Chapter 274 [Imperial Powers]

In the blink of an eye, summer has passed, and when the west wind begins to pick up, in October, after the busy farming season ends, recruitment notices are posted simultaneously in several towns at the junction of Desa and Nulin provinces. The notice is

A conscription order jointly signed by Duke Tulip, Lord of the Province of Desa, and Bohan, Governor of the Province of Nulin.

Duke Tulip obtained permission from the Imperial Military High Command to recruit troops across the border. He planned to recruit about two infantry reserve divisions and one cavalry reserve division in Nulin Province, a total of 60,000 people.

Such a large-scale conscription order caused an uproar throughout the northwest!

What surprised people was that in Duke Tulip's announcement, he set a higher salary for the private soldiers of the Tulip family than that for the official army. Under such circumstances, the situation in the northwest had gradually calmed down.

, it became lively again!

This is the first time such a large-scale conscription has been carried out in many years. Sixty thousand people were recruited at one time, even though the population of Nulin Province was twice that of Desa Province... it was still a heavy burden.

However, what surprised the outside world was that it seemed that Governor Bohan of Nulin Province was very supportive of this matter. He even did not hesitate to harm the population. He also abandoned many government affairs before the winter and transferred a large number of grassroots officials and some

The garrison went to various recruitment sites to maintain order.

On Du Wei's side, the person responsible for recruiting troops was Gaida, who was known as the "Little Two Hundred and Five". Although this guy was a bit rude, he was a good man in leading the cavalry. The person responsible for assisting Gaida was the infantry division of the Tulip family.

Regiment Commander Robert Knight.

According to the secret deal between Du Wei and Governor Bohan, the two infantry divisions recruited this time were divided into two groups, one for each family. The one cavalry division was also divided in half.

Close to the border between the two provinces, a camp has been built in Duwei's territory. In the next year, the camp will be further expanded and built, and will be built into a permanent military fortress. It will be enough to station 100,000 people.

A military city for the army. From a geographical point of view, such a military fortress also played a certain role in clamping down on the Northwest Army.

The recruitment work is very busy and complicated. Du Wei has ordered that the procedures be strictly followed to avoid allowing people from hostile forces to mix into his army. With the cooperation of Governor Bohan, every conscripted soldier will be

Carefully investigate the other person’s place of origin and background.

Fortunately, Bohan has been operating in Nulin Province for many years and has a very basic foundation in administrative work in this area.

In addition, Du Wei also received good news.

Du Wei's old friend, Captain Beinrich of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Group in the North, personally visited Du Wei a month ago with the latest batch of goods, and at the same time expressed one of his wishes: many lives

Old mercenaries who retired after taking risks. After quitting their adventuring career, these men who once licked blood from their swords often end up in a miserable old age. Although some people have quite a lot of savings, more people are not good at managing money, or they live a life of adventure all year round.

If you develop habits such as drinking, gambling, etc., you will often spend money lavishly and your life will be difficult.

After all, these people are all veteran mercenaries with special skills. Although most of them are retired mercenaries, it is partly because of old age or even disability. However, after all, it is a pity that these experienced veteran mercenaries are left to fend for themselves.

.

After hearing what Beinrich said, Du Wei immediately made a decision in person: from now on, he, Du Wei, would accept all the retired mercenaries of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Group.

After all, these people risk their lives. Although they are old or disabled, their martial arts skills are still there. Even if they cannot be used as soldiers, it is absolutely perfect to send them to the military camp to serve as instructors and train the new soldiers in their martial arts skills!

Beinrich was extremely grateful for Duwei's generosity, and immediately united several small and medium-sized mercenary groups he was familiar with and sent some retired brothers.

In this way, although Du Wei was sending a favor to the other party, in fact, it also greatly solved his own manpower shortage problem.

The recruitment work is in full swing at Governor Bohan's place. And Du Wei is not idle here either.

