Chapter 587

Empire 966.

Although the new year has passed, winter has not passed and spring has not come.

However, in the Imperial Palace, one order after another was sent to the military headquarters, and then through the military headquarters, these orders were distributed to all parts of the country. The meaning of these orders is quite thoughtful.

Because the Empire was in a state of war, the military headquarters ordered that in order to enhance the combat effectiveness of the local garrison and reserve forces and always prepare for the front-line combat, the national "spring drill" this year was carried out earlier than in previous years.

Especially in the central and northern regions of the mainland, which are centered on the imperial capital and radiate around several provinces, the local garrison and reserve forces were mobilized early.

The ice on the canal has not melted completely, and the cold wind is still biting. After receiving the red military order from the Imperial military headquarters, which is a symbol of the highest authority, the local garrison immediately mobilized nervously.

Because the empire is in a state of war. After the first three years of deliberate operation, the military affairs in various places have been reorganized, and the supplies of grain and grass are all ready. Although the spring drill this year is much earlier than in previous years, the most important thing is that the soldiers and officers complain about the hardships, and the supplies of grain and grass are under the overtime work of the military headquarters, It will be in place soon.

……

……

Nurin Province, as an area adjacent to tulip family territory, has been operated by former governor Bohan for many years. It can be regarded as the richest place in the northwest. Of course, this situation was broken after tulip Duke came to the northwest.

However, governor Bohan was a rare talent in the Empire. Although he left office later, he left his successor a rich family.

Governor Bohan was not the direct family of Prince Chen. It was normal for him to be transferred after he wiped out the local separatist regime of the northwest army. Later, after Du Wei took the special post of "minister in charge of military affairs in the northwest", nurin province did not set up the post of governor within two years, which made this province almost become Du Wei's sphere of influence.

However, in the northwest, the independent division went north. After being officially reorganized into the imperial air force, Dewey's special post of "minister in charge of military affairs in the northwest" was also removed by the Regent, and nurin province was finally put under the central jurisdiction.

The succeeding governor was, in a way, an old acquaintance of duvidi,

Marquis Seine.

The Marquis is a aristocrat from the South and a member of the Royal Camp. But one thing happened two years ago: at the auction, a young master of the Seine family. Bewitched by her royal highness, she dared to compete for

That time, the Marquis of seine almost lost the favor of the royal family. Later, the old fox in the political arena was said to have run into the palace to plead guilty. At that time, he broke his son's leg, deprived him of all his inheritance rights, and rushed back to his hometown in the south.

Later, during the first two years of the Empire's consolidation of armaments, the Marquis of seine gave a lot of blood. To donate money is to regain the trust of the Regent.

Therefore, when choosing the governor of nurin, the Regent chose him. On the one hand, nurin is far away from the northwest, while the Marquis of Seine's family is in the south. This is also the consistent policy of the Empire in appointing local governors: whenever a governor is appointed, his jurisdiction must be far away from his family's sphere of influence. So as not to make the governor too powerful.

Secondly... Although Marquis Seine regained the trust of the royal family, after all, because of the auction, Dewey himself abandoned his son. Even if he didn't say it, he didn't dare to hate the royal family, but he didn't like Dewey in his heart!

There is such a candidate from the "non duvi" camp guarding nurin province. It can also suppress the tulip family in the northwest. It's also a normal technique of imperial balance.

In late January. The Marquis of Seine, then governor of nurin Province, received the red military order from the military. As soon as possible, two local garrison divisions stationed in nurin province were mobilized to start the routine spring drill.

In previous years, because of the special situation in the northwest, when Duwei was still the minister in charge of military and political affairs in the Northwest after the northwest army was wiped out, the spring drills in nurin and Desa provinces were jointly held.

Now, it's a formal separation. Governor Senna received a special "order" in addition to the official military order.

This order was a personal order from the Regent directly sent by the commander of the imperial palace.

This order is not a "secret order", because the Regent did not say to keep it secret, but at the same time, it violated the usual practice. The meaning of an additional order in addition to the command of the military headquarters is worth pondering.

Moreover, the content of this order is aimed at

In late January, the two local garrison divisions, which had just assembled in the southeastern part of nurin province and were ready to perform, suddenly received the order of the governor of nurin province. Then they immediately changed their march route and turned their direction to the West.

