Food and Troop Deployment

Whether in the duchy's interior or the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier, even the lowest-ranking serfs began to sense the tense atmosphere throughout the world.

It's already March, winter isn't over yet, and this should have been the only rest time of the year for these serfs.

However, large numbers of serfs, dressed in only thin clothing, were driven out of their dilapidated houses without even beds and, under the command of the local civil officials and stewards, began to serve the army that was crossing the territory.

In the eyes of these serfs, these soldiers had a terrible attitude. If they were even a little slow, they would whip them without even bothering to curse them.

Fortunately, working for the army meant that at least we could get enough to eat, even if it was just the cheapest wheat porridge.

These serfs had been starving all winter, usually relying on snow water and Black Bread that tasted like wood. Now, by working for the army, they were able to eat a hot meal of wheat, and they were very grateful to these rough soldiers.

In this situation, countless serfs were mobilized to participate in the troop movements of both sides, which also caused problems in the territories of both sides.

The Freemen also noticed this tense atmosphere of war; after all, no one is blind, and anyone could see the sheer size of the Duchy Army.

The private armies of those independent nobles were also gathering; everyone knew that war was coming.

At this time, rumors began to circulate in the Central Region that the rebels of the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier had joined forces with the Barbarians.

They plan to march south in the spring and attack the heart of the principality, which will definitely affect spring planting, reduce grain production, and make grain prices at the end of the year even higher than last year.

Every Freemen in the Central Region vividly remembers the soaring food prices in the fall, and upon hearing this, how could anyone sit still at home?

Even with high prices in winter, people still bought food and stored it at home in preparation for the impending war.

However, this behavior also pushed up food prices. Freemen who bought food late might only have bought half the amount they had the day before. This upheaval lasted for half a month and eventually dissipated because the Freemen ran out of money.

Those grain merchants who had already made a fortune in the fall made another fortune with the remaining grain they had stored.

Meanwhile, Baron Pelei, a good friend of Grand Duke Mora, sold off half of the grain reserves that had been used as collateral, giving the previously depleted treasury a significant boost.

"Pelei, you really helped me a lot this time, thanks to your advice."

We spread rumors of war throughout our territories, and these Freemen were indeed fooled. This not only made up for the shortfall in military spending, but also provided me with the funds to build a new palace."

Mora was overjoyed and entertained his good friend and benefactor, Viscount Pele, at the Maple Leaf Palace.

Mora, holding a wine glass, pulled Pelei to drink with him. The two of them were very happy, their faces flushed.

"My lord, this tactic can indeed solve the current financial crisis, but it can only be used once."

After all, the Freemen have limited money, and this time we have wiped out their entire fortune through food.

If food production really does decline by the end of this year, many Freemen will probably starve to death.

"Just once is enough. I'm not a devil, I can't keep doing this. As long as we defeat Colt and his gang of rebels, I will follow your advice and implement a tax reduction policy in the Duchy's direct territory."

After Mora finished speaking, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, and Pelei nodded in agreement when he heard Mora's words.

Although his Grand Duke friend sometimes made foolish mistakes, he could listen to advice and at least trusted the people around him.

Otherwise, Pelei wouldn't have been able to reach his current position with Mora's trust; after all, talent is useless without opportunity.

Not to mention that he Prime Minister the prime minister and took control of the principality's finances, even the original Finance Minister was sent home.

While the two were enjoying their drinks, in the western city of Lavork, Turas was a guest at Count Sibeth's mansion.

"Legion Commander Turas, I have also received a letter from the Count Lagos. Knowing that the military situation is urgent, I will naturally help."

But as you know, the Noble Army in the western regions are also gathering, and these military supplies are not cheap now. Many things are available but priceless, and my abilities are really limited.

"How about this? I'll provide another 200 draft horses and matching wagons. That should somewhat meet the Sixth Legion's needs for rapid marches!"

"It hurts, "Count Sibeth said with a pained expression.

The commander of the Turas Legion Commander was very pleased. "Count Sibeth, you are indeed loyal to the country. With this aid, our Sixth Legion will definitely be able to arrive in Carn City sooner."

In his heart, he was complaining. "I am leading an entire army on a march. 200 draft horses can only make up 100 small wagons at most. What can that do?"

"You can't even pack enough supplies for a single regiment. You, a Count, have requisitioned tens of thousands of packhorses and draft horses from other Western nobles, and this is all you've contributed? You have the nerve to complain."

However, Turas only complained in his heart and couldn't say it out loud. After all, since he had communicated with Count Sibeth after arriving in the western region, he had come to understand the Count's stinginess and miserliness.

According to the agreement between Count Sibeth and Count Lagos, the materials for the reconstruction of the entire Sixth Legion were to be advanced by Count Sibeth. Normally, Turas should have asked Count Sibeth for the money.

However, Count Sibeth refused to pay for various reasons, and instead ordered Count Sibeth to purchase supplies for Turas and his Sixth Legion.

What they delivered were things like furry leather armor, rusty spears, and bows and arrows made of pine wood—completely unusable items.

If Turas hadn't argued his case, he would have suspected that Count Sibeth was going to turn the Sixth Legion into Serf Soldiers. The two argued for a long time before Turas finally managed to replenish the Sixth Legion.

If it weren't for the cooperation with Pelei, which allowed Turas to procure a batch of relatively inexpensive military equipment, Turas would have worried that the Sixth Legion might not be able to fight.

Receiving orders from the War Department and the Count Lagos is a good thing for Turas; at least he no longer has to deal with the Count Sibeth here.

The reason he came to see Count Sibeth today was partly to say goodbye before leaving, to fulfill his duty; and partly to try his luck, whether he got lucky or not.

It turned out that the Count Lagos's letter was indeed somewhat useful; Turas was quite satisfied to have managed to extract these things from the Count Sibeth.

After taking his leave, Turas took the horses and carriages from Count Sibeth's men and immediately organized his army to set off.

"My lord, why are you so happy?"

Sailik could tell that Turas was in a good mood today, so he asked directly.

"For me, nothing makes me happier than war. It is through war that we people have a reason to exist and that we people have the opportunity to rise in society."

"But, sir, please forgive my harsh words, aren't you afraid of suffering the same defeat as Cornwall County again?"

"What difference does it make if I'm scared or not? I was just unlucky that time. This time, I think I should be able to show my skills."

Turas already knew from Count Lagos's heart that his cheap teacher, Count Carter, was seriously ill, and that he could take over the power of the Second Legion as soon as he arrived in Carn City.

With the arrival of the Western Noble Alliance Army, and the sheer size of their forces, he was bound to achieve his goals in this Civil War.