Chapter 193 [Temporary Regulations Twenty Years Ago]
Chapter 193 [Temporary Order Twenty Years Ago]
As a famous sin city on the mainland, the history of Big Ear City is not too long. Just more than 20 years ago, it was just a barren mountain. More than 20 years ago, after the Great War in the Northwest, the imperial army
, in order to consolidate the northwest border defense, many military fortresses were built in the northwest region.
However, as the empire's finances became tight, many military fortresses in the northwest lacked funds for repairs, and most of them were later abandoned. Because Emperor Augustine, after thinking that he had "conquered" the northwest, focused all his attention on the rich and vast areas.
Nanyang.
Most of these military fortresses in the northwest exist in name only.
Dal'er City is one of the exceptions.
More than 20 years ago, there was only one Big Ear Mountain here. This mountain is not big, but if you look down from the air, you will find that the outline of the mountain looks very much like a human ear. During the Northwest War, the Empire was built here
A military town was built as a transfer point for supplies in the northwest battlefield.
Later, after the war, it gradually evolved into a concentration camp where all criminals were sent to the northwest.
There are no civilians in the entire Big Er City. There are two thousand garrison troops stationed here, and more than 10,000 criminals are imprisoned all year round. What awaits these criminals is the heavy labor work of the northwest border fortress. Most of these people cannot survive the distribution.
During the service period, most of them will be under heavy labor, and they will die after a maximum of two years.
The cruelty of the empire's criminal law is evident.
Therefore, there is a rumor in the empire: It is better to be sentenced to death for rebellion than to go to Dalian City. Because if you rebel to death, you will die immediately at worst. And if you go to Dalian City, you will have to suffer for two more years and then
A tragic death.
Biedro is the back-of-hand commander of Big Ear City. However, his position as commander is somewhat special. From the perspective of the empire's military system, as a commander-in-chief, he can generally command a complete team. The establishment of the empire's army
, an infantry regiment consists of 4,000 men, and a cavalry regiment consists of 3,000 men. However, under the command of Biedero, he only has a "reduced infantry regiment" of 2,000 infantrymen, and they lack equipment all the year round, and cannot even assign each soldier to one.
To a complete set of armor and weapons. In fact, as a prison-like city, its soldiers do not need to go to the battlefield, they only need to lock up the prisoners.
Viedero got up very early today. He knew that a big shot would arrive today. This was an order from "above".
Biedro was very relieved about this. A total of four thousand people were escorted from the imperial capital a few days ago! From Biedro's perspective, he could certainly see that these four thousand people were not ordinary criminals...
They are all qualified soldiers, each of them is strong and well-trained. Although they have been disarmed, they are still a criminal group composed of four thousand soldiers...
Watching these four thousand people being sent into Big Er City, Biedro couldn't even sleep well these days... He only had two thousand soldiers under his command, and they lacked equipment. With two thousand people to guard tens of thousands of prisoners, it was already
It's very reluctant, not to mention the fact that there are four thousand more soldiers who have just taken off their armor, yes. They are rebels! And I heard they are also elite Royal Guards!
Such a group of people, both in terms of quantity and quality, is far superior to the local miscellaneous troops under his command... No, his men are not even a miscellaneous army. At most, they are just a group of armed jailers.
If these rebels rebelled... Biedero was not sure that he would be able to subdue them all.
Therefore, when the order came from above that someone would come to take these four thousand people away in the next two days, Biedro was really relieved.
However, after waiting all night yesterday, the expected guests did not arrive. Biedero also murmured in his heart: Could it be that the orders from the bosses above were sent wrongly?
From the bottom of his heart, Viedro hoped that these four thousand hot potatoes would get out of bed as soon as possible.
Finally, the morning sun jumped out of the clouds, and when the red morning glow shrouded the Big Er City, Biedero, who was standing at the top of the city, saw in the distance, on the horizon, a group of cavalry approaching here quickly.
come over.
Seeing the flag held by the visitor, Biedero suddenly started beating a drum in his heart... Oh my god, it's the Emperor of Thorns flag, it's actually the Royal Forest Army!!
Could it be that the person coming is the royal family?
Viedro did not dare to neglect, and quickly ordered people to open the city gate, and then personally led the team out of the city to greet him.
