Zither Emperor Chapter 608 Chapter 191 Flore's Invisible Web Part 2 _1

608: Chapter 191 Flore’s Invisible Web (Part 2) _1 608: Chapter 191 Flore’s Invisible Web (Part 2) _1 Dario said, “Your Majesty, let’s think this through calmly.

Through our investigations, Qin City was a small city within the boundaries of the Milan Empire.

It underwent changes only after the Lord of Qin City, Ye Yinzhu from Eastern Dragon’s Eight Sects, arrived.

Now, he possesses a force that we cannot overlook.

Clearly, he must have formed an alliance with the Milan Empire, which explains his appearance at the Milan Empire’s Eastern Front, the most critical battlefield.

Qin City has inflicted substantial damage on us, even altering the course of the war.

However, it indirectly indicates that the defensive power at Milan Empire’s Eastern Front is as weak as we estimated.

Otherwise, why wouldn’t these people from Qin City show up at the Northern Front or main battlefield in the South?”

Delavalle nodded approvingly at Dario’s analysis, “Continue.”

Dario carried on, “The primary reason that we have suffered losses at the hands of the Qin City troops was our underestimation of the enemy, coupled with certain strategic errors.

The dire consequences were a result of having our logistical supplies cut off unexpectedly.

Landias’s coercion has indeed put a lot of pressure on us.

But at this point, panicking wouldn’t help.

Instead of launching another rash attack against the Milan Empire, it’s better to pause, consolidate our bases.

Only then, can our future attacks on Milan bear results.”

The Minister of Finance stepped in and said, “I agree with the Prime Minister.

Our financial resources are stretched due to continuous logistical support deliveries.

It’s not suitable to launch large-scale wars in the short term.”

Dario nodded, “Exactly.

I believe the Eastern Military Corps of the Milan Empire poses no threat.

Despite our heavy losses in this war, as they were defending the city, their losses wouldn’t be trivial either.

It will only make the eastern defensive line of Milan Empire increasingly weak.

Our greatest threat are those from Qin City.

According to the several encounters Marshal Kusler had with them, the Qin City Army’s size is about three thousand, consisting of several races.

There are swift and aggressive cavalries, an Army of Behemoths, and some mages with special bat abilities.

They move very quickly, which is why Marshal Kusler hasn’t been able to capture them.

Moreover, if I’m not mistaken, there is a hidden force within the Qin City Army, providing them with sufficient intelligence.

These people from Qin City always manage to escape from our encirclement in dire situations, leaving Marshal Kusler helpless.”

Delavalle sighed, “But what can we do to stop them now?

As you all might know, our country’s main military strength is invested in the front lines.

Given the accurate information these people from Qin City seem to have about our army movements, unless our forces are able to set up a large encirclement leaving them no way to escape, we have no chance of capturing them considering their mobility.”

After thoroughly laying out the context, Dario finally presented his solution, “Your Majesty, according to my opinion, we can start in several ways.

First, don’t let Marshal Kusler exhaust himself by tracing the enemy; this won’t help at all, it will only erode Marshal Kusler and the army’s bat capabilities further.

Having just been through a major war, what they need now is recuperation.

So firstly, let Marshal Kusler’s main force stay within the country to rest and recover.

Choose only the most elite fifty thousand cavalry who are ready to respond to changes at any time.

A period of rest will undoubtedly restore our main forces.”

Delavalle said, “That’s certainly possible.

But what about the people from Qin City?

Our logistical support troops were once defeated by them outnumbering twenty to one.

Although I’d like to tear them to pieces, I have to admit, they are formidable.”

A glint flickered in Dario’s eyes, “While the Qin City Army is of strong individual bat capability, they have lost sight of the fact that this is our kingdom, the Flore Empire, not their Qin City.

To pletely destroy this Qin City Army, we need to throw a large enough net, making them fall into the trap of their own making.

Although we stand to lose wealth on a citywide scale, once they’re destroyed, and with us advancing into the Milan territory, wouldn’t we regain our losses?”

Delavalle’s eyes brightened, “I understand your intention, but how are we going to cast this net?”

Dario said solemnly, “After the people from Qin City invade our cities, they only kill the nobles and not the mon people, showing that they are very rational.

But it’s affecting the interests of the nobles in our country.

