Chapter 308: On the eve of war, food shortage and surprise attack

Black Bay, frozen coast.

Sora looked at the orc laborers carrying the baggage, a stern look on his scaly face. He spit out his snake tongue and frowned, saying, "The orc fleet will depart from Wolf Harbor and pass through the Ice Sea to the northern part of Golden Lion. The first place to be hit is the Chaotic Reef Islands."

"After the Chaotic Reefs, we reach Whitefish Harbor. As I recall... that is Lord Yeats's territory!"

Baiyu Port is an excellent seaport but has been abandoned for many years because foreign races can land in the northern part of Golden Lion along the seaport.

In order to prevent the fleet from landing, Yeats's father, the Duke of Brown, once ordered the Whitefish Port to be blocked with boulders and iron chains. After Yeats rebuilt Whitefish Port, although the trade route was reopened, it also meant facing the threat of foreign fleets.

The huge kodo beast was covered with thick white hair, and the hide bag on its back was loaded with supplies. Hildreth saw it clearly, and knew that this must be a mobilization before the war, and frowned.

"In winter, the sea surface of the Black Bay is frozen, and it is impossible for the orcs to cross the ice sea in their warships."

Hildurde whispered, "If the war goes south, the only route they can choose is to cross the Absolute Mountains."

Sora asked in surprise, "Doesn't that mean Lord Yezhi is in danger?"

If the orcs launch an invasion in winter, Yezhi's territory will face the orc army directly, and the situation will be precarious! In the cold wind, Hilde pursed her lips, her long fiery red hair flying in the wind and snow, and she fell into deep thought.

The Jueling Mountains are a natural barrier that blocks the iron hooves from the north. The Jueling Mountains are extremely harsh during the winter cold wave. Even the bravest orc warriors dare not cross the natural barrier in the wind and snow.

But this winter, the cold wave did not arrive as expected.

The shadow of famine and death still threatens the Orc tribe, and it has become more severe than in the summer.

Orcs are a naturally warlike race, and the Lord of Plunder whom they believe in requires them to seek a way out in the form of war when they are in trouble.

To use Yeats's words, if my neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns; my neighbor is my granary.

Now, the tribe has reached the point where it must make a choice. Hilde speculated that even if it would cost a heavy price, the orcs would cross the Absolute Mountains and launch an invasion to the south.

Firstly, it was to plunder food and wealth to alleviate the difficulties in winter.

Secondly, the current chief of the Orcish tribe, Grim Stormhammer, needs to win a war to divert conflicts within the tribe and establish his personal authority.

"There are four major tribes in the southwestern part of the Northern Territory. If only one orc tribe starts a war, I believe Ye Zhi can handle it."

Hild analyzed calmly: "However, if Grim joins forces with the other three chiefs to form an alliance... the situation is not optimistic."

"Who are the other three chiefs?"

"The Tauren Chieftain Atalia, the Centaur Chieftain Dirong, and the new Troll King whose identity is still unclear."

The intelligence that Hildurd had collected at the Wolf School came into play. He said, "Although Atalia admires the bard, her personal stance and her tribe's stance are two different things. Dirong and Grim are old friends, and the Centaur tribe is likely to join the alliance..."

"We are visiting the troll tribe this time. First, we want to investigate the Mad God's Sanctuary. Second, if we can stop the trolls from joining the war... this should be helpful to Ye Zhi."

The white mist exhaled by Hildreth had condensed into frost, and the plate armor was covered with fine snow and ice particles.

Sora looked at the Valkyrie with long fiery red hair. Her stern face was hidden under her eagle helmet, but he seemed to be able to feel the warmth in her words.

Sora smiled and said, "It seems like you've always been concerned about him."

"It's just an objective analysis." Hildreth said calmly.

“I haven’t even said who it is yet.”

“…It’s time to set off.”

Sora looked at the quickly walking figure and used Eagle Vision, only to see that Hildreth's earlobes were slightly red.

"It seems that the weather is really cold." Sora smiled, "Lord Hildreth is frozen."

* Sword of Winterhold.

The heavy snow has covered the honeysuckle fields with a thick layer of silver.

Yeats, wearing a thick black cloak, stood on the snowy terrace, gazing at the Jueling Mountains lying like a giant dragon under the gloomy sky. He slowly picked up the hot tea in his hand and took a sip.

"Master, I have followed your instructions and put the watchtower at the foot of the mountain on wartime alert."

Phocas stood beside Yezhi and said, "Once we find any trace of the orc army, we will immediately light the signal smoke."

Ye Zhi nodded slightly and said, "The news from Hirud said that the current tribal chieftain Grim is forming an alliance. We may even face the coalition forces from the four tribes of trolls, centaurs, orcs, and tauren at the same time."

Relying on the gift of "telepathy", Ye Zhi and Hilde were able to exchange information easily, so Ye Zhi was able to obtain first-hand intelligence from the North.

