Chapter 68: The Base

Wu Qingsong and Harold only lingered for two nights in Bota. By the dawn of the third day, they, accompanied by all their freshly recruited houndmen, were en route to the northwestern hills of Esola.

The half-elf they had bumped into earlier hadn’t returned with his squad. Not wishing to leave abruptly, Wu Qingsong paid a merchant guild member to draft an apology letter and send it to the half-elf’s residence, expressing Wu Qingsong’s regret over his unexpected departure and citing urgent matters as the cause. He expressed hope for the half-elf’s understanding and left a small token of goodwill.

The distance separating Esola from Bota wasn’t considerable, so their paths might cross again. There was no wisdom in fostering needless animosities over minor incidents. From a half-elf officer’s perspective, the demise of two soldiers might not carry much weight. Wu Qingsong thought that the half-elf wouldn’t bear a grudge due to his sudden exit.

Though he harbored strong reservations about the half-elves’ wanton disregard for life, Wu Qingsong wasn’t inclined to antagonize needlessly at this stage.

He separated the group of thirty-five houndmen into two teams. Angus helmed one team, and Beck, the one who initially stepped up to distribute the resources, led the other. This setup served as a combined drill and evaluation. Seizing this opportunity, Wu Qingsong launched some marching exercises, keenly observing and nurturing camaraderie among them while familiarizing them with following commands.

He couldn’t directly replicate the military training he underwent in his freshman year. Nevertheless, he integrated several aspects of that regimen for the houndmen, and the preliminary outcomes were encouraging.

After an unhurried five-day journey, they marked their arrival at the Esola hills.

This region, renowned for its coal deposits, was also rich in iron ore, making it a pivotal iron-smelting hub within the empire’s central territories.

From a distance, they could see a large plume of grey smoke enveloping the skyline of Esola City. In contemporary societies, such a sight would be synonymous with pollution. But in this world, it heralded the city’s industrial prosperity.

Signposts indicating the direction to the mines dotted the roadsides. Deep ruts carved by oxen and horse carts, laden with ore, marked the terrain. At certain uphill stretches, slaves were exerting every ounce of their strength to push or pull the laden carts.

“It’s labor-intensive and costly to mine without trains,” murmured Wu Qingsong.

“My lord?” asked Beck, who, having fallen behind in the ongoing competition between the two squads, now sought to ingratiate himself with Wu Qingsong.

“Just a thought,” Wu Qingsong said, shaking off his head. “Angus, organize the troops. Get the troops in formation and find a place outside the city to camp.”

“Understood, my lord,” Angus responded, ever the picture of calm.

Once the troops were settled, Wu Qingsong, accompanied by Harold, ventured into the city to meet the sheriff. They presented the official with their mercenary credentials and, adhering to customary practice, extended a sizable bribe.

Interactions with this individual were sure to be frequent in the days to come, making such an investment unavoidable.

“How many are in your ranks?” The sheriff, a round half-elf who looked like an expanse of flab spread out on his chair, seemed pleasantly surprised by Wu Qingsong’s straightforwardness.

“Thirty-five houndman soldiers.”

“And their equipment? Training? Have they been battle-tested?”

“My lord, our group is a recent endeavor…” began Wu Qingsong.

“So, they’re greenhorns in combat? That could complicate matters,” the sheriff remarked, staying seated. He reached for a bell on his desk and gave it a shake. Promptly, a foxman, presumably his aide, stepped inside.

“Lord Gilgood?”

“Look for a vacant area nearby, somewhere safe, to settle them,” the sheriff directed. “You have a maximum of three months. If by then…”

“Rest assured, my team won’t let you down,” Wu Qingsong interjected.

This arrangement compelled Wu Qingsong to offer an additional bribe. In return, the foxman designated a dependable location for their encampment.

It was an abandoned mine. To prevent insectoid attacks, its emptied tunnels had been destroyed with magic long ago, leaving the subsequent hill with a peculiar appearance. The hilltop bore a large pit, birthed from an underground cave-in, now brimming with water but devoid of any fish.

This mine had served as a base for various mercenary groups over the years. However, due to its proximity to the city and the constrained space for growth, it had been abandoned more than once. The last occupants appeared to have undertaken minor renovations and left without causing damage. With just a touch up, it was ready for Wu Qingsong’s group to inhabit.

There was abundant accommodation, easily housing up to two hundred individuals. Storage facilities were plentiful. The level land before the mine entrance served as an ideal training ground for the troops. Importantly, while the mine was near the city, its location in a secluded valley ensured a strategic advantage. By stationing a guard unit at the sole exit and another on the hill’s vantage point, they could maintain tight control over the entire vicinity. This arrangement was to his satisfaction.

The foxman appeared to be a reliable individual who honored his commitments after taking the money, a connection Wu Qingsong deemed worthy of nurturing.

“This place will be our home for the upcoming months,” he told Liuli and Ling.

Liuli instantly began dashing widely around the area, while Ling took the reins of domestic duties, handling Wu Qingsong’s meals and daily needs.

The list of necessities was extensive. Meeting the requirements of over thirty individuals for three months demanded a considerable supply. Thankfully, Ram had already made preparations well in advance. Before long, a vast assortment of goods, including the soldiers’ gear, was promptly delivered.

“How does it look?” Wu Qingsong asked Ram with an evident touch of pride, standing on the balcony of the central building.

The houndman recruits were training according to his regimen. While Harold oversaw the training, Angus was officially designated as the unit’s captain, responsible for organizing the specific drills.

Despite their numbers being on the leaner side, Wu Qingsong relished the feeling of leading a troop.

Reflecting, his former aspirations of turning a profit as a businessman seemed misguided. The battleground was where a man truly belonged.

“We’re out of funds,” Ram remarked, her face clouded with resentment.

“Run out of funds? But didn’t we just manufacture a significant batch of soap?” Wu Qingsong asked, visibly taken aback.

“That’s a premium product. Do you expect it to fly off the shelves month after month? Doesn’t the sales process and money collection demand time?” Ram shot back. “Regardless, I moved the entire shop here for you. While in Umber it was essential, now it seems directionless. If you’ve got any money-making ideas up your sleeve, it’s high time you unveiled them.”

So, that had been her ulterior motive?

Wu Qingsong chuckled heartily, “Don’t worry. Give me a little time to think. When it comes to making money, there’s always a way.”