Shattered Stone Plain, Iron River County.

Nanbo River Valley.

Under the cobalt blue sky, clouds resemble fluffy sheep's wool.

Hawks turn into black spots, chasing each other, spiraling among the clouds.

The grayish-blue ridge line cuts through the sky, turning the white clouds into flowing silver streams.

On the side facing away from the sun is a granite cliff, weathered for millennia, where purple broom heather and gorse grow in the cracks.

Scattered at the foot of the mountain are round huts where Shepherds live, their roofs curling under the heat, with black-faced sheep crowding in the shadows to escape the heat.

Not far from the huts is the square camp of the Iron Fist Battle Group.

The wooden fence is adorned with deer antlers, dust flying behind the fence.

However, this is not a training exercise.

"Baa!"

The golden sheep, almost shoulder-height to a person, lets out a beast-like bleating, rampaging through the camp.

A dozen War Monks from the Iron Fist Battle Group surround it in a fan formation, moving sideways like crabs to intercept the golden sheep.

But every time they finally pounce on the sheep, the soldiers all cry out in pain, jumping three feet high.

"Ouch!"

"Why is there electricity, is it a monster?"

"Don't be afraid, it's static electricity from the wool, the textbook 'Common Knowledge' mentions it, ahh, not painful!"

"Ouch, liars, liars! It hurts!"

More and more soldiers emerge from their tents, curiously watching them intercept the golden sheep.

Even the Norn prisoners working nearby couldn't help but stick out their heads to watch.

As for the Corps Commander of these soldiers, he was utterly humiliated, face darkened with anger, rolling up his sleeves and marching over.

"Useless, can't even catch a sheep... ouch!"

Before he even finished his sentence, he was knocked over by the rolling ram, landing flat on his back.

"Corps Commander!"

Standing in the shade at the foot of the towering cliff, Horn pointed forward with his right hand and asked with a mix of anger and amusement, "What's going on here? What kind of sheep is that?"

In the mountain's shade, dozens of military officers and local Priests from the Saint Father's Association were resting on the rocks.

Upon hearing Horn's question, they exchanged glances, finally prompting a guide dressed as an old shepherd to speak.

"Reporting, sir, this is a golden sheep, unique to Shattered Stone Plain, a descendant of hybrid degeneration between the magical creature known as the electric antelope and sheep.

When catching golden sheep, we usually pour water on them first; once watered, they no longer electrify people.

This golden sheep is alright, but electric antelopes can't be stopped even with water, especially during thunderstorms, tsk tsk."

Despite explaining several times, this man appearing in his thirties but looking near sixty still struggled to correct these designations.

Upon hearing this, Horn realized this was the legendary golden fleece.

The so-called golden fleece is a special fabric, not only soft and durable but also cool and breathable, commonly used for the summer clothes and underwear of the nobility.

"Isn't the golden fleece actually from Shattered Stone Plain?" André, drenched in sweat, put down his wine jug, wiping his forehead with his linen sleeve, "I thought it was produced at Golden Fleece Beach."

On this topic, the "guide" obviously got a bit excited: "Golden Fleece Beach doesn't produce golden fleece; they just process it!"

However, once he finished speaking, seeing the people around him watching him, he silently cursed himself and retracted his head.

"You seem to understand a lot, eh?" Horn surveyed him from head to toe for the first time, "What's your name? What did you do before?"

"My name is Stemm, Your Grace." Stemm answered honestly, "Previously, I specialized in raising golden sheep for the nobility and transporting the wool to sell at Golden Fleece Beach."

"No wonder, do you understand a lot about these golden sheep?"

"From my grandfather's generation, we have been raising golden sheep, for over sixty or seventy years now, Your Grace."

"You seem quite dissatisfied with Golden Fleece Beach."

Stemm pondered for a moment, figuring that since this person had already raised the flag against the Pope, he likely harbored no fondness for Golden Fleece Beach.

"Indeed, the fine carding process for golden fleece isn't difficult; just needs experimentation and purchasing material tools." Closing his eyes, Stemm lowered his head, "Once mastered, the price exceeds ordinary wool by tenfold."

"Then why don't you handle it yourselves?"

"The lord finds it bothersome, and I don't have the money to try." Stemm sighed, "Since my father's time, we've had this plan, always saving money.

After finally saving some, it's either someone falling ill requiring church treatment or some natural disaster like floods wiping out the savings entirely."

"Even if you earn money, your lord probably takes away more than half, right?" André asked from the side, "Even if you succeed, wouldn't the nobility take the credit for it."

"No choice, at least I have everyone on the ranch, can distribute a bit more, it's still a gain."

Horn gave him a once-over, memorized his name, but didn't continue the conversation.

