Since the Accounting: A Chronicle of the Roman Khanate

Chapter 477: The Warmaster is not here, so I can’t guarantee it; the Mediterranean Sea is a little far away, but I can still swear an oath.
  They didn't have long to wait for what they expected to happen. Soon, there was another movement outside the yard. This time, the sounds of footsteps and noisy conversations were much more obvious than before, and it seemed that there were quite a few reinforcements.

The originally relaxed atmosphere became solemn again, and even Captain Jessica and the two veterans who had been joking next to them stopped chatting.

After listening for a moment, Captain Jessica jumped out of the car. Zhu Wenkui handed him a bronze mirror tied to a wooden stick. He quietly walked behind the collapsed wall and carefully extended the mirror a little.

There was still some chaos outside, so no one noticed him for the time being. He observed it for a moment and then immediately retracted.

"How is it?" Zhu Wenkui asked, "Who are all here?"

"They just look like a mob." Captain Jessica whispered: "Looking at their clothes, I guess they are just those idle people in the city. And they are probably not well prepared, and they don't even have the weapons. But there are too many of them. Well, our current situation is a bit troublesome."

"We still have a lot of gunpowder here. Can we try to scare them away?" Zhu Wenkui asked: "It's okay if they don't come. Now if we insist on bringing these people here, it will be an opportunity. If we can find a way to defeat these people first, Maybe we can drive them away in one fell swoop.”

However, Captain Jessica shook his head.

"It may be possible under other circumstances, but I guess not for these people." He said: "When we were fighting just now, I paid attention and found that the people behind them who were holding the battle had not yet come on stage. I guess it was the princess who gathered nobles and knights."

"How strong are those people? Can they control the people in front of them?" Zhu Wenkui asked quickly: "I chatted with the people of Daqin before, and I saw that they often laughed at the defeat of the French knights. However, our strength is far inferior to that of the Daqin army. Don’t we have to think of other solutions quickly?”

"The French are famous for losing battles because they won more. Those who perished after losing two battles, no one will remember them." Captain Jessica shook his head: "When I fought with the English, they themselves didn't If you dare to underestimate the other party, even if you know that the French are stupid every day, you will try to avoid their sharp edges as much as possible."

"In several previous battles, the French were actually asking for war. The English were forced to fight with their main force because they had no choice but to fight. Because even if the French lost, it would not be long before they could bring out a lot of knights. England only has so much capital, and if they lose once, they will be devastated."

"It's actually not bad this time. There is no space for cavalry to charge in the city. If there is a fight, they will have to come over and fight, otherwise it will be more troublesome." He told Zhu Wenkui: "I guess there are many plains in France, so this tradition has been formed. . As time went by, they looked down on ordinary soldiers at all."

"Is it so exaggerated..." Zhu Wenkui was a little surprised.

"I have had quite a lot of contact with them." Captain Jessica shook his head: "These people are the most typical noble knights. Not only are they very cruel to other people, but they also have high self-esteem and don't take the infantry seriously at all. . There is even a saying there that a qualified French commander who can lead the cavalry is enough."

"I think artillery is equally important." Little Jeanne muttered beside her.

"Okay, then it may be cavalry and artillery in the future -" Captain Jessica casually said, "Anyway, I haven't heard of anyone who specializes in infantry tactics or is famous for it."

"Their infantry are basically made up of local citizens and cheap mercenaries found temporarily. Many times, these people are beaten to pieces. Instead of running with them, the nobles will laugh at them and even join them. They hacked and killed together. I myself have seen more than once on the battlefield that the knights not only did not collect the defeated troops, but instead stepped on them and rushed towards them. "

"Now, we can find ways to scare away these Greeks who are trying to make up the numbers, but it's best not to underestimate the enemy too much. Don't expect them to sweep away all the enemies at once." He finally said: "We still have to think about what is more important. Good idea."

"I'm not good, I'm not a commander." Zhu Wenkui immediately lost his temper: "I just know how to add gunpowder. If the gunpowder is not enough, just add a few more barrels... If this doesn't work, I really have no choice."

"Then how much gunpowder do we have?" asked little Jeanne.

"It's enough anyway, you can use it as you like." Zhu Wenkui was confident in this aspect: "I still have some thunders here, do you want them?"

