After telling Amerson to get out, Paul and others continued to stay in Reception Room, and summoned Government Affairs Council and other senior officials in the army.
Now this is directly transformed into a combat meeting.
"Kent Family must pay the price!" After hearing what the Kent Family messenger had done, the officers became excited.
Lakeheart Town has already given in to such an extent, and it is simply a shame and humiliation for the other party to go even further and make such excessive demands.
After careful discussion, several decisions were quickly reached:
1. Strengthen investigation in border areas and be alert to Emden's movements at all times; 2. Department of Intelligence do its best to collect intelligence on Emden, from information on high-level personnel to the gathering and mobilization of troops;
3. Based on the current independent musket company, form the third Infantry Battalion, with Schroeder's former guard Joyce serving as Battalion Commander; 4. Staff Department further strengthen the training of Militia and directly supplement it to the regular army when necessary; 5. Order the navy to be prepared for war so that it can go ashore at any time to support the army's actions.
In fact, if you want to start a war immediately, the troops currently stationed at Lakeheart Town can set off in two hours. After all, Emden is right next to Arda in the south, so there is no need for long-term preparations like a long-distance expedition.
This is the advantage of the Standing Army. For small-scale, short-distance operations, thousands of people can assemble and depart at any time.
But his opponent Earl Kent was different. Paul concluded that although the opponent's overall strength was very strong, if he wanted to fight a decent war between lords, he would have to spend 1 to 2 weeks to assemble the army.
This makes people very confused. Should I lead the army first to catch the opponent by surprise? Or should we just wait for the Kent Family to slowly gather his troops and fight?
If he had fought first, he would probably have stung a hornet's nest. After all, Kent Family had not caused any substantial harm to him. It would be morally untenable for him to attack first. If Duke Ferdinand and a large number of the Duke's vassals behind him were offended, that would not be good.
But if I just give up my speed advantage and get beaten passively, it seems quite stupid to think about it. Aren't military strategists at home and abroad in ancient and modern times emphasizing that "soldiers are more valuable and faster"?
A group of officers led by Bryce looked at Paul longingly. "Lord Greiman, let's fight there first!"
But after thinking about it again and again, Paul still felt more conservative. After all, Greiman Family was His Majesty the King's direct vassal in the northwest. Kent Family had to think carefully if he really wanted to make his own move.
The possibility of war breaking out is not 100%.
Therefore, at the end of the meeting, in addition to the five measures above, Paul only ordered the implementation of martial law in Arda and Bairdin, but did not order a declaration of war on Emden.
The lord of Emden resides in Bairan Castle. There is no town or farm here. There is only a lonely castle. The members of the Kent Family and their servants live in this castle.
Amerson was waiting in the hall slightly uneasily, pacing back and forth.
Finally, footsteps came from the corridor, and a figure soon appeared in the hall.
He bowed to the figure and said, "Uncle Kent."
Earl Kent seemed to be in a good mood. He walked to the table and sat down. Immediately, a servant brought twice as much wine, one glass was placed in front of the count, and the other was placed in front of Amerson.
"Little Amerson, tell me how our Earl Greiman responded."
Amerson looked at Earl Kent and hesitated to speak.
"What's wrong?"
The earl sensed something was wrong from Amerson's expression. Could it be that the young lord rejected the conditions he proposed? Haha, how could it be possible?
However, Amerson's words finally confirmed his guess just now.
"Uncle Kent, Greiman rejected your request! Sorry, I am too incompetent."
Amerson said with an extremely guilty expression on his face.
After hearing these words, the expression on Earl Kent's face gradually stiffened.
"How dare he... how dare he..."
The earl repeated these words with a slightly incredulous expression on his face.
Soon, he ordered the servant next to him, "Call Jia Ais over."
Soon, Jia Ais, who was practicing swordsmanship just now, arrived here.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the hall was a bit dull, he asked doubtfully, "Father, Amerson, what happened?"
The Earl had a stiff face and did not answer. Amerson on the side said, "Greiman Family rejected Uncle Kent's request."
Jia Ais knew why his father had that expression. He also sat down and asked, "Father, what is your decision?"
The count turned to Amerson and said, "Little Amerson, first tell us the details of your meeting with Greiman."
Amerson breathed a long sigh of relief, carefully controlled his expression, and began to talk about the "experience" of his meeting with Paul.
"... I have repeatedly emphasized that this is already a little leniency given to him by Uncle Kent. It is just a small punishment for him to do things without permission..."
"... But Greiman still refused arrogantly. It seems that he has been dazzled by the previous victory..."
"... His officials are all extremely arrogant, saying they want to give Kent Family some color..."
Amerson spent nearly half an hour describing the "process" of meeting Paul to the Kents.
As he spoke, the expressions on the Kents' faces became increasingly ugly.
After Amerson finished his statement, Jia Ais looked at his father. "Are we going to punish Greiman Family?"
"Of course!"
The Count almost growled, giving his son a positive answer without hesitation.
He stared at Jia Ais in a firm tone and said, "The reason why Kent Family is able to gain a foothold in the northwest is because other families are afraid of us."
"For the family's enemies, if we can't defeat them in a week, it will take a month. If we cannot defeat them in a month, it will take a year. If we cannot defeat them in a year, it will take ten years. We can tolerate it temporarily, we can lie dormant for a long time, but we will never forget the enemy."
"It is precisely because of this that, except Lord Duke Ferdinand, who in Northwest Bay dares to refuse Kent Family's request, and who dares to be disrespectful to the Kent Family?"
"If Greiman Family is let go this time and he is allowed to insult us without punishment, then other families and associations will follow suit, and we will eventually become a second-rate family in the northwest, and the image we have established before will disappear."
"In short, Greiman must be punished!"
Jia Ais nodded. "I understand, father."
A sneer appeared on Earl Kent's face, revealing his sharp and long canine teeth, and he said sullenly, "Humph! The current Greiman Family is not worthy of us being patient. His little strength now cannot withstand our blow."
"Jia Ais!"
"Father, please give me an order." Jia Ais responded immediately, his father was about to give an order.
"You immediately summon half of the knights in the territory and inform the vassals of the family that you must recruit at least 2,000 people for me Soldiers. Everyone must gather at Bairan Castle within three weeks."
"Yes, I'll do it right away."
The earl then told Amerson: "I heard that you also studied military affairs when you were at Royal Capital. I will ask you to be Jia Ais's deputy this time."
Amerson immediately stood up and said, "Uncle Kent, I will help you teach Greiman a lesson."
The count picked up the wine glass and drank all the wine. Then he let go and the glass fell to the ground and shattered.
"Greiman, this is your future fate!"