At six o'clock in the morning, Munich becomes lively.
As usual, the South Gate was opened on time at five o'clock in the morning. However, because the city entry ceremony was to be held, caravans from outside the city were not allowed to enter the city. Naturally, the usual morning market was cancelled.
In this regard, businessmen who came from afar complained a little, but there was nothing they could do.
After all, compared to those noble lords, they were as humble as ants. And their business was nothing compared to such a grand ceremony.
Look at the city of Munich right now.
Two giant carpets embroidered with the Fire Bee emblem hung straight down from the top of the city. On the city wall, Lulian guards in bright armor held their heads high and stood tall like javelins.
On the city streets, the crowds of people watching the excitement were already three levels inside and three outside. Even the roofs, the tops of carriages, and the branches of big trees were already full of people. The patrolling knights were galloping away one after another.
However, the police officer responsible for maintaining order was even more busy and sweating profusely.
The ground has been swept, and the central Victory Street, which is the main walking street, and the two squares in the south of the city have been swept clean.
The viewing platform has been built, located at the end of Victory Street, close to the central square. The thick wooden beams and pillars are connected with tenons wrapped in iron sheets, and are wrapped with dense ropes on the outside, making them strong and sturdy.
There are rows of steps higher than the other. There are chairs covered with velvet on each step. There is also an awning made of thick linen on top.
At seven o'clock, the troops outside the city began to gather.
Groups of knights in bright clothes and angry horses, led by Sergeant Lullian, entered the waiting area with white lines drawn outside the city gate. However, they had not yet raised their flags, and people could only watch.
The densely packed team guessed and didn't know who was who.
Compared to the time when Adolf led his army back to the city not long ago, the ceremony this time seemed more solemn and grand.
In this regard, the residents of Munich have some discussions.
This group of knights who entered the city did not participate in the demon war. Everyone knew what they were doing here and why there was such a ceremony. Logically speaking, His Highness the Grand Duke was being polite if he didn't look down upon them.
, it is simply impossible to receive such a grand reception.
However, civilians do not understand the affairs between nobles. They were friends yesterday but turned into enemies today, or they were not sworn in yesterday but now work together. This is a common thing among nobles with complicated relationships.
Moreover, everyone knows that among the troops outside the city, there are many people who are considered to be members of the royal family.
Nobles are like this sometimes. Although everyone has different positions on the matter of competing for mercenaries, no matter how unhappy they are, they still have to do the work on the surface. Not only do it, but also do it well, and do it well to make people happy.
Can't fault it at all.
This is what is called aristocratic style.
Anyway, since Archduke Adolf did this, he must have a reason. As for everyone, it was just a discussion, and no one went into it. They couldn't understand this kind of thing, and they didn't want to waste their brains. Everyone just knew
It would be great to see such a lively scene.
Moreover, while everyone was waiting, they had already heard news. It is said that after the city entry ceremony today, Archduke Adolf will announce a carnival in the city. By then, wine and food will be available, and the city lights will stay on all night.
Turn off.
At first, everyone didn't believe it. But as the police officers and officials who were familiar with them in daily life affirmed or secretly, and as various news spread, everyone's heartbeat began to accelerate.
My eyes started to shine. My mood became more exciting and urgent.
At half past seven, one carriage after another drove into the central square of Munich.
The first to arrive were the foreign nobles headed by Gilbert.
There were nearly 160 people, accounting for four-fifths of the auditorium that accommodated a total of 200 people. At a glance, I saw aristocratic gentlemen and ladies in luxurious clothes, either looking for seats or exchanging greetings. There was a huge crowd.
Noisy and lively.
Standing on the high viewing platform, everyone was in a good mood.
The weather is beautiful today. It rained a little in the second half of last night, which made the morning air fresh and cool. This kind of weather is perfect for today's ceremony.
Standing on the viewing platform and looking around, the people on both sides of the Central Square and Victory Street had a panoramic view. Such a lively scene made them feel even more comfortable.
In fact, they were still worried earlier.
After all, this is Adolf's territory. If he really wants to do something, he will be unable to guard against some embarrassing off-board moves. If nothing else, as long as Adolf gives an order, the people of Munich can take advantage of it.
