The King

  Chapter 157 Looking Northward

   I don't know if he was cursed, but Hudson seemed to be in trouble with "food". Since becoming a lord, he has been worrying about the lack of food every year.

  In order to solve the food problem, Hudson carried out land reclamation at any cost. Because of the large-scale land reclamation, the food crisis in the territory was exacerbated.

  The food production capacity of the mountainous areas keeps hitting new highs every year; the food shortage of the mountainous areas also hits new highs every year.

   It was as if he took the wrong script and fell into a vicious circle of "the more food is lacking, the more land will be opened up, and the more land will be opened up, the more food will be lacking".

  The solution is very simple, slow down the development of the territory, reduce the number of employees, and dispose of the redundant slaves.

  There is no tiankeng for land reclamation, food consumption has dropped, and the mountain leaders can immediately reverse the dilemma of not being able to make ends meet.

   "The first batch of supplies raised by the county will be in place soon. Keep all the food in it and replace it with iron bumps to make up for it.

  Insufficient inventory, use some well-forged weapons to make up for it. Remember that all the weapons taken out this time must be qualified products.

  Even if it is temporarily borrowed from the active army, there must be no quality problems.

   This will be done in the future, and I will coordinate and communicate with the Governor's Mansion. With these grains, it shouldn't be a big problem to fill the grain gap in the territory.

  I will find a way to purchase a batch of grain from outside to increase the grain reserves of the territory. "

   Hudson said helplessly.

  As a grain storage activist, every time I prepare millions of pounds of extra grain, the result is still food shortages every year.

   are all sequelae brought about by the rapid population growth. The growth rate of the eating mouth is much higher than the growth rate of the territory's food production capacity.

  Suddenly increased tens of thousands of mouths, the pressure on the nobles in the county was reduced, but the pressure on the mountain leaders suddenly increased.

  Especially when the production capacity of mines in the early stage has not yet exploded, and the expenditure of the territory is much higher than the income, the pressure is even greater.

   As a conscientious aristocratic lord, Hudson can't do anything that is shoddy and harms the frontline army.

  Everyone is a grasshopper on the same rope. In essence, the core of the Alpha Kingdom's defense against the orc invasion is the drag word.

  It is time to counterattack until the countries of the human race react and the reinforcements from the mainland countries arrive.

  Before this, whether it was defending the city or taking the initiative to attack, it was all to slow down the attack speed of the orc army and buy time for the kingdom.

  The longer the frontline troops stand on top, the later Hudson will be called up, the more time he will have to prepare, and the greater the probability of surviving on the battlefield.

   This account is easy to calculate.

  Of course, even if you want to shoddy, it's hard to get away with it.

  The governor’s office will check, the kingdom’s officials will check, and the front-line generals will still check.

  Any problem found in any link will be found out and held accountable.

  According to the rules, every qualified weapon is engraved on it. The place of origin, the craftsman in charge of casting, the time of casting, and the person in charge of supervising the manufacturing are all available.

   To trace it, just follow the information marked on the weapon and trace back to the source.

   This is also a sign for the mountainous territory to distinguish good weapons from bad ones. In order to quickly make money to produce low-quality goods, reducing production costs is the top priority, and the lettering process is naturally omitted.

  …

   Just as a red glow appeared on the horizon, Crown Prince Alex appeared in front of the orc army.

   "The warriors of the Orc Empire, thousands of years ago, the human race betrayed their trust and colluded with all the races in the mainland to seize our territory and kill our people by despicable means.

  The great orc clan was driven from the center of the fertile continent to the desolate frontier.

  The hatred in it is higher than the mountain and deeper than the sea!

  But evil human beings not only don't know how to repent their sins. Instead, they intensified and sent slave hunting teams, causing disasters in all directions in our orc empire, making all tribes miserable.

  Using this despicable method, he tried to force the descendants of the great beast gods to submit and serve them as slaves and handmaids forever.

  The great Beast God people, how could they succumb to these despicable guys.

  The shame can only be washed away with blood.

  Now it's time for revenge, warriors take up your weapons..."

