Preparing for War

The next morning, Victor stood at the tent entrance. Ron and his squad were ready to depart.

"My warriors, I apologize that you must undertake such a difficult mission immediately upon arriving at our new territory. However, I believe you will achieve victory. Your equipment is superior, your martial skills are stronger, and your will is firmer. They are no match for you. Bring me victory, and I will not be stingy with land, money, or honor."

Many of these soldiers had been trained by Victor and Ron together. They understood Victor's generosity and were confident they would defeat the enemy and earn military merits. Each one was excited about the imminent honor and rewards.

To be honest, Victor wasn't good at rallying troops or inspiring people. However, he was willing to provide rewards and good treatment for these soldiers. In this world, that was enough to make them fight for him.

Ron led the troops out directly. Captain Jack also assigned a few men to accompany them as guides.

After watching them depart from the camp entrance, Victor convened a meeting to continue discussions. Steward Powell and Captain Jack also joined.

"Powell, how is the unloading progressing? How much longer will it take to finish?" Victor was very concerned about this.

Powell wiped his sweat and said, "Lord Victor, we worked through the night to build three jetties. Fortunately, many structural components were pre-made in the territory and only needed installation. However, we only prepared three sets initially. If we need more, they will have to be re-fabricated. Currently, the warhorses and weapons have been unloaded. The serfs brought here have been divided into three groups. One group, not involved in loading and unloading, is resting as auxiliary troops for combat. The other two groups are taking turns with the unloading and camp construction work to ensure progress. We estimate it will take another day and a half to complete the unloading. The construction of the temporary docks and storage yards will take five more days."

Victor nodded. After all, the docks were rudimentary, tools were lacking, and manpower was insufficient. The completion time was only a day later than the plan calculated by Number 1.

Next, Victor continued to ask Captain Jack, "Jack, are your two ships ready? When will you depart?"

Captain Jack said confidently to Victor, "Rest assured, my lord. I've chosen two of our best girls. Their hulls are new, and I've removed the ballast stones. We won't have to worry about storms entering the Great Fish River, and with a shallower draft, they won't easily run aground. I've also selected a crew of my most experienced sailors to accompany me. I will definitely complete the task you've assigned."

Victor thought for a moment. "How about this, Captain Jack? This time I'll bring 100 archers and 100 crossbowmen. I'll assign 50 crossbowmen who don't get seasick to accompany you, so your ships will also have defensive capabilities."

"Thank you, Lord Victor." Captain Jack was deeply moved. It was reassuring to have a leader who considered your needs during work. This was far better than his previous work experiences.

"Be careful on this journey. I will send two groups of messengers to maintain contact with you. If any unexpected situation arises, you can abandon the ships along the south bank. Protect yourself and my crew. Your experience is very important," Victor continued to remind Captain Jack.

"Then I'll depart, my lord." Captain Jack stood up and left.

"Powell, go with him and see if Captain Jack's supplies are lacking. Replenish them for him," Victor said to Steward Powell.

Powell also stood up and left.

The remaining few people continued to gather around Victor, awaiting his new instructions.

"Santos, select some agile young men from the infantry who can ride horses. We have enough horses now. We need a large number of messengers to communicate between the battlefields. I need to gather as much battlefield intelligence as possible."

"Understood, Lord Victor. I'll arrange it immediately."

"James, you'll bring 10 skilled men with me later. I need to survey some terrain."

"Understood. I'll arrange it right away." James agreed.

Victor glanced at Captain Jack, who was sitting beside him and seemed about to speak. Victor said to him, "Captain Jack, I'm entrusting the camp to you and Santos. You need to lead your subordinates to rest and recuperate as soon as possible, organize your weapons and equipment, and be ready for full participation in the battle starting tomorrow."

Jack immediately stood up and saluted, "Understood, Lord Victor."

Victor nodded, dismissed everyone, and left directly with James.

