When Connor saw the Mondo Woye army entering the city, he couldn't help but frown, because Gosmondo was ruthless enough to pull more than 70% of the Woye army to join the battle.

More than 20,000 well-armored and well-trained elite soldiers mean that the Woye Army has offensive and defensive capabilities that are not inferior to other legions. Of course, it also means that the contest between Chief Connor and Cosmondo has entered the final stage ahead of schedule. If the Woye Army can achieve or assist other legions in achieving a decisive victory, Cosmondo will gain unparalleled honor and defeat Connor. If the Woye Army is defeated, Cosmondo will lose his reputation and the advantage will return to Connor.

But how likely is a major defeat? If even such an army is annihilated or defeated, how long can the Assyrian territory hold out?

Connor sighed softly and closed the curtains.

"If the Ninth Legion..." Connor muttered to himself with some regret. In the past, he never liked such assumptions, but at this moment, he felt that if Lini was still alive, the Ninth Legion should have the strength to participate in the war. In that case, could the Woye Army still add so many points to Gosmondo?

The answer is obvious.

…

Plancy pushed the door open and walked into Wu Lai's office: "Master Wu Lai, you are looking for me?"

"Yes, please take a seat." Wu Lai said with a smile. The expedition could not be delayed, otherwise Wu Lai would not have held a meeting on a day like the Winter Festival. He hoped that they could reach a consensus today, so that he could also finalize the corresponding matters at the same time.

This first requires persuading the warmonger Plancy to stay. Of course, Woolley can also use direct orders, but he will only do so when absolutely necessary.

"General Plancy, there will be another meeting soon. I have something I want to talk to you about first," said Wu Lai.

"Okay." Plancy nodded and sat down on the chair in front of the desk.

"I want to fight in person," said Woolley, glancing at Plancy.

Plancy was stunned and asked, "Lord Wulai, if you go to war, what will happen to the construction of Salt Marsh Town?"

"The town's planning has already been done, and the officials who remain behind just need to follow it." Wu Lai replied.

"So, Lord Wu Lai wants to lead the Bandit-Suppressing Army or the Tiger and Leopard Army?" Plancy asked after a moment's hesitation.

Plancy's question seemed ordinary, but Wu Lai instantly sensed something from it - this guy didn't seem to be as keen on joining the war as he was yesterday, otherwise he wouldn't have asked this question, but would have directly asked Wu Lai to lead the bandit-suppressing army.

After thinking about it, Wu Lei swallowed back what he was going to say and asked, "General Plancy, what do you think of my going to the war? Or, do you have any suggestions?"

After hesitating for a while, Plancy spoke up: "Lord Wu Lai, I really don't have any suggestions for the time being. Personally, I have no objection to you going to the war, but according to the rules... the soldiers from Salt Marsh Town who participate in the war must be under the unified jurisdiction of Lunvington, and generally we will only be allowed to defend or build fortifications, so..."

No wonder you backed off, it turns out you were afraid of being controlled and having no battles to fight, or that you didn't have enough fun fighting. Wu Lai thought about this in his heart, but he didn't show it, but nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I thought about it all night after I went back last night, and it was the reason you mentioned that made me so hesitant. Think about it, you spent so much effort to build the Bandit-Slaying Army, and I also spent a lot of effort to make the Tiger and Leopard Army have the current combat power. If I just send them to the battlefield to dig soil and carry stones, it would be too depressing..."

"That's right." Plancy agreed quickly. When he received the battle report yesterday, he was too excited to think about it carefully. After returning to the barracks after the meeting last night, he felt more and more that something was wrong. He regretted it so much that his intestines turned green. If the coach of Lunvington was someone else, it would be fine. At least he would have the opportunity to desert and fight a "private battle". However, it was Hodge who would fight in Lunvington. Since they were all from the Duncan family, how could they have the nerve to cause trouble? At that time, they would have no choice but to honestly build fortifications.

"After thinking it over, I decided it would be best for me to go. I won't bring either the Bandit Suppression Army or the Tiger and Leopard Army. They'll just be there to build fortifications and stand guard anyway. I'll take a hundred or so people from the town to report to Rovington, then recruit people along the way or buy slaves. When we get to the front line, I'll find a way to gather 500 men and horses so that we don't get blamed by the higher-ups." Wu Lai said with a smile.