The Royal Guards cavalry group, which consisted of about three hundred people, galloped all the way to the city before stopping.
"Let your officers come out and speak!" At the head of the queue was a middle-aged knight with a Western face, a short beard, and a deep voice.
Biedro hurriedly took a few steps: "I am Biedro, the commander of Big Er City. Your Excellency, please state your identity."
"My name is Robert." The middle-aged knight said calmly: "Your Excellency, Commander of the Tulip Family's private army, Commander Biedro, please prepare to welcome the Duke!"
Duke?Tulip family?
Biedro searched carefully in his mind for a long time, and then he remembered that this seemed to be vaguely mentioned in recent rumors, a young grand duke who had just acquired a new land... Although several months had passed since the coup in the imperial capital, in this world
After all, there are no telephones, newspapers and the Internet, so news cannot be transmitted quickly, let alone this closed Big Er city?
However, the status of a Duke was definitely not something that someone like Edro could neglect. He quickly ordered the formation. After waiting at the foot of the city for a long time, he saw a carriage slowly coming behind him, escorted by dozens of Royal Guards cavalry.
drove over.
When Biedro saw the Duke walking out of the carriage, he was really surprised. This Duke... was simply an underage boy.
But this idea only flashed in Biedero's mind for a moment, and he quickly knelt down on one knee and saluted: "Sir, welcome to Big Ear City."
Du Wei frowned. The Big Ear City in front of him was too dilapidated. The main body of the city wall built against the mountain was relatively complete, and its height was in line with the empire's military system. However, it could be seen that it had not been repaired for many years.
, the stones have peeled off in many places, and in some places there are huge cracks on the city walls. The soldiers patrolling above all look listless.
He gently took off his gloves, fanned himself, and sighed: "Okay, Commander, I don't have much time. Now take me to see the person I want... This damn weather is really bad
It’s uncomfortable.”
As he said that, Du Wei had already walked into the city gate, and Biedro quickly followed him.
Walking into Big Er City, Du Wei discovered that the place was far more run-down than he had imagined. There were almost no decent streets in the city, and the streets on both sides seemed to be gray and low. Further inside, there was a circle of tall buildings.
A large three-meter wall.
"Where is the person I want?"
"Everyone is waiting on the school grounds." Biedro said cautiously: "Originally, I received the order and thought you would arrive last night. Those people have been waiting since last night..."
Du Wei slowed down a little and looked back at the tired-looking commander. He showed a peaceful smile: "Oh, I'm sorry, Commander. The road here is too difficult, so we missed the time."
How could Biedro dare to accept an apology from a duke? He quickly said he didn't dare. Then he took a few steps ahead and led Du Wei and his party through the gate under the wall to the school grounds.
The ground is completely paved with dirt and gravel, and when the wind passes, it will stir up a lot of dust. Du Wei sighed: "It seems that your funds are very tight."
Viedro immediately cried: "Isn't it? Sir... I have racked my brains about money. God, there are tens of thousands of people imprisoned here all year round, as well as my two thousand soldiers, but the supplies transported are...
I often delay. There are barren mountains around here. We can't let my people chew the sand. And the equipment..." As he spoke, he lowered his voice and said: "Sir, I am not complaining. To tell you the truth, I have two people under my command.
There are a thousand people, but we can only collect 800 sets of armor and equipment! Every year when my people patrol, they can only use them in turns. There are only 800 soldiers with weapons in their hands, but they have to guard more than 10,000 prisoners..."
Du Wei smiled, looked at the guy with a wry smile, and suddenly said: "You have been the commander here for many years, right?"
These words immediately stung Biedero... Indeed, this is a place where birds don't lay eggs. No one wants to come here to be a bullshit commander. Being a commander here is not as good as being a captain in other cities.
Life is comfortable! But Biedro, an unlucky man in the officialdom, has no backing and does not know how to be an official, but he has been nailed to Big Ear City like a nail for eight years. According to the empire's regulations
According to the military system, local officers should be rotated every three years, and promoted or demoted based on their assessment results. However, compared to Edro, he has not been able to move his butt for eight years here...
Seeing Viedro's grimace, Du Wei suddenly smiled and lowered his voice: "Do you know why you never get promoted?"
"...Please give me some advice!" Viedro's eyes shone.
