I will be crowned king

"Thank you to the distinguished Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach! It was he who overcame all objections and made the small Winter torch city have such an honor to be the venue for the first session of the Free Confederation - this is the first time for all 20,000 people in Winter torch city The good fortune of the people is also the common good fortune of countless colonists heading into an unknown new world!”

In a hall with a rough and arrogant style, like a castle in the Dark Ages, Duncan, the Speaker of Winter Torch City, wearing a fur coat and a felt hat, was holding a frothy beer and waving his stubby right hand toward the audience with his face flushed. Five fingers:

"Gentlemen! Raise your glasses, let us all wish that Lord Anson Bach's body will be like the unquenchable lighthouse of Winter Torch City, and he will always be healthy!"

“Always healthy-!!!!”

Thunderous cheers echoed in the center of the hall, and along with the cheers rushed to the ceiling, there were countless people's hats and golden wine; hundreds of wooden mugs were raised high above their heads, and together they formed a tumble. of waves.

Compared with those colonies in the south, Winter Torch City is more crude in style; this is not only reflected in its eating habits and architectural decoration, but also in certain "customs".

In this colonial outpost in the far north, people here pay more attention to the importance of food and fuel for production activities; after all, under the severe cold, heat is life and hope; for a city surrounded by ice and snow with inconvenient transportation, these Always scarce.

The scarier something is, the easier it is to become some kind of "hard currency" and a symbol of identity and status; and the way people in Dongju City express their gratitude is reflected in these hard currencies.

As an ally of the "United Front" of the Free Confederacy, Anson was not only placed closest to the "big fireplace" - facing the door, but there was also a hill of charcoal piled on each side of the dining table, a half-person-high brazier, and The chairs underneath were also covered with thick bearskin.

Feeling the heat wave rolling in from behind and on both sides, Anson, who was wearing only a military coat, slumped down on the bear skin. Sweat covered his whole body like a bath, and the military uniform, which had been soaked over and over again, clung to his skin. , the eyes become more and more dull due to the rapid dehydration...

In comparison, even the speakers and important representatives of other colonies were treated much "inferiorly" than his guest - not only were they far away from the big fireplace, but there was only a small brazier on the ground next to the dining table... As a fiancée As for Thalia, who is "unworthy", she only has a few more charcoal pieces in the brazier than others.

As for the officer corps and entourage of the Storm Division, Lieutenant Colonel Fabian, Secretary Alan Dawn, Chief of Staff Carl Bain... there is not even a brazier, and the dining table has to be shared by two or three people.

Looking at the "well-received" commander-in-chief, the loyal adjutant had no idea of ​​being left out, let alone complained about losing the bet... and even wanted to laugh out loud.

After chatting with several members of Winter torch city, Karl probably figured out the reason why the other party was making such a big fuss, and that was Anson's "partiality" towards Winter torch city when he purged the loyalists.

While the other colonies were beheading, shooting, and hanging... Wintertorch City just exiled the loyalists in the city and let them go to the north to open up new colonies.

It is true that the risk of doing so is also very high, and it is almost impossible for the exiled loyalists to survive in the wind, snow and wilderness; but such a "merciful" approach can easily lead to the already very marginalized Winter torch city being further colonized by other colonies. Exclude.

At this time, Anson Bach acted as an "outsider" and "ally" to mediate or even support, and also made the originally uncompetitive Winter torch city the venue for the first session of the Free Confederation. Naturally, it will be They are grateful.

It's just this "fire-like enthusiasm" in the literal sense. Even if you are watching from a distance, you can feel the heat rushing to your face, and the sweat on your forehead and back is flowing like raindrops.

In order to prevent himself from dying of dehydration at the banquet, and not wanting to lose face, Anson could only replenish water quickly: no matter who took the initiative to toast, he would drink it all in one gulp. The amazing momentum made everyone present feel moved, sighing that he was indeed the legendary " The Clovis people who "consider beer as drinking water" have some organs that are completely different from those of the Imperial people.

Of course, as a representative of the Clovis Colony—yes, externally Anson comes not as the commander-in-chief of the garrison, but as the chief councilor of Beluga Port-Grey Snow Town—except for the insignificant consideration of face, The reason is to ensure that the Free Confederacy is absolutely independent and free under the protection of Clovis through this existential declaration attitude.

