151: Chapter 151 Roll Call! Purge! Assemble the Manpower!

After entering the council hall, Rowan acted as if he saw none of it.

He walked straight to the head of the long table and sat down.

Cecilia and the others automatically stood behind him.

Raymond, Vincent, and Martha stood slightly behind and to the side of Vanessa.

Rowan's gaze swept across the room once more.

The first words he spoke were like a thunderclap in deep winter, exploding in everyone's ears: "Now, those whose names I call, step forward!"

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every corner of the hall.

In an instant, the hall became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Everyone held their breath.

Call names and step forward?

On an occasion like this?

What is The Count trying to do?

Rowan did not give them much time to think; he took a neatly folded piece of parchment from his pocket and unfolded it.

His gaze fell upon the paper, and he began to read in a steady, emotionless voice:

"City Hall, Chief of Public Works, Eric Dawson."

"City Guard, Armory Director, Simon Lester."

"City Hall, Deputy Chief of the Outreach and Post Office, Lawrence Fitch."

"City Guard, Captain of the Third Patrol Brigade, Gareth Hale."

"City Hall, Head of the Second Tax Audit Division, Marcus Wayne..."

Name after name was clearly spoken by Rowan.

The faces of those whose names were called turned pale in an instant.

Some looked at their colleagues in panic, others looked at Rowan in disbelief.

Still others subconsciously cast their gaze toward a certain direction of the long table, as if seeking support or a signal.

These names covered several key, albeit inconspicuous, positions in City Hall and the City Guard that were nonetheless sufficient to affect operations.

Soon, Rowan finished calling the names and said softly:

"These individuals are to be suspended from all duties, pending further investigation."

"Does anyone have any objections?"

The newly appointed head of the Finance Department, Jeremy Fisher, sat not far from Rowan's left hand.

His heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

But he quickly forced himself to calm down, his brain racing.

The Count had suddenly launched an attack, and with a list that was clearly prepared, right in front of the Viscountess of Purple Thorn and her retainers...

This was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision!

In a flash of insight, he understood—this was using momentum to establish authority and purge dissidents.

The military situation at the front was urgent; The Count had to ensure absolute control and smooth operation of the rear.

Any potential hidden dangers or delays had to be uprooted with thunderous means!

And the sudden visit of the Viscountess of Purple Thorn and the appearance of her retainers meant that the Bryce Family had already reached some form of deep cooperation with The Count.

This list was likely one of the fruits of that cooperation, and also the first step for the Bryce Family's influence to infiltrate the core of Gino County!

Having figured this out, Jeremy did not hesitate.

As soon as Rowan's words fell, he stood up abruptly.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.

Ignoring the looks of shock or anger, Jeremy turned to Rowan, bowed deeply, and said in a loud, clear voice, carrying undisguised support:

"I shall strictly obey your orders, My Lord!"

"The entire Finance Department will fully cooperate with you to ensure that policies are carried out smoothly!"

"Any person who neglects their duty should be dismissed immediately to serve as a warning to others!"

His stance was fast and ruthless, immediately pinning a heavy label on those whose names were called, completely cutting off any room for them to argue or delay.

Rowan looked at Jeremy and gave a barely perceptible nod.

Lady Lillian's brother was quite sharp.

With Jeremy taking the lead, and seeing The Count's unquestionable, icy gaze...

the atmosphere in the hall shifted abruptly.

Several higher-ranking officials exchanged glances, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Among them, Deputy City Lord Brant Hoffman slowly stood up and bowed slightly to Rowan:

"My Lord... the military situation is urgent, and we must indeed act with lightning speed. This old one... seconds the motion."

With the first, there came a second, a third...

voices seconding the motion arose one after another.

Those officials whose names were called turned ashen, knowing that the situation was lost and struggle was useless; they could only tremble as they stood up from their seats, standing in a row with their heads hung low.

Rowan did not look at them again and signaled to the captain of the guards standing at the door.

The captain understood and immediately led his men forward to ask these dejected former officials to leave the council hall.

The whole process was swift and silent, with only messy footsteps and suppressed gasps.

In less than a quarter of an hour, three positions of real power, two confidential posts, and several middle-management positions in City Hall and the City Guard had changed hands.

The five women behind Rowan held their breath in unison, their eyes shining with brilliance.

