Lord: Starting with Summoning the Regular Army of Earth

Chapter 108 Methods to Defeat the Enemy

Upon receiving the order, Jinshiling immediately entered a state of combat readiness.

All sentry posts were doubled, and lookout posts were moved three miles in front of them.

The atmosphere on the city wall was somber.

The pre-cast and stockpiled "Flying Thunder Cannons" were pushed into their designated positions by groups of four, their dark muzzles raised, pointing towards any potential enemy invading the wilderness. The ammunition handlers quickly checked the neatly stacked cast iron shells and pre-quantified black powder packets in the wooden crates beside them.

The heavy grenade boxes were carried up to key points on the city wall and guarded by designated throwers.

Behind the firing ports of the key sections of the bastion and city wall, crossbowmen who had undergone intensive training took their positions, their cold steel crossbow arms mounted on the crenellations, and the poisoned crossbow bolts gleaming eerily in their slots.

Fifteen paces behind the wall, behind the second simple breastwork, the prepared crossbowmen silently checked the spare crossbow strings and arrows.

At the foot of the wall, the engineering team moved swiftly.

Tripwire and pressure-activated cast iron mines were buried on the main roads outside the protective trenches.

The more insidious Rafale were densely packed at the base of the wall, with fuses extending directly to the top.

There was no commotion or panic throughout the territory, only efficient collaboration and calm, composed figures.

But just as the military team was preparing for battle, Wu Ronghui returned to Jinshiling with several wounded men who had escaped from the coal mine.

The bad news is that the area has been completely occupied by barbarians, but the good news is that those guys didn't pursue us relentlessly.

Moreover, no news of enemy attacks came back from the outposts. Presumably, as Sun Zhengwu guessed, they were already at war with the Baihe tribe and did not want to escalate the conflict.

However, it cannot be ruled out that they might come under the cover of night. In any case, to prevent any potential problems, the preparations at Jinshi Ridge have not been relaxed at all.

However, the loss of the coal mine would also hinder the industrial progress of Elmstone Ridge, so Matthew was unwilling to give up such a large coal mine.

So while the military team was preparing for war, Matthew was also discussing countermeasures with several strategists, but all strategies and tactics had to be based on information.

Without sufficient information and a lack of understanding of the enemy, any strategy is merely empty talk.

However, figuring out the situation of wind-eroded highlands is no easy task, and it is by no means something that can be accomplished overnight.

However, what Emberstone Ridge lacks most is time; the longer it drags on, the slower the industrial process will be.

"I'll make a trip to the Goldfinch Merchant Guild tomorrow." Matthew suddenly remembered Lady Eleanor, who had promised to provide him with all sorts of intelligence. Moreover, when she came last time, she mentioned that she knew a lot about the Wind Erosion Highlands, which is why she knew that Morpheus was not a traveling merchant between Ironrock City and the Wind Erosion Highlands.

After a night of intense preparation, no barbarian cavalry appeared at Emberstone Ridge, which made Matthew, Will, Sun Zhengwu, and the others secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Clearly, those guys didn't dare to leave the wind-eroded highlands and enter the territory of the Kingdom of Augustus.

After having breakfast early in the morning, Matthew, accompanied by two human warriors, headed to Ironrock City.

The elegant and private meeting room of the Golden Flower Merchant Guild, Iron Rock City branch.

When Mrs. Eleanor heard Matthew ask her about the Wind-Eroded Heights, the languid smile on her beautiful face vanished instantly, replaced by seriousness and solemnity.

Although she didn't know what Elmstone Ridge was planning, she couldn't afford to be negligent since Matthew had come in person.

"The Wind-Eroded Highlands once had about a dozen tribes of varying sizes, but since the rise of the Giant God Tribe, it has quickly swallowed up the other tribes and become the largest tribe in the Wind-Eroded Highlands. Its leader, Balu, possesses the bloodline of the ancient hill giants. In battle, he can transform into a three-meter-tall giant, impervious to swords and spears, and possessing immense strength. He is extremely ambitious, but also extremely arrogant, conceited, and brutal. After swallowing up and slaughtering various smaller tribes, he also set his sights on the most powerful tribe in the Wind-Eroded Highlands—White River Valley."

Eleanor paused, took a sip of her tea, and continued, "The real trigger was actually the sudden death of the White River Valley chief. Just half a year ago, the White River Valley chief suddenly died at his wedding banquet. His newlywed wife, Sharna, later took over the entire tribe. Sharna wasn't a native barbarian; she came from further south, was a shaman, and a very powerful woman."

"Oh?" Matthew raised an eyebrow. "An outsider woman, managing to hold the position of chief in a barbarian tribe?"

