When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 749 Honoring and Conversation

"The Patriarch and the Despot have issued an order that all soldiers should receive their rewards on the parade grounds without wearing armor."

The gendarmerie cavalryman's blue cape fluttered in the wind, and the scroll fell to the ground, rolling several times.

The captains went forward to pick it up, cursing, brushed off the dust, and raised their middle fingers to the backs of the gendarmes.

After the summer, the golden grass near Ladenburg finally entered the young leaf stage from the yellow bud stage.

Standing on the earthen platform in front of the parade ground, Horn could see the lush green fields crossed by the silver-like river.

The meadow outside Laden Castle is now occupied by countless huts and tents.

The mountain cavalry groups dressed in carbon black uniforms gathered in groups of three or five, but all their eyes were focused on the earthen platform.

The focus of attention was on Meliati in a dashing military uniform and Horn in a monk's outfit.

There were also nearly a hundred soldiers who went on stage one by one, unable to hold back their laughter, amid the envious and jealous gazes of others.

The ceremonial officer's shrill, broken voice rang out one after another, and with each call a soldier could be seen walking up to the platform.

"Andre Marsay, for his excellent command and leadership in the bloody battle of Rust River, was awarded the First Class Rust River Medal and the 'Pope's Fist' Medal."

"Lafer Ironwater Hunter, for his bravery and courage, successfully drove several knights out of the fort... awarded the third-class Rust River Medal."

"Kale de Hans, for killing two knights of the Imperial Order by using the Falcon Cannon... awarded the Order of the Rust River, Second Class."

"Good boy, your name is Kaler, right?" Retracting his gaze, Horn looked at the young soldier in front of him who was still underage in his standards, "Heroes have always emerged from youth."

As he spoke, he picked up the bag full of silver coins and stuffed it into Kaler's hand.

Kaler bowed dazedly, then walked towards Meliati amid Horn's kind laughter.

Meliati had a stern face and saluted Kaler first, then solemnly pinned the Second Class Rust River Medal on his chest.

"Do a good job. I hope I can see you at the next centurion's honor ceremony."

Touching the gilded medal with the image of the Rust River engraved on it, Kaler began to tremble all over.

It is just as my brother-in-law said, only those who are called out on the medal awarding platform are considered to be real men.

This is not an ordinary piece of silver or iron, but a real certificate leading to the rank of officer.

The mountain riders were so upset to see that the boy, who was less than eighteen years old, actually won a second-class medal.

The Gravel Plains troops on the Nauan River front are too cowardly. Can't they be more radical like the Duke of Sequoia?

Looking at the soldiers who were awarded medals and the other soldiers who were biting their lips with envy, Horn and Meliati looked at each other and knew that they had come to the right place.

This time Horn brought 12000 pounds in cash and supplies worth 6000 pounds.

In addition, he specially melted a large amount of silver and commissioned a group of gilding craftsmen to make a batch of medals.

Although the current medal system has not yet been officially implemented, the Rust River Medal is actually a battle commemorative medal.

The first class of battle commemorative medals are generally awarded to senior commanders, the second class is awarded to middle and lower-level commanders and soldiers who have made outstanding contributions, and the third class is awarded to soldiers who have shown bravery.

The "Pontiff's Fist" medal that Besser received is a medal of honor, which can directly increase the military rank by one level.

After all the medals were awarded one by one, the ceremony ended with everyone singing the "Thousand River Valley Military Song".

After sending everyone away, Horn and Meliati walked into a private prairie cabin.

"I thought you weren't coming."

Unlike before, Meliati, who had taken off her iron mask, did not pick Horn up, but poured Horn a cup of black tea.

"After all, Thousand River Valley and the Holy Alliance are one. Now that the war has started, I also hope that you can win." Horn looked at Meliati's defiant eyes.

"Didn't the Holy Union just get a new lover called the Black Snake Bay Federation?" Meliati put her iron fist behind her back, "Without the Thousand River Valley, I'm completely finished. Without the Thousand River Valley, you still have the Black Snake Bay."

"What are you talking about?" Horn couldn't help but get angry. "Qianhegu and I share weal and woe. Do you think I will run away?"

"I didn't mean that." Meliati's tone was calm, but it sounded a bit sarcastic.

"I heard that you will officially set out to attack the Salt Flats in three days?" "Yes."

"Let me make it clear first. I have no objection, but I have some requirements to make clear to you. After all, Qianhe Valley belongs to everyone." Horn said patiently, "These are the results of the long-term discussions of the military secret monks."

Meliati, who had been acting like a rebellious girl, finally calmed down.

"First of all, you must seize the initiative in this battle. When the battle ends should not be decided by the enemy, but by you.

Because you know, our strategic goal of attacking Gravel Plain is not invasion, but defense.

The Gravel Plains are right next to us. If we want their territory, we can come anytime. Don't be impatient."

Horn knew that Meliati had a stubborn personality, and he was afraid that she would get stuck in a rut and do something that would win the battle but lose the war.

Currently, the Kingdom of Leia is besieging the last stronghold of Duke Neidbach.

If the city is captured, the Duke will have no choice but to surrender.

After a half-year rest and the farming season, we plan to launch the offensive in March or April.

Meliati must not delay the war until after the New Year, let alone until March or April.

"Understood." Meliati nodded solemnly.

“Secondly, although the Shepherds and the Stonebreakers are enemies now, they will be our people in the future.

If you treat them well, they will treat you well. Don't underestimate the shepherds, they can provide you with help you can't imagine.

I can provide you with more supplies and more management talents, but you'd better enforce military discipline."

Through the Cheka and front-line monks, Horn knew what the Thousand River Valley Northern Army had been doing in the Gravel Plain during this period.

Forcibly conscripting men was considered the lightest punishment. They also pretended to be bandits, abducted women, and ate free meals... They were proficient in all four skills of cheating and deceiving.

"If we restrict military discipline, where will our morale be? If we don't allow looting, how much will the soldiers complain about?" Meliati sneered, "It's not like you did anything that angered the heavens and the people. Didn't your Black Champion do that often before?"

"Can it be the same?" Horn was speechless for a moment.

"What's the difference? I can't afford to pay you as much as you do, so what else can I do except using looting as a reward?
You raise my soldiers' salaries to the maximum and I will immediately enforce military discipline...

How is it? No words, helpless, right? "

Horn was indeed helpless.

He had always had a negative opinion of this war, one of the reasons being that he was afraid that the current economy of Qianhe Valley could not afford two consecutive wars.

It was Meliati who initiated the war, and now says that it has no money and has to rely on soldiers to plunder.

The target of the attack is the lord, which will anger the local people, and then maintaining stability and the legitimacy of the regime will become a major problem.

By that time, it will cost 50,000 to fight a war and 100,000 to maintain stability. What's the point of fighting?
It’s better not to fight.

This is the difference in the underlying logic between the two.

Horn believes that people make up a country, and if you bring people over, the country will follow.

Meliati believes that the state rules the people, so conquer the state first and the people will come over.

If it was Earth, Horn was sure he was right.

In an empire with extraordinary beings, he was not sure.

Seeing Horn frowning, Meliati still gave him some face: "I will order them to consciously enforce military discipline."

But it is hard to say how much effect it can have.

Meliati kept the latter part of the sentence under her tongue.

"I hope it works." Horn said coldly.

As a result, the conversation between the two ended in a bad mood again.

(End of this chapter)