In addition to improving the firepower of the heavy machine gun, Roland also planned to develop a bolt rifle as a supplement for mid-range and long-range accurate shooting. He did not need to produce too many, just about 100. The caliber was the same as that of the heavy machine gun, and with a scope, it was a simple sniper rifle.
In this way, the production of revolving guns and black powder bullets could also be maintained without too much wastage.
During the battle, the field artillery would be responsible for suppressing the enemies within 1,000 to 800 meters, and the heavy machine gun would be the best target from 800 to 500 meters. The enemies within 500 meters would be targeted by the snipers, and the last 200 meters would be cleared by the revolving guns. In theory, there would be no break in the attack.
Of course, it would take three to four months to fully implement this configuration, and it might not be in time for the spring offensive. Therefore, he needed another piece of equipment to make up for the lack of offensive firepower — the river gunboat equipped with 152mm long-barreled guns. As long as he had one, he would be able to put great pressure on the enemy when he took the initiative to attack.
At the thought of the City-building Ceremony to be held after the Months of Demons, the unification of the entire Western Region, the removal of Timothy from the throne, and the acceptance of the new population, Roland felt that the task on his shoulders was getting heavier and heavier. He even hoped that time would pass more slowly and the Months of Demons would not end so soon.
*
After entering the Western Region, the surrounding scenery became different.
Otto Luoxi lifted the wooden plank of the window and looked out. All he saw was a vast expanse of whiteness. The sky was covered with dense snowflakes, which drifted and swirled in the cold wind and finally merged into the whiteness.
It seemed that the snow would never stop. During the two-day voyage, he saw nothing else. Everything here was covered with snow, including mud, rocks, and trees. If it were not for the constant shaking of the ship, he would not have felt that he was moving forward at all.
"Close the window," the captain said grumpily. "If you really want to see, you can go to the deck. No one will stop you."
"Has it always been like this here?" He closed the plank indifferently.
"Of course. Do you think I'm bluffing?" The captain took a sip from the flagon. "Every year during the Months of Demons, the Western Region will be closed by heavy snow. There's no other way to get there except by the Redwater River. There are no more than ten people in King's City who are willing to brave the damned weather to take this route and still have a ship in their hands. "He hiccupped." So five Golden Dragon is a very reasonable price, understand? "
"It's a little expensive, but I didn't bargain when I paid," Otto said with a smile.
"That's a good answer," the captain said as he tossed the flask over. "It's warm. Drink a few mouthfuls. It'll drive away the cold." He wiped his mouth and said, "There was a businessman like this in the past. He wanted to get to the Western Region earlier than anyone else to buy goods, but he was reluctant to pay the extra fare. In the end, he found a group of rats in Black Street to send him there. What was the result? The two or three mercenaries we brought with us were completely useless. They were all fed to the fish. "
"That's … really unfortunate." Otto did not pull out the cork and pour the wine into his mouth. Instead, he took off his gloves and held it in his hands. He was not used to sharing the same vessel with others.
"You get what you pay for. It's the same everywhere. There are always people who think they can take advantage of others. He didn't think that if the rats could steadily deliver goods at such a low price, wouldn't our shipping company be disbanded? "The captain curled his lips." By the way, what business do you want to do in the Western Region? Don't blame me for not reminding you. This damn place used to produce some jewelry and furs, but now you can't buy anything. "
"Oh?" Otto pretended to be curious. "As far as I know, don't they make a living from this? Are the people in the Western Region all robbers now? "
"That's all old news." The captain put his pipe near the charcoal brazier and took a deep breath. "Since Prince Roland took over Border Town, the Western Region has become strange. You know, both furs and jewelry are produced in that town. No one knows what he's doing in his territory. The whole business is almost only in and out. Longsong Stronghold still sells jewelry, but the nobles have their own fixed channels. You can't get involved. "
"Only in and out?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes. Although you can't buy local products, the merchants who sell their goods are still doing well. Whether it's food, clothes, cloth, or sundries, they can basically sell everything. I don't know where Prince Roland got so many Golden Dragon." The captain blew out a ring of smoke. "So you're probably going to return empty-handed."
Otto pretended to be worried about his personal gains and losses, and didn't answer. In fact, he didn't care whether he would return empty-handed or not. The real purpose of this trip was to meet with the Lord of Border Town. Because of Roland Wimbledon's identity as a rebel king, he could not go as an emissary with great fanfare. He had to disguise himself as a merchant and go to the border.
Before he set off, he had carefully inquired about the destination.
As its name suggested, it was an insignificant border town in a neighboring country. It was originally built to monitor the invasion of demonic beasts and later changed into a permanent residence. It was reasonable to say that when a prince was enfeoffed to such a place, he was extremely disliked by the king and left to fend for himself. Judging from Prince Roland's reputation, it was very consistent.
But the problem was that he not only gained a firm foothold in the Western Region, but also posed a great threat to the new king. This was what Otto found most difficult to understand. If Prince Roland really had such ability, how could he have left such an unbearable comment and been kicked to a remote place by the king?
According to the intelligence, the rise of Roland Wimbledon was incredible.
A year ago, he was enfeoffed to Border Town. In fact, it was more like a kind of exile. He did not have any ministers accompanying him, nor did he have his own guards. Even the knights by his side were sent by the king. With such a thin team, it was difficult to subdue the local nobles, let alone implement his own policies. This enfeoffment was also discussed as a joke by most people.
However, only six months later, Prince Roland defeated the invasion of the Duke Ryan, sent troops to capture Longsong Stronghold, and became the real ruler of the Western Region. There were various rumors about this battle. Some people said that the Duke died in an internal rebellion, while others said that he died because his horse lost its footing, which led to the loss of the Knight Regiment to a group of miners.
After that, Roland firmly sat on the position of Guardian of the Western Region. The war caused by the Order for the Selection of the Crown Prince became more and more intense. Prince Gerald and Princess Garcia died one after another, and Princess Tilly was missing. The cities of the Southern and Eastern Region were destroyed in the continuous war, and only the Western Region was safe.
This was not because of Timothy's mercy, but because the troops sent by the new king had repeatedly disappeared. Otto was very curious about this. What had Roland done to cultivate such fierce soldiers?
"Boss, Border Town is just ahead." The sailor opened the cabin door and said, "We're almost there."
"Oh, finally!" The captain tapped his pipe. "Lower the sails and raise the flag. Tell the dock we're coming! After we get ashore, I have to find a tavern to have a few drinks. "He looked at Otto and said," Hey, don't forget your luggage. We'll meet in two days. If you don't arrive on time, I won't wait for you. "
Otto shrugged to show that he had no objection.
Among all the news about Prince Roland, there was one particular rumor that he was particularly concerned about. It was that Roland had turned to the demons and was secretly recruiting witches. This was the real reason why he could quickly defeat the Duke and occupy the entire Western Region. The burning of the stronghold church, the killing of the chief priest, and the expulsion of the believers were all evidence of this.
In fact, this rumor was also the reason why he made up his mind to come here.
He did not care whether Roland had made a deal with the demons or recruited witches. He only cared that Roland had a grudge against the church.
In this regard, Roland was more to the Kingdom of Dawn's liking than Timothy.
With a violent shake of the cabin, the sailboat docked.
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