Iron Powder and Spellcasters

  Chapter 485 Rebuilding the Country (Preface)

  [County Wargne]

  [Oak Town]

  [Madiya Manor]

  In the evening, the "Wolf Cavalry" briefly visited Matiya Manor.

  Before it got dark, Mikhail, another wealthy family in Oak Town, a portly timber merchant, ran into the gate of Matiya Manor with his belt in his hands, crying and shouting.

"Ouch..." Mikhail, who had already reached middle age, snotted his nose and burst into tears, and took old Matiya's hand without dignity and kept howling: "What can we do now! Ouch! "

  Ma Jiya's family looked at each other, but they didn't know how to comfort each other.

  Because the old Matia, who was a "free man", also encountered everything that Mikhail, who was a "free man", encountered.

The wolf cavalry representing the will of the blood wolf came and asked Matia Milok to fulfill the glorious obligation of being a "free man"—however, it was an obligation that had never been fulfilled; at the same time, he enjoyed being a "free man" rights—of course, rights that have never been enjoyed.

  They asked old Majiya: leave as soon as possible, and must arrive in Maple Stone City before the last day of June to attend the General Assembly of Freemen.

"What a crime! I really did a crime! My mind is delusional!" Mikhail, who was also asked to attend the meeting, cried and regretted: "Why...why did I spend money to buy this freeman's top hat! Now this shabby hat! It's killing me! Ahhh!"

"Uncle Mikhail." Little Ma Jiya deliberately pronounced "Uncle" very hard. Seeing that the usually high-spirited black-hearted timber merchant lost his composure at the moment, he couldn't help but sarcastically said: "You just became a kid" You didn't say that when you were a free man, but you showed it off to my father at the town meeting!"

   Mikhail was stunned for a moment, then hugged old Matiya's thigh, howling louder.

  Old Maziya stopped his youngest son from continuing to sprinkle salt on the wood merchant's wounds with his eyes, and then waved his hands to signal everyone else to leave the living room.

  The old servant Tasso was the first to leave. He gave the wood merchant a last look with contempt, then he spat on the ground and left the room without looking back.

  Little Ma Jiya also imitated the old Tasso's movements, clumsily spat a little out of the carpet, and ran out after the old Tasso.

  After delivering a glass of sedative wine to the timber merchant, Mrs. Matia glanced at her husband worriedly, wrapped her shawl tightly and went back to the second floor.

   Mikhail drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, and waited until the others had left before revealing his true intentions.

"Brother Matiya...Brother Matiya..." Mikhail asked sobbingly: "You! You are the person I respect the most. Tell me, what...what will we do? Should we go? Or not? go?"

   "Freemen's Congress." Old Matia paused, his face still had a granite-like expression of lack of emotion: "Every 'freeman' must go."

   Mikhail said with a sad face: "Is there always someone who can't go?"

"This time is a meeting of freemen in the new land. I am afraid that all the 'freemen' in the province have been notified. If they want to talk about what they want to do, it must be about the major events of the entire province." Old Majiya asked: "If you don't want to go, why are you paying for the title?"

  In the Republic of Plato, free people do not refer to "free people", but people who have the right to vote and be elected. Free people can take up public office, speak first at town and village assemblies and become members of local and even higher-level councils.

   But wanting to be a "free man" is not an easy thing. Unless you have made military achievements, you can only buy it with money.

  Old Maziya’s status as a free man came from his military exploits, but Mikhail, a timber merchant, spent a lot of money to get it.

   "I didn't know there would be something like this today?" Mikhail repented, he asked tremblingly: "All the 'people' of the new land will go? Then...how many people will there be?"

  "Hundreds of people." Old Matia answered irrelevantly: "The new land will not exceed a thousand people."

   Knowing that his title was even rarer than he thought, Mikhail felt a little proud and joyful for no reason.

   But when he thought that this title made him fall into the wolf's mouth, Mikhail couldn't help feeling sad.

   "No." Mikhail asked tearfully, "Can you?"

  Old Majiya thought for a while, and replied seriously: "I don't care what I say."

   "That, that... I'm sick!"

   Mikhail became energetic all of a sudden. He pulled up his trouser legs to reveal his stubby calves, looked around in the living room, and finally selected a vase.

  He picked up the vase, gestured to his leg, and yelled anxiously: "I, I, I... my leg is broken! I can't go out! Can't I?"

   "Hmm." Old Majiya's response was only a nasal sound.

   Mikhail gritted his teeth and gestured for a long time, but he still couldn't do it. After repeated several times, his full emotions disappeared in an instant. He fell limply to his knees, like a skin that had been emptied.

   "How can I live like this!" The lumber merchant covered his fat face and wailed sadly: "I just gave birth to a daughter! How can she live without me!"

  Old Majiya silently took back the vase that his wife loved so much from the timber merchant, and carefully put it back in its original place.