According to the order of the imperial military headquarters, the 20,000 cavalry stationed on the grassland finally arrived at Loulan City and stationed themselves in the military camp outside the city.

Du Wei handed over the matter to General Longbottom. According to the secret agreement between Du Wei and Prince Chen, Du Wei could keep 6,000 cavalry!

Du Wei's expectations for these six thousand cavalry are very high! After all, these people are not new recruits, they are experienced and well-trained elite cavalry, and many of the officers are Longbottom's old subordinates. After receiving them,

Combat effectiveness can be formed in a short period of time.

In this matter, Du Weike was not polite to Prince Chen at all. He asked Longbottom to take the military order to the military camp outside the city, and asked the 20,000 cavalry to line up, and then Longbottom went to select them one by one.

All the best young men in each team were intercepted. Then the best of the best were selected. The 6,000 men selected from the 20,000 cavalry were definitely an elite cavalry!

In the end, with a stroke of his pen, Du Wei intercepted all the people who had been Longbottom's old subordinates from the officer list. In this way, although Prince Chen was given 14,000 people, the real

The strongest fighting force has remained under Du Wei's men.

The war horses compensated by the prairie people and Du Wei's share were all given to Longbottom to supplement the cavalry.

As for the 10,000 cowhide... Du Wei sent people to transport them to Gilliat City.

Less than five days after 10,000 cow hides were delivered to Giliyat City, the first batch of hot air balloons officially took off in the sky of Giliyat City.

Du Wei had already done hot air ballooning in his hometown of Luolin Plain. However, at that time, so-called hot air balloons were far from mature and could only be used to transport some letters or valuables.

The dyes mainly used to burn hot gas were not of high quality enough. After research by several magicians in Gilliat City, plus some formulas provided by Du Wei himself, a final dye formula was finally determined: using

The pharmaceutical solution extracted from sixteen kinds of magic potions is diluted in a special amount to produce dye in batches.

The hot gas generated after the combustion of these dyes achieves the best results currently available in terms of buoyancy and stability.

The formula of this dye was also ordered by Du Wei to be kept strictly confidential as a first-class secret. Even the production procedures were strictly separated into several processes and had no connection with each other.

Du Wei knew that this kind of technology might not be able to dominate for a long time, but if he could monopolize it for one more day, he would have an advantage.

Ten thousand pieces of cowhide were urgently made into balloons. According to the previous plan, these airships were used as transportation vehicles. According to the load capacity, the largest load-bearing airship at present can carry approximately four tons.

Du Wei knew very well about such things. Hot air balloon airships were extremely backward and fragile in terms of speed and defense. They could not appear on the front line as a combat force and could only be used as logistical transportation tools.

However, at least I have another air force, which can be regarded as a situational supplement to the "air force" I envisioned.

After Du Wei sent a few letters, soon, on the Luolin Plain, the "FedEx" founded by Du Wei had opened a branch in the northwest, and the first branch was set up in Loulan.

city.

Subsequently, hot air balloons, a new thing, began to become the hottest topic among Northwest people.

It's a pity that Du Wei doesn't know anything about steam engines or anything like that. Otherwise, he would really want to create an industrial revolution.

However, even if he did not achieve such a magical level, Du Wei finally calculated the strength in his hands. After conscription, his total strength reached 60,000, including a cavalry division, and his combat effectiveness was not weak.

.

In addition, there is the only air force on the mainland. This is the only air force so far. It even has no opponents.

And looking at his subordinates, they can be regarded as being full of masters. Two paladins, plus a few outstanding and powerful magicians (including terrifying beings like Gandalf and Medusa).

With such strength, they are gradually establishing a foothold in the northwest. Whether it is the northwest army or the grassland people, they can be regarded as having a certain degree of confidence.

The only thing that made Du Wei a little worried was Ruolin, who brought the entire fleet to Nanyang. There has been no news about this female knight since she went to Nanyang last year... Could it be that the United Kingdom in Nanyang has turned its back?