After six days of long-distance training and March, the soldiers divided into two groups and came to the border area where nurin and Desa provinces meet.

Then, under some delicate operation, the two infantry regiments soon crossed the border and entered the tulip family's territory. After the infantry had crossed the border for 60 miles, a "notice" was officially sent to the commander of tulip family's garrison on the eastern border.

The content of this notice is very simple: the garrison of nurin province conducts long-distance exercises in spring, requests to cross the border for long-distance March exercises, and hopes that the tulip family will cooperate.

This kind of "cross-border exercise" is not uncommon in the Empire in the past. This is because the spring drill every year is often to mobilize the local garrison for military exercises and local troops to mobilize. It's hard to avoid leaving one's own residence and running into the jurisdiction of others.

For nearly a thousand years since the founding of the Empire, there have been many aristocratic classes, large and small. There are scattered private territories of aristocrats, large and small, all over the mainland, just like a piece of psoriasis. Will inevitably run to a certain size of aristocratic territory.

In the past, this kind of thing was common. However, in order to show respect for the Lord, an official document was usually sent in advance to say hello to the other party. After all, since it was a military performance, the March plan was made very early. I knew early where to March and where to pass.

Before running to other people's home, a greeting in advance can be regarded as respect for the host, which is also due etiquette.

But this time. The army had already directly opened to other people's territory, and the notice came. This practice can't be explained by "unintentional".

The two infantry battalions entered tulip family territory and were stopped immediately after crossing the border for 60 Li.

A young general of the tulip family. Gaida, known as "little two hundred and five", led a thousand cavalry to stop the garrison of nurin province.

Nurin garrison also tried to send someone to talk, and took out the notice to say something. As a result, little Gaida is really worthy of long Barton's training. Nurin garrison sent three officers to the notice, and they were all rushed back by him mercilessly. He replied: leave now!

The nurin garrison is stupid.

What kind of thing is that? Originally, the order of this exercise was a little strange, and ran to the tulip family's territory rashly. It's not surprising that people don't like it. Although our side has orders from the Imperial Army, they are family private army. The imperial army could manage the official Army, but not the private army of the nobility.

Try to accommodate. The little 250 on the other side knows that the battle is not to give way.

Besides, look at the 1000 cavalry that Gaida brought, one by one they are all high-class war horses from the grassland. Each cavalry is wearing the most expensive whole body armor, which costs a lot. I'm afraid it's a lot higher than the cavalry of the most elite storm army in the Empire!

The prepared weapons are not the local garrison. I'm afraid not even the king's city guards can match.

The whole continent knows that tulip Duke is rich. But money is not such a waste!

These cavalry, everyone is a top class hardcover full body cavalry armor. Note, this is not a column mounted military cavalry armor, but only the "Knight" will wear that kind of full body armor!

Don't mention people, even the horse is covered with a layer of light armor, so armed to the teeth of the pie, it is simply carrying gold coins into the water.

However, such thick armor can only be made up of the finest war horses from the grasslands. Otherwise, even people with armor and ordinary war horses can't carry it.

In terms of weapons, the weapons prepared by the imperial cavalry are nothing more than charging spears, but the weapons of these tulip cavalry are maces, and each of them is equipped with a mechanical short crossbow. The cost of this short crossbow is even more expensive. In the past, only the trump troops who specially guard the imperial capital in the guards near the royal city would prepare this kind of weapons.

In the tulip family, it seems that these are just ordinary costumes. Even the weapons worn by officers above the riding commander have the attribute of magic blessing. This is a luxury.

What's more depressing is that the other party has other arms to fight with!

In Gaida, a thousand cavalry stopped the way. In a short time, the tulip family's "air force" appeared in the sky.

The balloons and airships were clearly painted with tulip totem, and dozens of airships floated to the top of the nurin garrison. It seems that if they don't retreat, I'm afraid that the "bomb" that once made the northwest cavalry suffer will fall on their own head.

……

After less than a meal of hesitation, a report came from the front and ran into the two infantry regiments in the tulip family territory. They were disarmed by the tulip family army!

Gaida was really brave. He led a thousand cavalry and dared to fight against six thousand local garrison troops of two infantry regiments.

