Around the first year of the Magical Calendar, it was the most stormy period in the entire world. During this period, all kinds of shocking news continued to come.
If there was a period of peace in the past few years, it was between Magical Calendar Year 2 and Magical Calendar Year 4.
——"Amy Empire Xilin City. City Chronicle"
Chapter 19 Collecting Protection Fees
The entire Eminol continent is surrounded by the Ocean of Mirrors. As the name suggests, except for the coast of the Holy Snow Mountain in the south and the coast of the Messis Mountains in the north due to the harsh mountain winds and strong waves, the coasts of other areas of the Eminol continent are calm.
.
In the west of the Amy Empire, there is no mainland, not even larger islands. Therefore, although there are some semicircular bays and even natural harbors in the west, no military harbors have been established in this area.
The core reason for this situation is that at the end of the Red Moon Calendar and the beginning of the Magic Calendar, there were no established fleets in each continent or country, and there was not even a direct management department specifically set up for the fleet, although each country also established a number of fleets.
There were very few military ports and some troops that used ships as their main tools. However, considering the scale of ships and the main direction of military defense at that time, those troops that used ships as their main tools could only become coastal rescue forces.
As for merchants, the continental highways are intertwined like a spider web throughout the entire Eminol continent. Almost every larger town is covered by this spider web, although the number of goods transported through the road network cannot be compared to the sea.
The ship is so big, but its speed and safety far exceed that of ocean transportation. This situation is also one of the reasons why there is not even a single seaport on the western coastline of the Amy Empire. Without seaports, there must be no big cities, or to be more precise
Said, even some big towns can't be found.
The Amy Empire and the Hughes Empire are naturally divided based on the Lion River. At the mouth of the Lion River, there is an island formed by the alluvial flow of the Lion River. As far as alluvial islands are concerned, this island is quite large. In the early days, this island
There were no residents on the island, but a large number of dense mangroves grew there, and it was located on the west side of the mainland, so the island was called Xilin Island. Later, residents gradually formed on the island and villages were formed, which was also called Xilin Village. Of course,
, this is just one of a series of small villages on the west coast of the Amy Empire, like stars. Later, a large number of fish schools were discovered in the outer sea, and the size of the villages gradually expanded. In order to maintain public security and prevent small groups of island intrusions
, the empire sent troops, and the village was officially upgraded to Xilin Town.
Judging from the size of the town, there are only about 3,000 people in Xilin Town, which is pitifully small compared with most towns in the mainland. In terms of garrison troops, it is also pitiful compared with regular border guards. The Imperial Army
The headquarters may have too much faith in the 4,000-meter-wide Lion River. The garrison strength along the Lion River is inherently poor compared with the garrison strength at other border junctions. The garrison general responsible for defending the Lion River, Phantom Beast Knight Fan Zijue, has more reason to believe
, Xilin Island, located at the mouth of the sea, is more than 6,000 meters away from the Hughes Empire. There is no need to dispatch a large number of regular troops here. If it were not for the pressure from the Imperial Army Headquarters, he would not have a basic swordsman battalion of 200 people.
Don't want to dispatch.
Although he can ignore the existence of this island, he even complains every time he holds a war zone meeting - saying that the military investment in this small village is too much without reasonable returns, and the Imperial Army headquarters does not pay more, and it has become his defense zone.
of black holes.
However, if one day, a few people blatantly come to take over this island from him, there is no doubt that this will not be accepted by him under any circumstances.
In the autumn of Year 3 of the Magical Calendar, there were only a few people sitting in the meeting hall of Fan Zijue's General Mansion.
Sitting on a high-backed chair in the middle of the hall, Fan Zijue held up a letter from the Imperial Army Headquarters and read it over and over. His eyes looked through the upper part of the letter and secretly glanced at the young people standing below.
, silently savoring the flavor of the letter:
Amy Empire Lion River Border Army General Fan:
It is reported that the establishment of troops in Xilin Town, the defense area, has led to an increase in military expenditures in the Shizi River Defense Area, and the Imperial Army Headquarters has been unable to solve the problem.
