February 21st, 1771, in Gellint Ayon.
After twenty-eight days of arduous trek, the huge team transporting the corpses of monsters finally arrived at Gildusk City. This is also due to Lorist's proper consideration and arrangement, fixing all the frozen and hard corpses of monsters on sleds like specimens for easy transportation in the snow, otherwise it would be too close to use a cart. How long will the thousand horses have to toss to complete the order of Earl Kenmes.
The panicked guards blew the alarm horn. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the whole Gildusk city was in a commotion. Braving the heavy snow and severe cold, everyone flocked to the square in front of the Grand Duke's mansion to watch.
More than 200 corpses of monsters, more than 40 types of monsters are arranged in several rows on the square according to the size of the individual. Especially the corpse of the four-meter-tall mammoth juvenile in the front is even more ferocious and terrifying, with extraordinary momentum. If it weren't for the consideration of the height of the city gate that could not pass, Lorist originally wanted to bring over two corpses of five or six meter tall mammoth golems.
Earl Kenmax blushed with excitement. Lorist was too proud of himself. He transported so many corpses of monsters and wrote an enthusiastic reply letter. In addition to the monsters designated for Princess Sylvia, The rest is left to Earl Kenmes. At this moment, Earl Kenmes had several distribution plans in his mind, how to use these corpses of monsters to build relationships for himself, gain the favor of beautiful women and win connections for the Kenmes family...
The second prince took the queen, Princess Sylvia, and a large group of nobles, ladies and ladies to watch the corpses of these monsters at close range. Pay attention to the scars on the corpses of these monsters.
"Earl Kenmes, where is the person in charge of transporting the corpses of these monsters? I have a great reward for calling him here. Now I forgive Baron Norton for repeatedly rejecting my invitation. It turns out that he is fighting these monsters. The person in charge of transporting People should know the details of the battle, let him introduce it to us..." the second prince ordered.
Earl Kenmes saluted his chest: "I'm very sorry, but the soldiers responsible for transporting are our family's garrison soldiers, not members of the Norton family. According to the messenger I sent, the Norton family has no manpower to transport the corpse of the monster. All their family armed forces have been thrown into the war against the monsters."
"Oh, so that's the case, forget it." The second prince was a little disappointed.
"My lord earl, I want that snow leopard, and those two blue winter wolves. I also like the white antelope over there. I wonder if my lord earl would give it up?" Unlike the second prince, the queen's His eyes were focused on the fur of the monster.
"My beautiful queen, your servants are very happy to fulfill your little wishes. It's just that the snow leopard and the white magic antelope are Baron Norton's New Year's presents to Princess Sylvia, and I can't make a decision. As for To express my apology, those two blue winter wolves were given to the beautiful Queen." Earl Kenmes said humbly.
The queen nodded, turned around and whispered to Princess Silvia.
…
The second prince was sitting in the study, with a middle-aged man standing in front of him.
"Have you found out clearly?" the second prince asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty, the messenger said that when he saw Baron Norton, he was setting up a defensive line in the wilderness with his family armed forces, building a wall with ice and snow to resist the impact of the tide of monsters. He said very clearly to the messenger, All the soldiers of the Norton family are on this last line of defense, and there is no manpower to transport the monsters, so the courier has no choice but to go to the territory of the Kenmes family to recruit people to complete the task of transporting the corpses of the monsters... "The middle-aged man is very Respectful answer.
The second prince tapped his fingers on the table in thought.
"Your Majesty, the messenger also said that when he passed the ice and snow defense line, he estimated that the Norton family's armed forces would not exceed 30,000 at most. He was very worried, how could such a small number of troops be able to withstand the tide of nearly a million monsters..."
"Oh, is he sure?" The second prince's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Your Majesty, that messenger has always been a messenger with the Earl of Kenmes. He has seen a lot of exercises organized by the Kenmes family before their 30,000-strong army, so he can estimate the Norton family." The number of horses is only a little less than 30,000 horses." The middle-aged man said.
The second prince thought for a while and changed the subject: "Have you seen those monsters in the square?"
"Your Majesty, I went to investigate. The cause of the death of these demonic beasts was indeed the fatal wounds on their bodies. The mammoth demon was first hit by three crossbow bolts from the siege crossbow, and then fell to the ground and died under the siege of soldiers. , the fatal injury may be the last spear that the Golden Knight inserted into the forehead, and the spear head was still broken inside... My subordinate also noticed that there were blood stains under the nose tip and front feet of this mammoth golem. It should be the soldiers of the Norton family trying to kill This baby elephant also suffered a lot of casualties..."
