Chapter 53: Spatial Equipment Specialty [Marching Pouch]

“What? My Lord, you intend to attack Azure Dragon Fortress? That place is guarded by our Great Commander, the Legion Commander! His combat prowess is heaven-defying, unrivaled in the Kuaiji Prefecture capital! Even in the entirety of Yangzhou, he is a renowned fierce general!” Fan Shun gasped. He hadn't expected these commoners to be so audacious, attempting to "hit a stone with an egg"—a literal death wish. Thinking this, Fan Shun immediately changed his tune: “Ah, no, no! How could the Great Commander of Azure Dragon Fortress be a match for Your Excellency? I see that your subordinates are peerless and brave, and your officers are heroes of many generations. Capturing Azure Dragon Fortress will be as easy as picking up something at will! You will surely beat the Legion Commander of the Azure Dragon Army until his teeth are scattered all over the ground, haha!”

“Haha, good! Then I shall look forward to us beating the Legion Commander of the Azure Dragon Army until his teeth are scattered all over the ground, haha!” Lin Mu understood Fan Shun's intention and felt no anger. He possessed a God-tier Martial Officer; although this officer had not yet reached his peak, what was a mere Legion Commander in comparison?

Afterward, Lin Mu began to question Fan Shun step-by-step regarding the layout and troop strength of the mountain fortresses. To his surprise, Fan Shun cooperated completely, pouring out everything he knew like beans from a pod, as if he were desperate for Lin Mu to attack Azure Dragon Fortress immediately.

From Fan Shun's mouth, Lin Mu learned that Azure Dragon Fortress currently had a population of 150,000. However, eighty percent of them were recruits; there were only 10,000 Tier-4 soldiers and 20,000 Tier-3 soldiers. Their military strength was at its weakest point this year, making it the optimal time for an invasion—an opportunity not to be missed.

With one willing to strike and the other willing to endure, the interrogation went unexpectedly smoothly. Lin Mu found himself somewhat amused and exasperated by how easy it was.

“Alright, I have a general idea of the situation at Azure Dragon Fortress. Now, let me ask you: why are you trying to absorb Qingfeng Fortress? This tiny outpost should be insignificant in the eyes of your Great Commander. Why the sudden attack?” Lin Mu asked about their purpose.

“As for why we are attacking them, the Great Commander learned by chance that this tiny Qingfeng Fortress can produce a special specialty: the [Marching Pouch]. It is of immense help to soldiers living military lives. Although it is only a rumor, we adhere to the philosophy of 'better to kill ten thousand wrongly than to let one escape.' Thus, we began planning long ago to weaken Qingfeng Fortress and slowly swallow them up to prevent them from acting out of desperation, ultimately to obtain their secret recipe for this specialty.”

“We soldiers are merely the vanguard; more troops will follow,” Fan Shun did not hide anything. This information could likely be obtained from the commoners in those fortresses. Furthermore, although the Azure Dragon Army had not confirmed the existence of the specialty and had interrogated people from Qingfeng Fortress, they had obtained very little valuable information. Therefore, they intended to bring the entire fortress under their command to ensure they wouldn't miss out.

“What? The [Marching Pouch] specialty... a spatial equipment specialty!!” Upon hearing this, Lin Mu jumped in shock, his heart racing. This specialty was incredibly, incredibly precious. In warfare, what is the most important thing?

Grain, weapons, equipment, and medicine—these are the absolute priorities. Generally, grain, weapons, and medicine are transported via logistics wagons and similar methods. Although players have backpacks, each player only has a 36-slot inventory, with each slot holding 99 units of supplies, totaling about 3,600 units. Compared to the millions or even hundreds of millions of units of supplies required for a campaign, it is a mere drop in the bucket.

Moreover, many native commanders and governors do not trust players at all; unless absolutely necessary, they will not allow them to transport supplies. This involves the fate of the entire army. What kind of foolish general would entrust the lives and assets of his entire force to "Outsider" players?

In the eyes of many high-level natives, players hold a lower status than commoners born from humble beginnings; they are looked down upon even more. Many believe they are like rootless duckweed, ready to wither at any moment.

Therefore, marching rucksacks are vital. If every soldier possessed spatial equipment to carry their own food, weapons, equipment, and medicine, they would have no worries about their rear, making them truly invincible in battle.

...

Lin Mu was ecstatic to learn that Qingfeng Fortress possessed the [Marching Pouch] specialty! In warfare, killing, looting, and traveling, it is an absolute essential!

