Testing Perilla Territory

After returning to his territory, Victor went straight to the Cavalry detachment's camp.

The Detachment Commander of this unit was named Alaric, who was also Victor's old subordinate. This was also an unspoken rule that Victor used to promote officers in the army.

Although each Regimental Commander has the right to choose and promote Detachment Commander they approve of, the list of candidates is drawn up by Victor himself. Regimental Commander can choose from the list but cannot add others.

In this way, coupled with short-term training courses for junior and mid-level officers, Victor essentially achieved complete control over the territory's army. At least during his reign, this method ensured his firm command of the army.

"Alaric, how are the warhorses being adjusted? How many Cavalry are available?"

Victor questioned Detachment Commander Alaric inside the camp.

"The situation is not good. The main problem is that the sea voyage takes too long, and many of the warhorses are not in good condition. They even have difficulty eating. At present, I can only spare three squads of Cavalry at most."

"Three squads, plus the two I have, that's only five. That's not enough troops!"

Victor originally thought that Alderick could send five or six squads, so that he could gather a Cavalry force of three or four hundred men, which would be enough to launch a surprise attack on Perilla Territory.

However, with his forces reduced by half, Victor needs to think carefully.

After thinking for a moment, Victor said to Alderick, "Here's what we'll do. I'll take these three squads with me first. You continue to take care of the rest of the troops. You'll be the main force in the battles to come. Make sure everyone, from the warhorses to the warriors, gets a good rest."

"I understand, please rest assured, sir."

Afterwards, Victor led a Cavalry force of more than two hundred men directly to the second fortress on the east side of the territory. He found the fortress's garrison commander Diodor, at around three o'clock in the afternoon.

The garrison of Fort No. 2 consisted of a detachment. This defensive fortification was built at the same time as Fort Number One. After all, the main land routes in Golden Sunflower Territory were on the east and west sides, so Victor built the first batch of fortresses in these two places.

Considering that if external enemies were to attack Golden Sunflower Territory, Red Ginseng Territory on the east side and Perilla Territory on the west side would be the best assembly points and could also provide logistics for these troops.

"Diodor, Perilla Territory made any unusual moves today?"

In Victor's defensive plan, reconnaissance work centered on the two fortresses was also important, with a small patrol force deployed at each fortress.

Such specialized patrol and reconnaissance units are basically only found among high-ranking nobles; a baron in the interior would consider 50 Cavalry a formidable force.

"Sir, our reconnaissance teams are basically unable to enter Perilla Territory and have no way of knowing about the changes inside. However, we discovered this afternoon that several border outposts in Perilla Territory have been reinforced with more soldiers."

"Reinforcements at the sentry post? It'll be this afternoon!"

It seems that Baron Freyzer of Red Ginseng Territory must have arrived in Perilla Territory, Baron Charles of Perilla Territory already knows about my attack on Red Ginseng Territory.

As for the reinforcement of the outposts, it was likely a move by Baron Charles to defend his territory, which means that Perilla Territory is unlikely to send troops out easily.

After a moment's thought, Victor understood Baron Charles's intentions, but he had no intention of letting Perilla Territory off so easily.

"Diodor, if your detachment can guarantee that the fortress has sufficient garrison troops, how many extra men can you spare?"

"Sir, if all the personnel for the second fortress are in place, we will need more than 230 people. I also need to keep about 100 people in Reserve Force. At most, we should be able to withdraw about 200 people."

Victor nodded. "Alright, Diodor, I don't need that many men. Give me three squads, including the patrol squads. Are there any ballistae in the fortress?"

"Yes, sir, but there are only two. Most of the Bed Crossbow are mounted on the city walls."

"That's enough. Give me both of them. I'll take the troops for a tour of Perilla Territory. You just need to guard the fortress."

"This..."

Diodor hesitated, after all, he knew that the Golden Sunflower Territory had been declared a traitor by the Grand Duke, and the independent noble territories of other duchies were now considered enemy territory. It would indeed be dangerous for his viscount to go to other territories.

Victor saw through his thoughts and patted Diodor on the shoulder. "Diodor, you're one of my old subordinates. We fought together in the Civil War. You should have faith in me."

Besides, I'm leading the elite troops of the territory. Even if we can't win, I can retreat unscathed. I'll be back before Sun; just prepare dinner for me then."

"Alright then, sir, please be extra careful."

Seeing that Diodor had agreed, Victor told Diodor to guard the fortress and then led his troops away.

The nearest outpost to Fortress No. 2 is only 3 kilometers away from Perilla Territory, and can be seen from the fortress wall.

Victor led his troops directly to the outpost. Victor planned to use the attack on these outposts to test Baron Charles of Perilla Territory's reaction and see if there was any opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Half an hour later, Victor arrived at the outpost. The outpost in front of him was a small building with a wooden wall, which was only 2 meters high and had a watchtower in the middle. It looked very simple. Victor thought that it could be easily breached even without Bed Crossbow.

The people at the outpost also discovered Victor's troops, a dark mass of Cavalry and infantry, dozens of times larger than the outpost's garrison, causing great chaos inside the outpost.

Just as Victor was about to send someone to make a call, a plume of smoke billowed out from inside the outpost.

"Ah, and there's even a beacon fire! It seems Baron Charles is quite meticulous in his work."

Victor looked at the thick smoke with a sigh, and gave up the idea of shouting. He waved his hand and gave the order to attack.

Victor didn't even plan to use Bed Crossbow to deal with such rudimentary fortifications, since setting up Bed Crossbow would take time.

Fortunately, the troops Victor led this time were all veteran troops of the territory, and they were very experienced in this kind of siege warfare.

A group of crossbowmen walked directly to the front of the column and began to suppress the sentry post wall with crossbow bolts.

Several Cavalry went forward and used lassos to hook onto the wooden stakes of the wall, then tied dozens of horses together with the lassos.

"One, two, three, pull!"

With a few simple chants, the horses kept pushing hard.

The wall of the outpost was quickly torn down, and the prepared knife and shield squad rushed in. The shouts of battle ended in just a few minutes, and the outpost was easily captured.