This ceremony is like air.
At that time, people will be doing business on the streets as they should, shouting as they should, and walking as they should. They may even simply close their doors and let these teams go about their own business on the empty streets.
Just a slap in the face.
Of course, Adolf couldn't do such a thing without falling out.
In that case, he would offend the entire empire's aristocratic circle. In the future, if Lulian goes north and joins the coalition forces, he doesn't know how he will be squeezed. Besides, these armies are nominally here to reinforce Lulian. He is right to do this.
His reputation was also greatly damaged.
At this moment, it seemed that everyone's guess was correct. Instead of embarrassing Adolf, he actually showed considerable grace.
Of course, it was a compliment on the surface. When everyone looked at each other, they did not hide the smiles in their eyes. This kind of "demeanor" of knocking out teeth and swallowing it in the stomach, I am afraid I would not have it.
In addition, good mood naturally comes from some news.
Last night, after Adolf invited the mercenaries, they had found out the inside story through various channels. Just as they imagined, the boy named Leo and Adolf made this move as a last ditch effort.
Unfortunately, the conditions he offered didn't seem to impress people very much.
The person who inquired about the information came back and reported that when they talked about this, the mercenaries just shrugged and showed a smiley expression. Some even interrupted the question clearly, as if they did not bother to mention it again.
topic.
This made the nobles completely put their hearts back in their stomachs.
At this moment, everyone has seen that the mercenaries have appeared in groups. Wearing various armors and carrying battle axes, long bows or swords, they are particularly conspicuous among the crowd of onlookers.
When we think that after the ceremony is over, these mercenaries will be completely conquered and join the family, and the family will also greatly increase their combat power. In the future, they will have greater initiative and voice in the coalition forces, and everyone can't hide it.
Keep the smile on your face.
However, as time passed by, it was almost eight o'clock, and everyone had not yet seen Archduke Adolf appear.
This caused some commotion among the nobles on the viewing platform as the sunlight gradually became stronger.
You know, the time for the ceremony is eight o'clock sharp. For such an important occasion, as the master, he logically needs to arrive in advance. But now, he doesn't even have a shadow. Could it be that he wants to come when the end is over?
Do you want to embarrass everyone?
"What do you mean by Archduke Adolf?" Lu He, who was chatting and laughing beside Gilbert, gradually turned cold. "Is he planning to embarrass everyone?"
If he was alone, let alone Adolf embarrassing him, even if he was slapped in the face, he would not dare to say anything.
But at this moment, with all the nobles present together, his back became much stronger.
Sure enough, following Lu He's words, many nobles showed a hint of displeasure on their faces. This feeling of being deliberately left out here is not pleasant.
After waiting patiently for a few more minutes, it was eight o'clock. Not to mention Adolf, not even Lulian's lords, nobles and generals showed up, and everyone's anger could no longer be suppressed.
"Hey," a nobleman from Saxony said with a livid face, "Archduke Adolf, aren't you going to leave us hanging here all day?"
"Yes, such a move in the end is really despicable."
"Damage? I think it's naive! Or, don't agree in the first place. Now that you agree, don't go back on your word. If you do such a thing, how will others see you, Adolf?"
"Hey, I guess he originally wanted to keep his grace. But in the end, he still couldn't swallow it. He used this method to embarrass us. But he didn't want to think about it. If he extends his head and retracts his head, it will be the same. Is he
Do you really not show up for a day?"
Amidst the buzzing discussion, Gilbert looked coldly and said, "If it really lasts a whole day, I'll be convinced."
As he spoke, he called an attendant and whispered a few words.
When the attendant received the order and galloped towards the south gate of Munich, he simply closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
"Wait! Let's see when he comes!"
##########
Outside the south gate, the troops of the nobles who had been waiting for a whole prayer time were already in some commotion.
And when Gilbert's attendant brought the news that Adolf had not yet appeared, the anxiety of waiting quickly turned into anger.
"Is Adolf crazy?"
"For him to do this would be more offensive than simply denying us entry into the city."
