Discussion and Recruitment

Victor followed Alex into the study, where Count Colt was already sitting and reading documents.

Victor then handed Count Black's reply to Count Colt and reported to Count Colt the details of his visit to Count Black.

After reading the letter, Count Colt's expression was somewhat strange. Victor was curious, but seeing that Count Colt didn't say anything, he didn't ask any further questions.

"This mission was very important, and it was also our first dealings with Count Black. Victor, you did a great job. Thank you for your hard work."

"Uncle, it was a coincidence, but I may indeed be the most suitable candidate."

"Regarding Marvin, the captain of the Independent Brigade on the border of my territory that you mentioned before, I have already sent someone to inform him. As long as you can persuade him, he can transfer to your command. You can take up to one hundred active-duty soldiers, including him and his subordinates. Their families and relatives can also choose to stay or leave according to their own wishes."

"Uncle, thank you. The Golden Sunflower Family has a shallow foundation and can only recruit talents from outside. Now that the Iron Birch Territory has opened this door for me, the Golden Sunflower Family will definitely do its best to help you complete your great cause."

"It's getting late, let's go get something to eat. We'll stay at Iron Mountain Fortress for the night and set off tomorrow. Marvin and his troops are still at Hot Water Fortress. Alex will go with you then."

Victor then left the study, Alex asked Count Colt directly, "Father, what did Count Black say in his letter? You seemed surprised. Were there any harsh conditions?"

Count Colt shook his head. "The conditions are not harsh, but rather quite lenient. As long as we can send troops to help Count Black defeat the directly subordinate to the Duchy's Third Legion stationed in the east, he will do his best to help us. He has only one condition: he requires me to send a Northern Frontier nobles has close ties with Iron Birch Territory and is skilled in battle to help him defeat the Duchy Army, and then lead troops to garrison the eastern counties for at least five years, and serve as his grandson's teacher and guardian."

"This..." Alex quickly realized something, looking in the direction Victor had left.

"Victor, he is indeed very suitable, but I am also concerned about whether he is capable of leading a large army. After all, if he goes to the east, it will be difficult to provide support from the Northlands due to its distance. However, as he comes from an eastern noble family, he can better unite the nobles of the eastern counties. Count Black has indeed posed a difficult problem to me." Count Colt understood what Count Black meant. To put it bluntly, he wanted a guarantee from a Northern Frontier nobles, but he was also worried that the newcomer would become too powerful and interfere with the succession of the Great Oak Family.

"Victor has the ability. I have confidence in him. According to the previous plan, even if the Third Legion is a rebuilt legion with a serious shortage of veterans, in one or two years, not only will all the equipment be in place, but the training will also be almost complete. I estimate that by then, as the defending side, our combat strength will be about 70-80%." Alex also expressed his concerns.

"Indeed, the Great Oak Family's private army has never been known for its combat prowess, and its numbers are only around 20,000. To completely separate the Eastern Four Counties from the Grand Duchy, we must annihilate the entire Third Legion and suppress the other nobles who are loyal to the Silver Maple Family. This requires at least twice the strength of the Third Legion. Even if the Great Oak Family brings its branch nobles and long-standing allies, it cannot muster this force. We must send reinforcements consisting of half a regular legion, along with a large number of Cavalry." Count Colt analyzed the future battle plan from a combat power perspective.

"But Father, our territory has three legions. We will have to leave one to guard the family, and at most send two legions. We will also have to mobilize other Northern Frontier nobles to send four legions. Even then, the forces will be just enough. All of them will have to be put into the front line. At that time, the Central Region duchy's direct forces will have no less than four legions. We must deal with these forces as soon as possible. We also need to establish a defensive line on the border with the Southern Region to prevent the Southern Region nobles from going north. After all, they are the most established nobles in the duchy. This defensive line will have to accommodate at least three legions. The remaining forces will also have to attack the Western Three Counties. We are already very tight. How can we send half a legion to support the east?"

"So if Victor can do these things well, that is, if his Golden Sunflower Family can pull up a qualified half-legion before the war comes and complete the task of suppressing the Eastern Four Counties, I will promise him the title of Count."

"That's not very realistic, Father. According to our intelligence, the Golden Sunflower Family's total military strength is only five thousand. Even if they have more combat soldiers, it's at most a quarter of a legion. Even if they are considered outstanding among viscounts and nobles, it's impossible for them to double their military strength in just one or two years."

"When you accompany Victor to the border this time, you can hint to him that you should give him this opportunity. It's up to him to see if he can seize it. He still has a chance. After all, he still has your uncle. The opportunity to become Count is not easy to come by. The Golden Pear Family and the Golden Sunflower Family will definitely not give up easily."

"I understand, Father."

Alex left the room, Count Colt continued reading Count Black's letter, muttering to himself, "Old fox, it seems you don't think Victor can meet this condition either. You want to probe the Iron Birch Family's bottom line, but I'm not 100% sure. There are several noble families in the East who want to take your place. Even without you, I have the ability to restrain the Third Legion and other loyal nobles."

The next morning, Victor and Alex, along with their guards, rode to Hot Water Fortress on the border, while the ship sailed north alone back to Two Rivers Territory.

Victor and his party, each with four horses, traveled swiftly and lightly, arriving at Hot Water Fortress in just three days.

Captain Marvin, upon seeing his old comrade-in-arms Alex and Victor, immediately invited them into the fortress.

"Captain Marvin, I wrote to you before. Would you be willing to join the Golden Sunflower Family? The treatment will be as I promised you before. Within a year, you will serve as the commander of an independent force of a thousand men. After a year, this force will be expanded into a regiment, and you will serve as the Regimental Commander." Victor stated his purpose directly.

Marvin was somewhat tempted, but seeing Alex beside him, he decided to refuse Victor, since the heir to the territory was right there.

"Don't worry about Marvin. Victor is one of the Iron Birch Family's own people. He's about to marry my cousin. My father also agrees to let you leave the Iron Birch Family, and you can take your men and your relatives with you."

Marvin was somewhat surprised, but he quickly composed himself, bowed to Alex, and then knelt on one knee before Victor. "Marvin is willing to follow Viscount Golden Sunflower. Thank you for your trust and high regard, Your Excellency."