Chapter 481: Looking Like Potatoes

"It’s a pity the cavalry didn’t come along with us this time, otherwise none of these Red wolf soldiers would have escaped alive," Lancelot said, covered in blood, walking up the high ground. "These Red wolves think they can test their skills against this general. They’re just asking for a quick death with no place to be buried.

Saying that, Lancelot threw three items he held on the ground and continued, "My Lord, these Red wolves katanas are really good. If it were old weapons, they wouldn’t hold up against these katanas."

Historically, the quality of the Red Wolves’ katanas was indeed good. But Prince Simon cared little for these now. The Red wolves’ silver, gold, and sulfur were what mattered to him right now.

The war was still ongoing, and Lancelot had come to ask Prince Simon for the next orders.

"Liam, coordinate with Lancelot immediately to capture Blackthorn Castle. Also, send four thousand troops to support Grey. Their situation seems bad right now, Prince Simon said.

From his vantage point, Prince Simon could also see Grey commanding troops fighting the Red Wolves’ soldiers’ reinforcements. Despite the Red Wolves’ overwhelming numbers, the Dutch were holding their ground.

"Yes, My Lord!" Lancelot and Liam answered together.

Liam immediately ordered soldiers to use horses to pull the field cannons toward Blackthorn Castle, while Lancelot gathered four thousand men and headed toward Grey to assist. Prince Simon personally led the remaining soldiers toward Blackthorn Castle.

With the Brambleford soldiers support, the Red wolves reinforcements near Grey were soon crushed. Taking advantage of the chaos, Lancelot and Liam also successfully captured Blackthorn Castle.

After the victory, the Dutch troops and Prince Simon continued to send soldiers to eliminate the remaining Red Wolf soldiers, while most soldiers were stationed inside Blackthorn Castle.

The war lasted for two whole days. When night fell, Lancelot handed over the battle data to Prince Simon.

"My Lord, we eliminated six thousand Red wolf soldiers this time, captured over one thousand prisoners, and the rest fled. We found no bodies of Zack or the whereabouts of Lopez Armstrong and his men." Lancelot reported.

"What a pity. That snake-like bastard Zack really did escape again," Alonso said angrily.

Grey was still mourning the loss of over seven hundred soldiers. After this Red Wolves pirates’ uprising, their strength in Split Rock was further weakened.

Through this battle, Grey also understood the power of the Brambleford army. This was no weak force.

In his view, this army was already very close to their European musketeer units.

"Zack is no longer important. We have retaken Blackthorn Castle under our control, and the Red wolves have no foothold on the island," Grey said.

Simon nodded slightly. The Red wolves were crushed and basically lost their fighting ability. They could not resist taking over Blackthorn Castle. He now officially controlled Split Rock’s main island and the sea routes.

Because at this time, all merchant ships heading south had to pass through the strait west of Split Rock. Now he could directly cut off trade from any unwanted individual or nation and the Red Wolves pirates going south, including Prince Valeric and Prince Gerad’s people.

"Earl Grey, this battle proves my loyalty to the treaty. I hope you will faithfully fulfil your own part. From now on, you must cease all trade with the Latins and other parties, until I say otherwise."

To Prince Simon, this battle was the best warning to Grey. If he weren’t stupid, he would understand what to do next.

Sighing inwardly, Grey knew he had no choice. The Dutch were thousands of miles away from home. It was impossible to send tens of thousands of troops to the Eastern part. In fact, as their national power declined, even maintaining existing colonies was difficult. Besides, the British were eyeing their colonies greedily.

"As you wish, Your Highness. From today, the treaty takes effect. I will honour it. Split Rock main island and Blackthorn Castle are officially handed over to you. I also hope you will station two thousand troops permanently in Fort Zeelandia as promised."

Grey felt a wave of shame. This was one nation bowing to another.

So Grey was extremely unwilling. Though he submitted for the management benefit, he shared the mainstream European disdain for people of colour.

In his view, these people of colour were only fit to be their slaves and servants nothing more.

Prince Simon noticed the fleeting arrogance in Grey’s eyes. He also understood Grey’s unwillingness to surrender. But compared to Grey’s restraint, the emotions of the Dutch soldiers were more direct and clear.

Still, Prince Simon was really enjoying this feeling, because he wanted to prove they lost because of technology, not skin colour. In the future, he would make more Europeans understand this and put away their arrogance in front of them to eat, like well-prepared meals.

In the silence, Grey and Alonso led the Dutch soldiers away from Blackthorn Castle.

Watching the Dutch leave, a faint smile appeared on Prince Simon’s lips. He had to admit that in the modern age of ocean navigation, Europe held the stage. But here, he would not miss this feast; he would enjoy it till the last.

"My Lord, these red-haired devils don’t look very happy, from what I can see," Lancelot said as he scratched his head. Laughing sheepishly.

Liam sneered, "Of course not, they totally look like boiled potatoes. Now Fort Zeelandia and Split Rock Island are under our control. They can only be our vassals." Liam felt proud of his words. He laughed so hard at the back of Grey and Alonso going away.

Prince Simon shook his head at Liam’s words. "Liam is right. The Dutch and we only use each other and can never fully trust one another. After all, they are Europeans, and they are wary of everyone outside Europe."

Hearing this, Lancelot and Liam straightened up, as they stopped laughing.

After a pause, Prince Simon continued, "Are the wounded soldiers properly taken care of?"

"Yes, they are receiving treatment inside the castle by Dutch medical officers," Lancelot said.

Compared to the heavy losses of the Red Wolves, the Brambleford army performed excellently. The flintlock rifle’s range advantage showed in this battle, and Brambleford’s losses were relatively small.

"My Lord, what about the captured Red wolves prisoners?" Lancelot asked.

Prince Simon walked to a table with his hands behind his back. A map showing the details of Split Rock’s main island was lying on the table. He said, "Keep them on the island as slaves for labour. There is plenty of farmwork here but not enough people to handle it."

"Farmwork!" Liam said with a puzzled expression. "Do you plan on sending those men to work on the farm land here in Split Rock growing sugarcane? That’s a really sweet thing."

Lancelot’s eyes brightened as his mouth watered. He had never eaten sugarcane, so he was hungry to taste one.

The Dutch had mainly planted sugarcane and rice on Split Rock during their occupation. It was now the season for a bumper sugarcane harvest. Most importantly, the Dutch had built white sugar workshops on the island for production.