On a small hill, Victor stood at the summit, looking out at the vast land. The area was covered with low hills. Only in the east, where Victor was located, was there relatively high ground. The entire hill area was large with gentle slopes. Victor made an estimation.

"Number 1, generate a map of this area for me to see."

"Okay, Victor, please wait a moment."

Soon, a bird's-eye view appeared before Victor's eyes, which he could zoom in and out at will. This hilly area was located in a bend of the Great Fish River. The distance from the entrance to the exit of the bend was about 6 kilometers. The east and west banks at the entrance to the bend were shallow beaches covered with sand and gravel, very suitable for inland boats to run aground directly without causing significant damage to the ships. This battlefield was also very close to the camp, only 20 kilometers away, making it convenient for transporting supplies and mobilizing troops.

Victor directly compared this map and made modifications to the simple map in his hand.

After making rough modifications, Victor directly called James over. "James, look here. This area is very suitable for an ambush. The terrain here is relatively complex, making it difficult for cavalry to deploy. If they run to the front of this eastern hill, their deployed force will not exceed 100 men. We can place 100 cavalry on the back slope to wait for them. When we lure them down the slope, the ambushing cavalry will cross the back slope and charge directly down the hill. With our advantages in horse power and equipment, we can break through their formation head-on, forcing them to retreat west out of this hilly area to reorganize their formation. While we counterattack, I will arrange for three inland troop transport ships to run aground directly at the bend entrance, forming an infantry phalanx on the west. They will use bows and crossbows to disrupt their reorganization, cooperating with the infantry phalanx to pressure them. Our cavalry will charge forward in unison. This way, we can annihilate them with the highest probability."

"I think it's feasible. You've always been better at this than me. We'll do it your way. The question is, how do we get them to follow our route?"

"That will depend on Ron," Victor said with a smile.

Ron had been dealing with the Barbarians for a long time and understood them well. Guiding the Barbarians' actions was not difficult for him.

"Alright, we should head back, James." Victor then turned his horse and called Ron to return to the camp together.

In the evening, in Victor's campaign tent, everyone was waiting for Victor's orders.

"This is the preliminary plan. Captain Jack, you will be responsible for guiding these three troop transport ships tomorrow to this bend. I will set up signals on the western hilltop. Once the signal is given, you will immediately run aground."

"Santos, tomorrow's key lies with you. After running aground, form your ranks as quickly as possible and arrive at the designated battlefield promptly."

"Captain Jack and James, your two squads will stay with me on the eastern hilltop's back slope. The moment I give the charge signal, cross the hilltop and form an assault formation to charge directly down the slope."

"Ron, your troops achieved excellent results today. Those Barbarians are likely furious. Tomorrow morning, you will continue to carry out the enemy luring tactic. Any problems?"

"Don't worry, Victor. Fighting Barbarians is as easy as eating for me. I know their temperaments like the back of my hand. They won't escape our grasp. Besides, I have a secret weapon against these guys," Ron said smugly.

Victor was speechless. Ron's secret weapon held no secrets for him. When Ron used to teach Victor martial arts, he often told stories of his battles with the Barbarians, frequently mentioning how he would provoke the Barbarian warriors' anger to lure them into duels. Therefore, his secret weapon was profanity – all sorts of Barbarian curses. Ron used them with unfailing success.

"As long as you're confident, that's good. I only care about the result, not the process," Victor said to Ron.

"Powell, before dawn tomorrow, prepare food for all participating soldiers. Bring out all the fruits and fresh meat. Let everyone have a good meal in the morning."

"Understood, Lord Victor. I'll prepare it now."

"The auxiliary troops will be stationed 5 kilometers east of the battlefield. Once the main battle begins, I will send messengers to notify you."

Victor said to the officers in charge of the auxiliary troops.

"Are there any further questions? If not, everyone get a good rest tonight. Ron, you and your subordinates will depart directly after dawn. The rest of you will depart uniformly at 8 AM. The estimated start of the battle will be set between 2 PM and 3 PM. We will resolve the battle before dark. We will surely achieve victory."

