With the fall of Dijon, Prince Conté, a member of the royal family, disappeared; the Burgundian dynasty in Seine not only lost the birthplace of the family on which it rose, but also completely lost control of the western provinces. Especially after the loss of the assembled provincial legions at the Battle of Dijon.
Whether it is Champagne, Ardennes and other surrounding provinces, or Franche-Comté and Burgundy/Grand Crown; the vast majority of the remaining cities and towns have basically lost the strength and courage to resist the Free Army. There was almost a rush to declare their location as an undefended place.
Like a young woman in disheveled clothes who is forced to open her arms, she is full of apprehension but pliable and helpless, waiting for the occupation and conquest of outsiders. In fact, as the news of the destruction of Prince Conté and his legion spread, a wave of people fleeing in the cities along the way was set off.
Mainly the families of the old nobles of the kingdom, officials, businessmen, etc. who are closely related to them; squeezed and driven by some invisible atmosphere, they are like rats on a sinking ship, holding on to everything that can be cashed in. Escape the city and countryside with your family.
But there are a few exceptions. When about a hundred supplementary companies and nearly 30,000 recruits, composed of six suppression/garrison regiments, arrived in the Burgundy region/Crown Territory one after another; the First Directive Corps, which took a short rest and replenished supplies, continued March along the road.
In just three days, they passed through the territory of the Grand Crown of Franche-Comté, forced the surrender of the remaining garrison in Besancon, and captured other members of the royal branch of Prince Conté and the Robert family. . In other words, they were searched, kidnapped and sent out by the defenders in the city.
Among them were even the sister Libei, the wife of Prince Conté and the current head of the Alsace kingdom; and Marienol, the youngest daughter of the Duchy/Duke of Lorraine who stayed in the city as a guest as a betrothal partner; but the Besançon garrison The leader of the surrender was another local noble.
Prince Kongtai, a relatively outsider, was a member of the Welte clan, an ancient family that had been in decline for many years. When Jiang Tian asked for the specific reason, the other party's answer was also very interesting: "I am just an abandoned son who is destined to be abandoned, so We can only try our best to sell ourselves for a good price.”
At the same time, far away in the Central Plateau/Central Region of the Kingdom, in the County of Rouiret under the Grand Crown of Loire. The Fontenay Abbey of the Cistercian Order of Monks, one of the many religious orders in the Kingdom Church, also welcomed a group of visitors with angry horses and bright clothes, cheering from behind.
The big-nosed Cyrano, wearing a gorgeous robe embroidered with lace, walked out of a four-wheeled carriage with great pride. Immediately, a servant put down a small footstool, and someone else brought a soaked stool. Towel; then he looked around for a moment, then snorted softly in his nostrils,
Immediately afterwards, he came to the other side of the carriage, and diligently put his spotless white gloves into the door that had been opened by the servant; then a slender lace glove was placed on it, and he pulled it out smoothly. A young woman dressed in fine clothes, but it was Crosanna.
She was wearing a beige silk tight-fitting tutu, which made her look very graceful. She also wore her hair, which was most popular among aristocratic women in the capital, with ribbons tied into small and complicated spiral curls. Only at the moment when he sees Cyrano, will his eyes reveal some kind of indescribable tenderness.
At this moment, Cyrano was also like a prominent admirer and pursuer; he looked as if there was no one else around him, only his eyes were full of fascination and intoxication. In fact, all he had to do was imitate the daily behavior of the Marquis de Valvi, who was once the most hated and ridiculed man, and also a potential love rival.
Of course, in his heart he was extremely happy and grateful for the cover status arranged by the Free Army's field company. That's right, to everyone's surprise, Crosanna, who was rescued from the monastery, actually accepted the recruitment of the field company and became a spy.
I don’t know if after experiencing the silence and darkness in the nunnery, she became particularly eager for excitement and change; Krosana, who was once passionate about drama scripts and stage performances, but due to her identity, completed the big movie almost beyond her expectations. Most assessment and study, enter the internship.
Because this company has a rare gathering of a group of lower-ranking nobles and low-level priests who agree with the ideals of the Free Army, as well as specialized personnel/professionals selected from all walks of life and all social classes to serve as guides. Responsible for providing various cover identities and detailed training.
And Cyrano also gave up the recruitment from the special service company and the military police company on the grounds of protecting his personal safety nearby; he took the initiative to join the newly formed field company, just to continue to get the opportunity to spend time with her day and night. Now is their first official mission.
