Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

"Within the Empire, the knights all consider the Black Lynx Knights to be the best among the Mountain Guards. Unlike many knight orders, the Black Lynx Knights seldom fight on horseback (though they can and do ride horses). They take pride in their silent and swift movements, eradicating their enemies unnoticed like a lynx. The officers are either Inner Ring Knights, nobles who are scouts or hunters, or figures from legendary folklore who seem almost invisible. While they are skilled in close-range weapons, they primarily use two-handed weapons, with most favoring the halberd."

"This knight order has expanded significantly over the years, now boasting around 500 members in the Blue Mirror Territory. In our border war with Blue Mirror Territory, we must be extremely cautious of this knight order. Even in the mountains, it would be challenging for us to gain the upper hand."

Upon hearing this, Su Li raised his eyebrows. Goodness, this battle doesn’t look any less challenging than the war with the Green Dragon.

The other side could already muster 1000 elite knights three years ago, and with so much development over time, they likely have between 1500 to 1800 elite knights now, if not 2000.

Added to this are the reinforcements and the army they’ve mobilized in emergency, they might indeed be able to field 3000 elite knights and an even larger armed attendant force.

To be frank, Baron Grant of the Border Prince’s Territory is indeed more formidable than a baron within the Empire, his strength is almost rivaling an internal count’s.

Within the Empire, a baron would struggle to muster three thousand infantry and cavalry, and even then most of them are rabble, lacking strong and elite knights.

But this Baron Grant has certainly displayed the full might and foundation of a baron’s territory.

At this stage, Su Li does not wish to ignite conflict with him, for by developing steadily, Su Li’s growth will surely surpass his. Given two years, Su Li could field 3000 elite knights directly.

Then, attacking the Blue Mirror Territory would be much easier.

However, it is clear that the opponent will not follow his rhythm.

Su Li could only prepare early, and then gravely asked Hilude: "How many soldiers can we mobilize now?"

Hilude immediately earnestly replied: "Lord, our army is far from comparable to that of the Blue Mirror Territory. You must prepare mentally for this. Although the opponent intends to provoke the war, they have only blocked the border. Therefore, from an offensive-defensive perspective, they are the defenders and can mobilize more troops to guard their territory."

"And we are the attackers, unable to abandon production and mobilize all our people to attack the enemy. Therefore, we can only deploy our elite standing army."

Hmm? Why does this situation seem like the Second Mao War?

Over there, too, one side provoked, bombarding the border. One side sent troops to attack, but only dispatched a relatively small professional army. Then they were beaten by six hundred thousand enemy troops to retreat hundreds of miles, like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Hence Su Li clicked his tongue and asked: "Our army isn’t only around two thousand strong, is it?"

Hilude didn’t understand what that also meant, but still smiled and said: "Though our army is relatively small, it’s more than 2000 strong, our professional army alone is over 2500, and your high-tier directly affiliated attendants account for over 800. Adding the Black Steel Redemption Mercenary Corps, the Free People’s Corps, and several mercenary corps, our army size easily exceeds 3000. The defense of the territory can be entrusted to the church’s forces; Freya and Silvana, the leaders, are your companions and won’t refuse your requests."

That’s the benefit of maintaining good relations with the Church Knight Order.

Although they don’t directly participate in wars between secular territories, they aid the defense of some military strongholds of secular territories against invasions and plunder from Green Skins, Beastmen, and Undead.

This essentially supports secular territories indirectly, as it allows them to alleviate concerns and not disperse forces to defend the rear, enabling more defense forces to be diverted to participate in the war in secular territories.

For example, the garrison of Storm Shadow Fortress and Lady Grey Pass can be freed and join the Western Expedition this time.

If the full strength of the territory is gathered, it could easily field over 2000 professional standing troops and, combined with Dwarf Musketeers, Dwarf Butchers, Free People’s Corps and various mercenary corps, deploying 3000 elite infantry and cavalry is easily achievable.

This isn’t the scale produced by mass conscription of the Free People’s Corps in the Blue Mirror Territory, including elite level Dwarf Musketeers, Dwarf Rangers, and Ogre Bull Warriors - the Free People’s Corps comprise elite combat power. These Dwarf Musketeers may be blacksmiths or adventurers in peacetime, but in wartime they are outstanding Dwarf Warriors.

Su Li is also paying great attention to the upcoming war, and promptly said to Hilude: "Blue Mirror Territory is already deploying troops, preparing to block the border. We cannot sit and wait for death. In my name, start gathering the troops at once, sharpen our swords and horses, prepare to march!"

Gathering the army! These four words mean that war has entered the preparatory phase!

That’s because normally, each troop is stationed in different fortresses, camps, and strongholds, such as the Sun of Revenge Knight Order in Luoteng Canyon, Black Steel Redemption Knight Order in Blood Pine Forest, high-tier directly affiliated attendants in Bauhinia Palace, and numerous provincial legions stationed at Lady Grey Pass, White Castle, Storm Shadow Fortress, Lake Reiflin Holy Land, near the Gem Pool, around Lake Essonide, and so forth.