Grasping a Few Wool

The bearded man quickly finished reading the letter, a look of confusion on his face.

"Lord Li Ang, I understand Count's instructions. But what does this have to do with those Gato Raiders?"

The bearded officer was likely of commoner stock and seemed unaware of the current situation.

"There's a group of so-called bandits in Fletcher Village, you know about them, right?"

The bearded man nodded blankly. "That's Duke Alma's nephew. But they haven't done anything bad before, more like they're developing the territory--so even though people in the Count's territory don't get along with them, they don't provoke them, to avoid bigger conflicts."

Li Ang nodded. "If you haven't received intelligence about Fletcher Village being raided by Gatu, nor any news of Brave Shield Fortress being captured, then it means that group of so-called bandits near Fletcher Village colluded with Gatu, and deliberately let Gatu enter the heartland of Long River Town..."

In fact, Li Ang was only guessing, but it was a very accurate guess.

Since Brave Shield Fortress was safe and sound, and there wasn't even any special beacon warning, it was highly likely that the Gatu cavalry force that managed to penetrate deep into the kingdom's heartland received help from some inside traitor.

Count Oden's rise was built on Gatu corpses; he was sworn enemies with Gatu, so it was unlikely his Brave Shield Fortress garrison let them in.

Considering the territorial disputes between Duke Alma and Count Oden, this conclusion wasn't too difficult to reach.

-- Count Oden specifically asked Li Ang to deal with the 'bandits' in Fletcher Village, likely anticipating this possibility.

However, Oden didn't mention that the so-called bandits were Alma's nephew!

This old fox is setting me up... It seems neither side is good...

Li Ang thought.

The bearded man's lips began to tremble upon hearing Li Ang's guess, muttering, "How dare they... How dare they..."

Li Ang sighed, his expression sincere. "Of course they dare--you should know that hundreds of Gatu cavalry have entered the kingdom's heartland. What does that mean for Count Oden and for you..."

The appearance of hundreds of Gatu cavalry in the heartland of Long River Town meant that both Brave Shield Fortress, the border defense, and the Long River Town garrison were responsible, at least for 'incompetence and dereliction of duty.'

Moreover, the Gatu came from Count Oden's territory, 'Fletcher Village,' and there was even suspicion of colluding with the enemy!

This situation was difficult to handle. Even if this Gatu cavalry force was eliminated immediately, it would be difficult to undo the fact that they had already raided inland villages.

Duke Alma would certainly use this to attack Count Oden. Regardless of whether it escalated to the level of 'collusion with the enemy,' at the very least, Oden's subordinates failed to ensure the safety of Long River Town, and a judgment of 'unsuitable for managing the Long River Town garrison' would certainly be made.

Then, even in the best-case scenario, Count Oden's authority over Long River Town would be revoked, and he would withdraw from the competition for Long River Town.

The group of 'bandits' occupying Fletcher Village hadn't done anything else bad before, so their true objective was likely this.

The bearded officer seemed to have figured it out and panicked. "Lord Li Ang, do you have any good ideas?"

"You quickly send a large force to exterminate those Gatu, and try to capture them alive if possible. If not, bring back all their horses and intact equipment."

Li Ang began giving orders without hesitation, as if he were the commanding officer.

The bearded man nodded. "Of course. But this probably won't solve the Count's troubles..."

He was concerned about the 'dereliction of duty' that had already become a fait accompli.

"Of course not, but if you are fast enough and bring back all their horses and equipment, I have a way to completely solve the problem..."

Li Ang's face was full of confidence. "While you're pursuing the Gatu, I will quickly deal with those so-called bandits in Fletcher Village--I know it's inconvenient for the Count's men to act. But I will need some assistance..."

Seeing that Li Ang seemed to have a solution, the bearded man Ralph readily agreed. "What do you need? I'll assist you as much as I can."

Li Ang looked at the map and directly began to make his demands. "I need a detailed map, the more detailed the better. Also, I need supplies, including crossbows and arrows, as well as some carpenters and building materials. I'll write down the specific quantities for you later."

The bearded man also looked at the map, a bit confused. "I can understand the map and crossbows... But what do carpenters have to do with driving out bandits?"

Li Ang replied matter-of-factly, "You also know that group of so-called bandits are not bandits, but nobles... To deal with such unconventional trouble, naturally, unconventional methods are needed."

The bearded man was even more confused. "Can you be more specific? If necessary, I can also send some unfamiliar faces to participate."

"Of course... The problem facing the Count and you is that Gatu have entered Long River Town and raided it. You will definitely be held responsible, at least considered derelict in duty or incompetent..."

Li Ang gestured at the map and began to describe his plan to the bearded old soldier.

Count Oden's problem was troublesome, but not unsolvable.

Li Ang's solution was to fight fire with fire.

North of Fletcher Village, near the territory being developed by Duke Alma's nephew, build a Gatu nomadic camp.

Then, have Ralph send people to impersonate Gatu and run into Lion Lake City from the north--that is, Duke Alma's territory--and even carry out a raid.

Just like the Gatu usually do, raid and then flee. Count Oden's men should be happy to do this...

This way, the Gatu cavalry's entry could be interpreted as "a large-scale Gatu invasion, raiding everywhere"--since Gatu raiders appeared in everyone's territory, there would be no question of who was responsible.

Moreover, the appearance of a Gatu camp in Duke Alma's nephew's territory was far more serious than a Gatu cavalry patrol...

Count Oden might even be able to counterattack.

After finishing the plan, Li Ang asked Sarah to help write down the list of materials he requested, then patted Ralph on the shoulder. "Ralph, you'd better write a letter to the Count to inform him of the situation first. This is no longer a simple matter of fighting."

Hearing the words 'write a letter to the Count to inform him of the situation,' the bearded man Ralph no longer doubted, but respectfully saluted and accepted the order. "Although I still don't fully understand your plan, since the Count instructed me to cooperate with you as much as possible, I will obey. When will you depart for Fletcher?"

Li Ang looked at the sky. "I'll depart the day after tomorrow. I'll recruit more people at the Adventurer's Tavern. Bring the supplies to the tavern when they're ready."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Sarah, who had been silent beside them, finally couldn't help but smile as they left the stronghold.

Only she saw through Li Ang's true intentions.

"To trick those carpenters and building materials, you've gone to great lengths... Lord Li Ang."

Li Ang raised his eyebrows with righteous indignation. "What do you mean 'trick'? I'm solving their problems..."

"But in the list of materials you wrote for Ralph, you asked for twenty craftsmen and twenty carts of lumber, as well as tents for hundreds of people... Your so-called nomadic camp probably won't use even a tenth of that?"

"Aha, Sarah, don't mind the minor details... Besides, do you know how expensive those carpenters and building materials are..."