"Yes, let's do it." Plancy was completely relieved. Even if Wu Lai didn't look for him today, he would have looked for Wu Lai to communicate before the meeting. Unexpectedly, Wu Lai "thought of it first."

"However," Wu Lai changed the subject, "We have to hurry up and suppress the bandits. Historically, when the border war is tense, the bandits will take the opportunity to cause chaos. To ensure the safety of Yanma Town, before the border is pacified, the bandit-suppression army should attack from near to far, so that the bandits can't rest and dare not move. The Tiger and Leopard Army has fewer troops, so they will be responsible for staying behind for defense. What do you think, General Plancy?"

"Great! That's great! Hahaha!" Plancy's eyes lit up. Fighting bandits is much better than guarding the border. Just think about it, without anyone to control him, he can decide how and when to fight. What a good thing.

"Is this a deal?" Wu Lai asked with a smile.

"It's settled. I'll listen to Lord Wu Lai." Plansy replied with a smile.

After a while, the meeting started. Wu Lai didn't waste any words and went straight to telling everyone that he would personally go to the battle. Although everyone was surprised, it was not uncommon for the consul to lead troops personally. In addition, the bandit suppression and defense arrangements that Wu Lai immediately proposed were very appropriate. Everyone felt that there was nothing wrong with it, so they readily approved it.

"Then it's settled." Wu Lai nodded in satisfaction. "The representatives of the Civilian Assembly will be responsible for propaganda. In the next few days, recruit 100 civilians to serve as auxiliary soldiers. In three days, they will set out with me."

"Okay, Master Wu Lai." Several representatives nodded in agreement.

After the meeting, Guru pulled Wu Lai to a secluded place and said, "Wu Lai, was Loli at your place again last night?"

Wu Lai nodded. At first he wanted to kick Loli out, but later he couldn't bear to let her go.

"That's fine. By the way, I've sent someone home with a letter this morning." Guru smiled and patted Wu Lai's shoulder. "After all, this is a big deal. Although we are brothers, I dare not hide it from my family, so you know."

"I understand." Wu Lai also smiled and patted Guru's shoulder, "You know, I am a responsible man."

"That's good." Gulu punched Wu Lai on the shoulder lightly. "Don't worry about these things. I'll arrange them for you. You go to the front line to fight and kill a few more Huletts for me."

"It's a deal." Wu Lai nodded with a smile.

…

On the third day after the Winter Festival, the city of Lunvington held a marching ceremony. Nearly ten thousand troops formed a giant dragon on the main street and received the blessing of the temple's high priest Torre in front of the crowd.

Black leather armor, red cloak, long tasseled bronze helmet - Hodge stood beside Torre with a sword in hand, looking majestic, but with a slightly frowned brow, because after the ceremony, the troops from Longvington would set out, but the troops from Saltmarsh Town had not arrived yet. You know, the time of departure was clearly written in the battle report.

Could it be that Woleglindo refused to join the war? Didn't he know the consequences of not joining the war? Hodge thought to himself that according to Assyrian custom, once a state of war was declared, all cities, towns, and villages had to prepare for and join the war as required. If anyone delayed, they would be severely punished, and those who did not comply could even be charged with treason.

How could Hodge not be anxious when they were about to set off but hadn't even arrived yet? If Wu Lai was just an ordinary town governor, it would be fine. But the question was, was Wu Lai ordinary?

As the temple blessing ceremony was coming to an end, Hodge finally felt relieved because the servant came over and said that Woolley had arrived.

Hodge nodded and a smile appeared on his face. Wei Huo had told him personally that Wu Lai and Salt Marsh Town were very important and must be taken good care of without being disturbed by anyone or anything.

So, Hodge felt that he could breathe a sigh of relief.

But he didn't feel relieved for long. After the army left the city, he asked someone to invite Wu Lai to his carriage. After some pleasantries, before he could ask, Wu Lai said, "General Hodge, I only brought a hundred people this time, and they are all civilians."

"Civilian laborers?" Hodge was stunned. He thought that the battle report asked for combat soldiers. It's not like you in Salt Marsh Town are without soldiers. Even if you don't want to mobilize them, it's better to draw some slaves from the citizens' homes to be security guards than to bring civilian laborers.

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"So, you have to lend me some soldiers." Wu Lai said with a smile.

"Borrow troops?" Hodge was even more confused, thinking, how can I let you do this?

