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Chapter 868 - 868 83 A New Official Sets Three Fires

868: Chapter 83: A New Official Sets Three Fires 868: Chapter 83: A New Official Sets Three Fires When it came to war-related issues, the Kingdom’s efficiency still satisfied Hudson.

After an internal discussion was concluded, approval was granted that very day, and the next day, documents were created and sent to each province by the Gryphon Cavalry.

It was unclear whether it was an obsession with the “Staff of Glory” that was inescapable or a respect given to Hudson, the newly appointed Marshal.

It was said that the Chancellor compiled the discussion results into a document and sent it to the Royal Palace, where Caesar IV didn’t even look at it before he signed it off directly.

As a new official takes the helm, Hudson was very clear that this was the time when the Kingdom’s support for him was at its highest.

Wanting to promote new policies or solve some “urgent” problems, now was the best moment.

If it were dragged into the later stages of the war and the Kingdom’s strategic situation improved, it would be difficult to gain everyone’s full cooperation again.

Unfortunately, he was not a reformer and had no interest in drastic changes.

All the efforts now were merely to win this war.

Walking through the military camp, watching the soldiers train, Hudson frowned to himself.

Although the number of the standing army had once again reached its peak, its combat effectiveness had considerably declined.

Seeing one indication of the fall, if even the standing army was in this state, the private armies of the nobles elsewhere were likely not much better.

Ultimately, the time was still too short.

Ordinary soldiers were easy to replenish, but cultivators could not be trained so quickly.

Not only had the proportion of knights decreased, but even their general strength had declined compared to before the Orcs’ invasion.

Of course, this was also partly due to the Kingdom sending military instructors abroad.

To enhance the military power of the northern mainland people, the Kingdom of Alpha had gradually redeployed thousands of Noble Knights to various countries to help them mobilize their military forces.

This was a necessary price to pay; the stronger the resistance of the countries, the longer they could hold out, the more advantageous it was for the Kingdom of Alpha.

According to Hudson’s “north first, then west” strategy, the countries of the northern mainland had to hold out until the Kingdom of Alpha defeated the Orc Army before they could receive strong support.

As for the Prairie Seven Kingdoms, they were directly abandoned.

There was no helping it; the Prairie Seven Kingdoms were too new and lacked the ability to provide sufficient strategic materials to support a large army in combat.

As a former military logistics officer in the last great war, Hudson had calculated that blocking the Orcs outside the great prairie and fighting them decisively at the doorstep would triple the consumption of strategic materials by an army of the same size.

That was the most optimistic estimate.

The majority of the Kingdom’s Army consisted of ordinary people whose combat effectiveness was hardly comparable to the elite forces of the Human Alliance.

Blocking the Orcs in the remote and desolate mountains was not easy to accomplish.

If the enemy managed to break through and attack the logistics, the loss of materials would be even greater.

The most crucial factor was the inability to ensure swift battle results; if the situation became unfavorable, the enemy could withdraw at any time, likely leading to a prolonged conflict.

A more pessimistic estimate.

The remaining military strength of the Orc Empire was still above that of the Kingdom, and running over to block their path was akin to delivering heads over thousands of miles.

In such a context, the abandonment of the Prairie Seven Kingdoms became inevitable.

At least fighting at home, even if the situation was unfavorable, one could rely on defensive lines to stabilize the front.

If Hudson hadn’t personally involved and confirmed that the Orc Empire had been severely damaged, he wouldn’t have dared to set such an “aggressive” strategy.

According to the Kingdom’s mobilization sequence, the Southeastern Province responsible for logistics was always last, and now with the added task of fishing, their sequence was pushed even further back.

Rules were rules, and Hudson would not break them.

This meant that in the early stages of the war outbreak, he had no direct armed forces at hand, his only reliance was the Kingdom’s standing army.

During lunchtime, looking at the table full of exquisite delicacies, Hudson didn’t rush to use his knife and fork but instead smiled faintly at everyone and said,

“All familiar faces here, perhaps I can’t recall each of your names, but you certainly recognize me.

We’ve worked together, so you should know my style.

In the coming days, I expect every military order to be carried out unconditionally.

As you know, I don’t like making examples out of people, but if problems arise, my sword will still kill!”

“Unlike the last time, the current situation in the Kingdom is far more dangerous than before, so I will be demanding much more from you.

From now on, in the military camp, please disregard backgrounds; you needn’t introduce yourselves, nor do I wish to know.

No matter what your status is, anyone who violates military law will be executed without mercy!”

Speaking the harshest words in the gentlest tone, everyone’s faces changed dramatically.

In the last great war, Hudson, the Commander in Chief, was thrust into the role, and his prestige in the army wasn’t very high.

The methods he used to handle problems needed to be more tactful and measured.

Unless it was a matter of principle, he rarely pursued matters deeply.

If not for his tolerance back then, the sensational military supplies trading scandal would not have occurred.

The situation had changed now; with greatly increased prestige and status, Hudson no longer needed to be so cautious when addressing issues.

Now, if he spoke of killing, he truly could kill.

“Rest assured, Your Marshal, we will cooperate fully!”

Marquis James immediately declared.

As one of the vice commanders, after Hudson voluntarily stepped back, he smoothly secured the position of Commander of the Standing Army after the war.

After assuming his position, he had worked diligently and earned the recognition of Caesar IV.

He had originally thought this would lead him to the peak of his career, but the outbreak of the continental war ultimately allowed Hudson to become the military’s top leader again.