Most of Aesop's hands are mine cores rather than mined sacred stones, and there are not so many people to take out the sacred stones from the mine cores. The original tribe of cave dwellers also learned the skills of miners in Duke Town, but their mastery and proficiency were far from comparable to those of Duke Town's miners. Not only were they inefficient, but they also suffered a lot of damage during mining.
Aesop simply ordered most of the mine cores to be sealed up, piled up like a hill, just waiting for the miners from Duke Town to arrive. In the eyes of many people, the miners in Duke Town are quite miraculous, taking out the god stone from the mine core is a hammer, even faster than magicians.
Aesop discussed with Joshua that the miners in Duke Town are currently trying their best to take the sacred stone, and they don't even need to pay attention to the refined iron smelting work they are good at. The city-state of Salem will send people to build houses for them, as long as the miners put forward their own requirements. Joshua agreed, and on the second day after entering Salem, he ordered the miners to start working and take out all the sacred stones as quickly as possible.
Another thing that surprised Aesop was that it wasn't just the guards he sent that accompanied the miners into the city, the 60 or so miners even brought back more than 60 captives, all of whom were strong and powerful plateau giants! The combat effectiveness of this group of miners is too strong. If it really comes to a critical juncture, the Twelve Sergeants can still lead the battle on the battlefield.
According to the practice of Tianshu Continent, prisoners of war will be reduced to slaves. Half of these slaves belong to the lord who captured the soldiers on their side, and the other half belong to the kingdom and city-state, just like the distribution of spoils. Warriors on the battlefield captured prisoners of war, and slaves were also personal property. Kingdoms and city-states had other uses for such slaves, either in exchange for their own prisoners or to demand ransom from the other side.
With so many prisoners of war all of a sudden, Aesop's mouth was crooked with joy. Joshua gave him an idea, not to deal with prisoners of war like the traditional practice on the mainland, and told these prisoners of war that slaves could redeem themselves. As long as they work for the city of Salem or the lord, they can be paid part of the remuneration, and if the remuneration accumulates to the required ransom amount, they can be returned to freedom.
Aesop was stunned at first, and when he reacted, he laughed loudly, patted Joshua on the shoulder and said, "Before you came, someone recommended you to be the clerk of the city-state of Salem, you are indeed a talent! The residents of the town have always been miners, and I think they should be businessmen. This business is too shrewd! Not only will it weaken the resistance of the prisoners of war, and they will not dare to make trouble or slow down their work, but it will also make them work harder. You suffer a loss, but you actually make a lot of money!"
Joshua nodded and said: "Yes, whoever dares to make trouble will deduct the calculated reward, and if the exchange of prisoners of war will be arranged at the end... If the war starts and the prisoners of war are captured again, this can be done... Speaking of exchanging prisoners of war , the price of training these giant warriors is very high, I think a giant warrior has to exchange at least three prisoners of war on our side to not suffer."
Aesop smiled and said: "Okay, from now on, you will be the clerk of Salem City, and there are many specific matters, so you can help me list the regulations."
When the miners from Duke Town arrived in Salem, there were two major events in the city-state. Aesop was busy with all fours and was in urgent need of a powerful helper. It was the right time to appoint Joshua as the clerk. The first major event was the official opening of the trade road in the Blackfire Swamp. The thorns were cut to fill the swamp, and the gravel foundation was laid with sintered dry soil. The width can accommodate two ordinary carriages. To and from the caravan to rest.
This business road was originally planned to take three months to open, but the actual construction period was half a month ahead of schedule. It took Amon a month to dig out a two-man-wide road in the swamp. The people of the Syrian city-state started work from the entrance after Amon entered the swamp. One and a half months after Amon walked out of the swamp, the official business road Then get through.