"Bring them all, we can hide these things by the door." Little Jeanne said: "It's just a little troublesome to light a fire. Our place is too small, and people rush over at once. I don't know if it's too late." "

"How many times do you want to order?" Zhu Wenkui asked.

"Ah? This thing is only used when a large group of enemies rush in. Of course, it can only be clicked once." Little Jeanne said unexpectedly: "If we can't defeat them in one go, we will be doomed. What the hell?" How many more times do you want to blow up?"

"That would be easier." Zhu Wenkui turned his head and whistled towards the ancestral hall: "Urban, trigger, thunder! Load two baskets!"

"Yes, Master!" A young man's voice came from behind the ancestral hall. After a while of busy work, Nurhachi emerged from the corner behind the wall, dragging two bamboo baskets and ran over with a groan.

"Hey? Is that your assistant over there?" little Jeanne asked curiously.

"Yes, he came from the north recently. His house has become a front line now, and many people have come to our side." Zhu Wenkui replied smoothly, patted Nurhachi's head, unloaded two bamboo baskets, and opened the Take out a package. After shaking it open, several ignition devices fell out.

"This is……"

"Flintlock gun." Zhu Wenkui replied briefly, then turned around and said: "Thin rope!"

The veteran in the car quickly threw a bundle of rope down. Zhu Wenkui sat on the ground with the end of the rope in his mouth and a thunderbolt between his legs. He took out two match ropes from his waist and modified them quickly.

"You're still doing it right now..." Little Jeanne looked at him with admiration for a moment.

"Isn't this difficult?" Zhu Wenkui said inarticulately.

Soon, he carefully connected the flintlock machine, pulled out the rope, and turned back to Captain Jessica: "Find a few smart people and put them at the door and the gap in the wall. Put a few more.”

Captain Jessica nodded, took a few of his men, pulled the rope, and hurried to work.

"Since you have to play, do me a favor." Zhu Wenkui turned to ask little Jeanne again: "Don't load the cannonballs like before. Let's load both cannons with iron shells. I guess they will Drill two more holes, and then a long line of soldiers line up and force their way in. The effect of hitting the stones will not be good - the projectiles are in the pile of wood at the back, can they be moved?"

"No problem." Little Jeanne said, and quietly slipped over, lifted up the thatch above, and picked up a cannonball. While running back, he complained: "Our family is getting more and more amazing. How come we can pick up cannonballs here..." "I asked Nurhachi to drag him here just now. This guy is stronger than a horse." Zhu Wenkui As he said this, he thought about it, turned around and saw that Nurhaci had got under the car barrier again, so he had to raise his foot and give it a light kick: "Go back quickly, we haven't finished moving yet!"

Nurhachi didn't want to leave the chariot, so he snorted and left angrily.

"We only have these two cannons. It would be nice if we had more." Zhu Wenkui sighed, regretting a little: "If I had known better, I wouldn't have sent the other ones out first."

"I didn't see these two cannons yesterday. You hid them in the cellar too? It's such a deep place, and you pulled them out so quickly?" Little Jeanne said while continuing to pour gunpowder.

"It's not in the cellar. It's under the portrait of Grandpa." Zhu Wenkui said, glanced at her, and quickly stopped him: "Stop! Don't pour so much, you won't be able to bear it."

"Don't worry, I know it. It will be fine after a few hits." Little Jeanne stopped talking: "Otherwise, your iron bullet is too heavy and the effect will not be effective."

"How much better is this thing? As long as it's shot out, isn't it the same?" Zhu Wenkui scratched his head: "Don't worry, after this shot, it will be useless no matter how heavy the armor those people are wearing - Nurhachi probably can't bear it." If you can’t hold back this shot, how can those knights take it with their face?”

"There is still a difference." Little Jeanne shook her head.

Zhu Wenkui scratched her head, wondering how she came to this conclusion. But after thinking about it, this cannon will probably have only one chance to launch. For the time being, there is no need to consider the lifespan and stability of the cannon... Simply, let her do it.

Just as I was thinking about it, another voice came from outside. This time, it was really Princess Jeanne's voice.

