Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 219 Touring the Town and the Strip
At Su Li's call, Marshal Orstein quickly came to Su Li with a stack of maps and battle plans.

He was already surprised that they were not talking in the conference room, and he was even more surprised to see Phyllis there.

As far as he knew, this female courtier seldom appeared in public or participated in the affairs of the territory because of her humble origin.

But Su Li is the lord, and as long as Su Li is willing to meet him in the garden or at the fishing pond, let alone in the restaurant, he can only continue to report.

So he decisively saluted and said, "My Lord, I have completed the battle plan for the Dragon's Fang. Please review it."

Su Li took the battle plan from him with great interest. This meant that the territory was once again ahead of the daily intelligence system!
This means that even without the assistance of the daily intelligence system, Su Li has the means to fight against the Green Dragon.

Today's intelligence only made Su Li more confident about this battle plan.

And to be honest, in this war against the Green Dragon's followers, the daily intelligence system has provided very little assistance to Su Li. The intelligence system is more focused on strategy, how to quickly strengthen itself while fighting against the Green Dragon.

The strategic planning and tactical choices against the green dragon were all made by Su Li and the knights themselves.

This plan, code-named "Dragon's Tooth", was also proposed by Orstein when the intelligence emerged. The intelligence system only confirmed the success rate of this combat plan.

After Su Li opened the map, Orstein explained in detail, "My Lord, please see. To evade our cavalry's stranglehold on him, the Green Dragon has planned dozens of different routes. This wolf pack tactic is very effective. Our cavalry's combat and mobility capabilities have a daily limit. Even if we split up and attack one by one, we can only destroy about four or five routes of monsters at most."

"This means that a large number of monster reconnaissance troops have bypassed our sniper attacks and sneaked into our territory. Judging from their reconnaissance, they are probably almost done exploring the situation in our territory."

"We must launch a fierce and swift offensive to disrupt the monsters' deployment, leaving the green dragon in disarray and the army feeling routed everywhere."

Su Li nodded slightly, understanding Orlstein's strategic intention: to give the Green Dragon the illusion that their front had completely collapsed. The so-called crushing defeat, with crushing losses everywhere, would make anyone see the situation as hopeless, forcing them to retreat to a certain defensive line, where they could gather the defeated troops and stabilize the situation.

This line of defense can be a dangerous place with natural barriers, or it can be a certain army legion.

Orlstein stepped forward, pointing to a green area on the map between the Blackwater and Brienne rivers. He spoke excitedly, "This is the main force of the monster reconnaissance. Virtually all the monster reconnaissance intelligence and the roving forces are gathered here, two full legions. Perhaps they're careless, or perhaps they're trying to lure us in, but there's no doubt from the intelligence we've gathered that they've been reckless and strayed too far from the main force and accompanying forces."

"So we named this operation Dragon's Tooth. We're going to pull out the dragon's teeth right under its nose. We're going to launch the fastest assault with our most elite cavalry corps and chop off one of its sharpest claws."

Su Li nodded and said firmly, "I support your action. Even if the green dragon has an ambush, we will have time to evacuate before they arrive. The monster army suffered heavy losses in the failed night attack. A large number of elite centaurs were killed, resulting in the complete loss of their mobile forces. The remaining tree monsters may be tough and strong in close combat, but their support speed will definitely be relatively slow. We will definitely succeed in pulling out the teeth from the tiger's mouth this time."

Pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth means chopping up the enemy's army by force when the enemy is prepared, so as to further break the enemy's mentality.

Orstein's spirits were lifted after receiving Su Li's support. He put away his battle plan and said, "For this battle, we will deploy all our elite cavalry regiments and deliver a swift and powerful blow to the monster on the vast plain east of Bjorn Bay."

"Both the Knights of the Sun and the Knights of the Scarlet Night have approved this plan. They will send all their main forces to accompany us on the expedition."

It is not an easy task to coordinate so many knightly orders and armies to launch an attack. It takes at least a day to mobilize and prepare.

So after discussing the battle plan for the Dragon's Fang, Su Li turned to look at Knight Orstein and said solemnly, "The battle plan for the Dragon's Fang has been finalized. The rest will be handled by the junior officers. I have an important battle here that I need to discuss with you."

After finishing the battle plan, Orstein was stunned for a moment. What kind of war was it that he, the marshal of the territory, didn't know about but had to participate in?

But he quickly reacted, rolled up the battle plan and held it in his hand. He stood up and asked, "My Lord, are the rat assassins coming?"

Su Li nodded. This assassination was aimed at the lord's female courtier.

