393: Chapter 43, Retaliation_1 393: Chapter 43, Retaliation_1 If the problem cannot be solved, deal with the one causing the problem.
As the Moxi Duchy was powerless against the Orc Army that initiated the conflict, they would have to start with handling their own people.
After hesitating for a long time while looking out the window, Chris the Ninth reluctantly said, “Follow Marshal Hodge’s proposal, carry out the Scorched Earth policy.
Tell the nobles, the Orc Army is here.
The darkest moment of the Duchy is about to fall, let them be prepared.
In the face of the invasion of the Orc Army, if the Alpha Kingdom managed to survive, we can too.
Whether it’s scrambling for food supply or fortifying fortresses, we no longer have time.
Relocate the serfs!
There is no need to keep everyone here for their burial.
Other than the younger and stronger ones who are left to guard the city, everyone else should evacuate to the south.
Let the nobles along the way provide them with supplies, all expenses will be settled by the Duchy and them.
The serfs’ relocation is only a suggestion by the Duchy, not a mandate.
If the food problem can be solved, we can leave all the people here.
Almost all the forts and castles in the fallen areas have succumbed.
It has been proved that our preparations are not enough to resist the Orcs’ military force.
If we distribute the defenses separately, they will easily be defeated by the enemy.
We will allow local nobles, by county, to stick together and guard a single strong city.
Again, there are no mandates.
If they think they have exceptional strength, they can definitely defend their own castle alone.
It’s fine even to take the initiative to attack and fight the Orc Army.”
Apart from the Scorched Earth policy that must be executed, all the other orders are merely suggestions, indicating the inner conflict within Chris the Ninth.
The scorched earth policy is a strategic supply.
If we do not clear the crops in the field on our own as soon as possible, it will be too late when the Orc Army comes.
No matter how heavy the losses are, it’s better than making the enemy benefit.
The harvested grains that are not ripe cannot be stored, but they can at least feed the livestock, which will compensate for the losses to some extent.
To relocate the serfs, it’s a major project.
Judging from the scorched earth area, the population that needs to be relocated is as many as millions.
In the Feudal Era, this is undoubtedly a crazy decision.
Deep down, Chris the Ninth is not even sure if it can be accomplished.
Especially when the young and strong are still being left at the front line, all the elderly, weak, women, and children will be evacuated.
On the way from the north to the south to relocate by walking thousands of miles, the number of casualties would be astronomical.
Despite the heavy losses, it’s better than being wiped out by the Orcs.
Although it was not directly stated, you could see the hesitation in Chris’s actions.
As the king, he didn’t have hope for his own country.
If this news got out, it would undoubtedly bring tears to the nobles of the Moxi Duchy at the frontline.
The appearance of relocating the serfs merely seems to be a necessary means to solve food problems, but in fact, it’s all to preserve the forces.
In the view of Chris the Ninth, once the gap in the defense line appeared, it’s only a matter of time before a few northern provinces on the flat plains would be lost.
The only ones able to put up a fight are the provinces in the Southern Region of the Duchy.
To trade space for time, resist step by step, perhaps they could last until the Human Alliance sends reinforcements.
By then, when we counterattack to reclaim our lost territories, these relocated serfs would become the main force of post-war reconstruction.
It’s important to preserve the serfs as much as possible, but to preserve the nobles who are the foundation of the Duchy is even more crucial.
With the precedent set by the Alpha Kingdom, Chris the Ninth was still confident about regaining lost territories and reclaiming his ancestral land in the future with the help of the Human Alliance.
The current strategic deployment, even though reluctantly, is laying the groundwork for the future.
…
The Moxi Duchy was preparing for the worst, and suddenly, the political pressure on Crown Prince Caesar also increased tremendously.
Although no one stated it explicitly, the fall of Bertelli Fortress and the delay of the Expeditionary Army’s actions were inevitably connected.
It was foreseeable that once the news was transmitted back home, the label of being reckless and disregarding the overall situation would most likely be put on him.
If he could not carry out timely remedies, leading to the failure of strategic tasks entrusted by the kingdom, the prestige he had accumulated beforehand would not be enough to offset it.
“Are Moxi People all useless?
They got their defense line torn open by the Orcs in no time flat, it’s like it was made out of paper.
Now it’s Bertelli Fortress that has fallen, so next time, would it be Terence, or even directly Dapes?”
The complaints from the depths of his soul had proved that Crown Prince Caesar was truly outraged.
Looking at the rage on his face, people who didn’t know the context might even suppose he was the Crown Prince of Moxi Duchy.
“My Liege, if the Orcs are determined to take a fortress, it’s almost impossible to resist with the power of a single noble family.
The mistake Moxi People made was misjudgement, underestimating the Orcs’ determination to take Bertelli Fortress, not being able to provide timely reinforcements.
They were slow to react, lacking control over the frontline situation, which is the flaw of Moxi People.
The downfall of the previous Augustusburg Defense Line, and now losing the Bertelli Fortress, both attest to this.
Moxi People cannot be relied upon at crucial times.
We must learn our lesson, we absolutely cannot let the army get stranded in the fort.”
Count Jose advised earnestly.
It seemed like he was discussing the issue of stationing troops, but in fact, he was subtly telling Crown Prince Caesar: Moxi People can’t be relied on, hurry up and abandon that unreliable plan from before!
“Victory report!”
“Victory report!”
…
The sudden “Victory report!” stopped the conversation between the two.
Following that, a guard handed a sealed document to Crown Prince Caesar.