"Wen Kui!" She shouted loudly: "Listen to me, don't fight anymore. Let's put down our weapons and have a good talk, okay? My daughter is also with you, so you shouldn't be afraid of negotiating. "

"Of course we are not taboo. Don't you look at who hit this first?" Zhu Wenkui also shouted: "My sister is fine here, but your people just let in random arrows for no reason. Who is using her?" Are you threatening your security?”

"The city is in chaos now, and it's not safe here at all. Come with me and find a safe place." Princess Jeanne proposed.

"Our Prince Wu's Mansion has been here for many years. When it comes to safety, it is safest to stay here. What's more, this is also the place where Emperor Taizu is worshiped. As the heir, I should fulfill my duties. How dare I move the ancestral temple casually?" Zhu Wenkui said. : "Since you have brought so many people, please stay outside."

Princess Jeanne couldn't answer for a moment, hesitated, and said: "This place is too simple and can't be considered a palace at all. Please move to another place, and I will arrange another place for you and Sister Ma. Is that okay?"

"I haven't heard of any precedent of moving the palace at will." Zhu Wenkui still refused: "This matter is of great importance. I need to report it to my father and negotiate with the host. I cannot decide on my own."

"I know you have objections to me. I was indeed negligent before and failed to restrain my subordinates." Princess Jeanne comforted her with kind words: "Don't worry, I will do whatever you want to do to those who have been harmed due to misunderstanding." Pay compensation. I really didn’t mean to target you.”

Little Jeanne looked at Zhu Wenkui, wanting to see his reaction. Captain Jessica and others also looked back at him.

Zhu Wenkui shook his head to himself.

"I, Zhu Wenkui, am indeed an incompetent person. I cannot convey my meaning when discussing classics, I cannot defend my country when commanding battles, and I cannot make everyone rich by managing internal affairs. It can be said that I am not good at both civil and military affairs, and I am lacking in virtue, benevolence, and righteousness. So much so. After more than ten years of wasted time, there is less than an acre of land and house inside and outside, and less than half a hundred retainers in the clan. I don’t have Chong’er’s ability, and I don’t have Shaokang’s ambition. So please forgive me for wondering: What valuable things do I have here? Why mobilize troops and mobilize people like this?"

"Even so, what you said is still a bit too much. It's okay to deceive the ignorant villagers in Europe. But when you deceive me, do you think you are looking down on me?" He asked rhetorically.

"I did not kill these damaged people, but they all died because of me. If I let them sacrifice their lives and are greedy for money, I will not pursue those thieves who deliberately caused trouble. , and if I let them go in exchange for wealth, I'm afraid there won't even be fifty people willing to follow me from now on. This is a truth that all traders know, don't I understand it?"

"Furthermore, because of a misunderstanding, you killed and injured my retainers before. When my family and I put down our weapons and walked out, would we also be accidentally killed? Then who should you give these compensations? Should the compensation be given to Nurhaci so that it can be paid to Nurhachi in the future? Are my sister and I going to take revenge?" He laughed directly and said.

Everyone in the courtyard laughed and seemed a little more relieved. However, Princess Jeanne seemed not to understand the meaning of the last paragraph, so she had to continue: "You don't have to worry about that, I can guarantee your safety."

Zhu Wenkui sneered, as if he felt that the other party was too boring and was too lazy to pretend to be polite.

"Then you have to at least find someone at the level of the Three Lords from the Great Qin Kingdom to vouch for you, right?" He said casually: "You also have to swear on the Mediterranean Sea - at least there must be a process of this level? All of this is If I don’t do it, I’m afraid I’ll really be considered a fool.”

"Uh..." Princess Jeanne hesitated for a moment: "Sir? I can ask the Roman Warmaster to mediate later, but I'm afraid that can't be done now. As for the Mediterranean Sea, although it is a bit far away, I can still point to it and swear."

"..."

At this time, Zhu Wenkui didn't know what to say.

Princess Jeanne waited for a moment, but when she saw that he still didn't respond, she asked, "Then what do you want?"

"This is what I want to ask you." Zhu Wenkui said displeasedly: "What do you want when you bring troops here?"

Princess Jeanne paused again and said in a deep voice: "If you have no intention of talking, then I will have no choice but to use force."

Zhu Wenkui sighed.

"If you want to fight, then come and fight, no nonsense."

As he spoke, he shook his head and signaled to everyone, ready to start facing the enemy.

(End of this chapter)