With the strong support of Ge Lie, Governor Xiao Mo mobilized 1,500 civilian husbands, all of whom were young men with strong Kong Wu skills. What's more worth mentioning is that these people did not go back after repairing the trade road, but went directly to the Duke Plain and defected to Salem City. The city of Salem is short of people, and it is natural that so many strong laborers come all at once, but Aesop is also a little bit dumbfounded.
The origins of these more than 1,500 civilians are very complicated. There are rogue proletarians, bankrupt craftsmen, soldiers who have committed military records, and even exiled prisoners, punished villains, and local rogues from the Syrian city-state and surrounding areas. Many of them had been conscripted into the army and received military training, but they were troublemakers and restless elements in their hometowns, and many of them were regarded as a headache by the villagers.
They heard that the Duk Plain was a place full of opportunities, and a homeless man with nothing would even become a great lord. The city lord of the city-state of Salem was once a slave. Governor Xiao Mo exiled all these troublesome guys in the territory to Salem City, and it can be regarded as taking what they need.
How to manage this group of people, Aesop also had a headache for a while. Joshua quickly formulated the latest decree of the city-state, and incorporated most of these people into the army. As long as they obey the management of the city-state and make meritorious deeds in the future, they can Get the corresponding land. The city of Salem lacks everything now, except land.
There are uncultivated fertile fields on the Duke Plain. From the two battle fortresses in the north to the fortress on the edge of the Black Fire Swamp in the southwest corner, the area around the city of Salem with a radius of about 200 miles is within their control area. Just draw a circle and you can take out a piece of land, waiting for these explorers to claim it with their merits. Thanks to the "generosity" of Pharaoh Lasis II, Amon drew such a circle on the map of the Duk Plain at the beginning, and Pharaoh "rewarded" him as a territory.
The second major event in Salem City is that the battle fortresses on both sides of the road to the north have finally been completed, the magic array has been set up, and the city walls and fortresses have already been built. Originally, there were two things missing, one was a large number of ordinary divine stones placed at the eye positions of the magic array, and the other was that there were not so many soldiers stationed there. After the miners from Duke Town arrived, they mined the missing sacred stones within a short period of time, and the magic circle was finally able to operate at any time.
Nearly a thousand soldiers can be stationed in these two battle fortresses, and there are warehouses for hoarding various supplies, which can be held for a long time. Each has a magic array that can protect the fortress when it is activated, and can launch a counterattack under the control of the magician. This is designed by Amon and Link together, referring to the magic array of Memphis and Baron City . Although it is only a small-scale fortress, its price is surprisingly expensive.
1,500 civilians officially took refuge in the city of Salem, making the residents of Salem more than 7,000 people. Excluding the old, young, women, children, and craftsmen who had to persist in their work, there were about 3,000 soldiers who could be organized during the war. It has almost reached the point where all the people can be soldiers.
Aesop sent 1,000 soldiers to garrison two battle forts, each with 500 men, which was the largest standing army he could send. It is impossible for other people in Salem to perform full-time activities. They usually have to reclaim the wilderness, smelt refined iron, hunt various monsters, raise livestock, and process materials. Only when the war breaks out can they take up arms and become city-state soldiers.
There are currently 1,000 standing troops stationed outside the city of Salem, and 2,000 reserve troops in the city. They usually take time to assemble and perform drills, which is barely equivalent to the size of an army. There is no shortage of leading talents. At the beginning, the main generals of the An-La Legion of the Eju Empire were all in Salem.
The head of the An-La Legion is Amon, the chief priest is George, the front commander is John, and the captain of the personal guard is Medanzuo. It was also a newly formed miscellaneous army that year, and was trained by Amon to become an elite division. Now under the leadership of John and George, the city of Salem seems to have gone through a reincarnation, repeating what happened in the An-La Legion. The thirty-six personal guards that John brought to the Duke Plain have become the generals of Salem City, and they are usually responsible for taking turns to perform military formations.
