People always have a kind of thinking inertia, and they always think that the longer people follow them, the more trustworthy they are.
This is self-deception caused by emotional factors. No one can escape the fog of emotion, and Li Ang is certainly no exception.
It's like now, even though Li Ang has guessed who Zakar's spy is, he is still reluctant to believe his own judgment...
In fact, after determining the target of Zakar, this internal response can be easily determined - Zakar is not for plunder this time, but for occupation. So, if Zakar captures Long River City, what method will he use to hold on to the victory?
Even if we can steal Long River City with just those two thousand soldiers, we still can't defend it.
Long River City is the capital of New Kingdom of Pendor determined by Li Ang. Even if all other places are abandoned, Li Ang will definitely counterattack with all its might.
Unless Brave Shield Fortress and Fletcher have cooperated with Gatu people, so that Gatu people on the grassland can continuously drive directly into Long River City... other than that, there is no other possibility.
It's Charles, he is conspiring with Zakar.
Yes, it will only be Charles.
He is familiar with both the Gatu Grasslands border and the entire Changhe County, and has stayed in Kewen Village. He also knows the ancient station of Griffin Knights, and understands the entire New Kingdom of Pendor military deployment situation...
He is also the only one who can mobilize not only Horn Summon Ranger Corps, but also the longbowmen under Godric, and Brave Shield Fortress's defense.
At the same time, only Charles has the opportunity to have close contact with Zakar.
The fiefdom of Charles was Fletcher. After Herriwold died, he inherited Brave Shield Fortress and was the only lord of Brave Shield County.
And Gatu people started acting after Herriwold died.
First of all, the entire Horn Summon Ranger Corps was recruited to Brave Shield Fortress... This is as it should be, Herriwold is the Ranger Corps sentinels Sergeant Major is the senior commander of all rangers and sentries. They should really go to Brave Shield Fortress to attend the funeral, and at the same time guard against Gatu people taking the opportunity to go south.
Then Gatu people had a "battle" with Charles's troops in Fletcher. This seemed natural. There were a lot of people from Brave Shield Fortress, so of course Gatu people would try to attack Fletcher.
When this war is fought, it is probably the time when Charles and Zakar are discussing cooperation - it will not arouse suspicion, but also allow all the military forces in the east to gather at the border.
So Gatu people passed through the empty Noldo Forest, then bypassed White Deer Fortress and headed west, hiding in the ancient station of Kewen Village to ambush - this route was just right It is a route with neither troops nor people. The only obstacle is Owl Knight Order of Trublen, and it was Owl Knight Order who discovered Gatu people's troops.
Then Zakar moved his clansmen between Lion Lake City and Fletcher, pretending to attack Lion Lake City with half-truths and half-falsehoods, and at the same time creating a threat to Fletcher and Brave Shield Fortress, forcing Li Ang to deploy troops from Long River City for rescue.
In this way, Long River Town's hinterland will be even more empty, and Gatu people hidden in Kewen Village will have the opportunity to conquer Long River City.
At the same time, this can also create an illusion for the entire New Kingdom of Pendor - most people will think that the Gatu people army is alone in Long River City and has no way to retreat. Even if Long River City is captured, it will not be able to defend it. The entire kingdom is likely to slowly mobilize troops to encircle and suppress it.
But in fact, Gatu people will continue to enter the country from Fletcher. Since Charles cooperates with Gatu people, then the entire eastern region will fall into the hands of Gatu people, and they can all hold on...
In addition, as long as Charles spreads false information, Horn Summon Ranger Corps is likely to fall into a trap and be in danger of destruction!
After thinking about it, Li Ang felt quite uncomfortable. He didn't understand why Charles did this?
"Zakar, Brave Shield Fortress will change defense soon. I have asked Leofric Earl to take charge again. Brave Shield Fortress. Charles cannot cooperate with you. Your original plan will definitely not be implemented..."
Even though he felt very unhappy, Li Ang still had a smile on his face, as if he was confident about everything.
This is deceiving.
Li Ang did not ask Brave Shield Fortress to change defense. Before setting off, he just sent an order to Leofric and Dalion to lead troops to Long River City to prepare for battle.
Dalion is at Sava Fortress, and Leofric is at Calundru Castle. They are both a bit far away. It takes time to send orders and march. It is estimated that Leofric has not been able to reach Long River City yet.
However, there was an expression of 'everything is under control' on his face.
Zakar was stunned.
He looked at Li Ang's calm expression and stood up suddenly as if he was frightened. His eyes looked at Li Ang with awe. "How... how did you know? Charles... could he be..."
"How do I know... Haha... You can guess - you can first guess why Charles has the courage to cooperate with you... He is my Oath Knight!"
