Continental Warriors Yoo Ma

Coupled with the more than 200 mercenaries hired by Bassot and Wolfgang, this "elite" with a total number of 500 people is the key to capturing Gravensteen Castle.

Of course, taking down a well-guarded castle is not something that can be done by the number of people at the technical level of the late Middle Ages.

To this end, Basot specially prepared a large amount of gunpowder, as well as the assistance of three mages.

"Lord Albrecht, it is only for the battle of Gravensteen Castle, and it will be under your command." Bassot said.

Originally in the plan, this task should be handed over to Ludvik to perform.

The guy was from the city militia, and later went to work as a mercenary, but he returned to Ghent to become an ordinary worker because he offended his colleagues.

Strong and physically strong, with leadership and military experience, Ludvik was originally the most suitable person to be put on the front desk, but who knew that the other party was so weak and easily corroded under the sugar-coated shells of Philip III?

Therefore, now only a German noble can lead the poor to rebel against the Burgundian nobles.

Fortunately, as the next leader of the Habsburg family, Albrecht was accustomed to a military career since he was a child, and has long fought with Czechs and Hungarians, and has rich experience.

The most important thing is that Albrecht's personal combat effectiveness is very strong. In the eyes of those foolish people, he is like a god, and he can boost morale at critical moments.This is something Ludvik can't do.

Bassot is still quite sure of capturing Gravensteen Castle.

He entrusted the most important combat tasks to his temporary allies from Austria, while the task of capturing other strategic locations such as city gates and city halls was entrusted to other backbones of the Textile Industry Guild.

These insurgents had only the most rudimentary weapons, but they had no problem dealing with urban militias, which were far fewer than their own.

And Bassot himself, has more important things.That was his real mission in Ghent as the chief priest of the New World Order.

Bassot left the hotel after confirming the details of the attack with Albrecht and Wolfgang.

He returned to the dock and came to another inconspicuous abandoned warehouse. Through layers of ingeniously designed organs and secret passages, he came to the underground warehouse.

In this extremely vast space, only a huge black iron cabinet is placed.

Various complex patterns are etched on the cabinet, extending all the way to the ground, eventually forming a magic circle with the entire underground warehouse as the carrier.

If there are experts in magic graphics and magic rituals who see this scene, they will definitely exclaim: "What a huge sealing circle!"

Then, there will be a chill in my heart: what needs to be sealed by such a magic circle, how terrible it must be!

Bassot asked the priest who maintained the circle to open the dark iron cabinet.

In this huge metal container, there is only one small item - a golden mask.

This mask, which can only be described by the word "simple", has a slightly dull luster due to its age. There is no jewelry decoration on it, nor any magic lines engraved on it.

But every time Bassot saw this golden mask, he couldn't help feeling surging, and he had the urge to kneel and worship.

The previous bearer of this mask, and the most famous bearer, was King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.Therefore, its widely known name is "The Golden Mask of Baldwin IV".

This is an artifact that grants the wearer tremendous power.After Baldwin IV put on this golden mask, he quickly became a legendary powerhouse, able to fight against the amazing Saladin with a small space.

But the wearer of this mask, while gaining enormous power, also has to endure the divine power erosion of one of the Four Evil Gods of Apocalypse, the Evil God of Plague.

Baldwin IV died of leprosy at a young age, this is only an external statement.In fact, it was he who couldn't bear the power of the plague and died with regret.

Later, when the Crusades failed completely, the Knights Templar took the mask with them when they withdrew from the Middle East.At that time, this golden mask, which contained the power of the terrible plague, was suppressed by the True Cross.

But later, the Knights Templar was destroyed by the French King Philip IV, and a large number of treasures, including the golden mask and the true cross, were lost.

It was not until an accidental opportunity ten years ago that the New World Order discovered that the Golden Mask had wandered to Ghent and was acquired by an evil mage in an attempt to control its power.

Then, the mage was naturally killed by the New World Order.

At that time, because of being suppressed by the True Cross for a long time, the power of the golden mask was very weak, but it was slowly recovering.

The New World Order knew that when the golden mask gradually recovered, it was only a matter of time before the Seven Saints Church noticed it.After all, tracing the relics of the Knights Templar back then was a very high priority task in the Church of the Seven Saints.

In order to keep this dangerous artifact, the New World Order set up a huge sealing circle in Ghent to prevent the power of the golden mask from leaking out.

