Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence

Su Li could now very much understand the Redbeard Fortress Lord's mindset. If Black Forest Territory could recuperate and build up its strength, he could also stay in this beautiful mountain range, guarding his thousands of acres of manor, enjoying a life until the end of time, until the world's destruction, and wouldn't bother participating in the disputes of other places.

The key was that recuperation and development were also very effective. With no severe shortage of food, matters such as reorganizing the new army and storing grain for training were progressing extremely well.

Building three new companies of armed servant soldiers was only one part of this reorganization.

Since this matter was mentioned, Marshal Orstein immediately took a step back, reached out to Su Li, and said, "Please allow me to report to you, Lord, on the army's reorganization."

Su Li immediately led a group of ministers towards the training ground. Soon, under the guidance of Knight Orstein, Su Li saw the armed servant camp undergoing training.

This force was also known as the Black Forest Territory's provincial army, and its scale was already very large.

Nearly a thousand soldiers were densely arranged on the training ground, their exquisite weapons and armor gleaming coldly, a magnificent sight!

These were well-organized square formations, with soldiers spaced one to two meters apart, each squad about five or six meters apart, and the companies spaced twenty to thirty meters apart to facilitate the soldiers' turning and maneuvering.

Countless vermillion banners fluttered above the army, and soldiers in neat ranks filled the entire training ground beneath the banners.

This scene filled Su Li with excitement. The expansion of the army was enough to fill the castle's open space, and one training ground could no longer accommodate the territory's large army. Thinking of the several armies of this size in other directions and barracks, Su Li felt that the future was full of hope.

In the Battle of Bloodpine Forest, the Green Dragon gathered twenty to thirty thousand troops, but the humans were not weak either, with an army size that might exceed four thousand or even approach five thousand.

If Black Forest Territory successfully assembled five thousand troops, its military strength might not be weaker than the Green Dragon's army.

After all, although the Green Dragon's claws and teeth were numerous, their tactics, coordination, and weaponry were far inferior to those of humans.

The advantage of the monsters was their large numbers, allowing them to swarm and overwhelm the human defenses.

If the human armed servants could not hold their ground and were overwhelmed by the Green Dragon army, with each company suffering attacks from hundreds of monsters, resulting in heavy losses and the collapse of the formation, then the humans would be utterly defeated in the decisive battle.

But if the humans stabilized their lines, with soldiers fighting to the death and holding their ground like nails, preventing the Green Dragon army from leveraging its scale advantage, then the human cavalry could deploy.

Using their mobility advantage, humans could launch a broader attack, allowing more of their units to attack the enemy in a given time.

Then humans could use the strength of their elite troops to repeatedly defeat the monster offensives, eventually causing the Green Dragon army to suffer enormous losses, and then the army would collapse, with tens of thousands of monsters losing morale and fleeing in all directions before the human forces.

From this tactic, whether the human infantry regiments could hold out until the knightly orders shattered the monsters’ flanks was crucial to the victory or defeat in the Black Forest Territory.

So Su Li looked at the massive infantry army below and asked Commander Orstein, "How is the training and reorganization of these troops going?"

Orstein was full of confidence and said with a smile, "Lord, the strength of our infantry regiment is now vastly different from what it used to be, especially one company, which we call the Bloodpine Forest Beast Butcher Company, which is not afraid of the monsters' claws and teeth even in forest combat."

After speaking, Orstein handed a brass monocular telescope to Su Li, pointed to the rightmost company, and said, "Lord, that's the infantry regiment fully equipped with heavy armor. Each of them is provided with dwarven heavy plate armor from the territory's treasury, wielding excellent-grade halberds, and is the territory's most elite halberd regiment."

Following the direction of his finger, Su Li indeed saw an infantry army that was tall and well-equipped.

This infantry army was completely different from other troops. Each of them wore shining excellent plate armor, their tall bodies were strong and powerful, halberds stood like a forest, and heavy shields were arranged like a wall.

This was a powerful combat force that ordinary people could not achieve. Those who could hold a shield in one hand and then hold a spear or halberd in the other were elites among elites. After all, without great arm strength, one could not wield the heavy halberd, which was more than three meters, almost four meters long, with one arm.

Su Li turned his head in surprise and looked at the ministers behind him, asking, "When did we build such a powerful infantry regiment? How come I don't know about it?"

Although Su Li didn't pay much attention to government affairs, he never delegated matters of sacrifice and military affairs to others.

Regarding military matters, even though he had been bedridden these past few days, indulging in cultivation, he had personally inquired about everything.