To put it more bluntly, it means not giving them any chance to negotiate independently without the Storm Division in any public place.

And this is another benefit of placing the meeting location in Winter torch city: the weak and marginalized Winter torch city must get his support in order to gain a foothold in the Free Confederacy; and the White Whale Port holds some of the Supplies are also hard currency in short supply in this far north colony.

"...The supply of salt in Dongju City is also a problem that Beluga Port has always wanted to solve."

Anson, who was holding back his drunkenness and was dizzy, said sternly to the Speaker of Winter Torch City who stepped forward to inquire: "In the past, we relied heavily on trade with the three countries of the North Sea in this regard. Even if we wanted to provide help to our friends, we would not be able to help our friends. Weak-hearted.”

"But after the development of the past six months, Beluga Port has established its first salt-making factory and has initially gained the ability to be self-sufficient. At the same time, we are still negotiating with the three North Sea countries to increase the amount of imports - as long as the negotiations are successful, we can Sell ​​it to Winter torch city at half the current price.”

"Dear Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach, you are truly the savior given to us by the Circle of Order!"

The Speaker of Dongju City was overjoyed, and his already red cheeks were almost turning purple. Although the price of salt in Dongju City was sky-high, cutting it in half would still be a sky-high price, but it was already a huge benefit: "That's not it. Do you know what Dongju City will give in exchange for this salt trade?"

After all, precious metals and currencies are very scarce in the New World, and barter trade is the mainstream. And the specialty products of Winter Torch City: timber, aquatic products, livestock, animal skins... There is no shortage in Beluga Port, even the "animal slave" trade, There are also more suitable choices such as Black Reef Port and Gray Pigeon Fortress.

But obviously, Anson will never do loss-making business:

"land."

"……land?"

The Speaker of Dongju City, who was stunned for a few seconds before reacting, looked a little confused.

"Yes, we hope to rent land from Winter Torch City in the name of Storm Division and build a semi-permanent military camp." Anson said with great sincerity:

"We intend to use this military camp as a staging post and advancement base for the Storm Division heading west to support our subsequent battle against the Empire."

"Forward... But don't you already have Lake Town? And I believe that both Red Hand Bay and Black Reef Port are more suitable than Winter torch city - they are both coastal ports."

Perhaps because he was stimulated by the "military camp" and "land lease", the excited Dongju City Speaker suddenly sobered up: "Why choose the inland Dongju City?"

"It is precisely because they are a coastal port and Dongju City is the only large inland colony that we chose our base here." Anson tried his best to explain patiently:

"Relying on the port to quickly mobilize troops and supplies is indeed a more convenient option; but since there are things we can think of, it is impossible for the empire to not think of them - I heard that you were also a noble of Adlan, so it is impossible not to know Just how powerful is the Empire's 'Grand Fleet'."

"Lord Anson Bach, you are saying that the empire might..."

"It's not possible, but it's certain - watching all of his colonies become independent and even establishing their own country, do you think it's possible for Emperor Herred of Snapdragon City to remain indifferent?" Anson asked with a hint of sarcasm. road:

"Give up your illusions, this is impossible; not only is it impossible, they will definitely re-enslave all the colonies at any cost; in order to ensure that the Free Confederacy can no longer resist, and by the way make up for the losses during the suppression process, the intensity of oppression and exploitation will even increase It will be a hundred times, a thousand times stronger than before."

"Therefore, as the only large inland colony, Winter Torch City's geographical location is of vital importance; after all, no matter how invincible the empire's fleet is, it will not be able to cut off our supply lines on land."

"……I see."

Since Anson can come up with reasonable reasons, the Speaker of Winter torch city cannot refuse - of course he knows that once the military camp is established, Winter torch city will become a vassal of White Whale Port like Long Lake Town; it is nominally independent, In fact, every move is under the supervision of Clovis' army.

Why are Black Reef Port and Red Hand Bay working so hard to purge loyalists? Just to not give Beluga Port any excuse to move in and "defend" their independence and freedom.