Mikhail hugged old Matia's thigh again, and asked incoherently: "Blood wolf... Blood wolf, he is trying to kidnap us, right? Call all the rich households from the new land to have a spoonful of stew I heard that he used all kinds of torture! Ahhh! How can he be so cruel! How can I stand it!"

  Old Majiya asked puzzledly: "How do you know that Your Excellency Blood Wolf has all kinds of torture?"

   "I... heard it from someone." Mikhail sucked his nose hard, and added: "But the person who told me has seen the blood wolf with his own eyes. He said that the blood wolf has a green face and fangs, and it looks fierce..."

  Old Majiya tried his best to recall the young face who sold new plow tools to him, but he couldn't associate it with the blue face, fangs, and evil spirit.

   "Your Excellency Blood Wolf." Old Majiya instinctively corrected the timber dealer: "It's not what you said."

   Mikhail suddenly regained his spirits: "Dude...you...you have seen blood wolves."

  Old Maziya nodded slowly.

   "He he he...how is he?" Mikhail asked hastily: "Is he just? Is he benevolent? Is he as cruel as they say?"

   At the end of the question, the lumber merchant had already started to cry: "He... did he kidnap..."

  Old Majiya thought for a long time, but couldn't find a suitable word to describe the blood wolf. Although we only met for a short time, what the young leader conveyed to old Matiya could not be explained in a single word or sentence, and old Matiya didn't know how to tell Mikhail illustrate.

  After thinking about it for a while, old Matiya said solemnly: "I will go."

   Mikhail howled for a while before realizing what old Matiya said. In an instant, all his tears and snot were held back: "What did you say?"

   "I will go to the General Assembly of Freemen." Old Matia paused: "I want to hear what Your Excellency Montagne wants to say."

   Mikhail froze in place.

  At this moment, another voice came miserably from the direction of the gate of the manor: "Ahh! Brother Matiya! What can I do! I can't survive!..."

  …

  …

  [Maple Stone City]

  [Officer's Residence]

  Some people are unwilling to go, but some people are willing to come.

  After receiving the notice, Gerald Mitchell and Ellen Mitchell, who were far away in Wolf Town, set off immediately, and even arrived in Maplestone City earlier than many "free men" who were close to Wargne County.

   Right now, the Mitchells are visiting Pierre's residence.

  The officer’s residence of the former headquarters of the New Reclamation Corps is located in the best part of Maplestone City. Standing at the door, you can see the bell tower of Maplestone City Cathedral, and open the window to see the quietly flowing Anya River.

  The building complex composed of a group of apartments is itself an independent community, guarded by walls and guards, private and quiet. The construction of each apartment building itself is also very expensive.

  Old Mitchell looked at the whole apartment inside and out, and finally only one word popped out: "Not bad."

   Then, he glanced at his son again, snorted softly, and said, "It's better than our house."

   "You are joking, Dad." Pierre quickly surrendered, and he looked at his mother for help: "Mitchell Manor is always the best."

  Mrs. Mitchell, who was holding Pierre's arm, looked at her husband tenderly and smiled, and Gerald Mitchell stopped playing petty temper with her son.

   "You have worked **** this journey." Pierre, who briefly escaped from his father's attack, opened the cupboard and frantically searched for traces of the wine bottle: "It must not be easy to come here so quickly."

  He has just moved into this house not long ago, and even because he is always on the go, he has never lived here for a few days, and he lacks the self-awareness of "owner".

"It's not hard at all, and it's easier than traveling far when I was young." Girard sat carefully on the soft chair covered with crocheted flowers, and looked at the furnishings in the living room: "We came in the new carriage of the government. , food and lodging will be arranged along the way, and you will arrive at the place just like playing.”

  Pierre finally found the target, and while walking back, he asked his mother: "Is that so? Mom."

   Mrs. Mitchell smiled and nodded.

   "That's good." Pierre introduced while pouring wine for his father: "These houses originally belonged to officers of the New Reclamation Legion. After taking over Maplestone City, Lord Montagne redistributed them to us."

  Gillard took the glass but didn't drink it. He asked with concern: "So, you are finally a real officer?"

"We... our subordinates of Lord Montagne, the current situation is a bit special." Pierre explained patiently and restrainedly: "As far as I know, Your Excellency is discussing with other 'Reconstruction Preparatory Committee' how to transfer our military rank , Positions are merged into the original system."

As he said that, Pierre smiled a little embarrassedly: "However, you know, if we follow the old rules directly, many of us can become 'college officers'. So... this matter is still being negotiated. "

  Hearing his son's words, Gilad sighed with half relief and half loss: "It seems that it will be my turn to salute you in the future."

  Pierre quickly supported his old father's pride: "How could it be!? Dad, you will always be my 'sir'."

   "Let's have a drink." Girard picked up the bottle and poured some wine for his son: "Pierre."

