After quickly reading the battle report, Wu Lei frowned. According to the time on the battle report, sixteen days ago, the vanguard of the joint forces of Hulett and Kimo raided the Red River Bay Fortress. Within one day, the Red River Bay Fortress changed hands several times. The garrison of the Third Legion fought bloody and finally repelled the enemy, but this did not mean that victory had come, because it was just the beginning - the border patrol troops of the Second, Third, and Fourth Legions found that the enemy was present on the banks of the more than 700-mile-long Athanasius River, and a large number of newly made wooden boats appeared in many areas with relatively calm waters...

"Lord Wu Lai, in your opinion, are Hulett and Kimo planning to launch an all-out offensive?" Plancy asked. He knew that Wu Lai had repeatedly defeated the larger enemy with a smaller one and annihilated the Fox and Wolf bandits in Salt Marsh Town. He also visited the training of the Tiger and Leopard Army and learned that the content and methods of the training were all from Wu Lai's hand. As a discerning person, he naturally would not think that he could surpass Wu Lai in military terms, so he asked this question.

"It's hard to say. The battlefield changes rapidly, and any possibility is possible." Wu Lai sighed softly, "We are too far away from the border, and the information in the battle report can only be used as a reference."

Plancy nodded in agreement, and after a slight hesitation, he asked, "Lord Wu Lai, the one attached to the battle report..."

"Let's hold a meeting to discuss it. Immediately have your people call the main leaders of the four major departments to the small conference room in the municipal building." Wu Lai waved his hand, "I'll arrange someone to go to the high priest Pompeii." Although Salt Marsh Town was still just a town, because the specifications of the temple were the same as those of the city-level temples, Pompeii naturally became the high priest.

According to the temple regulations, the high priest does not have to participate in many activities such as the people's personal worship of gods, but he must be present to witness contracts, pray before going to war, and do divination.

After Plancy left quickly, Wu Lai returned to Wright and Loli, briefly explained the situation, and waved his hand to call two patrolling town guards to give them instructions.

When Lori saw Wu Lai's serious face, she suddenly felt a little nervous.

Wright on the side also frowned. He naturally knew what the joint attack of the Hurrits and Kimos meant. In the past few wars, the Kimos had actually been playing the role of restraining the Hurrits. The Hurrits never dared to go all out when fighting against the Assyrian territory, because they had to divide part of their forces to defend against the Kimos, so as to avoid being taken advantage of by the Kimos when the battle on the front line was in full swing.

The Hurlit and Kimoan troops stationed on the border some time ago had already made Assyria sufficiently vigilant, which was why the Red Valley Bay Fortress was suddenly attacked but still able to turn the tide. However, this also shows that the two territories of Hurlit and Kimo have made up their minds to join forces, instead of testing each other like last time, which was not only testing the Assyrian territory, but also testing each other's determination.

With the strength of the Assyrian territory, it would not be a problem to fight against any of the territories of Hurlit and Kimo, but if it were to face both at the same time, it would be a little overwhelmed. If it only concentrated its forces to defend one or two passes, it could still fight a protracted war, but as Wu Lai said just now, the opponent seemed to want to play a tactic of all-out pressure and multi-point attack.

Therefore, Wright was quite worried, because once the Hurrites and Kimos marched in, Assyria would surely be in chaos, and the consequences would be absolutely disastrous.

"You guys continue to enjoy the lanterns. I may have to leave you tonight." Wu Lai said to Wright and Loli.

"It's okay, just go and do your work, our Lord Wu Lai." Wright forced a smile.

"Come back early, I'll wait for you at home." Loli said with a pout.

Wu Lai started coughing violently...

After a while, everyone entered the small conference room one after another, and everyone was present, even Tours, who was on sick leave. Woolley, who had regained his composure, asked everyone to sit down, and told his servants to light a few more large oil lamps. He then took out an envelope and raised it, "Everyone, Assyrian war report. Sixteen days ago, the vanguard of the Hurriyet and Kimoan coalition crossed the Athanasius River and attacked the Red Valley Bay Fortress. Fortunately, the Third Legion was well prepared and fought bravely, and repelled the enemy fiercely."

"But this is just the beginning. According to the battle report, a large number of enemy troops have crossed the Anubis Mountains. There are traces of enemies everywhere on the opposite bank of the 700-mile-long river. In many places, there are even a large number of wooden boats. The Temple, the Senate, and the Supreme Council urgently notified the entire territory to switch from peacetime to wartime. The main forces of the Second, Third, and Fourth Legions have been stationed along the line. The day when the enemy crosses the river will be the day when the two armies will fight. The First Legion has also drawn part of its main force to rush to the aid of Honggu Bay... Now, let me read to you the emergency conscription order from the Temple, the Senate, and the Supreme Council."