Li Ang laughed with a proud look on his face.
But in fact, his heart was bleeding.
Ma Dan.
He was not completely sure at first, but now he is sure, it is Charles.
"This... was actually arranged by you on purpose?!"
Zakar looked at Li Ang blankly, clenching his back molars. "What a good trick!!"
"Zakar, you should have heard that I am Child of Prophecy... You should also know that I have given Charles a lot of help. Why do you think he will betray me?"
Li Ang stared into Zakar's eyes and said with a half-smile.
In fact, Li Ang is also thinking about this question - Charles, why do you cooperate with Gatu people?
Zakar gritted his teeth and remained silent, his eyes flickering.
The two looked at each other for a moment, then Zakar sighed and sat down opposite Li Ang again, "His acting skills are good... So, my troops have probably fallen into your trap? Can they... still come back?"
"Whether they can come back or not depends entirely on you, Zakar."
Li Ang smiled casually and continued to eat the mutton. While eating, he smiled and said, "I am a businessman, I don't like fighting and killing people, and I have brought you a good business. But if you don't want to do business with me, then you may be able to go to Xingar to buy back some of them in the future... You can choose whatever you want, I accept it."
Life is like a gamble. When the cards in your hand are bad, you don't necessarily have to pass. Occasionally, you can also try to bluff to steal the chicken. If the total number of chips is more than your opponent, you can definitely scare your opponent by stud.
After all, it's unlikely that your opponent's card will be a royal flush.
Li Ang must take a gamble now, otherwise he is not sure whether Zakar will kill him here - if he cannot deceive Zakar, then Zakar can indeed kill Li Ang, and then continue to implement his original plan.
Of course, killing Li Ang is not a good choice - this will lead to the three countries Lion Territory, Noldo Territory and Bax trying their best to encircle and suppress all Gatu people regardless of the cost. The two sides will completely turn into an endless race war. Zakar must also know this.
And if Zakar is frightened, not only the safety of Li Ang can be guaranteed, but the problems of Gatu people can also be solved.
Now, it depends on whether Zakar dares to stud...
Li Ang knows that he has a high chance of succeeding in stealing the chicken.
Because Zakar has less total chips than Li Ang, and the card shown by Li Ang looks bigger.
The most important thing is that Zakar is not a fool, nor is he an impulsive fool.
If all this was indeed ordered by Li Ang, and if Charles pretended to surrender, then most of the Jatu troops who entered Kewen Village would not be able to come back, and they would have given Li Ang four thousand war horses.
If what Li Ang said is true, then after losing these elites, is it cost-effective to have to fight a race war with New Kingdom of Pendor?
Zakar really dare not bet.
"Li Ang Your Majesty, I will withdraw to the grassland tomorrow. I hope you can put my people back..."
After a long silence, Zakar asked quietly, "In addition, what are the specific arrangements for the mutual trade zone you mentioned?"
"Five sheep per person, three sheep and one horse. Is this a fair price? I'll give you a discount and send 20,000 sheep to Fletcher, and I will put them back into your army."
Li Ang ate the meat without raising his head - mainly because he was afraid that Zakar would see his expression of successfully stealing the chicken. "As for the mutual trade zone, I will make a list of goods for you, and then we will go to Fletcher to set the price together. I guarantee that the prices are very cheap and you will not suffer any loss."
Early the next morning, Zakar began to withdraw its troops.
Li Ang also took his men on the road back to Long River City. Of course, in name, he wanted to 'rush back quickly to prepare for the mutual trade zone to avoid unnecessary friction between soldiers on both sides'...
However, there were many fewer people on the way back...
Raphael and the several Horn Rangers he brought are not in the team, and neither is Sigismund.
The translator Raphael failed to come in handy this time, so he was given another task - to rush to Brave Shield Fortress before Gatu people arrived at Fletcher, let Horn Summon Ranger Corps take over Brave Shield Fortress, and capture Charles.
Li Ang really wants to know why Charles cooperates with the enemy - when he still had the system, Charles was once marked by the system as 'favorability 100', and he would betray and cooperate with the enemy if he was full of favor? Li Ang is a little confused.
Only Sigismund really wants to go to Fletcher to prepare for the mutual trade zone.
On the way back, Li Ang was in a hurry.
Because he has to rush to seal up the two thousand Gatu people hidden in Kewen Village.
When it comes to bluffing, once the bluff is successful, it should be done immediately - in fact, this is the difference between low-level charlatans and empty-handed bosses.
The purpose of cheating and stealing is to gain time and space. Let lies serve the truth instead of deceiving for the sake of deceiving.
Only by seizing the fraudulent opportunity and turning false things into real things will you get real results.