On the day the fortress was built, the Salem Legion was also established. Unlike the legions in other parts of the Tianshu Continent, the Salem Legion did not specifically set up the position of chief priest. The head of the legion directly led the priests to cooperate with the frontline soldiers to fight. Amon is already a god on the altar. He is currently cultivating in the Garden of Eden. Naturally, he will no longer be the leader of the army. Medanzuo is also training in the Garden of Eden and cannot go to the battlefield for the time being. The leader of the army is George, the chief priest of the city-state. The commander is still John.
Although George and John had experience in forming and training the An-La Legion, they knew very well in their hearts that the current Salem Legion could not be compared with the An-La Legion back then. Although the An-La Legion was a motley army that had just been formed at that time, it was a regular legion of the Ecu Empire after all, with 5,000 formal legion fighters, all of whom were at least first-class warriors.
The Salem City Legion has only 1,000 standing troops and 2,000 reserves, and nearly 1,000 of them are not warriors. On the other hand, the total number of An-La Legion plus logistics personnel reached 20,000 during the war. Salem City did not have so many non-combat logistics personnel to support it, and to a large extent it needed to rely on commercial roads for supplementary supplies.
George and John had never even commanded such a weak army, and they faced the elite giant army of the Assyrian Kingdom. Different from the mentality of the high-level generals, the people of Salem City are full of confidence in winning, largely because of the prestige of the God Amon. Their God Amon was a powerful general who shocked the nations back then, almost fighting Invincible.
Fortunately, the opening of the commercial road was just in time, and the replenishment of personnel and materials was timely. Xiou really gave face. He organized a huge caravan, followed behind the road-breaker, and entered Salem City as soon as the road was opened. Aesop personally went to the pass on the edge of the Black Flame Swamp to welcome the former master and his caravan into the city of Salem, and hosted a banquet in the city lord's mansion.
Seeing the majestic city of Salem, Xiou was filled with emotion. His former slave has become the lord of the city. This place is really full of miracles. No wonder so many wandering explorers have entered the Duk Plain in search of dreams and opportunities! He drank a little too much at the banquet, and finally put his arms around Aesop's shoulders and said: "Aesop, you are now the lord of the city! Think of me, I have worked so hard for so many years, and I have died for a title of nobleman It's all gone."
Aesop comforted him and said: "Master Xiou, you should also look at other people more. The businessmen who did business with you back then, who is richer than you now? You have already given the title of Deputy Director of the City-State Property Administration. It’s much bigger than before, there are very few businessmen like you on the mainland, so take it easy.”
The lord of Aesop actually called him Master Xiou again, and the rich businessman drank several glasses of wine excitedly: "I only sent a few words of emotion when I saw you. Usually, my heart is very calm, otherwise I would Is it possible to grow so fat? Is it easy to do business at my level? Have you ever seen someone go across the desert to collect bills? We only met Amon when we were in danger in the desert, no, it’s God Amon!"
Aesop smiled and said: "Yes, you are indeed stronger than others, and you have paid more than others, so the business is also bigger! I am really surprised to see you this time. I didn't expect you to Bring the caravan yourself."
Xiou patted the fat on his chest: "Isn't this my style? I have to personally investigate business opportunities at the first time, not to mention the call of God Amon. How can I just send my men?"
Aesop asked again: "Master Xiou is really capable. You brought so many armors, weapons and horses at once. How did you pass the pass?"
Xiou replied with some pride: "War horses are easy to handle, because they have to travel a long distance, each carriage should be equipped with a few more horses, just mix the war horses with it. As for weapons and armor, don't forget that I am also the logistics supply of the An-La Legion Officer, of course there is a way. The Dick city lord of the Strait city-state and the An-La army stationed at the border are also very face-saving. I paid enough customs duties, and they let me go without careful inspection. As for the Syrian city-state, they are more cooperative. Ask me if I need to purchase another batch of supplies nearby!"
Aesop stood up and took the cup and said: "Master Xiou, I respect you! You have solved the urgent need of Salem City. To be honest, we will soon go to war with Marduk City in the north, and there is a serious shortage of logistics personnel. , that business path is very important and needs your continued support.”
