Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 674: Preparations Before the Expedition
Chapter 674: Preparations Before the Expedition
TL: Rui88
The meeting in the lord’s manor made the decision to dispatch troops to assist Princess Catherine in repelling the orc army.
But when it came to actually carrying it out, Paul discovered that his army could not set out immediately.
Alda’s army had never been prepared for combat missions outside the Northwest Bay. This army had been established with the sole purpose of protecting the people and assets of the territory, and to guard against the ill intentions of neighboring lords.
After the War of the Usurper, the army had established a deterrent and suppressive force over the various territories within the Northwest Bay, but there had been no new need to prompt this army to change in order to support a wider range of activities.
The navy was in a better situation, as they bore an important mission—maintaining the stability of the long sea route from the Northwest Bay to Horn Bay.
Years of training had given the Alda Navy a certain capacity for long-range warfare, allowing them to carry out missions even far from their home base in the Northwest Bay.
This long-range combat capability was not just about sailing a fleet out to sea and fighting with the proficient seamanship and combat skills of the officers and men; it included all aspects.
For example, collecting hydrographic, climatic, and other data along the routes could help the fleet estimate travel times, select battlefields, and avoid extreme weather.
Another example was the friendship with major city ports along the routes. This allowed the fleet to rest and resupply conveniently, treat the sick or wounded promptly, or replenish sailors.
In this regard, the Alda Navy even maintained a certain degree of friendship with the ports controlled by the greedy Grand Duke Jars—of course, this was after Jars had reached a peace agreement with the royal family.
The navy had been working hard to improve its capabilities in various aspects over the years, which was why it could stand firm on the vast ocean, become a formidable force, and continue to expand its sphere of activity bit by bit.
But unfortunately, the orcs came from the interior, and the navy could not carry out the mission of intercepting them. It could only be left to the army.
Compared to the navy, Alda’s army was somewhat hobbled.
Thanks to the fact that the nations of this era had not yet generally established a true sense of sea power, the Alda Navy could travel unimpeded on the ocean.
But on land, it was a different story.
The lands covered by civilization had been carved up by humans, or rather, it was because humans had a sense of territory that civilization was established.
In addition to natural factors like mountains and rivers, countless fortresses and checkpoints had also become formidable obstacles to passage.
Alda’s army could not adapt to the topography and local customs of regions outside the Northwest Bay as the navy could.
They could only dispatch troops to provide support when there was a local need, such as the current threat of orcs in the Blackstone Plains. When the local lords there could not defeat the orcs, they would naturally welcome an allied army from outside to support them.
But sending an army there in the absence of an external enemy was a very sensitive matter.
There was also the issue of supplies. The Alda army could use the royal family’s banner to request that local lords provide for the army’s various needs, but Paul was very skeptical of their ability to supply an army that was beyond the standards of this era.
Similarly, in peacetime, setting up supply depots in other territories that were clearly prepared for war was still a very sensitive issue for the local lords.
They could tolerate, and even welcome, Alda’s warships visiting their ports; after all, warships could not be brought onto land, and the spending power of the Alda naval officers and men was quite considerable.
But they would absolutely not welcome a visit from an Alda army to their territory.
After the meeting of the department heads in the lord’s manor, Paul went to the general staff to hold a separate military meeting with the officers to discuss the details of sending troops.
“What’s the soonest we can dispatch the troops?”
Paul asked Chief of Staff Schroeder with some concern.
Schroeder’s answer confirmed his worries.
“Half a month, Lord Grayman. At least half a month, about two weeks.”
Paul was a little dejected. “Can’t it be any faster?”
The other’s reply left him feeling a bit defeated.
Half a month? This speed was a bit far from the “rapid reaction” type of force he had always wanted to build.
Also, would this make the royal family, or rather Catherine, think that he was deliberately delaying?
Schroeder replied helplessly, “Although we are heading to a friendly region to fight, as you know, the goods we are carrying—cannons, cannonballs, gunpowder, etc.—are very heavy. We may not be able to take the roads that others can, so we need to send scouts to survey and choose our route. We also need to prepare enough carts to transport the goods, and a corresponding number of draft animals, and we must consider the feed for these animals and their own consumption. An epidemic could wipe them all out.”
“Two weeks is already a very bold plan, because the goods I just mentioned are only the weapons and ammunition part—our army’s advantage relies heavily on this, and it cannot be obtained in other territories, so we must prioritize ensuring the quantity of ammunition. As for the soldiers’ rations, we can only immediately gather a month’s worth. If the war continues, we hope the local economy and crop production will be sufficient to support combat after one month. May the Heavenly Father bless us.”
“That sounds quite reasonable!” Paul was still frowning.
Schroeder seemed to see Paul’s concern and tried to reassure him, “Her Highness the Princess will understand. In fact, compared to other territories, we are able to dispatch over two thousand men within two weeks, and with a month’s worth of supplies. This is already very fast.”
“Alright, my dear Schroeder, we’ll proceed according to your schedule.”
Paul nodded. “If you need anything, just let me know!”
Never fight an unprepared war; this was the military principle he advocated. He absolutely could not send his soldiers to their deaths just because he might lose face in front of his fiancée.
The old knight said solemnly, “I will not hesitate to ask, Lord Grayman!”
Paul said, “I have a new decision—after you depart, I will immediately prepare another expeditionary force and personally lead them to support you. Of course, the preparations will be more thorough.”
“I will establish a solid and efficient supply line between Alda and where you and your troops are, to supply you with all kinds of materials needed for the war.”
The old knight’s face flushed. “Thank you, Lord Grayman. You will become a hero in the history of Ordo!”
Paul smiled calmly. “Everything is to keep the enemy out of our country. Promise me, Schroeder, you absolutely must not let the orcs enter the Northwest Bay!”
“I will do my utmost!”
Schroeder’s voice rose.
.
!
Chapter 674: Preparations Before the Expedition
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