"Art, you're really something. The army hasn't even finished assembling, and you've already knocked out several men. Why don't you just finish me off too?" Viscount Pierre, exasperated, lashed out at Art in the military tent.
During the "sparring training" that afternoon, although both sides used sticks, their blows were unrestrained once their eyes turned red. Six of Dean's ten Soldiers were knocked down on the spot, the minor leader's head was broken, his right hand was fractured, and his face was swollen like a pig's head. It was estimated that he would never be able to wield a weapon again, and several other Soldiers were also seriously injured; a few Soldiers from Art's Patrol Team were also injured…
"My Lord, those fellows started this. I did not violate your military order by fighting privately. We were sparring for training, and moreover, my Soldiers were also injured." Art was not convinced by Viscount Pierre's biased words.
Pierre did not want to pursue Art's fault further. It was impossible to completely prohibit fights among Soldiers in the army, and he had also interrogated people afterwards. It was indeed Dean's Soldiers who had actively caused trouble at the Patrol Team's camp, and the troublemaking Soldiers were now lying in the camp.
The matter had to be dropped there.
After a "sparring training" session, Art's gains were immense. Not only did he receive a month's military pay, but he also truly intimidated those who had been pointing fingers at the Patrol Team. From then on, no one dared to provoke the "Black Robe Army" again.
Back at the Patrol Team's camp, dinner was held as usual. The atmosphere of the banquet was even more intense due to the exciting sparring training that afternoon; this was a celebration for the victors.
At the banquet, Art gave special commendation to Quartermaster Spencer, because this fellow, who had once been expelled from the Soldier ranks, had not only achieved results in cooking and odd jobs, but was also able to fight bravely today. Moreover, he understood the principle of first eliminating the enemy leader to disrupt the enemy's command. Of course, he did not know that Spencer did not understand this principle at all; he merely had a surge of blood and wanted to beat up the minor leader.
However, as the instigator of that sparring training, Spencer did not join the joyful atmosphere of this dinner, because that fellow was currently sleeping soundly in the military tent. During the "sparring training" that day, Spencer was the first to charge, then took many blows, and finally led people to gang up on the minor leader. Even though he was very brave, he still suffered many injuries. After the battle, his strength was depleted, and pain set in, causing him to collapse and fall unconscious upon returning to camp.
Art would not put too much energy into these trivial matters; he was more concerned about the trade situation of the accompanying merchant caravan.
"Cooper, how did your observations go at the various businesses in the city today?" Art asked the Old Butler who had returned from Lucerne City.
Old Cooper gently put down the wooden bowl in his hand, wiped the soup from his beard, and replied to Art, "My Lord, today Sartre and I inquired about all the large and small businesses and shops in Lucerne. Goods such as salt, cloth, olive oil, wine, and dried fruits are quite expensive here. Precious goods like raw silk, satin, tea, spices, and porcelain are best sold in Besançon, as there are more dignitaries there."
Upon hearing this, Art asked Sartre, "Sartre, what are your thoughts?"
Sartre had been wandering around the city all day and hadn't even had lunch. He was now sitting cross-legged by the bonfire, eating heartily. Hearing Art's question, Sartre rolled his eyes, swallowed the smoked meat in his mouth, and, spewing food remnants, replied to Art, "My Lord, Old Butler and I have similar thoughts—to keep the valuable goods for sale in Besançon. Moreover, the vehicles emptied after selling goods in Lucerne can remain in Lucerne to purchase more goods abundant in the North, such as barley, pig iron, furs, velvet, and woolens, to transport and sell in the southern counties. On the return journey, we can then purchase goods from the southern counties to transport North. In any case, after the army finishes assembling, it will still need some time for training. Instead of letting the merchant caravan sit idle waiting for the army to depart during this period, it would be better to take it out for some trade. Besides solving your army's food and supply needs, the merchant caravan also needs to make money, doesn't it?"