A thousand cavalry rushed directly in front of nurin's garrison, and without saying a word, they rushed into each other's array. This kind of style of fighting directly without even calling, immediately makes the two infantry regiments of the forward make trouble... Fight? But they are the private army of tulip family. Who dares to put the power of tulip Duke there?

Although he had a military order in his hand, his head was on his neck after all. Watching Gaida rush over with his cavalry, it was absolutely not a joke.

So. The officers of the two infantry regiments, with tacit understanding, immediately ordered their own array to be quickly separated, gave way to the other side's charging direction, and then held high the flag of retreat

After all, Gaida is not really 250. Although he is a strong general, he knows that it's OK to scare the other side at this time, but it's not OK to fight. He took a thousand cavalry and rushed to each other like a whirlwind. Almost wiped the nose of the two infantry regiments of nurin garrison, and then gave a sudden order, a thousand cavalry in the rapid running, but also calmly suddenly turned a big bend, an almost 90 degree turn. A thousand cavalry, in front of the two infantry regiments, calmly rowed, even the dust of horse hooves. All the soldiers of nurin garrison coughed.

Later, Gaida divided his troops into two groups, and one group of people walked around to the back of the other side calmly. A thousand cavalry troops "surrounded" the two infantry regiments in such a dignified way!

"Surrender, we will send you out of the country!"

Gaida didn't give the other side a second choice.

The cavalry of tulip family is strong. The weapons are excellent, the blade is facing the nurin garrison in the middle, and there are tulip family airships circling in the sky

The officers of the two vanguard regiments thought about their own heads and their own destiny... After all, they are all from the northwest. Although the military order has not been completed, it's a big deal to go back and get a reprimand. At most, they get a military staff. But if you turn your face here. It's a good fight, but let's talk about it.

After the event. The Duke of tulip was angry and began to investigate. It's not the two little people who can stand it.

Two people have their own small abacus: discerning people see that this incident is unusual, mostly the upper level of intrigue, but in the end, don't take yourself out of the black pot. This kind of time... Self protection!

So, six thousand infantry surrendered to one thousand cavalry, obediently handed over their flag and weapons, and then, under the "escort" led by Gaida, marched back and left the border of DESAR province.

As for how to punish these two officers after going back to nuxing, I will not say.

Gaida did not leave after driving out the nurin garrison.

Because

Sure enough, as Mr. Phillip predicted. The day after the garrison left nurin province. A fully armed division, clearly under the banner of the king's city guards, came from the East, all the way through the whole territory of nurinhang Province, to the border of desahong province.

Then, a "notice" was sent by Feiqi.

There is still nothing special in the content: the command of the military headquarters, Wang Cheng's close guard army under certain division, to carry out long-distance training exercises, cross the border into the province of Desa, please cooperate with us.

The imperial city guards are not the soft persimmons of nurin garrison. They can be driven away with a scare.

Gaida did not say a word, direct reply, refused the other party's request.

Then, the atmosphere suddenly became tense

……

……

Two days.

Within two days, on the eastern border of the tulip family territory of Desa Province, two private cavalry regiments of the tulip family had gathered here, and the leader was still Gaida. At the same time, the tulip family mobilized an airship brigade to hover in the air, and the infantry regiment, which was originally stationed in the two fortresses on the eastern border, has begun to close the fortresses, forbidding entry and exit, and everything seems to have entered a state of war.

Gaida's two cavalry regiments stood in the way of the border, while the commander of the division of the royal city guards sent three documents in a row, which were rejected by Gaida.

The reason is very simple: the order of your military department can't control the private army of our tulip family! According to the Convention, it's our duty to let you in. It's not against the imperial law if we don't let you in!

The division chief was angry. First, a team of cavalry was sent to try to detour for dozens of miles, around this area, into the other party's jurisdiction, trying to create a "fait accompli". In less than two days, this team of cavalry was wrapped up in rice dumplings and lost. This time, Al Qaeda did not show any more respect. Even the horses and weapons were confiscated.

The cavalry sent back. Most of them were bruised and bruised, and some were injured. Fortunately, no one died.

Under the deliberate tolerance of both sides, friction is still suppressed in a rational limit.

The troops in front are confronting each other.

Later, there was a battle of words.

An order from the Imperial military headquarters soon bypassed Duwei, who was in the imperial capital, but sent it directly to the northwest, which was very strange. Du Wei, the Lord of the northwest, was clearly in the imperial capital, but the military headquarters did not dare to go to Du Wei. It was sent to the northwest! This kind of superfluous practice, but it contains a trace of unusual flavor.