It is worth mentioning that Hilde said that the new Troll King is likely to be her old friend, Ogg.

But Hildreth was not sure, so he was heading to the troll tribe to find out.

Turning back, Ye Zhi looked at Fokasi, who was standing in the snow with a stern expression, and smiled, "Why, are you nervous?"

"It's excitement, Master."

Fokasi held his trembling hand, feeling the hot blood burning in his chest, and said in a deep voice: "More than 20 years ago...your father and I participated in the Battle of Morning Frost Ridge together."

"Right under the watchtower, we charged towards the phalanx of three thousand wolf cavalrymen!" Folkas paused, restrained his surging emotions, and said in a low voice, "Looking back on the past, it seems like yesterday."

Ye Zhi patted Fukas's broad shoulder armor and said with a smile: "You can still mount your horse and charge now, Fukas, I will accompany you to stop the orc army."

Phocas's tiger eyes flickered slightly, he placed his hand on the back of Yeats's outstretched hand, and nodded vigorously.

"By the way, Master, I knitted you a new scarf..."

Phocas fumbled in his leather bag, took out a wrinkled scarf, and said stumblingly, "You are a duke now, and there are complicated requirements for dress etiquette. I shouldn't make the decision on my own, but I can't let it go. If you don't mind..."

Yeats took the scarf solemnly, feeling the warmth of the wool in his palms, and smiled:

"Next time, knit one for Gray, too. She said she wants one, too. Fucas, thank you for your help."

Fokasi was stunned for a moment, his eyes showing emotion, and he nodded and said, "Yes, Master!"

"In fact, the orc army is powerful, but with our current strength, we can definitely repel them."

Yeats put on the scarf and said calmly:

"I have heard of Grim, the chief of the Orc tribe. He killed his father, the chief, seized the position of chief, and married his stepmother. He is a fierce and brutal orc warrior, but he is far from being a six-ring master."

Grim Stormhammer is a man whose abilities do not match his ambitions. He has the ambition to unify the four major tribes and overthrow the Kingdom of Northshire, but he has not been able to break through the bottleneck of six rings.

Harrag, the 'Iron Bones' of the Northshire Kingdom, actually knew about Glem's conspiracy a long time ago, but he never took action against Glem. This was because he wanted to use Glem as a gun and make him a cannon fodder to invade the Golden Lion.

Harrag itself coveted the rich land of the Golden Lion.

However, more than 20 years ago, King Lionheart won a great victory in the Battle of Morningfrost Ridge, and led his cavalry across the Absolute Mountains, launched a surprise attack on the northern border, and fought all the way to Black Castle, which was only a few dozen miles away from the capital of North County.

After the Battle of Black Castle, the 'Iron Bones' Harrag was ridiculed by the northerners as 'soft bones'. It was not until Harrag exiled all those who laughed at him to the Wall of Neverwinter to be "filler babies" that the name 'soft bones' gradually disappeared.

This battle left Harrag with psychological trauma, and even his throne was almost overthrown. Harrag really had no thoughts about the Golden Lion, and hid in his back garden to grow vegetables and cultivate his body and mind.

Of course, not daring to lead the army in person does not mean not daring to trip up the orcs in secret. Grim thought he could become the overlord of the orcs, but in fact he had long been used as a pawn by Harrag.

In the game, Grim is the boss of a five-ring dungeon and will drop a spinning hammer that can call upon the power of thunder.

It’s time to upgrade Gray’s equipment.

Yeats saw that this spinning hammer had a strong connection with Grey.

"That being said, the orcs are brave and good at fighting after all." Fokasi said cautiously, "Master, should we adopt the tactic of clearing the countryside and shrinking the front line, and wait until the orcs' food and grass can no longer be maintained before launching a counterattack?"

Baggage supply is the key to determining the outcome of a war.

The tactic of clearing the countryside with strong defenses is the most appropriate way to fight against the orc army that has traveled a long distance.

Please...you...collect_6Ⅰ9ⅠBookⅠBar (Six\\\Nine\\\Book\\\Bar!)

It was this tactic that King Lionheart used to achieve a great victory, which left a deep impression on Phocas.

"There is no need to clear the countryside. I plan to send the Scorpion Lions to guard the pass and place the battlefield in the Absolute Ridge Mountains."

Ye Zhi said: "The orc army marching in the Absolute Ridge Mountains must be arranged in a long line. The Scorpion Lion Regiment only needs to guard the pass, and then let the Frostwolf Cavalry Regiment attack the baggage train from behind, and these barbarians will be defeated without a fight!"

This idea was based on Yeats's own considerations as well as Hilde's suggestion.

As the chosen one of the God of Strategy, the Black Knight, Hilde has a unique vision in military command. Combining the terrain with enemy and friendly intelligence, he came up with the strategy of "going around and cutting off food supplies".

