After comforting Tristan, Todd began discussing strategic directions for the near future with the military 'cadres' of the Twilight Knights.
Huggins suggested that, while the Eastern Front was drawing away the enemy's main force, they should concentrate their superior forces to expand the Knights' controlled territory as quickly as possible and acquire as many people and wealth as possible.
Alfonso, on the other hand, hoped to complete the reorganization of the forces as soon as possible, detaching an army to be stationed in the fortress east of Muxi for regional defense. The rationale for this was that most of Muxi's industrial, pastoral, and residential areas had already been relocated, and if the enemy used highly mobile forces to carry out sabotage and looting, the losses to Muxi would be incalculable.
After listening to the two men's remarks, Todd nodded, but noticed that the old knight had not said a word yet.
When Cumberland heard the Grand Master ask the question, he stroked his beard and gave his opinion.
In his view, expanding territory, acquiring population and wealth, and shifting defensive forces eastward as quickly as possible were all correct strategic directions. However, Muxi Town currently had a strategic weakness, remaining almost undefended, namely, military incursions from the northern seas.
Although the town of Muxi has established an observation post on Jiliu Island, this passive defense approach not only consumes a significant portion of the Knights' manpower and resources but also severely restricts Muxi's coastal military planning. Therefore, eliminating or reducing the threat from the northern enemy is the most important task for the Muxi Knights at present.
Todd strongly agreed with Cumberland's analysis, but his perspective on the issue differed from that of the old Cavalier.
Cumberland analyzed how to stop the enemy's attack by looking at the defensive vulnerabilities of Twilight Town; while Todd analyzed how the town should connect with the outside world by looking at its future development.
The town of Muxi is currently in a very awkward situation. Its agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and industry are on the rise, but these industries can only be consumed by one method—domestic demand. The town's merchants have considered selling their products to other towns, but all trade routes seem fraught with difficulties: to the north are the Falling Star Mountains, and caravans would need wings to reach the northern border; to the east is turmoil and war, making it impossible for caravans to safely cross that land; to the south, the journey is long, the road conditions are terrible, there are no supply points, and it requires passing through layers of checkpoints, making this route impractical.
In the end, the only convenient trade route was the sea to the west.
However, when it comes to maritime trade routes, Muxi Town faces two major problems: one is the backwardness of shipbuilding technology; the other is that the sea lanes are vulnerable to pirate attacks.
Considering this, the Knights should indeed focus their attacks on the alliance between the Northern Island pirates and the barbarians.
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