"Those magic cows also have sword marks and spear stabs. I noticed a phenomenon, that is, the Norton family may not have too many defense vehicles, except for the mammoth golem and a few huge magic cows with defense vehicles. In addition to the scars from crossbow arrows, the rest of the monsters were more fatally injured by swords, axes and spears, but those smaller monsters were basically wounded by arrows shot from longbows..." The middle-aged man looked carefully.
The second prince asked another question: "Have you figured out where that Baron Shaheen got so much snow salt?"
"My lord, Baron Shaheen bought nearly ten million catties of miscellaneous grains from the Grand Duke's territory last September, and then shipped them to the Norton family's territory. Therefore, I suspect that these snow salts are all produced by the Norton family, because their family territory The Knife Peak Mountains are right by the sea, and there are only two snow salt businesses, one is the Earl of Kenmes and the other is the Baron Shaheen, they both have good friends with Baron Norton and have business contacts with the Norton family." Middle-aged people answer.
The second prince stood up and turned around in the study.
"Three years ago, the Norton family armed more than 40,000 people and robbed the Grand Duke. In a battle under their family's Rock Castle, they defeated the Northland noble coalition led by Duke Lukins and threatened more than 200,000 Northland princes. Moved into their family territory. Since then, the Norton family has become a shadow hanging over the North... "
"Since I came to the Northland, I have been deeply disturbed by the unknown attitude of the Norton family. They refused my kind invitation, refused to obey my will and orders, and even accepted the canonization of the Antinac royal family. Rebellious behavior! Even if I have the First Legion, I don't dare to tease the roaring angry bear lying on the border of the Northland. Because I am worried that the legion I have worked so hard to build will be defeated by this angry bear. , let other caring people pick up the bargain... "
"I'm very worried. I'm afraid that after the Norton family gets the 200,000 people to live in the family territory, it will greatly expand its power. But today, I am very happy, and very happy, hahaha..." The second prince suddenly went crazy laughed out loud.
"It turns out that the Norton family still has to face the threat of the wave of monsters. Three years ago, the family armed forces of more than 40,000 people are now less than 30,000. I don't know how many people they will lose this winter. The tide of monsters swept across the territory of the Norton family. They There is no way to settle the more than 200,000 people, so they can only be arranged to cook sea salt, and then use snow salt to exchange for food, and even sell the iron armor of their family, just for Only by obtaining a large amount of food and grass materials can we feed so many people..."
"I've never seen such a stupid lord. This is really a disgrace to our nobles. I still can't figure out why that angry bear is lying on their family territory and can't shrink back. It turns out that they have found a big burden for themselves Now I can't even shake it off. Rock Castle, hehe, do you think this level castle can protect their family territory? In fact, there is no need to attack, just besiege and cut off their food and supplies from the outside world, and they will collapse within half a year. Unless they want to eat people, just obediently lie in front of me and beg me to let them live... Ha ha... "
"Your Majesty is wise..." the middle-aged man complimented.
The second prince walked around the study room a few more times before stopping: "Let Viscount Hinderson go to the Norton family as my messenger again on March 15th after the snow melts, and deliver my ultimatum .You pretend to be an attendant and go with you when the time comes to find out the details of the Norton family and see if they have been seriously injured by the tide of monsters... "
"I obey, Your Majesty." The middle-aged man bowed and stepped back.
…
On March 15th, the Great Hall of Rock Castle.
Facing the crowded family knights and numerous civil officials, Lorist was very satisfied, and expressed his feelings: "... Last year was May, so we could gather here and arrange a year's work for the territory. But now it's only three We are sitting here in June, why is this? It is because after unremitting efforts and persistent struggle, we have finally wiped out the tide of monsters that has plagued the family territory for hundreds of years! From now on, we will live and work here in peace and contentment. Enjoy a life of peace and tranquility…”
"Thank you for your efforts. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work, as well as those brave family soldiers who sacrificed themselves in the tide of monsters for the safety of the family territory..." Lorist said deeply to the family knights and civil officials. A deep bow and salute.
Everyone in the hall stood up and saluted Lorist one after another...
"Norton, Norton, Norton..." Then there was a rhythmic cheer from the hall.
Lorist lowered his hands, and waited for the cheers to calm down to continue his speech: "For three years, while fighting against the tide of monsters, we are also vigorously building up the family territory. We have built villages and towns, and built city walls. Hundreds of thousands of lords have built new homes and built roads. We have also opened mines and workshops, and built the wasteland into our paradise from scratch. As your lord, I am proud of your achievements, I am proud that the family has such wonderful talents as you... ”
There was thunderous cheers in the hall again.
