"Oh, you are the governor of the Salt Marsh Town of Lunvington, Woolleglindo. I have heard about your deeds, but I never thought that you would personally participate in the war. You are really brave. Let me introduce myself. My name is Field, Field Cobo." The other party said with a smile.

Field Cobo? Is he from the Cobo family like Kevin, the deputy? That should be the case. Otherwise, how could he be the temporary operations officer? Wu Lai thought about it and nodded with a smile: "So it's Operations Officer Field. I've heard of you for a long time."

Field covered his mouth and chuckled, saying, "Consul Wu Lei really knows how to talk. How could my name be so well-known?"

Wu Lai was stunned, the smile on his face became even more intense, and he thought to himself, I'll just take it as a joke, anyway, I don't expect you to have any good intentions.

"Archon Wulai, there are still many people waiting in line, so let's make it short." Field stopped smiling and took out a thin envelope from the drawer and handed it to Wulai. "Archon Wulai, this is your combat mission description, defense zone map, and material receipt. Since you brought ordinary soldiers from other legions, you are not affiliated with any legion, so there are no generals who can control you and your men. In other words, except for the Operations Department of the Supreme Council, no one in your defense zone has the right to interfere with you. Of course, the prerequisite is that you must complete the combat mission."

"Of course." Wu Lai nodded.

"Well..." Field shrugged. "Good luck."

"Thank you very much." Wu Lai smiled and said...

Seeing Wu Lai coming out, Wright hurriedly greeted him: "How is it?"

"Not very good." Wu Lai shook his head. The defense zone assigned to him was within the jurisdiction of the city of Kayiked. It was eleven days' road journey at normal speed from the city of Assyria, and then it would take two days to cross the forest area to reach it. Judging from the markings on the defense zone map, the left and right sides of Wu Lai's defense zone were all fertile troops. The only thing that was slightly advantageous to him was that the Second Legion was stationed in the city of Kayiked, but it was hard to say how much help it would ultimately bring to him.

"What does 'not very good' mean?" Wright frowned, thinking that it's either good or not good, how can there be a compromise?

"The defense zone is too large, and it's located in an area with a flat river." After Wu Lai answered, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head. Hodge had already sent someone on horseback to report the list of Lunvington's troops to the temporary operations department in advance. Hodge also specifically marked that among the 400 troops from Salt Marsh Town, 100 were civilians and the remaining 300 were all recruits, so that the operations department could consider it.

But at this moment, Wu Lai was led to a defense zone that was six miles wide and countless miles deep. It was easy to figure out what was going on.

"What should we do then?" Wright frowned.

"What else can we do? Let's talk about it when we get there. I have already signed the military order and we will set out tomorrow at noon. Now, I have to take people to collect supplies. You go back first and we will meet again in the evening." Wu Lai said.

"That won't work." Wright waved his hand. "I'll accompany you. You won't be able to see me for some time."

Wu Lai laughed and put his arm around Wright's shoulders: "Dear Wright, don't forget that you still have things to do."

"I remember it. Don't worry, I will definitely set up the Salt Marsh Town Soap Factory for you, and then make a lot of money!" Wright couldn't help but wave his fist.

…

In the evening, Wu Lai returned to the Green Building with a smile on his face. Seeing that he seemed to be in a good mood, Loli, who had been waiting for a long time, asked curiously, "Why are you so happy? Is the defense zone over there in Seneca?"

"How can it be so good?" Wu Lai smiled and shook his head, "I was tricked by those bastards."

"Then...then you can still laugh?" Loli was stunned.

"If I don't laugh, would I cry?" Wu Lai smiled and put his arm around Loli's shoulders, saying as he walked towards the living room, "You must remember what I told you on the way. After I leave, everything will depend on you."

"I remember everything. Don't worry, I will do as you say, even regarding Irene's matter." Loli pouted. Yesterday, Wu Lai abruptly told her that she should not bully Irene, which made her a little unhappy.

"Okay, be good." Wu Lai nodded, and with an idea in his mind, he lowered his voice and whispered something into Loli's ear.

As a result, Loli's face suddenly turned red. After biting her lower lip, she couldn't help but twist Wu Lai's arm: "You wish."

"I'm leaving tomorrow, and I can't take you two with me. Is this not possible?" Wu Lai deliberately put on a stunned expression.

"Then...then..." After hesitating for a while, Loli nodded shyly, "As long as Elise has no objection..."