"Because of what you just said to me and how hard you complained!" Du Wei smiled.
This guy complains at every turn and exposes his shortcomings to his superiors... Who would like it? In the military or in official circles, people are carried by sedan chairs. When superiors come, everyone will show off their most glamorous person.
Trying to show off your most beautiful side? In other words, this idiot will keep complaining.
Of course, such a guy cannot be tolerated in the official circles.
"If you want to be promoted, I'll teach you a way." Du Wei said with a smile: "Next time any boss comes here, you'd better ask your people to dress up in advance, and then clean up this place.
You have to be clean and beautiful, and no matter what difficulties you have, you have to pretend that everything is smooth and successful... Then, I guarantee that you will be promoted within two years."
After hearing this, Biedero felt deeply in his heart and couldn't help but be in a trance for a moment. When he came back to his senses, he found that Duwei had already walked away, so he quickly ran a few steps to catch up.
The school grounds of this concentration camp were larger than any military training ground. However, the ground was much worse. Even though he was wearing sturdy horse boots, Du Wei still felt uncomfortable under his feet.
Then, he saw the dark crowd in the square.
A total of four thousand people, all dressed in shabby prison uniforms, sat listlessly on the ground. Everyone's face was covered with dust. Their faces were indifferent, and their eyes were numb and empty.
Is this your future infantry regiment?
Du Wei frowned: "Why are they so lethargic?"
"This..." Biedro scratched his hair: "Sir, the news I received was that you would arrive last night, so I called them out last night and sat here all night. And
..." Biedero sighed: "Recently there has been a shortage of supplies and food. These prisoners can only eat one meal a day."
Du Wei became popular immediately!
One meal a day?
These people are our future soldiers!! How dare this damn guy let his soldiers starve?
But looking at Viedro's sad face, Du Wei couldn't get angry at him. It was obvious that the commander had nothing to do.
really……
"...Even my people can only eat two meals a day. Only officers can guarantee the supply of three meals a day." Biedero sighed: "If the supplies arrive ten days later, then even the officers
We have to reduce food rations."
Du Wei suddenly turned around and stared at Biedro carefully: "So nervous? The person in charge of your supplies is..."
"It's the Northwest Army." Biedero smiled bitterly: "Sir, this is the Northwest. According to the Empire's Northwest Theater Regulations 20 years ago, all supplies in the Northwest are uniformly handed over to the headquarters of the Northwest Army for distribution...
And the problem is..."
Having said this, Biedro hesitated for a moment, as if he didn't know whether to continue.
Du Wei saw this guy's hesitation. He said solemnly: "Say it, I don't blame you!"
Biedro was shocked that the Duke in front of him was the highest-ranking figure who had come here over the years. He had already responded to these issues countless times, but there had never been any news!
"Sir, the two thousand garrison in Dal'er City belongs to the Empire's local garrison, not the Northwest Army. However, in the northwest, all military supplies are distributed by the Northwest Army, so...
"
"So what?"
Biedro looked into Du Wei's eyes, and suddenly he had no idea where the courage came from. He gritted his teeth and said: "So, we people are just like stepmothers! We are the last to get the supplies every year, and we are the last to get them.
They are often deducted. And there is an infantry regiment stationed in a northwest army camp fifty miles away. They enjoy delicious food and drink every year... We here... you have also seen it."
Du Wei frowned and pondered for a while: "Why is this happening? According to the imperial decree, the supplies and supplies of the local garrison should be supported by the fiscal revenue of the local government. Why should the Northwest Army control this power in the northwest?"
"This..." Biedro smiled bitterly: "This temporary order was promulgated during the Northwest War more than 20 years ago. According to the war situation at that time, the northwest was classified as a war zone. This order is also reasonable. But the problem is,
Twenty years have passed since the war... This temporary order has not been cancelled. Those guys in the Northwest Army will only protect their shortcomings. The Northwest Army's own troops are well fed and clothed, but we local garrison troops... Hehe.
"
Du Wei's face was gloomy. He didn't expect that the situation in the northwest had become so serious!
Wartime doctrine?
If that decree has not been cancelled... then his own territory, Desa Province...
Every year, a portion of the fiscal revenue must be given to the Northwest Army??