The current leader of the small mercenary group, Your Excellency Amy, is willing to take on the security work of the town and is willing to bear the military expenses of the 200-person swordsman battalion already stationed in the town. After verification by the headquarters, the small mercenary group does have this strength.
.
According to the regulations of the imperial mercenary regiment for assisting defense, the headquarters confirmed that from now on, the garrison in Xilin Town will be handed over to the small mercenary regiment, and the regiment will have 50% of the local taxes collected as garrison expenses; during the garrison period, it will belong to the Shizi River Border Defense Army Zone.
Marshal of the Amy Imperial Army Headquarters, Duke Fan Datong
As we all know, the empire collects tithes from the domestic people based on their numbers, 50% of which is given directly to the local military and political governors for investment in local military and government affairs. In the past three years, since the establishment of the army in Xilin, especially the addition of
The Swordsman Battalion has the least investment among all military services, both in terms of military salaries and soldiers' weapons and equipment. Although they complain every time that they cannot get more military expenditures due to the increase in personnel, this does not affect Fan Zijue and his cronies.
The bureaucrats have some extra income from Xilin.
Now someone wants to take over, which Fan Zijue definitely doesn't want to accept.
Looking at the young people in front of him through the upper part of the letter again, Fan Zijue speculated that if he didn't give it to them, would they have the strength to pose a threat to him? It didn't seem like it. There were only 8 young people in front of him, all ages.
Very small, probably less than 20 years old.
The leader was a young man who seemed to be born into a noble family, but that was just like that. In the brief conversation just now, Fan Viscount had already learned his name: Amy Haber. According to Fan Viscount’s impression, in
Among the families of earls and above in the empire, there is no family like Haber. Maybe he is a book boy from a noble family? This young man is dressed in white clothes, with the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, always showing a kind smile, showing
He was a bit weak, and he carried a two-handed sword on his back that didn't match his body shape. If it were made of metal, it would probably weigh more than 20 pounds. It didn't look like it could be used by a young man. Maybe it wasn't made of metal. Besides,
Even if it is made of metal, it doesn't matter. This sword has already shown that his status is low. No noble in the empire will use a two-handed sword. Two-handed swords cannot be used on mounts. This will affect the nobles' status as a knight.
Pursue.
However, this signed seal is very interesting. Although every official letter comes, it is signed by Marshal Fan Datong, but this time the seal is not the same as before. It does not have the Marshal emblem. It can't be fake, right? Should you put it first?
Are they imprisoned? Fan Zijue rejected his idea. The defense line does not need to be handed over, but it is always not good to offend people who have no chance, and these people may be really powerful.
"Mr. Amy, I am very happy to see that you are willing to participate in the joint prevention work in this field. However, I am located in a remote area, so I don't know much about the outside world and I know almost nothing about you. Can you introduce yourself first?"
"Ha, General." The young man in white smiled and nodded: "I am just a young mercenary. I have just been in Taoism for two years. I really can't say that I have anything to introduce."
"Mr. Amy, recently large groups of pirates have been discovered near Xilin Island. For this reason, I have proposed to the military department to add a new coastal defense force. For this reason, I suggest you go back to the military headquarters to reconfirm your opinion.
What?" Since he is just a small mercenary, there is nothing to be polite about.
"Okay, see you later, General." The boy in white didn't seem to reject the request at all. After nodding with a smile, he led the seven boys behind him, who were only 15 or 16 years old, and turned around and walked out of the hall.
"Brother Amy...oh...you said it wrong again, Captain Amy, are we leaving like this? That general just now seems to be..." After walking out of the general's mansion, a boy behind him quickly asked Amy.
"Haha, let's call him eldest brother. I said, unless it's in official circles, there's no need to be so polite. We are all family friends." Amy interrupted the boy's words and said calmly, "Let's go back to the imperial capital and cultivate for a while.
, I think someone might come to invite us back next time.”
Fan Zijue, who was feeling complacent about his outstanding performance and thus gaining more benefits for himself, would certainly not know that he had made a huge mistake.
Going back in time to the spring of Year 3 of the Magical Calendar, Earl Chi used a series of amazing and superb methods, using reason, emotion, and inducement to gain control of his 7 captains and 25 squadron leaders.
