Chapter 342: Barbarian Kingdom

“Starting today, the territory will begin preparing for war. Convert the grain into easy-to-eat rations. Also, distribute firearms and ammunition according to the number of people per household.” Owen put down the data he had read over and over again and said to Maya.

“The territory has always been doing these things. The civilian firearm ownership rate has reached one-third. Almost all adult men own one or two firearms.” Maya didn’t need to think about it. She could easily recite these figures. As for whether so many firearms flowing into the private sector would cause unrest, neither Owen nor Maya had ever worried about it.

“Yes, continue to strengthen it. If a real fight breaks out, one or two firearms will not be enough.” Owen nodded and said, then stood up and walked to the sand table. He looked at the model of North City, which still appeared majestic and magnificent even after being scaled down. After admiring it for a moment, he continued, “Leave the city defense to Howard and his son. Let them choose suitable locations in the city to build artillery positions. With the range of the new cannons, it is sufficient to attack enemies outside the city without occupying the limited space on the city walls. At the same time, let them conduct the first phase of training for the conscripts in the city, and try to increase combat effectiveness as much as possible in a short period of time.” This was Owen’s precaution. After all, he couldn’t predict whether the territory would encounter war, or how large the scale of the war would be. The unknown made him cautious, caution made him cherish his life, and only by cherishing his life could he live a long time.

“In addition, Mara Town must also be on alert, and resources must be replenished in a timely manner. Our enemies are not only the Northland Barbarians.” Owen said faintly after glancing at the territories of the lords scattered across the central Northland on the sand table. He had not forgotten that Grand Duke Macaron had made a lot of small moves in the Northland and was still thinking about his seeds. He must be wary of this old bastard who was delusional.

“Okay, the relevant materials will be delivered within two days.” Maya said confidently. Due to the existence of witches, spatial pockets, and the Floo Network, the transportation of materials in the Northland was unimaginably fast. If North City did not also need to mobilize materials, the materials needed by Mara Town could be transported within three hours.

Next, the two of them pulled Howard and Emily together to discuss the details, made some additions, and formulated several plans.

Army reorganization and training, the formation of new artillery battalions, emergency training for conscripts, mobilization of war materials, construction of field hospitals, and emergency evacuation at the last moment all required reasonable implementation plans, otherwise, it would be a mess.

In addition, long-distance reconnaissance, peripheral strongholds, city defense construction, emergency mobilization, etc., also needed to be improved bit by bit. Otherwise, if something went wrong, more than one or two people would die.

Although Owen had many trump cards, he still wasn’t 100% sure against even the declining Northland Barbarians. Although the Northland Barbarians had incomplete inheritance, who could guarantee that they didn’t have legendary combat power, or even demigod-level trump cards?

Owen didn’t believe that the Northland Barbarians had completely degenerated into a group of savages after being able to fight against the Empire for so long.

As for whether Owen’s guess was right or not, he wouldn’t choose to take risks anyway.

Although the territory responded in a timely manner, the Northland Barbarians’ invasion was faster than Owen imagined. After all, the shamans of the Barbarian tribes were not vegetarians. They had long anticipated this year’s snow disaster. But before the snow disaster arrived, even the shamans couldn’t convince everyone with just words.

Fortunately, it was not too late now. The food originally stored for winter was just right as rations for the southward plunder. As long as they killed those Imperial Southern Barbarians who invaded the Northland, they would not only obtain enough food for the winter, but also a large number of tools, sophisticated weapons, and slaves.

Driven by the cold, under the threat of death, and lured by the spoils of war, Northland Barbarian tribes began to move south one after another, and their numbers grew.

During the gathering process, these barbarians used the shaman’s rambling prophecies and their fists to determine who had the final say, forming larger groups. Like a snowball, they continued to grow and move south in the tens of thousands.

At this time, they relied entirely on stored food and didn’t need to consider hunting. Otherwise, it would be really difficult to form such a scale. However, this was tantamount to a disaster for the Northland nobles who were still in the early stages of development.

Owen soon received this news, because the Wild Bull tribe had been quite popular among the Northland Barbarians over the years.

Iron pots, battle axes, salt, and liquor were enough to make any Northland Barbarian put down their fists and choose friendship. After all, the fully armed heavy infantry of the Wild Bull tribe looked tough.

Moreover, when Owen sensed that war was coming, he allocated a large amount of grain to the Wild Bull tribe, allowing them to use the grain to exchange for fur, gold, silver, and precious stones from the Northland Barbarians. Therefore, the Northland Barbarian tribes around the Wild Bull tribe did not lack food for the winter, so it was not easy for them to make up their minds to go south.

Another reason was that the excellent conditions of the Wild Bull tribe attracted many Northland Barbarians to join. These Northland Barbarians were related to the surrounding Barbarian tribes. Coupled with their generosity, they didn’t bargain when exchanging for supplies, so their relationship was very harmonious.

Therefore, as long as the Wild Bull tribe didn’t let go, those tribes would not forcibly cross the Wild Bull tribe’s territory to go south. After all, they could still distinguish between a full meal and a constant supply of food.

It’s just that they didn’t know how long they could hold on. Once the Northland Barbarians who went south had their fill, these tribes would definitely not be able to sit still.

But if the barbarians who went south were defeated, Owen would have a chance to make plans.

However, things did not go so smoothly. Firstly, as the Northland Barbarian tribes gathered, information began to circulate, allowing Owen to learn a lot of important news, such as the existence of the Barbarian Kingdom.

Not to mention Owen, I’m afraid even the Empire didn’t know that a Barbarian Kingdom had appeared in the Northland. This wasn’t because the Northland Barbarians did a good job of keeping secrets, but because the circulation of information was too slow.

The Northland Barbarians existed in the form of tribes, and each had its own range of activities. This range represented food sources and living space, so it was absolutely not allowed to be violated by anyone. This led to the Northland Barbarians’ circles being very closed. Sometimes, an event that happened a hundred miles away would not be passed on for decades. Not to mention that this Barbarian Kingdom was not within the scope of the Barbarian tribe.

It was also at this time that Owen learned that the Northland Barbarians who had migrated north were divided into two main parts, mainly because of the existence of the North Boundary River.

The North Boundary River originated from the mountains in the far north and flowed down from the center of the Northland. However, when it reached the central part of the Northland, it suddenly flowed eastward, passing by the Magic Horn Forest.

It divided the Northland like the two hands of a clock pointing to 12:15.

Because of the strange flow of the North Boundary River, the northern part of the Northland was actually divided into two parts. When the barbarians migrated north, one part chose to go up along the North Boundary River, to the west, and the other part chose to cross the river and go north, to the east.

The former became more united because they were constantly facing the pursuit of the Imperial Border Army. Even though the Imperial Border Army had never been there, they did not completely disperse because they had developed a habit, and they learned to herd and farm, slowly evolving into the Barbarian Kingdom.

As for the barbarians who crossed the river, they continued to live in the form of tribes according to ancient traditions because they had the North Boundary River as a natural barrier.

Compared to the two, the former was obviously a greater threat.

However, due to its geographical location, Owen’s territory was located in the middle of the Northland, closer to the east. Therefore, even if the Barbarian Kingdom went south, the two sides would be east and west. Unless they deliberately took a detour, they would not meet at all.

Even among the Northland Barbarian tribes that crossed the river, Owen’s territory was not the first to bear the brunt, unless someone deliberately sabotaged it.