In principle, Orstein was the commander of the territory's army, not Su Li's personal soldiers, so there was no need for him to interfere in this matter. This matter should be handled by Hildreth and his high-ranking attendants.

But how could there be so many principles in this world? Within any empire, there was no clear distinction between public and private. How could Orstein, receiving Su Li's salary, turn a blind eye and watch the impending assassination?
So Orstein decisively struck his chest with his fist and solemnly declared, "I always remember my knight's oath: I swear allegiance to my lord with body and soul. When the horn sounds, I will fight in the name of the Empire and the Goddess. As long as I breathe, I will protect the land from being tainted by evil. Honor is everything! Chivalry is everything! I swear it with my blood and my breath."

"My Lord, Phyllis is a member of our territory. I will never allow evil minions to harm anyone in our territory."

Su Li showed a satisfied smile: "My friend, I know you never let me down."

"Let's discuss tonight's tactical plan. Tonight at 23:30 PM, the Ratman Chosen Assassins will sneak into our bathroom through the Water Gate. They include three Eshin Assassins and one Eshin Warlock. We must intercept them before they leave the bathroom, otherwise, under the Eshin Warlock's stealth spell, they will disappear without a trace."

Hild was a high-ranking steward, well-versed in the defenses of Hesse Castle. Upon hearing this, he exclaimed in surprise, "Could they sneak in through the bathroom? There's a boiler burning there, and the pipes are heated by the boiler before entering the bathroom. The temperature must be extremely high, and ordinary people simply can't withstand it."

Su Li said: "It is precisely because the conditions here are extreme and everyone thinks it is impossible that they choose to sneak in here."

Besides, how hot can the boiler water for bathing be? It’s only 60 or 70 degrees at most.

The low-temperature wax used for Freya is around 40 or 50 degrees, and that's for flirting.

A God-chosen assassin could definitely carry hot water at 60 or 70 degrees and sneak across the distance from the boiler to the bathtub.

Orstein paused for a moment, stroking his strong brown beard. "So our best bet is to stop them as soon as they show their heads in the bathroom at 23:30 PM. Then, after the battle breaks out, someone else will go and block their retreat."

Hildurd said, "This is the best method. We can block the Skaven assassins in a narrow tunnel. This will allow us to fully utilize the well-equipped and powerful protection of our knights while limiting their mobility and evasive space."

"What's truly terrifying about these ratmen is their unpredictable and elusive abilities. Once cornered, their combat effectiveness is negligible."

Orstein said decisively, "Then I'll confront them head-on. Your demi-griffin, Lord Hildre, is faster and can block their retreat."

Hilde had no objection. It was hard to say which of the two tasks was more important. If the ratmen saw that the mission failed, they might not fight to the death with Orstein, but they would definitely fight to the death with Hilde who was left behind.

After finalizing the plan, Su Li said to the two, "You can discuss this matter with Rong En and Dietrich. As religious priests, they will definitely be helpful in the battle."

If nothing else, setting up a few religious statues near the battlefield can greatly increase the combat effectiveness of these two knights.

After all, there is an Eshin Skaven Alchemist in the opposing team, which may have some strange effects.

Orstein nodded, then said firmly, "I'll force them both to cooperate on this mission. If anyone disobeys, I'll make them suffer."

This is the idea that a proud and domineering knight would have.

This might work wonders, because between these battle priests and rough knights, the bigger the fist, the more powerful it is.

It is much more effective than Su Li's earnest persuasion.

Phyllis saw two powerful Chosen Ones guarding her, and a bright light danced in her eyes. She waited until the two disappeared from Hesse Castle before reluctantly retracting her gaze.

Su Li looked at her excited expression and was a little surprised. He asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Ah?" Phyllis seemed startled. She quickly patted her chest and shook her head, saying, "Nothing. Lord, do you have anything else to do today? Do you need my help?"

Phyllis is willing to help me handle government affairs?
Su Li didn't think much about it and said, "There are still many things to deal with. And they are all urgent and trivial matters."

The first one is the shepherd from Huishi Village. If he is not stopped from desecrating the statue of the goddess in the abandoned altar, the Heisen Territory will be shrouded in fog for some time to come.

There is no access between these villages and towns. When the fog is thick, people may get lost if they leave the village.

Even towns may not be safe. They will be shrouded in thick fog, and some people will disappear into the depths of the fog.

No one knew what the shepherd had done to the beautiful goddess statue that angered the elven goddess, Lady of the Mist, Radlia.

As far as Su Li knew, elves were very open in this regard.