Until those people were taken away and the heavy doors closed again, the air in the hall remained stagnant.

Many people's backs were soaked with cold sweat, and their gazes toward Rowan held more awe and apprehension.

After the beauty pageant, they had assumed the new Earl was just an absurd nouveau riche.

But now, this young City Lord's methods were far more ruthless than they had imagined!

At this moment, Rowan turned to the City Guard Commander, Miles, whose expression was also not very good.

"Commander Miles," Rowan's voice returned to calm, "now, you may report the latest military situation in the North in detail."

Miles took a deep breath, forcing himself to recover from the recent upheaval.

He strode to the huge map of the North hanging on the side of the hall and gave a clear and concise military report.

Black Mountain City and Purple Thorn City were in emergency, the scale of the beast tide and its abnormal movements, the Lance Family's forces being tied down, and the status of Gino City's own mobilizable troops and supplies... point by point, clearly presented.

While he was reporting, behind Rowan, Helena had quietly taken out a small notebook and was quickly recording the main points, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she were organizing the information in real-time.

Cecilia's gaze followed Miles's pointer as it moved across the map, deep in thought.

Isabelle struggled to listen to the military terminology, appearing to find it somewhat difficult.

Adeline and Charlotte listened with extra focus, occasionally exchanging glances and discussing in low voices.

The Raymond knight and old Vincent brought by Vanessa also listened very attentively.

Old Vincent was silently calculating the possible consumption of supplies and the time for allocation.

Miles finished his report.

The hall fell into silence again.

But no one dared to speak first.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Rowan.

Rowan did not speak immediately; he turned his head and said in a low voice to Vanessa beside him:

"Viscountess of Purple Thorn, what is your opinion?"

This action caused everyone present to be shocked once again.

The Count was actually seeking the Viscountess of Purple Thorn's opinion first on such an important military decision?

Their relationship seemed to be closer than they had imagined!

Vanessa seemed to have expected this.

She stepped forward, faced the map, and began to add the intelligence she knew.

Rowan listened quietly, nodding from time to time, or briefly asking about one or two details.

The conversation between the two was fast and efficient, clearly showing they had long had a tacit understanding.

The people below watched this scene, their hearts churning with waves.

So that's how it is!

The sky of Gino County is truly about to change completely!

A moment later, Rowan and Vanessa stopped talking.

Rowan turned around, facing the officials and officers with various expressions beside the long table, his voice calm, bearing the final decision:

"The situation is clear, and time waits for no one."

"I have decided to personally go to Black Mountain City to establish a command post and coordinate the response to this beast tide."

His gaze swept across the City Guard officers:

"Commander Miles, Deputy Commander Portia, you will accompany me."

"Deputy Commander Gareth, remain in Gino City, act as regent of the city defense, and be responsible for the subsequent military supply dispatch."

"Knight Raymond, temporarily assigned to the forward command post to serve as a military advisor."

"Mr. Vincent, appointed as City Hall advisor, acting on behalf of the City Lord, responsible for the command post's paperwork, communication, and logistics coordination."

"Ms. Martha, assist in handling intelligence regarding magical beasts and the procurement of possible special supplies."

He paused and continued to call names:

"The First and Second Cavalry Squadrons and the Fourth and Fifth Infantry Battalions of the City Guard are to assemble immediately, carrying ten days of rations and standard combat equipment."

"The Public Works Department is to immediately allocate engineering vehicles and craftsmen to move with the army."

"The Armory Department, in accordance with Deputy Commander Portia's requirements, is to ensure subsequent supplies..."

Order after order was clearly issued, involving troop scale, unit formation, logistical support, rear guard, and every other aspect.

The officers whose names were called accepted their orders solemnly.

Commander Miles's face was grave, but he had no objections, only striking his chest heavily:

"As you command, My Lord!"

"The City Guard will definitely not disappoint your trust!"

Rowan finally looked at Jeremy Fisher and the few City Hall officials who had not been replaced:

"Gino City is left to you all."

"I hope you all perform your duties faithfully, stabilize the people's hearts, and ensure logistics. If there are any mistakes..."

He did not finish, but the flash of coldness in his eyes made everyone's heart shiver.

"Please rest assured, My Lord! We will do our utmost!" Jeremy and the others quickly stood up to respond.

The meeting ended, and everyone left in a hurry with mixed feelings to carry out their respective tasks.