Blood tax

Chapter 402 Verona's Comprehensive War Preparation Incident (Preface)
"I invite you two, my old friends, to discuss with you—

"In the upcoming all-out war and the coming of evil gods, how should we fight together."

Griffith immediately thought Roland was joking.

After all, he was just a middle- and lower-level officer of the Imperial Guard, a knight who had just acquired the territory not long ago, even if he was a superhuman, throwing stones into the sea was nothing more than throwing stones into the sea when he was involved in a large-scale war.

The Hallandir next to him is weaker.He is a half-elf, a cannon fodder in Canaan, and has no right to speak in the Elf Senate and army.

"Hahaha, this joke is really funny," Harandir laughed twice, looked at Griffith with a serious face, and pointed at Roland, "Roland is very popular" focus on'."

Griffith's expression changed slightly.He remembered the riddle Roland had told him before.Such a legendary brave man favored by the gods was planning a long time ago.Today, he seems to be on the move.

Roland stood up and came to the two of them as if giving a report:
"I don't have much time, and here's the thing—

"My allies and I are recruiting immigrants from all over the world to go to Verona, and at the same time organizing the fleeing natives to return to their hometowns and resettle them. After several times of devastation by the rebels, it is already a bankrupt rotten land, abandoned and waiting to be restored The number of manors produced is countless. You should know that Verona, the ancient kingdom of knights, has now been shattered by war.

"Over there, the territory of the Griffith Knights is almost equivalent to a barony after being rewarded. Now it is under the management of my people, and new immigrants go there every day. We establish a new order there."

Griffith nodded, feeling a little ashamed that he hadn't inspected the territory so far; he was even more grateful when he thought that the territory was built by Roland with his own funds and credit.

"There is not only Griffith's territory, but also my fiefdom and a large farm that I bought, as well as the land of several people who hold the same opinion as me. There are locals, Griffith, the Warren you know Haydn's family has joined us. Lord Thalorian's Fort Tuyan has absorbed a large area in the north, and Lord Sidious Villanoy from Canaan is currently controlling Minas Ishi The Er region supports our actions. If you have time to go there, the billowing heat flowing from the blast furnace built by your two lords will burn the hair on your hair."

This news was never known to Griffith, and it was beyond his expectation.For the first time, he realized that Salorian had a connection with Roland, and Sidious hid in Verona after leaving Canaan.

Wait a minute, Thalorian and Sidious are both members of the mysterious meeting that Earl Lamor took me to.At that meeting, Sidious told me without concealment that the real identity of the leader of the rebel army, the extraordinary swordsman Lansenis who destroyed a large local noble army, was an agent of the Senate MI[-].

Could it be that the rebellion in Verona started from...

As soon as Griffith's speculation started, Roland interrupted his reverie with even more astonishing information:

"There, brand new armies are being formed, armed, and trained under the name of the Phalanx militia. Local factories and mines are supporting these troops with all their weapons and equipment.

"The formation of the phalanx has been slightly modified from the traditional formation that you know. The core of the army is a phalanx of pikemen in a dense formation. On the four corners of the phalanx of pikes are arquebuses in a slightly sparse formation. A small phalanx formed by soldiers. It is about 150 meters wide and 100 meters deep, with a population of about 1200. It is composed of at least 600 pikemen and 300 musketeers. It can be strengthened by about 100 halberd soldiers, sword-shield soldiers or soldiers according to the situation. Artillery. Of course, we don't have so many veterans to make halberds and swords and shields, and it may end up being forgotten.

"The soldiers of the phalanx are mainly farmers, and many of them are civilians from other provinces. After the residents of the Eastern Province went bankrupt under the impact of the Free Trade Act, they were attracted to move here by Verona's more favorable policies. As long as When members of the family joined the newly created army, they were given more land and rations.

"After the barracks in each territory recruited these soldiers, they distributed weapons and taught them formation, thrusting, shooting and marching. Each phalanx forms a brigade, and soldiers only master one kind of weapon. There is no need to practice bows and arrows, swords and shields, as long as four The training can be completed within one month and put into actual combat. If it is compressed a bit more, a new brigade can be equipped and trained within three months.

"Only infantry can't fight. We also need some cavalry. Cavalry is much more expensive and difficult to train. After all, cavalry cannot be born out of thin air. But even so, only mastering small steps and sabers, completely giving up riding spears Light cavalry with bows and bows can also be initially formed within four months. Then, we will select the best from them and select a part to form dragoons and cuirassiers with sabers and muskets."

