170: send troops

Inside the Star Sea Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and stirring. All the high-ranking officials who had returned upon receiving emergency orders—the core civil and military leaders, provincial governors, and legion commanders—were gathered together, their gazes focused on Linn atop the steps.

Linn wasted no time on pleasantries and directly publicized the contents of the document stamped with the King's seal, along with his own decision.

“The Kingdom's strict orders have been issued, and with them come rewards and authorization. The northern expedition against the Werewolf Tribe to recover lost territory is now a necessity.” His voice was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the hall. “This military operation aims to thoroughly resolve the beast threat in the east, carving out new living space for my Star Sea Territory, and using this achievement to solidify our position within the Kingdom.”

His gaze swept across the side of the military officers as he began to appoint commanders:

“Karl, your fifty thousand soldiers of the Star Shattering Legion will serve as the main force for the central route of this northern expedition. As a naval unit, the Star Shattering Legion can enter the heart of the campaign via the Rhine River, responsible for the frontal Breakthrough and the decisive battle.”

“Yilman, your fifty thousand soldiers of the Po Jun Legion will be the right wing, responsible for flank cover and outflanking maneuvers.”

“Evan, draw ten thousand heavy cavalry from the Dragon Scale Knights to serve as the assault arrowhead and the main pursuit force.”

“Angus, your twenty thousand troops of the Divine Arrow Army will be responsible for long-range suppression, battlefield screening, and precision strikes.”

“The above forces total one hundred and thirty thousand troops. Yilman will serve as the temporary commander-in-chief, with Karl as the deputy, and others will cooperate in the operation. Set out immediately; the spearhead points directly at the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest!”

The generals accepted the command in unison, their Battle Intent soaring.

Linn’s tone shifted, his voice lowering slightly with a depth of meaning that only the core leadership could grasp: “In this war, the primary goal is to annihilate a large number of the orcs' effective forces, to demonstrate our might, and to achieve a brilliant record that the Kingdom cannot find fault with. The reports of victory must be loud enough, and the spoils must be staggering enough. But at the same time...” His gaze deepened, “Our army's actual casualties must be strictly controlled, and the information must be processed before being released externally. I want the Kingdom, especially the big shots in the Royal Capital, to see that the Star Sea Territory has paid a 'heavy' price for the Kingdom's borders—that we are a 'loyal and brave' army that, while capable of fighting, is also bleeding and needs time to recuperate.”

Those present were all shrewd individuals and immediately understood Linn's strategic intent: they needed to flex their muscles to win land and status, but also appropriately show weakness to lower the Kingdom's vigilance, gaining time and space for future, larger schemes. A 'pyrrhic victory' would achieve multiple objectives far better than a 'complete victory.'

“Payson, Ronald,” Linn looked toward the two provincial governors, “The logistical support for the northern expeditionary army is a matter of victory or defeat. The East Sea and Rhine Provinces must cooperate fully to organize laborers, mobilize grain and fodder, maintain supply routes, and establish frontline supply stations. You two will be primarily responsible for this, with Governor Morton coordinating resources from Star Sea Island. Ensure the army's long-distance expedition has no logistical worries.”

“Yes! We will ensure the logistics remain unimpeded!” Payson and Ronald responded solemnly.

After deploying the military and logistics, Linn turned the topic to the aftermath of the war: “Our army will surely win this battle. The newly expanded territory covers four hundred thousand square kilometers, comparable to a large province. How do you all think we should plan and govern it?”

Payson, the Governor of East Sea Province, was the first to speak: “Lord Duke, with such a vast new territory, merely establishing counties might make it difficult to govern effectively. Moreover, the Kingdom's 'generous' support of five hundred thousand people and one million gold coins suggests they hope we can digest this land quickly, turning it into a substantial territorial barrier. I suggest directly establishing a new province, using those five hundred thousand people as the Foundation and the million gold coins as startup capital to quickly build a provincial framework and carry out planned immigration and development.”

This statement received the approval of the majority. Establishing a province meant higher administrative efficiency and stronger control, and it would better reflect the Star Sea Territory's absolute sovereignty over the area.