"Understood." Everyone responded in unison.

After the meeting, Victor sat before the map, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

After all, the combined forces numbered over 4,000 men. Excluding the elderly, weak, and non-combatant laborers, more than 1,500 would participate in the battle. This was Victor's first time commanding a battle of this scale, and it made him feel rather apprehensive.

I'm clearly not a born general. I can't even maintain composure in this situation. I should just rely on my golden finger for farming. Crushing them with technology and superior numbers, fighting in proper formations, that's the path I should take.

"Number 1, help me adjust the troop deployment again and check for any flaws in the battle plan."

"Command accepted, Victor. Commencing re-examination."

Indeed, no flaws were discovered later. The calculation module wasn't omniscient; its current models hadn't been trained, and the only data it relied on were the books in the Golden Sunflower Territory and Victor's memories. Thus, the calculation module's proficiency in war planning and command was predictable – likely on par with Zhao Kuo.

Victor finally managed to fall asleep by having the calculation module increase its soul quality consumption.

At five in the morning, Victor woke up on time, alerted by Number 1. After getting dressed, he left his tent.

It was not yet dawn, but the entire camp was alive. Under the bonfires, soldiers were forming ranks, organizing their weapons and equipment. Logistics laborers delivered hot soup and food to the barracks.

As Victor approached, he noticed some people were already eating breakfast – it was Ron and his squad. Their warhorses were tethered nearby, being fed and watered by auxiliary troops. Their weapons and armor were already hung on spare horses.

Watching Ron wolfing down his food, Victor remained silent. Instead, he observed the warhorses drinking water beside them. The tallest one was Ron's mount, a Wind Howler Horse variant brought back from Bria County by the merchant caravan. It seemed to have adapted well to life as a warhorse; it showed no unusual behavior when the auxiliary troops fitted its tack.

At that moment, a mumbling voice sounded in Victor's ear, "Isn't my Black Panther handsome?" Victor turned to see Ron, a piece of bread still in his mouth.

"Finish eating first, then we'll talk. The Black Panther is indeed handsome, but unfortunately, some people have put it under undue pressure."

"I usually only wear leather armor. I only switch to chainmail during charges. I won't let the Black Panther get tired," Ron quickly defended himself after swallowing the bread.

"Alright, get ready quickly. You'll need to depart soon. I also need to say a few words to my warriors."

Soon, Ron stood in the center of the formation, his cavalry squad behind him. The night was still dark, and the bonfires cast a warm glow on the soldiers' resolute faces, reflecting the unyielding fighting spirit and firm conviction in their eyes. This unit was about to embark on a crucial enemy-luring mission. Although the path ahead was filled with the unknown and danger, there was not a trace of fear on their faces; instead, they exuded an indescribable excitement and anticipation.

Victor walked to the front of the formation, his gaze sweeping over each soldier, as if confirming each person's resolve. "You are not just my soldiers; you are the bravest warriors on this land," Victor's voice was loud and full of power. "This operation, though called 'luring the enemy,' is actually paving the way for our victory. Remember, you are not fighting alone; we are with you."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation for the future, and continued, "After the battle, the glory and rewards will not belong to me alone. They are the highest accolades for your courage, sacrifice, and loyalty. I promise you, every drop of sweat, every tear, will be richly rewarded."

As Victor's words fell, a wave of warm applause and cheers echoed through the night sky, completely igniting the soldiers' emotions. Ron straightened his chest. As the squad leader, he knew the great responsibility on his shoulders, but he also firmly believed that with these brave soldiers and his secret weapon, they would complete the mission perfectly.

"Depart, warriors!" Ron announced loudly, mounting the Black Panther first. The rest of the cavalry followed closely, their horses' hooves echoing in the quiet night like an impassioned battle song, heralding the victory to come.