Chapter 911: The Lords Plan and the Lively Banquet Hall
The only thing Lei Xiao thinks about is to try to break up the three giants who are united before the decisive battle, otherwise our victory will be very slim.
"I have carefully investigated the strength of the 20 neutral cities in the north. With the reserve force, at most 20 northern armies can be assembled."
"And there are 10 legions under my command, which are already gathering towards the area around Ferroburg. At the same time, there are 16 surrender legions that are stepping up their conversion."
"With the above power, plus the 6 legions under Caroline's command, I have 52 legions in my hands."
"In addition, the conversion of troops from the Hill Fort Fortress and the recruitment of new soldiers in various places are also proceeding in an orderly manner."
"This means that, if nothing unexpected happens, I can gather at least 60 legions of troops before the decisive battle begins."
Lei Xiao was thinking this as he took another glass of light blue liquid drink.
This is a kind of strong liquor unique to the North. It is neutralized with ice cubes and has a unique taste. It is also very effective in keeping out the cold. It is deeply loved by people in the North.
The strong liquor entered the throat, and the soft and smooth taste, mixed with the unspeakable spiciness, went straight to Lei Xiao's forehead, making Lei Xiao feel refreshed.
"On the opposite side, just the three wealthy families of Merchant, Lancaster, and Yorkman can easily assemble 600,000 elite troops, not including the auxiliary forces attached to the three wealthy families, as well as the remnants of the traditional nobles and new nobles.
"
"Thus, it is very easy for the opponent to assemble millions of troops. The financial resources and foundation of the three wealthy families are enough to support such a large army for long-term operations."
"Our 600,000 soldiers versus the Fourth Prince's 1,000,000. This is just a literal figure. Whether it is combat experience or overall strength, our side is undoubtedly inferior to the other side. After all, our 600,000 soldiers include close to
200,000 poorly trained recruits."
Lei Xiao swayed the light blue liquid in the cup, and his expression became more solemn.
In this case, even if there are four fifth-level strong men under his command, they cannot make up for this huge gap, and this does not take into account our disadvantage in terrain.
Moreover, it is still unknown whether the other party will have a fifth-level powerhouse to help.
"My only advantage is my more sophisticated equipment, potions and magic scrolls, but the main legions of the three giants are each comparable to the royal legions."
"This makes the opponent's third-level equipment coverage rate exceed 30%, or even higher, which will further reduce my equipment advantage."
"In general, it is obviously not a wise choice to confront such a large-scale enemy head-on."
"Even if I can win in the end, I will lose nine out of ten of the troops and wealth I managed to accumulate, which is almost like dying with the opponent."
"By then, the empty Lengyan Kingdom will surely be coveted by the surrounding countries, but I am no longer able to fight, and the result will naturally be self-evident."
"Therefore, before the decisive battle begins, I must try to smooth out the strength gap between the enemy and ourselves as much as possible, so that I can be more prepared to deal with the upcoming battle of life and death."
Lei Xiao looked at Ariel, Caroline and others, smiling at the still excited Northern City Lords, and nodded thoughtfully.
As for the specific way to smooth out the gap in strength, or to break up the three noble families who are united, I already know it in my mind.
That is to support Lin to ascend to the position of head of the Shanglu family.
As long as Lin can become the master of the Phytolacca family and bring Duke Hanshui down from the altar, the Phytolacca family will naturally withdraw from the war, or even turn to our side.
Under this situation, the overall strength of the fourth prince will undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
"This is the plan I had in mind from the beginning, and it is also my promise to Lin. Now, it is time to fulfill this promise."
Lei Xiao walked slowly between the long dining tables, politely greeting the chattering aristocratic ladies around him, causing the latter to jump for joy, while he continued to think.
"Grand Duke Hanshui has been the head of the Shanglu family for more than ten years. He is deeply rooted, while Lin is just an insignificant collateral member. The gap is self-evident."
"On the surface, no matter how I think about it, it is impossible for me to help Lin become the head of the family at this critical juncture when the Cold Flame Kingdom is about to change. But in fact, it is not completely impossible."
Lei Xiao took a sip of the strong wine in the glass, and his dark eyes became brighter.
Through this period of understanding, I have learned.
The Shanglac family has a huge industry, many family members, and complicated interests.