Wu Lai spread out the battle report, glanced at everyone, and read aloud: "...The enemy has been planning for a long time and is coming with great force. At this critical moment, all cities, towns, and villages need to actively mobilize manpower, material resources, and financial resources to participate in the battle and replenish military supplies. In terms of manpower, the city needs to provide 4,000 soldiers..."

The emergency conscription order puts forward clear quantitative requirements for cities, towns and villages, which is something that has never been seen in previous conscription orders.

After reading it, Wu Lai paused and continued, "The conscription order can be understood as follows: Salt Marsh Town must provide at least 500 combat soldiers, and be self-sufficient in food and wages. We will bear the cost of these soldiers and food and wages for as long as the war lasts."

Except for Plancy who was slightly excited, everyone else couldn't help but frown. Salt Marsh Town was incomparable to other towns. The soldiers were not a big deal. With the Tiger and Leopard Army and the Bandit Suppression Army, it was not a big problem to send a thousand people to the expedition. However, the food and wages were a bit difficult. Money was not a big deal. The business situation in Salt Marsh Town was encouraging, and the tax revenue was not small. However, Salt Marsh Town was far away from the Assyrian Gorge, and the loss of food transported there was too great. It was also unrealistic to replenish it at the garrison because according to convention, the legion had already plundered all the food that could be requisitioned locally...

If supplies run out, the soldiers in Salt Marsh Town will starve. We can't let them rob food.

"What's wrong with everyone?" Seeing everyone's serious faces, Plancy laughed and said, "It's a good thing for Salt Marsh Town to join the war. It can show the prestige of Salt Marsh Town and earn a lot of military merits. How great."

Plancy was right. The Assyrian territory had always been generous in rewarding military merit, so nobles with some strength were happy to keep private soldiers. On the one hand, they could make a fortune by looting on the battlefield, and on the other hand, they could use their military merits to get tax exemptions, exchange for land, upgrade their citizenship level, etc. There were many uses for this.

Wu Lai also wanted this military achievement. For him, he had no shortage of money, land, friends and followers. What he lacked was his own family background. Don't think that just because Wu Lai is rich, powerful and respected, it means that his Greendo family can be called a family background. To be a real family background, one must have the power built by himself to be recognized.

This power comes not through money, not through land, not through the army, not through followers, but through the nobility you become.

Becoming a noble is not an easy thing. According to the restrictions set by the temple, the Senate and the Supreme Council, people like Wu Lai have only two ways to promote someone to become a noble. One is to adopt a commoner as an adopted son, just like David, who became Wu Lai's adopted son and automatically obtained the status of an adopted son. However, this does not mean that you can adopt as many as you want. According to Wu Lai's current level, there are at most two. But when he becomes a city-level consul, the number of adopted sons can be doubled.

The second is the exchange of military merits. There is no limit on the number of people who can become nobles as long as you have enough military merits. And there is no strict class restriction like obtaining noble status by adopting a son - only civilians can be adopted as sons. Civilians who were once slaves but have obtained the status of freemen are not included.

However, despite such strict restrictions, there are still people who will secretly use tricks to seize citizenship, such as changing their household registration, but the risks of doing so are actually very high. Once exposed by someone who is more powerful than themselves, not only will their citizenship be revoked, but the participants will also have to suffer the consequences of their own disgrace.

Therefore, citizens who want to strengthen themselves but disdain to take shortcuts will usually honestly follow the settings of the territory. In this way, gaining military merit is the quickest and safest shortcut, provided that you have the strength.

Woolley thought he had.

But what he is worried about now is first of all the problem of supply - Hulit and Kimo's attack this time has shown a posture of winning, which means that no one can predict how long this battle will last and how brutal it will be.

"Elet, what do you think?" Wu Lai asked.

"Lord Wulai, I'm worried about the food supply." Ilett said, "The legion has priority in collecting food and fodder. If our troops are deployed to an area with abundant food and fodder, it will be fine. If not, then we will be in danger. You know, retreating without fighting is a serious crime. They won't care what your reason is for retreating."

"Master Wu Lai." Guru raised his hand, indicating that Wu Lai wanted to speak.

"You say." Wu Lai nodded.

