The port of Clover City has been abandoned for many years, but after simple repairs, it was reopened today.
Facing the afterglow of the setting sun, the huge fleet of the Tianma Navy slowly sailed into this simple and dilapidated port. Orlando, the president of the Clover Brotherhood, was standing respectfully on the pier with a group of younger brothers, welcoming the watermen who disembarked and rested. Officers and soldiers.
The Nushui River and the Crystal River meet in Clover City, so the Tianma Navy wants to deliver the battleship to Silvermoon City in exchange for Marquis Vincent, this is the place they must pass.
However, Clover City is the territory of the Half-Elf Kingdom after all. It stands to reason that the Tianma Navy cannot dock here without the consent of the Half-Elf Kingdom. I didn't dare to say anything more.
In fact, this can't be blamed on Ron Rutte's lack of due diligence, because the half-elf kingdom has no water power that can compete with the Tianma water army. Of course, it can only watch the people from the east come and go at will.
Even the Crystal River, the "mother river" of the half-elven clan, the warships of the Tianma Navy often come in and wander around. If there are no sluices blocking it, the fleet from the Eastern Realm may even sail directly into the half-elf palace along the Crystal River .
At the moment, the Tianma Navy is only stopping in Clover City, which is actually a way to save face for the northern border. After all, they have to redeem Marquis Vincent next, so they can't be too rude.
More than 30,000 navy officers and soldiers poured into Clover City at once, immediately making the place extremely lively.
Fortunately, the Tianma navy brought their own food, otherwise, given the barren status of Alfalfa City, there might not be enough food for these people.
Although eating and drinking can't be solved in Alfalfa City, the local people need help for some other physiological needs of the navy officers and soldiers.
Seeing the scene of the soldiers wanton indulgence, Earl Evan did not restrain them. After all, the battle was imminent, and letting the soldiers relax properly would also help boost morale. What's more, the city where they stopped was on the east bank of the Nushui River. In the human subconscious mind, there is an absolutely safe territory.
Of course, Earl Hall, the commander of the fleet, would not restrain his subordinates. At this time, he was immersed in a tragic and desperate mood, unable to extricate himself.
For the warships selected to be "delivered" to Silvermoon City this time, Earl Evan requested that each warship only carry the minimum number of crew required to maintain normal operations and navigation. After all, he did not want to bury all these elite sailors in Silvermoon City. .
So, at this moment Earl Hall is struggling with who to keep on the battleship.
Earl Hall looked at the list of sailors in front of him, hesitated for a long time, but still didn't check a single one.
Undoubtedly, the remaining people who went to Silvermoon City to perform missions must have narrow escapes. Earl Hall felt that this was probably the most difficult decision in his life.
Boom!
"Come in."
Earl Hall looked up, and saw the adjutant Knight Holmes walking in, and closed the hatch smoothly.
"My lord, are you not going to eat?"
"I'm not hungry yet."
Earl Hall responded casually, seeing that Knight Holmes was still standing still, he asked, "What else do you need?"
Knight Holmes hesitated for a moment, but still gritted his teeth, and said in a deep voice, "Master Earl, are we really going to follow Earl Evan's order and hand over all the family's warships to the northern border?"
At this time, Earl Hall's soldiers still didn't know that they were going to Silvermoon City not to deliver warships, but to blast the water defense of Silvermoon City.
Earl Hall understood that if he told his subordinates the truth now, there would definitely be a large number of deserters and even mutinies.
Only when they came to Silvermoon City with their warships and there was no way to retreat, they would be stimulated by the death of Marquis Vincent, or threatened with the safety of their family members, forcing them to carry out what was almost suicide. In order to carry out the task assigned by Earl Evan, and strive for that slim chance of survival for the Hall family.
Therefore, when he saw that Knight Holmes was still reluctant to part with the family battleship, Earl Hall suddenly felt pity and heartache.
"This is the Duke's order, we must carry it out!"
Knight Holmes stuck his neck, still looking unwilling: "My lord, the Duke of St. Pros is obviously trying to weaken the support of Lord Vincent! If they are allowed to send all these warships out, Then it's hard to say who will inherit the position of Duke of the Eastern Realm in the future!"
Hearing this, the sadness in Earl Hall's eyes could no longer be concealed. He really wanted to tell his adjutant that the Marquis Vincent was dead, and the Duke of the Eastern Region was destined to be Earl Avan in the future.
But when the words came to his lips, Earl Hall still didn't say anything.
Earl Hall's hesitation obviously misunderstood Knight Holmes, so the loyal knight of the Hall family stepped forward and lowered his voice:
"Master Earl, we can secretly detain Earl Evan and use the battleship of the St. Pros family to go to Silvermoon City to redeem Marquis Vincent!"
Lord Hall shuddered and looked up into the eyes of Knight Holmes.
Knight Holmes looked at him without fear, and continued to persuade:
"My lord, you don't have to worry that doing so will bring disaster to the Hall family. As long as we return to Marquis Vincent, he will definitely support the Hall family!
What's more, as long as the warships of the St. Pross family are handed over to the northern border, the horse water army will be completely controlled by the Hall family that day! If the Duke of St. Pros doesn't want the northern border to take advantage of it, not only dare not blame you, but he must win over you to appease you!
And in this way, even if the Duke of St. Pros wants to change his heir, he must consider the attitude of the Hall family!
As long as we successfully promote Marquis Vincent to the position of Duke, the family's status in the Eastern Region can even go a step further! "
Earl Hall remained silent.
In fact, he knew very well that Knight Holmes was right.
But this strategy has a premise - that is, Marquis Vincent must be alive.
Only in this way can the Hall family have a future.
Otherwise, the Hall family will not be punished for what they have done to Earl Avan, even for the purpose of fighting against the Northern Territory, but when Earl Avan inherits the title of Duke of the Eastern Territory in the future...
No, it is not even necessary for Earl Evan to inherit the title of duke. As long as the situation stabilizes and the threat to the north is eliminated, the Hall family will definitely be liquidated!
Knight Holmes looked at the silent Earl Hall, thinking that he could not make up his mind, so he said again: "My lord, I have already quietly tested the attitude of most of the officers of the Hall family. They all said they would Support you unconditionally!
So, as long as you order..."
"Okay." Earl Hall interrupted Knight Holmes, "The Hall family will not disobey the order of the Duke of St. Pros, you go out, I have never heard these words."
"My lord..."
"go out!"
Knight Holmes was unwilling, but he did not dare to disobey Earl Hall's order, so he left indignantly.
Earl Hall looked at the back of Knight Holmes, and the sadness in his heart became more intense.
Looking down at the list in front of him, Earl Hall couldn't write any more.
In fact, Earl Evan has given a principle of who to choose to carry out the mission - to choose those who have families.
Only those who are concerned, they will do their best in desperation instead of running away.
Earl Hall closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he finally became firm again. He picked up a quill and began to draw on the list.
After a while, the list of personnel to carry out the task was determined, and Earl Hall only felt a burst of endless exhaustion.
He staggered out of the cabin and came to the deck, staring at the deep river alone, dazed.
It was already dark at this time, except for a few soldiers on duty, the rest of the people on the battleship had gone ashore to rest and relax.
The lights and noise on the shore are in stark contrast to the desertedness on the battleship.
Earl Hall silently looked at his reflection in the water, wondering what he was thinking.
As time went by, it seemed to be an illusion, Earl Hall felt that the face reflected in the water looked a bit like Marquis Vincent.
But immediately, the reflection in the water came out of the water, grinned at Earl Hall, and said:
"Earl Hall, are you looking at the scenery?"
(end of this chapter)