367 – Guns – 2
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After Dorgon’s appearance caused the Saray lines to fall back, an emergency broke out on all fronts.
“The Passo and Tarque fronts were attacked.”
It was a devastating report, but Jeon Seung-gong silently moved his horse placed on the map. Unfortunately, the leadership has become accustomed to these disastrous reports.
After confirming that the Saray line had retreated beyond the river, Dorgon began wandering around the northern area as if it were his front yard. The fact that the Empire pulled back the battleline itself meant that they would focus on defense rather than counterattack, which meant that Dorgon could unilaterally decide the battlefield. There’s no way he’ll give up a situation where he can force the battlefield on his enemies.
And Dorgon forced a frontline that was unfavorable for defense into the battlefield, not where there were natural defenses like the Sarei frontline.
‘Saray was lucky.’
Sadly, not all battle lines have natural defenses like the saray battle lines. However, if the wire is pulled out to a place where there is a river or mountain that can be used as a defense line, the confusion caused by that is greater. That’s why I’m enduring it with tears in my eyes.
No, to be exact, it would be more accurate to say that she endured by shedding blood, not tears.
‘Damn it.’
Dorgon mobilized his entire army to launch an offensive, as in the case of Sarei, or divided his army into simultaneous raids. It is the constant bloodshed of the soldiers that keeps the Empire on the line during this frantic hit and run.
In fact, under normal circumstances, simultaneous raids are impossible. If a guy with a total of about 10,000 troops divided his forces, he would only be able to defeat each one individually.
However, Dorgon, who had already had fun on the Saray front, aimed for a short fight rather than recapture the occupied territory. He was defeated individually, and there was no answer as he jumped out without even giving him the speed to react.
‘It’s thousands of units, so it can’t be annihilated as soon as it is seen.’
If there are hundreds or thousands of attacks on the front line, it can be dealt with quickly, but how can Dorgon not be an idiot and manage such a miraculous force? It’s just a useless wind.
“In addition, the Notan and Ikilan tribes are stationed on the Paso front, and the Biroang tribe is stationed on the Tarke front.”
“Send the Gorming tribe to the Tarke front.”
“Yes, sir.”
Still, if there is any consolation in this hellish war of attrition, it is the significant growth of the Imperial cavalry force.
Compared to other tribes, these tribes have to prove their worth by joining the Empire late. The tribes pledged military cooperation at a banquet not long ago. Naturally, the successor who did not decline the oath placed his tribes on each front, thereby reducing the damage to the empire.
But the tribe Dorgon gathered was stronger than them, so it was impossible to go beyond that. Of course, it’s just a matter of reducing the damage.
“Your Excellency.”
“What happened?”
Anyway, as soon as the staff member who received the instructions went back to his place and Jeon Seung-gong was about to stand up, another staff member opened his mouth.
“The Marquis of Barandiga requested a meeting.”
At those words, Jeon Seung-gong’s eyes flinched for a moment.
Marquis of Barandiga, the only remaining priest in the north and the person who was promised the title of marquis. At the same time, a card the Empire must never miss to complete the conquest of the north.
Due to its immense importance, Barandi treated his tribal chief as a marquis and treated him very kindly. This was the case with other tribal chiefs who were promised titles, but it was only natural that they valued the Marquis more than the Count.
Perhaps he knew this consideration, the Marquis of Barandiga was also the type to stay quiet without attracting aggro.
“They say they want to see your Excellency along with the other tribal chiefs. I apologize for not being able to properly greet the person who carries out the noble mission of punishing the villains on Your Majesty’s behalf—”
But the Marquis of Barandiga asked for a meeting first. Group meetings, not even one-on-one.
‘What is it?’
This is an unexpected situation. Although the Marquis of Barandi was promised the title of Marquis, it was only a measure due to the symbolism of the Barandi family. ‘I’ll give you the title of Marquis, so make that much credit.’ Since we did not make the same transaction, there is no need to contact the former.
On the other hand, the Marquis of Barandiga is not the type to assert its rights by claiming the title of Marquis. If he was such an ambitious person he would have done something before meeting me.
‘Is there a reason to meet?’
No. No matter how much i think The Marquis of Barandigar could not think of a reason to break his silence.
‘This would be difficult.’
On the contrary, only negative situations came to mind. The influential people in the north, who had not yet been formally titled, and who had not completely become the nobility of the empire, began a group action centered on the Marquis of Barandiga.
Of course, as long as the empire has decided to respect the culture of the north, it is acceptable for those in power in the north to act among themselves. Since the aristocracy is the personification of politics, it is not a problem for compatriots with the same will to act as a group. However, it is a bit difficult if political activities are active before the emperor has even sworn an oath of allegiance. You might already suspect that you are thinking differently.
The emperor, not me. I don’t know about that suspicious man.
“…Since they are embraced by the Empire, it wouldn’t hurt to have a seat.”
After thinking for a while, Jeon Seung-gong nodded and accepted his meeting.
I don’t know if the Jeonseunggong Barandi noticed the Marquis’s purpose or not, but it’s actually a difficult situation to refuse either way. It would be embarrassing if the nominees for the title started to worry about Tosa Gu-fang after refusing to meet.
A place was prepared for the meeting on one side of the garrison. It is said that not only the Marquis of Barandi, but also other counts and general tribal chiefs will participate, so he needs to be careful.
“Oh, Count Wiridia. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Count Kaitana. How are you?”