   On January 11, 99988 in the sacred calendar, Crown Prince Alex launched the "Declaration of Revenge" in the army, which opened the prelude to the 136th Continental War.

  With the end of the speech, the army of the Beamon Royal Court took the lead in attacking the Alpha Kingdom. Almost at the same time, the other four imperial courts also started a war.

  Warhammer Kingdom, Moxie Principality, and Alpha Kingdom, three unlucky guys, ushered in the invasion of the orc army together.

"kill!"

"kill!"

  …

   The sound of shouting and killing continued to resound in every corner of the Northland.

  The people in the north who had long been experienced fled into the fortresses in various places.

  The aristocratic lords of the aristocrats also put down their bodies at this moment, and walked up to the city wall to command the army to fight.

  The beacon smoke on the beacon tower went straight into the sky, rising one after another like a relay pillar, spreading from the north to the king's capital.

  …

  In the Emerald Palace, looking at the rising smoke, Caesar III secretly sighed: "It's finally here!"

  I don’t know why, but when the war really broke out, his anxiety disappeared all of a sudden.

   A sense of fighting spirit suddenly rose from his chest, without stopping at all, Caesar III walked directly towards the meeting hall.

  At this moment, the Alpha Kingdom needs a king. The war broke out, and there were still thousands of troublesome things waiting for him to deal with, and Caesar III could not tolerate the slightest fatigue.

   "How about it, have you determined the main attack direction of the orc army?"

  Facing the invasion of the orc army, the Alpha Kingdom, which had been prepared for a long time, had formulated several sets of countermeasures in advance.

   is only the core of the implementation of these plans, and the enemy's attack direction must be determined first.

   "Your Majesty, according to the investigation of the Griffin Cavalry, the number of orcs is too large.

   It is a full-scale attack from the beginning, and there is no clear main attack direction for the time being, as if it is testing the loopholes in our defense line! "

   Grand Duke Afiero replied boldly.

   It’s not that the Ministry of Military Affairs is not strong enough to detect the movement of the orc army in advance, it’s because the enemy is too ferocious.

  Different from the clear organizational system of the human army, the army of the orc empire is still a traditional tribal and racial model. In terms of control over the army, it is obviously not enough.

   It's not that the orcs didn't try to change this situation. It's just that the fighting power after mixing different races is too touching, and there are often internal strife, and they have to retreat in the end.

  The biggest feature of an army based on tribes is chaos.

  Different orc races have very different combat powers.

   It is difficult to come up with an accurate answer simply by judging the main attack direction of the orc army based on the number of people.

   After all, the fighting strength of 100,000 pigs is not as good as that of 10,000 wild boars, and the gap is even bigger compared to the Mobi army.

  The real main direction of attack is not necessarily the one with the most troops, but it must be the one with the most elite.

  Unfortunately, the order of the orc army's invasion is usually the cannon fodder first, and the elite are responsible for supervising the battle.

  When there are clear signs showing the direction of the main attack, it is almost time for the main attack to start. It is almost impossible to lay out traps in advance and wait for them to take the bait.

   "Execute the original plan. Let the provinces mobilize in an orderly manner according to the previous plan.

  Especially in the several provinces in the rear area, the supply of the kingdom's strategic materials must be ensured without any omissions.

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note to the countries of the Terran race, telling them that a new continental war is coming. Now we need support, all-round support in manpower, material and financial resources!

  By the way, I would like to remind Warhammer Kingdom and Moshi Principality to keep more reserves. "

  Caesar III said calmly.

  Similar solutions, the royal library is almost full of a room, all of which are the valuable experience left by the ancestors.

  As an old opponent, Alpha Kingdom's research on orcs is not a day or two, and they know each other relatively well.

   In contrast, the other two neighbors are different. Although I have been entangled with orcs for decades, this is the first time I have encountered total war.

   Lack of sufficient response experience, neither the preparation of the combat plan nor the mobilization system is as sound as the Alpha Kingdom.

  As allies, the three countries are now in the same trench. To be torn open by the orc army in any direction is a challenge to the entire defense line.