Moreover, since the end of the War of Longbeard, the elves' population has plummeted, and they have even abandoned their previous colonies and retreated to the Elf Island. In order to encourage childbirth, the Elf Queens would summon men and women from their territories to the Eternal Courtyard every spring for an open-air meeting, and they would revel for a month straight.

Therefore, ordinary blasphemy would never irritate Ms. Mist and cause her to have such a big reaction.

Besides, you're not Little Dragon Girl. You were violated by him, so go and vent your anger on him, seek revenge. Why take your anger out on Lord Heisen?
Su Li could only send a team of swan knights from his direct attendants to the south of Greystone Village to solve this problem.

Then there was the epidemic in Avondale Village. Su Li's current territory was a standard primary pioneering territory, just a small town with several villages under it. If one of them was destroyed by the followers of Nurgle, the Father of Plagues, the loss would be heavy.

He directly sent a medical knight, a sister of the Church of Dawn, and a team of mounted armed attendants to deal with it.

He also sent his attendant to mobilize the Red Brotherhood, the fraternity currently employed by him, to retrieve all the elven mage's relics from the Watchtower. Mercenaries still had a basic code of ethics; since their employer had already paid them, the contents naturally belonged to Su Li. The Brotherhood would not demand a share of the profits, but whether anyone would keep any of the items privately depended on the methods of the Prodigal Luo.

Su Li had been arranging three items, but Phyllis had no interest in participating. She asked with some boredom, "Lord, is there anything I can do to help you?"

Su Li asked curiously, "Why do you want to participate in this?"

Phyllis said a little boredly, "I think I should find some hobbies. Hilde, Ingrid, and even Avril all have their own jobs, but I have nothing to do every day. And..."

"And what?"

Phyllis looked at Su Li cautiously and said, "And I think it's a very special feeling to be guarded by someone to the death. I've never experienced this before."

It turns out that women are born to care about the feeling of being protected, especially when others are willing to protect her with their lives, which touches her heart even more.

Su Li thought for a moment and said, "Then why don't you try protecting something? The Lion's Mane mushrooms in our territory are about to start growing. Go take a walk and pass on a challenge to Fandral. Tell him to cast the [Sunfall] spell three times on this field of Lion's Mane mushrooms within a month. When that happens, a [Lion King's Heart] will appear and help us cultivate a champion knight for our territory."

The Lion's Mane Mushroom Field was located in the open space between the castle's inner keep and outer walls, so Phyllis wasn't exactly running around.

She immediately said excitedly, "Great! I will also do my best to protect this achievement I cultivated."

After Phyllis left, Su Li dealt with the last piece of urgent intelligence of the day.

The issue of trading with the dwarves can only be addressed after the Prodigal Luo convinces the merchants to send over the 20000 gold crowns.

So the last item for today is about the cleanliness and order of the territory. I wonder what kind of genius has arrived in the territory to warrant such a big fanfare.

But the geniuses trained in the Royal Griffin Military Academy of Modheim will never be lower than the level of Laun.

So Su Li directly asked his attendants to invite the Minister of Seals, Lao En, to come over.

This old minister has been in good spirits recently. Although he has been performing his duties conscientiously, it can be seen that his living conditions are indeed good. His once thin figure has become plump and he looks a bit wealthy.

Soon he came to Su Li and said respectfully, "My respected lord, I wish you a good day. May the goddess of the blazing sun always bless you as bright as the sun. How can I serve you?"

Su Li smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. I want to take you on a tour of the town. Check the security, sanitation, and civilization of the territory, and see if the town is clean and orderly."

Laun immediately bowed and said, "I would like to introduce you to the recent situation of the town, my lord."

High Chamberlain Hildes was arranging an ambush in the direction of the bathroom, so Tiberus took the Hessen Guard Knights to escort Su Li out of Hessen Castle and rode straight into the town south of the castle.

Hesse Castle is separated from the town by the wide Brienne River, and a narrow stone arch bridge connects the north and the south. However, this stone bridge is rarely used, and one needs to apply to pass through it to enter the north of the city. Therefore, except for weekends, it is empty. Fully armed Bloodpine Forest Beast Butcher Battalion attendants wearing plate armor and holding halberds are guarding both sides of the bridge.

In addition to guarding Hessenburg, they also guarded the treasury area in the north. The treasury area was also a fortress, containing all kinds of wealth, props, spoils of war, and some dangerous items such as statues of evil gods, weapons and props of Chaos Warriors, etc. These things could not be handled quickly and were extremely valuable.

The Treasury District also houses several private and bank vaults. Gold and other valuables can be transported to the private vaults within the Vault District via a transport team. After all, this is the most heavily guarded area in the Hesse Territory. Even if the Green Dragon Legion truly destroys the town, the knights, landowners, and merchants can still rebuild their territories and farms with the wealth within the vaults.