"Then this year, we will vigorously reclaim wasteland in Fengleyuan, repair water conservancy facilities, and fulfill our promise to every citizen who followed us to the family territory, and allocate fields to them so that they can live happily in the family territory life." Lorist announced his work priorities for this year.
Reddy and Pat stepped forward and hung a large map in the middle of the hall.
"Next, let me explain to you the family's future strategic arrangements and plans." Lorist walked to the front of the map with a small wooden stick.
"As we all know, the Northland is remote and far away from the center of human settlements. Originally, the Northland had two passages to the outside world, but now there is an additional chain bridge in the east, which can be regarded as three major traffic routes to the outside world. But now this ferry on the lower reaches of the Midoburo River , has been completely sealed off by the Grand Duke of Madras, refusing anyone to cross the river there. Speaking of which, it should be considered our fault, when the northbound convoy returned to the family territory in the past, it was indeed too much trouble..." Lorist laughed at himself.
Many people in the hall laughed. They were all members of the northbound convoy.
"Without this downstream ferry, there are actually two exits left in the Northland, but we need to be clear that these two exits lead to the territory of the Kingdom of Iberia. Like the Kenmes family who are in charge of the Eastern Chain Bridge, they It is also difficult to say, although a lot of customs clearance fees can be levied, but in the face of the pressure of the border guards of the Grand Duke Fesabrun, we have to strengthen the family's armed forces to protect ourselves."
"Our Norton family has never set our sights on these two exits. From land to the central part of the Galintia continent and other countries, the journey is too long and there are many changes. I believe everyone will be like me and don't want to come again. The convoy is heading east, once is enough..."
"We set our sights on the sea. You see, if we can find an outlet in the Blade's Edge Mountains, we will build a fleet. From our north, we can reach the Principality of Madras and the Kingdom of Antinac along the coastline. , to the west of the Kingdom of Ridleys, to the Principality of Rulm, to the Kingdom of Haneyabada, we can reach Morente City in more than a month, and we can even reach the Relic Islands, as long as we can reach the coastal countries can reach... ”
"It's a pity that the Blade's Edge Mountains didn't find the entrance to the sea we needed. However, this doesn't mean that there are no ports leading to the sea in our family territory. Please look at this map." Lorist pointed to Reddy and Pat Another big map that was unfamiliar to everyone was hung up.
"This map shows the most dangerous place in the family territory, the Black Mire Swamp." Lorist said.
Everyone in the hall was taken aback, and they all exchanged their heads and whispered together.
"Everyone, calm down, maybe everyone has heard the advice that it is best not to enter the black mud swamp without the fighting spirit strength of the silver rank. This is true, because the black mud swamp lives with such ferocious monsters as the iron-spine crocodile , only the silver swordsman's sword light can effectively bring damage to this kind of monster. But everyone should take a closer look at the map first, and you will understand why we chose the black mud swamp as the outlet to the sea."
Lorist pointed at the map with a small wooden stick: "Look, everyone, this is the Lancang River, which originates from the Molong Mountains. It divides the Black mud swamp into two halves. The Lancang River flows through the black mud swamp and then enters the sea. Our family territory The black mud swamp here only accounts for a quarter of the entire swamp area, and it borders the edge of the Blade's Edge Mountains. Just at the junction of the black mud swamp and the Blade Peak Mountains here, a large bay is formed here. Here, is The best harbor address!"
"In fact, we checked a lot of literature and found that the real black mud swamp should be on the other side, that is, the side of the Lancang River. The black mud swamp on the side of our family's territory is because every winter, the upper reaches of the Lancang River The ice floes did not melt and blocked the mouth of the sea, and the river surged and submerged the land on the shore, and it gradually became part of the black mud swamp over time."
"Now, we are going to change this swamp again and make it our home and harbor. You see, there is a hill shaped like a turtle by the river. We named it Guishan. From Guishan to Lying Niu The hill is only more than twenty miles away. We will build a city wall from Guishan to connect with Woniu Hill, so that neither the tide of monsters nor the mountain barbarians will be able to pose a threat to the family territory from here.
Next, we will build a long dike along the coast of more than 100 miles from Guishan to the border of the Blade's Edge Mountains and the mouth of the Lancang River. The embankment of the swollen river. Once this 100-mile long dike is built, the black mud swamp with a radius of 100 miles on the family territory will become our rich countryside, a bustling seaport city... "
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