Betrayal

After Rust finished giving his suggestion, everyone, including Krick's secretary Gaita, turned their attention to Viscount Krick, hoping for a reply from the governor.

Gaita thought Rust's suggestion was indeed insightful, as it offered an opportunity to defeat the besieging rebels when Blackwater City was surrounded by enemy forces.

However, he also knew in his heart that the governor had business dealings with the branch presidents of these chambers of commerce and received a share of the profits from these chambers of commerce every month, so he would definitely not do the practice of diverting guards from the caravans.

As expected, the governor did not want to do so. Viscount Krick stammered, "Rust, well... what you said makes a lot of sense, but... doing this would cause many problems. These merchant guilds... have contributed greatly to the duchy, and many important figures have... it would be excessive to draw guards from these merchant guilds!"

Rust, don't even think about getting Cavalry from these caravans. Anyway, as you said, our Cavalry garrison alone can achieve the same goal.

Here's what I'll do: I'll transfer my guards to you as well; they'll cooperate."

Thus, Viscount Krick rejected Rust's suggestion to redeploy the Chamber of Commerce's guards, but he did not oppose Rust's plan to launch a preemptive attack on the besieging forces led by Victor.

Although Rust was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, since the governor had agreed to his attack plan, he still respectfully bowed to Viscount Krick.

"Thank you, Your Excellency. I will do my utmost to defend Blackwater City!"

The other two Battalion Commander also rose to their feet, demonstrating Rust's prestige among the garrison troops.

After the meeting, Viscount Krick returned to his study, Gaita noticed that Krick was in low spirits and asked him directly what was wrong.

"Sir, are you feeling unwell? Or has someone upset you?"

Viscount Krick said with some dissatisfaction, "Gaita, you should know that I am friends with the branch presidents and managers of those chambers of commerce. Since we are friends, how can I do something to betray them!"

"That Rust is really going too far. He actually wanted me to force my friend. It seems he really holds a grudge against me. Sure enough, he knows that I was the one who blocked the War Department from promoting him to Regimental Commander of the Garrison Regiment."

After saying that, Viscount Krick's eyes lit up as if he had thought of a good idea, "This guy can't be left here. The other two Battalion Commander also listen to him. If he continues like this, he will definitely gain a lot of prestige by gaining merits when he goes out to harass the city. Then I won't be able to command the defending troops."

In that case, why don't we find a way to inform the enemy that Rust will lead a raid on their camp, so that they can wipe out Rust's troops, or better yet, kill Rust himself?

Even if he escapes back then, I can pin the blame for the defeat on him, making it impossible for him to ever recover!

"Your Excellency is wise!"

Gaita hadn't expected the governor to find a way to deal with Rust so quickly, and could only silently mourn for this officer who was loyal to the Grand Duchy.

"By the way, we also need to find a way to inform those chambers of commerce about this, so they know Rust's thoughts."

These merchant guilds are backed by powerful nobles or even the Ducal House of the principality, and their influence is considerable. If they knew that an officer was targeting them, they would also find a way to get rid of Rust."

Just as Creek was chuckling to himself about his idea, Getter suddenly raised a question, "I remember that Captain Rust also has several friends in the Duchy's military, including officers of regimental commander rank, so he must have connections."

Moreover, given the current siege of Blackwater City, those merchant guilds might not be willing to suppress Rust."

After listening, Krick nodded. "You're right, Gaita."

This damn Civil War! You know, that guy Colt gave up his perfectly good position as a border lord and insisted on rebelling against the Grand Duke. Wasn't he just bored?

Because of the Civil War they started, these officers have become increasingly important. I'm a governor, and it's so difficult for me to deal with a mere battalion Battalion Commander!

"My lord, there must be another way. You are so wise, little Rust will not be able to affect you at all."

Krick accepted Gaita's flattery without question, thinking that little Rust would be taken care of quickly.

While the two were talking, Krick accidentally discovered a package on the desk, with a letter sealed with wax on the outside.

Krick, unsuspecting, snatched the letter from his hand, saying as he did so, "I don't remember having this package here."

However, he didn't pay any attention to it. It might have been delivered by the butler. He didn't even look at the wax seal on the envelope. He simply tore it open and began to read the letter inside.

