Plans for Next Year and Negotiations

After understanding Victor's intentions, Boon did not object further and said that he would take care of it.

After Boon left, Victor continued to work and think, "The total population of the two territories combined has now exceeded [a certain number], but the total military strength of the territories has reached [a certain number] people. If you include the Logistics Department, it is almost a legion of troops. This ratio of soldiers to civilians is too high and has exceeded the current capacity of the territories."

Fortunately, the territory's finances were still able to support it, and because most of the population consisted of purchased serfs and captured Barbarians slaves, the population structure was still very young, and the territory's labor force was relatively abundant.

However, this cannot continue; for a considerable period afterward, there should be no further expansion of the army.

Victor made up his mind that he intended to maintain the current size of his forces for the time being.

"The forces I can currently mobilize are: two regiments and one detachment in the Golden Sunflower Territory, totaling nearly 7,000 people; three regiments in the Two Rivers Territory, which are short of one detachment, totaling nearly 100 people. This is all the combat troops under my command. In the future, the entire Logistics Department will also participate in the operation, along with the engineering detachment and the medical detachment, bringing the total strength to approximately 100,000 people."

In addition, there are 1,000 men in the Stream Territory Independent Brigade and 1,500 men in the Black Pine Territory Independent Brigade.

Besides the private army of Count Black's Great Oak Territory Domain, the eastern counties that can cooperate with me in battle include the Viscount Blue Rose's Domain, the Viscount Edelweiss's Domain, the Oil Sunflower Barony, the Silver Sunflower Barony, and the Black Oil Pine Barony. The private armies of these territories combined are roughly equivalent to a legion.

Even with two legions, our forces aren't entirely secure. Keep in mind that of the Eastern Four Counties, aside from Sextus County, which is directly under the Duchy, the other three can mobilize at least four legions. Even with allied support, we still face a numerical disadvantage.

Victor stood up abruptly, looked at the map next to the bookshelf, and continued to ponder.

"Once we begin operations next year, I must stabilize the situation in Boler County as soon as possible, but the focus will still be on Suffolk County, where Great Oak Territory is located."

Only by helping Count Black defend Great Oak Territory can I guarantee my southward-bound troops a safe foothold.

However, this would conflict with my plan to stabilize Boler County, which must be resolved, and it seems that the two viscounts are still key.

If I can persuade the two viscounts to remain neutral, along with the troops from Oil Sunflower Territory, Black Oil Pine Territory, and Golden Sunflower Territory, I can stabilize the entire Boler County.

This would give me time to calmly deploy troops in Suffolk County and Sextus County to cooperate with the Count Black's forces in eliminating loyal nobles and the Duchy's Direct Legion.

Victor gestured on the map, mentally maneuvering, until finally deciding to continue his efforts to persuade the two Victor and their territories to remain neutral.

However, haste makes waste. Victor plans to use this opportunity of negotiation to thoroughly investigate both parties' positions. Even if he wants to persuade or bribe them, he needs to have a general plan.

Two days later, on October 16, the negotiators from Olive Territory and White Asparagus Territory finally arrived at Golden Sunflower Territory. However, they were accompanied by members of the punitive expedition, led by Knight Yellen from Great Oak Territory.

The negotiators from both territories were the sons of the two viscounts. Upon arriving in Golden Sunflower Territory, their first priority was to meet with the two viscounts and inquire about their current situation.

Victor naturally did not object to this, and he personally led them to meet the two viscounts.

"Father, are you alright? Mother was so worried about you."

Oberon of the Olive Territory looked at his father, Viscount Isold, with a worried expression. Fortunately, Viscount Isold did not appear to have been treated badly; in fact, he had gained weight.

As for Viscount Leo's son Tira, who was relatively younger, he stepped forward and hugged his father tightly. Viscount Leo was a little shy, but he quickly responded to his son's hug, patting his back to comfort him, "Tira, I'm fine. Viscount Victor is a very noble man, and he takes good care of us."

After listening, Tira looked up and carefully examined her father. Once she was sure he wasn't lying, Tira turned to Victor and bowed deeply. "Viscount Golden Sunflower, thank you for your magnanimity and noble character. May I begin negotiations as soon as possible? I wish to take my father home!"

Although Tira's words were somewhat impolite, Victor did not intend to blame the young nobleman who was so eager to save his father.

"Yes, as I promised, we can begin negotiations at any time."

However, if possible, you can spend some time alone first and carefully learn about the recent experiences of the two viscounts.

Soon the two pairs of fathers and sons began talking separately. Victor stood up and left the room, intending to give the two pairs of fathers and sons more time alone.

At this moment, Knight Yellen was still waiting at the door. Victor greeted him and then noticed that Knight Yellen had been secretly watching him, which made Victor very strange.

"Knight Yellen, is there anything strange on me?"

Yellen realized that Victor had noticed him peeking, and quickly waved his hand to indicate that it wasn't true, though he looked a little embarrassed.

"Viscount Victor, may I have a word with you in private?"

"Of course, Knight Yellen, what can I do for you?"

Victor led Knight Yellen to another room inside the building.

After Knight Yellen and Victor entered the house, Knight Yellen immediately took out a letter and handed it to Victor.

"Viscount Victor, there is a letter from the Count inside, it's for you!"

Victor took the letter, opened it, and read it himself. He quickly realized that Count Black's ideas were basically the same as his own, and that he planned to use negotiations to delay the offensive of the punitive expeditionary force in the coming period.

"Since Count Black thinks so too, I certainly won't spoil the mood. Knight Yellen, I'll trouble you to pass on my message to Count Black!"

The troops of Golden Sunflower Territory will not launch an attack; Count Black can decide for himself once he has prepared accordingly.

After hearing what Victor said, Knight Yellen was also very excited. The Count's order had been approved, and Viscount Victor was willing to cooperate.

Afterwards, the two viscounts and their son came out of the room. Victor observed them carefully and guessed that they were ready to negotiate.

Victor immediately invited them to sit down. "After all, everyone's time is precious. I think we can talk slowly first. My complaint is actually very simple: it's about protecting our territory and family."

Oberon quickly replied, "Your Excellency, our Olive Territory has no intention of being your enemy. We only participated because of Grand Duke Mora's order to launch the campaign and Count Black's summons!"

Tira nodded in agreement, and the two viscounts said nothing more.

"Now that we've reached a consensus on this matter, I think we can begin negotiations!"