In early spring, the temperature starts to warm up a bit, and it's time for everything to come back to life in Anatolia.

Mountain streams flow, fish leap out, flowers and birds chirp, chirping.

The mountains and forests are dense, and the fallow deer shuttle among them, licking and eating the young branches, which is delicious.

One of the arrows that broke through the air fell, and he fell in a wail, and died in convulsions.

A few disguised archers emerged from the forest, all experienced hunters, and it seemed that they could have a full meal today.

An old hunter looked nervous and shouted in a low voice after a chirp came from the sky.

"Baram!"

"Cut this fallow deer, we need to leave sooner!"

Several hunters are a Rin.

This is the experience, the vultures in the sky are already circling and will soon attract some ferocious animals.

Wolves and bears have spent a long time in hibernation, and now it is hunting time.

Winter bears are powerful, but they usually have only one in such a large territory.

The terrible thing is the wolves, the hungry wild wolves with their green eyes that will tear all the animals they see to shreds.

Even hunters with weapons in their hands are on the predatory maps of these fierce beasts.

Several hunters cut open the carcass of the fallow deer with their hands and feet, and wrapped all but the head in sackcloth.

Now it's time to leave.

The cheerful song accompanied the footsteps of the distance, and the backs of the hunters disappeared into the forest.

……

"Is that them?"

Andrew asked, putting down the binoculars in his hand.

Binoculars, a new military product newly developed by the empire, were made by the craftsmen of the imperial capital under the guidance of the emperor.

The officers of the Imperial Army at the front line liked it as soon as it was used, and it was simply a godsend.

This is a powerful weapon to broaden the horizon of war, allowing the Imperial Army to see through the fog of war one step ahead of the enemy.

The Empire has come to the front again when the powerful enemies did not expect it.

Now the hunters are unsuspecting and fall into the sight of the Imperial Army.

Like a cunning wolf hunting, patiently waiting for its prey to return home.

"Yes!"

Pias, who answered, followed the new star of the empire, and he was assigned to Andrew as his deputy.

Unbeknownst to the mountain people, the huge Imperial Army was watching them from afar.

Every movement of the mountain people fell into the eyes of the officers of the Imperial Army, and there were no secrets to speak of.

The Imperial Army's best scouts quietly follow and explore the darkness that lies beneath beyond.

The Greeks, who were active in the mountains of Anatolia, became almost savages in paradise.

To the empire these people did not pay taxes and did not want to serve, they were of no use to the king.

But Emperor Alexios was different, and the ambition of the supreme of the empire was to conquer the east, restore the territory of the old empire, and replant the eagle banner of the empire throughout Anatolia.

It takes people to fill these lands, people to cultivate the land, and people to grow food.

Strength must be built up slowly!

The slaves could not bring the cohesion of the centripetal force of the empire, they could only change slowly.

The people that the Imperial Supreme really needed, these people had to be able to speak Greek, and it would be nice if they could be Christian.

As for whether it is Orthodox or Catholic, the emperor does not have much to worry about.

Sweeping through the various peoples of the empire, Alexios set his sights on the western lands of Anatolia.

There were a large number of forces that did not obey the rule of the empire, and they could not even be called forces, but rather some settlements.

The mountains are not really full of savages, but they are isolated.

With only a few channels of communication with the outside world, these people enjoy a false peace.

"This is the blood of the Imperial Army!"

So said the Supreme of the Empire.

"These people must be brought under the control of the Empire!"

Hussars had lost too many good cavalry in the great battle, and now the newly recruited soldiers were all peasants who had just picked up their weapons in three months.

This is a great opportunity!

Alexios not only included the savages in the deep mountains, but also the pirates along the coast and the robbers in the interior were within the range of the Imperial Army.

The Imperial Army squad led by Andrew, assisted by a hundred hussars, the real main force was a thousand recruits of the First Legion.

There were many more of these squads scattered throughout the western lands of Imperial Anatolia.

Relying on the mountain people's need for salt, or the use of some iron tools and other necessities.

The Imperial Sword of Damocles soon provided quite a few suspicious clues.

Andrew was lucky enough to find a gathering place for mountain people.

"Now we just have to wait for the scout's report!"

The officers of the Imperial Army smiled heartily, this was the time for training, and it was also the time for them to make meritorious contributions.

The Supreme of the Empire did not hesitate to reward gold and land to every soldier of the Imperial Army who fought bravely to kill the enemy.

Everyone is happy when they ask about the war!

At noon, the Imperial Army's scouts brought back good news.

"Your Excellency!"

"In the col, the hidden location, there are indeed very few people who can find it."

"Once a foreigner goes in, I'm afraid there will be no chance to come out."

"What's even more rare is that a barracks have been built outside the village, trenches have been dug, and watchtowers have been built!"

Andrew raised his eyebrows slightly, this village may seem a little tricky.

Beyond the imagination of the officers of the Imperial Army, there are still people who build villages according to military standards.

Bias looked at Andrew's embarrassed look and knew that this was a challenge for the recruits of the First Legion.

The Imperial Army would certainly have suffered certain losses in a strong attack on such a battalion.

If Andrew let the First Army lose too many soldiers, Edmund would definitely not be able to explain it.

The commander's thoughts inevitably affect the soldiers below.

"How do we do it?"

"Go and surround this village first, and since you find it, don't let it go."

"With such a huge marching footprint of the Imperial Army, when the hunters come out tomorrow, they will definitely find something."

"Once they escape, we're in vain."

"Fence it out!"

"If you can't take it, ask for reinforcements and take this village at the lowest cost."

The iron man advanced, and the Imperial army rode out of the way, and the foot soldiers behind slowly followed.

When the sun was slightly oblique, the Imperial Army appeared in the col.

This is indeed a good place, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, but the fragrance of flowers is overflowing, and there are birds singing.

It's just that a sudden uninvited guest interrupts this good time.

The people on the watchtower had probably never seen such a majestic army, and they sat on the ground for a long time without moving.

It wasn't until Andrew shot an arrow and hit the gate of the village that the man was relieved.

The sound of a desolate trumpet echoed through the valley, and the noise of the noise brought ripples.

Andrew was satisfied with the deterrent power of the Imperial Army, and motioned to the Imperial Army officers behind him.

There was a knight's squire, Andrew's personal guard, who rode his horse towards the village.

"If these savages understand the true meaning of power, they should know that fighting against the Imperial Army is only destruction!"