Galinthea Continent Calendar 1786, 15th day of the ninth month, capital of the Northern Lands, Bearfury City.
Lollister, who had just returned from his vacation at Platinum Beach, immediately called for a meeting with the higher-ups of his family.
"… His Majesty's intention is to divide his forces into two. The four northern families will form a coalition and attack the Andvov and Podorg provinces from the Magick province. The second prince will gather the armed forces of Grand Duke Fisablun, Grand Duke Forrendo, Grand Duke Hansk, and Grand Duke Sabaji, as well as the allied forces of the nobles. They will be stationed in the two southwestern provinces and the Hunstermoss province.
The second prince will be responsible for clearing the northwest region and destroying the Principality of Zturam. Then, he will attack the Cambona province from both sides. Finally, he will send his troops to the Marivia and Armenia provinces of the Principality of Lulm. With the might of a million troops, he will force the Commerce Alliance to negotiate with us and return the two provinces to us. This will achieve the strategic goal of unifying the Empire. "
Lollister tapped on the large map hanging on the wall with a small wooden stick. "Our Majesty has set the time for this surprise attack in December. This is the real reason why he wants us, the Norton Family, to participate in this war. In winter, when the blizzard is raging, only the Norton Family's armed forces can complete this surprise attack mission. Using the harsh weather to wipe out two large provinces, no other armed forces can do it!
From this point, it could be said that the King knew his own limitations. He wasn't sure if his so-called Blizzard Assault Squad, which he had trained for three years, could complete the mission of clearing and raiding the Northwest region. So, we must be prepared. Perhaps after we complete the task of occupying the Andvov and Podorg provinces, we will continue to attack the Cambona province alone, and then head to the northwest region to help our Majesty destroy the Principality of Zturam. "
Fatty Shi grumbled, "He threw the toughest bone to our armed forces and picked a fat piece of meat for himself … Your Highness, we've done so much to help him unify the empire, but all we got in exchange for is the jurisdiction of Muyeyuan Province … Isn't that too much of a loss?"
Fatty Shi was right. The armed forces of the Norton Family were responsible for conquering two provinces, especially the Podorg Province, which was the territory of one of the seven giants of the Commerce Alliance, the Visia Chamber of Commerce. The Visia Chamber of Commerce had always been the largest weapons-manufacturing chamber of commerce in the Commerce Alliance. This time, during the war between the Commerce Alliance and the Southern Kingdom, the Visia Chamber of Commerce's army didn't go to the Chikder Chamber of Commerce's territory. Instead, they returned to the Chamber of Commerce's territory after defeating the Southern Kingdom's army at the border of the Commerce Alliance. Even if the armed forces of the Norton Family took advantage of the cold weather to launch a surprise attack, the elite Visia Chamber of Commerce's army was still a tough bone to chew.
The higher-ups of the Norton family began to whisper amongst themselves, expressing their dissatisfaction with the mission that the second prince had given them.
Laurist knocked on the table with a small wooden stick, stopping his subordinates from speaking nonsense. If he allowed them to continue talking, they would start a rebellion. Who asked these fellows to not have a good impression of the second prince …?
"Alright, stop complaining. It's already a good result to be able to obtain the jurisdiction of Makinohara Province from His Majesty's hands. It's all thanks to Grand Duke Fisablun's great cooperation that His Majesty fell for it. Next, I'll talk about the distribution of the mission and the family's development goals for the next few years. I hope that everyone can do their best and contribute to the glory of our family. "
Laurist looked at his subordinates and began to call out names. "This time, I plan to let the Monolith Army and the Flying Tiger Army go into battle together. First, the Flying Tiger Army will attack and occupy the Andvorf Province, then wipe out the opposing armed forces and resistance forces. Then, the Andvorf Province will be handed over to the Fisabulun Family to handle. The Flying Tiger Army will head to the Podorg Province to provide support.
"The Monolith Army will head straight for the Podorg Province. Speed is of the essence. First, we will occupy the capital of Feliga, which is the headquarters of the Visia Chamber of Commerce. Once we occupy the capital of Feliga, we will be in an invincible position. The surrounding strongholds and Visia Chamber of Commerce can be taken care of slowly. When the Flying Tiger Army arrives, we can clear the entire province and go straight to the Cambona Province … "
Joost stood up. "Your Highness, I object. Why didn't the Hunting Cavalry Army participate in the family's military campaigns?"
Laurist laughed. "Now that the Makinohara Province is under our family's jurisdiction, the Hunting Cavalry Army's mission is to take over the Makinohara Province and wipe out all the grass barbarian tribes that don't obey our family's jurisdiction. However, there's no need to kill all the grass barbarians this time. The Makinohara Province needs people. Our family hopes to change the nomadic habits of the grass barbarians and let them learn how to graze at fixed locations. We'll build towns and markets so that the grass barbarians can become our family's citizens.
