...

...

Doc and Joseph exchanged a glance.

Both felt a twinge of anxiety but said nothing.

Doc pointed at himself, then pointed ahead.

Joseph understood, bit the whistle in his mouth, and nodded to the right rear.

The two quickly split apart, silently approaching from behind.

Luo De had taught the soldiers some hand signals, for times when communication wasn't convenient.

The two tiptoed forward and soon spotted three figures crawling on the ground not far away.

Two large and one small, they were crawling slowly toward the wheat field.

Doc and Joseph didn't make a sound, crouching as they slowly approached.

When they were three meters away, the figures on the ground suddenly became alert.

"Run!"

With a sharp cry, Doc kicked the figure in front of him flying.

The tall body fell to the ground with a muffled grunt.

Doc seized another small figure.

Joseph reacted faster, directly lunging forward to pin the third person firmly to the ground.

"Don't move!"

He drew his longsword, its tip pointing straight at the person on the ground, his voice cold: "Stealing food from Frost Leaf Town, you're seeking death!"

"Spare us! Officer Sir, spare us!"

The people on the ground hurriedly pleaded, "We're just too hungry, we wanted to borrow some food!"

Doc frowned, this voice sounded familiar.

He grabbed the person's shoulder, turning his face in the moonlight to look,

"Eilo?"

...

...

In the manor, Luo De was sleeping soundly but was woken by a knocking.

He rubbed his eyes to get up, not getting angry.

Because he had already instructed, anything related to food, no matter how big or small, could wake him up anytime.

Lawrence stood at the door, bravely shouting, "Lord, the patrol caught three stealing food!"

"People from our town?"

Luo De put on his coat, his voice still sleepy.

"No, they're refugees from Chaotic Stone Village." Lawrence replied, lowering his head.

"Chaotic Stone Village?"

Luo De was momentarily stunned, feeling it was familiar.

"North of the Black Stone Mountain Range, close to the side of Ice Blade Valley."

Lawrence hurriedly added, "Do you remember the Bandit Group that attacked my caravan? There were people from Chaotic Stone Village among those captured."

"Let's go, bring them here to take a look."

Luo De yawned and walked into the hall.

Eilo knelt on the ground, not daring to lift his head.

Beside him were a woman and a child, shivering in fear.

Luo De leaned against the table, still needing some time to wake up, resting his forehead as he asked, "I heard you're from Chaotic Stone Village?"

"Yes, noble Lord."

Eilo's voice trembled, not daring to look at Luo De, "We didn't mean it, please be merciful."

"Why run so far?"

Luo De asked with his eyes closed, "Why not steal food from Frozen Valley instead, isn't it closer?"

Eilo swallowed, "There's a group of bandits over there."

"They raided the lord in Ice Blade Valley, robbed several carts of food, then attacked our village."

"Our village was occupied too; we didn't dare escape that way, so we had to flee here."

"I'm sorry, Sir!"

Eilo suddenly bowed his head, "We're starving, there was no choice but to borrow some food, please spare us!"

"We're willing to become slaves!"

Eilo gritted his teeth and shouted loudly.

Eilo and Doc both came from Chaotic Stone Village, they were very close friends since childhood.

Doc couldn't plead on Eilo's behalf because he's a slave himself.

But Doc knew, after the autumn harvest the Lord wouldn't lack food, what he needed were slaves.

Therefore, on the way here, Doc repeatedly advised Eilo to be sincere and proactively submit.

After all, being a slave here was much better than wandering as a refugee.

Moreover, it can save one's hands.

——A decree issued by the Lord before harvest, anyone daring to steal food would have their hands chopped off.

Eilo's current behavior proved he understood.

Luo De kept his eyes closed, supporting his chin, and said indifferently: "Your attitude in admitting fault is commendable."

"How many days without food?" Luo De casually asked.

"Two days, my Lord."

Eilo's voice weakened, "We can still endure, but the child really can't anymore."

"I gave him some nuts, but it's not enough..."

Luo De said nothing, keeping his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

The hall became quiet; no one dared to make a sound, even breathing became cautious.

At that moment, even the air seemed to stagnate,

After a long time, Luo De finally opened his eyes and asked, "How many bandits are there?"

Eilo paused, stammering: "Many...more than fifty."

Luo De sighed, somewhat helpless.

But there was nothing he could do, many people in the Northern Wilderness indeed couldn't even count.

Being able to count to fifty was already considered good.

"How does it compare to Chaotic Stone Village?"

