Blood tax

Chapter 239 Bayeran Summer Meeting of the Two Houses
The riot was quickly brought under control.Most of the cavalrymen who were overturned got up silently and got back on their horses, continuing to move forward like nothing happened.There were three or four unlucky ones who were crushed at the bottom by fallen men and horses, or were trampled twice by a horse's hoof, and injured an arm or a leg.Medical soldiers rushed to take them to treatment.

After the parade ended, the small town on the northern outskirts of Bayerland became a sea of ​​celebrations.This small episode was not a big deal, and there were no civilian casualties in the bystanders, nor would it interfere with the ensuing summer celebrations and performances.Some people even said loudly that they missed the most exciting moment with regret.

Griffith immediately rushed to the school yard near Sanssouci Palace.Hundreds of Elders and members of the Arcane Council will be the first to see the new weapons showcased before attending the upcoming summer session of both chambers.

This exhibition is very important, it is directly related to the military policy and national policy to be discussed, involving millions of dollars in research and development and production investment.Although many wizards and noble ladies are not interested in new armor and weapons, as part of the next budget that needs to be voted on by the two houses, this weapon display must still be attended.If there is a big man who doesn't know about weapons and equipment, then he needs professional advice from the staff and officers around him.

The Earl of La Moore was elected as a member of the wise Senate because of his years of outstanding contributions, his unquestionable loyalty to Baieran and the reputation of the La Mole family.Every statement he makes in public is very important, and Griffith also needs to seriously provide support and advice, and then make a record.

As soon as Griffith arrived at the test site, several Imperial Guard officers found him, asked about the riot just now and made a record.The investigation is just a routine matter. After all, the riot just now was just an unfortunate accident, and no one needs to be punished.

It's just that there are people who are in charge of duty tonight among the injured bad guys, and they need other people to replace them.

"Come on, let's draw a lottery! If you get the lottery, you will be on duty," the officer of the Imperial Guard smiled and took out a small jar. "Although you are not responsible, you are all within the scope of the lottery."

"I have a lot of work to do tonight!" Griffith immediately protested, "and a lot to do tomorrow!"

"Lana also said the same, but the duty time starts from 12 o'clock at the earliest until the next morning, and each person is only responsible for one part of it." The officer of the Imperial Guard laughed, "Tell me about it, sir, the third-level assault squadron leader , this big night, where are you going to be and who are you serving?"

……

Griffith was drawn to be on duty from 12am to 2am.Looks like I won't be able to rest tonight.

The servants have already set up a pergola in the school yard, and set up freezers everywhere, using the refreshing coolness and water vapor to drive away the summer heat.However, there were so many and chaotic people at the scene that the coolness of the freezer was diluted by their heads.

Sonia was wearing a decent long dress and was fanning like the other ladies.She didn't look carefully at the demonstration on the school field ahead, but looked left and right.

Finally, she saw her Shutoral, raised her fan to him and waved it.

Griffith immediately rushed over and sat down beside the countess.

"Help me remember the introduction, and then give me some impressions," Sonia whispered with a fan covering her mouth, "Dad said that we will test us later, but I can't understand the introduction of these weapons."

"boom!"

A loud noise came from a distance like thunder, which made the Countess jump in fright.The black iron ball roared across the yellow sand and gravel, and smashed towards the target in the distance.

Griffith hastily cast his gaze forward.It was found that it was a test firing of a cannon. The 6 gunners methodically brushed the chamber, reloaded, adjusted the firing angle and fired again.

"This is an eagle gun, specially designed to target infantry. The diameter of the muzzle is smaller than the guns we saw in Qiming Town, about 55mm." Sonia introduced softly, shaking her fan.

The artillery moved and prepared very quickly. It can be seen that the gun body of this artillery is very light and can move with the squad.It can easily tear through plate armor and low walls if it hits well.

After a while, another cannon started firing.It has a longer barrel, a larger caliber, a more frightening roar, and a longer range.

The Earl beckoned to Griffith to come to him.

"See, Griffith, this is Byelland's latest weapon," the count said with an inscrutable expression, "Do you know who developed it?"

Roland Knight, yes.Griffith said in his heart, but he didn't say a word.

"The inventor is Sir Roland," said the earl. "He has been silent in an unknown corner for many years, and now he has returned with these things. He is really a miraculous guy."

"Knight Roland is back?" Griffith asked in surprise.He didn't expect Roland to appear in Bayeran's social circle so soon.

Count Lamor shook his head and said, "It's not a knight, but a count, Count Roland de Sissel, newly conferred by His Majesty in recognition of his outstanding contributions."

Roland came to the foreground, and his strategic focus returned to Byerland.Griffith's mind was touched for a while, and he began to think quickly.

The Earl didn't notice this, and continued to watch the weapon demonstration while saying, "He submitted a total of seven drawings of new weapons, all of which are extremely exquisite and detailed.