   "It's a great honor." Pierre took the wine glass respectfully.

  Girard and his wife looked at each other and replied seriously: "It's also my honor."

   At this moment, there was a sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs, and the short-haired Scarlett ran into the living room from the second floor like a gust of wind, announcing loudly: "I want to live in the second largest room!"

  Mrs. Mitchell—Pierre’s new wife—carried her daughter with a smile in her eyes and followed slowly down the stairs.

  On the way, the Mitchells brought their daughter-in-law and youngest daughter who were in Gervaudin.

  Pierre replied mercilessly: "You live in the smallest room."

   "Stingy." Scarlett made a grimace, and said contemptuously, "I knew you must keep good things for yourself."

   "The second bedroom is for my sister and brother-in-law, and the master bedroom is for my father and mother." Pierre glanced at his parents, then at his wife: "Amelie and I are going to live outside."

   "Will Fanny and Alex come too?" Ellen unconsciously clutched her chest.

   "Yes." Pierre held his mother's hand: "Brother-in-law will come. I asked someone to deliver a letter to brother-in-law, asking him to bring my sister too."

  Girard was silent for a moment, and quietly wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand: "Then our family will be reunited."

   "Yes." Pierre replied with a smile.

  After a brief absence, Ellen cared about her son again: "We can squeeze in with Scarlett, and you don't have to find a place to live outside."

  Hearing this, Scarlett showed a very reluctant expression.

   "Don't worry, Mom." Pierre gently shook his mother's hand, then looked at his wife with a smile: "There are a lot of bachelors here, and the most important thing is empty rooms."

   "But there is no ash in the hearth." Amelie Mitchell held her sleeping daughter and asked timidly, "You haven't eaten well, have you?"

"That's because I'm outside most of the time." Pierre walked to his wife, rubbed his stepdaughter's hair, and explained gently: "Even if I come back to live occasionally, I always go to other people's places to start a business. Don't worry, I'm eating well."

  Amelie nodded shyly. For this newlywed couple, although the wife is three years older than the husband and is remarried, it is strange that the latter is actually the dominant one.

   "That's right." Pierre turned to look at his parents, and pointed to the distance: "Your Excellency's residence is over there, and you can see it after walking a few steps."

  Hearing this, Girard and Scarlett visibly became nervous.

"Why didn't you say it earlier?" Girard stood up abruptly, straightened the wrinkles on his clothes quickly, and taught his son bitterly: "In this case, we should thank you immediately. How can anyone know that It’s right in front of you, but you don’t go to say hello, why did you even forget the rules of the Dusa people?”

   "Don't worry." Pierre pressed his father's shoulder: "Your Excellency is definitely not at the residence now."

   "Then... where is your Excellency?"

   "Now." Pierre thought for a while, and couldn't help showing a wry smile: "It should be in the siege camp."

   "Siege camp? Attack what? Fort Maple Leaf?"

   Pierre nodded.

   "I heard." Gilad slowly sat back in his seat and asked curiously: "I heard that it has been around for more than a month, and it hasn't been taken down yet."

Pierre didn't know how to explain to his old father for a while: "The situation here is a bit complicated... Anyway, you don't have to worry about being rude to your Excellency. Your Excellency also said a few days ago that when you and your mother arrive in Fengshi City, you will come to visit you personally Woolen cloth."

  Gillard let out a long "oh".

   After a while, Girard asked thoughtfully again: "What is your Excellency going to do with such a big battle this time?"

   "You don't have to worry about it." Pierre replied without hesitation: "You can do whatever your Excellency asks you to do."

  Girard frowned.

  …

   At the same time, at the siege camp outside Maple Stone City.

  Winters and Mason squatted side by side in the artillery bunker, staring ahead in distress.

  In their field of vision, the giant Maple Leaf Fort quietly entrenched on the hill.

  Although the surface has been mottled by shells and the wall fortifications have been knocked to pieces, this giant stone fortress built by the New Reclamation Legion for 20 years is still standing.

  On the triangular fort facing the siege camp, a military flag belonging to the red rose was swaying weakly in the wind.

   [Supplementary note: The freeman election system is an electoral system that really existed in British history; in this context, freeman does not refer to [free people], but people who have obtained the right to vote and be elected]

   [Today, the right to vote and to be elected is a basic right of citizens. But in what was once England and later the Kingdom of Britain, this right was a privilege]

   [In different regions, the conditions for becoming a free person are not consistent. In some towns, you can become a free man if you have real estate and cooking utensils; in some towns, you need to pay a large sum of money to buy the status of a free man; in some towns, you need to have enough property and annual income]

   [However, in England at that time, no matter where it was, freemen belonged to a small number of titles. In extreme places, there were only seven freemen in such a large town]

   [In fact, it was not until 1948 that Britain entered the era of one person, one vote. Until then, voting is a privilege]

   [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]

  (end of this chapter)