It’s September and the autumn harvest has just ended.
After more than 3,000 people working for a year, the construction of Fort Sophia has been more than half completed.
The foundation of the city wall has been completed, and most of the rammed earth wall has been completed.
When the outer walls are covered with bricks and some city fortifications are built next year, the construction of the city wall will be complete.
The main project of the City Lord's Mansion has been completed, only the decoration work is left, the main road has been laid, and even the sewerage project was completed before the snow this year.
Less than half of the houses in Sophia City have been repaired this year.
Richard was inspecting the construction site and arranging the latest work, and Zhan Ningsi hurriedly walked to his side.
Richard looked at everyone and said goodbye to everyone calmly.
After many people managing the construction site left, he quietly said to Jennings: "Is something wrong?"
"Lord Baron, a group of refugees came to the territory after winter and were discovered by our patrol members. These people were so audacious that they actually fired arrows at the patrolling soldiers?"
"How are the casualties?"
"No one was injured. The patrolling soldiers saw that the group was very large in number and protected by professionals. There was no recklessness."
Richard nodded and said to Jennings: "Send someone to Fort William, call the First Squadron, and look for this group of refugees tomorrow and see where they have fled to?"
Although the Third Squadron where Jennings is located has been trained for almost a year and is no longer a recruit, its combat effectiveness is far from being comparable to that of the two main squadrons.
Since there are intelligence reports that there are professionals among the refugees who have broken into the territory, Richard must not underestimate them.
When a lion fights a rabbit, he uses all his strength. Richard will never reveal his flaws easily.
The territory now lacks a population, and since this group of refugees has broken into the territory, Richard will naturally not miss the opportunity.
Now that the fat meat has been brought to his mouth, Richard naturally wants to take a bite and swallow the refugee.
Jennings saluted with a military salute and immediately sent troops to Fort William to deliver the message. With the transfer order written by Richard himself, the First Squadron left Fort William in a forced march and arrived at Fort Sophia at nine o'clock in the evening.
Richard arranged for people to prepare dinner for the 1st Squadron, and held a meeting with the main officers of the 1st and 3rd Squadron overnight to discuss countermeasures.
Everyone unanimously decided to use quick troops and raid the refugee camp early tomorrow morning.
Early the next morning.
Richard led two squadrons of soldiers and ran for fifteen kilometers to the vicinity of the refugee camp.
This group of refugees was very alert. After being spotted by patrolling soldiers yesterday, they immediately sensed the danger.
Although they were very tired, they still chose to move overnight.
But a cunning fox cannot defeat an experienced hunter.
An army of more than 2,000 refugees marched very slowly through the forest.
The forest is full of human footprints, and the traces are very obvious.
After walking for a long time, the refugee team was already looming.
This group of refugees comes from the Orc Empire.
Last summer, in order to repel the invading Grant Kingdom's forces, the Orc Empire mobilized a large number of troops from the northern foot of the Eagle Mountains.
In July, the Orc Empire was defeated and the legendary Wild Boars were killed in battle. After the news came out, the human slaves in the northern foothills of the Eagle Mountains in winter started to rebel.
After the defeat of these human resistance forces, they crossed the mountains and entered the south of the Eagle Mountains this spring and summer.
Seeing winter, the climate in the mountains is getting colder and colder, so this group of refugees took the risk and chose to move south.
Realizing that Richard was chasing after him with his troops, the refugee team immediately became very confused.
Seeing that the team was about to collapse, several strong refugee leaders organized their soldiers into a loose formation.
The First Squadron stopped. The veteran took out the armor from his backpack and put on the armor with the help of his comrades.
This squadron has been established for three and a half years. It has fought several battles without much attrition. After practicing breathing techniques for more than three years, more than a dozen soldiers have been promoted to advanced warrior students.
Most of the soldiers in the First Squadron are veterans, and many of them have more than four points of strength.
Even though they were carrying dozens of kilograms of iron armor, their physical strength was still very good. They didn't panic when putting on the armor before the battle.
The lower-level officers all wore snake-like human scale armor, and they looked very capable at first glance.
A few months after the steel plant was put into operation, the territory's steel production increased significantly, dozens of new pieces of armor were added, and basically they were equipped with two main squadrons.
More than half of the soldiers in the main squadron wear iron armor, and the remaining soldiers are also protected by leather armor.
This kind of equipment is no longer weaker than the second-line army.
The leaders of the refugees were all captured officers who had fought in the war.
Some of them are from the Grant Kingdom, and some are from nearby neighboring countries.
Seeing this scene, these people immediately knew that they had no chance of winning.
"You have invaded the territory of the Harland family. Put down your weapons and surrender immediately."
Richard and the soldiers shouted one after another.
"Put down your weapons and surrender immediately!"
Seeing that the soldiers of the first squadron had already set their bows and arrows, several leaders looked at each other and sent people to shout: "Don't shoot the arrows, we are willing to negotiate."
Under the absolute disadvantage, unless they are brave warriors who are willing to die, most people will not dare to fight to the death.
Several people walked over cautiously.
In Dawn Continent, there is also a rule that the two armies will not kill the envoys when fighting.
Generally speaking, noble lords will basically not violate it.
Integrity is a knight's virtue. Violating integrity will have a great impact on the reputation of the nobles, spreading bad reputation and affecting future development.
The refugee leaders were very cautious. There was no mutual trust between them and Richard. Most of them sent their cronies instead of coming to negotiate terms in person.
Only one brave refugee leader came forward in person.
"Who are you and why did you break into Harland's territory?"
"We are free citizens of the kingdom, and there are three noble officers in the camp."
"What's your name?"
"My name is Frank, sir."
Richard gently picked up the riding crop and calmed the Iron Wildebeest. He pointed at Frank's chest and said: "I already know your identities very well. This year, many slaves captured by the orcs have escaped to nearby territories. Refugees.
There are more or less events when entering the lord's territory.
My territory lacks a population. No matter what you say, you are destined to become Mr. Harland’s meal. I hope you will recognize the reality, give up your illusions, hand over your weapons and surrender."
"We hate our status as slaves. From the day we took up arms, we made up our minds that we would never be slaves. Without freedom, we would rather die."
"Only those who are afraid of death will be captured by the orcs. Real warriors will only die on the battlefield and let the orcs bleed. Mr. Harland standing in front of you looks young and has participated in many wars.
Created a hereditary baronet.
Your threats will only make you shed your own blood."
Richard pointed to his chest and said loudly to Frank: "Negotiation or war? You can choose the conditions?"