"But the orcs suffered a great loss in the Battle of Morningfrost Ridge, so the baggage train must be the most tightly guarded part of their defense."

Fokas frowned and said, "It's even possible that Grimm will lead the baggage train himself... Young Master, the Frostwolf Cavalry currently has less than a thousand cavalrymen. If the plan fails, these cavalrymen won't be able to come back!"

Frostwolves are extremely difficult to raise, and only the Frost People have mastered the ancient art of wolf taming. The Frostwolves of Morningfrost Ridge have less than a thousand cavalry, and in fact only have more than 800 cavalry, and this is based on the absorption of the original cavalry of the Frost People tribe.

The Frostwolf cavalry can cross rugged mountain roads and maintain high mobility in the snow. Yeats attaches great importance to this group of cavalry, which can be said to be one of the most important assets of his territory.

"So I will personally lead the Frostwolf Cavalry to go around and cut off their food supply."

Ye Zhi said calmly: "In this way, even if there are five-ring heroes guarding the rear, I can kill them as soon as possible and complete the plan!"

Fokasi was stunned for a moment, his eyes flashing with deep admiration, and he blurted out: "Master, I will go with you!"

"The task of guarding the pass is equally important." Ye Zhi said, "I need you to guard the pass down the mountain with Axe and Helga, and don't let any orcs step into my territory!"

Fokasi took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Master, I have another question..."

"What?"

"The terrain of the Jueling Mountains is complex, and with snow and wind everywhere, even the most experienced travelers will get lost."

Phocas asked, "What if you lead the Frostwolf Cavalry but can't find the target?"

Ye Zhi had considered this long ago and said, "I will let the Frostwind Witch go with me."

The high priest of the Cult of Winter knows the terrain of the Absolute Ridge Mountains very well.

With her company, Yeats was able to lead the cavalry to determine the location even in a snowstorm.

The Snowy Owl and the Vengeful Raven can perform the task of scouting the enemy and provide Yeats with accurate movements.

Phocas no longer had any doubts, only deep respect remained in his heart.

After the Cold Wave, the young master already possessed the tactical qualities of a commander, and his courage to lead the expedition in person was like that of the Lionheart! In fact, Yeats not only intended to win, but also had to win a devastating victory.

Only by building up a great reputation can we prevent the orcs from invading Morningfrost Ridge in the next few years.

"Eight hundred Frostwolf cavalrymen are more than enough."

Ye Zhi thought to himself, "We must fight this battle with courage to stop the children in the tribe from crying at night!"

That afternoon, Ye Zhi found the Frostwind Witch and expressed his request to have her as his guide.

The Frostwind Witch agreed, but said she had a condition.

"You have to cook dinner for me yourself." The Frostwind Witch said coldly, "Three days!"

She once tasted the fried pork with chili cooked by Yeats. The chili made her frozen blood flow warmly, bringing the Frostwind Witch unforgettable memories, and she could not forget the delicious food cooked by Yeats.

"Deal!" Ye Zhi agreed readily.

Frost Wind Witch: “…”

If I had known, I would have reported it two days later! Ye Zhi also wrote a letter to Lion Palace to report to King Lionheart that the orcs might cross the Absolute Mountains and invade the North.

Ye Zhi thought with some regret: "If we can achieve a great victory, I believe the sick King Lionheart will also be excited..."

Throughout history, it has been common for armies to forcibly cross natural mountain barriers.

The famous Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed the Alps to launch a surprise attack on Rome, Deng Ai sneaked across Yinping to attack Shu Han... When his power grows stronger in the future, Yeats also plans to follow the example of King Lionheart and cross the mountains to eradicate the hidden dangers of orcs in the north.

The ancestors of the orcs of the Northshire Kingdom were actually criminals of the Kingdom of Beasts. They were expelled from the tribe and wandered into human society, becoming an unstable factor.

The orc warriors of the Kingdom of Beasts were even more valiant and had been causing great trouble to the empire for years. It was not until Hastings appeared out of nowhere and guarded the border of the empire as a Knight of Holy Light that the rampant momentum of the orcs was curbed.

While guarding against the invasion of orcs, Ye Zhi also kept an eye on the movements of White Night City.

White Night City is the pass of the Great Wall. Only by taking White Night City can the Great Wall be used as a geographical advantage and the productivity of the territory can be further improved.

Thomas is treacherous and cunning. When the orcs invade, he will definitely be attacked from both sides and must be guarded against.

Yeats wanted to use Thomas for his own benefit, but it was very difficult to make such a person submit.

"You can use Blessing Moon River to demonstrate overwhelming power."

Yeats, with the advantage of foresight, recalled Thomas's character and thought to himself:

"The key is to let Calvin act as a lobbyist. As long as Calvin is willing to surrender, it will be easy for his father to deal with him..."

(End of this chapter)