Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 540 Login (Part 2)

It's hard to say whether the Southern Army's first appearance at Kingsburg was a success or a failure.

On the one hand, the United Provinces army that emerged from the port amidst the welcoming throngs of "model citizens" was rather small in size.

No matter how many times the people from Zhuwangbao present counted, they couldn't reach a thousand.

On the other hand, the morale and spirit of the provincial army impressed the people of Zhuwangbao.

The soldiers from the United Provinces were all young and strong lads, walking with brisk steps and high spirits.

Their weapons and equipment were also quite sophisticated—their helmets and breastplates, though not polished, were carefully ground and showed no signs of rust.
The spear and musket in his hands had clearly been carefully maintained; the musket's powder magazine was spotless, and the spear's iron tip gleamed.

Their impeccable military bearing, complete equipment, and high morale were truly a sight to behold.

Moreover, although the United Provinces' marching column did not include the elegantly dressed, finely-riding hussars, nor the heavily armored, arrogant heavy cavalry.

However, the dozen or so cannons following behind the provincial infantry were equally imposing and awe-inspiring.

It is said that the United Provinces have even more cannons on the docks, but they just haven't brought them out yet.

What surprised the people of Kingsburg even more was Brigadier General Jason Cornelis, who led the troops.

When many of the elected officials from the Fortress of Kings first saw this "gentle and refined" middle-aged officer with impeccable manners and speech, they thought he was just a staff member who had come to pave the way.

Upon learning that the person before them was the "Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Army of the Allied Forces," the people of Kingsburg at the welcoming banquet were all utterly astonished.

What amazed the elected representatives even more was that Jason Cornelis, despite being a general and commander-in-chief of an army group, was extremely approachable.

The brigadier showed the utmost respect and courtesy to the Platonic gentry present, far surpassing the arrogant Blue Rose gentlemen of the past. This made the representatives of the royal castle feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards him.

But goodwill is just goodwill; it can't conjure soldiers, it can't generate money, and it certainly can't make the newly reclaimed land rebels, who might appear at the gates of Zhuwangbao tomorrow, disappear overnight.

Therefore, the gentry of the various castles who came to the welcoming reception at Grove Magnus's "invitation" looked at Jason Cornelius, who had ventured alone into the dragon's den, with sympathy and pity, but no one took sides or expressed their opinions.

Only a few daring widows secretly left their handkerchiefs for the debonair provincial general.

Soon, at the banquet, Grove Magnus declared: the thousand officers and soldiers and twenty cannons that arrived in Hong Kong today were not even the vanguard of the Southern Front, but the vanguard that paved the way for the vanguard.
The true main force of the Southern Army—"four corps! A total of 20,000 men! More troops than the combined forces of the Hongchuan rebels and the Xinkendi rebels!"—is undergoing reorganization and training in the United Province and will soon set off for Pa.

"At that time, once the friendly reinforcements arrive, the rebels in the newly reclaimed land will be reduced to dust!"

The prominent figures from the various castles present responded with indifferent applause after hearing Speaker Magnus's impassioned speech.

Grove Magnus, seizing the opportunity, revealed another important piece of information to the assembled gentry of the royal castles:
"At this very moment, as our esteemed allies arrive at Kings' Castle, the four legions of the Western Front of the Allied Forces—each numbering a full 20,000 men—have also crossed the border at the invitation of the Grand Council and launched a full-scale attack on the rebels entrenched in Hongchuan!"

"The Allied Forces, reborn from the ashes, will sweep away the corrupt remnants of the Magyars with overwhelming force! Pull out the festering sore on the back of the galloping horse! Completely eradicate the Blue Rose traitors who have plagued the Republic for decades!"

This time, the applause that the audience gave to Grove Magnus was slightly more genuine.

The welcome reception lasted until noon, with Grove Magnus patiently introducing "His Excellency the Commander" to each of the elected representatives.
Jason Cornelius was incredibly cooperative, maintaining a humble and polite demeanor throughout, radiating charm and elegance from every angle.