Xiou also stood up and drank the wine in the glass: "Cheers to God Amon! I also have a hope, to open a business in the city of Salem. When this war is won, it will be a big victory for me."
Aesop immediately nodded and said: "No problem, I will issue the document now, designate the best location in the city, and send people to build your shop and warehouse immediately. You don't have to worry about everything, just do business."
…
The battle is imminent, Amon is still cultivating in the Garden of Eden, and Peran Rose is still building a large array of space magic. Except for Medanzo, Gabriel, and Moses, everyone else in the Garden of Eden has returned to Salem. Medanzuo temporarily lost his strength, Moses could not enter the Duc Plain, and Amon did not want Gabriel to participate in the war.
Five hundred soldiers were stationed in each of the two fortresses north of the city of Salem, and the magic array was ready to operate at any time, but two great magicians were needed to preside over the formation to exert its full power. Raphael happened to catch up, and volunteered to help, guarding one of the fortresses.
Raphael is not a warrior on the battlefield, but presiding over a large formation in the fortress is quite satisfactory. Yunmeng also asked to go with him. He is in the same fortress with Raphael, saying that he can take turns presiding over the magic formation during fierce battles. He was also worried about Raphael's safety. This armored beast king is now transformed into a beautiful girl, and she is also a great magician.
Aesop originally wanted to send Yunmeng to another fortress, but Yunmeng will be with Raphael, and George and John will stay in Salem to preside over the overall situation. There is really no other great magician. He had no choice but to look at Link for help.
Link looked at the scene and said with a smile, "Master Aesop, now that you and George are commanders, take me as your subordinate and send me to guard another fortress."
All the preparations for the war had been arranged, and Aesop sent someone to send a letter and something to Philistia, the lord of Enlil. The letter told the Philistine that the people from the town of Duke had arrived in Salem, and asked him to come to Salem as a guest and meet him in person. But the Philistines will never come, because the letter also said that Goliath and other 100 giant soldiers have been wiped out, and there are currently 62 prisoners.
If the Philistines come to Salem as a guest, please bring the ransom for the redemption of prisoners of war. Each person is twenty sacred stones! And in the name of Enlil, he swore that he would never invade the city-state of Salem. His giant soldiers could accept the employment of Salem City and continue to mine refined iron and sacred stones in the mine, and Salem City would pay half of the remuneration.
The thing that was sent with the letter was a large lacquered wooden box, which contained Goliath's huge head, which had been treated with magic and medicine to keep it from decaying, and the terrified expression of dying could still be seen. Aesop knew very well that as soon as the letter and wooden box were delivered to the Philistines, the war would start immediately.
The slave-born city lord has been trying his best to prevent the outbreak of war, delaying it as long as he wants, but now he actively chooses the time to start the war because of Amont's intentional confession. Amon was once a great general of the Eju Empire, commanded thousands of troops, and studied various military books under the guidance of Maria. Before he left Salem, he specifically said to Aesop—
"Some people regard war as a business, but the battlefield is definitely not a business field. It is also possible that both parties will benefit from doing business, but on the battlefield, soldiers on both sides will only be killed or injured, more or less. I know you have been accumulating strength, The city of Salem is far from being strong enough, but you have to remember that there is a kingdom behind the opponent's god Enlil, and your strength is growing, and the strength of the opponent is also growing.
If war is inevitable, the most appropriate time is not when you think you are strong, because by then, the enemy may be much stronger. You have to choose the time when the balance of power between the two sides is the most favorable. This is the opportunity for the weak. The outcome is unpredictable, but if you decide to meet your fate, don't be afraid in advance, and don't regret it afterwards. "
So Aesop chose to start the war when everything was ready and the morale of the people reached its peak. His letter seemed to tell the Philistines: "You chose this war, but the war will not be carried out according to your will. "