"Why don't these damn Germanic barbarians, greedy devils, go to hell?"
From the caravan’s campsite, Fabio’s familiar curses came again.
Everyone has long been accustomed to Fabio's curses, and everyone is busy with their own things.
Fabio was tricked again. After choosing to bypass the Argau Territory, if he wanted to cross the Jura Mountains and enter the Kingdom of West Francia as quickly as possible, he would inevitably have to pass through the territories of other nobles.
Just as Otto had expected, when he heard that Argauland had begun collecting business taxes, the surrounding lords also began to take action.
There are ideas, but not many put them into practice. Many lords are still worried about what they will do if there are no merchants in their territory. Only a few lords started collecting taxes immediately after the news that Argau was collecting business taxes.
However, they are not as formal as Aargolling. Their so-called business tax is essentially just a more expensive toll.
Unfortunately, Fabio's caravan, which chose to bypass the Aargau collar, passed by these two lords who collected tolls.
As a result, the caravans carried dozens more furs.
After scolding for a long time, Fabio was tired of scolding, took the kettle from the attendant, and took a swig.
"Have the people who inquired about the information not come back yet? Does the territory in front also have to collect taxes?"
"I'm back, talking to Captain Rice."
"Call Les over here!"
When Les told Fabio that he still had to pay tolls in the territory ahead, Fabio was so angry that he dropped the kettle on the ground.
"Damn it! These nasty mountain barbarians, I will never take this road again next time."
"By the way, my people also got some information. More than ten days ago, a caravan was robbed by bandits when passing through the Jura Mountains. All the people in the caravan were killed." Lai Si glanced at the kettle on the ground and said in a neutral tone.
Fabio was shocked, there really were bandits.
"How big is that caravan and how many guards are there?"
"It is estimated to be no smaller than your caravan. It is said that there are more than thirty escorts, well-equipped, and they are businessmen coming from Rome."
"A businessman from Rome? You are really looking for death to come to such a far place to do business." Fabio curled his lips, and then looked at Wright expectantly.
"Captain Wright, you and your brothers should be able to protect me and the caravan."
"I don't know." Wright shook his head.
"You don't know? You say you don't know?" Fabio's voice suddenly rose dozens of degrees. "Do you know how much I spent to hire you? Now that I heard about the bandits, you tell me you don't know? Why are you cowards like you being mercenaries? Why don't you go home and lie on a woman's belly?"
"Your Excellency Fabio, please pay attention to your words. We are just an employment relationship, not your servants. If you talk like this again, I may consider terminating our employment relationship."
Wright stared at Fabio displeased, his voice without any emotion. He now regretted taking this order. He had no cooperative relationship with Fabio before. The mercenary team that had long-term cooperation with Fabio suffered a lot of losses during the last business trip. The frustrated captain retired with the wealth he had accumulated for many years. He also First time working with Fabio.
Before that, he had heard that Fabio was withdrawn and had a bad temper, but fortunately he was generous to mercenaries, so he had a pretty good reputation in the Małopolska region.
At that time, Wright was a little skeptical as to why an employer who was so generous and kept his promises still needed someone to introduce him. Now he understood that this Fabio not only had a bad temper but also had a bad mouth, which most people couldn't stand.
Fabio was stunned for a moment, and then wanted to curse again, but after looking at the other person's eyes, he swallowed the curse. There are really bandits ahead. If the other party really terminates his employment and leaves, how will he get to Paris? He can't rely on the useless servants in the caravan. Those people can scare the farmers. If you really meet a robber, you might be able to run faster than him.
"Okay, Captain Wright, I apologize for my inappropriate words just now." After all, he was a traveling businessman, and Fabio was quite good at assessing the situation, and his attitude immediately softened. "Captain Wright, are you and your brothers sure?"
"If you can eliminate a caravan with more than thirty guards, I'm afraid there are quite a few bandits. If you encounter them, my suggestion is to spend money to buy peace.
Alternatively, you may consider hiring more guards. "Wright expressed his opinion.
"I would also like to hire more guards, but where can I find mercenaries in this poor place? Besides, I am willing to pay the toll, but who knows if the bandits are willing to accept it." Fabio was now Really anxious.
"How about we wait here for a while and set off with other caravans. This way the safety will be improved a lot."
"No! I have to return before winter comes!" Fabio refused the proposal and gritted his teeth. "Let's keep going. Our luck may not be that bad, right? Captain Wright, don't worry, I'll give you double the price for this trip!"
Wright looked hesitant. He was really unsure of how to deal with this bandit whose specific strength he didn't know. He didn't want the brothers who followed him to die in vain, but faced with the temptation of double remuneration, he was undecided.
The remuneration given by Fabio is not low, and it would be even more amazing if it were doubled.
"Okay, I'll just listen to you and keep walking."
"Okay!" Fabio breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that Wright would choose to stay because of fear. Although the double reward of hiring a guard made him feel a little sad, but compared with the huge profits from long-distance trade, it was still okay. Nothing.
Next year, we need to change our trade route. Maybe we can consider passing through the barbarians in Pomerania?
Two days later, looking at the Jura Mountains standing behind, Fabio breathed a sigh of relief. I was really lucky and passed the Jura Mountains smoothly.
Thinking of the double reward promised to Wright, he felt a little unhappy. Maybe there were no so-called bandits here at all, and it was completely made up by Wright just to raise the price.
Huh, damn mercenaries, I will never cooperate with them next time.
At this moment, a burst of rapid horse hooves sounded, gradually approaching Fabio's carriage.
Where did the cavalry come from, and which two idle nobles were going to fight again? Fabio thought in his mind and hurriedly got out of the car to check.
The next second, he saw the group of cavalry rushing into the caravan, cutting down everyone in the caravan to the ground as easily as chopping melons and vegetables.
"It's over!" At this moment, Fabio's mind went blank and he fell into the carriage.
He could see clearly that the cavalry were clearly wearing sophisticated armor. This kind of armor was impossible to appear on bandits.
This is no bandit... Fabio closed his eyes, he could already imagine his fate.