That's why he had the confidence to be like Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty, enjoying himself in the Leopard Chamber every day, but able to execute a powerful minister by slipping a piece of paper from the crack in the door.

But he really didn't know what was going on with this Bloodpine Forest Beast Butcher Camp.

But Orstein was very calm and explained in detail, "It was during the time when you were resting, Lord, that our territory's army could not be adjusted on a large scale, so we formed the regiment on the existing basis."

"The Bloodpine Forest Beast Butcher Regiment is entirely composed of soldiers who performed well in the previous battle but did not have the opportunity to join the Knights Order. So, at the suggestion of General Manager Hilrud, we gathered these elite soldiers into one company."

"This company is full of veterans, and the captains are all trainee knights and formal knights. The formation of this infantry regiment will greatly strengthen our army's infantry combat power."

Su Li immediately had an impression. Hilrud had mentioned this matter to him, saying that he wanted to reorganize his direct attendants and not continue to be as mottled as before.

Previously, Su Li's direct attendants ranged from champion knights to trainee knights, and even many soldiers who had not unlocked extraordinary bloodlines, slaves captured from the forest, were all Su Li's direct attendants.

At that time, the territory was newly established and relatively small, so Su Li could directly take charge of everything.

And no one was managing it, so he could only directly control all the personnel and slaves under Su Li's name.

But now it was different. Su Li had thousands of troops under his command. He couldn't have everyone commanded by the high-ranking attendant general manager and live in the castle.

So Hilrud had told Su Li that if he wanted to have elite troops, he should transfer some of the armed servants to the provincial army and only keep some elite knights and elite infantry regiments in the direct servant camp, directly controlled and paid by Su Li.

But Su Li really didn't expect that after this streamlining, this infantry regiment would be so elite.

It directly became an elite battle group with a formal establishment and name.

So Su Li asked in surprise, "Why are there so many extraordinary knights in it?"

"Let me explain this to you." Hilrud took the initiative to speak at this time. This heroic Valkyrie Knight had a very powerful aura. When she stood with her sword, her beautiful hair fluttered, and the vermillion banner was waving behind her. Every knight who saw her would feel excited and morale high.

Therefore, the high-ranking attendant camp she commanded was a strong army that countless people in the entire territory yearned for, second only to the Vengeance Sun Knights and the Black Forest Guard Knights.

For this reason, Hilrud patiently explained, "Since the beginning of elite troop training, we have been working hard to make the troops more professional and elite."

"So from now on, your high-ranking direct attendant knights will only recruit elite-level knights. Formal knights and trainee knights must go to the provincial army to train, fight, and accumulate military merits."

Su Li nodded slightly. He knew this situation. It should be said that this was a sign that the territory's military was on the right track, similar to the internal territories of the empire.

There were also many noble knights in the empire who were unwilling to enter the provincial army and chose to join a certain imperial knightly order.

Therefore, there should be a group of elite veterans and knights undergoing training in the provincial army. They would serve in the cavalry regiment to accumulate military merits until their martial arts, loyalty, honor, and merits reached a certain level, so that they could be selected into a powerful church knightly order or secular knightly order.

"So many knights chose to serve as captains of the infantry regiment in order to stay in the high-ranking attendant camp."

"It was under this background that we selected a group of elites and formed the Bloodpine Forest Beast Butcher Camp. Currently, this troop only has one company. If you allow it, we will expand the second company."

This troop was undoubtedly Su Li's main force for infantry combat.

In the future, after the war against the Green Dragon ended, the dwarven mountain shield formation would leave. At that time, without the tenacious dwarves, the Black Forest Territory must have a human infantry elite who could stand up on the key battlefield to stabilize the battle line.

Under Hilrud's streamlining, the scale of Su Li's direct attendant troops became smaller, leaving only the Black Forest Guard Knights, the Bloodpine Forest Beast Butchers, and a high-ranking attendant knightly order composed of elite knights, with an overall scale of less than five hundred people.

The remaining soldiers were sent to the provincial army. Commander Orstein commanded this troop, which had a large-scale infantry regiment and archer regiment wearing chain mail, as well as some cavalry regiments composed of trainee knights and formal knights. The scale of these three ordinary troops was more than a thousand people.

The marshal of the Black Forest Guard Knights was Su Li himself. He was very clear about the scale of the Black Forest Guard Knights. After the Battle of the Outpost, the total scale of the Black Forest Guard Knights he rewarded and promoted was now 103 people, which was almost enough to form two combat regiments.

