Chapter 350: Chapter 235: Golden Mountain and Silver Sea (Part 1)

An army would only listen if it had supplies, and it would only fight if it was paid. One couldn’t expect the armies in the Nameless World to have much of a sense of duty. That kind of conviction would have to be instilled in them later to have any effect.

Procuring supplies was a challenge.

But Fang Zhen didn’t fear a challenge.

"Leave the supplies to me. The army marches tomorrow. First, we’ll go to the Ashton Territory. I will have the supplies gathered within six days," Fang Zhen said.

"My lord, while the Ashton Territory is relatively abundant in produce, it just suffered a war. It can’t possibly provide enough supplies to support five thousand soldiers..." Matthew said, suddenly worried.

"Don’t worry. I have a plan," said Fang Zhen.

"B-but, even if you can procure the supplies, my lord, that doesn’t solve the issue of whether the other nobles will truly submit to you," Matthew continued.

"I can solve that at the same time." Fang Zhen didn’t see it as much of a problem.

He had a comprehensive solution.

"Then it’s decided. We’ll leave five hundred guards here in Nottingham City. The rest will all come with me to the Ashton Territory. From there, we’ll march to Viscount Keton’s Territory and prepare to face the Duke Balenzuo Army," Fang Zhen made the final decision.

...

「Two days later.」

Fang Zhen’s army marched out. He led 4,300 men from the former Tarrenno army—now the Augustus Army—and 1,400 men from Henry’s former army back to the Ashton Territory.

Upon their return to the Ashton Territory, the sheer number of soldiers terrified the local residents.

The past deeds of Earl Henry’s Army had left the locals terrified. Now, with over five thousand soldiers—nearly six thousand—camped in the area, the commoners of the Ashton Territory were incredibly tense, fearing a military-wrought disaster.

However, the commoners soon discovered that while the army was large, its discipline was far better. There was no robbery or other vicious incidents.

This was because Fang Zhen had issued a simple, clear, and firm command to the troops.

It was the same order he had given before: killers would be executed, and looters would be punished.

Many soldiers from Henry’s Army had seen Fang Zhen execute men for breaches of discipline, so they knew he meant business.

The soldiers who hadn’t seen it for themselves had heard the stories over the past few days.

Furthermore, Fang Zhen was personally powerful. He had recently paid the soldiers the back wages owed by Henry and Tarrenno. Being wealthy, strong, and unyielding, he earned the soldiers’ admiration and fear, making them dependent on him. His authority grew by the day.

At this point, no one dared to challenge his rules.

Fang Zhen had been distributing supplies generously of late. Although the army only had a little more than five days’ worth of grain, he gave out lavish rations; he distributed what should have been nearly six days of reserves in just four. The soldiers’ needs were more than met—they were very satisfied, and morale was soaring.

Combined with their commander’s immense authority, no one was foolish enough to stir up trouble for now.

However, while the common soldiers didn’t know the real situation, Ottis, who was also managing the army’s provisions, was extremely anxious.

Ottis’s duties included tabulating the army’s supplies, giving him the responsibilities of a semi-Quartermaster. Because he had studied arithmetic and knew bookkeeping, he was also in charge of measuring and managing the army’s provisions.

Watching the supplies dwindle, Ottis had approached Fang Zhen more than once to warn him that at this rate, their provisions would be completely gone in a matter of days.

The Augustus Army was encamped three miles outside the castle of the Ashton Territory.

Inside the main tent of the encampment, the furnishings were spartan: just a desk, a portable campaign table, and a cot.

Fang Zhen and a few of his subordinates were meeting briefly beside the campaign table.

"My lord, if our supplies run out, there’s no telling how the army will react. Soldiers who can’t eat will riot!" Ottis exclaimed, his face etched with worry.

Mansa and the other Mages also looked grave.

Although Mansa and his group wanted to see how Fang Zhen would solve the supply problem, they certainly didn’t want to see the army collapse.

It wasn’t just Mansa. Officers like Matthew, Finn, and Tahar were also extremely concerned, their worry quickly turning into anxiety.

"There’s no problem," Fang Zhen replied, still perfectly calm and composed.

"Our problem is very serious, my lord!" Mansa said gravely. "If the army runs out of grain, there will be riots within a day or two. We only have enough for a few more days, and at your current rate of distribution, we’ll be out of food in two and a half days! Have you really thought this through?"

"I suggest we reduce the soldiers’ rations. That way, we can hold out for a few more days."

Matthew added, looking deeply troubled, "My lord, it’s not harvest season in the Ashton Territory. The commoners have very little grain; we’re in the lean period before the new crops come in. While the city of Ashton is relatively wealthy, the most we could requisition is half a month’s rations for one thousand soldiers. We can’t provide any more than that without disrupting the city’s functions."

"My lord, please reconsider. We have no other source of supplies," Agatha added, her tone gentle but persuasive.

Fang Zhen remained placid. "I’ve told you," he said, "it is not a problem."

"You...!" Mansa was at a loss for words.

Mansa stared hard at Fang Zhen, unable to tell if he truly had a solution or was just bluffing.

The others didn’t look so convinced either, their eyes filled with doubt and suspicion, though they didn’t dare voice it.

Fang Zhen took in all their expressions and the looks in their eyes.

He knew that few people present truly believed he could conjure supplies out of thin air. They didn’t dare say it, but he could see the doubt in their hearts.

Fang Zhen offered no explanation.

’Heh, none of you really trust me. You all think I can’t do it, don’t you? Just wait a couple of days. I’ll leave you all speechless.’