Discussion in Silver Maple City
In Silver Maple City, Kimberley and Labia also sent messengers to inform the Grand Duke. They changed horses but not riders along the way and arrived in Silver Maple City in just two days and one night.
Maple Leaf Palace, Mora finished reading the battle report jointly signed by Kimberley and Labia with a gloomy face. However, this time he did not immediately lash out after reading it. Instead, he tossed it to Borei and Lagos, who were standing to the side.
"It seems our initial plan has failed. What are your thoughts on what to do next?"
After reading the battle report, Viscount Borey and Count Lagos both lowered their heads in thought.
In fact, the plan for Labia to lead the Seventh Legion to launch a preemptive strike was actually Mora's own idea. Count Lagos Viscount Borey opposed it, while Count Lagos acquiesced. However, both of them were prepared for the plan to fail, so they were not surprised to receive the battle report.
After a moment, Viscount Borey, considering that he was in charge of the War Department, felt it was time to say a few words.
"Your Majesty, your plan is actually not too bad. It did catch the Northern Frontier Allied Army off guard at the beginning."
I also believe what Count Kimberly said in the battle report; we were just a hair's breadth away from capturing White Earth City.
The final defeat was indeed due to bad luck; we didn't expect the enemy's vanguard to arrive faster than anticipated.
Having spent more time with Mora, Viscount Borey had become much more tactful. Even though he didn't support Mora's plan, he didn't point out Mora's problems this time. Instead, he attributed the failure to luck, which made Mora feel much better, and even his gloomy expression disappeared.
The Count Lagos, who was standing nearby, was also very surprised to hear what Viscount Borey said. It seemed that Viscount Borey had made considerable progress.
"What we should do now is to continue sending reinforcements to Sextus County. The Third Legion is on its way and is expected to arrive in Sextus County in five days to join the Fifth and Seventh Legion."
However, I do not recommend that they continue their attack on White Earth City; they should immediately begin defensive preparations.
After all, we also learned from the Silver Maple Secret Guard's report that the traitor Colt had already led his Northlands army out.
Based on the estimated time, the main force of the Northern Alliance Army has already reached the border of Bria County, and is only six or seven days away from White Earth City.
If they send one or two legions to speed up the march, they could reach White Earth City within three or four days.
At that time, the Northern Alliance Army Forces in White Earth City will have an advantage over us. To prevent them from pursuing the Fifth and Seventh Legions, Your Majesty, it would be better if you also sent a messenger to urge the Third Legion to speed up its march.
After Borre finished speaking, before Grand Duke Mora could express his opinion, Count Lagos stepped forward.
"Bo Leiqing's words are wise and prudent. Now is indeed not the time to fight a major battle with the Northern Alliance Army. Why don't His Majesty issue a decree to the three Legion Commander, instructing them to prepare for defense and wait for our main force to arrive?"
Hearing that both of them said this, Mora also felt that it made a lot of sense.
"Alright, I'll write to Buck of the Third Legion right away and ask him to speed things up."
"Also, give orders to Labia and Kimberley to prepare for defense and await the arrival of our main force."
After saying that, Mora took a pen and paper from the desk next to her and started writing.
Seeing this, Viscount Borey and Count Lagos were very satisfied, since it was definitely a good thing that Mora was listening to them at this time.
After Mora finished writing, he immediately arranged for his servant to deliver the letter and for a special messenger to send it on his behalf.
He looked at Viscount Borey again. "Then, Lord Borei, when can our main force set off?"
Without delay, Viscount Borey replied directly, "Your Majesty, the Allied Army legions of two Central nobles who will be sent to reinforce the Sextus County battlefield have also been dispatched, but it is estimated that it will take them 12 days to reach Sextus County."
My Imperial Guard Legion is ready, and we can depart at any time if needed.
Mora was very satisfied with Viscount Borey's answer and was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly thought of something.
"What about the First Legion? What are they doing? Shouldn't they be coming with me to Sextus County?"
"That's exactly what I was about to tell you. Your Majesty, do you still remember the mission of the Fifth Legion?"
Mora was taken aback by Viscount Borey's question. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "I remember that after Kimberley and Labia captured White Earth City, Kimberley led the Fifth Legion south to the Eastern Region to join forces with Count Black's eastern Coalition of Nobles. The two armies then worked together to wipe out that Golden Sunflower Family in the Eastern Region."
"That's right, but now the plan has gone wrong. The Fifth Legion not only failed to capture White Earth City, but also suffered considerable losses. The battle report said that at least six battalions were severely damaged."
Sending them south at this time is no longer appropriate. According to the intelligence sent back by the Silver Maple Secret Guard of the Northlands, the Viscount Golden Sunflower of the Northlands had already led his army south by boat three days ago.
He has at least 15 battalions with him. Once he successfully reaches the Golden Sunflower Family's territory in the Eastern Region, I don't think the current strength of the eastern nobles is enough to eliminate him. We must send a Duchy's Direct Legion.
The First Legion had already been redeployed to the border of Lincoln County and Wright County this winter. They are closer to the Eastern Region, their strength is better maintained, and they are best suited to participate in the fighting in the Eastern Region.
Mora nodded. "It's good that it's you, otherwise I would have forgotten about the Golden Sunflower Family. In that case, let the First Legion set off immediately and wipe out the Golden Sunflower Territory as soon as possible."
And let that old man Blake do his job properly; he became a laughingstock at the end of last year, he should be ashamed."
"Yes, I will issue an order from the War Department to mobilize the First Legion."
"Wait a minute? What about the Southern Region? We can't just leave Lloyd like that!"
Mora suddenly asked Viscount Borey, at which point Count Lagos suddenly interjected.
"The Southern Region is indeed difficult to handle. Lloyd's Iron Vine Family seized several key passes during the turmoil at the end of last year, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."
Throughout the winter, our Fourth Legion and the Southern Noble Coalition were locked in a stalemate with them, tying down a large number of our troops.
However, now that the weather is warming up, I don't think Lloyd is a big problem anymore.
Both Mora and Viscount Borey were very curious about what Count Lagos had to say and listened attentively.
Seeing that his words had caught the attention of the two men, the Count Lagos continued, "The nobles of Hampshire have sent me a joint letter. They will lead their troops north in the middle of the month to Coalition of Nobles with the Cornwall County nobles in launching an attack on the Iron Vine Family."
At that time, the Coalition of Nobles from the two counties would have three legions, plus the Fourth Legion, making a total of four legions. Dealing with a small Ironvine Territory would be a piece of cake.
"Those old fogies in Hampshire are finally ready to make their move. They used to be so stubborn!"
Mora was both pleased and puzzled. After all, the nobles of Hampshire had always used the excuse of defending against the East Sea Alliance to avoid participating even in the Civil War. Why were they so eager this time?
"This is directly related to Lloyd's actions. At the end of last year, during the invasion launched by the Iron Vine Family, two independent nobles were wiped out. Both the direct and collateral lines were massacred by Lloyd and his men."
This behavior was incomprehensible to the old-school nobles of Hampshire, since according to the Duchy's laws on the succession of nobles, the southern nobles, as the founding nobles, would never lose their lineage.
But Lloyd crossed the line, causing the lineage of two noble families to die out. This provoked the families of Hampshire, who decided to launch a campaign against the Iron Vine Family.
After the Count Lagos finished explaining, the two finally understood the whole story, which was good news for them in any case.
At least in the Southern Region, there's no need to worry anymore. Lloyd and his Iron Vine Family are absolutely no match for the combined attack of the southern nobles.