"Leighton, this idiot, hasn't grown up in so many years." A man at the dinner table was grumbling: "It's convenient for him to kidnap civilians from their homes and use them as hostages. Why doesn't he think about what will happen to the Republic after the war? Rule here?"
This was an intimate dinner in Port Red Sulfur, and there were two other people at the table-Antonio and Winters.
Hearing the speaker's merciless belittling of Major General Rooster Leighton, Winters just drank his soup without saying a word.
However, Ancenio heard the tableware and said, "The situation at that time was more special, and he had no other good way. But then, the reputation of Receton's civilians on the island is now unexpectedly good."
"Of course. He first frightened the islanders so much that they peed their pants, and then he came to eliminate harm for the people. Of course the Tanirians are grateful to him." The man snorted coldly and said disdainfully: "But this is all It’s temporary, and the islanders will gradually forget their fear and gratitude, and maybe even Layton’s name. They only remember that the Veneta people once captured their families to fill the trenches.”
If anyone else had said these words, they would probably be considered as nonsense.
However, the man at the dinner table is qualified to judge Layton, because he is Gus Ranch, an old classmate of Antonio and Layton, and the newly appointed governor of Red Sulfur Island.
Gus Ranch's resume is relatively unusual. He graduated from the Army Officers Academy in the same class as Antonio Serbetti and Rost Leighton, and was also born in the cavalry department.
After entering the Army, Gus Ranch rose through the ranks and was expected to be the first to receive the general's baton in the same period. However, after serving for sixteen years, for some unknown reason, Gus Ranch suddenly gave up his promising career in the military and turned to politics, becoming a glorious and humble public official.
Fortunately, there are also big people in the administrative system. Gus Lanqi started from the lowest level notary, and went straight all the way to the position of Modong Port citizen officials. evaluation of.
Because of the background, origin, and past resumes, Gus Lanqi still maintained a inextricable connection with the Army Army, and he was also considered an important communication bridge between the two major administrative and military systems.
It is for this reason that the ruling five-member group appointed him as the first governor of Red Sulfur Island.
The friendship between Gus and Anceneo is deep. For Winteus, he is "uncle who often came to the house when he was a child." Ancenio privately invited Gus, calling Winters over.
"Soldiers shouldn't think about politics." Antonio smiled tolerantly, then frowned and asked, "But I still don't understand, what does the so-called 'semi-colonial' in the resolution mean? "
"Semi-colony" is the political status given by the Veneta ruling committee to "new territories" such as Red Sulfur Island and Ocean Spring Island.
"Hi, it's actually very simple. Think about it, since it is a semi -colony, what is the other half?" Gus's face showed the smile of "smart people who knew everything".
"Semi-overseas territory?"
"No." Gus shook his fingers: "It is a semi -occupied area. But if this title is used, it is equivalent to acknowledging the ownership of the islands. Now give the Tamilia citizenship, so the term of the semi -colonial land is born. "
"It seems that the Governor's government has no intention of really accommodating the islands as part of Vitta?" Antonio was even more worried.
"The ruling has a long -term plan for the islands. I believe that in the future, I will gradually let the islands have a political status equivalent to the local, but now it will not work." Gus Lanqi said, leaving the table, walking to the window, watching it, watching it, watching it. The Chiuli Port Pier outside the window said slowly: "Now give the Tamilia citizenship, how can the Republic squeeze money from the archipelago?"
As soon as these words came out, even Winters, who had been dining silently, stopped what he was doing.
Gus returned to the seat and said with a smile: "To put it plainly, send me here to get money."
"Are finances already so tight?" Winters couldn't help but ask.
"I know how much gold coins are there in the treasury, but the warfare is definitely a sale of money. The war with the Federation may be profitable in the long run, but the short -term loss must be filled as much as possible, so I will come."
Winters' heart skipped a beat: "How to fill it up...how to fill it up?"
"Since they are our enemies, all the fixed assets of the Red Sulfur Island Council will be confiscated and liquidated. The properties owned by the council members will also be confiscated and auctioned." After Gus Ranch explained succinctly, he leaned back in his chair He smiled and said: "The fastest way to create wealth is to build an empire, and the faster way to build an empire is to destroy an empire."
The members of the Council are equivalent to all the planters on the island. The fixed assets of the Chiliu Island Council are essentially the public property of all residents on the island.
"There is a plantation owner on the island who played a big role in the battle to capture Red Sulfur Port. Can you give him a little grace?" Winters' first thought was Kalman of Red Pine Manor.
"Yes, it's very simple." Gus replied in a relaxed tone: "Your legion will send me a certification document, and leave the rest to me."
Winters felt relieved, and then thought of the slaves on the island, and asked, "What about the slaves on the plantation?"
"This is also very simple." Gus Ranch was already confident: "Veneta's laws do not allow any form of slavery, but slaves are an important property of the plantation. So after the plantation is seized, all the people on the island will Any slave can redeem himself.”
"Where can a slave get the money to redeem himself?" Winters laughed dumbly.
