The weather has gradually turned cold, and the chilly wind from the Eternal Frozen Land has begun to blow once more in the Northern Border.
This year’s autumn seems to be colder than ever, with a hint of biting chill in the autumn breeze, as if winter has arrived early.
In the past, the people of Golden Spike would probably complain again about the ruthlessness of the autumn wind, and then they would start praying to the Goddess, hoping for a good harvest for this year’s autumn.
Either that or they would kneel before the God of Winter, asking for the cold winds of the frozen lands to be delayed just a little.
Those with a bit more culture would temporarily believe in the Nature God or have the Goddess greet the Nature God to maintain goodwill.
But this year is different. This year, the people of Golden Spike do not need to pray to these deities because there has been hardly any harvest for Golden Spike this year, and there aren’t many people left.
Once prosperous farms now appear desolate and barren, with the dried grass swaying in the wind, making a rustling sound, and even the weeds have begun to wither.
A few solitary trees stand nearby, their leaves long gone, leaving only bare branches shivering in the cold wind from the frozen land.
The original Golden Spike can be said to have been blessed with favorable conditions; not only was it located just behind water systems, it had convenient transportation, and merchants gathered in the River Valley. It was also the largest grain-producing area and, relying on the Lars Family, was theoretically not under any lord’s control, making it a completely neutral territory.
However, this statement doesn’t hold true; in reality, the nobles of the Northern Border have already tacitly acknowledged that Golden Spike is part of the River Valley area. After all, despite its neutrality, it is closest to the River Valley, and Golden Spike also needs to rely on the River Valley for trading. The prosperity of the River Valley largely benefits from being near Golden Spike, as they are mutually supportive.
Unfortunately, since Fang Ge took over governance, the notion of neutrality for Golden Spike has vanished. The so-called neutrality was simply maintained under the status of being directly governed by the Lars Family in an environment filled with lords in the Northern Border. Now, Fang Ge directly rules as the heir of the Lars Family.
Of course, Fang Ge is aware that the yield from Golden Spike is extremely important, but whether it was repaying debts to the Demon Clan in the early stages or planning for war later, Fang Ge needs money, and the wealthy farmers in Golden Spike are completely lambs waiting to be slaughtered, or rather, fat sheep.
No, in Fang Ge’s eyes, they are simply succubus with horns, swaying their hips in a way that seduces him. How could Fang Ge resist such temptation? After all, as long as Golden Spike is not breached, Fang Ge has the capital for a protracted war.
Moreover, as long as the existing policies are maintained, Golden Spike does not mind who governs it. It can be said to be extremely stable; as long as managed properly, it can supply a large portion of Fang Ge’s grain needs, thus allowing Fang Ge to remain rational.
However, Fang Ge’s ability to stay rational does not mean that those under Fang Ge’s command can do the same. Soon, the nobles under Fang Ge began to take action against the wealthy of Golden Spike, demanding more and more each time. Although they did not dare to levy taxes three times in a row, they have increased taxes tremendously over the past fifteen years.
After learning this news, Fang Ge not only did not stop it but instead joined in the exploitation, exploiting even more ruthlessly, thinking that rather than benefiting others, he might as well benefit himself.
Once greed is ignited, it cannot be stopped.
One of the primary purposes of Fang Ge’s issuance of currency is to harvest the wealthy of Golden Spike.
It was only after harvesting Golden Spike that Fang Ge’s mentality completely transformed, becoming akin to a gambler.
At this time, a large portion of the wealthy from Golden Spike had fled with their possessions, the serfs scattered, and broken farming tools and abandoned carriages lay everywhere on the ground, with only sparse crows circling in the sky.
A scout team surveyed Golden Spike, and seeing such a barren sight, the scouts couldn’t help but shake their heads.
Although they were scouts, these scouts were well-equipped with weapons, resembling a complete cavalry team, all professionals, prepared for immediate combat.
Meanwhile, the Fang Ge army stood idly, merely watching this team of scouts, unwilling to take action and allowing the enemy to conduct physical reconnaissance.
These scouts were actually Hammond’s professional squad, sent by Lauri to probe the strength of Golden Spike.
As Fang Ge had now abandoned most of the surrounding territories and began to concentrate forces on Golden Spike, all other routes were blocked by Fang Ge, leaving only a few main roads leading to Golden Spike.
To invite the Graywhite Territory to have a decisive battle at Golden Spike, Fang Ge even went so far as to use precious gunpowder to organize a large number of professionals to blow up mountains, physically blocking some unsealed routes and firmly implementing a strategy of fortifications and strict controls.
Thus far, everything Fang Ge has done is telling the Graywhite Territory, come, let’s go all in at Golden Spike.
Lauri and White quickly rode to ask Lind for his opinion, and Lind’s response was very clear: it depended entirely on the decisions made by the commanding general and the staff on the front lines. Also, there would be additional railway construction towards Golden Spike to ensure logistical support.
Once Hammond returned and reported the situation at Golden Spike, Lauri kicked his legs up on the table, looking troubled and shaking his head.
“Old Ha, what do you think of Golden Spike?”
Upon hearing this abstract nickname, Hammond knew that Lauri was beginning to have a headache again.
But Hammond still thought it through carefully and replied, “Golden Spike’s terrain is flat and quite vast, allowing us to maximize our artillery’s advantage, not to mention the extensive coverage and ease of setup. Although we cannot prevent close combat assaults from the enemy, if we coordinate well, we can certainly utilize the advantage of our artillery.”
Lauri nodded, and then asked Darsi, “Little Xi, what do you think?”
“Just lining up for execution.”
Darsi was even more confident than Hammond. The Graywhite Territory’s firearms were currently the most advanced, and as long as machine guns were set up in suitable places, Fang Ge would be nothing more than a line-up for execution.
“You guys are right, but if that’s the case, why did Fang Ge choose to have a decisive battle with us here in Golden Spike?”
Originally, Lauri pushed forward slowly, but just a short while ago, Fang Ge suddenly abandoned other regions and decided to have a decisive battle in Golden Spike with the Graywhite Territory.
As a result, areas along the way could not even be described with caution, it was as if they were collapsing one after another, both swift and nauseating.
“Perhaps they think that in Golden Spike, they can better leverage their numerical advantage.”
Darsi had little experience and could only think this far.
But Hammond pondered carefully and said, “Previously, Fang Ge even sent a letter, saying that they wanted to demarcate territory with the Lord Governor, giving up all territory west of Golden Spike to us. Thus, Golden Spike is likely their last bottom line. Concentrating soldiers here not only signifies a decisive battle but also serves as a warning.”
“This warning is not meaningful.”
Lauri shifted in his chair.
Fang Ge is now just short of bending over in Golden Spike and saying, “Come, let’s play.”
“Old Ha, I also think like this, but the more I think about it, the more wrong it seems. The other side would rather destroy their own other territories than bring us to a decisive battle at Golden Spike, but as of now, Golden Spike hasn’t made any arrangement. Whenever something seems amiss, there’s usually something more sinister at play.”
Lauri’s veteran radar was already beeping, if there was something to be said.
