Chapter 162 Attack and Defense

While the Hurds were building siege equipment overnight, another group of people thousands of miles away was also busy.

On the main island of the Tanilia Islands, on the upper reaches of the Gilded River, on the side controlled by Veneta, a small fortress is under construction.

The Liujin River runs from east to west and divides the main island into two parts. Jingang, which is famous for its prosperity and decadence, is located on the north bank of the entrance of the Liujin River.

With the Gilded River as the boundary, Veneta and the United Provinces each occupy half of the main island.

At dawn, the sun has not yet peaked.

Winters on the west bank of the Styx is restlessly waiting for the Hed's next move, and the fortress on the bank of the Gilded River has already taken shape.

The fort construction site was illuminated only by sporadic torches. As far as the eye can see, hundreds of soldiers are digging trenches, and sentries with live ammunition are vigilantly guarding the surrounding areas.

"Lieutenant Roy!" Lieutenant Colonel Evans, who was in charge of this mission, found his subordinates: "According to the original plan, you will officially move in after the trench walls are closed. Remember..."

The shrill whistle interrupted Lieutenant Colonel Evans' instructions.

A figure jumped out of the open space not far from the fortress without any warning.

The man roared: "Grand Veneta!"

More people got up from the ground: "Kazar!"

Men on the building site ran for weapons, and sentries around the fort fired, but nothing could stop the Venetans from charging across the trench with shouts.

Veneta soldiers armed with sticks hit everyone on the head and face. Only a few soldiers still remembered the order "Don't hit the head."

The attacker came prepared, but the defender was suddenly attacked. The Veneta people rushed all the way to the bank of the Gilded River.

By the time Lieutenant General Serbetti arrived on the scene, the fighting was over.

Except for a few who escaped by swimming, most of the soldiers from the federal provinces were captured.

The bruised and swollen soldiers from the United Provinces were tied up in a group and squatted in the trench waiting to be punished.

Lieutenant Juan, who commanded the raid, brought a sword with a shark scabbard, ivory handle and pearl decoration and handed it to the lieutenant general.

[Note: Last year’s Second Lieutenant Juan has been promoted and transferred to the Third Army]

"Well done." Antonio took the sword and ordered the captain: "Release the prisoners and return their weapons and armor to them."

"The captured weapons and armor must also be returned?"

"That's right."

Lieutenant Juan couldn't accept it. He scratched his neck and said: "Sir, we also lost someone!"

"Captain, there are only two options: absolute mercy or absolute cruelty." Antonio explained patiently: "We and the United Provinces are still brothers and allies. Now that the goal has been achieved, there is no need to anger them anymore. Execute the order."

Juan saluted and left without saying a word.

Later, the commander of the Serbian Tibetan Army met with Lieutenant Colonel Evans.

Evans has lost his earlier graceful demeanor and now looks disheveled, disheveled and disheveled.

Handing the luxurious little sword to the other party, Antonio said gently: "Mr. Lieutenant Colonel, I think you have crossed the line."

Evans took the sword, avoided the Lieutenant General's sight, and replied in a low voice: "We have never drawn a border with you. This is the land of the Tanilia Province now, and it will be in the future."

Antonio did not argue and turned around to tell the guard: "Bring a horse to Lieutenant Colonel Evans."

"No need! I have legs and can walk by myself." Evans said stubbornly: "Your Excellency, take your leave."

The Lieutenant Colonel of the United Provinces raised his hand in salute and strode into the queue of prisoners.

Behind them, Don Juan's centurions moved into the fort, picked up picks and shovels, and continued construction.

…

The conflict on the bank of the Gilded River has come to an end for the time being, and the two sides on the west bank of the Styx are about to meet again.

In the morning light, Captain Alaric, carrying his helmet, came to the camp gate again.

During this meeting, both parties did not even dismount.

Alaric asked directly: "Gentlemen, what do you think?"

"Still researching." Jessica smacked her lips and said, "But I've thought of a plan that won't harm your peace."

"Speaking."

"Follow the ancient etiquette and use a jousting contest to determine the winner. You can send the most capable warrior, and we will send him here." Jessica pointed to Second Lieutenant Montagne behind him: "Look at this kid. He’s not a burly man with big arms and a round waist, so it’s a good deal, right?”

Winters was shocked when he was unexpectedly called out.

Alaric said nothing, sneered and rode away.

"What do you mean?" Winters asked angrily.

