.
(Today's First Chapter)
Chapter 219 "Provocation"
Despite the cold wind repeatedly delaying the arrival of spring, spring has finally arrived.
After March, the entire Northwest region began to bustle with activity.
Hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of land stretched from the Nuling Province to the Northwest Corridor, Kilimanjaro Mountains to the North, and Loulan Lake to the South. Large groups of troops began to move out, heading to each predetermined drill location.
This was the annual Spring Drill for the entire army of the Roland Empire, according to the decree of the Roland Empire.
The Roland Empire was founded on military might. Thousands of years ago, Emperor Aragon rose to prominence with his amazing talent. He conquered the East, West, South, North, and South, South, North, East, West, South, North, South, North, and South. Ever since Emperor Aragon himself, he had set up such an iron law!
In order to ensure that the Empire's military would not become idle due to the long period of peace, the Empire's military would conduct a spring drill every spring.
And this kind of drill was strictly enforced in Aragon's era.
Although later generations, after the end of the Aragon Era, the Empire's military had been peaceful for too long and gradually abandoned this iron law. There was even a history of the Empire's military not conducting a drill for more than ten years. But later on, with the change of the current Augustine Dynasty, this iron law of Emperor Aragon was once again strictly enforced.
After all, the current Augustine Dynasty had been established for less than two hundred years. During this period, there were also some small scale wars that caused the Empire's military to be vigilant and not relax too much.
He especially wanted to thank the current Emperor, Augustine the Sixth. Although this guy was known as a tyrant who rejoiced in grandiose achievements, at least during his term of office, the Empire's military exercises were unprecedentedly focused on. Especially during the years of Augustine the 6th's reign, the Empire's military exercises were almost never interrupted.
Although Augustine VI had done a lot of ridiculous things during his reign, and this emperor could not be considered too wise, the war in the northwest was futile and a waste of the country's strength, and the expedition to the Southeast Sea had more advantages than gains.
But it was undeniable that, thanks to the existence of this Emperor, the Empire's military's current average strength could be said to be the best in the last hundred years of the Roland Empire.
•
As the spring breeze rose, the army set out.
In terms of the division of the war zone, the two provinces naturally belonged to the Northwest Legion. Although the Northwestern Army had been secretly fighting against the Central Palace, they had never neglected the annual spring drill.
Moreover, this annual spring drill was a chance for the Northwestern Legion to display their strength and intimidate the central government of the Empire. They could use this as a political bargaining chip. Hence, every spring drill, the Northwest Army would spare no effort in carrying it out. They would gather the strongest troops that had undergone strict training and would flaunt their prowess in the Northwest Territory.
Of course, at the same time, he didn't forget to be vigilant of every movement in the imperial capital.
What was worth pondering over was that every year during the spring drill, the Empire's central government would pay special attention to the northwest region!
The mobilization of two hundred thousand soldiers, and two hundred thousand soldiers that didn't listen to their command, how could the central government not be nervous?!
Every spring, the Empire's Royal City Defense Legion would mobilize tens of thousands of elite troops all the way to the West and station themselves at the upper reaches of the Lancang Canal. They would be on high alert to prevent the Northwest Legion from rebelling and doing something really treacherous.
It was the same for the Northwestern Legion. Every year during their drill, the two most elite cavalry divisions under the Northwestern Legion would march all the way to the eastern border of the Nuling Province. Nominally, it was a normal long distance training. In reality, it was also a vigilant confrontation with the Imperial City Defense Legion in the center to prevent the Empire from taking the opportunity to mobilize troops into the Northwestern Legion.
•
For the Northwestern Army, the annual spring drill was a bit worrying since they had to be on guard against the imperial city's defense corps. But these years, the Central Palace has been powerless to take care of the Northwest. They also didn't have the courage to fight a civil war to completely eradicate the Northwest's internal problems.
Over the years, the pro-war faction and the pro-peace faction have been arguing and quarreling for a long time. The tough pro-war faction is often the Empire's newly promoted young generals. They advocate using force to take over the Northwest's sovereignty and completely solve the Northwest Legion's warlord status quo.
While the pro-peace faction may be hateful, but they aren't as spineless as one would imagine. On the contrary, these people aren't wholeheartedly selfish. Most of them are genuinely concerned about the Empire. Every time they quarrel with the pro-war faction, they would come up with a bunch of analysis on the Empire's finances and national strength. Speaking of reality, the Empire's national strength is on the decline. It's impossible for them to fight a civil war. If they force a civil war, even if they win, the Empire's national strength will be greatly damaged! Based on the analysis of the terrible consequences that would follow, there could be two possible scenarios:
First, the Empire barely manages to take over the Northwest and deal with the Northwest Legion. But the prairie tribes will take advantage of the situation. Think about it, without the Northwest Legion guarding the Northwest, the Empire's military strength will be greatly damaged after the civil war. Where would they find enough troops to deal with the hundreds of thousands of elite cavalry?
Second, even if the Northwest tribes don't take advantage of the situation ….. Then imagine, if the Empire wants to fight a civil war, where would they find enough troops to deal with the Northwest Legion? The closest to the Northwest, the best choice would naturally be the Royal City Defense Legion. The capital's personal defense legion is the most glorious "Thorned Flower Legion" of Emperor Aragon's founding era. In terms of equipment, combat power, and military prowess, they can go head to head with the Northwestern Legion ….. But the problem is, even if the Northwestern Legion is dealt with, the capital's personal defense legion will suffer too much damage ….. If the Empire's direct military force is too weak ….. then there's no guarantee that the Northern Legion and Southern Legion in the Frozen Forest, or the other powerful nobles in the Empire won't have a change of heart!
