Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 146 Pre-Battle Preparations

6 month 23 day.

In the height of summer, the air in the Troskii Territory was thick with the scent of metal, damp earth, and tension. Lead-gray clouds hung low, oppressive and suffocating, as if even the sky sensed the impending bloody storm raging across the land.

Urged by the town government, the seven villages accelerated the harvest of large quantities of agricultural products, including rye, peas, broad beans, milk, cheese, butter, honey, carrots, and cabbage.

The No. 1 Military Industrial Park has produced a batch of pig iron; the No. 2 Industrial Park is using this batch of pig iron to create a new type of hydraulic forging hammer; and the No. 3 Industrial Park has produced "Krezer powder" with aligned particle size according to Peter's formula and bottled it for testing.

Troski had already completed the personnel assembly one or two days earlier than Ichin, Rovin, and Turnov.

Meanwhile, in the command room of Lion Camp, located on the western side of the territory, a military meeting was being held in a somber atmosphere.

A huge hand-painted sheepskin map hangs on the wall, clearly marking the current situation with different colored dyes—three arrows representing hostile forces are pointing menacingly from the east, west, and south towards the area in the center of the map that represents the Trotsky territory.

Peter stood quietly before the map. His posture was like a pine tree, every line exuding a toughness and composure honed through experience. His finger lightly touched the center of the map, his voice so calm it was almost imperceptible, yet it made everyone present feel a weight on their shoulders.

"The situation is clear to everyone."

Peter spoke, his gaze sweeping over the six Lion Guard squad leaders, the militia company commander, and the militia captains from the seven villages standing around the rough wooden table.

"Baron Pessen Yufu of the Ichin Territory, Count Turnov of the Turnov Territory, and Baron Rowen of Rowen Town are all stirring up trouble. The combined forces of these three parties are estimated to have a much larger number of troops than we can muster."

"Baron Pesson Yufu of the territory of Ichin has a castle guard of sixty men, five hundred conscripted civilians, two knights, twenty heavy warriors, and ten armed cavalrymen."

"Baron Ize Rowan of Rowan Town has a castle guard of forty men, three hundred conscripted civilians, two knights, twenty heavy warriors, and ten armed cavalrymen."

"Count Karel Turnov of Turnov has a castle guard of 120 men, 800 conscripted civilians, 6 knights, 60 heavy infantrymen, and 30 armed cavalrymen."

"They may not be strong in combat, but if we let them rush into our heartland, they would be enough to create a wave and cause huge destruction."

He paused, letting those cold numbers settle in everyone's hearts.

"And what the territory can rely on is us, the people here today." His gaze swept across each of their faces.

Individually, Petrovsky fears no one. But against a combined force of three, he would be at a significant disadvantage, especially in terms of heavy armor and armed cavalry.

"God is on our side! We'll definitely crush these wolves trying to take advantage!" a gruff voice roared. It was John Big Mouth, the squad leader of the Griffin Guard. He was as burly as a bear standing upright, with a full beard.

"They were scared."

The one who spoke was the second squad leader, Redbeard Andrei, who was over two meters tall, with fiery red hair and an equally fiery temper. "He's afraid we'll break their centuries-old rules of tyranny, and he's afraid that if we become powerful, the surrounding people will flock to us! I know all too well what those old lords are like."

"Three wolves together are still wolves. But we are lone, brave griffins that can fly and burrow underground."

The third squad leader, "Hound Ace," licked his lips. He was lean and wiry, but his eyes were unusually sharp as he stared at the map, as if searching for the weakness of his prey. His eyes were bright and alert, with a hint of bloodlust, just like a hunting dog tracking its prey. "Let them come," he said. "My sword has been thirsting for blood for a long time."

"Sheepdogs are vulnerable to attacks from hungry wolves because they can only passively defend. But hungry wolves can attack their defenses from various angles."

Squad leader Klaus crossed his arms, his brow furrowed, as if calculating every possible chance of victory.

"What if we initiate the attack? Why should they be the ones attacking us?"

The fifth squad leader, "Tomcat Carter," wore his signature, slightly mocking smile as he toyed with a dagger in his hand, which twirled nimbly between his fingers as if it were alive.