He glanced around at the people under the mountain shade, then signaled to André with his eyes.

André, being very perceptive, naturally followed behind obediently.

Circumnavigating to the back of a shrubbery, Horn turned around: "This person, you can remember, if you govern Shattered Stone Plain in the future, you might try raising golden sheep."

"Me? Govern Shattered Stone Plain?" The sudden big opportunity left André completely disoriented.

"I'm only saying if," Horn glared at him, "If we win in the future, I'll consider implementing a period of military governance in Shattered Stone Plain, and you're one of the candidates."

André immediately straightened his expression, putting on a righteous demeanor: "Yes."

"Don't play that with me, acting as if you're already the Battle Commander of the Stone Fragment Military Regiment."

In fact, Horn was indeed considering appointing André as the Battle Commander of the Stone Fragment Military Regiment post-war.

On one hand, to remove his influence from the Iron Fist Battle Group, and on the other, to value André's talents.

This crafty old soldier is a rare talent who both knows large-scale military operations and understands political governance.

Like Jeska, great in military command on a large scale, but in governance could at most be a mayor.

Dass is the same, though he has potential in commanding large-scale military forces, and is good at managing troops, governing as a town mayor is about right.

If this battle can be won, the Thousand River Valley must be taken, Shattered Stone Plain is undoubtedly the Holy Alliance's top priority.

However, unfortunately, due to the Shepherds' mobility and the vast, sparsely populated nature of Shattered Stone Plain, the level of thought and civilization is too backward.

Moreover, there are a large number of remnants of nobility in society, making it difficult for the Holy Alliance's administrative capacity to manage.

If it's hard to manage, then the military government will manage it.

André's farming level in Shangruifo County has shown that he indeed has skill in military agriculture.

As for his warlord tendencies, André suffered a setback before, and wouldn't dare to act rashly within three to five years.

As for later, within the Cardinal Conference and the Secretariat, the smartest people in the Holy Alliance will properly tame his warlord tendencies.

Just Horn thinking casually could come up with nine ways to tame him, nine ways.

This isn't because Horn is wise to the point of being near-demonic, but it's a resource issue.

André only has his own two hands, Horn not only has the hands of all believers but also the hands of the Holy Father, naturally, any way you fight, you win.

Just like the start of the war for the Leia Kingdom, fighting Horn was also an inevitable win.

It's just that the Leia people couldn't control their hands, and their sight wasn't very good, that's all.

For some reason, despite Horn's smiling face, André felt especially hot.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, André quickly changed the topic: "I heard the rebellion in Rapids City was handled? It scared me to death at the time."

"Handled, you can focus on dealing with the Norn people now."

It's heard that the Norn Bear Castle Territory announced participation in the war on June 3rd, and messages from behind said there was a rebel riot.

At that time, André's heart sank lower and lower, thinking he might have to brace for pressure again, but it was surprisingly easily resolved.

On June 18th, the Holy Alliance Army and the Bear Castle Territory's troops clashed and emerged victorious.

There wasn't much to say about this battle.

The Iron Fist Battle Group and the Guard Battle Group arrived, bombarded, shot, a charge by the Long Spear Cultivators, and Bear Castle Territory's army, claiming to be fifty thousand strong, crumbled.

They are currently holed up in Silver Bay City, fortifying and clearing the land.

Who are the Border Knight Order after all, on the Leia side they at least have seen muskets and cannons, what level are the Norn people of Bear Castle Territory?

If it weren't for the floods and the nobility's betrayal making it impossible to procure supplies locally, they would've already reached Silver Bay City.

"Next, I estimate it's your job to fortify Salt Beach gathering," Horn said, tapping the rock wall with his walking stick, "If you hold it, you'll be the General Military Governor of Shattered Stone Plain, if not, you'll be the General Military Governor of Black Snake Bay's eastern county."

Black Snake Bay's eastern county, that's where the exiled prisoners went during the rebellion on the 18th.

You smiling tiger!

André cursed inwardly, but his expression was resolute: "I will establish a military command pledge."

After saying that, he couldn't help shaking his head: "It's just a pity, you have to return to defend the Nao'an River line, the original"

Although the Norn people won't really invade the Thousand River Valley, stationing at Silver Bay City is still a nuisance.

If André were to raid Thorn Garden, it would be really uncomfortable if the Norn people came to harass the border.

"Don't worry, someone will take care of this."

"Do we have extra troops?" André was stunned.

"We have five thousand excellent warhorses seized from the Border Knight Order, as well as supporting cavalry equipment." Horn laughed, "As for manpower, doesn't North Mangde County have plenty? Their old profession is riding and raiding!"