Preparations Complete
Over the next few days, Lucas, Felin, and several other scouts personally selected and dispatched by Richter, with their rich experience in the mountains and forests, camouflage skills, and extraordinary courage, carefully and meticulously surveyed the target area.
A few days later, the scouts, weary from their journey but with sharp eyes, returned one after another, bringing back valuable firsthand intelligence.
Richter immediately compiled and verified their verbal reports, and, comparing them with the sketches drawn by the scouts from memory and with simple tools, organized clerks skilled in drawing to quickly produce a relatively detailed map of the terrain and strongholds.
At this moment, the atmosphere was heavy in the small but quiet study in the castle.
Karl, Brendan, Roland, Edgar, and others, along with the newly arrived Elmont, gathered around a small wooden table that had been temporarily moved in.
On the table lay the reconnaissance map, still bearing fresh ink and charcoal marks, next to which lay Richter's concise war report.
Karl's gaze swept across the map, his finger lightly tapping over the locations marked with different symbols and colors as Richter explained.
His brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed, conveying a sense of knowing "I knew it."
"You wouldn't know unless you checked, but we've found out we have quite a few 'neighbors' around us." Karl's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
On the map, markers representing Sauron settlements or strongholds are scattered throughout, mainly concentrated at the confluence of several river valleys and in relatively open areas within the forest.
Brendan leaned closer, carefully examining the markings that indicated approximate population figures, and said in a deep voice:
"Yes, the population is denser than we expected. However," he pointed to the numerical analysis, "Look here, Camp One, estimated at over three hundred, but only fifty or sixty are armored and capable of fighting; Camp Two, around four hundred, with seventy or eighty warriors; Camps Three and Four are about the same size..."
"The largest camp, Camp Five, is near the tributary called the ' Blackwater River,' and has about five hundred people. More than a hundred of them are soldiers. The rest are small villages with dozens or at most a hundred people. I estimate that each village can only muster a dozen or so men who can carry weapons. The real tough nut to crack is the one up in the mountain."
His finger moved to a location marked with a striking red triangle on the edge of the map, next to which was a note. "Suspected military camp, number of personnel unknown, strategically important location."
"This barracks on Gray Wolf Mountain is a problem," Brendan continued. "The scouts dare not get too close, they have only observed the general terrain and access routes from a distance. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. We have no idea how many people are inside or what their equipment is."
Karl nodded, his gaze lingering on the red triangle for a moment before shifting away.
"Never mind that for now," Karl said decisively. "This time we're fighting a 'guerrilla' war, a 'mobile war,' which is all about quick in and out, hitting and running. Our primary objective is to eliminate these settlements and camps scattered across the plains and valleys that pose a more direct threat to us."
"We'll first occupy Gray Wolf Valley, then build fortifications using the natural defenses of the valley entrance. We'll also leave an elite force to monitor the Sauron soldier on Gray Wolf Mountain day and night. In this way, we can completely eliminate any worries about our rear and won't have to worry about our escape route being cut off."
"Once we've cleared out all the outer outposts at the foot of the mountain, we can then figure out how to deal with this tough nut to crack up on the mountain."
"It would be best if it could send soldiers down the mountain. We could then wait in comfort and lay a trap at the valley entrance. If it stays on the mountain and doesn't come out, once we've exhausted all its supplies and resources down below, it will be trapped like a turtle in a jar, unable to continue its supply. At that point, we can calmly discuss whether to launch a full-scale attack or besiege it."
"If it's really too tough to crack, it's okay to give up. As long as we clear out the area below the mountain, its isolated barracks won't cause any big trouble."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Karl's division of priorities was clear and reasonable, and his strategy of avoiding the strong and attacking the weak was the wisest choice given the current troop strength and situation.
"Edgar, how are the logistical preparations going?" Karl turned to the Civil Administrator.
Edgar was well-prepared. He took out a small notebook from his pocket, opened it, and read aloud, "Reporting to Your Excellency, the provisions and supplies are basically ready. Based on the standard of 700 men setting out and the expected combat and round trip taking a maximum of 15 days, we have prepared enough food to last them for a month, with ample reserves."
"If the war is unexpectedly prolonged, there is still emergency grain stored in the warehouse, and a second batch of laborers can be organized for emergency transport. This time, one thousand strong laborers from within the territory have been conscripted, along with fifty horse-drawn carriages and two hundred handcarts, to transport grain, arrows, medicine, tools, and possible spoils of war."
He paused, a smile appearing on his face, "Furthermore, Mr. Grimm heard about our operation and offered his help. Many of his caravans and hired hunters and farmers have also suffered attacks from the Sauron Tribe in the border region, losing some manpower and goods."
"He hoped that we could eliminate these threats as soon as possible so that his hunting, gathering, and prospecting teams in the mountains would be safer. Therefore, he generously provided thirty freight wagons and corresponding drivers, without charging a penny, only requesting that his caravan have the right of first refusal to purchase any furs, mountain goods, etc., captured after the war."
"In this way, our total transport capacity will reach eighty horse-drawn carriages and two hundred handcarts, which is more than enough to guarantee the success of this operation."
Upon hearing this, Karl's face revealed a genuinely relaxed smile.
Grimm, this shrewd businessman, always had such a keen sense of opportunity that he knew when to gamble, both doing favors and paving the way for his own business.
"Very good, Edgar. I trust you to handle things. Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Grimm for his 'generous support' for the defense of the Northern Territory. As long as the furs and mountain goods captured after the war are not military supplies, his caravans should be given priority, and he should also receive some substantial discounts."
"Furthermore, he can also hire expeditions and hunters to enter the territories that the Sauron have withdrawn from."
This is both a way of giving back and a means of solidifying the relationship with this important businessman.
"And what about the military, Brendan?" Karl turned his gaze to the Military Chief.
Brendan straightened his back and reported the already prepared plan, "Sir, the participating troops have been selected: the First Regiment Third Battalion and the Second Regiment First Battalion. Although the Third Battalion is newly established, it is well-trained and has high morale, and it needs real combat experience; the First Battalion consists of veterans reorganized from the former Border defense, who are experienced and reliable in combat."
"The two battalions are mixed, with a mix of new and experienced recruits. This not only meets your intention of 'training soldiers through combat,' but also ensures that the overall combat effectiveness will not fluctuate significantly due to an excessive number of new recruits. The two battalions, at full strength, total 720 men, slightly exceeding your requirement of 700, but considering the potential non-combat casualties and reserve needs, this size is just right."
"The soldiers are in good condition, their equipment has been inspected and distributed, and they are awaiting orders."