Linn nodded and looked over the crowd: “Establishing a new province is essential. However, the choice of governor is of great importance. A new province is starting from scratch and is adjacent to a complex region; it requires a heavy-weight official with excellent ability, loyalty, and experience to preside over it. My Star Sea Territory's borders are expanding rapidly now, and such great talents are becoming quite scarce.”

The hall fell into deep thought for a moment. The administrative department of the Star Sea Academy had trained many grassroots officials over the years who were capable of serving as county governors or city lords, but presiding over a new province of four hundred thousand square kilometers—especially one on the front lines with complex conditions—indeed lacked the necessary seasoning.

Ronald, the Governor of Rhine Province, pondered for a moment before standing up and saying, “Lord Duke, after ten years of management, the various systems of Rhine Province have been straightened out, the framework is stable, and it has stepped onto the right track. Deputy Governor Fellan can already handle most daily administrative affairs; his ability is outstanding, his mind is meticulous, and his loyalty is beyond doubt. I am willing to recommend Fellan to serve as the governor of the new province. I can take on more responsibility in Rhine Province to ensure the affairs of both provinces remain stable.”

Fellan? Linn looked at the former Pioneer Knight sitting below on the right, recalling the image of the deputy governor who was diligent, pragmatic, and had performed excellently in the construction of Rhine Province. Indeed, he was the most suitable candidate at the moment. Although promoting someone directly from deputy governor to provincial governor was a significant jump, exceptional times called for exceptional appointments.

“Governor Ronald does not shy away from recommending someone close to him; this proposal is worth considering.” Linn thought for a long while before finally making the decision. “We shall proceed with this proposal. Effective today, Fellan is promoted to governor of the new province. He will set out with the army and immediately begin building the provincial framework and planning construction after the war. Ronald, you will need to put in more effort regarding the affairs of Rhine Province.”

“As you command!” Ronald and Fellan, who was sitting nearby and was extremely excited at being named, responded in unison.

Linn then looked at Angus: “Angus, after this battle, the Divine Arrow Army will have performed great deeds. My intention is that after the war, from the five hundred thousand people allocated by the Kingdom, we will prioritize drawing thirty thousand young men to supplement your Divine Arrow Army and reorganize it. At the same time, I will order Evan to allocate a batch of Dragon Scale Horses from the Dragon Scale Knights' pastures, combined with those bred by the Star Sea Territory itself, to equip every member of the Divine Arrow Army with a warhorse.”

His eyes shone brightly: “I want you to reorganize the Divine Arrow Army into a composite elite force that can shoot from horseback like the wind and assault like lightning, yet also fight on foot and be as firm as Bedrock—the ‘Eastern Wasteland Army’! The temporary establishment will be fifty thousand men, with thirty thousand as multi-functional infantry and twenty thousand as Dragon Scale light cavalry. This will be the sixth major main force legion of my Star Sea Territory, following the Star Shattering, Po Jun, Xing Yue, Star Sea, and Xing Chen legions! You will serve as the legion commander, responsible for organizing and training the army, and working closely with Governor Fellan to jointly guard and develop the new province!”

Hearing this, Angus's body shook violently, and an unprecedented light erupted in his eyes. To leap from a special unit commander to the commander of a main field army legion—what a level of trust and responsibility! He knelt on one knee, his voice resolute: “Angus accepts the command! I will surely train a blood-and-iron elite force for the Lord Duke that will sweep across the Eastern Wasteland!”

“Good!” Linn nodded with satisfaction and finally announced: “The new province shall be named—Scott Province! May this name, along with the arrowheads of the Eastern Wasteland Army, forever guard the border!”

“Scott Province! Eastern Wasteland Army!” A wave of low murmurs and sounds of approval rose within the hall.

As the high-level meeting ended, the massive war machine and administrative system began to operate with high efficiency. Officials of all levels left to carry out their orders, and soon only Linn, Morton, and Payson remained in the Star Sea Hall.

Silence returned to the great hall, but the air still held the lingering resonance of the previous excitement. Linn looked at the two heavy-weight officials who remained, knowing that the topics to be discussed next were the core issues concerning the deepest Foundations and future direction of the Star Sea Territory.