Iron Powder and Spellcasters - Chapter 479

Chapter 479 Blazing Furnace (3)

As the threatening words were spoken from Admiral Zio, the already tense atmosphere of the conversation suddenly became tense.

“Be careful, Your Excellency Zio.” Captain Tiye reminded “kindly”: “Don’t forget who you are talking to.”

“Who are you talking to?” Major General Layton’s eyes were fierce, covering the three people in front of him like a dark cloud: “Who are we talking to?”

He pressed one hand on the table, and the four legs of the conference table suddenly let out an overwhelmed scream.

“We’re talking to [Dandolo]! We’re talking to [Pisani]! We’re talking to [Tiepolo]! We’re talking to the richest, most famous, most powerful family in Hailan.” Ray Rear Admiral Dun pointed to Captain Tiye’s nose: “That’s why you—not cats and dogs from other navies—sit here!”

Vertoire Pisani retaliated: “Knowing who to talk to, and still being so rude, it seems that the Federal Military Academy didn’t teach you what etiquette is?”

Seeing that the meeting was about to break up unhappy, Major General Jacob de Bar had to smooth things over: “Why do we have to compete in words—we are not from Flora, are we?”

Vettol Pisani snorted lightly, but did not return the tit-for-tat irony.

The air in the Army Classified Archives Room was uncomfortably hot and stale due to the extensive moisture and insect repellent padding under the floor.

Major General De Barr left his chair, opened the ventilation duct in the corner of the room, and “by the way” pushed Major General Layton back to his seat.

“There are no outsiders here, and there is no army or navy. There are only a few sea blue people who are worried about the fate of the motherland.” Major General De Barr brought the conversation back to the topic, and he stated solemnly:

“In any case, I want you to come here, just to inform you that the puppet emperor is vigorously expanding his fleet, buying large sums of military supplies, and renovating roads and bridges in the southern border of the empire on a large scale. We have tangible evidence in our hands that, The False Emperor never really gave up his ambitions for Union territory. Once we shed too much blood in civil wars, the next sovereignty war will befall our generation.”

After hearing De Barr’s words, the three naval officers fell into a strange silence.

Suddenly, Vitor Pisani laughed: “Isn’t this a well-known thing?”

Little Pisani asked the three army generals in disbelief: “You have gone to such lengths to invite us here just to say this?”

Major General Layton’s face was a little uncomfortable: “We are showing you irrefutable evidence.”

Little Pisani choked back unceremoniously: “I don’t need your evidence, I also know the wolfish ambitions of the false emperor towards the inner sea!”

Following precedent, the conversation was about to escalate into an argument, but Admiral Zio’s words stopped the process.

“We know what you are doing in Taniria.” The general raised his eyes like deep pools, and said unhurriedly: “You recruited a large number of unemployed people in the name of sailors, but let Lieutenant General Serviati replace them.” You train them.”

Colonel Vauban, who was on the edge of the conference table, suddenly became more restless, but he didn’t dare to interrupt the general’s speech.

Admiral Zio’s voice was not loud, but his words were extremely clear: “Everyone in the army ridiculed the Third Army as an ‘army of the navy’, but in fact, you are using the Third Army to arm an army that really belongs to the navy. .Do so even if you trample on the principle of land and sea division—you are preparing a dangerous gamble.”

This time, Captain Pisani and Captain Tiye consciously kept silent.

The two looked at Admiral Dandolo in the middle. Firstly, the two captains could not easily interrupt the conversation between the admirals; secondly, they were not clear about the situation in the Taniria Islands.

“If you are really as worried about the fate of the alliance as you said.” Admiral Dandolo was noncommittal about Admiral Zio’s words, and he said slowly: “Then you should show these files to the Federation, and Not for us to see.”

“No need.” Admiral Zio replied coldly: “The inter-provinces spend a lot more than us in the north.”

Admiral Dandolo met the admiral’s eyes: “In this case, the federal provinces still choose to send troops. It proves that they have come to the conclusion that the empire is temporarily unable to go south. The Southern Army has been disbanded, and then The cruel liquidation that has come has made the nobles of the southern border panic.”

Admiral Zio frowned: “Although pulling out the sores will cause pain in the short term, it will only make the body stronger in the long run. Besides, you should know better than us what is going on with the Southern Army. Thirty years later , are about to be infiltrated into a sieve by the interprovincialists. It is not so much an army as it is the largest smuggler in the southern border of the empire. What difference does it make if such an army is disbanded or not?”

