I will be crowned king

Set sail outside the city and take up the siege position.

After days of fighting, gunpowder smoke and fire covered the entire sky; under the blood-red sunset, Ludwig stepped on the scorched earth where the embers were not extinguished, as if strolling around the battlefield where he had fought for more than ten days.

The defenders of Sail City, who had been fighting with them all day long, have withdrawn their defense lines in the city and continue to hold on in those ridiculously simple fortifications and solid stone buildings: chapels, parliaments, warehouses, the Governor's Palace...

In such a huge city, where their ridiculous eleven-three-ringed flag is still flying, there are only a few strongholds left and a few connected streets.

The rest are corpses scattered all over the place under the banner of the Broken Army, broken fortification walls, burning houses and ruined communities... The flying dust and particles mixed with it have already spread to every corner of the city.

Relying on the absolute superiority of troops, Ludwig did not spread out his troops and engage in street battles with the defenders of Sailing City as in conventional battles. Instead, he adopted tactics similar to suppressing urban riots, blockades at all levels, and step-by-step encirclement and suppression in one community or one street. , and then either destroy the occupation or decisively withdraw, and then repeatedly fight with the defenders.

Facts have proved that this tactic works extremely well.

As the outer positions composed of artillery forts were captured by themselves and the city wall was breached, the defenders of Yangfan City were actually in a desperate situation with no way to retreat; but the people in the city were because the attackers did not capture the entire city in one go. , gradually came to the idea that "the enemy is not too strong, but the defenders are timid".

Human intuition is often the best force for creating illusions... So from the beginning of the siege, Ludwig continued to create conflicts between the defenders and the people in the city, including but not limited to setting fire to the city, withdrawing troops early, and allowing the other side to Rescuing wounded soldiers... After more than ten days of fighting, apart from frontal fighting, there were not many post-war casualties between the two sides.

Of course, these premises are all based on an important piece of information, that is, Louis Bernard is not in Sail City.

This speculation first arose when the Battle of Huangcaolin ended and half of the jihadi army was forced to withdraw from the northern and eastern areas of Yangfan City... It was able to unite many liberals in the colony, the defeated troops, and even the settlements that had been operating for several generations to form a joint force. , except for the heir of the Bernard family, there will be no other person.

Facts also confirmed Ludwig's conjecture...the longer the siege lasted, the deeper the conflict between the defenders and the people in the city became; on the eighth day after the city was broken, some liberals even took the initiative to surrender to the Jihadi Army, revealing that Information about the garrison's strength, armament, even their casualties, and the location of their strongholds.

It was only at this time that Ludwig finally figured it out. No wonder he was almost removed from his command post during the Battle of Wild Grass Forest - Anson Bach, this bastard, actually sent his own troops in advance to infiltrate the Free Confederate army. !

Of course, what Ludwig didn't know was that there was also his most trusted adjutant in this "Storm Legion" unit, which was why the Second Infantry Regiment was able to pass through his carefully designed position so smoothly and accurately find the headquarters. position - otherwise he would be angrier.

But none of this is important now, because the hope of conquering Sailing City, or even destroying the entire Free Confederation, no longer lies in Sailing City itself... Ludwig sighed softly and rubbed his veins that were throbbing due to many days of fighting. Temple, turning his gaze in the opposite direction to the battlefield.

There, the Jihadi soldiers who had not yet relaxed from the fatigue of the siege were already cleaning the battlefield, packing up baggage, filling trenches... in preparation for the army's transfer.

A perhaps evenly matched battle was waiting for him.

……………………

"Withdrawal?!"

Alexey, who was taking a nap in front of the map table and was forcibly shaken awake, was about to draw his sword when he was stunned by the sudden news from the other party: "Are you sure that he...Major General Ludwig really retreated?" Already?!"

"I don't think I have any need to deceive you." Faced with the other party's suspicion, Roman, with a frosty face, said coldly: "The Ring of Order and King Clovis's flag are no longer visible on the forward positions outside the city, and the artillery positions are also gone. Suspected to be filled and destroyed... According to your lord's style, this is a call for retreat."

"The most important point is this: This is the information sent back by the hussars in Yangfan City after risking their lives to go out of the city for reconnaissance. They saw with their own eyes that the infantry regiments and baggage troops of the Jihad Army were moving north along the road in batches. They were obviously being divided. batch retreat or transfer."

Perhaps because of his previous errors in judgment, Roman seemed much more cautious this time; when he was still at Gray Pigeon Castle, he would never talk too much with "Anson's subordinates" like Alexei.

"Anyway... at the current rate, they will all leave in two days."

"all?!"

Probably because he hadn't woken up, Alexei was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out.

"I said 'at this rate'!"

Roman's face darkened: "Even if a small number of troops are left to continue the confrontation with us, or to retreat to the beach to avoid being cut off, it is just a routine deployment. There is nothing worth making a fuss about."

"Ah, yes, yes... what you are saying is that there was a deviation in my understanding." Alexei quickly smiled and apologized. He was joking. He couldn't afford to offend this man who somehow got to the colony and took the initiative to join his side. "Curve loyal" adults.

The looming forces behind the opponent, as well as the important information provided, should not be too critical to the seemingly rebellious but actually loyal Storm Legion.

The question is, why should the other party retreat?

Just three days ago, Louis Bernard, who had been "missing" for a long time, regained contact with them and led his army south to support them.

Such exciting news immediately regrouped the defenders of Yangfan City. Even the liberals, who had already had many conflicts with the defenders, were willing to temporarily put aside their prejudices and join the battle to defend the city.

