681 Feigned Surrender (1/2)
Not long after Fang Yuan and his party entered the castle, Frey's army suddenly appeared and surrounded the castle.
”This time… the wolf has really come!”
Fang Yuan stood on the top of the walls and looked at the large, distant army.
Under the aquamarine army flag, Frey's army actually exceeded a thousand and had swept along large numbers of farmers holding pitchforks, guarding all the main roads to the mountain.
”This… is preparation for driving away people and sieging the castle?”
Fang Yuan saw this and shook his head.
Frey's move was truly vicious, as the farmers he used were all able-bodied men that he grabbed from the territories under the baron's jurisdiction!
With the recent defeat inside the castle, the demoralized hundred-man army were completely unable to be used for long.
Furthermore, no matter who died, it was not a matter of concern for Frey.
”A baron's castle is under attack, yet no nearby nobles reacted. It seems like the baron grasped righteousness and Frey grasped strength, while the other feudal lords all chose to watch from the sidelines?”
To the baron, this was not good news, as it represented that there would be no reinforcements.
”It seems like… the ruling family is also a broken boat. Grand Duke Stan is probably deeply troubled, right?”
Fang Yuan's heart sneered silently.
At this moment, a cavalryman charged out from Frey's army and arrived before the castle, shouting loudly, ”Knight Frey is a benevolent person. As long as Baron Shawshank admits his mistake and signs the statement of repentance, he promises that he won't continue looking into this matter!
”Otherwise, we will destroy the castle! What happens then is not something that anyone wants to see!
”Even if the baron defies resolutely, if the other soldiers and knights choose to surrender, Knight Frey will definitely not look into the matter, and he'll even guarantee your treasures, fiefs, and all rights!”
…
”Hmph, protect our fiefs and treasures!”
Knight Gray suddenly came to the side and he gave a pained look. ”Who does he think he is? A baron? He's only a mere knight and dares to do this…”
”In fact, Knight Frey's strength is already at the standard of an average baron. If the ruling family admits defeat this time, perhaps that title will be quickly conferred to him.” Fang Yuan shrugged his shoulders. ”The winner controls everything. It's this easy!”
”Knight Luhn… You're not going to… ”
Gray's gaze instantly became cold and a little wary.
”Of course not. As a noble knight, accepting the forgiveness of another knight is simply shameful! I will fight to the end against them!” Fang Yuan said vehemently.
In reality, he was just adhering to the game rules of the nobility.
The controlling power of this world were the nobility and theocracy.
Among the nobles, in order not to be regarded as a nouveau riche, you had to pay attention to details and implications!
With Frey as an example, even if his military might was stronger, so what? Wasn't he also ostracized and coldly treated by everyone?
Even if he obtained victory this time, and even be invested with the title of a baron, he would still be faced with the nobles' overt or covert rejection. Unless he managed to break through all of this, nothing would be changed.
That was because within the eyes of nobility, he would always be 'the guy who broke the rules.'
Conversely, Baron Shawshank had a long-established pedigree and legitimacy.
Sometimes, birthright was not worth anything; sometimes, it was worth a mountain!
”Furthermore, even if the Noether Kingdom is obtains victory, I'm afraid they'll also not be too fond of him. Just like in ancient times, those who defected usually did not have good endings. On the other hand, it was the loyal officials, even if they were the enemies' loyal officials, that would obtain recognition and honor. In the end, it's just to strengthen this value.”
In the Monger World, it was the values of nobility that were propagated large scale.
A nouveau riche like Frey would face immense difficulty squeezing into this circle within a few generations.
Therefore, Fang Yuan would fundamentally not choose the other side.
Although, if not for that perfectly justifiable inheritance, his method of building up fame and fortune would perhaps be similar.
”Knight Luhn…..”
Gray was deeply moved.
Similarly under the command of the baron, even he was momentarily swayed just now. Right now, he was ashamed of his own selfish thoughts.
”In reality, I feel that we can still kind of surrender.” Fang Yuan winked.
”You're saying… feign surrender?!” Gray's expression changed. ”You still want to continue this war?”
”Of course. How can we be defeated for no reason? There are two hundred soldiers inside the castle, plus you and me, and all the servants. It's sufficient for a battle!” Fang Yuan clenched his fist. ”If we want to turn defeat into victory, this is our last chance.”
Knight Gray was a little moved and immediately said in a low voice, ”This… I need to report to the baron!”
”Of course. For such a huge matter, we need the baron to decide!”
In reality, Fang Yuan already had eighty percent confidence regarding the baron's choice—that he would approve of his proposition.
That was because, right now, the baron already had nothing left to lose.
…
Nighttime. The moonlight sprinkled down and all was as calm as water.
In the darkness, Knight Frey brought a unit of elite cavalry and soldiers near the castle.