February 13th, Monolith Castle, meeting room on the second floor.
Laurist used a slender wooden stick to point at the map of his family's territory hanging on the wall. "Everyone has heard Mayor Duboff's introduction of the situation with the Mountain Barbarians. In terms of overall combat power, a hundred thousand Mountain Barbarians can't even compare to Duke Fisablun's Ranger Legion. Whether it's in terms of organization or armaments, the Norton Family has an overwhelming advantage over the Mountain Barbarian army. In the past, we didn't find trouble with the Mountain Barbarians mainly because they didn't go down the mountain to provoke us. Another reason was that we didn't have time to play hide-and-seek with them.
But now, they're here, and it's said that they have an army of more than a hundred thousand. Perhaps they still think that we're like the scattered northern lords of the past. A hundred thousand Mountain Barbarian army? They might think that they can strut around in the north. But to us now, they're just meat on a plate. We should sharpen our swords and see where to start the slaughter. "
Laurist's words caused the family knights to roar with laughter. After the laughter subsided, Laurist continued, "I've never taken the threat of the Mountain Barbarians seriously. It's not that I'm ignorant or that I don't understand the ins and outs of the Mountain Barbarians. On the contrary, it's because I know them too well that I'm confident. Let alone a hundred thousand Mountain Barbarians, even if there were another hundred thousand, they wouldn't be a threat to our family.
From the Lancang River to the eastern region of the north, the border with the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range is close to a thousand miles. If the Mountain Barbarians really wanted to invade the north, it would be difficult for us to guard against them. But according to the historical records of the Mountain Barbarians invading the north in the past hundred years, there are only two areas that have been truly pillaged and destroyed by the Mountain Barbarians. The first is our family's original territory, and the second is the eastern region of the north. These two areas are where the Mountain Barbarians are most active in pillaging.
Ever since the Kenneth family took control of the eastern region of the north, they've used carrots and sticks to deal with the Mountain Barbarians. They've set up trading points at the border and opened trading companies that specialize in trading with the Mountain Barbarians. They've bought the Mountain Barbarian specialties at a fair price and sold all kinds of exquisite daily necessities, so that the Mountain Barbarians could obtain the goods and goods they needed without pillaging. Then, he used the method of sowing discord, using the trading companies to sow discord between the mountain barbarian tribes, making them hostile to each other and unable to unite.
As for the mountain barbarian tribes that pillaged as their second nature, they used the method of hiring and bribing other mountain barbarian tribes to attack them, using the results of the battle to obtain the high bounty offered by the Kemus family. At the same time, they mobilized the family's armed forces to pursue and attack these mountain barbarian tribes that pillaged as their second nature, wiping them out or forcing them to migrate elsewhere, so that they could no longer pose a threat to the eastern region of the north. In such a short period of five to six years, the mountain barbarian tribes no longer descended the mountains to invade the eastern region of the Northern Lands. The border was peaceful.
Facts had shown that the strategy adopted by the Kenz Family against the mountain barbarian tribes was very effective. Even the special products and medicinal ingredients of the Demonic Dragon Mountain that the mountain barbarian tribes traded with the trading firm had become a large source of income for the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce. I couldn't help but admire the Kenneth family's foresight and shrewdness in doing business. As expected of a business family.
However, our Norton family had no way of learning the strategy of dealing with the mountain barbarian tribes from the Kenneth family because we didn't have the time. The mountain barbarian army would arrive soon. We had the same opportunity in the past, but we didn't pay much attention to it at that time. The family's armed forces were fighting everywhere, and we were already swamped with work.
Mayor Duboff had just introduced the situation of the Habi Baba tribe that bordered our family's territory. This was a mountain barbarian tribe with a population of two to three hundred thousand. The chief of the tribe was Big Basen, who was equivalent to a Grand Duke in our kingdom. He also ruled over twenty mountain barbarian tribes that were vassals. With the custom of the mountain barbarian tribes, it wasn't a rumor that they had mobilized over a hundred thousand mountain barbarian troops.
Although there were rumors in the eastern region of the north that the mountain barbarian army had descended the mountains to pillage, they were basically told to us by the mountain barbarians that came to trade. Even those mountain barbarians spread this matter as a story. Because that area wasn't within the Habi Baba tribe's sphere of influence, the mountain barbarian tribes there didn't have any thoughts of responding to the Habi Baba tribe, nor did they mobilize any troops. From this, we can be certain that the eastern region of the north won't be plundered by the mountain barbarian tribes this time. We need to remain vigilant, but there's no need to be too nervous.