In order to quickly return to Long River City, Li Ang flew away from Gatu people's sight and ran towards the due south - due south are the large lake behind Long River City and Long River Lake.
A few brothers with the best water skills put together a simple raft on the lakeside. It only took most of a day to paddle across the dozens of miles wide Long River Lake.
This is the fastest way to return to Long River City from the northern wasteland, but it is also the most tiring way - the improvised rafts and oars are not easy to control, and several brothers' arms are almost broken, which is considered a non-combat attrition.
Li Ang rushed back in time. At this time, Dalion and Leofric just returned to Long River City.
Griffin Knights has all the cavalry, and there are more horses - a lot of them were captured from Snake Worship Cult. Now they have one person and two horses, and the marching speed is relatively fast. Although Sava Fortress is farther away than Calundru Castle, they basically arrived at the same time as Leofric's troops.
Leofric was immediately appointed by Li Ang as the guardian of Brave Shield County and Commander of Eastern Military Affairs, and once again led the troops to Brave Shield Fortress.
As for Griffin Knights, he must work with Silver Hand to get Kewen Village's two thousand Gatu people.
At this time, Brave Shield Fortress.
When Raphael Pegasus rushed back to Brave Shield Fortress, Horn Summon Ranger Corps was no longer here.
Ralph is not here either.
Brave Shield Fortress garrison are all Charles's people.
Since Gatu people had already entered the country, Charles asked Horn Caller Rangers and the sentries to disperse into several teams and sent them to the area of Ermined, Long River City and Wheat Fragrance Territory on the grounds of 'making sure that Long River City jurisdiction was not in danger'.
Charles currently has high authority over Horn Summon Ranger Corps - everyone sees him as Heir of Count Oden.
Long River Town Sentinels obeyed his command, and the rangers would not refuse his arrangements. Ralph also trusted him. Even Godric who stayed in Long River City trusted him - if it were not confirmed that Charles was cooperating with Gatu people, Li Ang would also trust him extremely.
Charles is the first knight under Li Ang to have a fief, and from the beginning, Charles has had complete autonomy in his fief. Li Ang has not placed any restrictions on Charles's fief, and he can also seek help from Li Ang when he encounters difficulties - this is the highest level of trust.
And Charles's performance in the past few years has always been worthy of this trust.
He has always been upright and low-key, never causing trouble and never being afraid of getting into trouble.
He once faced Three Prophets's army without changing his expression, he also loyally fought with Godric despite being outnumbered, and he also worked with Dalion to pursue the murderer for justice.
He is not lacking in courage, loyalty, and justice, and can even be regarded as a role model for most knights.
But why at this time, when Li Ang has established New Kingdom of Pendor, when Charles is already in a high position and holds a county, and when he has almost achieved the same status as his father Count Oden, is he still collaborating with the enemy?
Raphael doesn't understand.
But no matter why, you must first complete the task assigned by Li Ang.
Now Ralph and Horn Summon Ranger Corps are not here, so Raphael can only do it by himself.
Sometimes pressure makes people grow. Raphael was originally a straightforward and bloody young man, but now he is forced to become a gangster who beats people behind his back...
In Lord Brave Shield Fortress's hall, Raphael drove away Charles's guards on the pretext of passing on Li Ang's secret order. Then, taking advantage of Charles's unpreparedness, Raphael knocked him unconscious with a chair.
Then, he took out a large sack from his arms and carried the unconscious Charles out directly - Brave Shield Fortress Everyone knew Raphael, and no one would question him.
Then before Charles's guards discovered it, Raphael escaped from Brave Shield Fortress with the sack Pegasus, planning to go all the way south through Noldo Forest and go straight to White Deer Fortress--White Deer Fortress is a place where Charles's people cannot interfere.
"Raphael?... you... why?"
In the forest, Charles seemed very tired when he woke up.
But looking at Raphael with a murderous look on his face, Charles seemed quite calm.
"Why do you mean? You should first tell me why you want to collude with Gatu people... Charles, to be honest, I don't understand. You are powerful, powerful and famous now, and you are still so young... Why do you want to destroy your own future? And you are His Majesty Li Ang's first Oath Knight!"
Raphael has tied Charles tightly and is adjusting the saddle beside him.
"I... sigh...Raphael, if I say I was forced, would you believe it?"
Charles did not defend himself, but sighed deeply.
"Forced? Do you think I believe it? Everyone knows that your relatives are no longer alive, so why are you forced?"
Raphael shook his head.
"Take me to see Your Majesty... You won't believe me if I tell you. I can only confess to Your Majesty in person... But, Raphael, I did not betray Your Majesty."
Charles stopped talking and closed his eyes.