Chapter 1575: Chapter 60: Season of Harvest_2
Including the previous kingdom reform, it was also implemented selectively in certain areas, not directly promoted nationwide.
After the reform was obstructed, it was decisively halted, avoiding large-scale armed conflict.
“Your Majesty, since the kingdom government initiated the reform until now, the government’s direct financial revenue has slightly decreased, but the grain collected has increased by thirty percent, and the civilian grain reserves have also significantly risen.
The fact proves that as long as the reform is implemented, the overall national strength of the kingdom will rise rapidly.
The Marshal believes that the conditions for abolishing the tax farming system are now met, and there must be reasons for that. It’s inconvenient to discuss in writing, but we can speculate a bit.”
Prime Minister Duke Delgado’s hint instantly made everyone think of the previous four-route expeditionary army.
Initially, it seemed like Hudson picking heavyweight nobles to lead the army was just to prevent Alpha the First from extending his influence over the military. It’s now clear there was more to the plan.
Each expeditionary army represents a major power, and it is the most stable major power of the kingdom.
With the heads of clans and the main forces of private armies fighting abroad, it’s tough to do anything even if they oppose tax system reform.
The tax farming system was originally set up temporarily, and from a legal standpoint, the kingdom government’s abolition of the tax farming system is entirely legitimate.
Thinking of this, everyone’s resentment towards Alpha the First deepened a bit.
If it weren’t for his reckless behavior leading to Duke Touss’s death, four major burdens would have been alleviated.
Without these prestigious old nobles leading the Conservative Faction, any disruptive efforts from them would be much weaker.
Similar maneuvers have been played before. It was by using the nobles’ various expeditions to the Papal State that everyone had a chance to push the reformists.
Recalling the smooth progress at the beginning of the reform, everyone began to feel eager again.
Since establishing the reformists, they have had no turning back. Either push the reform through to the end, or fall during its process.
Compromise and retreat would be irresponsible to their own lives.
For a local power figure like Hudson, the Conservative Faction might selectively choose to ignore, but for these court officials, they would show no mercy.
Once the reform is declared a failure, a political counterattack from the Conservative Faction would be their demise.
“The Chancellor is right; this is indeed an opportunity. We’ve missed one chance already, and if we miss this one…”
Count Francis left the sentence unfinished, leaving a look for everyone to interpret on their own.
Everything is best left unsaid!
Sometimes, relying on one’s own imagination can be the deadliest.
…
On a wintry morning, the waving Dragon Bear Battle Flag fluttered in the wind, as if resonating with the sunbeams descending from the sky.
The assembly horn sounded, and numerous soldiers appeared on the training field, awaiting Hudson’s speech.
“Move out!”
The swearing-in ceremony had already been conducted when fooling the Black Forest People before, so a second one wasn’t needed.
Facing a group of defeated generals, there’s no need for excessive morale boosting. Even though the Centipede Army showed considerable combat effectiveness, everyone still had unwavering confidence in victory.
According to the prior deployment, the army marched orderly towards the Black Stone Mountain Range.
As the Commander in Chief, Hudson didn’t walk ahead of the troops but observed the land from the sky.
Maxim’s enormous figure served as the best marker, recognizable even from dozens of miles away.
Unlike previous various stratagems, this time Hudson laid out no tactics, aiming for a solid and steady approach.
The terrain of the Black Stone Mountain Range is unique, filled with lofty mountains and peaks, and inhabited by a large number of magical beasts.
Any strategy here must first consider how to implement it!
If not for the division by the Hundred Mile Corridor, normal passage for the army would have been difficult, and detours were impossible.
Things like “night raids” aren’t even worth considering.
The enemies have lived in the Earth Core World for years; the night is no obstacle to them. Hudson won’t perform a fool’s errand.
The army’s grand march quickly alarmed the remaining Giant Foot Centipedes.
“How is this possible!
The Sanctuary Divine Beasts promised that the Human Race wouldn’t attack the Black Stone Mountain Range. Now, with the enemy’s massive army at our doorstep, why is there no reaction from them?
Could it be that the Alpha Kingdom has become so powerful that it can ignore the magical beasts’ warnings, willing to stir a war with them just to eliminate us!
…”
With a belly full of doubts, the King Centipede quickly recovered from panic.
The truth can be studied later; the immediate priority is to block the enemy’s army.
A mere Hundred Mile Corridor is trivial to the Giant Foot Centipede Clan, but the Earth Core Entrance here must be defended.
If the Earth Core Entrance is lost, their retreat path will be cut off.
Without the protection of the army, the old and weak of the clan who have yet to migrate from the Earth Core World are doomed to suffer as time passes.
The army that entered the surface world, having lost their stronghold, would equally become rootless ducksweed.
The threat of extermination looms near, and the King Centipede cannot afford any delays, immediately ordering:
“Send someone to notify Marshal Howell, ordering him to immediately redeploy half of his troops to reinforce us!”
As a ruler seasoned with warfare, the King Centipede is well aware that strategic defense does not mean abandoning newly occupied lands.
The more dangerous the moment, the more one must maintain a strong front externally.
Once they reveal their weakness, the Black Forest People battling them will also burst out from the castle, hounding the army relentlessly from behind.
If any carelessness occurs, retreat will turn into a rout.