The Red River Plains had already been developed from the eastern region of the north to Boulder castle. However, the region between the Red River Plains and the Demonic Dragon Mountains was several hundred kilometers of black forest. The boundless black forest formed a natural boundary. It was impossible for the mountain barbarian army to break through from this direction, unless they were willing to spend two or three months to open up a path through the black forest. This was also the reason why the Red River Plains had never been invaded by mountain barbarian tribes in the past century.
Our clan has already developed the Black Mud Swamp on this side of the territory. We've built a defensive wall from the Turtle Mountain fortress to the Crouching Bull fortress. The third and fourth battalion of the imperial army are stationed there, while the two mountain towns are right in front of the defensive wall. This direction is also the most convenient path for the mountain barbarian army to take. In the past, the mountain barbarian tribes had plundered our territory from here. Now that we have this wall and complete defensive facilities, we have enough confidence that we can stop the mountain barbarian army outside the wall.
If the mountain barbarian army's path is blocked by the defensive wall, they'll definitely find another direction to break through. The distance between the Crouching Bull fortress and Boulder castle is almost a hundred kilometers of black forest. However, this is the border of the forest, so it's most likely for the mountain barbarian army to break through here and directly reach the Plentiful Joy Plains. As a result, this region will be the Flying Tiger army's hunting ground. All the mountain barbarians who emerge from the black forest will be your prey. I don't wish to hear news of the mountain barbarian army attacking the various villages in the Plentiful Joy Plains … "
The Ferocious Tiger Ross stood up and placed his hand on his chest. "Your highness, the Flying Tiger army definitely won't disappoint you. We guarantee that not a single mountain barbarian will escape."
Laurist nodded at him, indicating for him to sit down. "I believe in your guarantee, and I also believe in the battle prowess of the Flying Tiger army. I'll leave this region to you. As for Terman's Furious Bear Knights, move to the Turtle Mountain fortress. After blocking the mountain barbarian army's path with the defensive wall, once you discover that the mountain barbarians have split up, attack from the Turtle Mountain fortress and circle around to the mountain barbarian army's path of retreat along the Blue Azure river. Completely crush the mountain barbarian army that's lingering in front of the defensive wall. "
"Yes, your highness." Terman stood up, expressing his acceptance of this order.
Laurist then pointed at the eastern region of the north on the map. "I've already ordered knight Vasimir to temporarily act as the commander of the Hunting Cavalry. The Hunting Cavalry suffered heavy losses in the attack in the Muye province this time, but the remaining soldiers can still be assembled into an army. This army will be responsible for defending against the mountain barbarian tribes in the eastern region of the north. As for the villages in the Plentiful Joy Plains, Xingan Plains, and Red River Plains, they'll have to enter level two combat readiness after harvesting the winter wheat after the rainy season. They'll have to step up their combat readiness as well as carry out the spring ploughing. They'll also have to establish an emergency garrison, ready to provide support to the frontlines at any time. Baron Shredder will be in charge of this. "
Fatty Shi stood up. "Yes, your highness."
"Next, there's good news." Laurist pointed at the map of his family's territory again. "It's right here."
Laurist was pointing at the Black Forest between the Crouching Dragon stronghold and Monolith Castle. He picked up a quill, dipped it in red ink, and drew a red circle on the map. "This is the hilly area within the Black Forest. There's also a large stream bank. The diagonal line is over forty kilometers from Monolith Castle, and over thirty kilometers from Crouching Dragon stronghold. After several years of investigation, Mayor Dubeuf confirmed that there's a large gold mine here. He reported this discovery to the family.
However, the hill where the gold mine is located is currently occupied by a mountain barbarian tribe of twenty to thirty thousand people. This mountain barbarian tribe called Valisingo is also a vassal tribe of the Habibaba tribe. In other words, this time, the Habibaba tribe has sent out a large number of troops to invade the Norton family's territory, and the Valisingo tribe will accompany them. As such, our objective this time is not only to defeat the mountain barbarian army, but also to take advantage of this opportunity to occupy the hills in the Black Forest and seize the gold mine.
Here, let me remind everyone that in this battle against the mountain barbarian army, the family's contributions will not be based on the number of casualties, but on the number of mountain barbarian prisoners of war you capture. The reason for this is very simple. The family is extremely lacking in free labour. After the Madras Duchy was destroyed, the over two hundred thousand prisoners of war who surrendered to us have already served two years of labour. This year is the third year, and next year, they will be free. The roads and water conservancy in the Delemark province have been greatly improved due to their hard work. This year, the mission of these two hundred thousand prisoners of war is to finish the work and complete the development of the Delemark province.