In addition to the unpopular collateral members, the members of the direct lineage who hold family power are not completely united, but divided into several different factions, restricting each other, and fighting for their own interests.
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Moreover, as the head of the family, Grand Duke Hanshui is not the only master of the family. There is also a council of elders with powers comparable to the head of the family, who jointly decide many matters of the family with the head of the family.
Even in some extreme cases, the elders have the power to remove the family head or nominate a new family head.
"Through Lin and Gale's descriptions, I further learned that not all the elders who make up the Presbyterian Council support Grand Duke Hanshui."
"After all, in order to support his own faction, Grand Duke Hanshui often tried every means to suppress the elders who opposed him. This made the conflict between the two parties increasingly serious, and they were like fire and water."
"So, the matter is very obvious. I only need to secretly contact these elders who have been suppressed by the Duke Hanshui for a long time, and provide them with benefits that are enough to make them interested. It is not completely impossible to support Lin to rise to power."
Sorting everything out in his mind, Lei Xiao drank the remaining wine in the glass in one gulp and picked up a glass of juice to soothe his throat.
"But in the final analysis, this matter is too critical and must be carried out with caution. Let's seize the time to further discuss the specific details with Lin and Gale."
After making up his mind, Lei Xiao returned to Ariel and Caroline, preparing to discuss specific matters including sending troops with the city lords in the north.
Lei Xiao clearly understood that the first thing he needed to do was to further consolidate the loyalty of these city lords, and then get down to business.
As for the fastest way to consolidate loyalty, it is naturally a financial offensive.
"Everyone, these are the meeting gifts given to you by Your Highness Ariel and me."
Since Lei Xiao already knew the situation of these city lords, with a wave of his hand, 20 sets of colorful fourth-level high-quality equipment appeared in front of all the city lords.
"This is?!"
Seeing how generous Lei Xiao was when he made a move, all the northern city lords gulped and spat.
You know, the price of a fourth-level high-quality weapon or armor is usually around one million gold dragons.
And Mr. Keqing made 20 sets in one move, which is at least 40 million golden dragons, which is enough to equal the total income of the entire northern territory for more than ten years!
The most important thing is that these high-quality fourth-level equipment are rare treasures, which are enough to take their strength to a new level again!
In addition to being so excited in their hearts, even these city lords, who were less than one person and more than ten thousand people, all had shocked expressions on their faces and were speechless for a moment.
Even the best among the city lords, such as Zylvini and Chester, couldn't help but look at Lei Xiao with reverence on their faces.
I have long heard that this mysterious guest from another world, Your Excellency, possesses wealth that is unparalleled in the country. From this point of view, it is really even worse!
After all, these high-quality fourth-level equipment that look extremely dazzling are not treasures that can be bought casually if you have money!
"You don't have to be polite. As I said just now, this is just a small greeting."
Lei Xiao smiled lightly and ordered his subordinates to hand the equipment to the Northern City Lord one by one.
When the city lords put away their equipment with great joy, Lei Xiao nodded slightly and began to add additional words.
"In addition, Her Royal Highness Ariel will vigorously develop the economy of the Northern Territory, comprehensively strengthen the infrastructure construction of the cities in the Northern Territory, strengthen the connection between the Northern Territory and other regions of Lengyan, establish and improve trade routes, and spread the characteristic products of the Northern Territory to the public.
All over the Lengyan Kingdom and even every corner of the human kingdoms.”
Hearing Lei Xiao's words, the northern city lords, led by Zilweni and Chester, rejoiced again.
You know, because of the rugged roads and the deliberate suppression by degenerate nobles from other regions.
The Northern Territory has been in a relatively fragmented state since the demons of the Pars Empire were driven away.
If His Majesty King Steel Wrist had not implemented a series of measures to exempt them from taxes, I am afraid that the cities in the north would not have been able to survive long ago.
And now, Her Royal Highness Ariel and Your Excellency Ke Qing are going to vigorously develop everything in the Northern Territory, which will undoubtedly reshape the cities in the Northern Territory!
The most important thing is that as Her Royal Highness Caroline mentioned just now, Your Excellency Ke Qing possesses a special magical method that allows her to travel freely across the northern border, even transporting such a large frontier army.