However, Su Li had been to the vault area many times. The buildings inside were tall, the defenses were strong, and it was empty. There was no need to patrol it at all. He planned to go to the more prosperous area in the south of the city.

In the past, he would go directly to Bjorn Bay when he left Hesseburg. After Hesse Town was built, he really didn't go there much.

But farming isn't just about agriculture; crafts and commerce are equally important. The presence of knights, companies, and chambers of commerce plays an incomparable role in enhancing a territory's strength.

After Su Li came out of the castle riding the Death Claw, the first place he arrived at was the Carnival Square in front of the castle.

The square was crowded with at least hundreds of people moving around. When they saw the large number of Hessian Knights, they immediately cheered and surrounded them.

Soon someone saw Su Li riding the Death Claw among the Hessian Guard Knights, which made the cheers even louder.

"It's the Lord!"

"It's the Bright Star of the Black Forest Territory!"

"Long live the Lord! Your glory shines throughout the territory."

Su Li smiled and waved to everyone. It was obvious that his prestige in the territory was unparalleled.

In a powerful empire, victory is the best way to increase prestige.

As long as the monarch can continue to win with his power, he can gain unparalleled prestige within the power even if his rule is brutal.

Besides, Su Li is definitely one of the most virtuous lords in the empire.

Under his rule, regardless of how the serfs fared, the peasants, commoners, freemen, artisans, merchants, and landlords lived comfortably. Su Li gave them a 30% tax rebate, meaning they only had to pay the 16 taxes.

With the territory's agricultural level of three crops a year, a large number of opportunities and chances on weekdays, as well as the slaves and spoils brought back from the territory incessantly through victory, the people of the territory are able to maintain a 40% income. Compared with farmers in other territories, they are much more diverse.

It's not as funny as that joke in the Empire, where the old farmer looked like a skeleton.

Su Li then asked Lao En: "Why are there so many people here?"

Laun immediately explained, "The monastery of the Church of the Goddess of Healing and Mercy is located southeast of Carnival Square. They provide services to many people in the territory, so there is a constant flow of people here all year round."

Su Li observed them and found that many of them were wearing leather armor and carrying large swords. He said, "I don't think they look like civilians."

Lawn smiled and said, "That might be because of some activity of Rossini Eagle."

"Rossini's Eagle?"

Laun explained, "This is a tavern, quite far from here. It's southeast of the Medical Church Monastery, and it's a favorite haunt of the territory's mercenaries. The tavern's clientele includes mercenaries, explorers, and knights-errant. The striptease there is very famous, and the performer is said to be a half-elf with dark elf blood. The champion of the tavern's monthly arm wrestling tournament and the champion of each cycle of the Lion Ring Arena can get her for a whole day."

"What do you mean I can have her for the whole day?" Su Li listened with great interest.

Of course, Lawen understood the lord's interest. In fact, which man would not be interested in such a topic?
He smiled and replied, "That's what it means. For the next day, she will be the champion's trophy. Usually, the champion will carry her onto the horse and take her back to the inn like a prisoner. Of course, there are also generous people who will take her to Garden Hill. It is the highest hill in the southern part of the territory. Mor's garden is located on it, overlooking all areas except the north of the city. The grass and trees there are extremely green, making it a great place for lovers to be intimate."

A great place for intimacy?

Goodness, isn't that a mistake in a flower field? Or in the open air.

These champions are really wild.

However, Su Li didn't like to be in the same boat with others, so he didn't pay much attention to this stripper.

"I remember that the headquarters of the West High Chamber of Commerce is located in the southeast of the territory, right?"

Laun nodded immediately and said, "Yes, Lord, you have an excellent memory. Across the Warhammer Road is the headquarters of the Wester High Chamber of Commerce. Also, Eckert Commercial Street is right there."

Warhammer Road is an important garrison for the Hessian soldiers. The city guards are stationed here. The housing is mainly composed of military barracks, and there are soldiers everywhere.

At the same time, some branches of the Knights Templar, branches of the Monastery of the Sun Goddess, and military prisons were also built here.

The Warhammer Road is a southeast-running street that maintains the security of the outer city of Hessen.

Therefore, Eckert Commercial Street was specially built to his south. It is a street specializing in selling various adventure products, ancient and witchcraft props, and spoils of war.

It can be said that all kinds of people in the territory are mainly active in this direction.

Su Li wanted to check the order and sanitation of the territory, so it would be most appropriate to go here directly. Su Li said, "Then let's go here for an inspection."

(End of this chapter)