There are many differences between natives and players. Setting aside the fact that players can respawn, the 36-slot backpack alone makes them much more convenient than natives.

Spatial equipment in the hands of natives is extremely rare. Aside from high-ranking officials, noble families, or wealthy merchants, most low-level commoners and soldiers have none. Even if the government or large merchant guilds sell spatial equipment, it is exorbitantly expensive. Ordinary people have no spare money for such things; it is equipment for the wealthy, a rare luxury.

Both natives and players have their own strengths and weaknesses, perhaps due to the design of the Goddess Nuwa.

If he could obtain the [Marching Pouch] specialty and mass-produce it in his territory—ideally equipping his entire army with it—he would never have to worry about logistics when campaigning. Logistics is the heartache of every general; once that pain is resolved, nothing remains but joy! If every native soldier could have the same endurance as a player, it would be incredible!

It seemed the greatest gain for Qingfeng Fortress was not the villagers, but this specialty.

No wonder Azure Dragon Fortress wanted to attack Qingfeng Fortress; so there was such a temptation at play.

Any visionary general would not pass up the chance to obtain the production technology for the Marching Pouch, and Lin Mu certainly would not yield.

In his past life, the best spatial equipment Lin Mu owned was the "Treasure Bag," which had a 100-slot space—larger than the current 36-slot capacity!

Having learned this earth-shattering information, Lin Mu was in no mood to continue interrogating Fan Shun. He ordered his soldiers to settle him in, instructing them not to mistreat him—no fine meats, but plenty of coarse grain and simple food to keep him full. Once Azure Dragon Fortress was conquered, he wouldn't have to worry about making this top-tier Mid-level Martial Officer bow and submit to him.

Lin Mu intended to leave the main hall to consult Gao Hai. Since they were already meat on his chopping block, it was a matter of time. However, before he could even step out of the hall, Gao Hai appeared before him.

“Village Chief Lin, I have matters to discuss. Why don't we talk inside!” Gao Hai said mysteriously, cupping his fists.

Lin Mu had a vague idea of Gao Hai's purpose and replied readily, “Very well, Chief Gao, please lead the way!” Lin Mu acted as if he were already the master of this place.

Gao Hai did not mind; a wise man adapts to the circumstances. He walked ahead.

They arrived at a side room where only Lin Mu and Gao Hai were present. Gao Hai spoke first: “Village Chief Lin has likely learned from that Azure Dragon officer the reason why Azure Dragon Fortress seeks to annex our Qingfeng Fortress. I will get straight to the point: I am willing to offer up our fortress's specialty, the production manual for the [Marching Pouch]. At the same time, I hope Qingfeng Fortress can attach itself to Your Excellency, settling in True Dragon Village to become your subjects. I hope the Lord can look after us and provide a place of peace for all the villagers. I ask for nothing else; I hope the Lord will show us mercy!”

Haha, Lin Mu liked people who were direct and didn't beat around the bush. It seemed Chief Gao had no other choice. Although he lacked foresight in military matters, he was excellent in benevolent governance and caring for his people! *He is suited to be a leader in times of peace,* Lin Mu noted in his mind.

“This... Chief Gao, aren't you assigning a task to me? I haven't completed it yet. Are you willing to submit as well? Are you not afraid that I might not go and wipe out Azure Dragon Fortress?” Hearing Gao Hai's words, Lin Mu felt no pride, only doubt.

“From the quality of the Lord's soldiers, I can see they are sufficient to resist thousands of troops and traverse the world. A mere Azure Dragon Fortress is no longer a match for even a single formation of your army. Furthermore, the Lord can help our village and soothe our people; you are a benevolent ruler, not a man without faith. Regardless of how the campaign against Azure Dragon Fortress goes, I am willing to lead the 140,000 villagers to submit to Lord Lin. I hope you can look after us!” Gao Hai said sincerely.

“Very well. Since your Qingfeng Fortress is willing to settle in our True Dragon Village, we are family from now on. Since your villagers can produce the [Marching Pouch], I will leave the territory's production tasks to you in the future. I hope you do not disappoint me!” Lin Mu said.

“Good, good! We shall certainly live up to the Lord's expectations!” Gao Hai said happily. By contributing the production manual, he hoped to keep a hold on this technology, thereby increasing his own influence and status, rather than becoming a marginal figure in the territory.

To protect oneself, one needs their own foundation and status; otherwise, it is easy to be treated as cannon fodder. This was a truth many understood.

Valuable talents are not easily discarded, and Gao Hai knew this well.