One of his own fleets has stayed in Nanyang? But this possibility is not high. Du Wei knows that with the few broken ships of the United Kingdom of Nanyang, it is almost impossible to intercept Ruolin's fleet. With Ruolin's

Being alert, even if you are in danger, you will not be unable to return even to the person who reported the message.

The time is approaching the end of the year day by day, and as the coldness in the northwest wind is getting heavier and heavier, people finally realize that winter seems to be coming.

Although Du Wei did not perform another miracle this year to bring about the crazy grain harvest, after a year of preparation, this winter is not difficult, and the grain reserves are still sufficient so far.

But Du Wei encountered a new problem.

Count Villa and the fat man from Delan Mountain both sent people to test Duwei intentionally: they were both very interested in the hot air balloon that Duwei had built!

The technical content of hot air balloons and airships is not too high. The biggest key lies in the dye! Not just burning anything can produce the hot air that makes the balloon float! Du Wei strictly controls the formula of the dye and even the dilution ratio.

They are all kept secret just to monopolize this technology.

He doesn't want to take these things out and share them with others now. Although Count Villa and Delanshan have good relations with him, and he has received many benefits from these two families, but... Sky...

For the time being, Du Wei still has thoughts of occupying the sky of Roland Continent by himself!

It was difficult to refuse the people sent by Earl of Bilia and Mount Delan, so they found several excuses to delay.

The nine hundred and sixty-one years of the empire will soon pass. According to the order of Prince Chen, Du Wei is about to leave for the imperial capital to participate in the New Year celebration of the imperial capital. But Du Wei knows very well what is waiting for him when he returns this time.

...Prince Chen's proposal of marriage was still weighing on his mind.

Finally, before returning to the imperial capital, Du Wei found his subordinates.

He decided to talk about this matter formally.

After Prince Chen's marriage proposal was announced, the reactions of his subordinates were different. Longbottom looked indifferent. This clearly meant: It's none of my business.

Dardaniel was a little happy for Du Wei, but also had a hint of regret: this guy was simply happy that Du Wei could take this opportunity to enter the royal family, but he also secretly regretted that he originally hoped that Du Wei could marry him.

The place where the Lister family got married.

The other generals simply expressed their congratulations to Du Wei.

The only one who remained silent was Philip.

After everyone had finished speaking, Du Wei's current first staff member was the last one to speak!

"Your Majesty the Duke." Philip sighed: "Although these words are a bit...well...somewhat treacherous, but the people present now are the most trusted colleagues of the Duke, so I will speak frankly." He said.

He paused for a moment, looked around the audience, and then said word by word in a deep voice: "This matter is by no means a blessing. On the contrary, in my opinion, it will probably bring endless trouble to the adults!!"

Many generals were a little surprised. Du Wei's eyes lit up: "Go on!"

"Sir." Philip said slowly: "When you were in the imperial capital, His Highness Chen did not show any intention of getting married to you! So I conclude that this matter must be an idea that the regent has just had recently! So... everyone

You might as well guess why this is? His Highness Chen is one of the rare outstanding emperors in the empire in modern times... Well, although he has not officially ascended the throne yet. Judging from his various actions, he is better than Augustine VI.

But there is more than a little bit of cleverness! Are you proposing marriage at this time... Hehe! Of course, our lord has always been deeply favored by the regent, everyone knows this. However, it is not mentioned sooner or later, but it is your lord

After coming to the northwest for a year, when the foothold has gradually become more and more stable, the intention is worth pondering. The strength in your hands is gradually getting stronger, and in the northwest, you can resist the northwest army in the east and the grassland people in the west. After a year,

, these things have happened, but you don’t have enough perseverance, enough for people to understand your talent and strength! In Prince Chen’s heart, his evaluation of you must have risen to a higher level! Proposing marriage at this time is to win over, but also to test! To win over
To be continued...