Two years ago, at the beginning of 1035, more than 700,000 people lived in the entire Duchy of Normandy, the populous Seine valley in northwestern France, but after two years of war, the population outside the county of Evreux fell from more than 550,000 to less than 400,000, while the population of the county of Evreux increased from less than 140,000 to 230,000.

Among them was a part of the population brought by the free peasants and the nobles who were not far away from the rebels, but these were less than 30,000 people, and since the middle of last year, this method of obtaining the population has been gradually cut off, because a large number of knights and nobles have defected, which angered Kay and others, and directly sent troops to blockade the border area with the county of Evre.

William was not reconciled to the deprivation of access to the population, so he ordered Baron Hubert's 1st Regiment, Sir Ronald's 2nd Regiment, and Rodrigo's 3rd Regiment to lead their headquarters and a part of the cavalry and standing militia to raid the border areas and save the people of Normandy from the brutal rule of Kay.

In the year 1036 alone, William made frequent sorties during the spring and autumn grain harvest seasons, mobilized more than half of the standing army and militia, swept more than 60 estates, harvested more than 50,000 serfs and freemen, and nearly a million pounds of barley, rye and other grains.

In addition to William's unremitting policy of encouraging fertility, and giving food subsidies to those who have multiple births, regardless of their status, the population of the county of Evreux naturally increased by more than 20,000 people in just over a year after the policy was implemented.

The strength of William and Kay and other rebels has always been in a state of flux, and it is said that William should wait for the opportunity until his strength surpasses Kay and others, but as the Duke of Normandy, William can't bear to see the Normans suffer from the cruel rule of the rebels, and he waits for one more day, and Normandy will be destroyed by them a little more.

Although William and Kay are roughly equal in strength, in the case of William's military strength surpassing the other party, William is still confident that he can defeat the other party, especially when William flexibly uses diplomacy and conspiracy to attack the other party, the strength of Kay and the others is not as good as before.

In the past two days, William, who was busy preparing for the war, received several good news, the first of which was the two good news that Emma brought to William.

Renault, Count of Hauts-Burgundy. Morality. Led by the rumors spread by Emma, Ivrea was caught in a war with the princes within the de jure territory of the Duchy of Upper Burgundy, whether they wanted it or not, but at this moment Renault, Count of Upper Burgundy, was already mired in war and could not spare his forces to support Kay.

Another piece of good news is that Emma's espionage activities in Normandy have finally had a decisive effect, and one of the military commanders on the Kay side, Baron Ralph Tyson, expressed his willingness to show neutrality in the war between William and Kay, but Emma analyzed from the other party's words that there is still a lot to be done to win over Baron Ralph Taisson, as long as William promises some benefits.

"Emma, well done, please be sure to bring Baron Ralph Taison over, as long as he promises to be on my side, it is not impossible for him to join the Duke's Court for an important position." William was relieved.

Emma's espionage in Normandy was carried out independently with William's tacit consent, and William didn't expect too much from Emma before, but he didn't expect Emma to bring such a huge surprise to William, if Baron Tyson turned against him during the battle between the two sides, you can imagine how huge the morale blow to the Kay side would be.

On the same day, the Bishop of Hamelin also brought good news to William, the Earl of Mortan and William the Younger, the Earl of Erburg, were excommunicated by Benedict IX and the decree of the Breaking Law had been conveyed to the nobles and monasteries of Normandy, and now the nobles on the Kay side were centrifuged, which was the lowest point of the morale of the other party, which was really a good opportunity, and more importantly, against the excommunicated guy William could ignore the armistice and directly declare war on it.

When the fighter plane approached, William did not hesitate, and immediately summoned five people from the Military Aircraft Department, Baron Adolf, Baron Agentau, Baron Hubert, Steward Osborne, and Bishop Hamelin to discuss the arrangements for the war.

As soon as the five of them were seated, William stood up and announced in a loud voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have decided to declare war on Kay, raise up an army to sweep away this group of traitors, and unify the Duchy of Normandy."

"Your Highness William, we have been waiting for this day for a long time. Since we left Rouen two years ago, we have been looking forward to you to put down the rebellion, reclaim Normandy, and recreate the glory of the Normandy family. When Sir Hubert heard this, he stood up eagerly and replied excitedly.

"Master William, that's great." Tears welled up in Osborne's cheeks, and he said with relief: "Since the death of the old Duke Robert, I have always felt guilty that I did not do my duty, and today you have decided to recover Normandy, which is also a wish of mine. ”

"His Royal Highness William, we all support you, and everything is subject to your arrangement." Baron Adolf, Baron Richard, and Bishop Hamelin all spoke loudly.

"Very well, guys, I'm going to announce the arrangements for each of you now." William looked around at the crowd and announced, "Baron Adolf, you have sent a messenger on my behalf to deliver a declaration of war to Kay, and I will announce to everyone that I, William, am going to fight against the traitors." During my expedition, the affairs of Evreux will be entrusted to you. ”

"Rest assured, I will live up to your trust, Your Highness William." Baron Adolf stood up and promised.

"Steward Osborne, I have worked hard for you to prepare ordnance and supplies for me, and when I go on the expedition, please stay in Evle for me, and govern Evre with him as Baron Adolf's deputy." William smiled and looked at Steward Osborne and said.

"Master William, I will definitely protect Evler for you, even if it is to fight for my own life." Steward Osborne solemnly promised.

"Baron Hubert, Baron Richard, you will be my two commanders, each leading an army with me, this time whether I can defeat Count Mortan Kay depends on your performance." William looked at Hubert and Richard and solemnly entrusted.

"It is my glory to fight for you, and I will sweep everything for you, no matter how many enemies lie ahead." Baron Hubert stood up and replied in a loud voice.

"Those rebels are nothing more than a rabble, and with only five thousand knights in my hands, I can defeat twice as many rebels." Baron Richard was confident that in his opinion, the regrouping of the Knights, equipped with a large number of new plate armor, and the regrouping of the trained Knights would be reborn before, and he was fully confident of winning.

"Bishop Hamelin, please contact the parishes and monasteries in the Duchy of Normandy for me, I hope they will provide me with supplies and a part of the troops, please." William please.

"My Highness, William, I am glad to serve, and I think the same is true of the church in Normandy." Bishop Hamelin replied with a smile.

"In three days, I will march with 5,000 men from the 1st and 2nd regiments, 600 from the equipment battalion, 1,000 from the cavalry regiment, 1,200 from the Guards Regiment, 6,000 from the standing militia, 5,000 from the Knights, and hundreds of craftsmen, while Rodrigo, who is stationed in the parish of Lisch, is responsible for leading the 3rd Regiment of the main force, the independent cavalry battalion, and the defenders from all over the country to guard against the rebels on the side of the Count of Urborg that may arise in the direction of Rouen." William finally declared.

"Yes, His Highness William." Everyone's faces showed excited and expectant looks, and they all stood up and answered loudly.