They accused the tulip family of neglecting the overall situation and disturbing the normal spring exercises of the Imperial military.

Here in the tulip family, Philip personally wrote a reply with a knife and pen, saying that the other side had no legal basis.

The military department accused the tulip family of illegally detaining the soldiers of the imperial guards.

The tulip family returned to being a local Lord. They have the right to arrest any alien who breaks into their territory.

The military headquarters ordered that disobeying military orders was a major crime.

The tulip family replied that according to the national law, the private army of the local Lord was privately owned by the Lord and was not under the control of the state.

The military headquarters ordered

Tulip family reply

A battle of words came and went, but they were very busy with the knights who sent the letters quickly. On the roads and rivers leading to the northwest of the capital, one by one, one by one, the horses ran back and forth quickly.

In these days, the vision of almost the whole continent has focused on the northwest!

In all aspects, they are guessing the whole story with a shocked attitude.

Is... The most popular tulip Duke, he has the right of way. It's over??

Along with the fierce words of the two sides of the letter, the two people are against each other, but no matter how fierce the argument is, the most lethal word "Treason" has never been said.

At this time, Du Wei in the imperial capital

He is still in daily closed door convalescence, at home and two beautiful fiancee thrush talk.

He is the emperor's capital, but on the one hand, the military department quarrels fiercely with Philip in the northwest, but on the other hand, it seems that he completely ignores the northwest boss in the emperor's capital.

even to the extent that. The quarrel between the two sides was almost a storm. The military headquarters is less than seven blocks away from tulip palace, the capital of the emperor. However, no one has ever been sent to ask Du Wei what he means. But every day, the red military newspaper goes back and forth to the imperial capital

Weird!

This strange scene, simply let the big and small aristocrats in the imperial capital see their eyes fall to the ground! Fortunately, at this time, no lengtouqing really went to the military headquarters to "kindly" remind the other party: Hello! Duke tulip himself is in the imperial capital! You've been quarreling with the Duke's subordinates all day. Isn't it that you're looking for distance?

Fortunately, there is no such idiot in DIDU.

This "farce" lasted for 20 days.

Finally, an order from the Imperial Palace was sent to the military headquarters, the royal city guard regiment, to conduct a joint military performance with the provincial garrison of nurin on the spot, and the previous exercise plan was cancelled.

To this matter, is barely a full stop.

However, the army of gaidadi still stayed at the border and did not disperse. Instead, it was more than ten miles away, coldly watching the division of the royal city guards and the garrison of nurin province conduct a careless "exercise". After that, the division of the royal city guards did not return to the Imperial capital, but went to the capital of nurin province and stationed there... No more!

This situation

If in previous years, some people said that the Duke of tulip might rebel, most of them would be ridiculed by others.

But now... No one can guarantee that the Duke of tulip is so peaceful!

But Dewey is still at home.

From the beginning to the end, not to mention that the military headquarters did not come to Dewey for his theory, even in the palace, there was not even a word of will, let alone blame Dewey for his will.

……

……

Early February.

Before the friction incident has not subsided. Another thing is to pour a bucket of oil on the fire which has never been put out!

The battle report came from the northern front, and general Rostock personally wrote the art. Winter is coming to an end, and after the spring, the enemy is expected to have a large-scale offensive, while the storm Corps in the northern theater. After several months of continuous operations last year, the soldiers were injured and needed to be replenished. Please replenish the Empire and go north.

Later, the Regent himself issued a decree, in order to reinforce the northern theater, to carry out the second military mobilization in the Empire.

This time, on the one hand, five local garrison regiments were dispatched from the south to the north, while at the same time. The Regent said that in this war period, he hoped that the aristocratic lords in the Empire could also contribute to the country, and hoped that the Lords could contribute their private troops to the north to supplement the fighting power of the Imperial Army!

be the first to bear the brunt. It's the tulip family!

Everyone knows that on the mainland, if it comes to the huge territory, the tulip family may not be the first. But when it comes to the elite of the private military. So if tulip family claims to be second, no one dares to claim to be first.

It is not without precedent to enlist the Lord's private army to take part in the war. The Augustine Dynasty had an extraordinary precedent.

