PS: Happy Birthday.
"Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle!" Raymond was the first to rush forward. This Old Guard officer stood in front of Laing and Suria. He reloaded his musket, then loudly ordered the Old Guard to get into formation. These battle-hardened elites lined up in two rows. The battalion commander shouted at Laing, "I beg you, Your Majesty, and Madam, please wait here. Let me talk to these fellows!"
"Talk? Raymond, are you going to talk with weapons like this? "Laing looked at Raymond and smirked. He shook his head and ordered," Soldiers, put away your weapons! "
The loyal Old Guard immediately obeyed. They put away their weapons and stood in two rows, not saying a word. Even in the face of an army of two to three thousand, these veterans' expressions did not change.
Even in the face of three thousand enemies, even in the face of an army of knights, even if they knew that they would not receive any reinforcements, as Laing's most loyal soldiers, every Old Guard was born in a humble place and had experienced hundreds of battles.
"Your Majesty, I promise you that you will never see our backs defeated."
— Sergeant Major of the Old Guard, a veteran veteran, and a legendary warrior who had served Laing for 23 years.
"F * ck, a bunch of traitors, son of the b * tch …" Raymond felt very wronged. This battalion commander had already loaded his handgun, but now he couldn't pick it up, nor could he put it down. Furthermore, Leon had ordered for the weapons to be put away. Raymond stood in place for a long time, and in the end, could only lower his head and curse silently.
"What are you talking about?" Laing asked with a smile.
"No … nothing." Raymond suddenly realized that the three women beside Laing were looking at him. He quickly shook his head in embarrassment.
Suria maintained her elegant demeanor as though she didn't understand what Raymond was saying at all. Meanwhile, Sylvia, who stood behind her, glared at Raymond as though she would instinctively object and be displeased if she heard those words.
Only Olica seemed to find it very interesting. Her amber eyes rolled around as if she was thinking about something new.
"I recognize their flag. It's yellow with a white cross and a blue sea monster. It's Count Clement's army. The commander is Sir Baldwin and the deputy is Sir Reynold." Suria held Laing's hand and said seriously, "It seems like the old Count Clement is very wary of us. He even mobilized his entire army."
"The Duchy of Le-Angoulan and the Duchy of Connet have always been the strongholds of the conservative faction." Laing remained calm, but the Knight King knew that the scene in front of him had exceeded his expectations. He had thought that they would only encounter resistance of this scale when they approached Le-Angoulan.
But when he thought of the saying, "My vassal's vassal is not my vassal", Laing felt relieved. That's right, the old Count Clement wasn't his vassal. Why would he listen to his orders and open up a path to Le-Angoulan?
The advantages of the feudal system had been mentioned many times before. What about the disadvantages?
It was very simple. There were three main reasons. The first was that the administrative efficiency was so low that it made one's hair stand on end. The second was that the financial ability and mobilization ability were garbage. The third was that as time passed, the independence and separatism became more and more serious.
Therefore, Laing had to take a lot of power from the hands of these feudal nobles. No matter how annoying and problematic the bureaucratic system was, it was undoubtedly much more advanced than the feudal system.
However, there was a prerequisite to implementing the bureaucratic system, and that was to have a well-trained bureaucratic team. These bureaucrats had to be literate and well-trained in administration. This was very difficult when Laing had just arrived in the Knight King. As everyone knew, there were only three factions that could be literate and well-trained in administration: the nobles, the Church, and the wizards.
Training a group of such people wasn't something that could be done in a day or two.
Therefore, to put it simply, it was easier to replace the nobles with bureaucrats when productivity and education increased. However, this was a pain in the ass step that couldn't be taken. The external military pressure was too great, and there had to be enough military power and resources. Therefore, the nobles were always the main characters. The Knight King was like this, the Empire on the other side of the mountain was like this, and even the Human Empire was like this. The best choice was to turn the nobles into bureaucrats.
The Knight King, Laing, narrowed his eyes and looked at the army of Count Clement that was surrounding him from both sides. The king raised his hand and motioned for the Old Guard to wait in place. He motioned for Suria and Olica to stop. He motioned for everyone to stop as well.
He was going to test whether everything he had done for the old world, for humanity, for order, and for the Knight King's Kingdom was worth it. He was going to test his prestige. If this was a test, then it was time for Laing to show his results.
