Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest
Chapter 222 - 27: A Thousand Troops Marching Out

Chapter 222: Chapter 27: A Thousand Troops Marching Out

"Go rescue Morry."

Roman said to everyone.

Seth objected, "Lord, are you serious? Wars are being fought everywhere now."

"He has helped me a great deal," Roman nodded, "I cannot abandon him."

The atmosphere of the meeting grew somber.

Past wars were inevitable, necessary for progress, every expansion had to go through such things.

But this time it was different, it was Roman’s personal idea.

"This is not something one person can achieve," Dick said, "even a whole team of Conquest Knights can’t manage it."

Buck High Land had been trapped for a long time, Lord Owen’s prestige in that land was high, and the people were willing to support him.

Riptide Grand Duke’s army was deadlocked there.

You couldn’t fight your way in, but no one could get out either.

The biggest problem was, they didn’t know the specific situation on the other side, it was very likely they would return without accomplishing anything, and the march alone took too much time.

"Then we should send more people!" Roman said.

Everyone looked at each other, realizing the resolve in Roman.

"Will you regret it?" Jet suddenly asked.

"Are you talking about a year from now or ten years from now?" Roman responded, "I might regret it after a year, I won’t after ten years."

"Then you are far-sighted," Jet nodded.

"How many people will you send?"

"That depends on you, how many do you think is appropriate?"

"Two Infantry?"

People debated heatedly.

"Not enough."

"Add other types of soldiers."

"Gather a thousand men, the more the better."

"So we should accompany them with some Heavy Soldiers, to avoid accidents."

"Not just some, most of this troop needs to be Heavy Soldiers," Dick asserted, "They have the best physical fitness, can pull Longbows, carry Heavy Shields, and wield long spears."

"But these are our most elite troops!" Green immediately said, "It would be terrible if they didn’t return, you know?"

"That’s the point!" Dick exclaimed.

"Green, you should understand, we’re not sending them to their deaths, but to bring them back alive, and we need to send the elite to ensure they can return—at least most of them."

As the discussion continued, Roman suddenly said, "Let’s go with Dick’s method."

After making the decision, he asked, "Who will go?"

"I will!" Dick volunteered.

"Then I entrust this to you."

Jet was the chief military instructor, while Aaron and Green were rather young.

Only Dick was the most suitable, he had the most experience in leading troops.

...

The army Roman required was quickly assembled.

A total of a thousand men, all elite veterans.

Six hundred Heavy Soldiers, three hundred and fifty Archers, fifty Scout Riders.

Fortunately, the training of new recruits was gradually on the right track, they no longer needed the veterans for training.

They carried supplies and a corresponding logistic train to last over a month.

Roman also provided them with much gold and silver, to buy provisions along the way to supplement their military supplies.

Now it was late summer, beyond the peak of the heat, but the temperature was still quite hot.

The soldiers were unaffected, having undergone similar training in the camp.

Sometimes they carried enough dry food to survive and train in the wilderness, enhancing their cross-country capabilities, only returning to the camp every three to five days. Their adaptability was exceptionally strong.

"Dota is joining you in battle for the first time, take good care of him," Roman told Dick.

Dota, same rank as the Squad Leader, commanded very few troops.

All the Scouts together were less than two hundred men.

They were skilled, agile, and fast, capable of short bow mounted shooting when necessary. Once dismounted, they served as Archers and Infantry, highly versatile.

"I will," Dick said.

This was a military expedition and also a toughening experience.

Dick was highly confident in this army; they were equipped for both long and close range combat, robust and combative, they had nothing to fear.

Frankly speaking, unless they encountered an extraordinary army or large-scale Cavalry, sweeping through an entire region of Infantry was no difficult task.

"Take care of yourselves, if you die, I will avenge you."

Dick nodded silently, death in battle was the worst-case scenario.

As long as they didn’t provoke others, no one would dare to provoke them, to talk of total annihilation was a joke.