"It's impossible for him to agree. Even if he does agree, are you still afraid of losing? Aren't you a spell caster?"

"When did you know..."

Jessica snorted softly: "If you can hide it from the common people, can you hide it from me? Don't worry, in the worst case, we will burn the bridge and evacuate to the east bank."

"Just burn it now!" Winters asked.

"Burn your ass!" Jessica whipped the second lieutenant: "There is only one pontoon bridge on the river. What if we burn the army in front of it?"

The winter air is chilling and the wind suddenly rises. The hunting west wind carries the withered grass, making it difficult to open one's eyes.

A series of horn blasts came from a distance. Hurd Barbarian pushing various wooden machines appeared on the horizon.

In the military camp, Father Carman and Brother Rhett are leading everyone in the final prayer.

The old monk changed his usual way of laughing and scolding, and his expression was unusually solemn and solemn.

Father Kaman dipped a small broom in holy water and sprinkled it on the kneeling people.

Due to the atmosphere, Winters in the crowd also knelt down.

He stared at the portrait of Anna and the wooden sculpture of Athena on his palm, thinking: "When people encounter things that they can't do anything about, they will instinctively ask for help. If you can hear my voice, Anna, I just want to come back to you."

After the prayer, Winters fastened the locket, placed it gently on his forehead, and carefully put it back on his neck.

Thousands of miles away in Aquamarine City, Ana Navarre woke up from her dream, and for some reason tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

…

…

At noon the Hed's third attack was repulsed. But they didn't go far and were repairing just two hundred meters away from the camp.

A dozen large vehicles were lying within thirty steps of the west wall of the camp. The vehicles were riddled with bullet holes and arrows.

The horse-rejecting stakes on the west side of the camp had been pulled out to pieces by Herd's cavalry with nooses.

The Hittites also dragged away all the horse-repelling stakes that had been pulled out, not giving the Platuan people a chance to reinsert them.

The wooden room in the center of the camp was set up as a medical center. Seriously injured Palatuan people were brought here for treatment, and those with minor injuries were treated at the post.

"Second Lieutenant Montagne!" Pierre shouted, rummaging among the wounded and corpses: "Second Lieutenant Montagne!"

"What's wrong? Mr. Mitchell?" Father Carman had just removed the arrowhead from a wounded man and asked the noisy little Dussac displeasedly.

Among them all, Kaman was the only one who had received orthodox surgical training. Whether he wanted to touch blood or not, he had to pick up the knife at this moment.

"The lieutenant colonel asked me to find Lieutenant Montagne!" Pierre was anxious.

Kaman was in the process of debridement and answered without raising his head: "Second Lieutenant Montagne has cleaned his eyes and has gone back."

Beside the camp wall, Lieutenant Colonel Jessica had personally found Second Lieutenant Montagne.

Winters, whose eyes were bloodshot, nodded repeatedly while listening to the lieutenant colonel's words.

In the battle just now, a panicked musketeer just stretched his gun over the second lieutenant's shoulder and opened fire recklessly.

The loud noise made the ensign dizzy, and the flames burned off half of his eyebrows. Gun smoke even sprayed into the second lieutenant's eyes, causing him to be temporarily blind.

Charles and Balian immediately sent Winters to Carman for treatment of his injuries.

Fortunately, there was no external injury. After cleaning his eyes, Winters rushed back to the defense line as soon as possible.

The carriage that had been abandoned by the baggage train was now in the hands of the enemy. The Herds nailed plywood to the carriage and filled the space between the plywood with soil to shield it from the bullets.

Relying on the cover of a simple chariot, the Herd cavalry replaced them with hard bows and heavy arrows and approached and fired at the Platoans, causing a large number of casualties.

The Platoans, who had only three one-pounder swivel cannons, were helpless against the earth-carriage.

The officers regretted not simply burning the abandoned carriage. Before, they had even thought of "picking up the carriage and reusing it in the future."

"We have to burn those carts." Jessica glared and pointed at the cart outside the camp wall: "Take the people there and bring more lamp oil and rosin. I will send the musketeers from other teams to cover them. you."

"Farewell." Winters laughed loudly and put on his helmet: "I'm more worried about being killed by your musketeers!"

Others around him burst into laughter.

Winters is really afraid of being shot in the back by some idiot, but he has to look fearless, because "officers are not afraid, soldiers are not."

