Rhodes strongly agreed with Daft's words. The wind of death prevailed in Kislev, and it was precisely the need for religions like Moorishism to clean up the souls of the dead and appease the dead.
Of course, this is the purest purpose. Rhodes still believed Daft's words. As for the heavily armored generals behind him and the officers from other parts of the empire, Rhodes did not dare to fully trust him. Black
The Knights of the Rose seem to have at least 3,000 people. Such a huge army cannot be launched by just one sect. At least, the financial and material support required behind it is difficult for a single Moorish sect to handle.
Arrived.
But no matter what, in the current situation, their joining is still very helpful to the Northern Territory.
While they were talking, some Moore priests had already walked up to the corpses and silently sang elegy for the deceased, wishing those deceased to rest in peace in the kingdom of death.
Rhodes noticed that most of these priests were wearing black robes, with focused and pious expressions. The higher-ranking priests were holding thick holy books in their hands, standing in front of the corpses and silently reciting prayers. Like a cold wind blowing, the entire Erengrad
, desolate and cold... Even though the hungry civilians invaded the city hall and opened the city gate, it was still too late. Thousands of people died in the siege, either from starvation to death or from diseases. Others
, was beaten to death and killed in the fight for food...
Looking at the numb civilians, Rhodes felt heavy. Although they shouted the slogan "King of the North" when they entered the city, Rhodes knew that it was just because of food and bread. With food,
They will follow you, and when you have food, they will praise you, so realistic, so simple. Those who so-called fight for the lord for the sake of glory are very few. Because of this, Rhodes feels that people like Virgil are worth cherishing
.
Free food distribution can only last for a short period of time and is a temporary appeasement policy. After all, no one can afford to feed tens of thousands of people in vain. Next comes the issue of reorganization and resettlement.
This is also an issue worthy of consideration. Since there was no large-scale siege and the city's infrastructure and manufacturing plants were mostly intact, Rhodes allowed the workers to return to their jobs and resume production. The dock workers continued to return to the docks and engage in their original jobs.
; Blacksmiths, bakers, barbers, cobblers, brewers, etc. all returned to their original factories to continue working. They also required the small nobles in the city to pay their wages on time according to their original wages. The supply of free bread was gradually cancelled.
On the other side, the war must come to an end, because the autumn harvest is coming soon. This army is not all composed of professional soldiers, there are also many levies, and a large part of these levies belong to farmers. The autumn harvest is important to all parts of the northern border
It is still very important. After all, there are almost no cities in the north that really rely on industrial production rather than food production. Farming is still the foundation.
Of course, in rare cases, you can ignore the autumn harvest and spring planting and directly lead the troops to continue fighting. However, that will inevitably cause instability in the morale of the military. Rhodes knows that the civil war in Kislev cannot be resolved in a short time.
It needs the strength of the whole country to defeat Catalina and expel it from the country. Now, the North must take one step at a time, first appease the rear, and wait until the spring planting is over next year before continuing to advance. Although no one stipulates that war cannot be fought in winter
, but this is almost an unwritten rule.
Marching in winter is very difficult. It's freezing in places like Kislev. Camping in the wild will definitely not keep you warm, which is a physical torture for the soldiers. At the same time, the logistics troops must brave the wind and snow to transport grain, grass and supplies.
On the front line, transporting grain and supplies in snowy weather is very difficult and the cost is huge. Therefore, no one will send troops in winter unless absolutely necessary.
…
Southern border.
While the north was still exhausted and busy with the war, the cities in the south of Kislev were busy with the autumn harvest. Although the Snow Queen's recruitment order came down two months ago, the lords who responded to the queen's call immediately
There were only a few. Although many lords responded to the Queen's call, they did not do their best and only sent some small troops to go ahead. Fifteen castles, the final number of troops gathered in the capital was less than 8,000. Obviously, so many years of war have already
The lords from all over the south lost confidence in the Snow Queen, and more importantly, lost their awe. In the past, even if they were reluctant, as long as the Queen spoke, they would respond with all their strength as soon as possible, but now, the North has come out
There was a King of the North who could challenge Kislev. Everyone's attitude was subtly changing.
Medley, the old lord of Lone Wind City, was meditating in front of the fireplace in the castle hall. He had white hair and a vicissitudes of life on his face. He no longer had too many extravagant demands on life. The only thing he cared about was his heir.
In his dying years, he wanted to consolidate the position of lord for his son.
"Father……"
"Has the Queen's summons come out again?"
The old lord asked in a low but majestic tone. He sat there, and the firelight cast his shadow on the wall, like a giant. Of course, the old lord has always been a giant in his son's heart. It was he who
In this turbulent era, it held up half the sky of Lone Wind City, and many people around the Queen yearned for this treasured land all the time.
"Hmm... Moreover, in the letter, the Snow Queen requested that the army be transferred to Kislev City before the end of the month."
Milda carefully recounted the contents of the letter. He was slightly fat, and it had become a habit for him to still obey his father's instructions when he was nearly forty years old.
"At the end of the month? Haha, Her Majesty the Queen is getting more and more anxious."
"Then are we going to do what the letter says?"
Mirda asked seriously.
"Do as she asks? Do as she asks, Lone Wind City will be gone long ago."
The old lord mocked, and the firelight reflected his old but still wise face. The heat from the fire blew away the cold air on his body. Although the autumn in the south was not very cold, Medley was old, and he
He is indeed old. Six years ago, when Rhodes arrived in the city of Kislev after a long journey, he met the northern lord and sat and chatted with him. At that time, his body was still strong, but
, time is like this, aging is not decided by people.
"What about us?"
The honest middle-aged son asked in confusion.
"Gather 300 conscripts from the territory and let Lucis take them to Kislev City."
The old lord turned his head and spoke seriously.
Milda obeyed the order and was about to retreat, but suddenly turned back and looked at her old father.
"Father, do you think the Queen will defeat Rhodes?"
"It's hard to say. Over the years, Kislev has had rebellions one after another, and each rebellion is more serious than the last. Previously, the nobles of Elengrad rebelled, and the North did not participate. Later, there was a rebellion in the capital.
Now, there is a rebellion in the entire northern region. Rhodes is not a savior, he just conforms to the trend of this era. Do you understand? My son, even if Rhodes cannot raise an army, there will always be others who will raise an army in the future."
Medri spoke meaningfully, and in his eyes were the flames burning brightly in the fireplace...