In a mill village twenty miles away from Ironwood City, the sheriff shouted to a group of young villagers.
"Assemble the team and stand at attention."
"Report"
"one two three……"
"Report to the Sheriff, 56 village guards were supposed to be present in Mill Village, but 56 were actually present. Please give the order."
In the mill village under the rule of Ironwood City, a group of peasant soldiers were gathering in the square.
Each of them has an iron-wood spear, and some of them carry hunting bows on their backs. They are wearing a variety of clothes. Some are wearing cotton clothes with a vine armor made of sword grass, and some are wearing leather armor and leather helmets.
, a few people even put some iron plates on their leather armor.
Although the equipment was various, the formation was decent, and although they were a little nervous, their morale was still high. They were a little more eager than most of the farmers who were numb in the territory.
"turn right"
"Keep formation and run to Ironwood City."
Soon the villagers left the village and headed towards Ironwood City, leaving behind only the old and frail women and children who were seeing them off as they gradually receded.
And this scene happened in dozens of villages under Hunter's territory at the same time.
Compared with the procrastination of the Weirland, the mobilization of the Hunter Territory was much faster and more efficient.
Under Richard's instruction, with Ironwood City as the center and spreading to dozens of surrounding villages, civilians are organized to conduct basic combat training every month during non-peak farming seasons, and a complete combat mobilization system is in place.
Now the war machine that Richard spent several years building will show its fangs for the first time.
…
A few days later, all the peasant soldiers in the Ironwood Territory and the militia in Ironwood City were assembled. It can be clearly seen that the equipment of the militia in Ironwood City is better than that of the peasant soldiers in the village.
Most of Ironwood City's militiamen wear leather armor, and some even wear old and damaged iron armor. However, except for an ironwood gun that is issued by the territory, other equipment is brought with them by themselves, and the Hunter family does not
I'll go and ask.
In order to save their lives, everyone tried their best to prepare some armor for themselves, but the appearance of such rare items as iron armor also shows that some people did become rich first under Richard's governance.
…
In Ironwood Castle at this moment, the main members of the Hunter family and the centurions of the Ironwood City Guards were conducting an important post-war battle deployment in the meeting hall.
Richard rarely sat in the main seat and gave orders, while Viscount Sauter sat in the second seat and waited for Richard's arrangements.
"Second uncle, third uncle led the cavalry to cover the flanks to prevent the Will family's cavalry from attacking our flanks."
"yes"
"Father and I lead the Guards together."
Of course, the knights should be used together to crush them in an invincible manner, rather than being scattered and defeated individually.
"good"
Richard uses the soldiers produced by the system as personal guards. This group of absolutely loyal and fearless soldiers are definitely the best guards.
"Kecha, you lead the newly recruited city guards and part of the militia to guard Ironwood City and maintain order."
Ironwood City's city guards originally numbered 300 people, all of them veterans who had been trained for a long time. The newly recruited 200 people Richard planned to have them guard Ironwood City to prevent accidents. After all, Ironwood City could not leave no one at all.
Rushing into the team new recruits without long-term training may also reduce the overall combat capability and have the opposite effect.
"I want to fight together."
Kecha is the son of Richard's second uncle. He is a few years older than Richard and is a newly promoted quasi-knight.
Kecha was very convinced of Richard, his cousin. He had never questioned Richard's decision in the past. This time he was really anxious. He was about to fight with passion, but Richard asked him to defend the city. He was indeed a little worried.
Uncomfortable.
"Cousin, the women and children are all in the city. It is equally important to protect them."
"yes"
Having said that, Kecha couldn't say anything else.
After arranging several things, Richard let the others disperse, but left Kecha alone.
"Is my cousin dissatisfied with my arrangement?"
"No"
This is true. Kecha can only complain at most. If he really wants to say that he has any dissatisfaction with Richard, it's not that big of a deal.
Richard nodded and did not dwell on the topic.
"With so many people, I trust my cousin even more." There are not many people in the Hunter family, and even fewer can go into battle. Kecha is considered a capable and completely trustworthy person, and Richard has other arrangements for him.
.
"If the war goes unfavorably, cousin Kecha will protect the women and children in the fort and retreat to the Ironwood Forest as a free citizen as planned. Butler Egger has stored enough supplies inside."
Don't worry about winning, think about defeat first.
Although Richard has full confidence in this war, his cautious character also allows him to prepare a response plan for the worst case scenario.
Richard is a person who is used to planning everything. Everything should be under his control. No matter what kind of accident occurs, he must deal with it calmly and without any rush.
"yes"
Although Kecha also wanted to fight on the front line, Richard made his words very clear and he also understood the importance of his mission.
…
After everyone dispersed, Richard walked alone to the attic high up in Ironwood Castle.
Looking out, the entire Ironwood City is visible.
Neat houses, spacious streets, horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians, and troops gathered on the school grounds.
There are endless ironwood forests and fields beyond.
Regardless of the breeze blowing up his hair, Richard looked at everything in front of him and felt a surge of pride in his heart.
From then on, the first ripples will be stirred up in the continent's storm.
…
In the Rock Castle, the candles in Viscount Will's room illuminated the entire room.
The intelligence gathered by the Ironwood City army has already been reported by spies.
Leader Hunter's movements were too fast, which made him feel uneasy. The farmers, soldiers and quasi-cavaliers of the Will family had gathered first, but so far only 4,000 people had been gathered, and there were at least more than 1,000 people yet to arrive.
Viscount Will is not an aristocrat without common sense. He naturally understands what efficient mobilization and preparation speed means.
The ominous premonition has been lingering in my mind. However, the arrow is on the string and I have to take action. Unless I am willing to become a vassal of the Hunter family, this battle will eventually be inevitable.
"call"
After blowing out the candles in the room, Viscount Will lay down on the bed, forcing himself to fall asleep as soon as possible and maintain the best condition.
Under the night, both territories were restless in the darkness.