NOVPUBChapter 700: Chapter 40: Prison Chapter 700: Chapter 40: Prison Visiting Major Ronald and other seniors was the last concern on Winters’ mind.
The contemplation on “why should I (we) rule over Iron Peak County” made Winters realize: none of these captured alumni would side with him. If there were any, they must harbor malicious intent.
Winters acknowledged that he had defeated the former ruler with “military force” and thereby “conquered” Iron Peak County.
If he were to openly rebel against the New Reclamation Legion and send out battle proclamations in all directions, perhaps one or two ambitious Paratu officers might come to join him. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
However, should he do so, an expeditionary force might come knocking on his door as soon as next week—General Revodan would not be able to stop them.
General Adams had many troubling issues on his hands, and Winters did not wish to become the most troubling of them for His Excellency.
Therefore, he showed weakness as much as possible, intentionally adopting an attitude of contentment with his lot. Vernge County’s field forces had been swept clean by Tang Juan, but Winters had not sent any formal troop across the border.
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On the contrary, he sent a letter to Maplestone City to explain, and symbolically paid a bag of Gold Coins as arrears of tax. To this day, he still displayed the signboard of “Revodan Garrison”.
This mild attitude also had benefits internally: less pressure to rule, the ability to maximize identification, and inheriting the authority of the old garrison.
Just like North Eight Towns, they did not truly support Winters, and Winters currently had no energy to directly govern North Eight Towns.
Therefore, Winters issued orders in the name of the garrison. They could maintain face this way, and North Eight Towns tacitly accepted it.
Of course, there were always those particularly “brave” individuals who resisted control. Winters had been busy with autumn farming lately, having no time to pay attention to such annoyances, he simply observed their dance from the sidelines.
“When things settle down a bit,” Winters caressed the hilt of his sword, “we’ll see whose hammer is harder.”
But this ambiguous attitude also had clear downsides; if the enemy looked down on Winters, potential allies would look down on him even more.
Not to mention, from any perspective, the New Reclamation Legion had an overwhelming advantage. In many people’s eyes, it was uncertain whether the Iron Peak County’s new government could last until this time next year, so naturally, they would not easily place their bets.
The only real support Winters could rely on was his companions, his old troops, and those warriors who had been granted land. Even his old troops and warriors might feel insecure, all held together by his prestige.
Therefore, he simply gave up on the idea of recruiting the captured alumni and earnestly managed his true foundation.
As Winters rode on horseback, he couldn’t help feeling melancholic, as he gradually understood why the feudal system had emerged: “To gain the support of the majority, one must benefit the majority, which is too difficult. It’s simpler to only benefit a small group and then conquer the majority with force. Knights? Aren’t knights just ‘soldiers’ with warhorses, attendants, and estates, like Hammer Chuck?”
Riding along, he arrived at a camp on the north side of Wolf Town, far from villages and farms.
The guard saw that it was Winters coming and immediately lowered the drawbridge.
This camp was interesting; its drawbridge faced inward because it was a prison. The soldiers staying at Wolf Town called it “Wolfwood Prison”.
After an unpleasant prison break occurred, all officer prisoners were transferred to Wolf Town. Sarmukhjin did not want the officers to come into contact with ordinary prisoners, so this prison was built specifically to detain officers.
Major Ronald was writing a letter when he heard the sound of hooves outside. Looking up, he saw Winters approaching the door.
“What brings you here?” Ronald put down his paper and pen, smiling.
“Winter is almost upon us,” Winters said, carrying a package as he entered the cell, smiling back, “Your esteemed wife entrusted me to bring you a coat and a wool blanket.”
He also took out a pipe and a large bag of cut tobacco from the package, apologizing, “This is the best I could find. No one grew tobacco this year, please don’t mind it. There are also two cans of sugar in the bag.”
“I won’t be polite, then,” Ronald took the tobacco leaves, took out his pipe from a box nearby, and began to fill it up: “Ha, I ran out of my stock a long time ago.”
After Ronald finished packing the tobacco, Winters naturally took the pipe to light it for his senior.
“Your wife still lives in the official residence, and the families of other seniors in Revodan too,” Winters returned the pipe to his senior, “Salaries are paid as before, and flour and side dishes are delivered to each family every week. There’s no need to worry.”
Winters spoke without any hint of charity or pity, as if he were chatting with a senior about family matters.
Receiving the pipe, Ronald took a comfortable puff and exhaled slowly, “How’s Changsheng doing?”
“Don’t get me started,” Winters replied, exasperated at the mention of Changsheng, “Changsheng drinks sheep’s milk, plays with dogs, and bounces around all day wagging his head like a puppy, even wants to learn how to bark, he’s completely been led astray.”
Laughing until tears appeared, Ronald wiped them away and smiled, “Your coming to see me means you have won your battle.”
Winters nodded.
“How did it go?” Ronald asked curiously, “Can you tell me about it?”
Winters took up paper and pen, pulled out two chess pieces, and sat down face-to-face with his senior, beginning to demonstrate. The two exchanged words back and forth, the atmosphere very lively.
In the end, Ronald couldn’t help but admire, “Your battles are getting more and more impressive.”
“You flatter me.”
“You have both a sword and a dagger in your army. Your enemies keep their eyes on your sword but fail to notice the dagger hidden behind your back. No wonder they lose battles.”