Political power grows under the barrel of a gun. Although the Roland Continent is a different world, but the people here also understand this principle.
If civil war leads to a situation where the Empire is weak and the local forces are strong ….. Then once the chaos starts, it won't be easy to calm it down.
It's because of this reason that the Empire tolerates and appeases the Northwest Legion year after year. This makes it impossible for the Northwest Legion to grow stronger.
And for the Northwest Legion, this annual spring drill also has a huge benefit:
Money! Food!
•
The Empire's iron law states that the annual spring drill will be directly provided by the Empire's military. Weapons, horses, and provisions will all be provided by the local government while the Empire's military will compensate the local government in the form of financial allocations.
In the Northwest, such a situation was even more advantageous for the Northwestern Army. Originally, the Northwestern Army had the right to intervene in local government affairs due to the damned wartime regulations from more than 20 years ago. But every year during the spring drill, the local government must also pay an extra sum of money for the military, especially the provisions. The Northwest Legion used the drill as an excuse to send out many troops to the Northwest and Northwest provinces for training. Every time they passed by a place, they would directly ask the local government for money and provisions. If you don't give them, then it's a violation of the Empire's military order.
Governor Bohan has been in the Northwest for many years, so he's already had a headache over this situation. But this guy also came up with a way to deal with it. Every year two months before the spring drill, he would order all the local warehouses to be emptied, leaving only a small amount of provisions. This is to prevent the locusts from crossing the border during the Northwest Legion's drill and not even a blade of grass can survive.
Over the years, one robbed and the other hid. Every year, the Northwest Legion would put on a good show of hide-and-seek.
But this year, Du Wei broke this rule!
•
At noon, the sun rose to the top of the head. Under the blue sky and white clouds, Loulan City, this city of miracles, was already on high alert.
Since yesterday, the Duke had issued an order to restrict entry and exit. Especially today, the gates were closed and no one was allowed to leave the city. Even the caravans that came from the south and the North King, who had heard the news early on, chose to take a detour around Loulan City. Instead, they went to the small villages near Loulan Lake to replenish their water and food before continuing on their journey.
Those who didn't want to take a detour also temporarily ran to the villages near Loulan City.
When a dark shadow gradually appeared on the horizon, the dense sound of iron hooves was like a thunderclap on a sunny day, smashing into the hearts of the soldiers!
The Northwest Wasteland is a flat terrain, perfect for cavalry to charge. At this moment, a dark line appeared on the horizon. Like a wave, like a storm, like a dark cloud. Looking at it from afar, one could only see a dark mass of cavalry galloping at full speed. Their hooves thundered like thunder, filling the sky with dust!
Standing on top of the city walls, some of the experienced soldiers were able to discern the situation of the enemy just by looking at the dust.
Such a large group of cavalry, there were at least twenty thousand of them. Moreover, as they galloped, their formation was not disorderly. Instead, they were in a formation of flying geese, displaying an undisguised attacking stance as they charged towards Loulan City!
The dust that filled the sky almost covered the entire sky.
Most of the soldiers standing on top of Loulan City's walls were the elite soldiers Du Wei had subdued back then. These elite guards of the imperial capital couldn't help but change their expressions when they saw the cavalry galloping towards them!
Like a whirlwind sweeping through the clouds!
In the blink of an eye, the large group of cavalrymen had already arrived at the foot of the city. With a sound of the horn, the cavalrymen immediately changed their formation and stopped about a mile away from the city. However, it was a black mass.
The cavalry on the horses were all wearing the standard armor of the empire's Northwest Army. However, everyone's armor was painted with the unique symbol of the Northwest Army in black ink.
Judging from the banners, these twenty thousand cavalrymen were a complete cavalry division. What made the soldiers on top of Loulan City angry was that even though they stopped at the city walls, they were brazenly assuming an offensive posture!
The Northwest Army's formation didn't stop blowing the horn. Soon after, the banners rolled and a few thousand soldiers split off from the two sides and ran in a circle. They were clearly following the battle formation and surrounding the city!
Someone had already sent a report to the Duke's mansion. After hearing the report, Du Wei didn't say anything. He only lightly said: "Understood."
In fact, Du Wei's anger was also forcefully suppressed.
Three days ago, the Northwest Army sent someone to inform Du Wei: For this year's spring drill, the Northwest Army has decided to choose the lakeside area outside Loulan City for the drill. When this decision was sent to Du Wei, the other side announced that the army had already set out and would arrive in three days!
Such a move almost made Du Wei turn hostile on the spot, but he forced himself to endure it.
Why?
Arrive in three days?
In other words, when the other side's messenger came to report, the army had already set out!
This so-called messenger is just a cover! The army has already set out and they're just pretending to tell you! You have to agree whether you want to or not!!
After hearing the report, Du Wei immediately ordered a change of clothes and went out. Hesitating for a moment, Du Wei didn't wear any noble robes or magician robes. Instead, he chose a set of armor. This set of armor was also made by Du Wei in the capital. In terms of design, it's not inferior to Ruo Lin's set, but the effect has also been improved.
Du Wei originally had a slender figure. Due to his weak body when he was young, his body improved greatly after practicing Star Dou Qi. After a year in the Northwest, he gradually became taller. Although there's still a trace of youthfulness on his face, it's also due to the limitations of his age. However, the majesty he exudes is getting stronger and stronger day by day.
At this moment, he was wearing this specially made armor. At first glance, he looked really valiant. His every movement has a bit of a young general's aura.
Under Du Wei's command, all of his guards and Elder Smoke immediately left the Duke's mansion for the city gate.
(I'll post the next chapter later, I'm writing it now. It won't take long.)
.
If you want to know what happens next, please go to www.qidian.com. There are more chapters, support the author, support the original reading!)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