“But the Southern General Army was indeed banned.” Admiral Dandolo’s eyes sharpened: “Don’t say that the Southern General Army is not a sharp sword. People dare not act rashly. But now, it has disappeared. You can say that this is the conspiracy of the false emperor, but it is also an opportunity. An opportunity to completely solve the problem.”

“The Interprovincialists are experts in Fabian tactics and fortress defense. Before the formation of the new Southern General Army, there is no possibility of a complete solution to the problem.” Admiral Zio said loudly: “This is not an opportunity! This is a trap!”

Admiral Dandolo looked at the admiral: “That is to say, you also agree that solving the problem thoroughly is not a matter of principle, but a technical issue.”

Admiral Zio crossed his arms, lowered his eyes, and stopped talking.

Admiral Dandolo no longer leaned forward, and resumed the sitting posture before the conversation, declaring that the confrontation between the two was over.

Pisani Jr. and Captain Tiye had a wordless exchange, and finally Pisani Jr. spoke first: “In any case, the Interprovincialists have crossed the red line, and we really want to know, respectable colleagues in the army How are you going to deal with it?”

This time it was the turn of Major General Layton and Major General de Bal to exchange glances.

After receiving support, Major General Layton cleared his throat and said with great pride: “There is a young man in our army who, by mistake, is now serving in Plato. But he is our Vineta after all. During the War of Conquest of Ria, he learned a lot of skills, so he did well in Plato, and now he has a considerable army.

The federal province’s cross-border behavior must be learned, but Vineta should support an agent in Plato to fight the war with the federal province through the agent instead of sending troops in person, so as to limit the war within a controllable range. And this young Vineta in Plato is the best agent and grasper. ”

Major General Layton boasted triumphantly, but Little Pisani at the other end of the conference table became more and more strange as he heard it.

“With all due respect.” Vettol Pisani interrupted the major general of the army and asked tentatively, “Is this ‘Veneta who served in Plato’ you mentioned, the one…Wen?” Tess Montagne, adopted son of General Serviati?”

“Oh?” Major General Layton froze for a moment: “You know?”

Little Pisani couldn’t help laughing, raised his eyebrows and asked, “Is there anyone in Hailan who doesn’t know about ‘Wolf’s Blood’?”

Major General Layton waved his hand: “That would be even better, so I don’t have to introduce you. You just need to know that although he is young, he is very capable, and he is absolutely loyal and reliable.”

“Please wait a moment.” Little Pisani rubbed his forehead: “Of course we have heard about the illustrious military exploits and legendary experience of Wolf Blood. If I have the opportunity, I would also like to see the demeanor of this compatriot with my own eyes. But you Say, he is from your army?”

“Of course.” Layton’s nostrils were almost up to the sky: “During the Taneria War, Winters Montagne served under my nose.”

“It’s hard to say.” Little Pisani’s cheeks showed a happy smile, and he raised his hand and pointed at Colonel Vauban, who was trying to hide: “General Serviati’s envoy is sitting there, why don’t you ask him yourself, Serbia Can General Tee command [Wolf’s Blood]?”

“Is there a son who I can’t command?” Layton sneered.

Colonel Vauban’s expression became more and more embarrassing. He blushed and said hesitantly: “Lieutenant General Serviati specifically ordered me to inform you that Captain Winters Montagne is not an officer under his command. He cannot order Montagne Just as Captain Montagne will act against his interests, he will not act against the interests of the Republic for Captain Montagne. Please rest assured.”

Major General Layton stood up abruptly, glaring at Colonel Vauban viciously.

Poor Vaubangui as a colonel can only lower his head and pretend that he is a piece of furniture.

Little Vettol’s words came lightly: “It seems that the comment of ‘absolutely loyal and reliable’ needs to be considered again.”

“Damn it! What are you sarcastic about?” Layton slammed the table heavily: “After all, isn’t it because you swallowed up too much military spending?! Otherwise, why would we need to compromise like this? The streets are full of homeless people. Those who have returned, they are a ready source of soldiers, at this time, they should be absorbed into the army instead of forcing them to take risks.

Expand two legions for us, and Vineta’s security problem will be solved immediately! Expanding the four legions, the federal provinces will never dare to act rashly! Expansion of eight legions, you don’t need to end, we will solve the inter-province for you once and for all.

But you are like snakes! My stomach was about to burst, but I was still shouting ‘not enough’! Greed **** at the republic’s treasury and doesn’t care what it does to the Army. What right do you have to be sarcastic? ”

“Knowing that the unemployed are unstable factors, but still arming them, training them, and handing them knives in their hands.” Vettol Pisani is not to be outdone: “Isn’t this ridiculous?”

