Chapter 017: Deploying Troops in the North

Upon hearing this, Duke Wade and Du Fan were stunned. Neither of them expected that the supreme ruler of the Gavin Empire would opt for a strategy of attacking both sides simultaneously.
“I’ll leave this matter to the Imperial Capital’s Security Department to handle. Now, let’s talk about serious matters. Intelligence suggests that the remnants of the Bauhinia faction are stirring up trouble in the Alliance of the Eighteen Northern Kingdoms. Duke Green, I intend to launch a campaign against that alliance. Are your northern armies ready?” Fischer suddenly said.
“Your Majesty, wherever you point, I will lead my northern army there! Hmph, we’re not like the southern armies, clinging to those three major fortresses while allowing others to seize three provinces!” Upon hearing Fischer’s words, Duke Green immediately agreed loudly, even taking the chance to mock Duke Wade in the process.
“Duke Green! You!” Duke Wade, angered by Green’s sarcasm, felt rage well up inside him again.
“Enough! Stop arguing! Here in this hall, you are all dukes, role models among nobles, leaders of the army, and pillars of the nation! What are you trying to achieve by arguing like this?” Fischer shouted.
The authority of the royal family was truly unmatched. At his shout, both Duke Green and Duke Wade stopped arguing and lowered their heads in silence.
“Duke Green, I’m ordering you to attack the Alliance of the Eighteen Northern Kingdoms. But there’s one thing I need to tell you. The empire has faced too many upheavals in recent years. So, for this campaign, you’ll have to handle all military supplies and troop recruitment on your own. Of course,” Fischer paused again, “I promise you that half of all enemy territories you conquer will be given to you as a reward, to be made part of your Green family’s lands!”
“Your Majesty, that can’t be!” Duke Wade protested loudly.
“Oh, Duke Wade, do you object to my decision? How about this: I allow your southern army and my northern army to exchange places. How about you go and attack the Alliance of the Eighteen Northern Kingdoms? You’ll get half of the conquered lands as a reward as well,” Fischer said with a cold smile.

Hearing Fischer say this, Duke Wade immediately fell silent—sending the Southern Army to fight against the forces of the Eighteen Kingdoms Alliance? Wasn’t that pure nonsense? With the combat strength of the Southern Army, it might be okay in summer, but once winter came in the north, those soldiers accustomed to the favorable climate there would fall ill on their own without even needing to fight.

“Ugh, our Southern Army still has to defend the imperial lands in the south. Let Duke Green handle matters in the north,” Duke Wade mumbled.

“Then, Duke Green, do you dare accept this order from me?” Fischer suddenly asked, looking at Duke Green.

Hearing Fischer’s words, Duke Green’s heart also stirred. If he agreed, he would face the entire Eighteen Kingdoms Alliance alone. Facing such a powerful force, Duke Green lacked confidence. If he refused, first, he would lose face in front of Fischer and all the officials present. Second, he could claim half of any territory conquered—such an offer was too tempting.

As Duke Green hesitated, he suddenly felt something writing on his buttocks. His heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized it must be Du Fan at work.

Duke Green was right—Du Fan was using wind energy to write two characters on his buttocks. The strokes were large, and as soon as they were written, Duke Green recognized them immediately: they were the words “agree”!

“Your Majesty, I am willing to die a thousand times to expand the empire’s territory!” After recognizing the words Du Fan had written on his buttocks, Duke Green declared firmly.

It couldn’t be blamed on Du Fan for writing on Duke Green’s buttocks. During court meetings, when the emperor asked questions, those being questioned always knelt while speaking. In the grand hall, Duke Wade and Duke Green knelt side by side in the front, with Du Fan kneeling behind Duke Green. No one saw Du Fan writing on Duke Green’s buttocks; otherwise, such a thing spreading would become a laughingstock for the Green family.

“Good! Truly worthy of being called the leader of the empire’s most formidable army—the Northern Army! Duke Green, when you set out on your campaign, I will lead all the officials to personally see you off!” Hearing Duke Green’s firm response, Fischer spoke loudly.