However, this kind of recruitment of aristocratic private army has never happened for hundreds of years, because the empire is powerful, several main battle legions are strong, and there are countless local garrison troops in the region. If they are reduced to mobilizing the Lord's private army to participate in the war. Only when it is a last resort and the empire is on the verge of collapse can we make such a final mobilization.

But now, obviously, it's far from the worst.

But the order of requisition and transfer was still issued!

Of course, this kind of recruitment order... Although it is nominally "order", it is actually more like an "initiative" or "call".

Because the Empire has been established for thousands of years. The private property of the aristocracy is still a very protected area. After all, it was a feudal empire. The private property of the nobility is sacred and inviolable.

After all. The powerful class is the basis of royal rule, and the royal family is the largest aristocracy in the world. Any dynasty. There will be no such thing as the emperor confiscates and encroaches on the property of other nobles at will. Otherwise, chaos will be caused and the nobles will rebound in an all-round way, and the royal family will be doomed.

Once the territory is enfeoffed, the Empire will not take it back under normal circumstances. After all, it is a minefield! Once you've passed, if you've taken one family's territory today, then thousands of other families are watching eagerly! Inevitably, it will lead to the general rebellious mind.

Therefore, as a last resort, the emperor did not dare to fight against the private property of the nobility, except for some unforgivable crimes. For example, after the Regent came to power, he cleaned several houses including the Rowling family. But at that time, there was a big hat of "Treason" on it, and other nobility had nothing to say. It's fair to accept it.

But in other cases... Even a fatuous emperor would never do such a self digging thing.

Therefore, this "order" is only an initiative, not a rigid order, which stipulates how many troops we must send out. Generally speaking, it is just a move with emotion and a talk with reason. This imperial decree, though very quiet, is still soft.

But the discerning people all know that this is the royal family's operation on the tulip family.

Who is the best private army in the world?

The answer is clear.

Since it's fighting on the front line, it's natural to choose the strongest, not tulip family soldiers, but who?

In the first ten days of February, this imperial decree was issued. In less than ten days, countless lords and lords on the mainland were shocked. Everyone's eyes were aimed at the imperial capital, and they were looking at Duwei hiding in the Duke's residence.

Dewey, still no visitors.

Even one day, about February 14, the Duke of tulip was in a leisurely mood. He sent a group of people out to sweep the streets in the imperial capital. Almost one day, all the flowers in all the flower shops in the imperial capital were sold out!

This strange act has aroused a lot of speculation, but it is said that a servant sent by the tulip family to buy flowers said: the Duke of tulip seems to have a "Valentine's Day". He bought flowers from all the flower shops in the whole imperial capital in order to please the two beautiful Duke's fiancees!

That's the point. This young Duchess, still want to play this kind of romantic activities?!!

Many people sigh in their hearts. They don't know whether they admire Du Wei's calmness or disdain Du Wei's mischief.

However, there is also an episode in this matter, because the tulip Duke's purchase of flower land made the imperial capital, in the next long period of time. All the florists are out of stock. Even some nobles want to buy some flowers to please their wives or lovers, they are faced with the embarrassing situation that there is no market for flowers.

Many, many years later, there was an anecdote that a nobleman said to his children, "that winter, in order to chase your mother. I didn't send flowers, but I sent someone to collect Dogtail grass from the field... I'm not mean! Hum, at that time, even if someone offered a hundred gold coins. Look for all the capital cities of the emperor, and there's no place to buy them! "

……

……

On February 17, the third day after the tulip Duke bought out all the florists in the capital.

It was also the tenth day of the Regent's announcement on the recruitment of the private army of Lords from all over the mainland.

A group of envoys from the grassland came to the imperial capital in a high profile. This group of envoys from the grassland came by boat, and came to the imperial capital with great fanfare along the way. Directly handed in a "National Document" to the hands of the etiquette Minister of the Empire!

This national document was issued in the name of Saladin, the current "king of the grassland". Saladin claimed that he had inherited the throne of the king of the grassland two months ago and became the supreme king of the grassland, commanding all the departments of the grassland.