Griffith and Hallanduel were stunned.

They knew that Roland was not joking, but they didn't expect him to propose an armament plan so seriously, and it was right under the eyes of the Bayeran Senate and the Arcane Council.

Griffith's expression became serious.In his impression, Roland was a cautious and cautious person, and it might be some bad omen to expose his plan so boldly.

Roland completely put aside the embarrassment and exhaustion in explaining the purpose of the bond and the repayment plan.Standing up with his head held high, he said to his two friends:

"From now on, at least one phalanx brigade and one light cavalry squadron will be built every month. We have concentrated most of our production capacity and manpower for this, and spent a lot of money.

"January is Sissel's First Brigade and Sissel's First Light Cavalry Squadron. The core of the troops is the veterans I brought from Qiming County. After they form an army, some of the backbone will gradually disperse to the new team. Bring the old with the new.

"The units formed in February were the 2st Infantry Group and [-]st Hussar Squadron at Fort Tuyan.

"In March, Sissel's 3nd Infantry Battalion and Wallenstein's [-]st Cavalry Squadron became operational.

"In April the 4st Battalion of Ravenelles at Griffith was completed, and at the same time the [-]nd Squadron of Hussars at Fort Tuyon was ready.

"After entering May, the pace of army building will be further accelerated.

“到1445年秋，联军将会拥有至少20个方阵兵大队和12个轻骑兵中队，24000名步兵和1440名骑兵。另有不少于10个大队正在组建中。”

Who is such an army set up to fight? !
Haranduel opened his mouth and asked stammeringly, "Is this legal?"

"This is just the local militia, for now. Soon, we will make them legal." Roland replied.

"What about resources?" Griffith asked, "Not to mention anything else, can Verona provide the production capacity, manpower, metals, rare minerals, funds and supplies needed to build and maintain such an army?"

"That is naturally impossible. In fact, if we do nothing, there will soon be a shortage of manpower and materials that cannot even resume local production and form a militia. We need more investment, otherwise this exciting The business will come to a standstill, there must be an event to speed it all up," Roland pointed out the window, "Fortunately, for us, right here, in the center of the world, there will be a storm in Bayeran, which will A lot of unfortunate people swooped in to make it happen."

"It sounds like it's none of my business," Haranduil leaned back in the chair, "After escorting Miss Galadia to complete the second stage of the sacrifice of the chosen one and returning, I will go back to Canaan. Cheering for you there."

"I don't agree with that," Roland immediately picked up the topic, "Anything can happen, maybe you wake up one morning and find that the elders of Canaan and many elves have disappeared~ At that time , what will you and your half-elf friends do, and the human inhabitants who hide in the sewers? I suggest you take some time to think about it. As we all know, the end of the world is approaching, and certain prices will be paid.

"I invited you here today to tell you about the current situation. After a while, if there is progress, you will receive further plans."

These words made Haranduil startled, and he sat up in danger: "Are you serious?"

Realizing that Roland still couldn't elaborate, Griffith tentatively asked, "What will happen in Byerland next?"

Roland just shook his head: "It depends on the sacrifice of the chosen one, and the ancient secrets will be discovered. I can deduce the general direction, but I don't know the details."

"This gives me a bad feeling~" Haranduil said, "Roland, I understand what you mean. Such a powerful force must be concentrated to do something earth-shattering. But, have you thought about it?" However, what will happen to those poor ordinary people who are like ants who are destined to be swept in by the waves you set off, running around every day for food and clothing?"

Roland was silent for a while:
"My friends, in this dark wilderness, we can't see clearly ahead. We don't know whether the irresistible fate pushes us towards a warm bonfire or an abyss. In front of the mystery that is vaster than the starry sky , Personal power is too weak, what is the difference between a big man and a small man?"

Roland waved his arms, announcing the end of this short talk:

"This time, we are about to witness the rise of power that has never been seen in this world. Think about the past that you have lost, that you cannot protect, and that you are unwilling to accept. Don't you want to overturn this chessboard and light up the whole world with your own hands? hope?
"The price, it must be very heavy. It is self-evident what the soldiers who are drawn to the battlefield after a few months of training will experience, and what misfortunes ordinary people will encounter in the turbulence of the times. However, some Something has to be done.

"We are not saints and we are not creating the best era.

"When the dust settles, generations from now will look back on our decision and say—

"One gets nothing without sacrifice, and in order to get something, a price has to be paid."

(End of this chapter)