However, we have defeated the Fisablen family and obtained the Winston and Southern provinces. These two provinces are in a mess, and there are still many development and construction projects that require a large amount of labour. Although we have captured over a hundred thousand enemies, there are still many injured soldiers among them. Compared to the work that needs to be done in these two provinces, this amount of labour is not considered much.
Now that the entire north has become the Norton family's territory, the most urgent matter is to redesign all of the transportation facilities so that the entire north can be transported more conveniently and quickly, reducing the mileage and schedule. We really need free labour, and even if we occupy the gold mine, we will still need labour to dig it out. So this time, if the mountain barbarian army has a hundred thousand soldiers, I hope to capture at least sixty thousand strong mountain barbarian youths, so that they can contribute to the development of our territory. "
The commander of the Flying Tiger Army's Chariot and Crossbow Division, the Golden Knight Dolles, stood up. "Your Highness, will the mountain barbarians we captured this time also serve three years of labour before they obtain their freedom?"
Laurist shook his head. "They are not soldiers of the former empire. Unlike us, these mountain barbarians will have to serve in our family's territory for eight to ten years. Only when they acknowledge our way of life and wish to live in our family's territory will they be willing to become citizens of our family. Only then will they obtain freedom. Otherwise, they will have to spend the rest of their lives in labor."
Dolles heaved a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, I am relieved now. I have always been worried that if these mountain barbarians also obtain their freedom after serving three years of labour, then where will we go to capture a large number of free labour for the family?"
Everyone laughed at Dolles' words.
The Ferocious Tiger Ross stood up and asked, "Your Highness, is the Flying Tiger Army in charge of occupying the hills where the gold mine is located?"
"No, you are only assisting." Loriste pointed at Aire and Redi. "Originally, I had planned to have Aire and Redi take over the hunting cavalry, but because of the matter with the gold mine, I have decided to have the two of them lead the battalion of guards as the main force of the attack. At the same time, I have transferred over the seventh and eighteenth battalions of the royal guard battalion to be responsible for the defence of the hills after taking over the gold mine.
The Flying Tiger Army had almost lost an entire division in the great battle in the southern province at the end of last year, so this time, you will be responsible for the mission I have just given you. You will sweep through the area between the Crouching Bull Hill stronghold and Monolith Castle and sweep through all the mountain barbarians that have emerged from the Black Forest. As for the attack on the hills where the gold mine is located, leave it to Aire and Redi to lead the battalion of guards and the two battalions of the royal guard battalion. "
"Your Highness, I understand." The Ferocious Tiger Ross sat down again.
"Although I want you to capture as many mountain barbarians as possible to serve as labour, I am not asking you to take risks. An army of a hundred thousand mountain barbarians is not scary. We can defeat them. However, we need to be careful. Every single mountain barbarian soldier is extremely brave and valiant. Even when they are outnumbered, they will often fight to the end and take pride in dying on the battlefield. At the same time, I do not wish for you to place the soldiers of your clans in danger for the sake of capturing captives.
The best way to deal with these mountain barbarian soldiers is to defeat the brave warriors among them and defeat them in single combat. This will cause their morale to plummet, making them unable to muster the determination to resist to the end. Mountain barbarian soldiers have always revered strength and believe that single combat is the most sacred. They will not use poison arrows in single combat. We can use this to our advantage. After surrounding the enemy, we will use the outcome of the single combat as a condition. If we win, they will surrender. If they win, they will be released. Only then can we make the mountain barbarian soldiers obediently become our captives.
This is the strategy for dealing with the mountain barbarian tribes. If there are any changes that need to be made, I will inform everyone separately. It is February right now, so I estimate that the mountain barbarian army will descend the mountains in May. There are still three months left. After winter, it will be the rainy season. After the rainy season, we still need to harvest winter wheat and plough the fields in spring. As a result, everyone must seize the time to rest and train when you return. If there is anything you need, you can submit a report to Baron Shredder. He is the chief logistics supervisor in charge of dealing with the mountain barbarian army this time. "
After Laurist made his final report, the strategy meeting for dealing with the mountain barbarian tribes concluded. Everyone returned to their posts and began to prepare for battle. Laurist prepared a horse and led a large group of guards to the eastern region of the north. He wanted to see the crippled Hunting Cavalry and the two commanders, Josk and Yuri, who were currently recuperating.
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