I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 323 New Enemy
The encounter with the unscrupulous merchants is a small prelude to the start of the war. Their existence may be inconspicuous, but it can effectively hinder Chris's progress.

Fortunately, before the war officially began, the reliable self-examination mechanism of the army and the tax officials of the tax bureau eliminated these potential risks.

This allowed Chris to lead the First Army Corps away from the capital without any worries and embark on the road to the front lines... He would be unable to preside over this year's Harvest Festival.

This battle is so important that Chris can't just sit back and wait for the front lines to begin.

Besides the lack of resources, the main reason is that, apart from Chris himself, there is no one else in the entire Kingdom of Bagnia who can serve as marshal and command an army.

Marquis Dirac Sisso could not. He was of old noble birth, and even if he was capable of leading a legion, Chris could not entrust the legion to him. This was not a matter of trust, but a political one.

Isaac, who was loyal to Chris and followed him from the Bohemian Empire to the Kingdom of Bagnia, is now the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs Department.

First of all, he lacked the ability to command. Isaac, who was previously a low-ranking officer in Bohemia, had not received any formal military education. He only learned how to command small units on the battlefield through his own talent.

Secondly, Isaac, whose title is read as Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs Department and whose title is written as Chief Instructor, does not have the prestige to lead a legion. Chris once tried to let Isaac command a 1,500-man army, and he led it with great difficulty.

Leading a legion would be tantamount to forcing Isaac to his death.

If Chris can establish a sound staff system, Isaac can also lead troops into battle. As long as he is decisive enough and has the assistance and advice of staff officers, leading troops into battle is not difficult.

The problem is that this staff system, which is modeled after modern Earth armies, currently only exists on paper. Chris is still building even the most basic military academy. Where is he going to find a large group of officers with full theoretical knowledge to serve as combat staff officers?
The players are qualified, but Chris doesn't dare let them act as combat advisors. Their wildly imaginative thinking could very well lead their commander into a trap.

In conclusion, Chris must personally lead the troops; otherwise, the battle cannot be fought.

……

Chris rode atop a mountain horse that seemed anything but tall and imposing, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his dark green military jacket fluttering slightly in the late summer breeze.

He squinted, gazing at the winding mountain road in the distance, flanked by rolling hills and dense forests that shimmered in varying shades of green under the sunlight.

Summer in Baghnia was drawing to a close, and the air still carried a hint of sweltering heat, but the mountain breeze already carried a touch of coolness. The roadside grasses were beginning to turn yellow, and occasionally a few early fallen leaves drifted in the wind, landing at the feet of the marching column.

The air was filled with the mixed scents of earth, sweat, and leather. The afternoon sun slanted through the gaps in the trees, dancing on the soldiers' sweaty backs and gleaming gun barrels, casting dappled shadows.

Chris liked the sight of the First Corps soldiers winding along the mountain path like a silent, steel serpent in his vision.

Apart from the dull, continuous rustling sound of heavy boots pounding gravel and crushing mud, Chris could hear nothing but the occasional snorting of warhorses and the creaking of supply wagons.

There was no whispering, no complaining or sighing.

Chris watched from horseback for a while, then jumped off, took the horse and the soldiers, and started walking forward.

No matter how lacking in animal power the army may be, there will always be one more horse for the prince to get up. Chris doesn't ride a horse simply because riding on horseback for a long time is a bit too tight in his crotch, causing pain in his inner thighs.

Walking helps improve physical health, allowing Chris, who sits in the office for long periods, to avoid some embarrassing minor illnesses... Chris himself is unsure of his current physical condition.

"Clang, clang... Make way, mail, make way, important mail!"

A bell sound coming from behind caught Chris's attention, causing him to instinctively look back.

It was a postman in a blue uniform, speeding along a mountain road on a traditional Chinese bicycle, the bell hanging on the handlebars jingling as he fiddled with it.

The brand-new bicycle bounced and hopped along the rugged mountain road, but the postman seemed glued to the seat, skillfully controlling the direction and weaving nimbly along the edge of the marching column.

"Excuse me, there's an urgent document from the State Council!"

The postman shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the valley. If anyone didn't move aside, he wouldn't brake; instead, he would stand up and stomp on the ground, as if to say, "If you don't move, I'll run you over."