Under everyone's gaze, the Knight King walked alone towards more than twenty rows of infantry, two squads of knights, five squads of squires, sixteen cannons, and three mobile catapults. Under everyone's gaze, Laing's expression was solemn and his steps were firm.
Dressed in a golden lion king's robe with alternating red and blue stripes, Leon didn't wear a crown and had a white cloak with a golden cup on his back. He walked step by step toward the army of over three thousand people without any hesitation.
Not far away, Sir Baldwin, who was holding his sword, noticed that the soldiers were shaking. Their formation became a little messy, and many soldiers couldn't help but want to retreat. Even more soldiers and knights lowered their heads, not daring to look directly into the eyes of the Knight King.
Those eyes emitted lightning and flames of judgment and interrogation.
Before Baldwin could give the order, the knights under his command had already begun to roar. After all, they were the backbone of the old Count Clement's knights, and Baldwin was only the appointed commander. They drew their swords and raised their lances, "Soldiers! Listen to my orders! Advance, raise your weapons, and expel these people from our land! If there is any resistance, kill without mercy! "
"Advance!" The knights' voices spread far and wide across the plains.
However, the entire army seemed to be under a spell. All the soldiers looked at the slowly approaching Knight King and Laing. Not a single one of them moved. Everyone looked at each other, their faces full of doubt.
Some of the veterans even put down their weapons and looked at the knights who were giving the orders angrily.
"Those who don't listen to orders will face the most severe trial. They will be hanged in the name of treason!" The knights under the old Count Clement shouted, "You lowly dogs! You will pay the price for your cowardice! "
The army still didn't move. The serfs, free soldiers, and the cannoneers brought in from the Empire all refused to carry out the orders of the knights. Even the squires turned a blind eye to the orders of the knights.
Similarly, the Old Guard and the free soldiers, including Baron Otero's personal guards, didn't move either.
Between heaven and earth, there was only Laing and Suria behind him, as well as the sound of water from the waterwheel not far away.
Everything was frozen like mud that couldn't be melted, making one's heart clench tightly. Sylvia couldn't help but purse her lips and stare at Laing's back with Olica.
Suria, who was half a step behind Laing, also couldn't help but show a stern expression.
You can do it, Laing, my husband, you can definitely do it.
No matter what the place is, I, Suria, will face it with you, because we are husband and wife!
Suria reached out and grabbed Laing's large hand, which was already covered in sweat.
One step after another, Laing walked into the range of the cannons, the muskets, and even the serf archers. The Knight King looked at the rows of soldiers, the sweat on their faces, and the hesitation on their faces.
They were subjects, and their bodies were attached to the nobles.
They ate the Count's grain and received the Count's rewards. The serfs were the Count's people in life, and the Count's ghosts in death.
He could feel the hesitation in their hearts. Laing was breaking the foundation they had built for a thousand years.
But if he didn't do this, how could the new era come?
Suria's small hand gave Laing confidence and strength. The Knight King shouted to everyone, "Knights and soldiers of Le-Ange, citizens of Brittany! Do you recognize me? I am the king, your Knight King, Laing Macado! "
The whole place was silent, and the air became thin.
Laing then gently pulled Suria up. "This is my queen, Suria! After your Knight King. "
Suria stood proudly in front of the crowd, with her head raised and chest out, showing her noble temperament and proud figure to the fullest.
"Which one of you wants to kill his king and queen?" Laing stepped forward again, and he couldn't help but laugh at himself. "We are right here, you can do it now."
Looking at the Knight King and Queen who opened their arms and trusted them without reservation, even the conservative knights couldn't help but lower their heads. They opened their mouths and felt their noses warm.
He is the king, our king! He is the king who has brought countless miracles and victories to Brittany, the king who has brought the whole kingdom to glory again, to another peak!
The serf infantry regiment and the free soldiers were shaking. Everyone subconsciously put down their weapons, hesitating and in great pain.
Finally, a veteran of the Eight Peaks Expedition and Motekin's invasion, Sir Floss, who was now the garrison commander of Count Clement's castle, was the first to throw his weapon on the ground. He raised his arms and roared, "Soldiers, our king is here, what are you waiting for? Long live the king! "
"Long live the king! Long live the king! "
Surging like waves, roaring like lightning, raging like the wind.
"Long live the king! Long live the king! "
There were only cheers left in the field. The whole army was scattered and disintegrated, turning into sand and rushing to their king!
