41: military expansion

After several days of sailing, Linn returned to Iron Sand Island with some of the prisoners of war.

In the spacious meeting room, only Linn and Elise remained.

"Young Master! We won this battle, and the strength of Iron Sand Island has greatly increased," Elise said happily.

"Yes! Since this battle, we have finally established a solid foundation in the Storm Sea Region." Linn couldn't help but sigh. "By the way, has Hogan returned yet?" Linn asked about Hogan, who had gone out to sweep the remnants of the pirate forces' lairs.

"Young Master, Captain Hogan has returned. He captured seven or eight hundred slaves and prisoners from other islands. He also obtained a lot of grain and gold coins."

Hearing this, Linn felt that his move to strike the enemy's home base was a good one. Although the land of Flamingo Island was acquired by Nocturne, Linn obtained a large amount of resources, as well as two other habitable and farmable small islands where the Flamingo pirate vassals were located.

"Elise, go and notify all officers at the rank of vice-captain and above, as well as Great Master Henry and Morton. Go to the Ceremony Hall; it's time to discuss the future planning of Iron Sand Island." Linn had to integrate the existing resources and expand the military. Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun—Linn understood this principle well.

"Yes, Young Master."

Elise took the order and turned to leave the room. Linn, meanwhile, pondered the contents of the meeting.

---- Conference Room.

Linn scanned everyone. Several people had been added to the meeting room, including the two brothers, Shirei and Evan, who had just been promoted by Linn to vice-captains. Additionally, the Great Master of construction, Henry, was also present.

"Everyone, we have won the battle of Flamingo. The strength and population of Iron Sand Island have grown considerably." Linn looked at the proud officers. "Morton, has the integration of all population and resources been completed?"

"Reporting to the Young Master, the inventory of all slaves, pirate prisoners, and materials has been fully compiled. I will now report it to you." Morton stepped forward from behind Linn.

"Young Master! And good afternoon, officers!" Morton gave a solemn gentlemanly bow. After enjoying a position of power on Iron Sand Island, Morton looked much younger with a ruddy complexion; one could hardly imagine him as the haggard old man who was once exploited in the House of Earl Alistair.

Looking at the now gentlemanly Old Morton, Ocean Jack fell into deep thought. "It seems my demeanor also needs to keep up. I'm no longer that small pirate leader I used to be."

He wasn't the only one thinking this; Hogan, sitting next to him, felt the same.

"Our Iron Sand Island's current land resources include Iron Sand Island, Ironwood Island, as well as Rip Tooth and Blood Sail Island, which Captain Hogan recently conquered. Our territory has reached about one hundred square kilometers. All the farmable fields on several islands have been sown with seeds. They are being stationed and looked after by Captain Angus's Reserve Forces."

Linn fell into deep thought after hearing the report on land. The disadvantages of developing at sea were gradually becoming apparent. The land was scattered and difficult to manage, and the quality of the farmland was generally not high.

"Next is the population and materials aspect," Morton's report interrupted Linn's contemplation.

"Currently, the entire Iron Sand Island territory has 900 Freemen, including the army. Slaves, including the spoils of recent battles, total more than 5,300 people. The total population has surpassed six thousand. The grain is enough for the entire population to consume for about half a year, and there are 6,000 gold coins." After saying this, Morton looked very proud.

"Holy crap! This is no weaker than the Flamingo Pirate Group and Baron Nocturne's territory!" Ocean Jack was the first to speak after hearing this.

"Indeed! It's all thanks to the Lord's wisdom and martial prowess," Hogan echoed from the side.

Shirei and Evan's faces flushed with joy; they felt happy but couldn't find the right words to interject.

Linn raised his hand to signal for silence, and the chatter among the crowd ceased.

"Everyone! You have all contributed to Iron Sand Island's current scale. Now the entire territory meets the conditions for further military expansion. I announce that we will conduct a second military expansion."

All the officers looked at Linn with hopeful eyes. What general would ever think they had too many troops?

"Clay, prioritize selecting soldiers from the reserves to expand the Guard Army to 100 men. Alexander, assist Captain Clay."

"Yes, Lord!" Clay and Alexander stood up and took the order simultaneously.

Then Linn turned his gaze to Karl, Ocean Jack, and the others. "Karl, Ocean Jack. The First Squad and Second Squad will select personnel from the reserves and pirate prisoners with combat experience. Expand each of your armies to 300 men. The names will be changed to the First Battalion and Second Battalion. Hogan and Shirei will assist you."

"Yes, Lord!" The four of them took the order simultaneously, their eyes gleaming with excitement. A battalion of 300 soldiers was enough to rival some Intermediate pirate groups.

Linn then looked at Angus, who was sitting to the side. Since the establishment of Iron Sand Island, Angus had been training the reserves. Looking at the other officers who were overjoyed, there wasn't a hint of envy in Angus's eyes. Linn was very satisfied with his performance. Angus's greatest merit was his steadiness.

"Now, I will form a brand new unit, which, like the Guard Army, will be given its own name. It will be called the Divine Arrow Army, with a strength of 100 men. As for the candidate for captain..."

Linn looked at the still steady Angus: "Angus, you will serve as the first captain. Evan, you have studied under Elise for a long time, so you will serve as the vice-captain. Additionally, Elise will be the Instructor. The three of you will build a strong long-range attack force for me."

Hearing this news, everyone exclaimed! The Divine Arrow Army! A unique name. Clay, Karl, and the Guard Army's vice-captain Alexander were all happy for Angus. They all came from the same place; in the past, while they were out fighting, Angus was always the one staying behind to guard. Now they could finally fight side by side.

"Yes, Lord!" Angus, Evan, and Elise took the order.

"Then Lord, what about the reserves?" Angus asked.

"In the future, there will be no separate Reserve Force. Each unit will form its own reserve troops for replenishment."

Everyone understood Linn's intention; preparing their own reserves would allow them to better integrate into the regular army.

"Great Master Henry." Linn looked at the Great Master of construction, Henry, who was sitting at the end.

Hearing his name, Henry quickly stood up. "Lord! What are your orders?"

"Great Master Henry, continue to help us build warships. It's best to build larger ones that can accommodate more than 100 people, equipped with ballistae. Additionally, assist the Blacksmith Workshop in producing equipment for our Divine Arrow Army."

"Yes, Lord!" Henry was not dissatisfied at all. Linn gave him the best treatment and even provided cultivation resources for free. A great builder without the support of their own strength would be unable to create better weapons and equipment. And Linn gave him hope for reaching higher levels.

"So now, our regular army will reach 800 men. After the meeting, you will begin organizing and restructuring the troops this afternoon. Report the quantity of missing equipment to Morton. I will go to Tianhai City soon for a trade to purchase armor and weapons."

At this moment, Linn's tone gradually turned cold as he looked around at everyone: "Furthermore, your positions are not set in stone. Anyone whose performance does not meet expectations should not blame me for being heartless."

"Yes, Lord." Everyone suddenly felt the pressure increase. Their power and strength all relied on Linn; it was very easy for an Apothecary to create strong individuals to replace them. Linn was usually easy to get along with, but as the team grew larger, necessary deterrence had to be maintained."}],