"Lord Wu Lai, in addition to the issue of food and fodder, I am also worried that once the news of the expedition is known to the surrounding bandits, they will take advantage of the situation and constantly harass Salt Marsh Town or the trade route, and then the stable situation we have worked so hard to achieve will be destroyed." Guru said.

Wu Lai's brows furrowed even more. Guru was right. In border warfare, the internal military force was naturally insufficient. Bandits always liked to take advantage of such times to cause chaos. In Assyrian history, there were many examples of bandits taking advantage of the chaos to harass and even capture cities. Each time, it was when the battle on the front line was in full swing.

Baker hesitated, then raised his hand as well.

"Go ahead." Wu Lai nodded.

Baker simply stood up and said, "Lord Wu Lai, our town doesn't have as many citizens as other towns. If we want to go to the war, we have to choose between the Tiger and Leopard Army and the Bandit Suppressing Army. I think the Bandit Suppressing Army has more people and is led by General Plancy. If we want to go, the Bandit Suppressing Army is more suitable than the Tiger and Leopard Army."

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If the atmosphere wasn't so solemn, Wu Lai wouldn't mind laughing. Although Baker's proposal satisfied Plancy, it was obviously to flatter Wu Lai - although the Tiger and Leopard Army and the Bandit Suppression Army were both troops from Salt Marsh Town, the Tiger and Leopard Army was Wu Lai's private army.

But this cannot be said to be a bad suggestion. Baker specifically stated that Plancy was leading the army in order to remind Woolley that Plancy was a member of the Duncan family. Although the First Legion was not the main combat legion on the border, it also participated in the defense. If Plancy led his troops there and they were short of food and clothing, they could naturally look for the First Legion nearby.

"Yes, Lord Wu Lai, it's been so long, and the Bandit Suppression Army has only fought two small battles, and only eliminated a hundred or so bandits in total. The brothers have been rubbing their hands and looking forward to fighting again. Besides." Plancy laughed, "The more the soldiers fight, the better they become. No training can catch up with the fighting on the battlefield. So, Lord Wu Lai, the Bandit Suppression Army will go."

Tours echoed, "Yes, Lord Wu Lai, I also think the Bandit Suppression Army is the most suitable."

After a slight hesitation, Wu Lai waved his hand and said, "Let's discuss the issue of food and fodder tonight."

…

It was already very late when Wu Lai returned to the apartment. Loli, who had been waiting for a long time, saw that he looked tired and hurried to greet him.

"How did the discussion go?" Lori asked.

"It hasn't been decided yet. The best plan is to arrange for someone to accompany the army and be responsible for the purchase and dispatch of food and fodder. However, the expense is too high. It's okay for half a year or a year, but if the fighting lasts too long, the town won't be able to hold on." Wu Lai said.

"Isn't it enough to let Plansy go? Is it possible that he can't think of a solution?" Loli asked.

"It is natural that he would be the most suitable person to go, but the problem is that I want this military merit." Wu Lai said. With his personality, he naturally did not want to depend on others, even on the surface. He would act according to circumstances, but in this era where the strong are respected, since the rules of the game are there, why would he insist on staying at the bottom? With military merit, Wu Lai could turn his slaves into nobles and build a force that belonged only to him...

"You want to go to the war yourself?!" Loli was shocked. The prerequisite for getting military merit is to participate in the war. It's not that you can get it by just throwing hundreds or thousands of people into the war. Otherwise, every war would not give birth to a group of noble widows.

"Of course." Wu Lai nodded. If he hadn't been thinking about earning military merit, he would have made the decision tonight and would not have dragged it out.

The reason why he hesitated was that if he took the Tiger and Leopard Army with him, there would be no one to suppress Plancy. With Plancy's temper, once he was gone, he would naturally look for fights everywhere like a tiger that had escaped from its cage. Many of the bandits around would probably suffer, and the defense of Salt Marsh Town would be useless.

However, he could not take the bandit-suppressing army away, because to be more precise, it belonged to Plancy.

"Can you not go?" Loli gently put her arm around Wu Lai's waist.

"No." Wu Lai answered decisively.

"What will happen if you go here?" Loli asked. What she actually wanted to say was - what should I do? "I'm not worried as long as your brother and the others are here." Wu Lai hugged Loli involuntarily, "Take good care of yourself when I'm not around."

"You must bring more guards, like Bailey and the ones like before." Lori nodded slightly. She knew she couldn't stop Wu Lai.

Wu Lai was startled and his eyes suddenly lit up.