But beyond preparing farming tools, Lieutenant Bard made no other moves.
He did not confiscate the estates' produce, nor did he order the displaced people to work the fields directly, and he wouldn't even meet with the visiting landowners.
As the planting window for winter crops shrank day by day, he still held his forces in check.
He was waiting, waiting for the outcome at Revodan.
Finally, after an agonizing wait, the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.
"Lieutenant Bard!" Anglu shouted as he ran into Bard's tent, "We won! A great victory!"
The young groom was so excited that he trembled, yet Bard's demeanor remained as calm as usual.
He took the letter, read it from beginning to end, and finally could not help but say "Good" three times in a row.
What Bard received was the first letter sent to him by Winters after he had met with Tang Juan.
More victory reports were still on their way.
"Anglu!" Bard bellowed.
"Yes!" The groom snapped to attention.