"The Veneta government can lend them a sum of money to redeem themselves." Gus took a sip of wine and said matter-of-factly: "The slaves who have regained their freedom can just use their labor to repay their debts."
After listening to Gus's words, Winters felt that... not much had changed. But this was not an area where he could comment, so he said nothing more.
Antonio raised his eyebrows and asked, "Doing this is equivalent to wiping out all the wealthy people in Red Sulfur Island. Aren't you worried about provoking a popular uprising?"
"Do you think there are more poor people or rich people on the island?" Gus Ranch spread his hands and said with a smile: "The subject of the civil uprising is 'people'. I will not touch the property of civilians and poor people. The property of the rich Strength comes from wealth. Take away their property and leave them with only 'human' attributes. I would like to see how they resist me. Besides, aren't there you guys? As long as your swords are sharp enough, on Red Sulfur Island I can do whatever I want. I just hope that if they resist, Red Sulfur Island can be cleaned up."
"It seems that you already have a comprehensive plan." Antonio said carefully choosing his words: "You haven't changed over the years, you are still so...radical."
"Otherwise, why should I come to Red Sulfur Island?" Gus Ranch rapped his knuckles on the table and said happily: "Who will take the money from the poor people of Red Sulfur Island? Only those from Red Sulfur Island The rich will do so. Where did the property of the parliament come from? Not all of them were squeezed from the poor? I am different. I'm too lazy to make money from the poor.
"My duty is to capture Red Sulfur Island, and I have completed it." Antonio sighed: "As for how to rule here, that is your duty. The Directory must have considered it when appointing you as governor. "
"I won't tell you this anymore. I know you're not interested." Gus saw that his old classmate was not interested in his plan, so he turned to look at Winters who was competing with the ribs: "Kid, what are you doing on the island?" The reputation is also very good! The representatives of those citizens asked me several times, "Can you let Monitane's Captain Montana stay?" How about staying here? I use some powerful hands. "
Winter and Andre went to "buy firewood as a letter" before. I didn't think too much. After transporting the dry firewood back to Chicululin Port, I found that the residents were missing such materials.
Originally, surrounding farmers carried firewood to the city and sold it to the residents of Chisulfur Port. After the Veneta army landed, the farmers did not dare to come. The residents' firewood reserves were quickly exhausted, and they were worried about what to do.
Seeing that the residents of Red Sulfur Port were in urgent need of fuel, Winters simply distributed several trucks of dry firewood he bought for free, relieving the residents' urgent need. Winter also visited the villages around the port by the way, restored the firewood supply of Chiuli Port.
Once and one time, the reputation of Captain Montanne became very good among residents of Chiuli Port.
The two legions are about to leave, but some soldiers still need to be left to garrison on Red Sulfur Island. It should be the strength of a hundred people, who is missing a centurion.
Winters was really moved when he heard Gus' proposal. If you want to stay in Chisulf Island to deal with several plantations, are you safer than fighting the army with the Federation?
He thought of Kesha, Ella and Anna, who were looking forward to his safe return home.
Winters looked at Antonio.
Hearing Gus Lanqi's proposal, Antonio first stunned, and then whispered to Winter: "You decide yourself, you want to stay here and stay."
Winters gritted his teeth, finally shook his head, stood up, bowed to Gus, and replied: "I lack the ability, and there are still others who are more suitable for the position on Red Sulfur Island."
"Okay." Gus Ranch didn't say anything more, and said with a smile: "The Army is indeed as wicked as ever. It took away all the good guys and didn't leave any useful ones for me."
"Always sarcastic about the army, aren't you also from the army?" Antonio also laughed.
Guster said with his face, "So when I was young, I was also the top guy."
The two looked at each other and laughed.
Gusi Lanqi looked at Wintes again: "Your kid really looks more and more like your father ... I didn't look so much when I was a child ... as a result, the more I looked like ... , when Anton and your father were studying in the military academy..."
Seeing middle -aged males' favorite entertainment activities -recalling the past years began again.
Winters rolled his eyes in his mind, smiled awkwardly, and continued to drink soup. Liugus and Antonio recalled their youth.
A few hours later, the drunk Gus Ranch was carried into the bedroom by a servant, and Antonio and Winters rode out of the even more requisitioned Red Sulfur Island Governor's Mansion.
"Why do I feel..." With only himself and his uncle alone, Winters had no worries: "...Uncle Lanci seems to have a personal grudge against the Federation?"
Antonio said calmly: "Because Gus... is originally a Tanirian."
…
…
The formidable star-shaped bastion of Red Sulfur Port was only defended for one day, while the tower city with old city defenses took a full month of hard work before it was finally conquered.
The siege exhausted the Veneta soldiers and cast a shadow over all the officers. Some officers even said privately: "If the defenders of Tani Lao are as difficult to deal with as William Kidd, then we might as well negotiate a peace as early as possible based on the results of the war."
After resting for more than a month, the replenished Legion of Veneta and the Legion of San Marco left Red Sulfur Island.
To some extent the officers' fears did not come true; not all of them had the willpower of William Kidd.