Luo De continued to ask.

"Not as many people as our village."

Eilo closed his eyes and recalled, "Definitely not."

"Are there as many as two fifties?"

"A little more than two fifties, but definitely not more than three fifties."

Eilo stated firmly.

Including the Wildmen, many people have limited counting ability, but they naturally group.

They use the limited numbers they know to group, but Wildmen can only count up to ten tens, beyond that, they are completely confused.

"Do they have horses?" Luo De pressed further.

"Yes!"

Eilo replied, "They have more than thirty horses, and the leader is said to be a Knight!"

"Thirty horses?"

Luo De raised his eyebrows, suddenly invigorated,

"All thirty horses are ridden? None are for carrying goods?"

"Yes, sir, the carts are pulled by oxen." Eilo answered.

This Bandit Group indeed has some assets.

Being able to ride horses does not necessarily mean they are warhorses, but they have the potential to be trained as warhorses.

Luo De was very tempted.

He waved his hand, "Lawrence, first take them down, let them eat something."

"Yes, Lord." Lawrence responded.

"Thank you, Lord, thank you!"

Eilo quickly kowtowed, his wife also hurriedly pulled their child to kowtow.

Seeing Luo De in thought, Lawrence quickly pulled the three up and left.

After everyone left, Luo De did not sleep.

Thinking for a long time, he summoned Durant and Lawrence to the hall.

He leaned against the chair, looked at the two, and slowly asked, "Lawrence, how much longer until the autumn harvest is done?"

"About a week, Lord." Lawrence answered.

"I want you to give me an exact timeline."

Luo De seriously asked, "Seven days to finish everything?"

"Handling the straw might take longer than seven days, but the grain will definitely be stored."

Lawrence patted his chest, solemnly promising, "Everyone is motivated now, not a single one is lazy!"

Luo De nodded, turned to Durant: "How's the situation with the military?"

"Training is going quite well."

Durant sensed Luo De had some new plan in mind, straightened his back, and reported carefully: "The new recruits are more stable after the baptism of the last battle, and they carry a sharper edge."

"According to your previous instructions, the training of those forty Wildmen is also proceeding smoothly. They have good physical condition and are progressing fast."

"The Knight Squad kids are working very hard, everything is normal."

Having heard Durant's report, Luo De nodded slightly.

Then he recounted the midnight events to Durant.

Durant heard about the grain theft but since Lawrence was in charge of the autumn harvest and the thief was caught, he didn't press for details.

Once Luo De finished speaking, Durant immediately realized that his Lord was excited.

"Lord, are you planning to target that Bandit Group?"

"I really want to."

Luo De paused, his voice subdued,

"Just hesitating, since they're likely not at our Black Pine Ridge now, should I provoke them?"

"Is it better to take them down now or let everyone relax first?"

"I want to hear your opinions."

Luo De glanced across their faces.

"Lord, I'm not knowledgeable about war."

Lawrence chuckled embarrassedly, saying: "But every time you go out, you gain a lot, thinking from a business perspective, I think we should fight."

Durant hesitated a bit, then slightly nodded.

"Please forgive my frankness, Lord Baron."

Luo De nodded, "Speak."

"I know you're very cautious, always weighing many factors, which isn't a flaw for a new Lord."

Durant took a breath and said, "But I think the autumn harvest has boosted everyone's morale, and I don't think we fear war."

"There's no movement from the Count's side either, if they come, it'll take at least a week."

"Thinking of the future, to prevent them from disrupting us during the harvest..."

Durant's eyes firmed, "I think if we have the chance, we should take them down now."

"I agree."

Luo De breathed a sigh of relief, a smile tugging at his mouth, "The key point is, they have more than thirty horses."

"Thirty rideable horses!"

This was Luo De's first proactive campaign outside, worried if his decision was right, hence he was uncertain.

Durant's eyes lit up: "Then we must capture them!"

"Good!"

Luo De slammed the table, standing up.

"Since it's decided, let's start planning."

He turned to Lawrence: "Go, get that Eilo for me."

Lawrence was stunned for half a second, then quickly nodded, "Yes, Lord!"

He swiftly turned and ran out.

Luo De had no plans for a long expedition, so he must employ some tactics.

Durant immediately stood up, "Lord Baron, I'll go have the soldiers prepare now, let them rest well these few days."

"And notify Gang Le, so that he is informed." Luo De advised.

"No problem, Lord Baron."

Durant responded and immediately took action.

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