Entering the City

"Salos, since you've said that, you must have a way to get us into the city, right?"

"I asked Victor."

"Yes, Your Excellency, since I started doing business here, I have maintained contact with this Infantry Regiment of the Sixth Legion. The Regimental Commander has a good relationship with Battalion Commander, so I can bring my men into the city even at night."

Victor analyzed the situation briefly and nodded to Alex, "It's worth the risk. Without enough horses, we won't even be able to get to Strath County on time, let alone intercept the secret agreement."

"Let's do it that way," Alex agreed.

Around 2 a. m., a convoy arrived at the Haiden City.

The soldiers guarding the city blocked the caravan, and the leader of the soldiers shouted to the caravan.

"Who are you? Don't you know there's a curfew in Haiden City right now?"

Salos jumped down from the lead vehicle of the convoy and shouted directly at the soldiers guarding the city gate.

"Are you blind? You don't even recognize our Jesk Merchant Guild? How did your Regiment Commander Lassos lead his troops?!"

The tone of both sides was not good, and a dispute soon broke out. The city guards and the caravan guards had already started brandishing their weapons.

Just then, an officer emerged from inside the city gate. He looked sleepy, his chainmail loose and unfastened, and he strode forward menacingly.

"What are you doing, you bastard? What time is it? If you don't obey military orders, I'll take care of you all. Ah, isn't this Steward Salos?" When he saw Salos surrounded by the caravan guards, his momentum immediately waned.

"So it was Squad Leader Mala guarding the gate. I thought it was Regiment Commander Lassos here. Your soldiers are really arrogant now. Do you think our Jeras Merchant Guild is no longer effective? I may not be able to deal with Count Carter, but do you think I can't deal with you?"

"General Salos, you're joking. It's just that we've recruited quite a few new soldiers this time, and these guys don't recognize you, sir," Mala said with a broad smile, kicking aside several soldiers guarding the city gate.

"You guys hurry up and open the city gate, and be quick about it."

Seeing that the city gates had been opened, Salos softened his tone and asked Mala.

"Is Regiment Commander Lassos in town? I need to talk to him."

"Regiment Commander Lassos has gone to Carn City with the transport team. Captain Evans is now in charge of military affairs in the city."

Salos nodded.

"Is Captain Evans at the transfer station? I'll go directly to him."

"Yes, yes, Captain Evans is at the transfer station. You can just go there to find him."

By this time, the city gates were fully open, Salos signaled the caravan to begin entering the city. He then asked...

"Besides you, who else in Mala has been sent to guard the city gates?"

Mala sighed, "Who else could it be but the two unlucky guys, Made and I. He guards the north gate, and I guard the south gate. It's been three days, and no one has come to relieve us."

"That's not right. I remember Evans' infantry battalion also has eight squads. Surely they have enough personnel for rotation!"

"Steward Salos, you have no idea. Count Carter's arrival has caused us distress, not just you. Even though we collected a lot of supplies from your merchant guild, most of them were transported to Carn City. The brothers haven't had any meat for days."

"Regiment Commander Lassos also had to protect the transport convoy, so Captain Evans had no choice but to send four squads to the farms below to collect some food. You know that the entire York County is a direct territory, which is basically the Ducal House's private land. We wouldn't have dared to do this if we had a choice."

"So, there are only two teams left guarding the transfer station, and it's normal that there aren't any teams available to replace you."

Salos and a caravan guard nodded to each other in a very subtle gesture, Mala did not notice.

"Captain Mala, you guys have it tough too. It's understandable that the brothers are so hot-tempered. Here's a little something for everyone's food expenses."

Salos tossed a small bag to Mala quickly caught it, weighed it in his hand, and his smile became even more genuine.

After the caravan had entered the city, Mala ordered his soldiers to close the gates. The soldier who had led the caravan earlier then asked him a question.

"Brother-in-law, according to orders, we are to enforce the curfew. Is it appropriate to let this caravan into the city?"

Mala punched him on the head.

"If you say another word of this nonsense, I'll beat you to death. If it weren't for your sister, why would I have brought an idiot like you out here?"

Mala started showing off.

"Is the manager of the Jesk Merchant Guild an ordinary person? He's backed by Loras Silver Maple, the Grand Duke's uncle, Count Carter, a general. So he's not afraid of offending them. What are we? Even Regiment Commander Lassos has to treat him with respect. You better keep your eyes open in the future. You might die, but don't get me killed. Then your sister and your two nephews will be left without anyone to rely on."

After saying that, Mala opened the bag he had taken from Salos and looked inside with a satisfied smile.

"Let's see who the Chamber of Commerce's chief steward is; there isn't a single red one among them."

After saying that, he took out five Silver Coin from his pocket and threw them to the soldier. "When it gets light, go to the bar and buy two barrels of ale for the brothers. Make sure they're good quality, not the swill we had last time."

"Brother-in-law, since Grand Steward Salos is so powerful, is it appropriate for us to take money from him?"

Mala punched him on the head again. "You idiot, I'll have your brother-in-law give you a good talking-to today. If I don't take it, how can Captain Evans take it? If Captain Evans doesn't take it, how can Regiment Commander Lassos take it? If Regiment Commander Lassos doesn't take it, how can I improve? Remember this, this little bit is enough for you to learn for a lifetime."

After saying that, Mala took the money bag and went back to his room.

The soldier scratched his head, looked at the Silver Coin in his hand, and turned to call over another soldier.

"XX, come here."

He gave him a Silver Coin and said, "Go buy a barrel of ale tomorrow morning, just make sure it's not spoiled, and bring back an empty barrel too."

After saying that, she kicked him and went back to her dormitory with four Silver Coin in her hand.

The caravans in the distance were already far from the city gate, and they couldn't hear the conversations at the gate at all.

"Salos, can we now be certain that there are only 400 soldiers stationed here in the entire Haiden City?"

"Viscount Victor, York County is a directly administered county, and the defense of all cities is managed by the Duchy's Direct Legion. Mala wouldn't dare lie to me. Right now, there should be a squad at each of the two city gates and two squads at the transfer station, which adds up to just over 400 people."

Victor said to Alex, "Alex, I don't think we need to follow the original plan."