"Do you follow the will of your ancestors? Interesting." King Louis was noncommittal about this, and Otto's words did not stir up any waves in his heart.
However, since Otto had used his ancestors as an excuse, King Louis was too lazy to care about it.
In fact, during this period of time, he had received many letters from the nobles of the Kingdom of Lotharingia requesting allegiance to him. In King Louis' view, Otto was not much different from them, and they were all nobles who were just like grassroots.
Regardless of what Otto says now, if the Kingdom of Lotharingia were powerful, Otto would probably not even remember that he was a vassal of the Kingdom of East Frankia.
The reason why King Louis wanted to see Otto was not only because of Otto's great gift, but also because of the crossbow.
He has witnessed the power of the crossbow with his own eyes, and has naturally heard of Otto's name, so he wants to see how this young nobleman who made the crossbow is doing, but looking at it now, it's just average.
"I heard that Baron Otto is quite talented in military affairs. He led two thousand troops to defeat several times the enemy army?"
Otto didn't understand why King Louis asked this, but he answered honestly.
"There is such a thing, but it is all based on the crossbow. Your Majesty, I would like to dedicate the crossbow manufacturing technology to you."
"Isn't it too late to think of me now, Baron Otto?" King Louis looked at Otto with a half-smile, a trace of ridicule flashing in his eyes.
“I have seen the power of the crossbow, and the craftsmen in Baden have been imitating it for a while now, thanks to Baron Otto’s kindness.
Even though he relies on the strength of his weapons, being able to defeat an enemy stronger than himself is somewhat of a skill. So be it, Baron Otto, pick up your sword, bring your soldiers, and prove your loyalty to me with victory instead of money. "
Otto's heart skipped a beat. It was broken. He didn't think carefully enough when he sold the crossbow. This performance was really ridiculous in the eyes of the other party.
Fortunately, things haven't reached the worst point yet, isn't it just to let yourself go to war? I have been prepared for it for a long time, and I am just trying to build my reputation through the war.
"I obey your will." Otto saluted and left.
Oh, the moment Otto walked out of the palace of the castle, the humble smile on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by a cold expression.
King Louis, you really don't give yourself any face. I'm afraid it's a dream to seek a Duke position from him. Fortunately, he is old and has only a few years to live, otherwise he would really be depressed to death.
It is better to burn the cold stove of the Duke of Swabia. When the other party changes from Duke Karl to King Karl and Emperor Karl, it will be time to reap the rewards. When it comes to investing, if you want to invest, invest in long-term investments with high returns.
Since you can't get what you want from King Louis, you might as well start from other channels.
Having made up his mind, Otto did not delay. After explaining some things to his wife Sophie, he rushed to the front line with his army.
After receiving an order from King Louis himself to fight, Otto did not dare to disobey it. During the war, doing so was completely seeking death.
At this time, the East Frankish army was divided into two parts. The vanguard of about 20,000 people, led by Louis II, Duke of Franconia, the second son of King Louis, was attacking the Metz area.
The remaining approximately 60,000 troops of the East Frankish Kingdom continued to stay in Baden. The commander of these troops was King Louis' eldest son and heir, Duke Kalman of Bavaria.
On the way from Baden to Metz, Otto witnessed the cruelty of war with his own eyes.
The village located on the border between the two kingdoms is now deserted, with only scattered skeletons proving that it once prospered.
Except for a few aristocratic territories and church lands that surrendered in time, they were still tolerable and did not suffer much damage. All the territories along the way were devastated by the war, and it was not known how long it would take for them to regain their previous vitality.
Otto had also seen the cruelty of war in various film and television works in his previous life, but the experience of watching it on the screen and seeing it with his own eyes was completely different.
In this way, after spending a few days, Otto came to Metz with more than 400 troops.
At this moment, Metz is undergoing a less intense siege battle. The 20,000 troops of the East Frankish Kingdom have surrounded Salburg, the largest castle in the Metz region, and are conducting tentative attacks every day.
Some of the captive farmers were busy building some simple siege equipment.
It can be seen that a general attack on Salburg may be launched in a few days.
The arrival of Otto and four hundred soldiers did not cause any splash in the camp of the East Frankish Kingdom. Otto did not even see the commander-in-chief, the Duke of Franconia.
The person who received him was Count Werner under the Duke of Franconia, and the other party was the military commander of the Principality of Franconia.
"Baron Otto, welcome to join this glorious war. From now on, you will follow my troops."
Werner, this name, seemed familiar to Otto for a moment, but he couldn't remember it.
However, since it is a name that makes him feel familiar, maybe he will be a famous figure in this era, so it is always right to have a good relationship with the other party.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency, my soldiers and I are warriors of the kingdom and we will absolutely obey the command of Your Excellency the Count."
Count Werner found a campsite for Otto and left. Otto looked at his back and began to think.
Werner, who is he?
Soon, through inquiring, Otto knew the answer.
Good guy, Count Werner's name is Werner Salian, this damn bitch is the ancestor of the Salian family. This is the royal family of the Holy Roman Empire in the familiar 1066 script of "Crusader Kings 3".
No wonder, no wonder Otto sounds so familiar.
Then, it must be very safe to fight with the ancestor of the Salian family.
From a certain perspective, this kind of person can be regarded as a child of luck. Although Otto knew that the East Frankish Kingdom would win this war, it was hard to say whether the outcome of some small battles would be victorious. Otto might just die on the battlefield like a certain Swedish king. .
Otto just wanted to increase his reputation and didn't need to risk his own life.
After stationed idle for three days under the castle of Saarburg, Count Werner sent an order for Otto to take his army and set off with him to attack the enemies in the Nancy region in the south.
According to intelligence, the armies of some small nobles in southern Lotharingia have begun to gather in the Nancy area. Their goal is to rescue Salburg, and Count Werner is preparing to eliminate the enemy troops before they are fully assembled.
Otto perked up after receiving the news, and immediately asked Wade to assemble the soldiers. He was so idle every day that he almost got moldy, but now he finally got some work!
