Moreover, the Kingdom's Army is also on the side of the eldest prince. On the other hand, I think it would be better if the second prince surrendered obediently. Otherwise, after the eldest prince succeeds to the throne, he is likely to be exiled to another country and will not be able to return to his country for the rest of his life."
Mr. Vibato laughed: "General, you can't be so sure. There are many high-level officials in the kingdom who oppose the eldest prince's succession. At least the Navy Department has been opposing the Army Department. In addition, more than five months ago, you While on the battlefield, there was an assassination case against the eldest prince in the royal capital. The eldest prince was fine, but Marshal Michelle Qi who was with him was seriously injured and is still recuperating.
The assassins were also caught on the spot, but they still found the opportunity to commit suicide by taking poison. The angry eldest prince ordered his guards to chop the assassins into pieces and throw them into the cesspit. Then he ran to the second prince's house and made a scene. The second prince swore in public that these assassins were not ordered by him. , he would not send assassins to murder his family. The eldest prince let him go, but in this way the eldest prince lost points in the eyes of many people, who thought that the future king of the kingdom should not be so impulsive."