"The eastern border of the empire?"
Colin frowned even tighter.
He couldn't figure out why marrying Vera to a half-elf prince was plotting against the eastern border of the empire.
As a small country sandwiched between the northern border and the eastern border of the empire, the half-elf kingdom has always been swaying left and right, pleasing both sides, but in Colin's view, this small country is not like the key to the struggle between the two borders.
As if seeing Colin's confusion, Prince Okamoto asked with a smile, "Your Excellency, Viscount, you don't know much about water warfare, do you?"
Colin was upset when he heard that.
However, he also had to admit that his predecessor did not have any experience of water battles in his memory.
In fact, there are almost no naval forces in the entire northern border.
For a long time, the biggest enemy in the north has always been the troll empire on the ice sheet.
The cavalry is the best unit to deal with trolls.
Therefore, the cavalry in the northern border has always been the best in the Glorious Empire.
But the navy's words are really a little bit broken.
At this time, when the troll said that the Duke was plotting against the East, Colin remembered that the North and East were actually separated by a moat.
The name of this moat is Nushui River.
In fact, the military strength of the four borders of the Glorious Empire is not balanced.
At least, the northern border is obviously stronger than the eastern border.
The reason is also very simple. The northern border has been fighting with the troll empire for so many years, while the eastern border, their old opponents, the elves, have long since disappeared in the Huiyue Forest.
I don't know whether he lived in seclusion or exterminated the family.
But no matter what, the Eastern Territory is different from the Northern Territory. They have no pressure from other races.
Only Yevil on the border of Huiyue Forest, the mages there may be a bit of an eyesore.
But it's just an eyesore. The mages can't organize a large-scale army, and they don't pose much threat to the east.
As long as the East Territory doesn't annoy them and throw forbidden curses, the two sides can live in peace and harmony.
As a result, there has been no large-scale war in the Eastern Territory for hundreds of years.
And without the baptism of blood and fire, it is impossible to forge a real master of tiger and wolf.
Therefore, the military strength of the Eastern Territory, which has been at peace for a long time, is basically at the bottom of the Glorious Empire.
Fortunately, the northern border has always had to deal with the threat of trolls. The main force is basically deployed on the northern defense line, so naturally it will not put too much pressure on the eastern border.
Even the Nushui River has always been in the hands of Dongjing.
And now, if the Duke of St. Hilde is indeed trying to get his hands on the eastern border as Prince Okamoto said, then the natural moat of the Nushui River will become the biggest obstacle to the northern army.
"That's right, I don't understand water warfare." Colin nodded and admitted, "Then tell me, what does the half-elf kingdom have to do with water warfare? I remember that the upper reaches of the Nushui River are not within the territory of the half-elf kingdom."
"Yes, the Nushui River is indeed not within the half-elven kingdom. But your lord, do you know what the first element of water warfare is?"
Colin rubbed his chin, searched all the examples of water battles in his memory, and said in an uncertain tone after a while, "Is it a ship?"
"Yes! But ordinary small boats obviously cannot undertake the task of crossing the river with a large army. Therefore, to be more precise, what the Duke of St. Hilde needs is a powerful water force."
Ke Lin thought about it: "Could it be that there is a powerful navy in the half-elf kingdom?"
Prince Okamoto smiled, with a look of disdain on his face: "The half-elf kingdom does have a navy, but with that navy alone, it is estimated that a face-to-face meeting will be wiped out by the Eastern Navy."
Colin didn't understand anymore: "Then why do you say that the half-elven kingdom will be the key to marching into the East?"
Prince Okamoto picked up a branch on the ground, drew a simple map, and explained:
"This is the Nushui River, with a total length of more than 7,000 kilometers. It seems that the northern army can cross the river at any point. But in fact, this is impossible.
The reason is what we just said - the boat!
The army in the north must build ships to cross the river, but the navy in the east is not stupid. It is impossible to watch the north build ships on the west bank of the Nushui River and ignore them.
At this time, the Nushui River is under the control of the Eastern Realm, so the Northern Territory cannot directly build ships in the Nushui River.
Therefore, the only choice for the Duke of St. Hilde was to find a river in the northern border and build a navy.
However, this river was not chosen at random.
After all, it was impossible for the soldiers to carry the boat from the land to the Nushui River.
Therefore, this river must connect with the Nushui River!
At this time, if you look carefully at the map of the northern border, you will find that such rivers are not impossible to find in the northern border, but they are too shallow and narrow to allow large ships to pass.
However, in the upper reaches of the Nushui River, there is such a river that satisfies the conditions—the Crystal River.
And this crystal river—”
Prince Okamoto made a circle on the ground with a branch, nodded again, and said in a deep voice, "It's within the half-elf kingdom!"
Hearing this, Colin suddenly realized.
This is the same as those northern regimes in ancient China who fought across the river.
Originally, when Ke Lin was reading history books, he had some doubts. The Yangtze River is so long, why can't it be crossed
Why does the northern regime die at those points every time
Just like when the Mongolian iron cavalry went south, why did they have to attack Xiangyang
If you look at the map of China, you will find that Xiangyang is not on the Yangtze River at all.
However, there is another river next to it - the Han River.
Therefore, as long as Xiangyang is occupied, the Han River is also controlled.
The Mongols were able to build ships in the Han River and then travel down the river into the Yangtze River.
This is the reason why the northern regime cannot avoid this place every time it goes south.
There is also a similar river and lake in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River - Chaohu Lake.
Next to Chaohu Lake is Hefei.
Therefore, when Zhang Liao was guarding Hefei, Sun Quan had trouble sleeping and eating, and repeatedly sent troops to attack, and finally earned the prestigious name of "Sun Shiwan"...
In short, only then did Colin understand the true intention of the Duke of St. Hilde.
He married Vera to the Half-Elf Kingdom, hoping to take this opportunity to control the Crystal River, so as to build a water army, and then flow down the river into the Nushui River, thereby invading the East.
However, why is the Duke of St. Hilde so anxious to plot the Eastern Territory
Especially when there are huge hidden worries in the northern border itself.
Could it be that the Duke is so sure that his younger brother will not rebel
Colin can only temporarily suppress this question in his heart.
Then he wondered again, why did Okamoto explain this to himself
Is it just to show off knowledge
Although getting along these days, Colin also found that the troll prince is a guy who likes to show off, but he always felt that the other party should have other intentions this time.
"Why are you explaining this to me?" Colin asked directly.
Prince Okamoto smiled: "Because I want you to know that the Duke didn't marry Vera to me, not because I'm not as good as that half-elf boy, but because the half-elf kingdom is the next strategic goal of the northern border."
Colin chuckled.
Of course I didn't believe this kind of nonsense.
How could a political creature like Okamoto care about such a little face and explain it to Colin for such a trivial matter
Before Colin continued to mock, Prince Okamoto took out a badge and handed it to Colin:
"If you need any help in Silvermoon City, you can take this to the slave market in the west of the city to find a businessman named Sith.
Maybe he can make your trip to the half-elven kingdom go more smoothly! "
Colin took the badge, convinced at the same time—
This troll prince really has other plans!
(end of this chapter)