Crusader Kingdoms Begins with the Black Beast

"He is Carloman's vassal and directly reports to the earl." Xia Lulu was a little worried and said, "He may not let us go."

"We can go around it."

"No, Master." Mizukami Haru rode on the horse, stepped on the stirrup to stand higher, and raised her voice in the drizzle: "Ahead is the Meuse River. The only bridge over the river is built on the Fort Longuillon. If we want to cross the river, we must get the other party's permission."

"...Is it not necessary?" Levi looked at the situation and the Meuse River in the distance: "Is the river deep? Is it turbulent? Is the rain making the river more dangerous?"

"Well... it should be getting dangerous, because we don't know if there will be any sudden attacks upstream. So far, this light rain has not caused any changes in the Meuse River..."

The Meuse River, a tributary of the Rhine, is actually quite large. It is nearly 1,000 kilometers long and flows into the Rhine before emptying into the North Sea.

"Yes, we can't fight there. This place has been built into a very standard fortress." Xia Lulu also said, "There are fortresses on both sides of the river and at the bridgehead."

"? What kind of standard is this?" Levi was stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "It's not impossible to build it this way, but is this the standard? Isn't the function of this kind of fortress to block the enemy's advance? Then the fortress should be built by the river. What's the point of cutting off the beginning and the end?"

It is not necessary to set up camp on the road to block the enemy, that is a very extreme situation. It is enough to really cut off the enemy's supply line, so it is more reasonable to build along the river.

But that is a service at the strategic level, considering the issue from a deep perspective.

"? Of course it's standard, so it's easier to charge." However, this is Europe.

Strategy, I am here to collect bridge fees! Although in Chinese classical novels, this kind of thing of occupying a bridge and charging a fee is considered a matter of giving birth to a son without an asshole (classical novels!). You have to collect a fee for going on the road, are you immoral? ——However, this is the case in Europe, standing at the bridge head

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They started charging fees and even built fortresses for the purpose.

The von xxburg names of many German nobles are almost in this format, and upwards they all mean "big toll station" or "toll station family".

"Oh shit." Levi slapped his face, he almost forgot about it.

"What do we do now? After passing this place, we can go straight to Provan."

"…Help the horse and cross the river." Li Wei quietly patted the golden boat's shoulder and asked, "Hey, boat, do you have the ability to swim across the river?"

"no problem."

As expected, he is a tough guy who can fight aliens on equal terms in a group, and can roll with A in a group! Ah Chuan looked calm at the moment, and waved his hand and said, "I have the ability to do this, watch me jump from this side of the river to the other side!"

"??? Are you that capable?"

"Just give it a try. Sit tight."

"Stop! It's not me who wants to go over there." Li Wei was very anxious, pointing at Xia Lulu and said, "It's no use for me to go over there alone, it's him who has to go over there."

“…Pa!” Ah Chuan came back to his senses and slapped Li Wei who was riding on his horse: “You want to be a cuckold? — Let him ride me?”

"? You hit me? You actually hit me? You actually hit me for someone else?" Levi was stunned for a moment and then said something very dramatic: "Besides, who asked him to ride you? Who dares to ride someone and try it? - You misunderstood it, and you still hit me? Wuuuuuu..."

"Uh...ah, hahaha, as a man, don't take it so seriously. Come on, stop crying. Wipe your tears..."

"It's okay, it's just thunder without rain." Li Wei was just pretending to cry, and then said: "Alas... How are all the people going to cross the river? Swimming across is definitely not an option... Right, Achuan?"

"Not necessarily. The water has started to rise. We should be able to cross the river if one-third of the people die." Ah Chuan took a look and said, "I heard that some of our African relatives were much more horrible when crossing the river than we were. This is nothing..."

"…Avi, what should we do?"

"Actually... it's simple." Levi thought for a moment and said, "Xia Lulu, you mean that his territory is actually in the south? This is just a toll booth?"

"Well, about the same." Xia Lulu nodded and said, "If I remember correctly... No, I definitely remember correctly. This is simply a place to collect tolls. Carloman... stationed troops here because it is very close to my border. There are probably hundreds of people."

When talking about her younger brother, Xia Lulu looked a little lonely.

"Oh." Levi understood, and turned to Shuijing Haru and said, "You, take a box of gold to find Wei Lingtusuo and tell him to let us go. I will give him ten boxes of gold after the deal is done. You can ask him about the specific negotiation issues. If he disagrees, the upper limit I will give you is twenty boxes."

Ah, it's not a big box, it's a small box as big as a jewelry box. There are about 200 gold coins in one box? It looks like a lot, but it's about the same size as a mooncake box.

"Yes, master, please give me half an hour... no, twenty minutes!" Mizukami Haru nodded vigorously, then rode away.

"Will this work?" Xia Lulu expressed deep concern, while the Minotaur army behind them had begun to arrive one after another. The cavalry (not really) team of more than 10,000 people stretched for more than two kilometers, almost three kilometers, in the muddy team under the drizzle.