"That's her skill. Of course, she's not entirely an outsider. She was taken in by the old shaman of White River Valley and lived there for many years, learning from him. She already held considerable prestige within the tribe, and she is indeed a very capable woman." A hint of admiration flashed in Eleanor's eyes. "After the chief died, several tribal leaders believed it was related to Sharna and refused to submit to her, trying to seize power. In the end, they all failed. She swiftly purged the tribe, promoted a group of young and loyal officers, and won the support of some herders with her shamanic medical skills and prophetic abilities. Balu's threat also indirectly contributed to her leadership, because White River Valley needed a strong leader to resist Balu."

"But her situation is also precarious now." Eleanor's tone shifted, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Baru's tribal forces are indeed formidable. Over the past six months, the White River Valley tribe has suffered repeated defeats, losing nearly half of its grasslands and that iron mine. Sharna has tried to negotiate several times, but Baru wants to annex the entire White River Valley tribe and enslave her. It's a fight to the death. And it seems problems are starting to arise within White River Valley itself. I estimate Sharna won't be able to hold out much longer—"

At this point, Eleanor glanced at Matthew's expression, sighed, and said, "Without external intervention, the White River Valley tribe will probably be either wiped out or forced to flee within three months at most. At that time, we, the Golden Finch, will probably lose a very good partner."

Matthew, naturally quick to grasp the key point in Eleanor's words, raised an eyebrow: "It seems Lady Eleanor has some connection with the leader of White River Valley?"

"Yes, that's right. I had some dealings with Sharna before. After she became the leader, our Golden Finch Merchant Guild did some business with White River Valley in furs and herbs. She's trustworthy and kind, a very good partner. But Chief Balu of the Giant God Tribe has always had a big appetite and is arrogant. If he really annexes White River Valley and unifies most of the Wind-Eroded Highlands, it's hard to say where he'll set his sights on next. After all, smooth trade routes are essential for good business. Chaos is no good for anyone."

As soon as he said this, Matthew knew that the clever president had guessed his intentions and was just short of saying it outright.

Of course, this news did give Matthew a way out of the predicament. The power of Emberstone Ridge alone was indeed not enough to contend with the Colossus, but if they could cooperate with White River Valley, things would be different.

Matthew wasn't interested in the wind-eroded highlands; he only needed the mineral deposits there. Therefore, he needed a trustworthy partner, not a venomous snake that might turn on him.

Matthew remained calm and echoed Eleanor's words: "What you say makes a lot of sense, Madam. A stable neighbor is always better than a greedy one. Since Chief Sharna is a respectable potential collaborator, and she is currently facing difficulties—I wonder if Madam would be willing to make an introduction? I have some ideas that might allow me to speak with Chief Sharna in person. Although Emberstone Ridge is small, it might be able to help White River Valley in some ways."

Although Matthew still didn't say it explicitly, Eleanor, being the person she was, immediately confirmed her earlier guess—this young lord had most likely sensed the threat from the Titans and was therefore preparing to take action.

However, in her opinion, although Matthew really has extraordinary abilities, with the current strength of Emberstone Ridge, it is probably a drop in the ocean and it will be difficult to truly help White River Valley.

However, this is not something she should worry about.

Eleanor gave Matthew a deep look, then suddenly smiled, a smile as bright as spring blossoms, dispelling the tension of their previous conversation: "Since Lord Matthew has spoken, I, Eleanor, will naturally do my best to assist you. The Golden Flower Merchant Guild has a hidden trade route in the Wind-Eroded Highlands, occasionally able to maintain contact with White River Valley. I will try to pass on the message and arrange a secret meeting. But—"

She suppressed her smile and said seriously, "I can only act as a go-between, ensuring the message reaches you, and arranging a relatively safe meeting place and method. As for whether Chief Sharna is willing to meet you, and how the meeting goes, that depends entirely on your own abilities and luck. Furthermore, this trip is dangerous, so you must be fully prepared."

The Titans' cavalry and wolf packs are no mere decorations.

"That's enough. Thank you, Madam." Matthew rose and bowed respectfully to Eleanor.

Eleanor returned the greeting gracefully, her eyes gleaming: "The message will take at least five or six days to arrive. I will make the arrangements as soon as possible. Please also make preparations as soon as you return, my lord. The White River Valley is in a state of panic, and Chief Sharna's time—I'm afraid—is running out."

"Alright, but I need you to give me a more detailed introduction to Chief Sharna and the situation in White River Valley, so that I can find a better way to cooperate with them."

After leaving the Golden Flower Merchant Guild and getting into the carriage for the return journey, Matthew leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes.

Obviously, the best solution right now is to cooperate with White River Valley, eliminate the Giant God Tribe, or at least help White River Valley control the Wind-Eroded Highlands, and use this as leverage to obtain the mining rights to the minerals on the Wind-Eroded Highlands.

But how to persuade that female shaman leader?

What kind of "bargaining chips" and "strength" should be displayed when meeting someone?

What are the possible collaboration methods with Sharna?

Countless questions swirled in my mind.

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