Upon glancing at it, Viscount Krick's eyes widened instantly, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

He quickly glanced through the envelope, and only when he saw the wax seal did he notice what the emblem on it was.

"The Golden Sunflower Crest?"

Viscount Krick instantly felt a cold sweat break out on his back, and Gaita also noticed what Viscount Krick had said, shifting his gaze to the wax seal, which bore the Golden Sunflower Crest.

Viscount Krick continued reading the letter in his hand. The contents were simple, and he finished reading it in just over ten seconds before tossing it aside.

He picked up the package and ripped it open. The package was torn open, and instantly a pile of wheat husks and straws fell to the ground, which were the materials Krick had used to disguise the grain.

Gaita picked up the letter and began to read it.

The letter was brief. "Dear Governor Krick:

I am Victor Golden Sunflower. I accidentally intercepted a grain convoy from Blackwater City bound for the Duchy's army...

In short, the key evidence that Viscount Golden Sunflower discovered Viscount Krick's embezzlement of military rations and his attempt to cover it up by burning the grain ships was crucial.

He threatened Viscount Krick to cooperate with him in conquering Blackwater City, or he would leak the matter to the Grand Duke and the Duchy Military Headquarters through the Northern Alliance Army.

"How despicable! How could Viscount Golden Sunflower do such a thing?"

Viscount Krick paced back and forth in his study, looking flustered.

Gaita immediately reassured him, "I think you have nothing to be afraid of, sir. Even if he spreads rumors about you embezzling military rations, as a member of the rebels, how many people in the Grand Duchy would believe him!"

"If you stubbornly refuse to admit it then, I doubt the Grand Duke will do anything to you!"

"No, you can't think like that. You don't know the strength of the Northern Frontier nobles. Even though they have broken ties with the Duchy, they have not severed ties with the Duchy's high-ranking officials."

Once they expose this, even the Grand Duke might find out. Too many people are involved in this matter; as long as the Grand Duke sends out the Silver Maple Secret Guard, nothing can be kept secret.

"At that time, with a single edict from the Grand Duke, the garrison troops can arrest me, and even my own officials will no longer obey me."

Viscount Krick was now in a state of collapse; he slumped into his chair, muttering repeatedly, "I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"

Gaita knew he was deeply involved in this matter, but his position was too low; even if he voluntarily exposed the affair or became a witness, he couldn't escape punishment.

Gaita steeled himself and quickly said, "Sir, didn't Viscount Golden Sunflower say that he would let us go as long as we cooperated with him to conquer Blackwater City?"

Since that Viscount Golden Sunflower has said so, there's a glimmer of hope. Why don't we just agree and help him take Blackwater City?"

Viscount Krick seemed to have misunderstood Gaita's meaning. "But I don't have personnel authority over the City Defense League and can't directly manage the garrison troops. Even if I force them to open the city gates, they won't listen to me."

"Sir, we can't be soft-hearted at this time. How about we do this..."

After saying that, Gaita made a beheading gesture!

"But my Governor's Guard has less than two hundred men; they can't handle the City Defense League!"

"My lord, don't forget your previous plan. Why don't we just reveal this matter to Viscount Golden Sunflower, sending Rust to his death, thus fulfilling our agreement with Viscount Golden Sunflower!"

"Yes, yes, I was confused, there's such a trick!"

I'll write to Viscount Golden Sunflower right now. Oh, and how do I contact him?

Viscount Krick had found a lifeline and naturally wouldn't let it go; he quickly began writing letters.

After he finished writing, he handed the letter to Gaita: "Gaita, we're in this together. You're the only person I can trust. You must deliver this letter to this address!"

Gaita took the letter and was about to leave, but Viscount Krick seemed to remember something and called him back.

"Wait a moment. The city has just been besieged, and there will likely be some chaos in the next few days. I'll have the Governor's Guard send a few men to protect you!"

After saying that, he summoned the captain of the guard. Gaita wanted to decline, but when he saw Viscount Krick whispering instructions to the captain of the guard, he felt a chill and stopped talking.

As he left the city lord's mansion, he was accompanied by more than a dozen soldiers from the Governor's Guard.

Gaita was terrified. He knew that these soldiers were less there to protect him and more to monitor him, and might even try to silence him.