Du Wei pondered for a while. This question could not be answered clearly now. He suppressed his inner thoughts and looked at the prisoners sitting quietly in the square.
"Find someone to push a cart, I want to speak." Duwei ordered Biedro.
Soon, a dilapidated bullock cart was pushed over and placed in the middle of the crowd. Du Wei jumped on the cart and took a deep breath:
"Attention everyone!!"
With a crash, he pulled off the cloak he was wearing, revealing a black magician's robe underneath!
Du Wei casually arranged a magic around him so that his voice could cover the entire audience from a distance.
The attention of the four thousand prisoners was all focused on Du Wei. This magician standing on the bullock cart... seemed so familiar.
"Hmph!" Du Wei sneered, with a majestic look on his face, and shouted loudly: "I believe that most of you will still remember me! Recognize me!!"
Someone started talking in low voices below. Thousands of pairs of eyes looked at Du Wei, with complex expressions in their eyes.
Yes, many people recognized Du Wei, because most of the people present had experienced what happened in the square on the day of the coup.
This young man wearing a black magician's robe left a very deep impression on everyone that day!
"Yes, I can tell from your eyes that you still remember me!" Du Wei sneered and said loudly: "Yes, I am Du Wei, the original Du Wei Luo Lin of the Luo Lin family, and now the empire
The Duke, Duwe-Rudolph, the Tulip Duke, is also a magician recognized by the Magic Guild, a court magician, a court scholar, and a court astrologer... And in the future, I will still be your master! Your commander!!
"
Du Wei finished saying this in one breath. He stood on top and carefully observed the expressions of the four thousand prisoners below. Seeing that their eyes had recovered from the hollow numbness little by little, he was very satisfied with the result.
, then he gathered his strength and shouted loudly:
"Everyone obeys the order! The First Infantry Regiment of the Second Division of the Royal Guards! Form up!!!"
Following Du Wei's loud shout, Robert Knight, who was ready next to him, had someone take out a horn.
The loud sound of the horn swept through the entire venue, with Du Weidi shouting: "All officers, stand up for me. I ask you to line up as quickly as possible! The officers will count your number and report it to you."
Sir, if you haven’t completed the parade yet after the bugle, then you’re going to be punished by military law!!”
boom!
The crowd was boiling. These soldiers wearing prisoner clothes. Their numb eyes revealed a trace of Biaohan who had been hidden for many days. Although they had been deprived of all freedom and glory, fortunately, they had deeply flowed into
The military instinct in their blood has not been completely lost.
Soon, the crowd surged like ants, and everyone stood up and began to line up according to their original formation.
When the trumpet sound ended, the four thousand prisoners in the square were no longer scattered in a pile. Instead, there were neat square formations!
Several square formations were lined up within the stipulated time. However, when the officers reported the results layer by layer, the report came to a standstill when it reached the highest level.
Because their highest commander is not here. The commander of this infantry regiment has been executed after the coup.
Several officers hesitated for a moment, but one of them was a little smarter. He looked at Du Wei who was standing on the bullock cart, strode towards Du Wei, then performed a chest-beating ceremony and loudly reported the results of the formation.
With this first one in mind, the other officers had no choice but to follow suit and report to Du Wei one by one.
Du Wei was very satisfied with the result, and looked at the officer who reported to him first with encouragement.
"Very good!" Du Wei coughed and cleared his throat: "I'm very pleased, because after four months, you still maintain the instinct of a soldier!"
"I know you are very tired and hungry now... You have been sitting here all night and you have been hungry all night. You are very uneasy and fearful! Because you were transferred here, Big Er City, with a transfer order!
The famous sin city on the mainland!" Du Wei said loudly: "I believe most of you must know the tragic fate that all those prisoners who come to Big'er City and the northwest will face!"
Having said this, Du Wei pointed at the people below and shouted loudly: "That's right! You are all prisoners now, waiting for punishment! You should be sent to the northwest desert to chew sand! Go build the city wall, and supervise the construction.
Use a whip to move rocks! Then you can only eat a little wild vegetable soup every day that is so thin that you can see the shadow of a person. I guarantee that in such a day, most of you will die in less than a year! There is no chance of surviving it.
Serve your sentence!”
Du Wei pointed to his nose: "If it weren't for me, your fate would be like that. If I didn't come here to save you guys!"