It is said that some people are happy and others are worried. Pedro doesn''t know that in Smolensk dozens of miles away, for the sake of fighting, the Smolensk City Lord feodo obkhovic''s hair is half white.

    As a typical aristocrat, Fyodor obkhovich is undoubtedly qualified. His walking and dining posture is impeccable, and he knows all kinds of Heraldry and family emblem history; He was also concerned about the harvest of his territory, and every year he asked his rent collector to pay tribute in accordance with the number of account books - although the old yellow and rotten account book didn''t know it was centuries ago.

    But as the supreme military officer of Smolensk, his actions were so confused and at a loss. As early as 1653, more than a year ago, when the news came that the leader of zaporoze''s Cossack rebels, hermenitsky, took refuge in the Czar and signed an alliance agreement, Franco, the head of his mercenary, advised him to hurry up and prepare for war. For this reason, the wise head also put forward three suggestions: 1 Recruit small nobles and farmers from various villages near Smolensk into the city for training.

    2、 Send spies to Moscow, zhelev fortress and Tver to keep an eye on the movements of the Czar''s Russian army at any time.

    3、 Raise the walls and build forts.

    However, fiordo obhovich only listened to half of these three suggestions.

    At that time, fiordo obhovich patted Colonel Franco on the shoulder and said: "My bravest commander, I know you''re right, but I can''t do that. You know, it''s the shearing season, and the unclean wool can''t be sold at a good price in Smolensk, so every nobleman is either supervising the farmers at the river to wash or weigh the wool, or on the way to wash and weigh the wool. If I call up at this time If I kill them, they will dismiss me with their votes next year. I can''t take such a risk. "

    With the first reason, fiordo obhovich turned around Franco''s tall and straight body like a pillar, then sighed and continued: "As for sending spies, you know, although czar Russia has allied with those cheap Cossacks, it has not declared war on the Republic after all. I have no right to send spies to non hostile countries, which will give czar Russia the pretext of invasion."

    As for the third point, fiordo only said two words "no money".

    From 1653 to 1654, for more than a year, Fyodor obkhovic''s only preparation measure was to raise the wall of Smolensk by an elbow.

    Now, tsarist Russian scouts have frequently moved near the border crossing line, and it is said that Vasili zolotalenko, commander of zaporoze Cossack company, also led his army into Smolensk province to support the Tsarist Russian army.

    "What should we do now? Colonel Franco." a year ago, a year later, in the same office, the same two people, fiordo obhovich asked again about the way, but this time, the city Lord lowered his head, grabbed his head with both hands, his voice was as low as a mosquito, and his eyes dared not look directly at Franco.

    "My Lord, I met tatarchuk before I came." Franco did not directly answer fiordo obhovich''s words, but mentioned tatarchuk, the old head of Cossacks in Smolensk.

    "Oh, what''s the matter with him?"

    "Nothing. When I met him, he was on his way to the Cossack barracks. According to him, there were signs of instability in the barracks. Some Cossacks wanted to take refuge in the past as soon as the rebels from tsarist Russia or zaporoze arrived. The old head said that with his past prestige, this matter can still be suppressed, but it''s hard to say once the situation is critical."

    Has the situation been so critical? If before Franco said this, fiordo obhovich was just worried, now his mood can be described as despair. At this time, there are only more than 2000 defenders in Smolensk, and the registered Cossacks account for 30%. Once they rebel, the consequences will be unimaginable.

    Seeing what he said plunged the city Lord into despair. Franco, a veteran who had experienced three decades of war, couldn''t help showing contempt, but his duty as a soldier drove him to find a solution for fiordo obhovich.

    "Lord," Franco raised his voice.

    Fiordo obhovich raised his head, his long face as white as snow.

    "It is not time for despair. The enemy has not easily crossed the national boundary, indicating that they are not ready. We still have time to prepare for war, and I have two ways."

    "What''s the way?" feodo obhovich asked eagerly. At this time, like a drowning child, he was eager to grasp a life-saving straw. What''s more, there are two now.

    Franco turned around, walked to the other side of the office, raised his baton and lit it on the map. These names fiordo knew very well that they were all villages around Smolensk, including krivich, borine, yarch and zamoshye.

    "Strong walls and clear fields." Franco spit out a word.

    According to Franco''s estimation, the war will break out as soon as the beginning of next year. At this time, the winter snow will still cover the whole Smolensk region. It will be extremely difficult to March and raise supplies for the Cossack rebels in tsarist Russia or zaporoze. As long as the people and materials of the surrounding villages are concentrated in Smolensk City, they can fight for the city and wait for reinforcements Take enough time.

    "It''s true, it''s true. Franco, we want to go together." after hearing the first method, fiordo obhovich''s face has regained half its blood color. He asked excitedly, forgetting his loss just now.

    "What about the second way?"

    "Build a city." Franco''s second method is as concise as ever.

    In the past year or so, apart from heightening the city walls, Franco visited the urban areas of Smolensk. He found that the urban defense in the old urban areas of Smolensk was old, and the towering towers and wooden tents on the city walls might be useful in the cold weapon era, but in the fire era, these were the best targets, which not only failed to provide necessary protection for soldiers, On the contrary, it will cause unnecessary casualties in the enemy''s shelling. At the same time, the terrain of Smolensk city is high in the West and low in the East. The artillery position built on the highland on the west side of the city can provide fire support in the three directions of North and southwest, but it can''t take care of the east wall due to the range. To this end, Franco''s way is to build a small fortress in the east of Smolensk city and allocate a small number of soldiers and artillery to take advantage of the corner.

    "Great, heroes think alike. Just do what I say. No, just do what you say." after listening to Franco''s second method, fiordo obhovich was excited and incoherent. He picked up the wine bottle on his desk, poured a few mouthfuls, and patted Franco on the shoulder to show his approval.

    "Yes, sir. I''ll tell you right away." Franco saluted fiordo and was ready to step down and arrange the task.

    "Wait a minute." fiordo obhovich stopped him again.

    "My dear Colonel Franco, it''s up to you and your team to collect materials. I''m really worried about those Cossacks. Remember, don''t leave a grain to the enemy."

    "Yes, sir."