Tying Down the Enemy

Just as Foss returned to Stone Castle and was about to send a messenger to summon the troops, Steward Boon found him.

"Foss Regiment, this is a letter that just arrived. You've just returned, come and see if it's a new order from the Viscount?"

Foss took the small mailbox that Steward Boon gave him and joked, "Steward Boon, you can just open it yourself. There's no need to wait for me to come back."

Steward Boon shook his head seriously. "According to Lord Victor's orders, such urgent letters can only be opened when both of us are present. This matter cannot be taken lightly."

Foss smiled after hearing this. He knew that the old steward was that kind of person, having followed two lords and taking these matters very seriously.

However, Foss was just joking; he certainly wouldn't open the letter himself when Steward Boon wasn't around.

After opening the mailbox, Foss took out the letter directly. The mailbox was very small and was delivered by pigeon, so the letter was also very small, containing only a few dozen words. Foss scanned it and read it all at once.

After reading it, Foss was immediately invigorated. He handed the letter directly to Boon, Boon was wondering why Foss was so emotional. But after reading the contents of the letter, he burst out laughing.

"The Viscount has returned and is beginning to log in at the pre-set landing point."

Foss suddenly slapped his forehead. "No wonder the First Legion's fleet didn't stop to prepare for an attack on the territory. They must have received news of the Viscount's landing and continued sailing south in order to get to Suffolk County as quickly as possible."

Boon found Foss's words quite reasonable, and it seemed that the enemy that had been troubling them for several days could be temporarily put aside.

However, Boon was somewhat worried. "Foss, could you do something to help Lord Yi? I think we still have a few ships. Could we slow down the First Legion's march?"

"No, Steward Boon, our ships are either small boats or slow transport ships, and they can't even Bed Crossbow. If you ask me to use these things to interfere with the Duchy's First Legion, it will only make my men sacrifice themselves in vain."

Boon knew that his idea was indeed a bit unreasonable, so he just sighed and found a chair to sit down.

Foss felt a pang of sadness looking at Steward Boon head was full of white hair and whose face was filled with regret. He knew that Steward Boon did not intend for him to sacrifice his subordinates; he was probably just worried about the lord.

Even Foss himself thought of the well-disciplined troops on the fleet's deck and muttered to himself, "Viscount, you must be very careful. This First Legion is no easy enemy to deal with. They are far stronger than the Fifth Legion mentioned in the original intelligence."

After a while, Foss suddenly slammed his hand on the table. "I've got an idea, Steward Boon. We can still help the Viscount."

Boon quickly asked, "What method?"

Foss pulled over a map, pointed to a point on it, and said to Boon, "Look, Steward Boon, there are several Eastern Coalition of Nobles troops here to the east, and there are also some to the north and west. To the south, because of the Blackwater River, there are currently no enemy troops."

According to our intelligence, the enemy to the north is mainly composed of nobles from our Boler County, with a force of about 5,000 men in a regiment; the enemy to the west is also mainly composed of nobles from Boler County, but with a much smaller force, about 3,000 men in three battalions; the enemy to the east is the largest, mainly composed of nobles from Cambridge County and Suffolk County, with a force of about three regiments.

Given that we have many allies in Boler County, we have fewer defensive forces in the north and west, relying mainly on the fortresses we have built, totaling 3 detachments of 1,500 men.

The majority of our forces are tied down in the east; a total of 5,000 men, including six detachments and two militia battalions, are here.

There are also 2 detachments and 2 militia brigades as Reserve Force.

The enemy forces to the east were not all gathered together. One part was located near the Blackwater River in Perilla Territory, consisting of only four battalions; the other part was stationed on both sides of the main road to the north of Perilla Territory, with a force of eight battalions.

As you know, Steward Boon, the Viscount has landed in Suffolk County, and these Suffolk County troops will likely be recalled to their territories soon.

I plan to strike first, targeting a portion of the enemy forces and concentrating superior troops to inflict heavy losses, thus tying down their army and preventing them from returning smoothly to Suffolk County. This will certainly alleviate some of the pressure on His Excellency.

Steward Boon looked in the direction Foss was pointing and nodded in agreement. It was indeed a good idea, and it would definitely help the lord. It was also more realistic than directly attacking the First Legion's fleet.

"However, Foss Regiment, which group of enemies do you intend to target? The four battalions closest to the river or the eight battalions on the north side?"

Foss pressed his finger directly on the map. "Of course, it's the eight battalions on the north side. These four battalions are mainly composed of the army of Perilla Territory, so they are not so easy to deal with."