320: Chapter 14, Ambition_1 320: Chapter 14, Ambition_1 Upon entering the study, what greeted Hudson was not a scolding but a huge map.
Perhaps it was Viscount Orlan’s tolerance, or perhaps he didn’t consider the romantic affairs of the day as important.
He led Hudson directly to the map.
From the small annotations, it could vaguely be ascertained that this was a map of Fengyun Province.
In an instant, Hudson understood what was going on.
As the unfortunate bastards, the capricious nobles of Fengyun Province, have really stepped on a landmine this time.
To complete their defensive mission, it was said that various nobles of Fengyun province conducted a second conscription within their territory.
The number of young and robust men involved in this war probably already exceeded two hundred thousand.
Even so, they only managed to hold their defense line with the support of the kingdom’s reinforcements.
Having suffered a severe defeat in the first round of the war, it was undeniable that the nobles of Fengyun Province must be having a hard time.
If there were no miracles, many noble families were bound to decline and even perish.
As an old neighbor, it’s only right for Hudson to show concern and consolation.
There was absolutely no other intention.
“The situation is tough!
On the front lines of the battlefield, anything can happen.
Viscount Hudson, are you ready to face the challenge?”
Seeing the passionate Viscount Orlan, Hudson wanted to reply — no!
The war preparations were currently ongoing.
Though it seemed to show initial results, everybody knew that it was still far from sufficient.
The all-out war launched by the Orc Empire was never easy.
While the Alpha Kingdom had reinforcements, the Orc Empire had them as well.
As per tradition, the Orcs would not stop until they had consumed almost all the resources of their various tribes.
If a species disappeared from the Orc Empire due to the war, it shouldn’t be seen as peculiar.
It was merely standard procedure.
Perhaps in a few years, the extinct species might reappear.
In the Orc Empire, which was rife with cross-species mating, if not daily, surely new species were born monthly.
These species usually came and went as they pleased.
Most of the rare species came and left this world in a haze.
This level of warfare was a competition of comprehensive strength from both sides, far beyond the influence of one or two nobles’ efforts.
Regardless of how well-prepared one might be, they would be insignificant on the battlefield and at most, only affect the course of the local war.
Even though they could be uncertain internally, they must display absolute confidence externally.
Every successful noble was a qualified boldly assertive king.
“Everything is proceeding according to plan.
If nothing unexpected occurs, when it’s time to join the war, I will lead at least twenty thousand elite soldiers into the battlefield!”
The spirited voice was as if he was already in possession of twenty thousand elite soldiers, ready to march at any moment.
In reality, the entire Koslow Family’s private army combined with all the private armies of Qiaomu County’s aristocratic houses couldn’t even make up ten thousand elites.
“Twenty thousand elites is not a small force, but to survive and gain from this war, it might be inadequate.
According to information from the front line, the total casualties of the Fengyun Province’s noble’s private armies have already surpassed seventy thousand, thirty thousand of which were killed in action.
Among them, there were over a thousand noble children.
The rumors outside suggest that Fengyun Province contributed half of the casualties on the front line and it was no exaggeration.
It has been said that many military priests have fallen due to exhaustion from treating wounded soldiers.
If they were not cornered without options, and couldn’t rely on the honor of the Orcs, they would have probably collapsed early on.
This is the consequence of inadequate preparation!
If they had taken their military training more seriously, they wouldn’t be in this situation.
Poor Flowing Wind Family, under the leadership of an egotistical family head, was likely facing decline!
The various nobles of Fengyun Province have been swindled greatly by him.
After losing so many nobles, they will undoubtedly settle accounts after the war.
The Flowing Wind Family, with its thousands of years of heritage, might never recover from this setback and might even cease its heritage.”
Intelligence was Hudson’s weakness.
Even if he wanted to send someone to the front lines, it would be impossible to make a mark in a short period of time.
Those mere noble military officers were nothing but cannon fodder.
The one fortunate enough to not die on the battlefield and manage to send information back in time is considered lucky.
To be able to get detailed casualty reports, it’s evident that the Hollis family has placed offsprings with significant military status and influence in the front lines, possibly even holding key positions within the headquarters.
Currently, Viscount Orlan was bringing up the Flowing Wind Family as a talking point.
Sympathy may arise from their shared misfortune, but he was unlikely to be so benevolent.
Just by looking at the map, to the west of Qiaomu County lies Fengyun Province.
It is obligatory to care about your neighbor when they run into trouble.
After all, opportunities like these are rare.
The Flowing Wind Family wasn’t the only one in misfortune, all the nobles of Fengyun Province were swindled, and after the war they will undoubtedly enter a period of weakness.
The Dalton Family dominates the Southeastern Province, denying Hollis’s further advancements.
Casting their sights on their inevitably declining neighbors is understandable.
As one of the most powerful intermediate aristocracies, should they avoid significant losses in the war, the success rate of the Hollis Family seizing control of Fengyun Province would not be low.
As for how to operate, Hudson need not worry.
His ancestors were once major nobles.
He did not believe that Viscount Orlan would be unaware of the rules of the upper-class political game.