"I see. I really didn't expect the city defense army to look like this, no wonder there are so many thieves in the Cordillera Plateau! ”

Hathaway raised her eyebrows slightly: "If it's just a caretaker, I think your private army should be enough if you gather it." So, what are the responsibilities of the city defense army? If your reaction is true, I have to say that you are probably a little slacking off on the matter of the city defense army. "Solo. Bell frowned slightly: "Hathaway......"

"Uncle, please wait a minute, I haven't finished yet."

Hathaway smiled faintly and continued: "Baron Milton, I take back what I just said, although the combat effectiveness of the city defense army is indeed unbearable, you do know your soldiers very well. I think so, you should start to put the military in order now, and in a month there will be a military parade, and at the same time there will be a downsizing, so as to keep the strength of the city defense army at about 5,000 men. ”

"How can this work?!"

Even. Milton was taken aback by Hathaway's plan, "Lord Earl, seven thousand people is already a very small number for the entire Cordillera Plateau, if there are layoffs, what if there is a real war?" Besides, once the layoffs are made, how will those soldiers who have been laid off be resettled? Many of them are homeless, and if they are laid off, it will bring great danger to law and order. ”

The people around him, whether they were watching the excitement or participating in the argument, were also surprised when they heard Hathaway's plan, and stared at Hathaway intently to hear how she answered.

Hathaway said indifferently: "Baron Milton." As you said, the Cordillera has not had a large-scale war for more than twenty years, as long as basic combat readiness is maintained. Besides, there are more soldiers than there are many, and I really don't see the value of an army that even thieves can't exterminate. The reduction of those units that have little combat effectiveness is not only responsible for their lives, but also the financial situation will not be as tight as it is now, at least there is no need to worry about the issue of military salaries. As for the laid off soldiers, as long as they find a way, they can still be solved. For example. We can organize them to reclaim. The Cordillera Plateau has fields, and as long as you have the basic ability to work, even if you are disabled, you can live through guò labor. ”

"I'm against it. If the number of troops is reduced. What if there is a war? Dark regions, barbarians. But they are all warlike, bloodthirsty races, and we must not take them lightly. "Rotti Mark. This time, however, Thorne was the first to object.

He was acting as a blaster, but he wanted to blow up the financial officials who were yes. And not himself. Now Hathaway is clearly using the topic to play, wanting to cut off some people's excessive military power.

"I completely agree with the lord's opinion, as long as you keep five thousand elite soldiers, it will be enough to maintain law and order on the Cordillera Plateau. If a war really breaks out, with the current combat effectiveness of the city defense army, it is better to temporarily recruit those thieves. "Aaron. Baron Jerami said fearing that the world would not be chaotic.

Cast it with a peach, repay it with a plum. Hathaway helped him break the siege just now, he naturally wanted to reciprocate, and Hathaway's mention was not unreasonable, rather than raising a low-combat force with a high salary, it was better to raise an elite army, even if it cost a little higher, there was no problem.

Some of the minor nobles were also very excited about Hathaway's mention and expressed their approval...... These minor nobles could not afford to raise a large number of guards due to their financial limitations, and when facing thieves, mobs or those aliens, they had the weakest resistance and suffered the most, and the current city defense army led by the Cordillera did not give them a sense of security, so they supported Hathaway's opinion, even if it was from different forces, they were at most silent.

"Baron Jeramy, you are not in charge of armaments, what qualifications do you have to reach out to the jurisdiction of our military?"

Rotti Mark. Thorne didn't dare to talk to Aaron. Jerami clamoured, but Yu Lian. Milton has the same title and rank as him, but he can slap the table with the treasurer.

"Lord Earl, this is too hasty, I want to discuss it more at next month's meeting." Solo. Baron Bell stepped forward and spoke. Although it was not yet possible to judge Hathaway's true intentions, he felt that it was still coming at him, and at this time, it was inconvenient for him to put on the shelf of his elders, after all, he was talking about official business.

"Okay, but I don't think it's a big problem, we have the province of Casserf as the gateway to the Cordillera in the south, and the empire has a standing army of 400,000 in the province of Carselph. As for the northwestern frontier of the Cordillera Plateau, there is nothing wrong with that, and it is believed that the barbarians are not enthusiastic about invading us. In any case, as long as I am the master of the Cordillera Plateau, I will never allow an invasion by foreign forces. Hathaway said, especially accentuating the tone of the last sentence.

