The southern gate of Kodor was opened by the combined efforts of four soldiers at the order of the knight guarding the city above the city wall. Then, the soldiers of the Welsh Legion walked towards the city under the personal leadership of the Count of Kodor, and Art and the others rode into the city behind the Count of Kodor.

I saw that soldiers continued to pour in outside the South City Gate, and the procession stretched from the South City Gate to the center of Kodor City.

Watching this neat and majestic army march all the way, the scattered pedestrians on the street avoided one after another. The upstairs residents on both sides of the street also cautiously opened their windows to look out after hearing the movement outside......

Of course, in stark contrast to the cautious horror of ordinary civilians are the women who slowly emerge from the "Moulin Rouge" by the roadside, their revealing clothes and flattering eyes that indicate that the harvest season is approaching......

"Look, Hans, the women here are more beautiful than the other." Looking at the woman at the door of the Moulin Rouge who flattered the soldiers walking in the middle of the street, Bury's eyes widened wider than a bell.

"You kid, you want to squander the rewards you just got on these women." Hans knew Burry well, and every time the reward arrived, he either went to find a woman, or gambled with the guys on the baggage team and lost everything, and always asked Hans for help.

"The team behind followed." While the two were talking, Rig's voice came from behind. Looking behind, I saw that all the soldiers at the end of the line had entered the city gate.

…………

"Lord Art, this is where the Welsh legionnaires are stationed." When the group came to the square next to the church, Count Kodor said to Art. "In the evening, I have prepared a dinner party for Lord Yat and your officers in the mansion, and I ask Lord Yat to be sure to attend."

"Thank you for the invitation, I will definitely come to visit."

With that, Art instructed Angus to personally arrange for the Wells legionnaires to garrison various important places in the city, and he took Ron to the tent of the Chinese army command camp that had been set up.

…………

"Quick, it won't be long before the North City Gate will be closed~"

On the street leading from the city of Kodor to the north gate, two hawker-like guys trotted all the way in the direction of the north gate.

At this time, pedestrians entering and exiting the north gate were lining up in a long line to be questioned by the soldiers defending the city. Every day when it gets dark, the gate is closed.

"Lord Knight, we are the merchants around the city of Kodor, and we are in a hurry to leave the city to sell the leather goods here tomorrow. You see, it's convenient, okay? So saying, the peddler fled from his waist and took out a bag of jingling coins and sent it to the soldiers defending the city.

The soldiers defending the city looked left and right, took the money bag and stuffed it into the bag on his waist, "Let's go, let's go." ”

"Thank you, Knight, God is with you." The two vendors, who had just trotted all the way from the street, hurried towards the door after paying the "toll". At this moment, the Welsh legionnaires, who were in charge of taking over the city's defenses, were already walking towards the city gate~

…………

On the trade road a mile outside the north gate of Kodor, two "hawkers" who had just left the city looked back at the gate. At this time, the Welsh legionnaires stationed at the city defense were already standing on the city walls.

"It's so dangerous, I almost can't get out." One of the vendors said.

"Quick, rush back to Thorne at once and report to Lord Earl that the Earl of Kodor has surrendered to the Wells Legion."

"Okay, let's go."

On the trade road, two figures walked all the way to the north......

…………

In the hall of the lord of the Earl of Kodor City, looking at the high-ranking officers of Yat and a small number of Welsh legions who had been seated, the Count of Kodor, who was sitting in the main seat of the hall, stood up and stretched out his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Count Kodor, "I am glad to be present at this banquet to-day by Lord Art and the officers of the Welsh Legion. After saying that, the Earl of Kodor nodded politely to Yat and the others, and Yat stood up slightly in response, but Otto and several other high-ranking officers were unmoved.

"Today, we don't talk about other issues. I have the best wine and food prepared for you to enjoy with all of you in the blessings of God. Let's raise our glasses and dry this glass of friendship. With that, everyone in the hall raised their glasses and drank their stomachs.

The banquet lasted until midnight. Looking at the good wine and meat in front of him, the officers of the Wells Regiment who attended the banquet were not greedy, and Ron and his personal guards always watched the whole banquet vigilantly.

