Hudson's Efforts

At the Allied Command, Count Pierce, upon receiving the news, did not fly into a rage.

If nobles were well-behaved, would they still be considered nobles?

After suffering such a significant loss, it would be a major problem if the Fifth Army didn't react.

To Hudson, going out to plunder was a serious matter, but to Count Pierce, it wasn't a big deal at all.

What army doesn't plunder?

The noble lords all brought their own provisions to the battlefield; if they weren't allowed to plunder, how would they recoup their costs?

Losing money once or twice was fine, but if they lost money ten or eight times, even the wealthiest would be driven to bankruptcy.

In Count Pierce's view, as long as the provisions arrived on time, everything else was a minor issue.

The generation gap in their perspectives couldn't be bridged in a short time, even though Hudson was trying his best to integrate into this world.

After all, he had only been in this world for a few months, which was insignificant compared to the decades of his previous life.

His actions could change, but his thinking was still influenced. This was both an advantage and a disadvantage.

It was mainly a matter of circles. After transmigrating, he came into contact with minor nobles, and Hudson's role models for imitation and learning were also minor nobles.

Without standing at a certain height, it was difficult to understand the thoughts of important figures.

"James, send someone to notify the Fifth Army and order them to speed up their march. Also, let them know that I'm aware of the situation and they can handle it as they see fit!"

Pierce said with a cold laugh.

Now was not the time to bicker. The rebels were more cunning than anticipated, setting up many traps along the way, causing great suffering to the allied forces.

If it weren't for the Griffon Cavalry scouting ahead and discovering the enemy's plot in advance, they might have suffered a great loss.

Facing a group of immoral enemies, arriving at Dadir City within three days was clearly an impossible mission.

Pulled from his sleep, Hudson was speechless as he looked at Count Pierce's military order.

What was the point of warning him? Who knew where the plundering army had gone?

If they really wanted to find them, sending the Griffon Cavalry to scout from the sky would be far more efficient than searching slowly on the ground.

However, given the clandestine nature of such acts, it was likely that his unreliable allies had also covered their tracks. Even for the Griffon Cavalry, it would be difficult to discover without close observation.

"Knight Shiludi, I am also looking for the legion commander and the others, but I have no clues at all.

Nearly all the officers of the Fifth Army are missing. Look at this chaotic formation; it could collapse at any moment. How can we speed up the march?

Why don't you go back and tell the Count to send a hundred knights to serve as officers? The marching speed would immediately increase."

Hudson said with a wronged expression.

He didn't know, he didn't know, and he still didn't know.

As a proper noble, how could he betray his companions?

As long as he wasn't subjected to torture, Hudson would be the most tight-lipped ally. No one could get him to reveal the Fifth Army's plundering expedition.

Even though Count Pierce had discovered it, Hudson would pretend to be ignorant until the end. If they dared to pursue responsibility, he would just let things fall apart.

The current supply convoy was a mess. With the front-line battle about to break out, Hudson didn't believe Count Pierce could really spare a hundred knights to clean up the mess.

Without a successor, he, the "patcher," would have to continue. No matter how slow the marching speed, the logistics would be preserved.

If they rashly replaced people and caused the team to collapse, this expedition would be in vain.

"Knight Hudson, are you threatening the Count?"

Knight Shiludi, having heard the implied meaning, questioned him angrily.

"No! Knight Shiludi, I am merely stating a fact.

The whereabouts of many officers of the Fifth Army are unknown, leaving me, this unlucky fellow, to clean up the mess.

You can go and see for yourself in the army. The camp is full of serf soldiers; not a single qualified warrior can be seen.

I am currently commanding a group of serfs who have just put down their hoes, not an army. To demand they meet military standards is simply too harsh.

To ensure a march of twenty li per day, I have already done my utmost. If you want to speed up, you can only ask the Count to send officers to maintain discipline."

Hudson tried to argue.

Speeding up the march, betraying allies wasn't impossible, but it required more money.

Without sufficient benefits, he wouldn't be a traitor. However, these were clearly not things Knight Shiludi could decide.

"Hmph!"

"I will report today's events truthfully to the Count. I hope Knight Hudson does not regret it!"

Knight Shiludi said indignantly.

However, his anger did not last long before it was appeased by a small box filled with gold coins. A smile finally appeared on his previously gloomy face.

It was as if he was saying, "Why didn't you just do this from the start? Was it necessary to put on such an act?"

After a moment of hesitation, Knight Shiludi slowly said, "The matter of the Fifth Army is very serious, and the Count is very angry. However, that was their mistake."

Knight Hudson, you were able to step forward during this difficult time and avert disaster. I believe Count Pierce will be very pleased when he learns of this."

Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Hudson forced himself to say, despite the pain in his heart, "This still requires the support of Knight Shiludi. After this matter is concluded, the Coslo Family will offer a generous reward!"

Although he could only represent himself at the moment, it didn't stop Hudson from making empty promises. As for how he would fulfill his promises later, he would deal with it when the time came. Who was he to have enough influence?

Words are just words. The same matter, spoken by different people, can have entirely different implications.

Hudson had studied history extensively and was well aware of the consequences of offending a messenger. Even if he had the capital to slack off, who would truly be willing to give up unless absolutely necessary?

To show his respect for Count Pierce, Hudson decided to increase the marching distance by 0.5 li starting tomorrow.

No more than that. Without additional payment, he truly lacked the motivation.

In front of Knight Shiludi, before dawn had broken, Hudson ordered the soldiers to wake up, start fires, and cook their meals, proving with his actions that he was doing his best.

At the subtle direction of someone with an agenda, the soldiers put on a show true to their nature. The chaotic scene was as lively as a marketplace, leaving Knight Shiludi speechless.

Transporting provisions with such a unit, not collapsing would make one a genius. Being able to guarantee a daily march of twenty li was truly not easy.

Looking at Hudson again, Knight Shiludi's gaze had become much more fervent. Unlike the purely transactional relationship before, now they genuinely wanted to forge a connection.

The Nth Rule of Noble Survival: Befriending capable individuals allows for greater personal progress.

With mutual interest, both parties hit it off immediately, quickly rising from strangers to the level of uncle and nephew.

Thinking about it, Hudson was also amused. It seemed that since the expedition began, he had already gained over ten uncles.