"We don't need too many. Three hundred people will be enough." Wu Lai continued, "I'm just making up the numbers. When we pass through Assyria, the Supreme Council will take a count. Please don't make me look bad."

After hesitating for a moment, Hodge nodded helplessly. He certainly knew Wu Lai's identity. Once he got serious, he would have to find a way to get together even three thousand if Wu Lai asked for, let alone three hundred.

"Once we pass the Assyrian city, I can return it to you," said Wu Lai.

"Not necessarily." Hodge said quickly, "This time is different from the past. The latest battle report says that all participating troops will receive their missions in Assyria City. So even though we all belong to Lunvington, our defense zones may not be in the same area."

"Getting a mission in Assyrian City?" Wu Lai frowned. This had never happened before. You know, in previous wars, each legion's primary defense area was fixed, and the biggest advantage of doing so was that each legion was very familiar with the terrain of its own defense zone, which undoubtedly increased the advantage of winning.

"Yes, and this time the legion's participating troops and ordinary troops will be completely separated." Hodge said.

"Separate? Doesn't that mean we have no battles to fight?" Wu Lai asked quickly after being stunned. The ordinary troops that Hodge mentioned naturally included him, Wu Lai.

"It's very likely, but this separation is mainly to ensure the deployment and combat of elite troops. It doesn't mean that you will not have a battle to fight, but..." Hodge hesitated for a moment, and then said, "The enemy army has come out in full force this time. They have tried to cross the river dozens of times in the past few days. Although they have not succeeded, they have killed and wounded more than a thousand of our soldiers, most of whom are ordinary troops. This shows that even if it is defense, the risk is no less than fighting. So, have you considered letting someone else supervise the battle instead of you?"

"I'll go by myself. I want to accumulate some military merits." Wu Lai said with a laugh.

"It's not easy to earn this military merit." Hodge smiled bitterly and shook his head, patting his thigh. "How about this, I'll give you 400 elite soldiers and an experienced lieutenant general. This way, no matter the mission is attack or defense, you can handle it. If the situation is not right, you can immediately claim to be sick and leave. In this way, even if something happens, the blame from the higher-ups will be much lighter, and it won't have much impact on you."

"General Hodge, I appreciate your kindness." Wu Lai nodded gratefully. No matter what Hodge's original intention was, his words just now were definitely out of consideration for Wu Lai. "Since I have chosen to join the war, I naturally have my confidence. I don't need four hundred elite soldiers. Just give me three hundred civilians."

"The civilian laborers can't fight, what do you want them to do?" There is no shortage of civilian laborers in Hochi's army. This is also the habit of the Assyrian legions. Carrying food, building fortifications, assisting in defense, and repairing weapons all need people to do it. It is much better to have civilian laborers do these jobs than to let soldiers do them directly. Once a battle occurs, soldiers with sufficient physical strength will naturally be able to enter combat status in the fastest time.

"Anyway, I just want laborers." Wu Lai was too lazy to explain so much.

"Okay then. By the way, should I equip these civilians with weapons and armor?" Hodge asked.

"No need." Wu Lai smiled and waved his hand. Just as he was about to say something else, he heard Loli's voice outside the car window.

"I'm here." Wu Lai pushed open the car window with a smile.

God Amon, is Wuleglindo going to the war or going on a picnic? Why is he bringing women with him? Hodge was startled and couldn't help muttering in his heart.

Outside the car window, the gorgeously dressed Loli and Iles each rode a pony and waved at Wu Lai with a smile. Bailey rode behind them, looking around constantly. As a free man, his duty now was to protect Wu Lai and his family, and Loli and Iles as well.

At the same time, the six carriages surrounded by the Salt Marsh Town Labor Team were moving forward quickly. In the second carriage, Meng Bao was sleeping soundly with his head resting on a deer leg...

…

A few days later, in the Mundo mansion in Assyrian City.

"Field, the troops from Lunvington will arrive at Assyrian City the day after tomorrow. The defensive position of the First Legion will remain as previously agreed. However, among them there is a man named Wuleglindo. You must put him and his men in an area close to the Woye Army, and notify our people at the same time..." Gosmondo gave the order softly, with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

At the same time, two fast horses rushed out of Assyria and headed towards Honggu Bay. The riders were all wearing green building guard uniforms...