Chapter 114: The Secret of the Black Tide
The evening banquet was very sumptuous. Because it was to celebrate the victory and welcome the arrival of these new immigrants, everyone had enough food rations to enjoy.
Besides, the kitchen, which had just harvested those desert antelopes for meat, would not be stingy with the meat ration.
In addition to the large amount of unhulled wheat grains, a large amount of flour was made with the help of the wind mill. Even the porridge and vegetable soup seemed particularly thick, making the new immigrants enjoy their meals very much.
Of course, those soldiers who had made great achievements and won the battle also received two extra pieces of white bread pies, which were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and had a filling made of pumpkin and honey, which smelled extremely sweet.
The soldiers were so refreshed after eating that they temporarily forgot about the fierce battle that took place during the day.
Delicious food is always the best comfort on the battlefield.
A good food supply can keep the soldiers’ morale high and help them escape from the cruel reality on the battlefield. In the next battle, they can also maintain their courage and launch more fierce attacks on the enemy.
Shen Mu highly agrees with this logistical supply concept.
So it was transferred here.
In the noble mansion, on both sides of the long table in the reception room, Fatis, Bandak, and Airen sat on the right side.
Manid and James sat on the left.
The candlestick is placed in the middle.
Each person's plate contained delicious food carefully prepared by the halfling chef, as well as an extra glass of ale per person.
This was a gift from the merchants who had come before. The quantity was not large, only 10 barrels.
Now it is just right for celebrating victory and reception.
It is quite rich.
Moreover, among the five generals present, except for Ailen who felt a little alienated from Manid, a businessman, due to his background, the others were all very happy chatting because they had already known each other for a long time.
In fact, even if there is a sense of alienation, it does not mean that you cannot communicate and work together.
Being able to sit here is basically equivalent to a collection of kind generals in the world of Mount and Blade Warband.
At least we have something in common.
If an evil general were to intervene, there would be real embarrassment, verbal confrontation, and even a physical conflict.
But Shen Mu didn't care. The kind-hearted generals who appeared now got along well with each other.
"You guys continue, I'm going back to my room to rest." After Shen Mu finished his portion of food, he left the banquet.
Because for him, there are more important things to deal with.
Upgrade from Soldier.
Shen Mu returned to his bedroom on the second floor.
"Sir, we will stand guard here tonight." Two Holy Tree Knights and two Swadian Knights also came out from the secondary bedroom next door. After respectfully saluting Shen Mu, they stood at the door of the master bedroom.
"Well, thank you for your hard work." Shen Mu nodded and expressed his gratitude to them.
The 10 Holy Tree Knights and 10 Swadian Knights he currently has usually sleep in the noble mansion, on the second floor.
It can be considered as close protection for Shen Mu.
If anything happens, he can protect Shen Mu and rush out to the safe Rhodok Castle at any time.
As for the separately separated administrative residence next to it, there are of course separate rooms prepared for the five generals to rest.
Together with the Swadian light infantry standing guard at the door, and the patrols that pass by the main and side doors of the nobles' mansions at regular intervals, the protection here is extremely tight, and any abnormal situation will be known immediately.
Shen Mu is also confident that they are serious and responsible.
Return to the bedroom.
Sitting in the chair, I glanced at the dark night outside and felt the slight chill from the soul.
Shen Mu didn't show much fear.
In the room, upright white candles were burning, bringing a bright light.
It seemed as if the light it brought dispelled the darkness.
But now Shen Mu is very clear that the castles and town areas that have been covered by the Mount and Blade rules, as well as the nearly thousands of acres of land extending outside, will no longer be invaded by the Undead rules.
The complete darkness and the pervasive gray fog will still have a corrosive effect on the area.
However, it will never be the same as before, reduced to a paradise shrouded in darkness and gray fog, haunted by undead monsters, a horror scene that makes everyone shudder!
What's more, on the surrounding city walls, the soldiers on guard lit braziers at regular intervals.
The patrol teams also continued to patrol with torches in hand.
That is to say, after just experiencing a fierce battle during the day, Shen Mu wanted these soldiers to have a good rest for a few nights and not be in a hurry to gain experience for upgrading.
Otherwise, Shen Mu would have sent a group of newly joined Swadian militiamen out to sweep those undead monsters and earn experience for upgrading.
After all, they are just a group of ordinary undead monsters that can no longer pose any danger.
Just some skeletons or zombies moving around.
Even if some skeleton warriors, skeleton spearmen, and skeleton archers can rely on their instincts when they were alive to form military formations, and they look well-organized, but in fact, based on the strength of these skeletons, I am afraid they can hardly pose much threat to the Swadian militia!
Shen Mu was almost losing his awe for those undead monsters!