Take a pair of fleeing aristocratic men and women from the outskirts of the capital region; Baron Carroll from Loiret, and his lady Christine, a former palace lady. In fact, even the apparent cover identities of these two people are actually real entities that can be found in the heraldic palace of the kingdom.
Because the couple could no longer stand the depressive atmosphere in the capital, they used the secret channel for refuge southward secretly provided by the Royal Ceremony Officer Rafaro; they eloped hand in hand and fled under the control of the Free Army; relying on the money they had brought, Lived a comfortable life of staying and flying together.
As a former court lady, Lady Christina was also the lover of a certain minister of the Royal Council; but in the end she chose the unattractive and bankrupt Baron Carroll. In exchange for the protection of the Free Army, he also provided a lot of useful information and inside information.
In fact, just being able to use the cover of being a lover to get the opportunity to get along day and night and have daily contact is already a great happiness and touch for Sirano, who confessed to being ugly. Therefore, he can enjoy playing the role of an extremely admired suitor without any flaws.
However, when he faced the monastery priest who came out to greet him with a smiling face, he regained the indifference and arrogance that had kept people away from him for thousands of miles. But under the charm of hundreds of large crown gold coins sent in advance, these local monks surrounded the noble couple like a spring breeze.
But a moment later, in front of the ancient and magnificent altar, after completing the routine mass and sacraments. Faced with Cyrano's request, the parish priest looked embarrassed: "My generous and pious lord, now is not a suitable time for a traditional tour of the Holy Land."
"Of course I know the current situation of the kingdom." However, Cyrano turned his nostrils upward and said: "But it is precisely in this way that we can better demonstrate our piety and sincerity. Naturally, I have enough confidence to ensure that I will make this tour safe, with the help of the Order."
"May God bless you. The piety of the lord and his wife is of course impeccable." The priest hesitated and continued to persuade: "However, the thieves and rebels who are rising in the kingdom now do not mind blasphemy at all. Holy, many sanctuaries have suffered disaster.”
"In this case, my guardian knight, please don't make things difficult for these kind-hearted monks." Krosana, whose face was covered with white gauze, finally said: "Perhaps, we can change the plan slightly and stay in the holy place far away from the world. .Bruno’s Trail, a short tour.”
"Dear Madam, thank you for your understanding." The priest, who was bald and in linen clothes, immediately widened his face, but said solemnly, "Nowadays, the wilderness of the kingdom is no longer safe. There are often some forest rangers, loggers and burners. Carbon Man, report sightings of large beast activity."
"Then I will take a step back." Crosanna prayed on the spot with her heart in her hands: "Can I go directly to Bourges where the family's patron saint, Saint Bruno, rests? The monastery for final viewing and sacraments is also my personal wish.”
"Okay!" The parish priest reluctantly said: "But the Bourges Abbey is located in the mountains, and the road is difficult and rugged. Although it once belonged to the Cistercian branch of our Fontenay Abbey, it is now owned by the Charterhouse. The monks are permanently stationed there and need to send someone to contact them.”
"That's fine." Cyrano said immediately impatiently: "Please also provide a list of the current personnel in the monastery. Since it is rare to come here like this, I have to express something; at least let me serve as a member of the monastery. Each ascetic should be provided with a piece of clothing and half a month’s worth of food.”
"May God bless you, my pious and generous lord." The parish priest praised and thanked without hesitation: because this also means that Fontenay Abbey can also receive more material gifts. This is really important to the monks group who are currently short of supplies.
After all, there are some daily necessities that even if you have money you may not be able to buy them. Fontenay Abbey is the largest monastery in this county. It has two to three hundred holy members, and the number of monks, apprentices, servants, resident believers and other ancillary staff is even greater.
The main theme of the Cistercians is escapism and intensive farming of the land. They are especially famous for their expertise in cultivating grapes and making wine. Under the current situation, not only has most of the monastery's sources of income been cut off, but it has also been coveted by thieves and bandits that are emerging everywhere.
In addition, the monastery also houses many senior believers who have been following for a long time, and also assembles and trains some monks to guard against potential threats. In comparison, just escorting and leading a nobleman to a branch monastery in the mountains for worship and sacraments; it seemed an insignificant price.
At the same time, Cyrano and Crosanna also inadvertently exchanged glances again. Now that they have successfully induced the cooperation and guidance of these local monks, their next task of finding people will be even smoother. You can even take the opportunity to send people in advance to conduct reconnaissance and spying.
(End of chapter)