In addition, the New World Order is also preparing a grand plan to use the golden mask to accomplish a great cause.

Now, the time has come.

Chapter 140 The Sixth Storm Is About to Blow

The blood of the two kings, as well as the golden mask, are all part of the puzzle to realize the great plan.Le Camus, who was far away in Paris, was responsible for obtaining the blood, while Bassot was responsible for transporting the golden mask out of Ghent.

But here is the problem.

Once this artifact breaks away from the seal and starts to move, its power will leak out and leave enough traces for the hounds of the Seven Holy Religion.

At that time, if the other party comes to the door, not only will they not be able to keep the golden mask, but other plans will also be at risk of being discovered, which will trigger an avalanche and put the entire New World Religion at risk of being wiped out by the Seven Holy Religion.

Bassot's solution was also straightforward.

Create a big mess in the city of Ghent.Use enough killing, chaos, and destruction to cover up the real purpose of "smuggling gold masks".

Simply put, one crime is used to cover up another crime.

This is a little bit of market wisdom that Bassot has learned in the bottom of the city for so many years.

Compared with Le Camus, who walked around the court and took the "upper-level line", he preferred to follow the "mass line".

"When our true God comes, regardless of bloodline or wealth, every believer has an equal opportunity to go to the new world." Bassot whispered his beliefs.

In a sense, his thinking is quite progressive in this era.

After checking the status of the golden mask, Bassot called his subordinates and ordered: "After the uprising is launched tonight, you will lift the seal and transport the golden mask to the ship."

The religious believer, whose entire face was hidden in the hood, nodded to Basot and left quietly.

The storm is about to blow.

……

When Philip III learned the news of Bassot's escape, he immediately realized that something was wrong.

He immediately sent a message to the city of Ghent, informing the garrisoned army to temporarily strengthen the defense of key locations, and mobilized militia from surrounding villages and towns to the city of Ghent.

In the face of tens of thousands of mobs about to revolt, it is impossible for Philip III to rely on the existing force to suppress them.If there is a small elite force, perhaps you can try to dispatch it immediately to kill the organizer of the uprising and extinguish it from the source.

But unfortunately, most of the high-level professionals around the duke gathered in Jilongquan Palace to protect the safety of him and his family.

In the absence of strength and the lack of information, rash action can only be made to start the uprising of textile workers ahead of schedule.

Therefore, Philip III can only make a helpless decision: to increase his strength, try to contact other uprising leaders in Ghent, hoping to avoid bloodshed at the last minute.

On the other hand, he urgently summoned the troops near Calais to leave one-third of their forces to build a defensive line to prevent the British counterattack, and the others all marched towards Ghent.

At the same time, the summons to collect food and grass supplies from other lowland cities was also sent out.

Philip III has already made plans to retake Ghent by force.

"Let's pray that there will be no bloodshed in Ghent tonight." In the prayer room of Longquan Palace, Philip III seldom knelt down in front of the seven icons full of piety.

Unfortunately, his prayers did not work.

In the early morning of the next day, Philip III got bad news that there was a riot in the city of Ghent and the city hall fell.Then, one bad news after another, kept him up all night.The next morning, the duke, who had been well-maintained, was already emaciated as if he had aged five years in an instant.

Ghent is a textile town in the lowlands and an important source of revenue for the duchy.For the Principality of Burgundy, which is sandwiched between the three major powers of Britain, France and the Holy Roman Empire, where crisis and opportunity coexist, this civil strife is a very serious blow, and it will even shake the ruling foundation of Philip III.

"It has been four hours since the news of the fall of the armory at three o'clock in the morning, and we have not received any new news." Philip III sat weakly at the dining table.A hearty breakfast didn't cheer him up either.The richest monarch in Europe, now frowning, was sipping his wine weakly.

Beside him, Pastor Milot also frowned: "This is not a good omen. It means that our magical communication system in Ghent City has completely failed. Now it is difficult to get news of Ghent City."

At this time, a scout who was sent to Ghent city to investigate the situation last night walked in with the chill of a winter night that had not yet dissipated.

"Lord Duke, the city of Ghent was on fire last night, and the cries could travel ten miles away with strong winds!"

"This morning, the flag on the city wall has been changed. It's red and black. I don't see any significance. I guess it was designed by the hillbillies themselves."

Although he was mentally prepared for the fall of Ghent, after knowing this fact, Philip III still sighed.