"Open the troop upgrade interface." Shen Mu shook his head and did not continue to think about it. Instead, he communicated with the system through his mind and called up the troop upgrade interface.
[You have soldiers that can be upgraded...]
[120 Swadian Light Infantry, consuming 100 dinars per person, can be upgraded to "Fourth-tier" Swadian Infantry (Heavy Pike Infantry)" or "Fourth-tier" Swadian Heavy Cavalry (Heavy Pike Cavalry)". ]
[50 Rhodok skilled crossbowmen, consuming 100 dinars per person, can be upgraded to "Level " Rhodok senior crossbowmen (long-range heavy crossbow shooters)'. 】
[50 Vikia Guerrilla Archers, consuming 100 dinars per person, can be upgraded to "Level " Vikia Archers (Long-range Archers)". 】
[75 Lake Rat Gang veteran fighters, consuming 100 dinars per person, can be upgraded to "Level " Lake Rat Gang Destroyer (Heavy Throwing Infantry)." 】
Then, right in front of Shen Mu, a dialog box quickly popped up showing the number of soldiers that could be upgraded this time.
And the dinars needed for the upgrade.
"..." Shen Mu pursed his lips.
Even though he had just received the reward of 10000 dinars, which already considered him wealthy, he was still speechless when he saw the upgrade costs of these arms.
Because there are too many upgraded soldiers.
Less than 300 people.
They are all third or fourth level upgrades.
It is common to charge 50 dinars or even 100 dinars per person.
Adding up this number, the 10000 dinars that Shen Mu currently possesses seem pitiful, and there is no way to upgrade all the soldiers!
Just take the 120 Swadian light infantry, who want to be upgraded to fourth-level infantry or heavy cavalry.
That would cost a full 12000 dinars.
Now count.
He, Shen Mu, is still short of 2000 dinars!
"This is a bit depressing." Shen Mu was lying on a chair at this time, looking at the dark night sky outside. He felt extremely melancholy.
Now it takes money to upgrade troops and build towns.
You know, the newly established Wikia village "New Rivadin" also requires money. A large amount of funds need to be invested to complete the village.
It’s all about money!
"I'm going crazy." Shen Mu's mood, which had been pretty good, became a little depressed again.
Take a moment to ponder and analyze the current situation.
Shen Mu made arrangements:
"The Swadians don't need to be upgraded for now, and neither do the Rhodok skilled crossbowmen. So let's upgrade all 75 Lake Rat Gang veteran fighters to Lake Rat Gang destroyers first."
Then a dialog box popped up in front of Shen Mu.
[Ding! You choose to upgrade 75 Lake Rat Gang veteran fighters, consuming 100 dinars per person, and you can upgrade to "Level 7500" Lake Rat Gang Destroyer (Heavy Throwing Infantry)", a total of dinars are required. ]
This is an inquiry.
"Confirm to upgrade." Shen Mu also made a decision.
'Om! '
A white light flickered between the eyebrows.
A stream of data rushed out of the window and came to the Lake Rat Gang training camp, landing on the Lake Rat Gang's senior thugs who were resting after a day of fighting.
Not long after, the figures of these veteran thugs of the Lake Rat Gang walked out from the white light again.
As the white light was absorbed by the senior thugs of the Lake Rat Gang.
Now appearing.
He was already wearing more sophisticated northern leather chain mail and a nose-protected infantry helmet on his head. The javelins on his body had also been changed from 10 harpoons to 10 hooked javelins, and the kite-shaped shield had also been changed into a heavy round shield that was more easily used with a long-handled serrated spear. With the armor-piercing axe issued at his waist, he was indeed very majestic!
As the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, who are at the pinnacle of the fourth tier in Mount & Blade Overlord, their infantry level is comparable to that of the fifth tier noble infantry.
Especially because of the throwing hooked javelins, which are powerful killing weapons that can destroy shields and armor.
It also demonstrates unparalleled destructive power!
The reason why they did not run for the fifth-tier troops was actually not because these Lake Rat Gang saboteurs were weak.
It was because the armor they were wearing was just chain mail. Compared to the heavy chain mail, heavy lamellar armor, and heavy scale armor that were commonly worn by fifth-tier infantrymen, most of the armor was chain mail that was only worn by third-tier soldiers, which was indeed not good enough.
This means poor defense.
A real fight.
You will suffer a great loss!
However, the reason why Shen Mu mainly upgraded these senior thugs of the Lake Rat Gang was that the lethality of these fourth-level peak soldiers was indeed amazing.
Although the melee defense is relatively weak.
However, melee defense and line-holding tasks are all handled by the Swadian infantry.
After all, there are now 150 more Swadian infantry, all of whom are fourth-level soldiers, as well as 300 Swadian light infantry and 500 Swadian militia.