Chief Caudan will become the governor of the Makinohara Province and carry out the family's development plan for the Makinohara Province. Joost, your Hunting Cavalry Army needs to assist Chief Caudan in taking control of the Makinohara Province. It won't be an easy task. The Hunting Cavalry Army is a light cavalry army, and the northeastern plains are where you'll be useful. While the threat of the Fisablun Family's Ranger Army is gone, don't underestimate the grass barbarian tribes … "
Joost looked a little dejected. "Your Highness, there's no point in competing with the grass barbarians. I really want to participate in the surprise attack this time. That's a big scene."
"How about this, if you can complete the mission of taking over the Makinohara Province before December, I'll allow you to bring a few people with you to follow me. The grass barbarians need to stay in the winter anyway. The Hunting Cavalry Army only needs to be on guard and on guard. " Laurist thought about it and decided to give Joost a chance. He'd been training the Hunting Cavalry Army for the past few years and had worked hard. Having him as a guard was not a bad idea.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Joost was overjoyed. He pulled Aire, who was beside him, and said, "Let's go, Aire. Let's complete the mission Your Highness has given us first."
"Sit down. No matter how anxious you are, it won't be too late to leave after the meeting." Fatty Shi was angry and reprimanded Joost, making him sit down unwillingly. Fatty Shi then asked, "Your Highness, how many armed forces does the Fisablun Family plan to deploy this time?"
Laurist thought about it and replied, "The Fisablun Family will deploy the same army as last time. They'll send a Ranger Army and a reserve army made up of grass barbarian cavalry. They'll only keep two garrison armies and one Ranger Army in their territory. However, Duke Fisablun revealed that he's going to transfer people from the remaining Ranger Army and the two garrison armies to form a new garrison army of more than thirty thousand people. They'll be the new garrison army for the Fisablun Family's territory after we take over the Andwolf Province. "
"Your Highness, will the Fisablun Family sending this new garrison army to the Andwolf Province adversely affect our supply line?" Fatty Shi immediately grasped the key question.
Laurist shook his head. "No, according to the private agreement I made with Duke Fisablun, this garrison army will only set off from the Eastern Barren Province after the rainy season. They'll probably arrive in the Andwolf Province around June or July next year. The reason why their journey is so slow is because they have to escort the relatives and clansmen of the Fisablun Family to their respective territories.
This time, Grand Duke Fisablen was preparing to confer the title of a marquis, three earls, seven viscounts, and more than forty barons in the Andwolf province. As for the newly formed garrison corps, they would be disbanded and assigned to the lords as garrison troops after arriving in the Andwolf province. Therefore, they won't pose a threat to our family's armed forces. This is also the main reason why Duke Fisablun asked us to help them clear the resistance forces and local nobles in the Andwolf Province. "
"I understand." Fatty Shi nodded his head. "It seems that Duke Fisablun really wants to maintain a good relationship with our family. It seems that the Fisablun Family won't pose a threat to our expedition and the newly acquired Makinohara Province. However, Your Highness, are we just going to help Duke Fisablun for nothing without any benefits? "
"Hehe …" Laurist smiled and replied, "Of course not. The population of the Andwolf Province is close to five or six hundred thousand. I promised Duke Fisablun that we wouldn't make a big fuss in the Andwolf Province. After occupying the Andwolf Province, the benefits of clearing out the nobles and local forces will belong to our family. At the same time, we will get a hundred thousand immigrants. These are the conditions we agreed on beforehand. "
"But Your Highness, didn't you say that the four families of the Northern Alliance are on the same side? What benefits will the other three families get?" Fatty Shi was still frowning.
"The other three families won't get anything," Laurist replied. Laurist replied, "Although the four families of the Northern Alliance are on the same side, we are the only family that will carry out the winter raid to conquer the two provinces. The other three families will only set off to meet up with us after the rainy season. They will be responsible for gathering their military forces to exert pressure on the Commerce Alliance and prepare to participate in the war after the negotiations between the Commerce Alliance and His Majesty break down. They will be like Duke Fisablun and the allied nobles. "
"I still think that our family is at a disadvantage," Fatty Shi complained. "No wonder His Majesty is pestering you, Your Highness, and wants us to send out our armed forces. By doing this, he is putting the heavy burden of this war on the shoulders of the Norton Family's armed forces. The other nobles are just watching from the sidelines and can't help at all. If this raid fails, I suspect that His Majesty will push all the blame onto our family. "
Laurist waved his hand. "We don't have to bother with him about this. I believe that the combat power of the Norton Family's armed forces is invincible. No enemy can stop our attack. In fact, the majority of our profits are here. "
Laurist used a small wooden stick to point at the location of the Podoorg Province on the map. "The capital of Felicia is the headquarters of the Visia Merchant Guild. As long as we can conquer this place, the wealth that the Visia Merchant Guild has accumulated over the years will become our profits. I'm not just talking about the wealth, but I also think that we will gain a large number of talents.