“Duke Du Fan, when my father bestowed Princess Angel upon you, are you prepared for it?” Fishe immediately turned her gaze toward Du Fan. Her look was clear yet profound, like the snowmelt in early spring—pure but chilling.
“Your Highness, I was young back then and didn’t understand matters between men and women. The old emperor arranged this marriage, and I was completely confused. I was wondering… well, could Your Highness possibly cancel it?” Du Fan stammered.
“Duke Du Fan, how bold of you! My father personally arranged this marriage—it cannot be changed. If you want to back out, prepare to come see me with a head on a pole!” Fishe said angrily.
“Your Highness, actually, that’s not what I meant. The truth is, I’ve already married the Elven Queen in the Elven lands. It would be great if Princess Angel married me, but I’m afraid she’d be treated as a subordinate in my household, which would be unfair to her.” Du Fan hurriedly explained.
“Duke Du Fan, Humph! Even if Queen Naixiu married you first, so what? In human society, it’s still up to us to decide who holds power. You can make anyone the superior or the subordinate. What, Duke Du Fan, do you want to bring a woman from our Austin family home as your concubine?” Fishe said coldly.
“Your Highness, I’m doing this for the sake of all humans! Think about it—if I were to make the Elven Queen my concubine, the elves would surely be furious. Don’t be fooled by their apparent love for peace; once they unleash their anger, it’s a destructive force! Tens of thousands of elven archers, thousands of elven magicians! As your subject, I, Du Fan, must consider these matters for you!” Du Fan said loudly.
“Du Fan, are you threatening me? Using the elves to threaten me?” Hearing this, Fishe became even angrier.
“I dare not! Your Highness, I’m merely reminding you!” Du Fan replied.
“Enough. How many wives you take is your own business. What status they hold in your household is also your family affair. These are not my concerns. But one thing is clear—women from our Austin family must never be bullied. Du Fan, just remember that. In a few days, I’ll send Princess Angel to you. Decide for yourself what to do!” Fishe said coldly.

“That’s all for today. Everyone, disperse!” After discussing the matters at hand, Prince Fischer promptly ended the morning meeting.
“Du Fan, are you sure you can get me to agree today? You must know that the eighteen northern kingdoms are not easy to deal with. Under normal circumstances, it’s not a big problem for us to attack while they defend. But if it’s us attacking and they defending, things will be completely different. Moreover, the eighteen northern kingdoms have a warrior culture and fierce people!” Duke Green said continuously as he and Du Fan got into the carriage.
“Father, rest assured. As long as my southern provinces remain, we can continuously supply troops and resources to your northern armies,” Du Fan replied with a smile upon hearing his father’s words.
“Du Fan, you don’t know. In the north, there’s not only the alliance of the eighteen kingdoms known as the Frozen Alliance, but also the northern barbarians and the remnants of the Bauhinia faction hidden in the north. All these forces are intertwined—one move can affect the whole situation!” Duke Green said gloomily. “Du Fan, actually, the prince’s pretext of the Frozen Alliance’s rebellion is just an excuse; his real aim is to weaken our Green family’s strength.”
Inside the palace, in a room, Fischer and Master Abraham were together. The palace was splendidly decorated, and Fischer even felt a sense of joy in it at that moment.
“Master, what do you think about me transferring the Green family’s northern armies to attack other northern armies?” Fischer asked with a faint smile.
“Your Highness is wise. This way, without spending a single soldier or grain, we can send the northern armies to attack the Frozen Alliance. If they win, our Gavin Empire will naturally expand its territory. Even if they lose, it will weaken the Green family’s power. So, whether they win or lose, the ultimate winner will surely be you, Your Highness,” Master Abraham said. “However, Your Highness still needs to be cautious about two things! First, if Duke Green really manages to conquer the Frozen Alliance, the Green family’s power might even grow stronger. Second, if the Green family is completely defeated, the northern lands might slip out of the empire’s control.”

“Master Abraham, how could I allow such a thing to happen? Rest assured, as soon as the Green family’s army moves, I will gradually weaken them. When both the Northern Ice Alliance and the Green family are devastated, it will be the time for my Gavin Empire to reap the benefits.” Hearing Abraham’s words, Fisher laughed heartily.

“Du Fan, do you really have any backing? Where is it?” Duke Green asked Du Fan. It wasn’t that Duke Green didn’t trust Du Fan; if he had, he wouldn’t have followed Du Fan’s advice in the hall and agreed to let Fisher attack the Northern Ice Alliance. He just wanted to clarify things to have a better understanding.

“Father, looking at the north, there are several major forces: the Northern Legion, the Northern Ice Alliance, the Remnants of the Bauhinia, the barbarians, and the forces representing the empire. Among these, our Northern Legion and the Northern Ice Alliance are the two strongest. Although there have been conflicts between our two families, they have remained within a tolerable range. This time, Fisher deliberately stirred up tensions between us. Clearly, he wants to take advantage of our mutual destruction to reap his own gains,” Du Fan began to explain in detail.

“Son, you clearly know Fisher’s intentions. Why did you still ask me to agree?” Hearing Du Fan’s coherent analysis, Duke Green asked back.