It’s enough to hold up the defense line.
At this time, Shen Mu needed these Lake Rat Gang saboteurs, who were assault infantrymen who could not only hold the line themselves, but also use hooked javelins to throw and kill others, causing huge losses to the enemy.
Moreover, Shen Mu also found in today's battle that these infantrymen who can throw javelins performed very well on the city wall. Many enemies have not yet rushed up.
He was taken away by several fierce and accurate waves of javelins.
Even if the enemy is heavily armed, no matter whether it is a slender hooked javelin or an equally slender harpoon, the armor-piercing effect is very good.
Even the harpoons used by the lowest-ranking newcomers of the Lake Rat Gang have armor-piercing effects.
Of course Shen Mu would choose to upgrade the ace troops in these minor factions.
"From the remaining 2500 dinars, we will use 2000 dinars to upgrade 20 Swadian light infantry into 20 Swadian heavy cavalry."
At this time, Shen Mu's thoughts communicated with the system again.
Looking at the few remaining dinars, he made a choice: "Let's increase the number of Swadian heavy cavalry to 150!"
Almost at the moment Shen Mu made the decision, the dialog box appeared in front of him.
[Ding! You choose to upgrade 20 Swadian Light Infantry, consuming 100 dinars per person, and can be upgraded to "Level 2000" Swadian Heavy Cavalry (Heavy Heavy Cavalry)", a total of dinars are required. ]
"OK!" Shen Mu chose OK again.
'Om! '
Then the data started flowing again.
In the tent at the edge of the Lake Rat Gang's training camp, amidst the flashing white light, 20 Swadian heavy cavalrymen appeared over there, leading their equally fully armed Swadian war horses.
Indicates the end of the upgrade.
"That's it." Shen Mu looked at the 500 dinars left and didn't want to continue upgrading.
He slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
I'm in a bad mood.
Until early the next morning.
"Hmm." Shen Mu slowly opened his eyes and looked at the bright sky outside the window. He rubbed his face which was a little numb from sleeping and sat up from the bed. His mood was much better after a whole night's rest.
As for the issue of dinar, Shen Mu decided not to think about it.
……
Just in diesel company.
When the news of the defeat reached the main tent of the Orc tribe, almost everyone was stunned.
"The general manager requires all senior executives to hold a meeting immediately!"
"Attention! General Manager's request!"
"All the senior executives!"
"Go to the chieftain's tent for a meeting immediately!"
Inside the entire Diesel Group, the burly and strong pig-headed elite leaders on top of the piers built above the mounds were shouting loudly.
Let those sturdy and loud voices appear in the entire orc camp.
Even when it's dark outside.
Originally, many senior officials were patrolling the rammed earth city walls with their personal guards.
Hearing such shouts, everyone looked nervous and quickly gathered in the chief's big tent.
From the Human Resources Department, Quality Inspection Department, to the Sales Department, all three directors have arrived this time.
Including the Minister of Transport, who has also come.
However, the ministers of the other three departments looked at the Minister of Transportation with expressionless faces, but their eyes flickered slightly.
They looked at each other and saw a kind of gloating in each other's eyes.
Because the Ministry of Transport suffered too much loss this time!
So much so that they all knew about the loss this time. It can be said that this was the most loss-making operation for the entire diesel company, which directly caused the diesel company to suffer serious losses!
After all, the armed forces owned by the Diesel Company consisted of only more than 2500 pig-headed people.
Now half of it is reimbursed.
Add to that the more than 500 pig-headed men that Wu Hu had killed before.
It can be said that the armed forces currently possessed by the Diesel Company have reached a level that is even worse than it was two years ago, and are almost the same as when the Orc Tribe was just established!
Just because of internal strife, the directors of the three departments, namely, Human Resources Department, Quality Inspection Department, and Sales Department, did not say much.
In the past, the Ministry of Transport liked to make some extra money while transporting goods.
It's considered a lucrative job.
This has made other departments jealous.
With the advent of the undead rules, the Transportation Department, relying on the large number of formal employees, became the first armed force of the Orc camp and the current Diesel Company.
He is usually domineering and doesn't take other people seriously, which has long aroused public anger.
Now that I see him being humiliated, I feel naturally relieved.
"Tell me about the situation." Just at this moment, with the voice of suppressed anger coming from the big tent, everyone present did not dare to speak. They all lowered their heads, looking very awed.
Because this is Xue Zhigang, the general manager of the entire diesel company and the chief of the Orc tribe who has spoken!
The question was not asked to the other three ministers.
Asked.
He is the current Minister of Transport, Qian Duojun.