"Yes. When the time comes, even His Majesty may not be able to speak for him. What's the difference between doing this and a child losing his temper? Isn't it too childish?"
The knights were in a great uproar.
Locke, who was at the front of the queue, directly approached the peace officer responsible for maintaining order.
"What on earth does Archduke Adolf want to do?" Locke was furious and scolded him, "If we want to cancel the entrance ceremony, let him come out and say something. What's the point of letting us wait here?"
"right!"
"Bring Adolf out!"
The generals who gathered around were all talking.
The Sheriff was a middle-aged, short, fat man with some bald hair. He always had a smile on his face and looked like a good gentleman. He was not angry at all when he was being besieged.
He smiled and said: "How can a little person like me take care of the affairs of His Highness the Grand Duke? Please wait patiently. Look at this street, these flags, so many people, our Lulian is full of sincerity. It's just a matter of time.
It’s only a few minutes, there’s no need to be so excited, right?”
He said, looking around: "Besides, it is understandable to be late occasionally. Last time, when the Grand Duke returned to the city, we people in Munich had to wait for several prayers. The first to enter the city was
Wounded soldier. In that scene, tsk tsk, I even helped carry the stretcher..."
The Sheriff's face was kind and his tone was neither harsh nor soft, making everyone feel like they were holding their breath in their chests and couldn't get out.
Indeed, to say that they are not sincere, they have made so many preparations and no one can make a mistake. Besides, this entering ceremony was not originally held by them themselves. It was requested by you. On the other hand, the people entering the city on this side
These troops have not participated in the war, so their confidence is inherently insufficient.
The Sheriff's tone when he recalled that time was like stabbing his spine. But unfortunately, no one could argue with him.
Knowing that nothing could be said to this guy, Locke turned and left.
"General Locke, what should we do?"
"Yes, should we just wait here?"
The generals gathered around Locke and asked one after another.
"I don't believe that Adolf can hide for a day!" Locke gritted his teeth and said, "We will enter the city later and release the battle rings..."
Locke's words immediately stunned the generals present.
"Release the battle ring?" a general said in shock.
You know, entering the city and returning to the city, releasing the battle ring is completely different. Not to mention the strong men in the army, even the battle rings of ordinary knights. Once released, it will also have a great impact on ordinary people.
.
Just like the dragon's power to ordinary monsters, its terrifying momentum will cause chaos even if it does not cause substantial damage.
"They asked for this!" Locke said coldly, "Since Adolf wants to play, let's play with him!"
Among the crowd, Sassoon frowned tightly.
He didn't know why, but at this moment, he suddenly had a very bad premonition.
##########
At 8:15, Adolf's motorcade finally appeared.
As soon as Adolf stepped out of the carriage, he immediately received cheers like a tsunami from the people present. As subjects, they loved this lord from the bottom of their hearts.
And people discovered that besides Kahn, Leo was also coming in the same carriage as Adolf.
This made the cheers become even more enthusiastic.
When Leo followed Adolf to the auditorium, countless people took off their hats to salute him. Perhaps in this battle about conscription, Leo lost to the foreign nobles who had united, but in the hearts of the Lulians, Leo
Zhong Ke is a hero.
Unless the occasion was wrong, many people would want to say a few words of comfort to him.
On the contrary to the people, the displeasure accumulated by the foreign nobles on the viewing platform finally broke out with the appearance of Adolf and others.
This outburst made the atmosphere on the viewing platform as cold as an ice cave.
When Adolf led the Lulian lords and generals to the auditorium, except for a few people, most of them turned their faces away and pretended not to see it, let alone exchanged greetings.
And Adolf didn't seem to care much about this. Before sitting down, he just said with a smile: "I'm late."
Not even an apology.
This unabashed attitude immediately made many people feel deeply offended.
"I've heard for a long time that His Highness the Grand Duke is fair and kind, with a broad mind, and is strict with himself on weekdays. Even if it's just some trivial matters, his personal ethics are never lacking." Gilbert said in a neutral tone: "I didn't expect that the Grand Duke would also be late.
It will be a long wait if so many of us are left here."
There was silence on the auditorium, and everyone held their breath, waiting to hear Adolf's defense.