   It is inconvenient for the Alpha Kingdom to intervene in the internal affairs of the allies. All Caesar III can do is remind them to keep more reserves.

  In case there is a problem with a certain section of the defense line, it can be filled in time to plug the gap.

  …

   "Your Majesty, the orcs started the war a month earlier than we expected.

  The mobilization speed of the provinces is actually lagging behind. Although the first batch of reinforcements has already set off, it will take some time before they arrive at the front line for training and adaptation.

   Fortunately, the preparations for the orcs were also not very sufficient.

   Some orc tribes in remote areas are still on the way. In a short period of time, the strength of the orcs is not sufficient, and the pressure on the front line should not be too great.

  The key is the strategic materials. I am afraid that the provinces have not collected them at the moment, and they can only consume the front-line reserves in a short time.

  The material reserves on the front line are still sufficient, enough to support the army for a year. In some important military fortresses, the materials stored are enough to support the defenders for three years.

  The five standing lines of defense have all been repaired to ensure that there will be no major omissions.

  Following up the line of defense, lords from all over the country are also organizing manpower to repair it.

  Generally speaking, the kingdom's preparations for the war were all normal, and there were no major disturbances. "

  The Grand Duke of Newfoundland reported calmly.

   When the war broke out, the work pressure on him, the prime minister, increased instantly. Fortunately, the people below knew the seriousness and did not make trouble at this point in time.

  Especially the aristocratic lords in the north, who were originally the most unstable elements in the kingdom, are now all active in preparing for war.

   There is no need for an order from the kingdom, and everyone spontaneously organizes manpower to repair the fortifications in their own territories.

  The perennial war has turned the northern provinces of the kingdom into a war machine.

  In the past years, the Alpha Kingdom has built fortresses in the northern border every year. There are more and more lines of defense being built.

  The fief lords in the north are not idle either. In the slack season, in addition to organizing serfs for military training, they also brought people to maintain and strengthen the castle fortress.

   Maybe they don't care about national defense and security, but they are extremely concerned about the security of their own territory.

  Under the pressure of survival, the subsidy issued by the kingdom miraculously fell into practice under the feudal bureaucratic system.

  The ancient enfeoffment system exudes the most dazzling charm in the Alpha Kingdom.

"Humph!"

  After a cold drink, Caesar III couldn't help but mocked: "I'm afraid it's not that the orcs want to attack in advance, but they have to attack. With their poor logistical capabilities, it is simply a dream to support a million troops.

  If the attack is not launched in advance, I am afraid that they will fight among themselves before the army is assembled.

   Anxious to launch an attack, most likely the gang of beasts wanted to eat meat, and they focused on the corpse of their companions! "

  The "beast" comes first, and the "man" comes after.

  As a mixed breed, orcs naturally inherit the wildness that belongs to beasts.

   Driven by the instinct of the weak to prey on the strong, the internal struggle of the orcs has always been fierce. The winner has it all, the loser is the food.

  Even if the five royal families deliberately suppressed it, they couldn't change this barbaric side.

   Every once in a while, the vassal races are invaded south. Whether the results of the battle can be achieved is second, and the key is to consume the unstable elements in the country.

  Especially some particularly fertile races are feared by the five royal families and become the main consumables in every war.

  …

  In the Mountain Territory, the news of the outbreak of the frontline war came, and the urging documents from the Governor's Office followed.

  Hudson, who was under great pressure, also had to urge the lords below to speed up the speed of material raising.

  Compared to raising supplies, it is actually more difficult to send things to the front line. According to the plan, the southeast province will send tens of thousands of tons of materials to the front line every month.

  Massive transportation tasks are obviously not something that a team of cavalry can complete. Each county can only organize its own team to transport supplies.

  The role of the Governor's Mansion is to coordinate and supervise. When it comes to the specific implementation, the noble lords below are responsible.

   Wright County was lucky, Hudson replaced a large amount of grain with iron products to hand in the task. It is also a transportation task, and delivering iron is obviously easier than delivering food.

