Target: Red Ginseng Territory

Victor told Ron about his plan to take action against the two neighbors.

"We should have taken action against them long ago. We couldn't before because the laws of the principality didn't allow it, but now that we're about to raise an army, what's the point of keeping them around!"

Ron, who always wanted to stir up trouble, was very happy to support Victor 'Victor plan after hearing it.

"Which of those two should we target first, Uncle? Do you have any recommendations?"

Before Victor became involved in the territory's affairs, Ron had served in the Golden Sunflower Family's private army and was familiar with these troublesome neighboring families.

Although the duchy does not allow wars between independent nobles, conflicts between them are unavoidable.

Often, independent nobles resolved conflicts directly through knightly duels, and Ron, with his exceptional physical talent, frequently represented the Golden Sunflower Territory in duels against his neighbors.

"It's a pity that if that old Thorne were still alive, I would still want to fight him first. Back then, I was with my brother-in-law to besiege the bandits in the enclave. Those bandits were not strong. They collapsed at the first touch of the army of Golden Sunflower Territory. As soon as they were defeated, Green Oak Territory."

That old Thorne and his troops blocked the border of our territory, preventing us from going in to hunt down the thieves.

"It makes me angry just thinking about it. We started by having duels, but after I won more often, Thorne men started avoiding fights. They have absolutely no noble manners."

Ron complained about his dissatisfaction.

"Alright, all that is in the past. Baron Thorne is dead, and even the Green Oak Family has vanished."

We should set our sights further ahead. There will be plenty of battles to fight next spring. I already wrote to my grandfather, asking Edelweiss Territory to start preparing for war as well. Then, three generations of our family will have the opportunity to fight side-by-side.

"Yes, to be honest, I missed the Civil War and was assigned by my brother-in-law to stay in the territory. I was quite disappointed at the time. I didn't expect that only two years later, I would be caught up in another Civil War."

Ron seemed eager to try.

Victor understood why Ron behaved this way. Under his grandfather's tutelage, Ron had old-fashioned aristocratic thinking, which could be summarized as believing that fame and fortune could only be achieved on horseback.

This manifests outwardly as a lack of fear of war, and even a special kind of anticipation. However, Victor does not encourage this idea, believing that war is merely a means, never an end.

"This time is different from the last Civil War. In the last Civil War, we were participants, and even though we lost, we were not purged. But to be honest, we were the initiators of this Civil War. If we lose, all of our families will be wiped out."

Regardless, we should approach this war with greater composure.

Victor wasn't trying to dampen Ron's enthusiasm for the war; he was simply reiterating the seriousness of the conflict and that it couldn't be taken lightly.

Ron nodded with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, Victor. I've fought quite a few battles with you these past two years, and I know that all too well. I won't get carried away!"

"Uncle, of course I believe you. Now we need to get back to the original question: which family should we target first?"

"I feel you already have a plan, but my idea is that either one is fine. Our troops are far superior to these two in terms of both equipment and quality. To put it bluntly, there is no possibility of failure. If I had to choose, I think we should attack Red Ginseng Territory."

"Freyzer is a cunning fellow. If we attack Charles first, he definitely won't leave the castle. We can attack Red Ginseng Territory first to lure Charles to its aid. I remember their families are related."

"Red Ginseng Territory? Although your perspective on the issue is a little different from mine, our goals are similar."

My plan is also to attack Red Ginseng Territory first, mainly because Red Ginseng Territory can plunder more people and resources."

Ron asked curiously, "This is quite different from your previous battle tactics. You should have been more careful before."

The general approach is to first eliminate enemy forces and minimize personal losses, with less emphasis placed on post-battle gains.

"Of course. In the past, we didn't have such a great advantage in battles as we do now, so I naturally had to be more careful. It would be great to have spoils of war, but I wouldn't care too much if we didn't."

To be honest, even if we only send three detachments, the two of them combined are no match for us. There's no need to waste time and energy on them.

You know, their combined forces are about the same as ours, and more than half of them are Serf Soldiers. I'd really like them to join forces, so I don't have to go looking for them again.

"It's rare to see you so confident. I'm fine with it. I support Red Ginseng Territory. How do you plan to attack?"

Victor called to Ron, and the two of them rode away from the group to an open space nearby.

Victor took a map from the side of the saddlebag and Victor to it as he spoke to Ron.

"Look, Red Ginseng Territory is located to our west, and the Blackwater River flows through their territory. I plan to launch a two-pronged attack. I will lead two detachments directly overland into Red Ginseng Territory to draw Baron Freyzer's attention."

You can take your squadron by boat to enter Red Ginseng Territory. They have a dock here. I think after I attract Red Ginseng Territory's attention, you can seize the dock directly. This will ensure that the dock is not destroyed and allow you to directly attack Red Ginseng Territory's castle.

This will prevent Freyzer from sabotaging the docks in desperation after his defeat. As long as the docks are not damaged, we can transport Red Ginseng Territory's spoils by waterway.

As for Baron Charles Zisu's troops, if they come to our aid, we'll eat them; if they don't, we can attack Perilla Territory then.

"Sure, but I'd like to ask, Victor, what do you plan to plunder from Red Ginseng Territory? Their specialty, red ginseng, is just a seasoning and medicinal herb, and it doesn't seem to be of much use to us."

"I plan to rob some serfs and grain. There are very few Freemen in Red Ginseng Territory, only a little over a thousand. The remaining ten thousand or so are all serfs of the Red Ginseng Family. These serfs will not care if their masters are changed to others, as long as they are fed."

For some time to come, Golden Sunflower Territory will become our bridgehead in the Eastern Region. Both production and construction will require a large labor force, and directly plundering serfs is the fastest way to increase the labor force.

As for food, the territory isn't actually short of it right now. Even if our troops march south next spring, supplying them won't be a problem. At worst, we can get support from Count Black. But I have some concerns!