Ever since the Podoorg Province became the territory of the Visia Merchant Guild, under its careful management, the population of the province has increased to about eight hundred thousand people. The Visia Merchant Guild has also moved tens of thousands of professional miners, blacksmiths, refiners, and other technical personnel to the capital of Felicia. They have basically moved the entire Visia Merchant Guild here.
Perhaps you all still remember that seven or eight years ago, our family had hoped to use all kinds of standard weapons and armor to open a trade route to the Commerce Alliance. Unfortunately, our efforts were destroyed by the Visia Merchant Guild. As the largest armaments manufacturer in the Commerce Alliance, the Visia Merchant Guild will never allow our family to enter the armaments market that they have monopolized. Therefore, be it publicly or privately, the Visia Merchant Guild is the enemy of the Norton Family.
Since they have become our family's enemy, the only outcome for them is death. In fact, it doesn't matter if His Majesty will hand over the Muganohara Province to our family. Just the Visia Merchant Guild alone is enough for our family to arm ourselves. This is also why I am preparing to mobilize the Monolith Army and the Flying Tiger Army. Hit the snake where it hurts. As long as we take over Fedeli Kingdom in one fell swoop, it will be equivalent to uprooting the Visia Merchant Guild. They will never be able to grow again, and the Commerce Alliance will lose a giant … "
Fatty Shi asked, "Your Highness, then does His Majesty have any restrictions or requirements on how we deal with the Podoorg Province and the Visia Merchant Guild?"
Laurist laughed loudly. "His Majesty was confused by the argument between me and Duke Fisablun about the Muganohara Province and forgot about it. However, I think he probably thinks that it's impossible for us to take over Fedeliga King's City in one go. After all, the Visia Merchant Association has forty-eight thousand elite soldiers stationed in the city. It's different from the three thousand soldiers of the eldest prince who were defending the city when he attacked it. He probably thinks that our family's armed forces will encounter a great setback …
Secondly, His Majesty has already promised the Podoorg Province to Duke Sabaji as the family's territory. Therefore, how we deal with it has nothing to do with him. He doesn't care. Another possibility is that he thinks that the Norton Family would not dare to offend one of the seven giants of the Commerce Alliance, the Visia Chamber of Commerce. Even if we were to take over Fedeli Kingdom, we would still treat the people of the Visia Chamber of Commerce with respect. Hehe, he doesn't know about the grievances between us and the Visia Merchant Guild … "
After laughing a few times, Laurist said seriously, "Therefore, after we conquer the capital of Felicia and clear the Podoorg Province, the Monolith Army will stay behind and be responsible for moving all the technical personnel. The population of the Podoorg Province is more than 800,000. Therefore, I want to move 500,000 people from this province to the north. This is the best opportunity to increase our family's strength. Baron Bofinger, Baron Malek, the two of you will be in charge of this. Do you understand? "
The two commanders of the Monolith Army stood up. "Yes, Your Highness."
Laurist waved for them to sit down. He turned around and used a small wooden stick to point at the map on the wall. "Today is the 15th of September. There are still three months before the winter snow arrives in December. However, from the north to the Magick Province, we will have to pass through nine provinces: Winston Province, Southern Province, Limard Province, Meishan Province, Chixess Province, Fleetwood Province, Perona Province, Westwood Province, and Delamark Province. Including the Magick Province, there will be ten provinces. If not for the fact that our Norton Family's armed forces are good at winter raids, and that we have the assistance of sleighs and skis, just reaching the frontlines would be considered a tiring expedition.
You will be in charge, Baron Camorra, and Sadekamp will be your assistant. I hope to establish a reliable supply line in these ten provinces within three months, with a rest and supply station in each province. His Majesty has already given me permission for our family to choose the location to set up camp and ensure the supply of supplies. Baron Freya will be in charge of the safety.
Baron Freya, I will take two divisions from the 3rd Guard Regiment in Delamark Province and two divisions from the 4th Guard Regiment in Winston Province to form a temporary 5th Guard Regiment. They will be responsible for the safety of the supply points in these ten camps. Each camp will be stationed at one camp, while the rest will be responsible for escorting supplies and patrolling the routes, as well as maintaining order and safety during the migration process.
In addition, the Second Imperial Guard Regiment stationed in the southern part of the Northern Region had also transferred two regiments. After the Flying Tiger Legion left the Podolj Mountains in the southern province, one of the regiments would take over the garrison. The other regiment would be stationed in the Zamadjik Province and would be in charge of the garrison after the Flying Tiger Legion conquered the Andvov Province until the garrison regiment of the Fisablon Family came to take over.
Also, the Grizzly Bear Knights led by Baron Terman will be moved to Venades City in Delamark Province, just in case. Only after the rainy season receives my orders will we decide whether or not to reinforce the frontlines. Majordomo Shredder will still be in charge of the family's administrative affairs, while Spear will assist in the settlement of the 500,000 new citizens. Is everyone clear on their own duties? "
All the higher-ups of the family stood up and replied in unison, "Understood, Your Highness. We are willing to serve the family!"
… …
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