Art secretly admired the merchant's shrewdness. "Sartre, what you said makes a lot of sense. The first priority of our merchant caravan is to raise food and supplies for the army during the expedition. The second is to earn money to support the army. Our army needs two thousand fenny for wartime military pay alone each month, and one thousand fenny for monthly fodder consumption. Currently, the money I have can only support less than eight months of expenses. If we need to replenish weapons and armor after the war begins, that will be an even greater expense. The outcome of war is unpredictable. If we cannot seize spoils on the battlefield, we can only rely on the merchant caravan to barely sustain ourselves."
Sartre swallowed another bite of bread, puffing out his cheeks, and said, "My Lord, most of the goods we brought were purchased at half price from Provence last time, costing less than six thousand fenny. Since the North-South trade route was blocked, most southern goods in the North have flowed in from the East and West of the continent, and prices have risen significantly. I estimate that goods like linen, salt, and olive oil can be sold for three times their purchase price, while valuable goods like raw silk, satin, and tea spices can be sold for at least four times their high price. These goods can sell for nearly twenty thousand fenny. I suggest temporarily investing this money back into the merchant caravan. However, future trade will not be as profitable, because we still cannot cross the border into southern Provence to purchase goods. Currently, the purchase prices of goods in the southern border of Burgundy County are also high, and the selling price cannot reach three times the purchase price…"
Art held his cup, carefully listening to Sartre's analysis. After considering for a long time, he said to the two managers of the merchant caravan, "Cooper, Sartre, you two discuss and handle the specific affairs of the merchant caravan. In short, always remember the two main tasks of the merchant caravan. Additionally, this time in Lucerne, you can order a few more carriages to expand the scale of the merchant caravan. If the selling price cannot go up, then let the quantity go up. Currently, the merchant caravan has five carriages; you can purchase four more carriages and the mules and horses to pull them."
Then Art turned to Lawrence, who was temporarily assigned to the merchant caravan, and instructed, "Trade matters will be primarily handled by Cooper and Sartre. Your main responsibility is to manage the two accompanying farmer Soldiers and five captive laborers, as well as the mules and horses that pull the carriages. In addition, I am temporarily assigning Kazak's second squad to the merchant caravan as escorts. The two fort guard farmer Soldiers will temporarily receive a weekly salary of ten fenny, and the captive laborers will have no salary, but they must be given enough food."
"You all go ahead and scout the routes. If you find trade to be smooth, I will then allocate some money from the military funds for you to purchase goods…"
The next morning, the army conscripted to head North broke camp and set off again. This time, the army heading North was larger in scale, as the conscripted army from Lucerne Province and a large number of accompanying civilian laborers were also successively gathering towards Besançon. By the time the contingent reached a distance of less than fifteen miles from Besançon, the number of people had already reached over five hundred. Besides over two hundred men from the armies conscripted from various counties in Lucerne Province, there were also over a hundred accompanying laborers and civilian workers. Apart from one Viscount from Lucerne, most of the others were led by local Barons or Knights.
The army from Tinietz, along with several other contingents, entered Besançon City and was led by several Court Guards to the city square.
This one-acre square was surrounded by Besançon Cathedral and the Marquis's Court of Burgundy County. The square was already occupied by dozens of military tents of various sizes and colors, and armies wearing various military uniforms and armor, bearing various insignia flags, moved through them. Art estimated that at least a thousand Soldiers and civilian laborers had already gathered here. The spaces around the military camp were already crowded with various vendors, selling grain and vegetables, fruits and dried goods, smoked meat and salted fish, firewood and cooking utensils. Even slave traders and "flesh peddlers" had begun to spontaneously gather here from all directions. The Court had to dispatch more city guards to patrol and maintain order.
After the Court Guards led the army from Tinietz to their designated station in the square, they took Viscount Pierre and five probationary Knights towards the Court, because Tinietz County was a direct fief of the Marquis, and unlike other armies, they would be directly commanded by the Marquis's personal military officers.
