Count Black's Scheme

Count Black, somewhat curious, asked Knight Yellen, "In total? Does that include our troops?"

"No, it's our three brigades, which can reach the number of people."

"I didn't expect that only half of the 18 independent noble families in Boler County could mobilize so many troops. If the current troop strength is maintained, the East could send at least two more legions during the Civil War. Even if Colt leads his men south, I can save Jorah's life, or at the very least, divide and conquer them."

After Blake finished speaking, he shook his head, as if he realized that what he said was too much of an afterthought.

Yellen was somewhat anxious. He hadn't expected that the 10 noble families from Boler County could mobilize so many troops. "Count Excellency, do you think we need to make some adjustments? With so many troops, Viscount Golden Sunflower might not be able to hold them off!"

Count Black didn't care, at least he probably thought Victor was capable of dealing with this number of enemies. "You don't need to worry too much about Yellen. When Victor came to Sunset City before, we talked. Judging from his tone, he would have no problem as long as the Allied Army forces did not exceed one legion."

Victor's idea was that with two high-standard bastion-like fortresses in place, and the Allied Army lacking powerful siege weapons like Artillery, he could fight a defensive battle and be able to take on ten opponents single-handedly.

Knight Yellen believed that this statement was completely unfounded. "I think Viscount Golden Sunflower was too hasty. How many troops does he have? 4,000 or 6,000? Although 30% or 40% of them are Serf Soldiers, the rest of the troops are enough to flatten Golden Sunflower Territory."

"Yellen, you don't need to care about him so much. If you want to wear the crown, you have to bear the weight. Victor is willing to risk his life for Count Colt, which is his own choice. I have done what I can. At most, I will provide him with some intelligence. To win this war, he still has to rely on himself."

"Alright, Count Excellency, I understand."

Count Black suddenly had an idea. "Yellen, go and sound out Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo. Those two have been quite boisterous these past few days. If they want to help Baron Freyzer, we can give them a push."

Yellen was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this. "Are you referring to the Viscount Olive and the Viscount White Asparagus? Although the two viscounts are indifferent to other nobles, they have always been very respectful to you and have not done anything out of line, have they?"

Count Black laughed heartily, then suddenly coughed. Knight Yellen quickly stepped forward to support the Old Count, and after the cough subsided, he poured the old man a glass of water.

"Sir, are you alright? The doctor has said that you should try not to get too emotional."

Count Black picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp. "Even if I pay attention now, what can I do? I know my body. I'll leave everything to fate!"

"And Yellen, where did you get the idea that Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo are very respectful to me? Since they arrived in Dos City, they've only paid me homage twice, and although their attitude was good, their camp wasn't arranged according to my plan."

"However, I also heard from the two viscounts that they brought too many troops, and the camps you planned are not enough for them."

"And then what? Is that their excuse for changing their camp location without warning? If I hadn't patrolled the camp and discovered they weren't camped there, I might still be in the dark."

Knight Yellen was momentarily speechless. It seemed that the two viscounts were indeed not very respectful. "I apologize, sir. Yellen is dull-witted and failed to notice these improprieties in time."

Count Black stood up, walked to the window, looked out, and said to Knight Yellen, "It's not your fault, Yellen. I only trained you to be a soldier. I never taught you these petty tricks."

And do you remember the number of troops their two families deployed during the Civil War?

"I remember that Isolde Viscount Olive contributed 2,400 men and Viscount Leo Viscount White Asparagus contributed 1,800 men. The two were combined into a single unit."

"So now, Yellen, how many people did they bring this time?"

"Viscount Isold has 3,900 men, Viscount Leo has 3,000 men, this?" Knight Yellen discovered the blind spot.

Count Black explained, "In order to defend against the invasion fleet of the East Sea Alliance, I coordinated the coastal noble territories of Cambridge County and Suffolk County to establish Coastal Defense Fleet. Considering that each coastal noble family had to devote resources to building a navy, the size of the private army would inevitably be affected."

In consideration of the balance of private armies in the territories of coastal nobles and inland nobles, I, on behalf of the coastal nobles, made an agreement with the other nobles in the Eastern Region: the standing army of a viscount shall not exceed 2,000 men, and the standing army of a baron shall not exceed 800 men.

For the next twenty years, the military strength of the three noble counties in the east was planned according to this agreement. But now, someone has brazenly broken this agreement. It seems that the Earl Great Oak is now a thing of the past and is no longer taken seriously.

Yellen broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. He finally understood why Count Black was so angry. Then, Yellen said with resentment, "Count Excellency, I will take men and bring these two traitors to you right away."

Count Black waved his hand. "No need, Yellen. I think it's fine this way. At least these two are open about everything. Those people in the shadows are even more terrifying."

Yellen, several coastal nobles have already recalled their ships from the Coastal Defense Fleet back to their territories, and some have even reached into the Great Oak Territory's navy, attempting to turn some of its forces against them.

If I hadn't discovered these circumstances, I might not have so readily agreed to the alliance with Count Colt. After the Civil War, the Great Oak Family had lost their ability to lead the independent nobles of the three eastern counties.

"And the reason White Earth City was so easily taken by the Northlands is because the Duchy's Direct Legion of Sextus County's direct army focused its main force in southeastern Sextus County, do you understand, Yellen?"

"Are you saying that the Sextus County Legion has set its sights on Great Oak Territory?"

Yellen understood what Count Black meant. The southeast of Sextus County was adjacent to Suffolk County, and it was not far from Great Oak Territory. It would only take a day's march to reach Great Oak Territory. The fact that the Duchy had placed its direct legion there meant that it definitely had something to do with Great Oak Territory.

"After Jorah's death, Great Oak Territory suffered heavy losses. For more than two years, I have been compromising and emptying the family's decades of accumulation, hoping to pass on the family and the title. Unfortunately, I finally realized that all of this was wishful thinking."

Ahead of me is a greedy lion, and behind me is a pack of hungry wolves, all of whom want to tear the Great Oak Territory to shreds and fill their own ravenous bellies.

So my immediate thought is to eliminate these two impatient fellows. Yellen, you need to find a way to get the two viscounts to take the initiative and help our Baron Freyzer avenge himself."

"Yes, please leave it to me, sir."