Of course, Anson could guess what the other party was thinking; in order to ensure the stability of this "transit station", the candies he prepared for the other party were not just salt trade.

"In that case, there are still a few things that I have to mention." Not paying attention to the flash of loneliness in the other person's eyes, Ansen seemed to be minding his own business and said:

"The military camp and a series of corresponding ancillary buildings will be built by Beluga Harbor and the Storm Division alone; but the work of widening roads and building large warehouses must be entrusted to you and Winter torch city."

"Warehouse?" The Speaker of Dongju City was stunned.

"Yes, the warehouse - used to store and mobilize military supplies." Anson said matter-of-factly:

"We are going to fight the empire next. Winter Torch City is the logistics base of the army. Naturally, we need to prepare enough supplies. A steady stream of supplies will gather here and then go to the front line from Winter Torch City."

"I have entrusted the councils of Beluga Port and Gray Snow Town to start mobilizing supplies to Winter Torch City; at the same time, the Animal Husbandry Committee led by Miss Thalia Luhn has also reached an agreement with Long Lake Town to recruit no less than a thousand head. All beasts of burden shall be delivered to Winter Torch City.”

"A thousand-headed pack..." The surprised Dongju City Speaker could no longer speak: "These are all going to be handed over to us?!"

"At tomorrow's meeting, I will propose to the Free Confederacy to establish a special 'Logistics Department' to be responsible for the transportation and dispatching of military supplies." Anson smiled calmly:

"I sincerely hope that the Dongjing City Autonomous Council can assume a key role in it."

"Thanks for your trust!"

The Speaker of Winter Torch City immediately spoke: "I also promise you that Winter Torch City will never betray your trust and that of Beluga Port!"

Taking on the logistics and dispatching work of thousands or even nearly ten thousand soldiers, it is certainly not clear to him how much money can be made from it - even if the Winter Torch City Council is honest and honest, it will never take away a needle or thread from the warehouse. Contracting out the cashiering, transportation, and mobilization of logistics warehouses... is already an unimaginably huge amount of income for the sparsely populated Dongju City.

The Speaker of Winter Torch City was overjoyed. He guessed that money would be spent for the military base Beluga Port, but he did not expect that the other party would be so sincere - if this condition was met, then it would not be impossible to become a vassal of Beluga Port.

"It would be great if this work could not only ensure the logistics of the army, but also benefit the development of Winter Torch City." Anson continued to give the other party a hint:

"As a forward position for colonists to expand inland, Winter torch is of extraordinary significance to the entire Free Confederacy; even if it cannot eventually become the capital of the Confederacy, it should still have an extremely unique status - just like Gray Pigeon Castle."

"What you said makes so much sense!" The Speaker of Winter torch city certainly knew what he was implying: "As for Gray Pigeon Castle and the Frey sisters, Winter torch city has always been very sad about their experiences."

"The death of Speaker Frey is a tragic lesson. We must always remember this lesson and never let it happen again in the land of the new world - freedom must belong to all the people of the Free Confederacy!"

"I can assure you that at tomorrow's meeting, Winter torch city will become their staunchest ally and fight for everything they deserve for Gray Dove Castle - whether it is freedom or a special status."

"As for Miss Polina Frey who drafted the Declaration of Resistance... On behalf of Winter torch city, we believe that although she is young, she is fully qualified to compete for the Supreme Leader of the Free Confederacy, both in terms of political experience and spirit of rebellion. position and become a flag against the empire."

His expression was very serious, as if he had made a bold decision after careful consideration - it had nothing to do with being bribed, and he was not under any pressure from any quarter. Everything was voluntary and free.

"Really? Then let me first thank you and the council members of Winter Torch City on her behalf; a great legend like you is willing to stand up for her and teach her experience behind the scenes, which will become an inexhaustible wealth for her throughout her life." The corners of Anson's mouth turned up and he showed his white teeth, ignoring the fact that he didn't even know the other person's name.

"No, you should educate her more profoundly." The speaker of Dongju City, who had yellow teeth in his mouth, grinned, with a face full of flattery.

The clash of two men's upper and lower teeth decided the fate of a certain girl.