This can also be supported by the rapid assistance of food to various places.
Therefore, coupled with the huge financial resources of the country, as long as the guest is willing, he obviously has enough capital to realize this promise perfectly!
"Thank you very much, Your Highness Ariel, and thank you very much, Your Excellency, Guest!"
With their hearts agitated, all the northern city lords, including Zilweni and Chester, were already so excited that they couldn't help themselves, and they once again touched their chests and saluted.
"You're welcome, everyone, this is just the beginning. As long as Her Royal Highness Ariel ascends the throne, the North will be prosperous and glorious forever."
Facing the 20 extremely excited city lords, Lei Xiao still maintained a faint smile.
"In addition, Your Highness Ariel and I will be fully responsible for the equipment, money and food of the garrison in the northern cities, so that you can fight for Your Highness Ariel and the future of the Northern Territory without any worries."
After Lei Xiao finished speaking, all the northern city lords immediately said in unison without hesitation: "I am willing to fight to the death for Your Highness Ariel!"
"Very good. With everyone joining us, we will be invincible."
Lei Xiao nodded slightly and raised the goblet in his hand: "The blizzard will eventually pass, and victory will eventually come!"
"The blizzard will eventually pass, and victory will eventually come!"
All the northern city lords and the two Lengyan Princesses also raised their glasses and drank them all in one gulp.
Even the ladies and aristocratic ladies who were raising their glasses on the side were rewarded by Lei Xiao casually waving a table of dazzling gemstones, each worth tens of thousands of gold dragons.
At this point, the atmosphere in the banquet hall has reached its climax.
In the hearts of all the Northern City Lords, there is still a trace of distracting thoughts, and they wish to eradicate the Fourth Prince and his gang immediately and rebuild the glory of the Northern Territory.
As soon as Lei Xiao appeared, the atmosphere at the venue was instantly ignited.
Ariel and Caroline looked at each other and smiled, with equally excited expressions on their faces.
For this group of nobles who commanded a city to go to war so willingly, I am afraid no one except their father could do it.
And being able to make such a promise to the northern city lords and have the ability to turn everything into reality, even their father is obviously unable to do so.
"I have to say, this guy really impresses me more and more. It really makes me want to know more about him."
Caroline held her fair chin with one hand, her starry eyes full of indescribable meaning.
While Caroline's heart was stirring, Lei Xiao picked up a glass of champagne again and began to make detailed plans for the deployment of the soldiers in the north.
The decisive battle is imminent, and these 20 precious Northern Legions naturally need to be sent to Ferroburg as soon as possible.
After a series of detailed arrangements, Lei Xiao finalized everything.
Tomorrow will give the Northern City Lords a day to prepare. The day after tomorrow, they will pass through Crystal Blue City and send these 20 legions to the edge of the Northern Territory to garrison in Ferroburg as quickly as possible.
In this process, Lei Xiao also arranged two things.
The first is to order Jiang Li to connect the northern border with the teleportation network as quickly as possible, as another means of rapid movement besides Crystal Blue City.
The second is to dispatch Shadow Squadron members and communication magicians to the 20 northern cities that have surrendered to maintain smooth communication.
After everything was arranged, Lei Xiao ended the banquet, personally took charge of Crystal Blue City, and sent all the city lords back to their fiefdoms one by one.
Now that the expected goal has been perfectly achieved, there is no need for Crystal Blue City to hide it.
Moreover, letting the northern city lords see such a majestic city like Crystal Blue City and the army of battle puppets stationed there can also be used as a further deterrent to completely cut off everyone's dissent.
After all, as long as Lei Xiao is willing, he can attack the city at any time and turn any northern city into scorched earth.
Finally, after sending Caroline back to the Fortress, Lei Xiao, Ariel and others returned to the territory together.
As for the celebration banquets in various places, Lei Xiao has scheduled them for tomorrow night, because there are still quite a few soldiers under his command who are rushing to Fort Ferro day and night.
"With this, things in the north will come to an end."
"Next, all that's left is to find ways to send Lin to the position of head of the Shanglu family?"
In the spacious castle corridor, Lei Xiao nodded thoughtfully while walking side by side with Ariel towards the lord's suite.
"It really makes people look forward to it. What kind of interesting things will happen."