"She won't." Wu Lai said firmly, "Then the three of us should go to bed early tonight."

"You bad boy." Loli felt embarrassed again and couldn't help but say angrily.

However, Woolley's plan to "go to bed early" soon fell through. Just after dinner time, Wright and Hodge arrived. Before they left, Eddie also came. In addition to the three of them, there were also members of the Seneca Kiwanis Alliance in Assyria and some nobles in Assyria who were willing to befriend Woolley and knew that he had returned...

So, when the scene that Wu Lai had been waiting for for a long time appeared, it was almost midnight.

"This feels really good..." Wu Lai exhaled softly and closed his eyes...

…

The next day at noon, Hodge knocked on the door and walked into Qi Yuan's office. He left after a while, so it was naturally necessary for him to say goodbye to Qi Yuan.

After the ceremony, Hodge couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, Gosmondo and Kevin's people are obviously targeting Wu Lai, should we not care?"

"Why should I care?" Qi Yuan asked back.

"Woolley is one of ours," Hodge replied.

Qi Yuan frowned and said, "Hodge, just do your part. I will take care of Wu Lai's affairs. Besides, if Wu Lai can't even solve such a small difficulty, is he still qualified to be our man?"

"Uncle, Wu Lai's defense area is very dangerous. With the limited number of troops he has, he can only serve as an observation post, but it is impossible for him to defend..."

"Shut up!" Qi Yuan slammed the table fiercely, his eyes cold, "Hodge, are you dissatisfied with my plan to replace you from Lovington?"

"Hodge dare not." Hodge lowered his head quickly. He received a notice from the family a month ago, saying that he would be transferred from Lovington to other cities after the end of this year. However, Hodge did not feel dissatisfied. As a member of the Duncan family, he naturally knew that obeying Qi Yuan's arrangements was the top priority.

"I repeat again, do your job well and don't worry about the rest!" Qi Yuan said angrily.

"I see." Hodge nodded, but was stunned in his heart, wondering what was going on?

When Hodge was guessing, Wu Lai had already led his men out of the south gate of Assyria. He was sitting in the first carriage, resting his head on Meng Bao's body and closing his eyes to rest. It is worth mentioning that he returned all the soldiers he borrowed from Hodge this morning. Anyway, even with these three hundred people, there were not enough people. If that was the case, it would be better not to have them.

At the same time, Chief Connor was looking at a letter seriously. The letter was sent by the person arranged by Wu Lai. The letter told him that Qi Yuan had joined forces with Gesmondo, and Kevin and the Cobo family behind him had also become members of the Mondo camp. If he did not fight back, he would be slaughtered. However, there was no way to shake the other party, but it was more difficult and required enough courage...

As he watched, the gloom that had been lingering in Connor's eyes for a long time slowly dissipated...

…

All members were either riding in cars or on horses, and as they traveled day and night and had sufficient food and fodder, Wu Lai and his party were able to reach the city of Kayikede at an incredible speed - it took them only seven days and nights.

After instructing the civilians to rest outside the city, Wu Lai and Bailey rode into the city and headed straight for the Second Legion's base. After a while, he led Bailey into the tent of Dait, the commander of the garrison in Kayikede City.

"General Date." Woolley introduced himself and handed Eddie's letter to Date. "This is the letter Miss Eddie asked me to pass on to you."

"Oh, Governor Wu Lei, I know you. You and my niece Eddie were both in the Citizens Academy, right?" Dai Te took the letter with a smile, but was not in a hurry to read it. "But I am curious, why did you want to join the war?"

"I want to experience the battlefield." Wu Lai replied with a smile.

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"It's not a good experience to be on the battlefield." Daite smiled and shook his head. "General Wu Lei, as far as I know, although you have won many battles against bandits, I have to remind you that it is different from a formal battle. The Hulett and Kimo coalition forces either don't attack or once they do, the number of people will not be just a few hundred or a few thousand. You have to be mentally prepared."

Woolley nodded.

"So, Governor Woole, is there anything I can do for you?" Date asked again.

"Yes." Wu Lai took out the defense zone map from his arms, spread it out on Date's desk, and asked, "General Date, please take a look. This is the area I need to defend. I want to know more clearly. After all, this defense zone map is very crude and I can't see much."

Dai Te nodded, glanced at the map, and frowned: "What's going on? There should be someone defending here?"