On the contrary, the officials around the earl drank wine and ate meat one by one, enjoying a rare gluttonous feast.

After the banquet, Art and the others returned to the camp under the watchful eyes of Count Kodor.

At noon the next day, Count Kodor's personal guard arrived at the Wells Legion garrison and informed Art that Count Kodor had asked him to come and negotiate peace. After arranging the affairs of the legion, Art took Angus, Ron and the others to the hall of the lords of Kodor City.

When everyone was about to arrive at the lord's hall, they saw that Count Kodor was already waiting outside the door, followed by several officers and scribes.

"My honored guest, please come in." As Art approached the Lord's Hall, Count Kodor hurried up to meet him.

"Good morning, noble earl." Art responded.

"Lord Art, everyone, please come in." Count Kodor beckoned the group to go inside.

When everyone was seated, Count Kodor spoke, "Lord Arte, now we will begin to discuss peace talks, do you think?" ”

"I'd like to hear from the earl." Art said politely. is so crepe-like, which gives Art goosebumps. As a military man who has been fighting abroad all year round, he has long forgotten those aristocratic etiquette. If it weren't for the fact that he was dealing with this guy, he wouldn't have bothered to talk so much nonsense.

"Lord Arte, let me first say my terms for this peace talks." Count Kodor cleared his throat and spoke.

"Your Excellency, Earl, please."

"First, during their stay in the city of Kodor, the Welsh Legion is not allowed to leave the garrison without your orders, and is not allowed to harass the inhabitants of the city, let alone plunder goods, kill people and set fires."

"Second, you are not allowed to stay in the city for more than three days. After three days, you will depart and go north to the province of Saône. ”

"Thirdly, you must not hold accountable for the casualties and losses caused by the Kodor army's assault on Fort Marsi. That's my condition. ”

"I would like to ask the Earl, when the army goes north and leaves the city, will you unite with the Thorne army in the north to flank the Wells legion?" Ya asked him.

"This~ Honorable Viscount, I am willing to vouch for the honor of the nobles, and I will never attack the men and horses of the Wells Legion again." Count Kodor hastened to explain.

"Lord Earl, I am not a child of two or three years old. Now that the country is in turmoil, if I were to put the rear of the Wells Legion in your hands with your words, I am afraid that the officers around me will not agree. With that, Art turned to look at the people behind him.

"Lord Art, you and I are both nobles of the country, and we both have the honor that nobles should have. If it weren't for the fact that you had pledged in the name of a nobleman that you would not burn and loot after entering the city, I would never have let you into the city. "Count Kodor was already a little annoyed at this point.

Art watched Count Kodor argue and continued, "Lord Earl, you don't think your army can withstand the attack of the Wells Legion at all. ”

"This~" Count Kodor no longer continued to argue.

"As far as I know, the number of troops in the city of Kodor is more than five hundred and thirty, and this includes your Earlguard's guard and the palace guard. What's more, the city of Kodor is located in a plain area, and there is no danger to defend at all. In just two days, I can turn this place into a tomb. There was a hint of menace in Art's tone.

At this time, cold sweat was already oozing from Count Kodor's forehead, he didn't expect that this guy had already found out the situation in Kodor City, if he really fought, I am afraid that he would have become that guy's prisoner by now.

"Now let me tell you about my conditions, Lord Earl. First, after the army left the city, the important fortifications of the city of Kodor and the important outposts around it were garrisoned by soldiers of the Welsh Legion. When the army is over, they will return to Kodor again. If any accident had happened to the Welsh legionnaires stationed here during this time, I think the Earl would have known the consequences. Art stared at Count Kodor.

"Second, the province of Codor immediately issued a proclamation swearing allegiance to the new monarch Flender, leaving the court of Thorne, and declaring Bernard a traitor." With that, Art glanced at Count Kodor. He continued: "My lordship, this is my condition. ”

At this time, the Count of Kodor was silent. Just sit there quietly.

"Lord Earl ~ Lord Earl." Seeing that Count Kodor was silent, the officer next to him leaned into his ear to remind him.

"That~ Lord Art, I understand your conditions." For Arte, a cunning and fierce fellow, Count Kodor was powerless to deal with. "I promise your terms."