Chris knew from the mailman's arrogant demeanor that he was a gamer.

The Post Office is a department recently established by Chris, which is responsible for the delivery of letters and goods within the kingdom. It is directly under the Ministry of Government and its departmental level is equal to that of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Taxation.

Given the current severe shortage of animal power in Bagnia, and in order to enable the newly established post office's mail carriers to deliver urgent and non-urgent mail to their destinations quickly and efficiently, Chris ordered the state-owned steel mill to manufacture "Iron Horse" bicycles.

Actually, if Chris wanted to save costs, he should have purchased the bicycle from an online shopping platform; that would have been the most efficient option.

The 21st century has all kinds of bicycles, including the old-fashioned 28-inch bicycles from the last century, and they are plentiful and inexpensive.

However, in order to improve the manufacturing capabilities of his own steel mill and create production jobs, Chris still ordered the state-owned steel mill to produce bicycles.

This Iron Horse brand bicycle is a completely Bagnya-made product. From the raw materials to the frame, chain, handlebars, and tires, everything is produced locally in Bagnya. Although the craftsmanship is slightly rough, it is by no means inferior in terms of practicality.

The chains are hand-hammered by master craftsmen and their apprentices. The machines that produce the chains are still under construction, which is why the cost of the chains remains high.

The plastic used in the wheels' tires is not a petroleum product, but rather a material brought by an insect that players discovered in underground caves.

These snow-white insects, about the thickness of an adult's thumb, prefer cold and damp environments. When they are full and resting, they secrete a special mucus on their body surface to wrap themselves up. After hardening, they form a soft, chewy shell to protect themselves from predators.

The slimy exoskeleton of this insect, after being processed and refined by player chemists, can be made into an elastic material similar to rubber, which players have given it a fitting name – “Ground Rubber Bug”.

The solid tires of Iron Horse bicycles are made using this shellac, and the tires made from it are quite good. They are lighter, tougher, and more durable than plastic.

The player inventor who discovered and created shellac commented on it: "Damn, that idiot Chris used shellac to make wheels for a bicycle, what a waste!"

Although Chris knew it was wasteful, and that the high-performance shellac should be used to make other more important things, for the time being, the Iron Horse was a higher priority.

Because of the Iron Horse, many players who don't love war, farming, or business, but just want to enjoy the scenery and experience life in the game, have joined the post office and become freelance mail carriers.

For these types of players, delivering letters is secondary; enjoying the scenery along the way is their main goal.

Therefore, for these postman players, the post office doesn't force them to accept missions, but once they do, they must deliver the mail to the recipient within the specified time. Timely delivery earns reputation rewards, while late delivery incurs penalties. Players can choose not to accept missions, but they cannot accept them and then neglect them.

Chris watched the mailman rushing towards him, and the soldiers around him consciously or unconsciously made way for him. The mailman shouted "Make way!" and waved to Chris.

Soon, the postman arrived in front of Chris. He slammed on the brakes, brought his bicycle to a steady stop, took a letter bearing the official seal of the State Council from the mailbag on the back of the bicycle, and tossed it into Chris's hand.

"Letter delivered, I'm off!"

After saying that, the player pushed the iron horse forward a few steps, then jumped gracefully onto the seat and rode off with a clanging sound, not much slower than a horse.

Chris kept walking; he didn't stop because of the letter.

He opened the letter, glanced at it, and laughed... It was about the fate of the unscrupulous merchant who supplied the First Army Corps with substandard canned goods.

"Although the tax bureau is quite bad, without these villains, I really wouldn't be able to mess with those unscrupulous merchants who dare to pass off inferior goods as superior ones."

Indeed, only players truly understand how to outmaneuver and deal with other players.

Chris smiled, put the letter away, and continued his march on foot.

However, it seems that someone is working against Chris today and is unwilling to let him complete the action to improve his physical health.

Sure enough, he hadn't gone far when another letter arrived in Chris's hands... This time, it was an army messenger carrying a flag and riding a fast horse, bringing Chris an urgent report from the front lines.

When Chris received the letter, he knew roughly what the situation was. The eyes of the frontline players were his eyes, and with the posts on the offline forums, Chris could get the latest news from the front lines.