If this continues, how can the nobles survive?

Your Majesty, even though our main bat power is on the front lines, it does not represent everything.”

Finally, Delavalle understood Dario’s point, “Are you referring to the private troops of the nobles?”

Dario’s gaze swept over the body of the kingdom’s high officers standing in the hall.

Those who could stand in this hall were all nobles.

He nodded and said, “Your Majesty, when the country is in trouble, everyone has responsibility.

I am willing to dedicate my three thousand private troops entirely to the country.

For the future of our kingdom…”

Upon hearing Dario’s words, the expressions of the court officials around them started to turn a bit unnatural.

Among the nobles, especially those with fiefdoms, a certain number of private troops are maintained.

These private soldiers aren’t part of the national organization; they are trained and paid for by the nobles themselves.

The number of private soldiers that different ranks of nobility can have varies.

The highest-ranked princes can have ten thousand privates, dukes can have five thousand, marquises like Dario can have three thousand, earls can have one thousand.

Viscounts with fiefs can have five hundred privates.

Barons, with one hundred, can be ignored.

Which country doesn’t have a galaxy of nobles?

After Dario’s reminder, Delavalle recalled the existence of such a force within the country.

The large cities that Ye Yinzhu attacked could never be the domains of the nobles.

Most of the nobles he killed had declined and retreated to the cities.

The truly wealthy and powerful nobles were within their own territories, where private armies were their best weapons to maintain control, oppress the mon people, and protect their interests.

After hearing Dario’s words, the ministers present were cursing his ancestors in their minds.

Surrender their private armies?

They wondered if they’d ever get them back.

These armies were forces that the nobles had spent untold energy to amass.

No one wanted to give up their private armies, but under the stern gaze of King Delavalle of the Flore Kingdom, what choice did these counsellors of the kingdom have?

As a king, Delavalle naturally also understood the importance of private armies to the nobles.

He was aware that forcing these nobles to surrender their private forces was unrealistic.

But at this moment, there was no better alternative.

Delavalle slowly descended from the throne and said solemnly, “Gentlemen, you all heard the conversation between Prime Minister Dario and myself.

Our country is on the brink of disaster.

I understand your thoughts; no one wants to hand over their last assets.

But have you considered whether your private armies can resist the attack of the people of Qin City?

Now, only by uniting all forces can we thoroughly eliminate this malignant tumor.

Here, I promise you, as a King, that as soon as we eliminate the Qin City Army, your private forces can be immediately returned to you.

The state will pensate for those who die in battle.

Those who perform meritoriously on the battlefield will also have their rewards counted towards their nobility ranking.

If we can soon invade the Milan Empire, the lands we acquire will be granted preferentially to meritorious ministers of this battle.”

The ministers looked at each other, and their eyes gradually brightened.

They all knew that this was Delavalle’s bottom line.

Under the tremendous pressure brought about by Landias and the internal and external problems, His Majesty the King had already exhausted all his reserves.

At least there was one thing they all agreed upon – if the Flore Kingdom fell, there would be nothing good in store for them.

“Your Majesty, I am willing to submit all of my private armies to the unified mand of the state.

The rise and fall of the country are the responsibility of every citizen.” The Minister of Finance, who was in cahoots with Prime Minister Dario, immediately stepped forward, showing his value at this crucial moment.

“Good.

Where is the secretary?

Record this.”

Under the lead of the Minister of Finance, even though the ministers of Flore had hesitations in their hearts, no one dared to hesitate any longer.

Since they had to contribute their private armies, it was better to do so sooner and leave a good impression on His Majesty the King.

Delavalle watched as the ministers registered the numbers of their private armies.

He slowly walked over to Dario and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear, “Dario, if we achieve ultimate victory in this war, I will recognize you as the most deserving.”

Dario bowed his head and said, “Your Majesty, I dare not take credit.

Since we now have such a force that the enemy is unaware of, it is time to plan how to deliver a painful blow to the people of Qin City.

The Qin City Army is like a crafty fox; we only have one chance.

If we fail to seize it, it will be hard to bait them again in the future.”

Delavalle nodded, “After the court session, wait for me in the palace.

This information must be kept secret.”

…(To be continued.

If you want to know what happens next, please visit .

There are more chapters there—support the author and official reading!)