简介：Sharpeishorrifiedtobetoldthathisregiment,theSouthEssex,istobedisbandedanddiscoversaplotwherebycorruptwarministerFennerandotherhighrankingmilitaristsauctionoffsoldiersprivately,keepingtheprofitsbutstillclaimingonpaperthattheregimentsexist.HavinggainedtheearoftheeccentricPrinceofWaleswhoordersFennertogivehimanewregimentSharpeisnowindangerfromFennerandheandHarpersurviveanattempttokillthem.Puttingitaboutthattheyaredeadtheyenlist,usingassumednames,intheSouthEssex,fallingfoulofviciousSergeantLynchandparanoidColonelGirdwoodwhoabusethenaiveyoungrecruits.AfterHarperisorderedtobeshotheandSharpeescape,helpedbyJaneGibbons,whosesadistic,corruptuncleSimmerson,whoalsobenefitsbytheauctionscam,intendstomarryhertoGirdwood.Janeknowsthatherunclekeepsaledgercontainingalltheillegaltransactions,whichSharpemustobtaintobringdownthemiscreants.…