At least in the current training and command tactics, these one hundred Black Forest Guard Knights were divided into two 50-person impact queues, launching an impact from the left and right wings.

This guard troop would, under Su Li's orders, cooperate with Marshal Orstein to strike any evil legions invading the Black Forest Territory.

What Su Li was more curious about was the scale of other troops now. He had been physically weak these few days, but the territory's recuperation and development was very rapid.

So after taking back the monocular telescope, Su Li asked Orstein, "The elite troop strategy is very effective, and the scale of our troops cannot be left behind. How is our recovery situation after the Battle of the Outpost?"

Speaking of this issue, Orstein's face became serious and said, "The overall recovery situation is not optimistic. The time since our war ended is too short. The wounded soldiers need time to recuperate, heal their wounds, and soothe the fear and despair in their hearts."

"Although the overall situation is severe." Orstein changed his tone and said somewhat excitedly, "But we have welcomed the joining of an important ally! In the name of the Ally of the Blazing Sun Goddess, Champion Knight Dietrich Luther of the Healing Light Knights, under the crown of Shalya, has brought the nuns of the Goddess of Healing and Compassion to our territory!"

Dietrich's entry into the Black Forest Territory was not to pledge allegiance to Su Li, but to reside in Black Forest Town as a hospital director and missionary, so Su Li had not yet met this powerful champion knight these past few days.

In this world, the proportion of men in the knights is still far greater than that of women.

The more the strength increases, the higher the proportion of men.

So even in the Shalya Church's healing knights, most of the champion knight leaders are men.

Su Li was no longer surprised by this and immediately asked with great interest, "I haven't met this healing knight yet. Do you know anything about him?"

Hilrud replied, "Lord Rongen knows him very well. It is said that they were once comrades-in-arms who fought side by side and both participated in the Battle of the Shalya Temple. In that battle, Shalya's temple was corroded by demons, emitting purple smoke, and then grew two legs, rampaging in the streets, and then a massive number of demons rushed out of the gate and began to slaughter the city's residents and guards."

"So are they on good terms?" Su Li asked with concern. If so, it would be very convenient to ask the knights of the Shalya Church for help in the future.

Hilrud shook his head regretfully: "On the contrary, their relationship is very bad, it can be said that they are almost at odds with each other."

"After the Battle of the Shalya Temple, Lord Rongen believed that studying medicine could not save the empire, so he converted to the faith of the Blazing Sun Goddess."

"And Dietrich believes that this is a shameful betrayal and escape, and vowed to never conspire with Knight Rongen from now on."

Su Li couldn't help but click his tongue. This was really a tricky problem.

The most difficult thing for people is to put other people's money into their own pockets and impose their own ideas on other people's minds.

Ideological disputes are difficult to distinguish between right and wrong.

Shalya sent this champion knight over, was she here to help or to cause trouble?

Could it be that she wanted him to mediate the grievances between these two knights?

Su Li looked at everyone and asked, "Then how are they getting along now? Is Dietrich used to staying in the Black Forest Territory?"

Orstein nodded and said, "Although they had an argument on the first day they met, Dietrich quickly devoted himself to the construction of the Shalya Church because a lot of healing work needed to be done."

"Under their command, dwarven engineers and ogre construction teams have already built a temple of the Shalya Church on the north side of the territory's carnival square as soon as possible, including hospitals, sanatoriums, almshouses and other buildings."

"At the same time, the symbol of the Heart and Dove and the shrines of Shalya have been quickly built between towns and villages. In some alleys, near street benches, and even in the shade of trees between mountain roads and fields, shrines and statues of the goddess have been built to protect injured travelers and provide pedestrians with rest and recovery."

Su Li's lips curled into a slight smile. Shaliya and Violet, these sisters, were quite alike, both fond of placing their divine statues throughout their territories.

Unlike the reserve and introversion of Eastern women, these two goddesses generously and openly displayed their beautiful forms to their believers.

Truth be told, if a monarch like King Zhou were to write a poem praising them, they might not be angry. Instead, they might genuinely descend and invite the mortal king to share a night of passion.

This made Su Li wonder if he would ever have the chance to feel the goddess's generosity and comfort during prayer.

If he could cultivate with the Radiant Sun Goddess, wouldn't his strength advance by leaps and bounds?

Thinking of the Radiant Sun Goddess, Su Li couldn't help but think of Madame Beyonetta, the city lord's wife of Maleburg.

If he could interact with her, he would be fully confident in advancing to the Saint domain!

If he could win the battle against the Green Dragon, he also planned to make a trip to Maleburg to make a killing.