He motioned to reward the scout with a glass of wine, then got up and said, "As soon as the troops are assembled, I will set off immediately! The city must be recaptured as soon as possible!"

At this time, there was a sudden burst of ghost crying and wolf howling outside the door.

A bejeweled fat body rolled in, followed by a helpless Youfu Ma.

"Mr. Jost Spiningen, what do you want?" asked Philip III.

The duke escaped Basot, and the news of the textile workers' uprising was blocked in a very small area, and the entire Longquan Palace, no more than ten insiders.

In the dark, Jostmont thought that the worker leader Ludwick had accepted the peace talks and everything was fine, and he was still working on his dream of resuming work and production as soon as possible and continuing to earn Ducats.

Who knew that when he woke up early in the morning, the big businessman got the news like a thunderbolt: the weavers of Ghent had launched a riot and occupied the city in one night.

When he thought of the wealth he had accumulated in his life, it is very likely that after the mob looting and fire, there was not much left now, and Yost came out of grief and cried.

In fact, if Philip III had informed Jost ahead of time, telling him that the uprising could not be stopped and that he should evacuate Ghent as soon as possible, then the big businessman, and other textile factory owners, might have avoided most of the losses.

But "good man" Philip still showed his cruel and cunning side as a nobleman.

What does the loss of the merchant class have to do with his lord?What's the big deal, even if these guys who are very rich and often fight against themselves in the third-level parliament, even if they are looted by the mob?

Anyway, Philip III had arranged for the navy to block Ghent, and the wealth looted by the mob could not be shipped out.When the time comes to recover Ghent City, the property of Yost and his likes will be in his pocket before turning his hand.

Chapter 140 The Duke Has a Good Daughter

The merchant fell and the duke was full.

In the face of Yost's cry, Philip III only comforted a few words on the surface.Although his words were earnest and his expressions were vivid, as if the Duke himself had suffered heavy losses, Yost could still see the perfunctory behavior of the other party.

"My lord, if you don't take active action to save the property legally accumulated by our hard-working businessmen, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to support your various military operations in terms of tax policy." of.He wants to make Philip III understand the truth that if you combine it, you will benefit both, and if you divide it, you will hurt both.

According to common sense, Philip III really cannot do without the support of the merchant class if he wants to launch a war to recapture the city of Ghent.

The three strata of the three-level council, the priests are in charge of spiritual life. Although they are relatively rich, their money bags belong to the Holy See. If Philip III really wants to touch the cake of the church, he must be prepared to be expelled from the church. .This is unacceptable in any way.What's more, this winter is extremely cold. The church has already involved a lot of energy and resources because of the relief of the victims, so it can't take care of the trouble caused by Philip III.

The aristocracy was the main source of military power under Philip III, in addition to the city militia and mercenaries.After the lower nobles received land from the upper nobles, they had to fight for their lords.This military obligation lasts one to two months each year.

But here is the problem.

This year, many of the nobles under the duke's command have basically completed their military obligations in the battle against Calais. Now, to keep these people fighting, the duke has to pay.

It is precisely because this military system under the feudal system has become more rigid and backward, and no longer suitable for this era of more frequent and fierce wars, so mercenaries will become more and more popular, and the standing army has begun to slowly enter the stage of history.

Even though Philip III is now the richest monarch in Europe, but his expenses are also huge, and he has little money left. When he encounters an emergency and needs a large amount of money, he will temporarily send him to his purse—the third Classy businessmen stretch out their hands.

But now the Duke has no interest in protecting the interests of the businessmen from those rebels and troublemakers, why should the businessmen continue to support him?

If it is not possible to collect military funds in time and send troops to retake Ghent, the longer this rebellion is delayed, the greater the harm to the entire principality, and it may even spread to other lowland cities like a virus.At that time, the harvest of Philip III was completely incomparable to the price he had to pay.

"Unless the Seven Saints suddenly bless Philip III and give him a whole room of gold, he can survive this financial crisis without the help of businessmen." Yost thought to himself.

"But this guy who is addicted to alcohol, how can he look like a devout believer, how can the Seven Saints care for him? I have no money, but I still have influence and connections. I am still the leader of the lowland merchants!" The businessman's eyes shone brightly, and he even cast a dissatisfied glance at Youfu Ma.

In his opinion, this Sirius from France is waiting to see a joke at this time.If he did not survive the crisis this time, then the other party would definitely fall into the trap and annex the Ghent Textile Guild to the North France Trading Company on more severe terms.