"No problem." Li Wei said that this is very simple, just leave it to him: "People have their own price to be bribed - for this kind of greedy people, it's too simple, just give the money directly. As long as it's not opened by the lion, it's OK."

"Then you mean..."

"If you like tolls, then let him collect them." Levi patted the other person's shoulder and said, "The problem now is that if you can get through, you will get everything... You can protect your brother's wife and children, right?"

"Yes... But, 20 boxes of gold..."

"..." He was still a little money-grubber: "Don't worry, it's not a big deal——"

About 20 minutes later, Mizukage Haru rode back at full speed on her horse in the heavy rain.

"Master!" With mud splashed by horse hooves still on his handsome face, Mizukami Haru said loudly, "The other party has agreed. We can pass through with 20 boxes of gold! He is preparing to open the suspension bridge..."

"Yes." Levi nodded and said to the others: "The plan was successful - prepare to attack the city!"

"...???"

"No, didn't we discuss this?" Xia Lulu was a gentleman: "Why are we preparing to attack the city? Can't we get through it safely..."

"We bribed the other side, and they are already experiencing internal strife and wavering. But we bribed only a (French) southern lord. There is also Carloman's army here! They probably don't want to surrender. It will be too late when they react, so we take them by surprise and attack them when they are unprepared! - While they are strife, we want to kill them! Take down the fortress before they are ready! - By the way, when attacking the city, we have to shout at the other side [despicable villain] [took money but didn't do the job]"

"...?"

"Hey, this will make the other side mistakenly think that as long as they put down their weapons and let us pass, we will not fight them - this will kill faster."

"...You, Dad, you really are like a devil."

"Don't call me that!

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It’s all for your own good!”

"……yes."

201 Rome?

Killing people is indeed the easiest way to solve problems.

If the person who raised the problem is physically solved, the problem will be physically solved - this idiom can perfectly reflect the solution of problems in the feudal era. A few days ago, I saw a group of outstanding talents returning to China and an accidental incident near the airport in the United States. After reading it, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion!

If you really ask him to pick up a knife and kill someone, it's hard for him to do such a thing. But this doesn't prevent him from coming up with ideas and solving the problems in front of him.

Then, just as expected, such a large army advanced like a pig. Of course, it caused a great impact along the way - but it didn't matter, as long as you ran fast enough, those who spread news and rumors couldn't catch up with you.

The journey from leaving the West Frankish Kingdom and entering his brother's East Frankish Kingdom was the real accelerated march.

The Mongolian cavalry marched 80-90 kilometers a day on the steppes of Eastern Europe, and the Nazi armored troops were no more than that. Levi felt that he could not bear this hardship. Although it was a fantasy world, we could slow down the marching speed. In this flattest section of the Western European Plain, we only needed to march 50 kilometers a day.

Three days after crossing the greatest natural barrier - the Meuse River.

The army that stretched for three kilometers had no momentum like ants marching. Li couldn't lead a team that marched in a line anyway. This team of centaurs and minotaurs advanced in a herd-like manner.

It's just a heap, a huge heap stretching for three kilometers.

"We're finally here." It took more than 20 days to run from Hamburg all the way to Provins.

Not Paris, not Champagne, not even the much-anticipated Reims.

Levi had never heard of this place before, but from a distance it was indeed a "big city" similar to Aachen. At least it had a military defense system of three miles of city and five miles of city. From a distance, he could see the spire of the church, which reminded him of the spire of the Red Square in Moscow that was also seen by a German army.

Fortunately, Levi did not take the Germans to attack Moscow, but took the Germans to Paris (nearby).

Paris's entry! ("The Glory of Germany", also known as the Kaiser's Happy Song.)

"Money is something that is definitely not immune to vulgarity." Levi didn't know what emotion was supporting him to do this thankless task. After arriving in Paris... No, no, no. After arriving at the city of Provins, the army behind had not yet arrived completely, and the opposing garrison troops had just begun to panic.

Levi no longer cares about so many bumps and bumps.

"What drives this world is money, money, and more money." Famous quote. Levi waved his hand to signal more than 50 centaurs to take off the small boxes they were carrying. "The so-called political game can be seen as a money game in some cases. In the darkest human nature, some words still have some meaning. Men are loyal because the price of betrayal is not high enough, and women are chaste because the temptation is not great enough."

"...I don't think this sentence can be said that way." Xia Lulu looked at Levi's actions and listened to Levi's words. This was very contrary to the spiritual world of the male protagonist of this hot-blooded comic: "Some feelings cannot be measured by money."

"I have no doubts, so I need to use other things to measure it." Levi said that there are still many things in this world that can be negotiated. The blood elves once said: "Everything in the world can be clearly priced. For example, if you want me to betray you, you can exchange two worlds for me."

Say something nice.

"...Pfft, Avi is really good at joking." The handsome young boss suddenly laughed and said, "You said you would never betray me so tactfully, is this your romance?"

"Slow down." Levi pointed at the pile of boxes at his feet and said, "Money is the simplest way to open the spiritual channel. Although it is vulgar, it has been very useful since ancient times."

