Chapter 247: The Marquis's Attitude

Chapter 247: The Marquis's Attitude

Lu Lans was already preparing for bed when he did not expect such a serious matter to unfold in the middle of the night.

He leaned against the headboard, holding the letter for help sent by Corian. His expression remained calm, as though he were accustomed to such things.

The letter was undoubtedly authentic. The Knight Commander sent several letters each year, and Lu Lans had long recognized his handwriting. The marks on the bird also confirmed that the letter couldn't have been forged.

"Mm."

He sighed and looked at Wiggins, who was sitting nearby. "What are your plans?"

Wiggins shared his thoughts.

"I'm going to issue a war order to the other nobles, gathering troops to support Giant Stone City and retake Red Mountain Town."

Wiggins was ambitious. "If the opportunity arises, we could even recapture Kasir Town or advance further south!"

"Oh yes, father."

He glanced at Luo Ning and added, "I cannot personally go to the front lines in this campaign, so I plan to have Luo Ning represent our Wushan family and serve as the commander of this operation."

When Lu Lans heard this, his brows furrowed slightly. He looked toward Toru and Kabir, who were also present.

"What do you two think?"

The two exchanged looks, and Kabir spoke first.

"My Lord Marquis, it's unusual that the Polante Bandits managed to defeat the Fifth Knights this time. I suggest you write to Corian immediately, asking him to clarify the situation of the battle so we can take appropriate countermeasures."

He paused briefly, then continued, "Regardless, Wushanling will definitely teach the enemy a lesson this time!"

Toru nodded in agreement. "I share Kabir's opinion, sir. If the Polante thieves aren't taught a lesson, they'll continue expanding northward."

Lu Lans nodded slightly.

This war could only be avoided if Wushanbao were to initiate a ceasefire agreement with the Polante Bandits and abandon Chishan Town.

But if that happened, how would the other lords view Wushanbao? It would be humiliating—giving up without a fight, seeking peace with a lowly bandit group.

No, the war was inevitable.

"Write to Corian now, asking him to explain the situation of the battle and whether the enemy intends to continue its invasion of Boulder City."

Lu Lans gave the order. "As for the rest, follow Wiggins's plan."

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave. "Luo Ning, stay."

Wiggins, Kabir, and the others got up and left the bedroom. Before they left, they all glanced at Roning, wondering what the Marquis would discuss with him.

After leaving the bedroom, Wiggins began making arrangements.

He first asked his liaison officer, Carolina, to draft a letter and send it via a bird of prey to Boulder City overnight to inquire about the current situation.

Meanwhile, Toru was tasked with transferring some knight squads from the First Knights Regiment to support Corian, ensuring that half of the regiment didn't succumb to the pressure and encounter mishaps.

In addition, since the decision to launch the attack had been made, the supplies previously sent to Chishan Town were insufficient. The political officer and financial officer needed to coordinate personnel and prepare more supplies as quickly as possible.

Wiggins himself was finalizing the contents of the war order with Kabir.

Over the years, in the face of wars launched by the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Polante Thieves, although Wiggins wasn't particularly skilled in battlefield command, he had done remarkably well with early mobilization.

Looking at the busy figures of those leaving, Bretton clenched his fists. It was a pity that his strength was still too weak, or he would have been able to go to the battlefield.

"Mother, do you think Brother Luo Ning will agree to go to the battlefield?"

Diane looked back at Lu Lans's house. "Maybe?"

She only knew that Lu Lans valued Roning greatly. If he prioritized his safety, he might not want him to go to the front lines.

In the bedroom, only Lu Lans and Luo Ning remained.

"Wiggins asked you to represent the Wushan family as the commander of this war. What do you think?"

Luo Ning had also been considering this question.

When Wiggins issued a call for war, all the nobles in Wushan Territory, large and small, would respond, whether by sending knights and soldiers or providing money, food, and supplies.

Luo Ning, as the Viscount of Wubei Territory, would also be expected to contribute.

"Although Wubei Territory is in disrepair, as a member of the Wushan family, I will still do my best to contribute," Luo Ning said. "But I need to think carefully about the commander's role. After all, I've never been on the battlefield and lack experience. If I issue commands blindly, it could be disastrous for the troops."

Lu Lans nodded.

While there was no direct financial reward for commanding the coalition forces, the position carried many benefits.

Above all, if the battle was won, the commander would gain considerable fame.

The larger the battle, the higher the reputation.

Reputation was especially valuable for someone like Luo Ning, whose territory was still in its infancy. A well-established reputation could attract more talent and foster greater unity.

"I'm glad you recognize your own limitations and aren't blinded by the thirst for power," Lu Lans said.

He recalled when he had appointed Wiggins to suppress the resistance forces in the territory. Like Luo Ning, Wiggins had little experience, and it resulted in a series of complications—leading to the escape of several enemies into the northern woods and the later formation of the savage tribe.

"Actually, I don't want you to participate in this battle. Or, if you do, I'd prefer you serve as a logistics officer in the rear."

Perhaps he was getting old, or perhaps it was because he subconsciously compared Roning to his eldest son, Grahams, who had died on the battlefield. Lu Lans didn't want Roning to follow in those footsteps.

"The battlefield is dangerous, and the composition of the Polante Bandits is complex. We must approach this carefully," Lu Lans said.

Luo Ning was concerned about the words "complex composition."

In fact, he had long suspected something about these so-called bandit groups and brotherhoods. How could a force that was supposedly wiped out by Wushanling grow so quickly?

"Grandpa, are you implying that someone is backing the Polante Bandit Group?" Luo Ning asked. "Could it be the Earl of Moonlight Valley?"

Lu Lans was a little surprised. He didn't expect Luo Ning to think of this and felt somewhat relieved.

"You are much more perceptive than your father. He has fought the Polante Bandits several times but never considered this possibility."

He shifted the conversation. "But this is just a guess. There's no solid evidence to support it."

Such matters needed to be handled in secrecy.

Openly supporting a bandit group to invade another noble's territory was against the kingdom's laws. If Wushan Castle discovered the truth and reported it to the capital, even if Jesus was His Majesty's younger brother, he would face severe consequences.

"Then what about the Black Gold Brotherhood? Are they supported by Vera?"

Lu Lans fell silent for a moment before slowly responding. "Maybe."

It seemed Lu Lans had some knowledge of these two forces, but he was too old and lacked the energy to deal with them now.

Although the borders were in turmoil, most of Wushan Territory remained peaceful, which was acceptable to Lu Lans. He considered the southeast and southwest regions as testing grounds.

But he couldn't help but wonder—was the Polante Bandits' strong offensive just to take Chishan Town, or was there a larger plan in motion?

Lu Lans put aside his thoughts. "If you don't want to go to the battlefield, I'll assign you to oversee logistics. But if you want to fight and experience the war firsthand, you will, of course, command the troops representing the Wushan family. I will arrange for assistance."

"There's still some time before mobilization. Go back and think it over carefully."

Although a qualified family heir needed to undergo the baptism of war, Lu Lans wasn't in a rush.

For him, losing Chishan Town or even Jushi Territory wasn't a problem as long as most of Wushan Territory remained peaceful.

He believed that with time, once Roning and Bretton grew stronger, these lost territories could be reclaimed.

However, Lu Lans still gave the final decision to Roning, letting him choose his own path.

"I'll think about it carefully," Luo Ning said before standing and leaving the bedroom.

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