booktalesy Chapter 4 Tavern Meeting
Chapter 4 Tavern Meeting
After entering the room, Uncle Reger casually took off his casual clothes and hung them on the coat rack by the door, then walked straight to the sofa and sat down.
Following Uncle Regeler's example, Gerns put away his casual clothes and sat down opposite Uncle Regeler.
The two men in leather military shirts didn't rush to speak. Gerns first opened the bottle, filled Uncle Reggler's glass, and then filled his own.
"bump!"
With a clinking of glasses, the two men downed their drinks in one gulp.
"You're quite a young man, but you're becoming more and more mature. You're growing up pretty fast. I'm afraid you'll surpass me in a few years."
When Gerns heard Uncle Regeler's praise, his first reaction was one of surprise, which was quickly replaced by the shock brought by Uncle Regeler's gaze.
To outsiders, Uncle Regerle, who appears to be straightforward, guileless, and incredibly rugged, has surprisingly taught someone to be calm and composed.
It seems this bearded man is not as simple as he appears.
"Uncle, you're joking. I learned all of this from you."
"You're full of nonsense. When did I ever teach you any of that? Would I be that kind of person?"
Although Uncle Regler's words carried a hint of reproach, Gerns still caught a glimpse of a joke in his eyes and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I apologize for my intrusion, but Uncle, do you think I have a chance of getting promoted this time?"
As he spoke, Gerns refilled the glass.
"Gerns, I've been mentoring you since you joined the army, and it's been several years now. I'll definitely help you with your promotion this time."
Uncle Regler placed his hand on Gerns' shoulder and patted him heavily, continuing, "My support alone isn't enough, but I'll get the vice-captain of the Second Squadron to support you too. The rest you'll have to fight for yourself."
Rogers was the deputy company commander of the second squadron and had a good relationship with Uncle Legler. To outsiders, he was a rigid, serious, and uncompromising old soldier.
However, he treated his soldiers well, and in Gerns's impression, he was quite good.
"Uncle, just say what you have to say, I'm listening."
"Two positions have been vacant in this election. In addition to the seven surviving captains from our four infantry companies, including the vice-captain, the eligible nominees are our battalion commander, Lord Keynes, and his eldest son, the current cavalry vice-captain, Lord Holmes Keynes."
Gerns's unit was a large battalion, consisting of four infantry companies and one cavalry company.
Gerns had witnessed cavalry battles many times, and to be honest, he felt that this cavalry unit, in open terrain, had the ability to challenge infantry three times their number.
"The Baron will not be directly involved in this election, nor will the cavalry captain. That leaves only Young Master Holmes and the five of us captains to make the proposal. I can help you get three votes; the rest will depend on your efforts."
"I do have some connections with the vice-captain of the first company, but I don't have much of a connection with the second and fourth companies, and aren't they still recovering from injuries?" Gerns answered honestly.
"Hmph, the war is over, now is the perfect time to plunder the spoils. Those two couldn't wait any longer and took the rest of their squad's brats and greenhorns to 'wander'."
Thinking of the First and Fourth Squadrons, Uncle Reger gave a disdainful snort.
Rather than "wandering," it actually meant conquering the remaining villages that still had the ability to resist and were under the rule of the enemy kingdom of Kreek.
Baron Holmes and his cavalry had little interest in such unprofitable villages; only infantry squadrons would venture there to earn some extra money.
The baron's caravan would also buy up supplies captured by the soldiers, such as silver bracelets passed down from villagers, furs collected by hunters in the village, and even livestock such as horses and mules.
As a result, the soldiers were able to keep some of the decent clothes and shoes for themselves or send them home.
Soldiers also have their own bottom line; at least they don't steal food, and the military leadership has explicitly forbidden it. However, they often catch a couple of chickens or ducks to improve their meals, which is a common practice.
For Gerns, who possessed memories of his past life, this was all too familiar.
Although, from his own moral standpoint, he felt somewhat disgusted by this wartime plunder of civilians.
But when they think about the sacrifices and deaths that come with war, these losses might be a chance for civilians to survive.
Gerns never participated in "wandering" activities, but he couldn't stop those around him and his men. The people in the team would often share some of the spoils from "wandering" with Gerns.
"Uncle, it's been quite a while since we went 'sweeping' the area. Is it almost time to set off?"
"Pretty much. The decision has already been made. The Baron has consulted with the leaders of the Fifth Battalion of the same legion and is preparing to jointly attack Luggs City. This is also why the higher-ups are selecting a company commander soon."
Most cities have city walls and moats, making it difficult for a single force of 500 men to take them down. Therefore, high-ranking leaders often choose to cooperate with allied forces.
According to the original owner's memories, they had been invading the heart of the enemy country, the Kingdom of Krik, for a month, and had fought no fewer than three city-level battles, all of which involved cooperation with other large groups.
Therefore, Gerns has some experience in this kind of battle.
Although the casualties during sieges are not low, the rewards after the city falls are always temptingly generous, and the army's practice of tacitly allowing soldiers to make money on the day the city falls makes everyone's desire to siege outweigh their fear.
The two men drank and talked, and soon the bottle of ale was empty. After opening a new bottle, Gerns poured Uncle Regler a full glass and then poured one for himself.
"I have some connections with the deputy captain of the first squadron, so you can send him some gifts to smooth things over, and I'll put in a good word with him. As for the other three, I don't know them very well, and some of them I don't even get along with, so you'll have to work on them yourself."
Even among ordinary soldiers, there are plenty of dirty tricks, let alone those at the company commander level.
Knowing the face but not the heart.
"I suggest you try to find a way through Young Master Holmes. You two are about the same age, and although you're not in the same social class, it should be able to bridge the gap a lot. But if you do that, you'll be Young Master Holmes's person from now on."
Baron Holmes is not the only son of the Baron. Although the Kingdom of Corlington, where Gerns lives, practices primogeniture, the Baron's other sons are not without the right to inherit.
According to recollections, his second son is currently the one temporarily assisting the Baron in managing his territory.
"Speaking of which, what kind of gift could I possibly give to someone of noble birth?"
The thought that Master Holmes was a nobleman while he was just a common soldier with nothing of note to offer made Gerns frown.
"You've always been pretty clever, kid. I knew you'd have your own ideas. This is all I can do to help you. The rest is up to you."
Uncle Regeler patted Gerns on the shoulder.
"Okay, I'll think of another way. I'll try my best."
Just as he finished speaking and was about to down his glass of ale, he heard chaotic cries for help coming from outside the window: "Help! Goblins! The goblins are coming!"