"General Manager, this matter was handled by Deputy Minister Fu Jian himself, so I am not very clear about it." Qian Duojun wiped the cold sweat from his face and said tremblingly: "But I hope you can give me some time to investigate and see where the mistake was made."
This is all Qian Duojun could say at this time.
He is already an old man in the diesel company and is preparing to retire at any time. Although he is called a minister, he has not participated in major decision-making for a long time.
And this reason was also arranged by Xue Zhigang, the general manager.
Since he came to power, he has supported the young man Wu Hu, and then supported the middle-aged man Fu Jian.
Basically, he wants to take control of the absolute power of the Ministry of Transport into his own hands.
Everyone understands.
Qian Duojun also understands.
Xue Zhigang, the general manager who arranged all this personally, under the big tent, understood better.
"I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about the Human Resources Department." Therefore, Xue Zhigang suppressed his anger at this time, and instead stretched out his hand, pointed at the head of the Human Resources Department, and said in a deep voice: "Tell me about the losses."
"It's like this, General Manager. We suffered heavy losses in this battle..."
The head of the HR department immediately stepped forward, stood up, and tremblingly took out his notebook. Looking at the records on it, he quickly said: "This time, we lost 122 regular employees, 54 contract workers, and 157 temporary workers. It can be said that the loss is extremely heavy."
As he spoke, his tone paused slightly, and he reported in a trembling voice:
"As for the pig-headed men we had, we lost a total of 1086 of them. Basically, they were all wiped out. Not a single pig-headed man escaped. All of them died on the battlefield."
When he finished speaking, the entire tent fell into an eerie silence.
After a while.
Xue Zhigang's tired voice slowly emerged: "If that's the case, then the loss is indeed heavy."
The four ministers present lowered their heads, and cold sweat began to drip down their temples.
"Be alert. During this period of time, be vigilant to prevent the new human overlord from coming to attack or investigate. As for the Blue Star humans in the tribe, we should also persuade them to stay in the tribe and not let them go out."
"As for the wood elves of the Green Leaf Group, send them a batch of food and tell them that we agree to cooperate with them."
"Finally... we will start selecting some trustworthy outsiders to join the regular staff. We will also select some ordinary humans with good qualifications and intelligence, and teach them how to perceive the astral world. We will lead them to sign contracts with the pig-headed people, and help them summon some pig-headed people as followers. We will train them and make them the new force of our diesel company in the future."
Xue Zhigang just started speaking, making arrangements one sentence at a time.
Below, the four ministers kept taking notes.
In the entire chief's tent, apart from Xue Zhigang's voice, the only sound was the rustling sound of writing.
Xue Zhigang quickly arranged the work for this time and said in a deep voice, "That's it."
But the four ministers didn't dare to say anything more at this time.
Because they noticed that at this moment Xue Zhigang, who always had a bad temper, didn't say anything harsh, and didn't even get angry.
This was undoubtedly a volcano on the verge of eruption, but without any terrifying signs of eruption, which made them feel timid.
"The thing has already been done. There is no way to reverse it. What we need to do is to adjust our new goals as soon as possible to prevent ourselves from falling into a worse situation."
Xue Zhigang then spoke slowly, as if explaining to these people: "You can go and sit down according to what I said. Remember, before the next black tide comes, we must make sure that all the Blue Star humans stay here with us. We must not let the new human lord obtain enough Blue Star humans to replenish the energy of his lord core."
"Understood, General Manager." The ministers nodded.
Then, seeing Xue Zhigang waving to them and asking them to leave, they also bowed and left.
But after walking out of the big tent, everyone looked at each other in confusion.
This is not the style of General Manager Xue Zhigang at all.
In the past, if you made a small mistake, you would be killed directly and thrown into the pig trough to feed those pig-headed elite leaders.
Now such a big problem has occurred.
They really didn't expect that the general manager would be so calm.
But when they left.
Xue Zhigang's fat body, which was sitting on the chair, moved slowly, and countless fat pieces of flesh swayed. It seemed that he was not as calm as he appeared.
"Damn it." Xue Zhigang sighed tiredly: "Wu Hu is a waste, and Fu Jian is also a waste. I didn't expect that I am now at the final stage of refining that thing. If I can have that power, any new lord of the human race will be crushed by me."
Xue Zhigang clenched his fists slightly, looking at the lifted tent curtain in front of him and the azure blue sky outside.
There was a hint of anger in his eyes:
"The next black tide is coming soon. According to what the pig-headed shaman said, after the next black tide, more extraordinary powers will be able to descend on Blue Star... Damn it! If Wu Hu and Fu Jian had fought for their time and snatched the lord crystal core of the new human lord for me, then I would definitely become stronger! And then successfully refine the artifact fragments of Yeenoghu, the god of the gnolls! What a pair of rubbish!"
(End of this chapter)