This national document requires the Empire to formally recognize the legitimacy of his throne. At the same time. He asked the Roland Empire to change the peace agreement that Dewey had been involved in a few years ago. The Empire was required to open the trade routes of minerals, ironware, grain and other materials to the grassland. At the same time, the Empire was required to change the northwest corridor into a "buffer area for both sides", and the Empire was not allowed to station troops in the northwest corridor to show its sincerity for peace.

In addition, at the end of this letter, Saladin also said very directly: he heard that the Northern Line of the Loran empire was fighting with the alien race, and his majesty Saladin grassland king, with his kind heart, said that since he was dealing with the alien race, then the grassland departments were also the human camp, and he was willing to personally lead the 500000 iron cavalry of the grassland departments to help fight!!

Threat!! Naked threat!! After reading this letter, I almost made the etiquette minister's nose crooked. To ask for the opening of scarce grassland materials such as ores, ironware, grain and so on is almost rude. To let the Empire cede the northwest corridor as a buffer area without troops is to ask the Empire to let out its own gate! In the end, as for the half million cavalry of the grassland came to help yunyun... The meaning was even more blatantly coerced!! Let 500000 grassland cavalry enter China? Are you kidding!! But when he was angry, the Minister of etiquette didn't dare to delay this kind of thing. After receiving the letter of state, he immediately went to the Imperial Palace and presented himself to the Regent. After reading the illogical "National Document", the Regent seemed to have no anger at all. He just nodded and left the book on his desk. He said faintly, "I know. Go back." That's... that's it? Don't you call the heads of all departments to a meeting? Don't we discuss countermeasures? Don't you call in the military and mobilize the military? Even if we don't do anything, we should at least draft a reply to severely reprimand these grassland people!! Not to mention that the Minister of rites left the palace in a fog... After the Regent drove away the Minister of rites, he picked up the copy of the national document again, read it again, then left it behind and laughed“ There's no point in Saladin. The former prairie King's old army is still fighting in the north of the prairie. Saladin has not unified all the prairie departments. He is now the "prairie king" who controls less than half of the territory of the prairie. Half a million? Hum... If Saladin really wants to fight with us, it will be a miracle that he can squeeze out 50000 cavalry before he has to surrender to other departments. " With a sigh, the Regent closed his eyes for a moment and murmured, "Dewey, Dewey... If you let Saladin make a scene on purpose, can't I transfer your tulip private army? What's your next move... "What's my next move?" Dewey is sitting in the yard, enjoying the snow in winter. On the big tree in the yard, the white ice ridge is still hanging on the top of the tree. Dewey is sitting on the wheelchair, smiling and looking at the guests in front of him. Mrs. Liszt sat opposite to Dewey. She didn't have Dewey's strange body. It was very cold to sit outside and enjoy the snow in this weather“ Your highness, it's now... Are you just waiting in the imperial capital? " Mrs. Liszt had a sad face. Her family has been tied up with Dewey, and now she can't get rid of it even if she wants to. In Mrs. Liszt's opinion, Dewey's recent series of actions are too reckless! Yes, you Duwei are indeed the most popular minister in the Empire. You have money, soldiers and prestige. But, after all, the arm can't twist the thigh! Mrs. Liszt, I don't want to see Dewey's rebellion! The overall situation of the empire is still stable, and the Regent is also the Ming emperor. At this time, even though Duwei is very strong, if he openly turns against the royal family... "My next move is myself." Du Wei's face is calm. He smiles gently, with a faint sense of tiredness in his eyes. But the words are light, but every word goes straight into people's heart and lungs“ I'm in the imperial capital, in the tulip palace! Chen knows that no matter how powerful the tulip family is, I am the leader. If I really rebelled, I would have run away secretly. And now... There is no bodyguard outside my house, only an old servant at the door. I'll leave myself in the imperial capital... If he really wants to get rid of my family, then the first thing he has to do is to send soldiers to slaughter my Duke's mansion! " "But if I don't go, I'll be here. My wife and family are here! What will he do? " This is a problem. This is a question that Dewey clearly conveyed to the Regent with himself and a silent voice! The fish is on the chopping board, Regent. Do you have a knife? Or not“ In the final analysis, he and I are not ordinary monarchs and ministers. If he doesn't move, I won't. If he moves... "Dewey gently raised a finger and flicked it at a leaf on the top of the tree in front of him. A leaf turned into several pieces under Dewey's finger“ If he moves... Then I'll just move. " Gently, as if with infinite solitude.