Wu Lai naturally knew that his defense zone was deliberately arranged by others, but he did not expect the other party to be so shameless.

What Date said was right. Wu Lai's defense zone was originally defended by someone - the Woye Army. However, they had obviously retreated to both sides at this time, leaving this six-mile wide area to Wu Lai.

"They are targeting you." Dai Te sighed. "This defense zone is not easy to defend, but it is not difficult to attack. In the past few days since the war began, the enemy has launched five assaults on this area. Although none of them succeeded, the Woye Army also lost nearly 700 soldiers. Moreover, this was when the Woye Army outnumbered them. Governor Wu Lai, you only have so few people, how can you defend it?"

Wu Lai smiled bitterly and shook his head: "General Date, we have to defend it even if we can. Even if the situation becomes urgent, they will not sit idly by. We are so close to each other. If the enemy breaks through here and marches straight in, they will also be in danger."

"Consul Wu Lei, it's a good thing that you think this way. There are some things I shouldn't say, but I advise you that when you encounter danger, don't resist. Retreating is not a shameful thing. If you know you can't win and still want to be chopped off by others, that's not bravery, but stupidity." Dai Te said, "Save your life. With your ability, you will be able to recruit new troops soon. Then you can make up for your mistakes and no one will be able to say anything to you. After all, victory and defeat are unpredictable."

"Okay, I'll remember what General Date said." Wu Lai smiled and nodded, "Then I'll take my leave."

"I am busy with official duties and I am sorry I cannot see you off." Dai Te smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

After leaving the camp, Wu Lai did not ride a horse, but instead held the reins and walked slowly towards the city gate.

Bailey saw him like this, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Master, General Date seems to have something else in his words."

Wu Lai nodded and said, "In fact, I know it without him telling me, Bailey. Your young master, along with all of you, have become bait thrown to the enemy."

"Bait?" Bailey frowned. "Master, Bailey is stupid and doesn't understand what you mean."

"The Woye Army opened this six-mile-wide gap to lure the enemy deeper. When we are swallowed by the coalition forces of Hulett and Kimo, it will be time for the Woye Army to encircle them from both wings. Of course, it should be said that it is a three-sided encirclement. I guess that there must be a part of the Second Legion's Kayikede City garrison in that dense forest." Wu Lai said.

Bailey thought for a moment and understood: "Master, what should we do then?"

"Humph, of course we should go and check out this tricky defense zone first." Wu Lai threw his sleeves, "It's not a big deal."

"But sir, our military supplies are seriously insufficient," Bailey couldn't help but remind him.

"It doesn't matter. Carrying a large amount of military supplies is one way of fighting, and traveling light is another way of fighting. They just want to see our miserable state. Then I will teach them a lesson and let them see what it means to adapt to local conditions." Wu Lai said with a smile.

Bailey nodded and said nothing more. Although Wu Lai said it very easily, Bailey was still worried. Although he did not understand military affairs, he knew that strong soldiers and sufficient food were the prerequisites for winning a battle. But Wu Lai now did not meet any of these conditions.

Talking about soldiers, Wu Lai's current "soldiers" are all civilian laborers recruited from construction sites. They are in good physical condition, but apart from being able to work, they know nothing about fighting.

In terms of food, the food Wu Lai has on hand is only enough for the hundred or so people to eat for another five days before they run out of food. Moreover, they have to be frugal during these five days. If they eat too much, the food will probably be gone before even three days.

What confused Bailey the most was that Wu Lai knew that there was not much food left, but he had no intention of purchasing any more. Otherwise, he would not have asked everyone to rest and wait outside the city.

What is the master planning? Bailey wondered.

"Get on the horse." After walking for a while, Wu Lai stepped on the stirrup and jumped on the horse, squeezing his legs against the horse's belly. "Little darling, walk, or I'll let my cute baby scare you to death."

Bailey smiled bitterly and shook his head, then mounted his horse and followed Woolley.

"I ride a white horse and pass through three checkpoints..." Wu Lai hummed with a smile and rode forward, "I change into plain clothes, return to the Central Plains, leave Xiliang behind, and no one will care..."

At the same time, after reading the battle report, Date signed his name, called a servant in, gave him a few instructions, threw the battle report to him, and then picked up the letter Eddie gave him and opened it.

"Huh?" Date was stunned as soon as he read the beginning.