In fact, it's not all smooth sailing.
There are three captains from well-known families who are extremely uncooperative. The main reason is not that they don't like money. Why can a colleague who is also the captain of the empire be directly promoted to his immediate superior, bypassing the position of general and other positions? Such kind of
Due to psychological troubles, his cooperative attitude has always been poor. Of course, only under this difficulty can Earl Chi's superb methods and extensive communication be shown.
After learning that these three captains respectively liked money, sex, and military exploits, Count Chi, under the banner of His Majesty the King and Minister of Military Affairs Duke Chi, communicated carefully with the Imperial Army headquarters. As a result, three different banquets were held.
The first person to be invited was a warrior-type captain who was known for opening up new territories and protecting his country. "With his talent, he is 10 times better than his younger brother. But at present, he only has the position of captain. Talent is not enough. It is really not possible."
Get a good soil. Those who are generals cannot be promoted without martial arts. However, coming from Gyeonggi, the mediocre bureaucrats they face are no more than pearls buried in dung." Earl Chi then began to show his own experience. He himself was originally a
Why would a very ordinary person be promoted to general? The key is that he has fought in the Imperial Border Guard. In recent years, there have been basically no wars in other regions. Therefore, when promoting officers, only those from the Northern Federation can be promoted. It is really difficult.
Ashamed. Of course, Earl Chi will not show the slightest expression of shame on his face: "I privately believe that with my brother's talents, if he goes to the frontiers, especially the northern frontiers where there are often minor frictions, then the positions of general, general, etc. will be just around the corner."
, even the marshal's staff is not far from my brother. If my brother is willing, I am willing to guarantee my life to the military so that my talents can be developed..." Regardless of whether this captain's military talents can compete with the imperial border guards.
Compared with Shi, judging from the wit, he is far from the same level. Earl Chi easily kicked away a pebble in front of him.
The second banquet invited the money-loving captain, who started with a complaint: "Oh, it's not easy to live in the capital. Although you are a count, there are too many officials in the capital who are higher than the general. When I see a little
Even junior viscounts may need to dismount and salute, and all supervisory departments are in the capital. I served as a captain in the Imperial Border Guards for more than four years, during which time I made a fortune of 400,000. But here, after taking office for three months, not only did I not get any money,
Instead, I paid 30,000 yuan. I really miss the days when the emperor was far away." Earl Chi would definitely not say that his huge wealth of 400,000 yuan came from the poor princes and ministers of the Hami Empire. After careful observation, he found that
After the greedy captain also showed his envy, Earl Chi slightly modified what he said at yesterday's banquet: "I privately think that with my talent, if I go to a certain place, I can imagine the scene of rolling wealth. If I am willing, then
I am willing to pledge my life to the military so that my talents can be developed..." Of course, as for Earl Chi himself, he has already figured out a plan on how to make a fortune in the imperial capital, and he will not leak it to a subordinate who always dislikes him.
Compared with men who love money and career, lustful men are undoubtedly the best to communicate with. This time, even skipping meals and just two cups of tea, Earl Chi got straight to the point: "Recently, the four countries in the middle of the empire that are rich in beauties have
There is a shortage of a captain in the heavy area, so I recommended you to the military department. In the past few years, the armaments in the fourth level area have been slack, and some low-level imperial officers often used the guise of being family members of officers to defraud local ignorant, beautiful and innocent girls.
, and even one person married as many as 15 wives." At this point, Earl Chi slammed the table: "This time, I strongly request the military department to consider asking me to go to maintain local security. I think it is not my talent to be as good as Pan.
An Zhimeng cannot rectify the local military discipline. I ask my brother to strictly investigate and deal with it after arriving there to maintain the good image of our soldiers." These heartfelt words have moved the lustful captain to tears, his face turned peach blossom, and he held his hands
Earl Chi's lovely hands whispered: "My parents gave birth to me, and the Earl knows me. If I need my little brother in the future, I will be willing to go through fire and water with just a note." That night, the captain left the Earl's Mansion.
Instead of returning home, he rushed directly to his new post to rectify military discipline.