“When you enter the army, you will naturally let them obey you.”

“How can resentment dissipate so easily, how do you know they won’t fight back?”

Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control again, it was Major General De Barr who came to the rescue: “Okay, don’t argue about irrelevant topics anymore. I have invited my colleagues from the navy today, hoping to reach an agreement on the future route between the army and the navy. Consensus, not fighting first for the Army and Navy.”

Vertoire Pisani and Layton were both trying to show the face of Major General de Barr. They stopped talking, but neither looked at the other.

Rear Admiral De Bar took a deep breath and looked at Admiral Dandolo: “Even if General Serviati’s adopted son has his own interests, he will not refuse our assistance. In any case, a proxy without wet hands Human wars are more in the interests of Vineta. Compared with other forces in Plato, Captain Winters Montagne is naturally closer to us, so he is still the best proxy candidate.”

“You don’t need to wet your hands?” Captain Thie asked back: “The first lesson every naval officer learns on deck is, ‘As long as you are on a ship, it is impossible not to wet your clothes’, let alone your hands.”

“But it’s better to wet your hands than your whole body.” De Bar responded neither humble nor humble: “Isn’t it?”

Vitor Pisani and Lorenzo Thier both have their sights set on the Admiral.

Martino Dandolo is sixty-four years old this year.

When he stepped on the deck for the first time, the Republic of Vineta did not exist yet, the sea blue people were fighting with the Nasrians, mercenaries were the main body of the army, and the tiresome city-state war seemed to never end.

At that time, if someone declared that “the city-states that are fighting openly and secretly today will be unified into a new country in the future”, they would definitely be ridiculed.

Unlike generals on land, few naval commanders lived to the age of Martino Dandolo.

Sudden cross winds, unrecorded reefs, huge waves higher than the mast… There are too many things on the sea that can easily capsize a ship. Poor living conditions, poor diet, and scurvy also greatly shortened the lives of captains and sailors.

The more important reason is: Army generals who lose their teachers and humiliate the country still have a chance to survive; while naval commanders who lose their fleet, even if they are lucky enough to escape the fate of sinking with the ship, they will eventually be beheaded and taken away by the sword in the Parliament Square head.

The sea is like an altar, engulfing generations of sea blue people.

Half of the captains will not live beyond the age of forty; if they can pass the mark of fifty, most of the captains will never go to sea again.

Only those who live to be sixty years old are eligible to compete for the position of fleet commander.

When Martino Dandolo was sixty-two years old, he was promoted to the commander of the Inland Sea Fleet—the most powerful position in the Veneta Navy.

Now, he spoke.

“I have seen the tsunami that engulfed the city, the fire that engulfed the city.” Admiral Dandolo said, “I have seen the flag of the Emerald people flying under the sea blue city, and I have also witnessed our San Marco flag planted with flowers. The walls of the city. I have won victories, and I have also experienced disastrous defeats. Some of the difficulties in your eyes, once you go through and look back, you will find that they are just small waves of history. Every time, the city of Hailan can burst out strength, to achieve the final victory.”

In the archive room, some people nodded, some were dissatisfied, some were expressionless, and some pretended to be furniture, but all of them, without exception, were listening quietly.

Admiral Dandolo said calmly: “And in the years I have lived through, I have learned one thing-sometimes, you can’t completely solve the problem without getting your whole body wet.”

Admiral Zio frowned.

Admiral Dandolo’s thick body became taller invisibly: “The attitude of the navy has not changed since hundreds of years ago. Our interests are the same as those of the sea blue. We support violent and rapid wars. When wars start When the war is over, the merchant fleet can sail safely on the inner seas again. We cannot support long, exhausting wars, which are bad for business. And your proxy plan, will drag us down into a protracted war.”

“It’s not good for business?” Major General Layton sneered: “In the past two years, you have seized the Union-Provincial Merchant Ships in the Inland Sea, and you have made a lot of money.”

Captain Tiye replied disdainfully: “Compared to the loss, that income is nothing.”

“Business is not everything in Vineta.” Admiral Zio stared closely at the admiral.

“No.” Admiral Dandolo replied firmly: “Trade is everything about Hailan!”

Admiral Dandolo stood up, followed by Vitor Pisani and Lorenzo Thier.

“The inland sea must be restored to safety as soon as possible, and Hailan needs to solve the problem once and for all.” Facing his army colleagues, Admiral Dandolo slammed the last sentence: “If the army can’t do it, then the navy will do it for you!”

[I hope everyone will be safe and healthy next year]

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(end of this chapter)