Everyone boarded the ship. They would disembark downstream, go along Black Iron Avenue towards Buck Land,

Roman suddenly felt disgust towards the massive mountain blocking their path.

If they could cut through the mountain, build bridges, and connect the land, it wouldn’t be such a hassle each time the army had to move.

But that was a plan for the future.

On the last day of summer, Roman watched his soldiers marching away.

This matter wasn’t about right or wrong.

He did what he had to do.

He only needed to give the order, and those soldiers had to die for a matter that had nothing to do with them.

Because when the Monarch is insulted, his subjects must die!

They had to prove it with their lives.

A qualified Monarch should have credibility.

Credibility was the hardest thing to build these days.

Roman was ready to let every resident know every single detail of this operation, to reach everyone’s ears.

This would enhance his prestige and reputation.

The promises of their rulers were always fulfilled.

If they said they would protect you, they would guard you, even to the ends of the earth.

If they said they would kill your whole family, they would indeed kill your whole family.

...

[Mode: Integrated Combat]

[Current Level: 0—4]

[Level Name: A Thousand Troops March]

[Level Introduction: The unseen distance. Of the thousands who march, how many return?]

[Recommended Level: ——]

[Battlefield Record: ——]

...

Early autumn.

The high temperatures returned with a vengeance.

Roman lay awake all night, too hot to sleep.

He was tormented and had to halt most production.

Let them stop farming.

Those building houses should stop as well.

Everyone just go lie in the shade for me!

Working under this sun really could kill people.

Roman knew that the temperatures outside weren’t as exaggerated; it was only this place that was excessive.

Once they got through this period, it would be okay.

Hence, this year, the riverbanks were suddenly crowded with people, where there was a breeze by the river.

But seeing them so leisurely, Roman became restless and wanted to keep them busy.

He simply pulled out fishing nets and had them fish on a large scale.

Natural resources should not be wasted.

Though he had almost hunted the wildlife around to extinction, there were still fish in the river.

Hurry and catch them!

This fish meat was also a source of meat.

The people didn’t mind this command.

A catch of fish was still a harvest.

Accustomed to poverty and fear of hunger, they liked to reap.

With so many people watching, the chance of drowning was minimal.

Besides, going into the river could cool them down and provide relief from the heat, serving a dual purpose.

Roman had long ago opened up fishing and hunting rights.

However, when there was enough food to fill their stomachs, few were willing to go to the river to catch fish or to hunt in the mountains.

After all, didn’t their lord provide them with meat? They could eat a piece of meat daily, and during celebrations, they gorged on it to their fill.

Wasn’t the carefully raised pork and mutton much tastier than that lean game?

This fishing event lasted for ten days.

It involved five or six thousand people, over a hundred rafts, and about a dozen boats.

In total, they caught about 150,000 pounds of fish.

Although the mesh of the fishing nets was quite large, the fishing range was even larger.

The serpentine river stretching a hundred kilometers, winding and intersecting, spread across the basin, flowed through certain marshes, and was incredibly rich in aquatic resources.

Just as everyone still felt unfulfilled, Roman saw the temperature drop and chased them back to work.

They would return to this next year.

By maximizing the efficiency of the labor force, he successfully navigated through the hottest days.

Roman began to aggressively push forward the development plan of Origin City.

During this period, the construction crew expanded rapidly, nearly fifteen hundred construction workers were tamping cement.

Because Roman’s demand for infrastructure was too great.

Brick houses were just the first step; next, he had to lay down roads.

Connecting all residential areas with sturdy, flat stone roads, ensuring unobstructed, smooth traffic, would form a complete and clean township.

Roman’s development plan was dynamic.

As it needed to be planned according to the current labor force.

He expected to establish the initial road network of Origin City by the end of autumn.

And also to solidify the infrastructure of Coal Iron Town to facilitate upcoming immigration.

For this, in the early autumn season, Roman had Aaron and Green relocate over three thousand people from Kant Territory.