Don't test human nature, except for a few ultimate forms. You spent 10 or 20 million dollars, and said you wanted to buy a woman for a day! Don't even mention buying a woman for a day, you even bought a man for a day! Others don't know, but my morals are so low.

"Add the support from inside and outside." Levi signaled the Centaurs to open the boxes one by one, and the Centaurs kicked the boxes open one by one - they were full of gold.

and spices.

Spices are the least valuable, yet the most valuable.

"Well, this money is for you to bribe those stubborn elements after you enter the city. These spices are used to win over the traitors who are ready to surrender to you." Levi explained the purpose of the money one by one: "Let me make it clear first, I will lend it to you. It will not be difficult to borrow again if you borrow and repay it well-the Taimanin in front has already received the information. Please accept my condolences, your brother has indeed... I am here with the army, and these troops will maintain order here. Next, we will control the city until your army comes to support. It has been a month and a half since your brother died, and there should be some reaction in the city. Well, I won't give you any advice on what to do, you can do it yourself. Oh, I will let the Taimanin help you solve the problem... Mizukage! Mizukage?-Okay. This is Mizukage Haru, one of my most capable subordinates, an excellent Taimanin. He will coordinate all the [Glorious Corps] in the city recently. If you have any needs, just tell him directly. He can't handle it.

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I will personally take action."

"...Avi, I..." Xia Lulu was so moved that she was about to cry, and it looked like she was ready to give herself to him at any time.

qun: five four three six five nine three eight nine,

"Okay, stop talking. Remember—" Levi interrupted the other party's heartfelt confession: "There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved by a box of gold. If there is, then add another box! Quickly stabilize people's hearts, that is what you need to do now! Ah, you are a king after all, believe that you are capable of sitting well."

"Don't worry! I won't embarrass you!"

--------------------------

After all, he is a historical figure. Although his appearance and personality have changed, he still has the skills and abilities.

Of course, the affairs of historical figures are the affairs of historical figures. Even without Li, the other party could have become the ruler of the Frankish Empire.

Then, as a Germanic barbarian, he was crowned Emperor of All Romans.

Levi didn't have much idea about this, so he led 8,000 men to camp outside the city, followed by 2,000 Minotaur berserkers, and Xia Lulu into the city, occupying the city gates and intimidating the princes.

Then, there is the political game.

It was obvious that some people in the East Frankish Kingdom had already realized that something was wrong, but it was not until Xia Lulu's people appeared that the East Frankish princes learned about the death of Carloman's brother.

Cancer, death is so quick.

Levi was stationed in a camp outside the city that day. After all, life was hard when stationed there, so he made the camp look a little better.

It feels really weird right now.

The world is my oyster!

This is just like in the Crusader Kings series, although he is in a huge empire, he has to enjoy the fruits of victory at this moment.

He didn't know why he had to fight for Xia Lulu. Theoretically speaking, as long as the war between monarchs involved territories that did not include his own, it had nothing to do with him. In this feudal era, this country was mine, but it was not yours!

So… maybe this is a kind of brotherhood and brotherhood. I am so touched! ——If I hadn’t turned the other person’s biological mother into the biological mother of my own daughter, then the relationship between the two parties might be much more normal.

Xia Lulu was using diplomatic tactics with great skill. This beautiful boy who looked innocent and naive could actually kill people.

Of course, the tens of thousands of troops standing on his side are very important.

Such a military force is of course extremely important. Even after Xia Lulu's army took over, it still played a decisive role.

Naturally, someone will come to curry favor with you.

Naturally, someone will give gifts.

As for the gift, it was naturally vulgar... Too vulgar! Disgusting!

Of course, this gift was not given by the Frankish barbarians.

But from far away.

Luo! Ma! (The one in the defeated court)

202 There are gifts for men and gifts for women. There are gifts for men and men, gifts for women and women (1)

In the dark Middle Ages, compared with the barbarians in Western Europe and even Eastern Europe, the defeated Court Empire on the Anatolian Peninsula and the Greek Peninsula was as dazzling as a medieval lighthouse or an elf among dwarves!

"Constantinople? Oh, that's a big city, really, really big. So big... why are you asking him? Oh, it will make you sad. Hahaha——" As a horse girl, Achuan's horse life is really a free-spirited one.

At this moment, she was in a very... carefree attitude. The Centaur was lying on the floor that covered the whole room, rolling back and forth and having fun. She looked so cute, like a... silly child.

"I'm just asking." Levi mentioned it casually. Constantinople is of course the beacon of Europe at present: "Look up to the mountains..."

"Well, just tell me, you're a devil who's usually very bad anyway." He kicked Levi in ​​the chest, and the posture was really super powerful: "What bad plans do you have for Constantinople? Well, the population there is terrifyingly large. I heard that it's as big as twenty Aachen! Relying on the sea route, with huge city walls - when I led my people passing by there. Hey... the four gates are closed, I tell you, these guys are as cowardly as they can be. I heard that they just lost a large territory in Asia Minor in the east. They are as weak as can be."

What Achuan said is correct.

"...Have your people been to Constantinople?" I thought you were all Martian soldiers who were "brushed out".

So there is a past and a life?