Don't underestimate the fact that Su Li currently has over twenty thousand gold crowns; it's enough to provide ten thousand people with a worry-free life for a year. But when it comes to important military matters, it's just a drop in the bucket. Even buying elite knights would only amount to a little over a hundred.

Adding a hundred elite slaves would be completely useless to the current situation.

That's why Su Li valued the healing of soldiers and the expansion of the provincial legions so much.

Because the provincial legions' soldiers could be directly recruited from within the Black Forest Territory.

After hearing that Dietrich had built a large number of temples, Su Li continued, "Are there enough knights and nuns from the Healing and Compassion Church?"

Orstein nodded with a smile, saying, "There are more than enough in this regard! Within the temple on the east side of the Carnival Square alone, there are eight hospital knights!"

Carnival Square was a parade ground in the southeast direction of Su Li's Black Forest Castle. After the Black Forest Castle was built, it could still be called a castle or even the Bauhinia Palace.

Because in addition to Su Li's castle and towers, there are also a large number of cabinet buildings, court buildings, including the Black Forest Territory's Provincial Council, High Court, which is a complex of administrative and judicial buildings, including the Provincial Legal Aid Institute and the Black Forest Tower, etc.

As long as Su Li can become an Elector, this place can be transformed into a Prince's Palace.

Connected to the southeast by the cross-river bridge in the city is the newly built Carnival Square, where parades can be held to commemorate visiting dignitaries and inspect triumphant armies.

At the same time, this is also a path to promotion. Knights from all directions who come to the Black Forest Territory seeking opportunities will pass through this square and enter the cross-river bridge to apply for an interview with the high-level attendants in the Black Forest Castle.

If a powerful champion knight is willing to serve the territory, he can directly enter the Black Forest Castle through here, receive a personal interview with the chief steward of the high-level attendants, and arrange a meeting with Lord Su Li as soon as he is free.

Therefore, occupying a corner of this square and building a white marble temple is of great significance to the spread of Shaliya's Church.

Because, coming to this territory are not only members of the Medical Knights, but also a large number of knights and adventurers seeking opportunities.

For example, dwarf rangers, adventure knights, and even wizards and ocean-going fleets will come here.

Orstein explained to Su Li with great excitement, "After the Border Sentinel War, our territory's reputation has risen sharply, and the church priests throughout the Border Prince Territory should have heard of our feat. In the south of the empire, Violet and Shaliya occupy the absolute mainstream."

"So, during this period of rest and recuperation after the war, members of the Flame Sun Knights and Medical Knights have been rushing in from all directions, from various territories and farms within the Border Prince Territory."

"In recent days, our territory has added 32 elite knights and two Green Field Knights, and the overall increase in the number of knights may be close to a hundred!"

Close to a hundred people?

Su Li was overjoyed.

The reason it is said to be around a hundred people is because these knights are not directly serving Su Li.

For example, the number of members of the Medical Knights cannot be determined.

In the tense relationship between Dietrich and Ron, the Radiant Sun Goddess Church could not clearly know how many medical knights had come.

Only when a large-scale war breaks out will these medical knights come out of the temples and shrines and gather to provide medical services to the territory's army.

Usually, they work in hospitals and farms to treat freemen and make healing potions.

There is also a benefit to building so many shrines and temples; they will buy a large amount of medicinal materials from Su Li.

The Black Forest Territory does not have much else, but the scale of its spirit medicine fields definitely exceeds that of most territories.

These medicinal materials are usually accumulated in the Black Forest Castle's warehouse. The priests of the Morning Dew Goddess Church simply cannot use them all. Only when caravans visit will they occasionally sell some to them, allowing them to purchase and take them to Maleburg. However, the price and quantity are very average.

With the addition of the Medical Knights, they are constantly consuming medicinal materials, which will greatly increase the income of the spirit medicine farms. In a year, the basic medicinal materials alone can earn Su Li hundreds of gold crowns.

Moreover, Su Li can purchase the potions made by the medical knights in batches, greatly reducing the casualties of soldiers.

However, in the Black Forest Territory, the scale of the Medical Knights is still much smaller than that of the Radiant Sun Goddess's believers. The first choice for these knights who come from all directions is definitely to join the Flame Sun Knights.

This wealthiest branch of the Knights is stationed in Silver Spring Valley.

How many elite knights and reserve knights Commander Constantine has recruited is simply not something that the commander of his side can know.

They are church knights, and they only fight alongside secular lords in times of war.

Usually, the military commander's army statistics and training cannot control them.