Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

But when it comes to meeting him, Su Li was also not interested, so he said: "His talent is just so-so, not worth my time. Send someone to take him back to Flash Spear City and have him contact the Mad Marquis to send the ransom. If they still want the members of the Black Lynx Knight Order, negotiations aren’t impossible. Each Black Lynx Knight costs 300 Golden Crowns."

Upon hearing Su Li’s words, Hilude said no more and replied: "I’ll arrange to escort Joseph and the Black Lynx Knights to Flash Spear City. As the Knight Commander, he should be worth at least 3500 Golden Crowns or more in ransom."

"In this battle, we’ve also captured over 20 massive ships from the opponent, perfect for transporting prisoners and supplies."

After arranging the prisoners and supplies, Su Li turned his attention back to the battle. He came with a grand force, so he couldn’t withdraw easily—at least to capture a vast territory and extend his domain.

As for both sides lowering their flags and retreating, reverting territories and taxes to the pre-war state, that’s impossible.

Before the war, negotiations were possible. But now that the battle has started, and military mobilizations are in full swing, no ceasefire will happen without a decisive outcome.

Su Li then asked, "How are things over at Rapids Castle? Do my Divine Chosen have any deployments for the upcoming battle?"

Hilude calmly replied: "In this battle, Blue Mirror Lake’s elite forces took heavy losses. Not only was the Black Lynx Knight Order completely wiped out, but the Manan knights suffered severe damage. We estimate Rapids Castle lost at least a third of its forces. I believe they’ll be more cautious moving forward."

"Regarding deployment, we still prefer to capture Rapids Castle. This is the most prudent strategic plan. If we can open up Cold Wind Canyon and use it as a forward base, our forces can threaten the entire Blue Mirror Lake Plain. Then we can strike at will, our iron riders charging, leaving Blue Mirror Territory only desperately responding. The scales of victory will swiftly tip in our favor."

"After methodically cutting off Blue Mirror Castle’s wings, we can besiege it with our army, trapping it entirely, and finally, seize this rich and fertile basin all at once."

Rich and fertile basin?

Listening to Hilude’s description, Su Li felt it was indeed quite vivid. Although Blue Mirror Lake is expansive, stretching six or seven hundred miles, it seems surrounded by undulating mountains on all sides: Cold Wind Canyon to the east, Frost Fang Mountain Range to the north, Drake’s Dusk Mountain Range to the west, and to the south, a slightly flatter yet twisted dense forest.

This makes Baron Grant’s occupied land exceptionally fertile, not only flat but also irrigated by Blue Mirror Lake’s vast waters and traversed by the Brionne River east to west, with very developed shipping.

The key point is this territory has been cultivated for a long time; as a competent Baron’s Territory, its population is certainly not less than 20,000, possibly reaching 30,000 or even 40,000.

If this territory is successfully annexed, Su Li’s power will surge. This is a merger akin to a snake swallowing an elephant, quickly bringing Su Li up to the level of nearly a hundred thousand followers.

Frankly speaking, with ten thousand armored troops, in the chaotic age of the Eastern Dynasty, he would be a renowned feudal lord, worthy of a mention in the history books.

After all, this is a medieval era, and population can’t be compared to the modern society of the future.

Su Li is particularly covetous of the population on this land presently, so he said: "It would be best to capture this rich territory in one fell swoop. However, Rapids Castle’s terrain is perilous; relying solely on forceful attacks, we may suffer heavy losses and still not be able to capture it, right?"

Hilude extended her hand with an inviting gesture, smiling as she said: "If you, Lord, are willing to step outside, you can see for yourself. Capturing the Right Bank Camp holds stronger strategic significance than we imagined."

Su Li immediately followed her lead and exited the tent, looking toward the direction she pointed. He saw that the cliff where the Right Bank Camp was situated had its fire extinguished, and Hesse Territory’s vermilion banner was now hanging in its place.

And under the banner, iron armors stood like a forest, the reflection of the armor illuminating the dim sky. From the cliff top to the bottom river valley, hundreds of torches joined to form a fiery dragon, seeming to meander on the precipice.

Su Li was surprised at first, then his pupils brightened as he saw the situation on the cliff clearly; it was numerous Dwarf Rangers linking ropes together, spreading them from top to bottom across the entire cliff, and on these ropes, dwarves were conscientiously transporting heavy cannons.

They were moving the cannons little by little like ants transporting goods, ultimately delivering them to the cliff’s top.

Su Li was shocked and said: "The dwarves’ toughness and perseverance are truly admirable."

Hilude also had an expression of admiration, but her smile was more relaxed, and she said: "Humans might find it impressive, but compared to dwarves mining in hundreds of meters deep mines or Dwarf Rangers transporting goods in mountainous areas, this is quite light. You should know Dwarf Rangers often use ropes to suspend convoys over cliffs, mountain streams, and precipices while traveling through the mountains. The weight of one convoy is at least two to three times that of a cannon."

Originally, transporting these cannons should have been Ali’s task. Although she is a slender Green Dragon, her massive claws can effortlessly carry two cannons, and she would just need to make two or three trips to transport all the cannons to the Right Bank Camp’s position within an hour.