Former comrades hugged each other, and compatriots from the great expedition embraced each other warmly. In the field of Clement, the flame that symbolized the glory of mankind was burning fiercely.
A single spark could start a prairie fire.
The old guards and the freedmen opened their arms to welcome their compatriots. The humans screamed, cheered, and shouted, "Long live the King!" They sang hymns and sang about their King and Queen. The old soldiers sang together, "His Majesty has placed his trust in us, and we will not disappoint his Majesty's expectations."
The knights under Count Clement did not know what to do at this time. They watched in panic as their army changed sides. Even more than half of the squires could not help but join in the defection. Sir Reynold rode quickly to Baldwin's side. "Sir, you … you are the commander of this army. What should we do? You decide, should we run … or …"
"Do you still need an answer, Reynold?" Leonard? "Baldwin dismounted from his horse.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!" The serfs and the free people were pleasantly surprised to find that their commander did not run away. With the help of his attendants, Sir Baldwin strode toward Laing.
Seeing this, the knights understood Baldwin's choice. They all jumped off their horses and surrendered.
Surrounded by cheers and praises, Clayon laughed out loud and shouted at Baldwin, "Hey, Baldwin, you're really too slow. I remember that you were always at the front line in the previous great expeditions, charging at the frontlines."
"I am late, Your Majesty, but I hope it is not too late." Baldwin knelt on one knee and presented his knight sword to Laing with both hands. "I will lead my army to pledge loyalty to you!"
"Put away your sword, fool." Laing could not stop smiling. He looked at the knights kneeling and declaring their surrender. The Knight King opened his arms. "Without a sword, how can you protect your king and queen?"
Baldwin could not help but burst into tears. Yes, this is the lord I want to follow. This is the king of our kingdom of knights. How can those decadent old nobles be compared to our king? Only he can make Brittania greater. "You're right, Your Majesty. You're right. The castle of Le-Ingoulan is still some distance away from here. Please let us follow you to the ends of the earth!"
"Clement's knights and soldiers, regroup into three columns! Turn around! "Baldwin turned around and gave the order to the soldiers." Tear those rags to shreds! Raise our red, blue, and gold lion flags and iris flags! "
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!" Raymond held the Old Guard's tricolor flag with both hands and stuck it into the ground. Thunderous battle cries resounded through the sky. "Long live the king!"
"Long live the king! Long live the king! "
The cheers from the plains spread far and wide.
The next day, the gates of Count Clement's castle were opened. The Knight King's army was stationed here.
The gates of the luxurious Count's palace, the Palace of Rouen, opened. The old Count Clement had fled with a small portion of his personal wealth. They took a small boat out to sea to seek refuge in Marienburg, leaving behind an empty Count's castle. A large group of commoners and nobles who took the initiative to stay and wait for the arrival of the Knight King were gathered. Amidst the cheers, the Knight King and the Knight King patrolled the Palace of Rouen.
"Your father ran away, Baldwin." Laing and Suria entered the palace to admire the luxurious decorations of the old Count Clement. The Knight King smiled at Baldwin. "Doesn't he know what kind of punishment awaits a noble if he does not protect his land?"
"The Count is afraid of your judgment, Your Majesty," Baldwin said calmly. "He is afraid of you, like he is afraid of storms and lightning."
"No, he is no longer an Count." Suria's expression was calm. She looked at Baldwin and pointed. "I, Empress Suria of the Knight King, announce that from today onwards, you, Baldwin de Clement, are the new Count Clement!"
An indescribable excitement enveloped Baldwin's heart. He knelt on the spot. "I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"
A new order would descend on this land!
"What? Laing Macado has already taken over the Palace of Rouen? Thousands of troops surrendered without any resistance? "
Duke Taubert stood up from his seat. He thought he had heard wrong. "Say that again?"
Edward bowed. The Home Secretary's expression was not good. "Yes, my Duke. There was no battle. The old Count Clement escaped. Queen Suria announced that Baldwin, who defected at the last minute, is the new Count Clement."
"How dare she? How can she bypass me, the Duke, and appoint an Count in my duchy?! "Duke Taubert was furious. He shouted outside," Robert! Get in here! "
"Yes!" Robert, the War Secretary, hurried in. "My Duke, what are your orders?"
"Gather all the troops immediately. We must chase the Knight King and his army out of my duchy!"
"Understood!"
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