Chapter 1441: Chapter 21: Landing (Part 1)
The small barrels on the tray bounced slightly. Without the rope net covering them, they would definitely take off.
The middle-aged artillery officer didn’t even have ti to curse. He rushed to the side of the tray to confirm that none of the small barrels were damaged and that their contents hadn’t leaked. Only then did he turn towards the crane and start cursing furiously:
“Idiots! Are you trying to get us killed? This is gunpowder, not your ashes! Are you trying to take us all with you because of your stupidity? How did I end up teaching such a bunch of fools…”
Beside the crane winch, three artillery junior officers, who were being scolded harshly, looked disgruntled. They were also forced into action, and it was hard enough to get this cumberso thing to work in a hurry.
However, the artillery officer wouldn’t be understanding — when your superior is not only your superior but also your teacher, and also has a bad temper, it’s nothing short of a nightmare.
“Colonel Montekucoli.”
A polite greeting interrupted the Colonel’s continuous scolding.
The middle-aged officer turned around and saw a young man in an officer’s uniform saluting him.
Montekucoli returned the salute perfunctorily and asked coldly, “What’s the matter, Major Fritz?”
Fritz was already used to his colleagues’ indifferent attitude towards him.
As a major problem for the United Provinces Army, the old civil governnt of the United Province had never been able to extend their influence into the army’s command departnt, but they had a considerable influence over the army departnt from the very beginning.
And the Army Departnt of the United Province was almost equivalent to the Alliance Army Committee.
And the Alliance Army Committee was responsible for stamping the promotion lists submitted by various Republics…
Through this relationship, the old civil governnt of the United Province had deliberately suppressed the promotion of United Provinces officers and viewed it as a weapon to strike against the military, a condition to win over officers, and a bargaining chip in negotiations with the army.
Therefore, within the United Provinces Army, there was no shortage of officers who had been stuck on one step for many years. Consequently, many beca disheartened and retired quietly.
For the “opportunistic” young guy from Nise like Fritz, the veterans would certainly not show any goodwill — even if he was the first to fire at the enemy, even if they were now all in the sa trench.
Fritz looked humble, but his tone was firm and powerful.
He conveyed the order exactly, “Colonel, the commander hopes you can ‘prioritize preparing the cannon.’
“Aren’t the cannons already unloaded?” Montekucoli folded his arms and pointed with his chin to the nurous barrels of varying thickness neatly placed not far away.
Under the morning sun, the bronze barrels shimred with a golden gloss.
Fritz, unfazed, explained, “The commander ans he hopes you can restore the cannons to a state ready for maneuver as soon as possible.”
“The carriages are all pressed in the hold of the ship. How can we get them out without moving other things first? Besides, what’s the use of just assembling the cannons? The horses are still on the ship! Without horses, do you pull the cannon, or do I?”
Montekucoli frowned, impatiently dismissing the major, “Wait a mont, let unload the ammunition first, then I’ll ‘prepare the cannons’ for you.”
“I’ll coordinate the horses. You don’t need to restore all the cannons, just prepare a few of them.”
Fritz maintained his composed deanor, remaining polite. Clearly, his determination was unwavering.
Fritz further elaborated Cornelius’s instructions, “I guess the commander believes we might need to use them soon.”
“Right now?” Montekucoli asked suspiciously, but soon realized where they might be needed. The colonel, sowhat enlightened, unconsciously let out an “Oh.” He then looked at Fritz and gave a few dry laughs.
Montekucoli was sure that the chief’s instructions were far from being life-threatening, and whether or not the cannons were ready didn’t really matter.
However, he sized up the major and understood that this young fellow wouldn’t stop until his objective was achieved.
“Alright,” Montekucoli replied casually, “I’ll do my best.”
Fritz knew that this was enough.
Because when others say “I’ll do my best,” it might just be an excuse.
But when the forr head of the Army Officer Academy’s artillery departnt, [Raymond Montecuccoli], said “I’ll do my best,” it ant the task entrusted to him could be considered as completed.
Fritz saluted seriously and left without a second’s hesitation.
From behind ca the robust voice of the forr artillery departnt head, instructing his students, “What are you all standing around for? Get moving! Don’t worry about the shells; find the gun carriages first! Which ones to find? Do you even need to ask? Find the big ones!”
After persuading Colonel Montekucoli, Fritz imdiately went to find the shipping team leader to prioritize the docking of the barge transporting the horses.
Then he approached the port manager to coordinate berths and pilot boats.
Finally, he borrowed a junior officer from Colonel Montekucoli, arranging for the latter to liaise with the port manager to ensure the artillery could imdiately lead the horses away once the barge docked.
After completing all these tasks, Fritz returned to the small two-story building of the port’s customs office. He strode up to the rooftop, where the forr chief of the Army Academy was waiting for him.
“All done?” Cornelius asked from the edge of the rooftop wall without turning around.
Fritz walked up to the chief’s side, cautiously answering, “Montekucoli agreed to prepare four to six heavy cannons.”
“That’s enough,” Cornelius gestured for his student to co over, “co and take a look.”
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