Jason Cornelius made an excuse to leave after he had gotten to know almost all the prominent figures from the Kingsburg Palace present.

Before leaving, he also selected a few subordinates who were good at socializing to stay at the venue and take care of the aftermath.

Fritz of Nice was not among them, so he left immediately with his minister.

The two exited the banquet hall through a side door and entered a dark corridor leading to the rear chamber. Before Fritz could speak, Grove Magnus followed. "Your Excellency Cornelius!" Grove Magnus said with a beaming smile, "You've truly taught me a lesson today! How did you manage to do it? Every gentleman and lady who has met you speakssing highly of you. In my opinion, you are immediately—no, you already are—the most sought-after guest in the social circles of the Kingsburg!"

Grove Magnus asked enthusiastically, "Tonight, my humble abode has prepared some light wine to welcome you. Would you be willing to..."

As they talked, Magnus sensed something was wrong—the person in front of him had changed; he was no longer the gentle, humble, and polite general.

Jason Cornelius became cold and sharp, exuding an aura that kept people at a distance.

Grove Magnus forced himself to finish his sentence, "...Would you do me the honor?"

“I’m busy,” Cornelius replied coldly.

“But,” Grove Magnus didn’t want to give up, his face showing difficulty as he pleaded in a low voice, “there are some important people who need your company…”

“Speaker Magnus,” Cornelius interrupted, speaking bluntly, “I know you’ve finally found a lifeline and are itching to show it to everyone—but being too eager will only backfire!”

Grove Magnus was met with two firm rejections, but his smile did not diminish in the slightest. He skillfully came up with another excuse: "Alright, I understand. Please get some rest. We can discuss politics in detail another day."

After saying this, Grove Magnus nodded and turned to leave decisively.

Fritz watched Grove Magnus's figure disappear down the corridor until even the sound of his footsteps could no longer be heard, then frowned and asked in a deep voice, "The Speaker doesn't seem to be a magnanimous person. Was it inappropriate for you to humiliate him like that?"

“If this piece of trash were even slightly useful,” Jason Cornelius scoffed, “we wouldn’t be here now.”

Upon hearing this, Fritz glanced furtively at the department head, feeling somewhat unfamiliar with him, as he had never seen the department head so openly belittle someone.

But this was actually because Fritz had spent too little time with Jason Cornelis, and because as a subordinate personally recruited by Jason Cornelis, he was always treated differently by the latter.

When Cornelius, who has been in charge of the Alliance's highest military academy for twelve years, wants to belittle someone, he never makes any attempt to hide it, even if the person is standing right in front of him.

Fritz remained somewhat worried, "But he is, after all, the Speaker of the Great Council of Plato."

"We need to make him understand who's in charge now!" Cornelius had no intention of wasting any more time on this topic. He waved his hand dismissively, declaring the discussion over, "lest he wag his tail and ruin our plans!"

"I understand." Fritz nodded helplessly.

Cornelius relentlessly issued orders: "Arrange for men to move the gunpowder and ordnance back to the base as quickly as possible. Especially the gunpowder, the sooner the better."

"Yes."

"Let Montecuccoli clear the cargo from the 'Marco Good Luck' first, and let the captain of the 'Marco Good Luck' continue upstream as planned—I want to see just how far an inland sea warship can sail on the Jinliu River."

"Yes."

"Hasn't Lieutenant Colonel William Lordwick arrived yet?"

“No,” Fritz shook his head and explained, “I specifically instructed that if Lieutenant Colonel Lordwijk returned to Kingsburg, I should be notified immediately, no matter where I am or what I am doing—and I haven’t heard from him yet.”
-
William Lordwick, the true commander of the "vanguard".

After news of the Battle of River Valley reached Guitu, William Lordwick led two infantry battalions to Palatour, where he stabilized the situation in Kingsburg amidst the chaos, a situation that continues to this day.

It's no exaggeration to say that he was the man who saved Grove Magnus and the Red Rose regime from their deaths.
-
Cornelius frowned: "Go find him, right now!"

"Yes!"

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