Strike First

Victor is inside Fortress Number One, discussing with Foss and Holmes the organization of the troops' re-equipment.

A messenger ran up to them, saluted Victor, and took out a microphone, saying, "Report, urgent military intelligence!"

Victor took the mailbox, opened it, and began to read the letter inside.

The letter was short. After reading it, Victor frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed.

Foss and Holmes, who were standing nearby, did not interrupt. Both of them were conservative people and would never ask questions unless Victor spoke.

Then Victor handed the letter to Foss, "After you've read it, show it to Holmes, and then you two share your thoughts."

Foss and Holmes quickly finished reading the letter, Foss asked in a deep voice, "Sir, is this news true?"

Holmes had the same question, but remained silent after Foss had already raised it.

"That's true. Tell me, do you have any thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Foss and Holmes exchanged a few words in hushed tones. Finally, Foss spoke up, "Sir, this is an opportunity. The enemy has taken the initiative to divide their forces, and the distance between them is half a day's journey. Holmes and I both believe that we should take the initiative and attack."

Victor remained noncommittal. "Continue!"

Foss continued, "I will personally oversee Fortress Number One, Diodor will guard Fortress Two, Holmes will draw all the other troops from the Garrison Regiment to join you and Ron in meeting the enemy at Red Ginseng Territory."

Even if we can't annihilate the enemy, achieving some results will greatly help our subsequent defense.

"So, you think it's worth taking a gamble?"

"Yes, sir, we can concentrate the forces of nine detachments, totaling more than 5,000 men, of which nearly 3,500 are veterans. We also have an equipment advantage, and our Cavalry is superior."

Moreover, the armies of the inland nobles are certainly much weaker than ours. Even if they have 7,000 men, we believe we can definitely put up a fight with them.

Victor listened with a serious expression, without saying anything, which made Foss and Holmes exchange puzzled glances, wondering if they had overlooked something.

Suddenly Victor chuckled, "It's alright. I thought that given your cautious natures, you two might not take the initiative, but I didn't expect you to be so decisive."

Foss and Holmes were taken aback by this, and Foss quickly said, "Sir, I actually..."

Victor stepped forward, patted Foss on the shoulder, and swallowed his words.

"You performed well. A prolonged defense will eventually crumble. Taking the initiative to attack is also a form of defense. I am very confident in entrusting the Garrison Regiment to you."

After this battle, I will return to the Northlands. I will have Ron assist you in defending the territory. I look forward to your performance.

"Foss and Holmes, listen to my orders! Begin mobilizing your troops immediately, arrange for them to change into new uniforms as soon as possible, and gather all the horses in your regiments to hand over to the troops accompanying me into battle. They will proceed directly to Red Ginseng Territory the day after tomorrow morning."

"Yes!" ×2

After confirming the plan with the two, Victor returned directly to Stone Castle. He went straight to Steward Boon and asked how much supplies and people had been transferred to Red Ginseng Territory.

"Your Excellency, we have transferred over 300 Freemen from Red Ginseng Territory. They are all relatives and family members of the captured soldiers and are living in Linshui Town. We have also transferred over 7,200 serfs and, as per your request, scattered them among different farms. Furthermore, we have moved approximately 4,000 tons of wheat from Red Ginseng Territory, as well as various items worth approximately 8,000 gold coins from the Red Ginseng Castle's storerooms, and a large number of various livestock."

After Steward Boon finished his report, he handed a list to Victor.

Victor looked at the list, carefully examining the details of each item. After reading it, he smiled and said, "Indeed, the nobles of the interior are rich. This is just a baron of relatively weak strength who can obtain such a harvest in one go. It is much better than fighting Barbarians on the grasslands."

A baronial territory only has a few hundred soldiers; once you eliminate them, you can reap a harvest worth more than gold.

On the grasslands, Victor's annihilation of the Blazing Fire Tribe, which had tens of thousands of cavalry, and its vassal tribes yielded only three times the spoils of this noble territory. The difference in difficulty and the amount of loot was far too great.

Victor for a moment, then turned to Boon and said, "Steward Boon, I'm going to Red Ginseng Territory. The work of transferring the spoils of war will have to be temporarily put on hold. I'll trouble you to make proper arrangements for the existing personnel and supplies, and make sure that these newly arrived serfs do not go hungry or cold."

"My lord, rest assured, I, Boon, will handle this perfectly."

Victor left Stone Castle and took a boat from the Linshui Town dock to Red Ginseng Territory. After disembarking at Red Ginseng Territory, Victor saw that there were still a lot of supplies and serfs waiting to be transferred at the dock pier. Victor immediately notified the team leader in charge of transportation to stop after transporting this batch. Afterwards, Victor arrived at Red Ginseng Castle.

Upon entering the castle, one immediately sees Ron wrestling with several guards in the central Drill Ground.

Ron, dressed in short clothes and radiating heat, stood in the center of the Drill Ground. Two of his four bodyguards held his arms, while the other two pressed down on his waist, trying to push him over.

Ron stomped his left foot forward and swung his left arm, knocking the guard who was holding his left arm to the ground.

After freeing his left hand, Ron reached out and grabbed one of the guards who was holding him around the waist. He pulled him up from the ground.

Then Ron threw him onto another man, and the two of them rolled around on the ground. At that moment, the bodyguard who was holding his right arm also let go of his hands.

"Good! You still remember to exercise even at a time like this. Have you finished all the tasks I gave you?"

Seeing that the wrestling match was over, Victor walked forward while clapping. After his four bodyguards saluted Victor waved them away.

Ron wiped his sweat and walked to Victor's side. "Don't worry, Viscount, the transport of supplies and personnel is going smoothly. There are still two farms and some Freemen to be transferred. I will continue to work on it."

Victor shook his head. "It's alright, let's stop here. We have limited time, and there will be a new battle soon. We need to focus our main efforts on preparation."

Ron exclaimed excitedly, "Is the punitive expedition coming? I can't wait!"

Victor was speechless at Ron's performance. He continued, "The Vanguard Army of the punitive expedition will arrive around the day after tomorrow. It will be the troops of Viscount Olive and Viscount White Asparagus, with a total strength of about 7,000 men, including no less than 4,000 regular troops. They will not be easy to deal with."

Ron said nonchalantly, "I know the level of the private army of the nobles in Boler County. Those 4,000 regular troops are probably not even as well-equipped or trained as the new recruits in our territory. As for the remaining Serf Soldiers, they are just there to make up the numbers. I think we can strike first and they will be no match for us in a head-on battle."

Victor nodded in agreement. "We should indeed take the initiative, but don't underestimate these two families. They are old noble families after all, so we should be cautious. I've already made arrangements."

Three detachments from the Garrison Regiment, led by Holmes, along with the remaining four detachments currently resting at camp, will arrive at Red Ginseng Territory the day after tomorrow. I will then engage the enemy with nine detachments, striving to inflict heavy losses and gain the upper hand in subsequent battles.

"Great, that's how we should do it! I can finally show off my skills!"