However, this understanding is only general; the specific situation still needs to wait for the report from the frontline commander... Major General Marlowe.

Your Highness:

The Ninth and Tenth Corps have crossed the border according to your predetermined plan.

The defenses of the Minnesota border fortress 'Anvil Fortress' were shockingly weak... the city gates were wide open, the arrow towers were deserted, and the garrison seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Our army captured the fortress without bloodshed, seized a number of intact defensive weapons, and had ample food reserves. This situation proves that the Bohemian army's withdrawal was not a normal rotation.

The civil war in the Kingdom of Minicia may indeed have occurred.

The opportunity is fleeting, and I have ordered the Ninth and Tenth Corps to advance at full speed toward Tavitsky.

This decision is based on three points: First, His Highness granted me the authority to make 'decisive decisions and act expediently' before the war.

Secondly, the maps and military orders captured from the fortress confirmed the movement of the enemy's main force.

Thirdly, judging from its location, Tavitsky would provide our army with an invaluable strategic foothold, and any enemy forces attempting to enter Tavitsky would be unable to ignore the city's existence…+
Chris read it carefully twice, and after confirming Major General Marlowe's thoughts and actions, he pursed his lips.

"Bring me a pen and paper."

Chris gave the order, and the guards beside him immediately stepped forward, took a pen and paper, and set up a folding table and chairs for him to sit down and write in.

Chris didn't sit down; he stood and leaned over the lightweight, folding iron table, spread out the letter paper, and picked up the dip pen. Ink gathered at the tip of the pen, dripped onto the rough paper, and spread into a small patch of deep blue, like the approaching night.

The soldiers around them subconsciously slowed their pace, and even the snorting of their warhorses was lowered. Only the whistling of the mountain wind through the gaps in the forest and the distant sound of supply wagons made this small space feel particularly solemn.

The pen tip scratched across the paper, making a soft rustling sound, and every word Chris wrote carried an undeniable air of authority.

General Marlowe:
The eagle's message has arrived, and it knows all the previous events.

The emptiness of Anvil Fortress and Tavitsky's "capture" both prove that the internal strife in the enemy is real and that the opportunity for war has indeed emerged.

Your ability to make decisive decisions on the spot, leading your troops straight to Tavitsky and seizing a strategic stronghold, demonstrates the courage and decisiveness expected of a general, and I am very pleased. Your actions are permitted!

Of course!
Tavitsky is your end point, and also the current limit for the Ninth and Tenth Legions!

Whatever intelligence you obtain in Tavitsky... the enemy is in retreat, the capital is empty, and even the Minisian royal family has surrendered.

Without further explicit orders from this commander, not a single soldier is permitted to cross the defense perimeter of Tavitsky and advance even one step into the heart of Minicia!
Major General Marlowe is very adventurous. His decisive surrender and current advances demonstrate his character and style. Chris is a little afraid that this kid is not satisfied and will lead his troops forward to expand his territory.

To be honest, Chris's ambitions weren't that great. With nearly 10,000 regular troops and several times that number of auxiliary soldiers and laborers, his goal was very clear... he just needed to securely capture Tavitsky.

Chris felt that the Kingdom of Bagnia might not be able to digest it.

Secondly, if Major Marlowe continues to charge forward and is ambushed, with only two regular regiments of troops, mostly new recruits, he could very well be wiped out if the situation turns unfavorable.

There are many differences between new recruits and veterans, and the most worrying one is the instability of the former.

If the two legions were to disappear like this, Chris would be furious. He'd have to cosplay Augustus and yell, "Marlowe, give me back my legions..."

After writing the letter, Chris immediately dispatched a squad of soldiers with it to Tavitsky.

Chris is now less than ten kilometers from the border, and if the messenger team travels at full speed, the letter can be delivered to Major General Marlowe in less than three hours.

This matter needs to be handled urgently, not delayed.

As it turned out, being hasty was the right thing to do, because six hours later, the First Corps arrived at the Minesian Iron Felt Fortress, took up residence there, and prepared to spend the night when Chris received a letter from Major General Marlowe.

+Unidentified scouts were spotted outside Tavitsky, suspected to be soldiers of the Reteria Empire...+
(End of this chapter)