"The experimental weapon being fired and demonstrated is called the Snake Cannon. The body of the gun is more than 3 meters, the diameter of the muzzle is 10 centimeters, and the range is more than 500 meters."

Griffith nodded again and again. The body of the Snake Cannon was much longer than that of the Eagle Cannon, and it did look like a snake from a distance.The snake cannon made a violent roar and smoke, and after several shots, it penetrated a low wall.The caliber and appearance of these cannons are a little different from the equipment Roland displayed in Qimin Town. He should have made some technical reservations.

"The range is good, but the accuracy is unsightly," commented De Nolan de La Moore, who was sitting on the side. "It's a pity that the artillery group will not interfere with spellcasting, and it will be attacked by magic just like trebuchets and ballistas. Defensive; projectile trajectories are almost straight, unable to go over obstacles, and the range is about equal to that of a large trebuchet."

Sonia took a sip from a cup of herbal tea.Although there are ice cubes to cool down, the hot summer sun is still amazingly hot, she almost wants to tear off the long skirt and tie it around her waist:

"My brother is right. However, I think these weapons use gunpowder. The energy source is different from traditional weapons. It is neither magic nor levers and elasticity. Although I don't understand it very well, the new energy source is its greatest significance. .

"It's different from what's already out there."

The weapons display didn't last long, and the patience of the spectators on such a hot day has its limits.About half an hour later, the brothers and sisters of the Lamor family talked to each other and followed the countess to the outside of the test site.The countess remembered when she was almost at the exit:
"Where are William and the little knight?"

"Over there," Nolan pointed to the test site, "near the target. They went to pick up shells."

……

Count Lamor kicked the iron ball on the ground, picked up the heavy metal from the loess, and weighed it in his hand.

He looked at the snake cannon in the distance again. Some artillerymen were putting it on the carriage and dragging it away from the testing ground.The two-wheeled artillery cart drove away with a bang on the loess.

Dust stained boots and sleeves, but the Count was unaware.He looked at the metal ball in his hand like a child who had discovered a new toy, and then at the low wall and armor not far away as targets.

Most of the shells missed, but one hit its target, knocking down the low wall and smashing into the dirt behind it.

The count narrowed his eyes, and went to look at a hole in the plate armor, and took out a distorted shotgun from it.Holding the twisted metal in his hand, he turned to the quasi-knight beside him and said, "It's beautiful."

Griffith's eyes flickered: "Yes, Earl. They are lighter than trebuchets, they can keep up with the infantry's movements, and they can be deployed very quickly; they are more powerful than ballistas, and the shooting effect of shotguns is even more incomparable. You can even keep up with the cavalry if the road is good."

Earl Lamor nodded: "If we had this thing earlier, we wouldn't have used cavalry to attack Beamon and war elephants. At the critical moment, as long as we can attack."

"One shot may not be enough, Lord Earl," said Griffith, "a squadron salvo is better."

"Yes, you are right," Earl Lamor threw the iron ball into the soil, with a slight regret on his face,
"Why did it appear only now..."

……

Weapons testing is like the heat and fireworks of a banquet.When the leaders of Bayeran left from the weapons testing ground, they all gathered in the Sanssouci Palace on the seaside peninsula.

Here is a completely different world from the dusty sky, flying loess, and terribly hot testing ground.After a heart-pounding military parade and an unpopular display of new weapons on the first day of the agenda, Beyeland's bigwigs could finally hold dinner and dances in the comfort of the court.

The central part of the main hall of the palace is a semi-spherical roof, and the two wings are long conical ridge buildings.The rotunda in the center is the magnificent Hall of the Hand of Bayerland, also known as the Prime Minister's Hall. The ceiling and walls are mostly decorated with murals and mirrors, which are brilliant and bright.Red, white and blue rose bushes surround the 12 bow-shaped steps of the palace, and the fountain is covered with dazzling crystals, making this place like a fairy tale dream.

It is said that there are more than 1000 statues in the Palace of Sanssouci.On the east side of the palace, there is a gallery with 112 famous paintings, all of which are handed down by famous masters.

The cool sea breeze, the cliffs and the sea, the endless rose bushes make this the most beautiful place in the world.Freezers are placed in the corners and corridors of Sanssouci Palace, and the refreshing coolness immediately dispels the summer heat.In winter, charcoal will be put here, no matter how terrible the weather outside the window, the palace is like spring all the year round.

Every great aristocrat has his own luxurious suite.They can rest there, change clothes, or hold small-scale meetings, and even bring close vassals and guards.Hordes of servants are at their beck and call.

The Byelan Summer Council has begun.The king, senators and members of parliament will hold balls and meetings here, which will last about ten days.They will form many proposals, attract supporters, first voted by the Arcane Council, then voted by the Senate, and finally signed and passed by the king.

From now on, every room, corner and flower bush is planning a terrible conspiracy.

(End of this chapter)