Carrying kindling, Winters and several Dussac rode out of the camp gate.

The Hurds in the distance also noticed the movements of the defenders. A group of riders quickly jumped on their saddles and approached Winters and the others.

The swivel gun fired first, and the solid shells flew towards Hurd's cavalry, kicking up only a few clouds of dust.

One of the shells even passed in front of Winters, scaring the second lieutenant into a cold sweat.

The one-pounder cannon is the equipment of the Colin Centurion garrison in the camp. They are all rear-mounted double cannons.

Lieutenant Colin did not have a full-time gunner under his command, and Colin was not from the artillery department. The three small cannons were purely for decoration, and they were never intended to be used in actual combat.

When he got to the cart, Winters realized that Hurd Barbarian was not stupid either.

Each cart was poured with water. Not only did the wood absorb moisture, but even the soil between the plywood was wet.

"Barbarians are the most cunning!" the second lieutenant couldn't help but curse.

"what to do?"

"burn!"

Winters slapped Qiang Yun on the butt. The horse looked back at its owner and ran towards the camp gate of its own accord.

The location is too close to the wall trench, so walking through the camp gate is better than climbing back over the wall.

Lamp oil and rosin ignite immediately, but wood that has absorbed enough moisture cannot be burned alive.

Hurd's cavalry rushed closer in a blink of an eye, and the musketeers and crossbowmen behind the camp wall fired one after another.

The cart was within thirty steps of the camp wall, and the Hud people did not dare to approach it easily. They stood in the distance and fired arrows at the people beside the cart.

The Hed's arrows were fast and accurate, forcing several people to lie on the ground to avoid them.

The second lieutenant watched the flames in the car getting smaller and smaller, and the anger in his heart grew bigger and bigger.

Winters patted Dusak beside him: "Retreat!"

Several people ran behind them, jumped over the ditch, climbed over the camp wall, and returned to the safe area.

"The car was poured with water." The second lieutenant took off his helmet and explained breathlessly.

"It's okay." Jessica frowned, but she didn't mean to blame the second lieutenant: "Think of another way."

"I have a way!" Winters tried his best to control his breathing rhythm, his eyes were red: "Give me the iron bomb!"

Iron bombs were iron cans filled with black powder and were extremely bulky. However, it often has miraculous effects in attacking and defending strongholds, and there are also reserves in the camp.

The second lieutenant wanted an iron bomb, but the people in the camp didn't know why.

"Give me the iron bomb!" the second lieutenant almost shouted, "and the shovel!"

His soldiers hurriedly fetched several iron cans tied with ropes.

The second lieutenant held a shovel between his hands and carried four iron lumps weighing twenty kilograms in total, and climbed out of the wall again amidst everyone's exclamations.

Not only the Platoans, but also the Hedians were dumbfounded now.

The Herd cavalry had originally retreated, but saw a soldier climbing over the wall halfway, and had no choice but to turn back.

Winters wielded a shovel and dug up the dirt between the plywood.

The Hurd dismounted and fired arrows, relying on the strength of their armor, but Winters ignored them. The musketeers behind the camp walls and on the shooting platforms also opened fire to cover.

By some strange combination of circumstances, the opponent did not dodge, but Hurd's archer missed in succession, always just a little short of the mark.

The leader of the burly Hurds screamed in anger at this, jumped from his saddle, and angrily pushed the other archers away.

"Bow!" Leader Hel shouted.

The red-feathered cavalryman next to him took out his iron-spine bow and offered it respectfully.

Leader Hurd was seen standing still. With a loud shout, he opened the iron-backed recurve bow like a full moon. The bow body creaked and the bow string was stretched to the limit.

Leader Hurd concentrated his attention, and in a moment of spiritual bliss, he released the buckle.

This arrow was like a divine aid, flying towards the Plato warrior in the distance like a meteor, hitting the opponent's helmet in the middle.

There was a crisp sound of gold and iron, and the Plato warrior fell off the carriage.

"Koshhaqi! Kuoshhaqi!" The Herd knights cheered and shouted in unison the name of the man who shot this amazing arrow.

There was silence among the Platons behind the camp wall.

Kuoshihaqi, a burly man raised on mare's milk laughed loudly, threw the iron-spine bow to Hong Lingyu, turned around and walked towards the war horse.

The iron spine bow has been deformed.

Suddenly, the Hittites stopped shouting, and instead the Plattans behind the trench wall cheered loudly.

