Dissolution of the Punitive Expedition
After leaving the restaurant, Victor went straight back to his room to rest when a guard suddenly knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Victor was puzzled. Normally, these guards wouldn't disturb his rest, so something important must have happened.
After the guard entered the room, he handed a document to Victor. "My lord, it's an urgent letter from the territory, written by Miss Veronica."
Victor was curious and opened the document to read it. Because it was sent by carrier pigeon, the content was very short, only a few dozen words: The second Internal Combustion Engine experiment was successful and has entered the trial operation stage; the papermaking project has made breakthrough progress, but lacks important raw materials. Please contact the purchase of Salt-leaf Tree, a specialty of the Southern Four Counties, which can be used to produce two types of alkali.
After reading the letter, Victor was still pondering when Number One had already drawn a conclusion. "The ash from the Salt-leaf Tree should be able to produce high-purity sodium carbonate, since this extremely salt-tolerant plant is perfect for producing sodium carbonate!"
Victor understood that Number One's conclusion was probably accurate, but he understood all too well the importance of the "two alkalis" in the "three acids and two alkalis" of chemical raw materials. However, the method of producing soda ash using plant ash was far too unindustrial.
However, neither the Solvay process nor the Hou's process is feasible for the current situation in the Two Rivers Territory. If this plant can indeed meet a certain production capacity, it may not be unable to meet the demand.
Moreover, Number One reassured him. "Victor, according to my current information, this plant should be easy to grow. It just so happens that Viscount Ferry's territory is engaged in the cultivation of this plant. Why don't we ask him about it when he comes again?"
Victor thought that made sense, and he could ask Viscount Ferry about the matter in detail later. He believed that Viscount Ferry would definitely be very cooperative.
Victor never expected that this deal with Count Lloyd would provide such a crucial solution to the territory issue.
"With soda ash and caustic soda, there are no obstacles not only in papermaking but also in glassmaking. This is unexpected. I thought it would take many more years to reach this point."
The plants in this world are amazing; they're practically a degraded biological factory.
Victor was surprised by his own idea again, but the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After all, all kinds of evidence had shown this possibility. If it were a local native, he might not think much of it, but with his memories of his past life, he was very clear that many things could not have evolved naturally.
"Victor, although we still lack a lot of evidence to determine the significance of this world being altered in this way, I suggest that after this war, we should intensify our exploration of this world. We may have unexpected gains!"
"Number One, I didn't expect you to be getting better and better at making empty promises. But what you said makes a lot of sense. The exploration plan really needs to be taken seriously."
However, we must first overcome this immediate hurdle. After the Civil War is over and the domestic situation is stabilized, I will assemble a genuine Expedition Team to explore the land.
"Keep going, Victor! I look forward to that day coming soon!"
After Number One finished speaking, he fell silent again. Victor was used to this; Number One had been in this state for a long time.
According to her, her Soul Matter is limited and her magic energy concentration is insufficient. She still needs to use the Calculation Module to deduce the results and cannot waste too much magic energy. She is in this dormant state to make efficient use of it. She will only be released from dormancy when she retrieves important information.
Seeing that Number One was no longer responding, Victor wrote a reply, instructing the territory to immediately begin contacting the forces in the Southern Four Counties, and that the supply of Salt-leaf Tree would soon be resolved.
After Victor finished writing, he called to his guards and told them to send it back to Two Rivers Territory by carrier pigeon. Then Victor went back to sleep.
Early on the morning of the 20th, in the camp of the punitive expedition, Count Black summoned all the nobles in his command tent.
Count Black sat in a chair in the middle of the tent. "I have gathered everyone here today to announce a few important matters."
After saying this, Count Black looked at the independent nobles attending the meeting, and nodded in satisfaction when no one interrupted.
Since Victor wiped out the Vanguard Army, all dissenting voices within the entire punitive expeditionary force have disappeared. Even during his absence, when Knight Yellen was in charge of the camp, no one dared to bluff.
"First of all, I have just been informed that the Olive Territory and the White Asparagus Territory have reached an agreement with the Golden Sunflower Territory on the ransom for the two viscounts. It is estimated that Viscount Isold and Viscount Leo will soon be free!"
After Count Black announced the news, the tent immediately became lively, and the previously silent crowd began to chatter incessantly like ducks.
Baron Cassian was so happy that he began to dance with his bloated body. The other nobles were also curious as to why an agreement could be reached so easily in just a few days, considering that only eight days had passed since the two viscounts were defeated.
Knight Yellen pounded his breastplate a few times with his right hand, making a banging sound that covered the entire tent.
"Quiet! Count Black hasn't finished speaking yet!"
All the nobles fell silent again, preparing to continue listening to Count Black's speech.
"The second thing is that, considering that winter is approaching and the Olive Territory and White Asparagus Territory will continue to negotiate with the Golden Sunflower Territory, it is really not advisable for the punitive expedition to continue its offensive. I plan to temporarily disband the punitive expedition."
Apart from my troops and Viscount Piras's troops, all other families may retreat first. However, all the nobles who retreat first must provide supplies for our two armies. Does anyone have any other opinions?
After hearing this news, everyone looked at each other in surprise, not expecting that Count Black would suddenly disband the punitive expeditionary force.
One of the barons spoke up directly, asking, "Lord Black, this expedition was ordered by Grand Duke Silver Maple. If we retreat like this, won't we anger the Grand Duke?"
Count Black shook his head. "Maybe, but I'm not very confident that the expeditionary force can win. Even if we summon the nobles from the other two counties, there won't be enough time."
Therefore, I intend to leave a force to keep an eye on the army of Golden Sunflower Territory and prevent them from continuing to attack other territories.
As for the defeats of the Olive Territory and White Asparagus Territory armies, and the fall of Red Ginseng Territory, I will write to Silver Maple City and personally apologize to the Grand Duke. It has nothing to do with you!
Hearing Count Black say this, intending to take the blame himself, the other nobles were even less likely to raise any objections.
After all, in their view, the Golden Sunflower Territory was so powerful that even if the punitive expeditionary force won, they would suffer heavy losses. In addition, the spoils of war would be handed over to the duchy, so the effort and reward were not commensurate. It would be better for them not to fight this battle.
Seeing that no one had raised any further objections, Count Black continued, "In that case, everyone can prepare for the troop withdrawal as soon as possible. Baron Charles of Perilla Territory, please stay. I have something to tell you."
Thus, apart from Baron Charles, all the other nobles left the tent one after another.
Baron Charles suddenly knelt down before Count Black.
"Count Black, please protect the Perilla Territory! That Viscount Golden Sunflower will not let me go!"
"Don't worry, Baron Charles, I will not give up Perilla Territory. I said before that my troops would not withdraw. They will be stationed in Perilla Territory to help you defend the troops in Golden Sunflower Territory."
"That's good! That's good!"