Three weeks later, the Union garrison at Cutthroat surrendered to Veneta forces.
Another month later, the Legion of Grand Veneta and the Legion of San Marco captured Santorini.
It's already December, and the winter climate in the archipelago is very different from that of the warm Veneta. The cold sea breeze in winter causes the skin on people's hands and faces to become chapped, exposing blood-red flesh, and it causes excruciating pain when touched. Even though the temperature has not yet reached freezing point, I still don't feel warm even though I'm wearing two layers of clothes.
The waves on the ocean are becoming increasingly rough, and it is difficult for galleys to sail safely in this unpredictable sea. Only large round ships can carry supplies between the islands and Veneta.
After the main fleet was destroyed, the Tanirians changed their strategy and returned to their best job - piracy.
Offshore islands, jagged coastal gaps, miasma-filled lagoons... Tanirians' light and nimble fast sailing ships are hidden everywhere, waiting for opportunities to hunt down Veneta transport ships that lack armed protection.
The Veneta Navy had to devote more warships to the battle to protect the route. Brutal raids and counter-attacks began on the Senas Sea in winter.
The supplies of the Veneta Army became increasingly difficult, and they had to break their original policy and instead raise supplies locally. This further aroused the resistance of the Tanirians.
Facing an environment unsuitable for combat, Antonio Sertti and Roster Leighton still drove the soldiers ruthlessly towards the next Tanirian city.
However, when facing the strong fortifications of Gusa, even the most ruthless officers could not let the tired soldiers attack.
The Battle of Gasa became a long and arduous siege. The Vitta people were unable to attack, and the Gu Saudan army was unable to fight back. In the bitter cold wind, behind the three -meter -deep trench, the Vineta Army outside the city quietly waited for the people in the city to starve to death.
After eating all the grain, mules, dogs, cats, and even rats and leather, the Guza people who had to start eating human corpses finally couldn't bear it anymore. The citizens of Guza and the Union Army began to attack each other, and the sounds of fighting and screams could be heard clearly even by the Veneta people outside the city.
The next day, when the Casino citizen of Gasa, who killed all the soldiers of the federation, surrendered, the Vitta people who entered the city found that this once full of vitality and prosperity ... has completely died.
No one in Veneta could be happy, not only because of the purgatory-like miserable scene in front of them, but also because they got a piece of news:
The Army of the Republic of Fisstede [the Republic of Shanqian] has settled in Jingang and has been warmly welcomed by the Tanilia Federation. The United Provinces announced that the Islands has officially become the eighth province of the United Provinces.
Secretary of State Lionel issued a stern note demanding that the Republic of Veneta immediately return the occupied archipelago territory.
The first "Lady of Victory" Corps of the United Provincial Army was directed towards the occupied area of Veneta and faced off across the river with the Legion of Grand Veneta and the Legion of San Marco.
The Goddess of Victory Legion is gearing up and has repeatedly provoked small-scale bloody conflicts. It is well known to everyone that it wants to take advantage of the exhaustion of the veterans of the Veneta Army Division to defeat both legions.
The situation within the alliance is heating up rapidly. Even the Senas people, who are the most optimistic about the alliance, do not dare to say that a civil war will not break out.
Many commentators in the United Provinces clamored to "completely solve the chronic problem of the Union's lack of statehood" and "remove the status quo of the military independence of the Republic of Veneta."
Dabella also added a new title to the title of Veneta's ruling official: three -fifth of the lords of the Teninria Islands.
On the one hand, this title is due to the careful and shrewd nature of the Veneta people and their ability to put everything into balance - the Veneta people indeed occupy three-fifths of the archipelago's territory.
But at the same time, I am telling the people of the United Provinces: I don’t need to claim the other two-fifths of Tanilia, but you don’t want me to spit out the three-fifths of the islands that I have eaten.
But in the end, the Veneta people only got three-fifths. This was the result of Antonio and Leighton's continuous battles in the winter.
The Veneta people fought desperately, but in the end they only made wedding dresses for the people of the United Provinces. The United Provinces effortlessly acquired the other two-fifths of the archipelago, including the best part of Tanilia - Golden Harbor and the main island.
On the Tanilia Islands, witnessing military struggles and political games, Winters spent the winter and spring, and ushered in the new summer.
Compared to the high-spirited young man who had just stepped out of the military academy this time last year, Winters has lost thirteen kilograms, and his whole body has changed from strong to slim. The cheeks are sunken, and the lines of the cheekbones and jaw become clearer.
One grueling siege after another had tortured him into this state, as did all Venetans.
He started growing a beard on his chin - actually the skin on his face was cracked by shaving in the winter, so everyone just stopped growing it.
Many officers died in the battle, and even a trainee officer like him was now a centurion, responsible for a centurion that was missing half of its men.
At Anna's request, he wrote many letters, each letter written in great detail. But no one can be sent back -intermittently with local ships, even the officers do not have privileges to occupy valuable transportation.
One year has passed and the apprenticeship period has ended. Winters, Bud, Andre and their peers will return to Guitu City and obtain formal military ranks.
(End of Tide Volume)