"Initiating conflict will make you disliked by the surrounding lords."

Squad leader "Lone Wolf Conrad," clutching his longsword and arms crossed, suggested in a low but decisive voice, "But—since the lords around us all want to invade us, what are we worried about?"

The militia company commander, Meng Qi, and the militia captains from the seven villages were also eager to try.

Since the "Ten Points of Military Merit" system was introduced, both the Griffin Guard and the militia members have been eager to fight on the battlefield, improve their class attributes, and obtain their own private land.

"very good."

Peter took in the reactions of his diverse and formidable subordinates and smiled with satisfaction. Their fearlessness and eagerness for battle demonstrated the effectiveness of his previous institutional reforms.

"In ancient Greece, long ago, there was a courtier named Damocles."

Peter looked around at the crowd and began to tell a story in a gentle tone. The people present were all roughnecks, but they were very interested in the story. Peter often used stories to impart knowledge to these people.

"He often complained to the king that the king was the happiest man in the world, possessing everything people could want. So the king proposed to exchange identities with Damocles."

"At the royal banquet, the king seated Damocles on his throne, dressed him in royal robes, and placed him on a golden crown at a table in the banquet hall, which was laden with delicious food, flowers, fine wine, rare perfumes, and enchanting music."

Peter paused here deliberately for a few seconds.

"This king is very enlightened. If it were our King Gigi, he would never have let anyone else lay a finger on the crown."

"This Damocles is so happy. I wish I could have such a wonderful life."

The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves.

Peter continued, "Damocles felt he was the happiest man in the world at that moment. But when he raised his cup, he saw in its reflection a sharp sword hanging upside down from the ceiling by a horsehair, its tip almost touching his head. Damocles froze, his smile vanished, his face turned ashen, his hands trembled, and he lost his appetite and thirst, wanting only to escape the palace. Because this sword was always hanging over his head, and who knows when, who, or what might cut that thin thread and kill him. This is the origin of a famous ancient Greek story—the Sword of Damocles."

"A sword hanging overhead? Oh my God, that's really dangerous."

"If you put yourself in their shoes, then flowers, wine, and food really don't taste good anymore."

The public's attitude changed dramatically, from envy to sympathy.

"What I want to say is that we have just captured Troski, transforming from bandits into lords. We have gained power, money, glory, and the support and cheers of the people, just like Damocles becoming king."

Peter's words resonated with everyone. Their changed identities had brought about a significant shift in their mindset; in short, they were overflowing with happiness.

"But these three lords who intend to attack us are like swords hanging in the air, ready to strike. If we ignore them and passively wait for their attack, it would be as foolish as waiting for the thin thread of a sword to break."

Peter stretched out his hand and slapped it hard on the enemy's position on the parchment map, saying, "Since the sword tip is about to touch our heads, let's grab it, pull it off, and shove it into our scabbards as our spoils!"

"Alright! We're willing to obey your orders and strike first!"

"Those who dare to plot against us should be prepared to face our retaliation!"

"We must let the enemy know that the Trostich territory is protected by Lord Peter, and any act of invasion will be punished—not even thought of it is permissible, and even contemplating it is a sin!"

"Fight them out! Fight them out!"

The generals on site were in high spirits.

Seeing that the meeting had achieved its goal of unifying thinking and boosting morale, Peter immediately gave the order: "John, you continue to guard Trostsky Castle and prevent enemy attacks. It is our administrative center, so do not be careless."

"Ah, okay."

John the Big Mouth, who hadn't gotten a chance to fight, could only sigh and agree.

"Andrei, you are to guard Nebakov Castle. The militia of Semi and Stil Villages, go and assist in the defense."

"Yes."

Andrei and the two village militia captains stood up to receive the order.

"The militias of Draviko and Takhov have strengthened security and prisoner management at the military industrial park."

"Yes."

"Other units, get ready. Gather twenty caravans. Once Jerry's intelligence reports back, we'll immediately proceed with the next phase of operations."

"Yes."

The captains of the four squads of the Lion Guard, the village of Lion, the village of Trossky, the village of Apolonia, and the village of Zheleyov rose to receive their orders.

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