“hahahaha, thanks to you, I’ve been doing well.”
While he was acting as a guide because he had met with various title nominees and tribal chiefs, Count Kaitana appeared first. He must be quite a distance from the garrison, but he is the first to come. He is also a great frontman for us.
“By the way, it’s an honor to be greeted by the Count himself.”
“Since it’s a job to welcome a special guest, shouldn’t someone of the right rank come out?”
“This is truly undeserved.”
Starting with Count Kaitana who burst into laughter, other tribal chiefs began to appear one by one. In the meantime, all of them were thrilled to see me personally guiding them. It seems that the atmosphere of the meeting is going well.
“The Count.”
And soon after, the main character who requested this position appeared.
“Ah, Your Excellency, Marquis of Barandiga.”
“Your Excellency. Please speak comfortably.”
Having his head lowered, the half-reporter Marquis Varandiga shook his hand and expressed embarrassment.
I know how you feel, but what can I do? For a count to treat a marquise badly is tantamount to a disgrace. Even the person who received the order of the emperor and directly handed over the seal of the marquis does not respect the authority of the marquis? I am terrified of what other people will see and think.
“Your Excellency is the only thirteenth Marquis in the Empire. If I treat you comfortably as a Count, Your Majesty will not tolerate it.”
Summarizing, I am saying that you need to adapt. Since it is a harsh but irresistible truth, the Marquis Barandigar let out an awkward laugh, then nodded her head.
“Then there’s nothing you can do about it. But there’s no need for me to treat the count, right?”
“It doesn’t matter because it’s a personal preference.”
When he answered with a smile, Barandi showed a natural smile as if the Marquis was relieved.
“Fortunately, it was embarrassing for a priest to treat someone who possesses sacred objects, not other people.”
In addition, he looked at the sword tied around my waist and opened his mouth—
– Bastard.
‘Big.’
She hurriedly bit her lip at the words of the eternal blue sky that suddenly came crashing in. He almost became the laughing stock in the face of the Marquis.
But the murmur of the watery eternal blue sky stimulated my laughter bell in real time.
I’m going crazy. It’s not something to laugh about, but for some reason I laugh.
“It’s something I’m keeping for a while. It’s something that will return to its rightful place when the time comes.”
I felt great about myself for barely holding back my laughter and giving an appropriate reply.
– Back! This is yours! You just have it!
‘Okay, stop shouting in my head…’
Anyway, we should kill Dorgon first and discuss it again.
After all the people gathered at the meeting place, Jeon Seung-gong appeared and sat in the seat of honor.
“It’s a pity that we’ve been in close proximity, but now we’re seeing each other’s faces.”
It was a natural meeting, but all the attendees had happy faces. If the dukes of the empire were to disobey, does that mean that they were recognized as members of the empire, not just collaborators?
“It is our fault that we did not visit you for fear of interrupting your time.”
“How can you say it’s wrong to be considerate for this work. Don’t take it to heart.”
When the Marquis Barandiga opened his mouth, Jeon Seung-gong shook his head and replied.
There was a heartwarming conversation on the outside, but Jeon Seung-gong’s eyes were deeply sunken. As if still thinking about why the Marquis of Barandi had asked for a meeting.
“Today is a happy day. Even though there are evil enemies who reject the mandate of Heaven and disturb the order of the world, how can we be happy that brave people who stand against it have gathered.”
With those words, Jeon Seung-gong raised the cup in front of him, and the other attendees raised their cups in unison.
“So, let’s put aside what we want to say for now, and let’s all drink together.”
I’ll treat you properly, so after eating, I’m pressured to tell you about my business. Despite the pressure, not only the nominees for titles, but also general tribal chiefs did not show any agitation.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a strange business.
***
While munching on the lamb, I sneakily checked the atmosphere.
First of all, the Duke didn’t give off a hostile atmosphere, but his eyes were sharp. Certainly, if all the people who had been silent all along asked for a meeting, everyone would have doubts. It’s a natural reaction.
‘If I take more time, my suspicions will grow.’
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Besides, it’s embarrassing to waste a military chief’s time. Fortunately, the atmosphere has matured thanks to the banquet, so it’s time to move on.
When I turned my head and met Count Kaitana’s gaze across from me, he nodded as if he was of the same opinion.
‘Good.’
I emptied my glass and stood up. And with that action as a signal, the other chieftains also stopped enjoying the banquet.
“Marquis of Barandiga. What’s going on?”
As I stood up alone, the Duke quietly opened his mouth. However, there was a strange coolness in her voice that even a child could notice.
So she quickly fell to the ground and cried out.
“Your Excellency! Now, as a priest of this steppe, not as a Marquis who has received the favor of His Majesty, there is something I want to tell you!”
“Speak.”
I hurriedly continued with the short answer.
“An evil enemy who denies the will of Heaven shakes the peace and order of the grassland, but we, who are powerless, have no choice but to bow our heads! How can you not be moved by his vast mercy and generosity!”
Then they heard the other chieftains prostrate themselves.
“This barandi, Gurt Batal, bows down as a priest who serves the sky!”
After those words, I swallowed my saliva. What I will say next is that the relationship between the empire and the nomads will be an eternal hierarchical relationship.
But now I can’t hesitate. It’s already been promised.
“I ask Your Majesty to be the Khan of the lowly frontier shepherds!”
“””The humble border shepherds beg You! Be the Khan!”””
This is the will of the north to live and enjoy glory.