章 15: -15- Belongs to the King's Power
This time, nearly all the soldiers of Crabb's territory poured out: 100 infantryman, 400 Thorn Corps soldiers, 100 Longbowmen, and 200 Spearmen, totaling 800 warriors; plus 300 auxiliary soldiers responsible for logistics, for a total of 1100 people.
For Crabb's territory, such a large-scale expedition had not occurred in over a decade, and Gallen could clearly feel the excitement among the people.
Under the lord's orders, Steward Hershel collected dried rations from the territory as much as possible. After arrangements were made, the Crabb army set out to the east.
...
The fourth day of marching marked the first encounter after heading east.
After a month of continuous training, Crabb's longbowmen became more mature. Several volleys directly crushed the attack of around 500 mountain wildlings.
As dusk approached that day, several experienced veteran soldiers finally erupted.
The troops had been marching continuously, and although they had won the battle today, there was no wine, no whores, and prisoners were not allowed to be touched.
It wasn't that they were disloyal to the lord, but too many habits had suddenly changed, causing feelings of dissatisfaction, frustration, and suppression, combined with their naturally irritable temperaments, finally erupted.
These noisy few would not understand that such behavior could bring chaos to the camp.
Military orders were as unyielding as mountains.
Gallen deeply understood the principle of ruling with benevolence but commanding with authority. In order to quickly change the bad habits affecting combat, the discipline requirements for soldiers would only become stricter.
...
Gallen, sensing the commotion outside, walked out of the tent with a horsewhip and quickly mounted his horse. Along the way, he snatched a soldier's spear and hurled it without hesitation at the most vociferous veteran soldier.
With a swoosh, the spear pierced through the soldier's chest and out through his back, its force sending the soldier flying several meters before the spear lodged deeply into the ground, still quivering.
The gathering soldiers felt their breath catch, and suddenly, silence fell.
The only sound left in their ears was the slow and rhythmic clattering of horse hooves.
Gallen gave the reins a slight shake, and the horse under him shook its head with a soft "snort," slowly stepping among the crowd.
The unwavering gaze of Gallen swept over the crowd, the pressure akin to a great mountain pressing down, causing the soldiers to tremble and kneel one by one before Gallen.
Gallen's voice was much louder than usual: "I've told you before, no gathering or noise in the camp!"
"The laws I've enacted, if disobeyed, will only lead to one outcome: death!"
The residents of Crabb's territory, located in the relatively isolated Crackclaw Point, were indeed backward in civilization. Gallen didn't bother explaining the reasons for changing what he defined as bad habits—they probably wouldn't understand even if he did. Perhaps explaining too much would only confuse them more.
If they couldn't understand, there was no need to explain further. Only by having the soldiers remember with their bodies could they understand that the lord's orders were not to be disobeyed.
"I reiterate, soldiers of Crabb, during wartime, there's no wine, no women!"
"During wartime, there's only obedience to orders!"
"If we win the war, I will reward you generously. I'll reward your bravery, reward you for adhering to the laws! With fields, houses, fine food, and wine."
Gallen pointed the horsewhip at the soldiers nearest to him and said, "You few, stand up and answer."
The designated few soldiers stood up nervously.
"Answer me, do you understand? Are you willing to obey?"
They answered one after another, "Yes, we are," "We'll do it," "I promise."
Gallen pointed to another group and asked the same question.
"Louder! Even Maester Ars is louder than you bastards! Are you willing to obey my command!?"
"Yes! My Lord"
"As you command! My Lord!"
The soldiers' shouts grew louder and louder, wave after wave! Gallen's previously expressionless face finally showed a hint of a smile.
Gallen then ordered the soldiers to have meat added to their dinner.
The soldiers, who had just declared their determination to the lord, cheered again despite the pain in their throats.
...
As the Crabb soldiers advanced, the mountain wildling tribes finally realized that the Crabb soldiers were a force that a single tribe could not face alone. Hastily, several large tribes formed a coalition.
A coalition army of over 3000 mountain tribe warriors gathered on the mountainside opposite the Crabb soldiers.
The Crabb Spearmen formed a three-layer defensive formation in orderly chants.
The Crabb soldiers were divided into two groups of 50 each, positioned on either side of the Spearmen formation.
Behind the defensive formation were the Thorn Corps and Longbowmen, totaling 500 soldiers.
The wildling horn sounded, signaling a charge.
Each Crabb Longbowman carried 40 arrows, and as the 3000+ mountain wildlings charged into the effective range of 200 yards, they faced a baptism of arrows.
...
In Whispers, two septons who volunteered to accompany the army watched the battlefield, feeling immensely shaken.
"This is no longer a war on the simple level."
"Yes, if those archers numbered ten thousand, they would be unmatched."
"Silent for over a decade, this family is about to rise under the leadership of a young lord. Without external intervention, the entire Crackclaw Point will sooner or later fall into his hands."
"Do you decide to intervene? If you do, I will contact the High Septon in King's Landing as soon as possible. Perhaps we can try to directly contact Lord Arryn. He may be more concerned about this."
"But let me speak presumptuously once. Crackclaw Point is the land of the First Men, they never trust outsiders. The old gods' roots run deep here, and the young lord is more willing to support us. He needs a stable rule after the war and hopes for the Seven's blessing."
"..."
"He has conditions!"
"Oh? Besides bringing the divine light to the suffering people, what else can we do as impoverished septons? Are we talking about a few pitiful copper stars in the pockets?"
"You misunderstand. It's not about copper stars, let alone gold dragons. What he wants is the right to appoint and dismiss bishops of the territories! Ha, this belongs to the king's power!"
"But this cheese is truly tempting. If we gain the support of the young lord, the entire Crackclaw Point will enter the embrace of the Seven. This is a great achievement, a new chapter in the history of our faith."
"This is an offer that is hard to refuse."
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