Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1416 - 454: Jinyang City’s Establishment, Allied Army Planning and Military Expansion Reform (Part 3)

Therefore, the division of this military force is quite impractical.

"From the total of 30,000 allied soldiers, Great Xia alone contributed 10,000 troops. The Northern Three Towns collectively supplied another 10,000, and the remaining 10,000 were divided among the Five Towns."

Han Qi's voice carried a distinct note of astonishment, yet as he spoke, he observed that neither his father, Han Peng, nor his nephew, Han Li, displayed any surprise.

He lowered his head, pondering for a moment before quickly grasping the reason behind their lack of reaction. Curiosity piqued, he inquired, "Father, having resided in Xia City for such an extended period, do you have any estimation of the number of Cold Resistance Level cultivators in Great Xia?"

At this question, Han Peng fell silent for a brief instant before offering a wry smile. "Let me put it this way! Xia City during the day is as bustling and vibrant as our Jinyang Village is at night."

"This..."

With that simple yet potent description, Han Peng caused Han Qi's pupils to contract sharply. After a fleeting moment of mental processing, his expression shifted to one of utter bewilderment.

"Our Great Xia provided 10,000 people, so did we effectively split our own forces into two distinct groups, with both contingents led by our own commanders?"

Han Qi's question jolted Han Peng back to the present conversation. He shook his head, explaining, "That is not the case. Back in July, I was tasked with delivering provisions to the military encampment. During conversations with the soldiers there, I gathered that the allied Six Camps had a fixed allocation of personnel from each town, distributed quite evenly across the Nine Towns."

Reorganized and evenly dispersed among the Nine Towns?

Han Peng sank into contemplation, a subtle premonition stirring within him.

Han Li's reaction was even swifter. His eyes gleamed slightly, and seeing his grandfather still lost in thought, he softly elaborated, "The average distribution among the Nine Towns is accurate. However, Great Xia's 10,000 soldiers represent the largest contingent. Even when dispersed among the Six Camps, each camp would still have over 1,600 Great Xia soldiers, making them the undeniable majority in every camp. Considering Jiangxia, Muyin, and Chui Mountain—these three towns now defer leadership solely to Great Xia. If we factor in the 1,000 individuals from these towns scattered across each camp, it amounts to approximately 5,000 personnel per camp. With Great Xia commanding more than half of these forces, this implies..."

"Within the allied Six Camps, regardless of who holds the position of Commander or Vice Commander, the ultimate authority rests with Great Xia!"

Han Peng, not one to be outdone in perception, seized upon his grandson's words. His expression flickered with realization as he finally grasped the underlying dynamics of the alliance. He repeatedly shook his head, murmuring, "It's not surprising. Far from it. Setting aside Jiangxia, Muyin, and Chui Mountain—whether it's the Northern Three Towns or even Yangqu and Dragon Valley—the reason these five agreed to the alliance was their heavy reliance on Great Xia to withstand the threat from the two vassal towns. Even if they perceived Great Xia's strategy in dividing the troops, they possessed neither the will nor the audacity to refuse."

The crux of the matter, however, was that after the formation of such an allied army, with the passage of time, it would become increasingly ambiguous as to whom these soldiers would ultimately heed.

Han Li, instantly discerning his grandfather's unspoken concern, shook his head. "Each town possesses numerous methods to maintain control over these soldiers—be it through military provisions, salaries, cultivation resources, or even influencing their families. If Great Xia genuinely intended to absorb these soldiers, it likely wouldn't be such a straightforward endeavor..."

After a moment of reflection, he continued, "Rather than suggesting Great Xia aims to convert the Five Towns' soldiers, I believe their objective is to bolster the allies' combat effectiveness. Having a unified command structure fosters cohesion among the troops, directing their efforts towards a shared objective. As Great Xia spearheads the alliance, it is only natural that the allied forces follow its lead."

Upon hearing his grandson's insightful analysis, Han Peng nodded repeatedly, his face alight with admiration. A faint sense of melancholy, akin to the fading twilight, settled upon his heart.

Despite his age, his comprehension and foresight were likely no match for his grandson, who could freely traverse the city of Xia.

"Father, we have arrived; the military camp lies just ahead!"

Though the trio had been engrossed in conversation while walking, their pace had remained unwavering. At Han Qi's announcement, the grandfather and grandson looked up, their expressions momentarily freezing.

Approximately a hundred meters to the north, situated at the southern approach to the Bone-Eroding Path, stood fifteen colossal black military tents, each boasting a diameter of one hundred meters. They were arranged in a circular formation, standing sentinel in the desolate, snow-covered field.

The perimeter of the encampment was fortified with a sturdy circle of wooden palisades, manned by numerous patrolling soldiers who maintained a vigilant watch around the tents. The military camp featured a single point of entry, directly ahead of them on the southern side.