Koshhaqi turned around and was shocked to see the soldier climbing onto the carriage again.

"[Mainlandian] Go to hell!" The soldier threw off his gloves and made a friendly gesture.

The soldiers' roars penetrated the clouds and cracked rocks, resounding throughout the battlefield.

The Platuan people behind the trench wall laughed loudly and shouted in unison with the soldiers: "[Continental] Go to hell! Go to hell! Go to hell! "

The shouts of hundreds of people converged into one voice, echoing in the desolate wilderness and reaching the highest point in the sky.

Even the waterfowl on the other side of the river were alarmed, and flocks of them flew up from the reeds.

The morale of the Platoans reached its peak for a while.

Koshhaqi's face first turned red, then turned white, and finally turned blue.

He couldn't understand what was being shouted on the other side, but the meaning was clearly conveyed to him.

Hong Lingyu next to him was anxious and angry. He drew his sword and mounted his horse to fight the soldier.

"Don't go." The livid-faced Kuoshihaqi grabbed Hong Lingyu and said, "That guy is waiting for you to go!"

Winters buried the iron-cased bullets in the dirt between the carriages and refilled them with soil.

The lead of the iron-cased bullet is wrapped in hemp rope, so there is no need to worry about getting wet in a short period of time.

He lit the fuse and ran away.

After several muffled sounds, the carriage was blown apart. The interlayer of filled soil was completely blown to pieces, and the crumbling soil even flew into the camp.

Although there are still car bodies and wreckage, it can no longer be used as a cover.

Winters climbed over the trench and over the wall, dropped his helmet with a flat piece on the ground, gasped and roared: "Again!"

Sprinting back and forth while wearing a full set of three-quarter armor, he was on the verge of breathing. The reason why I resisted sitting down was because I was afraid that I would never be able to stand up again once I sat down.

"Okay, don't go." Lieutenant Colonel Jessica said with a cold face, "I will arrange for others to do the rest of the work."

"I'll take people there." Bard, who arrived here, calmly volunteered. He thought for a moment and said, "If it's blasting, there's no need to use iron-cased bullets. You can just use the whole barrel of gunpowder to explode."

"Okay, let's do it." The lieutenant colonel agreed: "Help Second Lieutenant Montagne to rest."

The most indispensable thing for the Jessica baggage train was gunpowder.

Balian and Heinrich picked up the centurion and headed toward the camp.

Winters wanted to shake them off, but the arrow he had just hit made him severely dizzy and nauseous, making him unable to break away.

Soldiers, militiamen, civilians, and traders along the way silently gathered around Second Lieutenant Montagne, stretched out their hands to touch the Second Lieutenant's armor, hair, and skin, and saluted.

In this way the Platuan people share in the ensign's courage, will and luck, and express their respect in this way.

Lieutenant Colonel Jessica smiled bitterly and said to himself: "Is this bravery or recklessness?"

Charles on the side proudly replied loudly: "Of course he is brave! Second Lieutenant Montagne is known as the 'Bloody Montagne' in Veneta, and he is the bravest officer in Veneta!"

The surrounding Platoans exclaimed.

"What the hell is Blood Man's nickname? It doesn't sound good." Lieutenant Colonel Jessica shook his head and said casually: "It's better to call him Blood Wolf. Looking at his appearance... it really seems like there is wolf blood running in his chest."

[Wolf Blood Montagne: Wolf Blood Montagne]

P.S1: Don Juan, Juan is another pronunciation of John. "Tang" was originally an honorific before the name, but it was gradually abused later. As for Captain Don Juan, his name is Juan, and it doesn't matter if he is given "Juan's surname and Don's first name". The name is a code name, mainly practical.

P.S2: Regarding the siege of friendly forces, Gouvion Saint-Cyr said: "It is no exaggeration to say that in a battle, the number of people injured by accidental shooting in the third column is equivalent to a quarter of the total casualties in the battle. . If the troops participating in the battle were composed of new soldiers, the proportion of accidental injuries should be higher. Napoleon found that many soldiers had injuries to their elbows and arms. He thought they were deliberately self-injuring themselves to avoid fighting, and was prepared to severely punish them. After investigation, it was discovered that they were accidentally injured by soldiers in the rear row."

France's "Regulations of 1791" stipulated that the soldiers in the third column were not allowed to fire, and they only loaded their rifles for the soldiers in the first two columns. They were also scared.

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