"Good! Lord Earl can think about the overall situation, and the new monarch will definitely not treat you badly in the future. However~"For this guy in front of him, Art is always on guard.

"I don't know what other conditions Lord Arte has."

"I heard that the Earl has two sons." Art looked up at Earl Cole.

"This~Lord Yat means~~" Count Kodor's heart suddenly tensed.

"I mean, ask the two sons of Lord Earl to accompany me on the expedition to Thorne. This will not only show the Earl's loyalty to the new monarch, but also allow the two sons of the Earl to experience in our army and contribute to the new monarch in the future. Of course, I guarantee their safety. Art explained his intentions to Count Kodor.

The Earl of Kodor knew very well that this was to take his two sons hostage and ensure that the rear of the Wells Legion would not be threatened in any way.

In order to show Art that he was determined not to support the Thorne court anymore, the Count of Codor decided to "take an oath" on the spot.

"Go and bring your distinguished guests." Count Kodor turned to the knight beside him, and the knight walked towards the door of the lord's hall.

After a while, the knight brought a prisoner-like man with him.

"Get on your knees!" The knight kicked the guy to the ground.

"Lord Earl, you are~" Art looked at the prisoner in front of him, not understanding the intention of Count Kodor.

"Lord Arte, this is an envoy sent by that old thing from Bernard to keep me in the defense of the Wells Legion, and I have locked him up. There's also a private message from him. With that, the Count of Kodor handed the letter to Art.

"Lord Earl, I am afraid that it is not appropriate to show me this letter before you open it." Seeing that the fire paint was intact, Art said to Count Kodor.

"Isn't that a good indication of my sincerity, Lord Art?" Count Kodor continued.

"Since the Earl trusts me so much, then you're welcome." Art unwrapped the fire paint from the sheepskin and looked at the contents. It was nothing more than Bernard promising how many benefits he would give to the Count of Codor after the war. After reading it, Art handed the sheepskin to the Count of Kodor. Without even looking at it, the Count of Kodor tossed the sheepskin aside.

"Lord Art, look at what this guy should do." Just as the Count of Kodor mentioned the kneeling fellow on the ground, the envoy of the Thorne court, who had been imprisoned for several days, hurriedly begged for mercy.

"This is Lord Earl's prisoner, and of course it is up to you to decide."

"Good! Then I'll cut off his head and trouble Master Art to bring it to Bernard for the old thing, so as to show my attitude. With that, Count Kodor glanced at the knight beside him.

"Don't, Lord Earl, don't kill me~" Just as the envoy was begging for mercy, the knight had already drawn his long sword. With a shout, the guy's head had tumbled to the ground, and there was a column of blood in his severed neck. The knight then wrapped the head in linen.

Looking at the corpses on the ground, Count Kodor looked at Art and the others again, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Lord Art, this head is going to trouble you to pass it on to that old fellow Bernard for me."

"Lord Earl, I am willing to serve you." Looking at the blood still flowing on the ground, Art motioned for Ron to take the head.

"Lord Art, there is one more thing that you must promise me." Count Kodor pleaded.

"Your Excellency, Earl, please."

"My two sons have never been to battle, and if they follow you, please ensure their lives." The Count of Kodor knew that he would have to sacrifice the personal freedom of his two sons in exchange for the peace of the entire city of Kodor and his own life.

"Rest assured, Lord Earl, I will send someone to protect them until the army returns to Kodor City." Art promised Count Kodor.

"Good! I am willing to provide an additional 200,000 pfennigh and 50,000 pounds of food to support your army in your assault on Thorne. ”

Hearing Count Kodor say this, Art was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him. Several attendants behind him were also full of surprise.

I knew that the province of Kodor was rich, but I didn't expect that the opening would be 200,000 fennigh plus 50,000 pounds of grain. It's no wonder that Bernard wants to take the Count of Codor to his side, and he wants to get this cash cow in exchange for himself.

After the peace talks were reached, Art left the hall with the group. Before leaving, he told Count Kodor that he would send someone to pick up Count Kodor's two sons tomorrow.

Standing outside the door and watching Art and the others leave, the Count of Kodor sighed and wiped the sweat from his forehead......