As the core of the entire Earl's rule, Besançon Court naturally possessed a certain grandeur: high walls built of massive stones, towering turrets, heavy iron gates, and well-armored, robust Court Guards at the city gate…
Everyone arrived at the city wall, disarmed, and passed through the long gate tunnel. Before their eyes was a clean and bright expanse: white palaces, exquisite sculptures, long corridors, and officials, guards, and servants coming and going like shuttles…
"How magnificent!"
A probationary Knight finally couldn't help but voice his admiration.
Passing through the Court garden and turning a corridor, the group arrived at a small hall located on the west side of the palace.
The Court Guard squad leader said to the group, "Gentlemen, please wait here. The Attendant Captain is currently in a meeting with the Earl and will be here to meet you shortly."
The squad leader pointed to the wooden table in the small hall and said, "These are some refreshments the Court has prepared for you. Please enjoy." With that, he turned and left the hall.
The group sat down, ate some fruit, bread, and drank beer. Soon, the Court Attendant Captain, dressed in armor and military attire, entered the small hall with a man who looked like a Knight.
"Brother Pierre, I haven't seen you in a long time, but you look even thinner. Guarding the South must have worn you out, hasn't it?" The Court Attendant Captain gave Viscount Pierre a warm embrace as soon as he entered.
Viscount Pierre and the Attendant Captain exchanged pleasantries for a while, then led the Attendant Captain to the table and introduced him to Art and the others: "This is Viscount Jeffrey de Charles, the Earl's Court Attendant Captain."
"Jeffrey, these are the newly appointed probationary Knights from Tinietz, namely Art, Dean…" Viscount Pierre introduced each of the probationary Knights.
The Attendant Captain's face towards Art and the others lacked the warmth and smiles he showed to Viscount Pierre. He greeted them formally, then said in a solemn voice, "I know all about your affairs, Sirs. Since you were chosen and appointed by Lord Pierre, I presume you are all wise and brave individuals. The Court's summons this time is to give you an opportunity to establish meritorious service. You must cherish it. According to the Court's arrangement, the army from Tinietz will be directly commanded by Lord Deputy of the Court Earl Baldwin. This is Charles Barber, Earl Baldwin's Internal Affairs Knight. You few will temporarily be led by Knight Charles."
Knight Charles, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and a serious demeanor, stepped forward and nodded to everyone…
"You may now go with Knight Charles. Brother Pierre, your task is also complete. After you hand over the documents to the scribe later, please go to the inner Court; the Marquis wishes to see you." The Attendant Captain left after a short while, less than the time it takes to eat a bowl of porridge.
So Art and the others followed Knight Charles out of the Court.
Knight Charles beckoned to the attendant waiting outside the palace gate, then turned to the group and instructed, "Gentlemen, I will be inspecting your army on behalf of the Earl at the military camp during dinner. In a few days, several more conscripted armies will arrive here. At that time, we will uniformly arrange your army designations and confirm your missions. These two days, you must strictly supervise your respective armies and not cause trouble for the Earl…" After speaking, he mounted his warhorse and rode away in a cloud of dust.
"Is that all for the assembly?" Dean, who had originally planned to try and build a relationship with Knight Charles, looked at the disappearing figure, disappointment clearly written on his face.
"Brothers, it's still early. How about we find a tavern and drink some ale? I heard Besançon's ale is quite potent!" a probationary Knight suggested.
"Great! Let's go, Brother Dean, let's find a place to drink and relax!" Another probationary Knight, pulling Dean's sleeve, took his weapon and headed towards the most bustling part of the city.
The "brothers" invited, of course, excluded Art. Ever since the falling out with Dean in Lucerne, Art and the other four had formed two camps. They dared not easily provoke Art, but they would certainly not be close to him.
Art also did not wish to interact much with these noble young masters, and was quite content with their distance.
Art hung his knight's sword and went straight back to the camp in the city square, because he still needed to take Odo and ten Soldiers to the military service registration office in the square to register the military service allocated to the county for Baron Galvin.