Post-War Council

In the large tent at the center of the allied army, dozens of candles made the interior as bright as day. Robb and the others were currently discussing matters after the battle.

"Robb, we eliminated about two thousand enemy soldiers. Over four hundred heavy cavalry, over four hundred light cavalry, and over one thousand one hundred peasant infantry. The number of prisoners is also close to two thousand."

Theon had already sent people to compile the battle situation, reporting the enemy and our casualties. As soon as the discussion began, he spoke up, "Oh, and the medical team you specifically added was truly wise. With their timely rescue, the mortality rate of our wounded has greatly decreased!"

"Mm, this effect was within my expectations. The South has had medical teams for a long time. Continue,"

Robb nodded and gestured for him to continue his report.

"Of the peasant infantry we conscripted earlier, over two thousand seven hundred were killed, leaving about one thousand two hundred.

Winterfell's spearmen had two hundred killed, infantry two hundred and fifty, cavalry eighty, and over four hundred wounded with varying degrees of severity."

"Even with such casualties after careful preparation, House Bolton, as one of the oldest families in the North, is indeed extraordinary."

Robb shook his head as he listened. He was somewhat dissatisfied with these casualties. Despite his best efforts in troop deployment and formation, the losses were still significant. This could only mean that House Bolton's elite troops truly possessed remarkable combat power.

"In this battle, we captured nearly five hundred sets of heavy cavalry armor, nearly five hundred sets of light cavalry armor, and over seven hundred warhorses. We also acquired three thousand sets of standard infantry equipment and weapons.

House Bolton truly lives well in the North, relying on the mineral resources of the Lone Mountain!"

After finishing the report on the spoils of war, Theon couldn't help but exclaim.

"Mm, have the logistics troops begin organizing and loading these spoils. We'll need them shortly after a bit of tidying up,"

Robb nodded with satisfaction as he spoke about the spoils of war.

Seeing that Theon had finished his report, Count Rickard, who had his own agenda, was the first to speak. "Lord Robb, the information we obtained from interrogating the prisoners indicates that there are at most a little over a thousand soldiers left in Dreadfort. When do you think we should begin the siege?"

"Everyone has seen the siege situation these past few days. Dreadfort is easy to defend and difficult to attack. A forced assault would not be worth the cost,"

Robb shook his head. He had no intention of a frontal assault.

"Then let's forge a false report of captured prisoners defecting, lure them out to assist, and then annihilate them in one fell swoop."

Theon, sitting next to Count Rickard, offered his suggestion at the opportune moment.

Theon actually had some ideas, but they were still too naive!

Just as Robb was about to reject his suggestion, the surrounding Winterfell officers, to his surprise, began to praise it.

"Great idea!"

"Yes, we can do that. That way, we won't have to force our way in."

"Theon, not bad!"

Robb, somewhat taken aback, stared dumbfoundedly at Theon, who was getting a bit carried away with the praise.

He suddenly understood why, during the Battle of the Whispering Woods, Jaime was lured out to pursue by two to three hundred men disguised as House Tully cavalry.

It was because the tactical awareness of Westerosi generals was too crude!

As a renowned general of the North, Roose Bolton was known for his cunning.

Yet, even such a person was played by the young Robb.

To trap Roose, Robb first used Ramsay to lure him into the trap and feigned weakness.

Then, he waited for the impatient Northern nobles to come forward as the apparent target, executing a strategy of "openly repairing the plank roads while secretly crossing the Chencang."

Finally, he employed some small tricks from ancient Chinese battlefields, completely countering House Bolton's cavalry.

Therefore, it wasn't Robb's wisdom that defeated Roose, but rather he used the wisdom of his Chinese ancestors to defeat him.

However, looking at subordinates with this level of strategic thinking, future wars were worrying!

Currently, he could personally handle every battle. But in the future, when the front lines stretched and multiple fronts needed to advance simultaneously, the commanding generals must be able to make correct judgments based on the situation.

Otherwise, a single defeat could lead to a complete loss.

"Ahem! My father once taught me tactical experience and analyzed Roose Bolton."

Robb coughed lightly, interrupting the heated discussion in the tent. Seeing everyone's eyes turn towards him, he continued, "My father said that Roose's combat style was like a viper hidden in the dark, adept at preserving its strength and then striking with a fatal blow when the enemy showed a weakness."

"This time, we are throwing these four thousand peasant infantry, like prey full of weaknesses, to Roose to lure him in, and then severely wound him.

What do you think? Would such a viper, recently severely injured, lead his troops out of the city based on such an uncertain situation?"

Robb's words silenced everyone in the tent, completely dispelling the previous lively discussion.

"Then what should we do? Surround them and wait for them to run out of food and surrender automatically?"

Seeing the sudden quiet atmosphere in the tent with no one speaking, Theon, the king of flattery, took the initiative to ask.

"Mm, that is one method. Our ancestors of House Stark used it, besieging Dreadfort for two years, which led House Bolton to submit to us for the first time.

But do we currently have the provisions and energy to maintain such a siege? In war, besides the strength of the army, logistics and supply are equally important."

Robb smiled and nodded, praising him, and continued to guide their thinking on tactics.

"We have already eliminated most of House Bolton's elite forces, achieving our intended goal, so should we withdraw?

Lord Robb, do you think I am correct?"

Eddard, who had been following Robb during this period, had indeed made some progress.

After thinking for a moment, he stated his thoughts and then looked at Robb, awaiting his reply.

"Hmm, Eddard, that's very well put. However, if House Bolton were to invade your territory and defeat your guards, would they simply turn around and leave?"

Seeing that someone had finally grasped the concept, Robb patiently continued to guide him.

"Of course not, they would surely go around killing people, looting, and raping women."

Upon hearing the question, Eddard tilted his head, recalling the notorious reputation of House Bolton, and answered without hesitation.

Seeing that Eddard had hit the nail on the head, Robb continued, "So, after we withdraw our troops, what should we do?"

"Raid all the women in their territory, and then... hehehe!"

Theon, who had been listening quietly, his eyes lighting up at the topic Robb and Eddard were discussing, immediately interjected.

"Hehehe!"

"I support that idea!"

"Are we withdrawing tomorrow to go raiding?"

Hearing Theon's interruption, before Robb could even speak, the officers in the military tent let out knowing laughter, the kind only men would understand, and began to discuss amongst themselves.

"Ahem, we're discussing serious matters!"

Robb, finding Theon's comment both amusing and exasperating, cleared his throat again and said seriously, "Besides Dreadfort, House Bolton's greatest reliance is the mineral resources developed around Ironstone Town.

Since Dreadfort is like an iron turtle, tomorrow we will go to Ironstone Town and dig up this foundation of theirs.

Then he will only have two paths he can take.

Either he will come out for a decisive battle for the future development of House Bolton, or he will hunker down in Dreadfort and slowly wait for death."

"Brilliant, Lord Robb is truly brilliant!"

"Why didn't I think of something so simple?"

"Uh, actually, I was going to say we should raid the women and take Ironstone Town too."

As soon as Robb finished speaking, the military tent erupted once more with the officers' exclamations of admiration.

Listening to them exaggerate so much about a principle that even a student from Hua Country could understand, Robb couldn't help but cover his face with his right hand and dismiss the post-battle council for the day, telling them to go rest.

"Theon, you stay. I have something I need you to do."

Watching the officers leave the tent in small groups as soon as the meeting was dismissed, Robb called out to Theon.

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