  One pound of iron can be exchanged for twenty-five pounds of miscellaneous grains. Not to mention the shrinkage in volume and weight at the same time, there is no need to worry about loss during transportation.

  Even if there was an accident on the way, and it was exposed to wind, sun, and rain, at most it would only add a layer of rust, just scrape it off before handing in the task.

  If it was replaced with grain, several cars might be scrapped because of mold.

  Under normal circumstances, when transporting materials such as grain and salt, it is necessary to prepare more for losses during transportation.

  Dadeer City, looking at the piles of supplies, Hudson directly took the lead:

   "Everyone, the materials for this month have been prepared, and the next step is to transport things to the front line.

  I won't talk nonsense, for the sake of fairness, everyone will come directly to draw lots.

  These wooden signs are numbered, and the three people who draw No. 1 will be responsible for the first transportation task.

  Three people who draw No. 2 will be responsible for the transportation task of the next month, and so on.

  Everything is left to God to decide. If you are unlucky and get the lottery with the previous serial number, consider yourself unlucky!

  If you want to change it, you can, but it must be voluntary. Any despicable means are not allowed here.

  The lottery starts now, may the Lord of Dawn bless you all! "

  This is a decision, not a negotiation.

  He came up with the plan directly, without consulting everyone's opinions. Hudson's sudden role change made many people uncomfortable.

   Anyone with a little bit of political savvy knows that this is a test made in advance for the next reorganization of the army and issuing orders.

   Uncomfortable is uncomfortable, and if you want to object, you still have no way to start. The drawing of lots determines the order of the escorted materials, which does seem fair.

   To veto this proposal, not to mention offending people, the key is that it is difficult to come up with a better way to deal with it.

   "I'll come first!"

   Viscount Sith said with a gloomy face.

   It can be seen that his dissatisfaction with Hudson has become more intense.

   For such a big matter, he didn't even say hello to him, obviously ignoring him as the sheriff.

   But all of this, Hudson is still holding high the banner of righteousness against the orcs. No matter how dissatisfied he was, he could only hold back.

   "No. 1 lottery!"

  People are unlucky and drink cold water and their teeth are stuck. Sith never thought that his luck would be so good, and he would draw the worst lottery as soon as he came up.

  It seems that everyone has to perform transportation tasks, but the order is actually not important. But in fact, according to the serial number, it turns around, and the difference between one month and three years is three years.

  The occupation of northern Xinjiang was indeed protracted, but most of the time it only came to an end in two or three years. If you can stop and go in the middle, if you can drag it for three or four years, it is considered resilient.

   With any luck, the war will end within two years. Nobles with lower serial numbers don't even have to undertake a transportation mission.

   If you are unlucky, it will take exactly three years to end. Then the No. 1 lottery will win the first prize and need to undertake two transportation tasks.

   In front of everyone, Viscount Sith was too embarrassed to go back on his word, so he could only grit his teeth and admit his bad luck.

   "Viscount Hudson, it's your turn!"

  Looking at the bucket that Sith reluctantly handed over, Hudson smiled slightly and said:

   "You are welcome, Viscount Sith. I proposed the lottery. For the sake of fairness, everyone will draw first. The last one left will be mine!"

  For a show, although he is not a professional, he has seen a lot.

  Anyway, it's all about luck. When you can show your demeanor, there is no need to be the first.

  Instead of being the first to take the risk and bet on your own luck, it is better to stay quietly and gamble that there are enough unlucky people in the crowd to take away the wooden sign with the serial number in front.

   It's not that Hudson looks down on people, it's really the group of sad nobles in Wright County, no matter how they look at it, few of them are lucky.

   At the same time, he caught up with the rebels, the nobles' internal strife, the locust plague, and the full-scale invasion of orcs. In just two or three years, his life experience is richer than that of other people.

  It is a miracle that this kind of extreme luck can survive until now.

   If there is no way, Hudson doesn't want to be mixed with these unlucky teammates.

  Viscount Sith is a good negative teaching material. How bad my luck is, I don't have any clues in my heart.

   To be the first to jump out of the lottery, it is not surprising to get the first prize.

  (end of this chapter)