Everyone's hearts were slightly cold, and the strong confidence that the young female lord showed at this moment made them feel that they wanted to get acquainted with this lord again, and some were thinking about why she dared to say such a thing—even if the Bell family and the Camille family were united, they might not have the courage to say this.

There are also those who believe that in the name of righteousness, Thoreau. Baron Bell: Whatever they do, they have to weigh it up. But what Hathaway lacks now is that she hasn't established a wide network in the Cordillera Heights, and this will be the next thing she should do is to absorb the wandering forces and strengthen her strength. And this qiē takes a certain amount of time, but the foreshadowing she has planted can make the whole process more secure.

"I think it's better to discuss it at next month's meeting, it's only a dozen days until June, and there's no need to rush it, after all, it's also more time-consuming." Lord Camille built yì tract.

Although his title is not high, the Camille family's position in the Cordillera Plateau is also very important, and since he speaks, Hathaway has to think about it. "It's okay, seeing how fierce the argument you made just now, I'm a little impatient, as for who to dismiss, you can make a plan, show me first."

Anyway, the general direction has been pointed out, it is imperative to dismantle the city defense army, as for the specific plan, Hathaway has to let them pinch, anyway, if these people are really harmonious, it will be bad news for her, and now she is happy to watch them laugh and pretend to be a good person on the side.

The original conflict over financial issues turned out to be such an outcome that no one could have predicted, but they still couldn't see what Hathaway was thinking. After this young new lord took office, he would definitely not be willing to let go of power, but today's actions are not clear to even those who think they are shrewd.

And those who want to put Hathaway in the forefront, with Solo. Bell, Lin Nan. Camille sang on stage, but was shunned by Hathaway, not only did not reveal his true intentions, but instead exposed those who wanted to take advantage of him. Although they tried their best to avoid losses, conflict was inevitable when they were to reduce their troops in the future. After all, everyone wants to hold the military power in their hands, and Hathaway will never give it up...... This is a rare opportunity.

At this time, Siccone. Sheldon came to Hathaway's side...... He had just returned from the bandits, and his body was covered with dust, and before he could rest, he was called by someone sent by Hathaway.

"Your Excellency, what are your orders for calling me?" Although the leader of the Praetorian Guard squadron was a little tired, his spirit was very full.

"Baron Milton, let me introduce you, this is Siccone. Knight Sheldon, Janissary Squadron Leader. In a few days, I will ask him to come to you to transfer some manpower, you know, my guards are not many, and they need to deal with a large number of bandits, and there is a shortage of manpower. I think you're a busy guy, so I'll say hello to you first. ”

"The combat effectiveness of the city defense army is unreassuring, or ...... You have drawn a group of men from my guard to give the Sheldon knights a rest. "Yu Lian. Milton built yì road.

"Thank you, Lord Baron, for your attention, I think I'd better go myself, I must be responsible to Lord Earl, and also to Mr. Eastwood, and it is my duty to ensure Lord Earl's safety."

"You mean Mr. Eastwood, the head of the Knight Academy, who sent you to keep Lord Earl safe?" Even. Milton exclaimed.

In the Otiga Empire, Mr. Eastwood's prestige in the hearts of the warriors is in full swing, and he suddenly expresses his concern for Hathaway, who has rarely asked about matters other than the affairs of the academy, which undoubtedly shows that Hathaway is very popular with him.

"I didn't think it was necessary, but what happened on the road made me admire Mr. Eastwood's vision even more. If it hadn't been for Squadron Leader Sheldon's reminder, I'm afraid I'd have had to stay on the road for a few more days. I now regret why I refused Mr. Eastwood's kindness and didn't bring more people back before I left Beijing. I didn't expect the security in the Cordillera to be so bad. Hathaway said casually.

Solo. Bell and Linnan. Camille's face was even more frustrated, and their henchmen were silent. By saying this, Hathaway was undoubtedly emphasizing her close relationship with Mr. Eastwood, and if Hathaway was able to count on his support, they simply could not compete with it.

"So, you've been in close contact with Mr. Eastwood?" Even. Milton asked.

"No, I just returned from the Academy of Magic, how can I keep in close contact with Mr. Eastwood?"

Hathaway shook her head, looked at some of the people breathing a sigh of relief, and then continued: "Actually, Mr. Eastwood has been keeping an eye on me, sending someone to summon me as soon as he arrived in Heidelberg, and sending Squadron Leader Shelton to keep me safe. (To be continued......)