When the eleven-star ring flag appeared at the end of the horizon, exciting cheers rang out throughout the Sailing City, so much so that the Holy War Legion outside the city simply gave up the attack that day, and all huddled in the siege positions outside the city to hold on. out.

Taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the defenders immediately launched a comprehensive counterattack; not only did they retake the captured streets of the city, they even took control of many of the destroyed artillery forts outside the city, and carried out simple attacks as quickly as possible. Repaired, ready to cooperate with Louis Bernard's reinforcements.

Alexey expressed his doubts about this. He had seen the "20,000 troops" in Huangcaolin with his own eyes and was very familiar with the logistics situation of the Free Confederacy; let alone recruiting more troops in just ten days, With twenty thousand men, even a few thousand, Louis could not muster enough rifles and artillery to arm them.

There are so many troops gathered without guns and ammunition. If they don't intend to kill people, then they can only feint a shot and cry "Wolf" again?

But the defenders and people of Yangfan City did not take his concerns seriously - this is the critical moment when "the Holy King returns to the court, and everyone is united". Everyone is eager to show their loyalty. Where is your turn as Clovis? People come over and badmouth you in a weird way?

What's more, there are direct doubts about Alexei's identity. Did he receive 500,000 gold coins from the jihadist army outside the city and deliberately ran into the city to act as a spy?

Seeing that the rumors were spreading more and more, and even the Yangfan City Council was preparing to offer a reward of half a million gold coins for catching him, Alexey simply chose to shut up completely and never put forward any military suggestions again. Just fulfill your obligations.

As a result, Louis Bernard only faced off with the Jihad Army for one night, and withdrew during the next day... So the counterattack that was originally full of confidence had to be abandoned, and even many Yangfan City defenders were besieged because they did not retreat in time. The 2nd Infantry Regiment moved to relieve the siege.

After a whole day of bloody battles, we managed to ensure that the siege did not turn into a battle of annihilation, but the price paid was not at all less than that of a battle of annihilation. Regardless of the casualties, the materials lost were real, one-third of the artillery, Three days' worth of supplies for more than 2,000 people, as well as the ammunition consumed by holding on to the siege, also fell into the hands of the enemy.

As for the urban areas and streets that were finally recaptured, it was no surprise that they were all lost. Even more, many houses were burned to rubble...if the docks and shipyards had not been destroyed in advance and filled with sunken ships. At the port, the defenders were afraid that they would be flanked by two sides and beaten in turn by the jihadists.

The biggest problem among them was the complete break between the Sail City defenders and the local liberals; the two parties, finally united because of Louis Bernard's return, immediately stood up and accused each other at the moment when their hopes were shattered, accusing each other of not being loyal enough. resulting in such a difficult outcome.

This atmosphere is completely different from the Storm Legion... Within the officer corps, everyone is more inclined to believe that their comrades are loyal ministers, and they must compete with each other for loyalty. The one who is loyal first must support and then be loyal, and ultimately achieve simultaneous loyalty.

As for whether a person who seems loyal is loyal, a loyal person should naturally believe in the loyalty of others and should not take the initiative to find out about another loyal minister - after all, what if something is discovered that should not be discovered? After that, he was exposed by others as being unfaithful... What about the curve of loyalty that is hard to explain? !

All in all, there are only two principles of loyalty to the Storm Legion: first, everyone is loyal; second, if you find someone who may be disloyal, refer to the first rule.

It is precisely because of this fine spirit of "loyal ministers united" that the Storm Legion can reach today step by step...otherwise it would have fallen apart long ago.

Sail City, which is always on the verge of civil war, has almost set up a typical negative example for the Storm Legion.

And just when the whole city was already crumbling and might collapse with a few more hard kicks, Ludwig actually gave up the idea of ​​continuing to attack the city?

"Could it be that reinforcements from the Commander-in-Chief have arrived?"

Alexey asked cautiously, but immediately rejected the idea decisively: "That's not right. If reinforcements really arrived, why did Louis Bernard withdraw his troops so decisively?"

"Don't be so hasty to draw conclusions yet." Roman shook his head and said calmly: "With Anson Bach's character and behavior, similar things may not be impossible."

He remembered that during the Battle of Eagle Point City, he was ordered to join Anson Bach, but was mistaken by Louis Bernard for Anson's army. He forcibly served as a shield for that bastard in the valley for several days, which indirectly contributed to this incident. The guy successfully conquered the Eagle Point City Fortress with a glorious record.

So even if this guy wants to make a "wonderful comeback" or break through the line again, Roman will not be even a little bit surprised.

"But regardless of whether the reinforcements are true or not, this may be a good opportunity."

"what chance?"

"An opportunity to escape from Sailing City."

Roman said coldly: "Your mission is to ensure that Sailing City will not fall. Now that the besieging army has evacuated, the fleet blocking the port has not made any move. There is no point in staying any longer except to arouse the suspicion of the defenders."

"Why not take this opportunity to quietly leave Sailing City, follow the marching route of the Holy War Legion, and see where their destination is."

"If I guessed correctly, it shouldn't be far from Sailing City..."

……………………

"This is the battlefield you chose for the decisive battle with Ludwig?"

Holding an exquisite silver-plated monocular telescope, Louis couldn't help turning his head to look at the guy who had "cheated" him: "I didn't say that I wanted you to defeat Uncle Bernard before, but this is clearly the place where uncle is number one." Defeat the loyalist position for the first time!"

Facing the young knight's question, the smiling Anson did not answer immediately, but looked at the vast plain in front of him...close to the wide river, looking at the world that was almost bisected by the horizon, with the blue dome looking upward. , downward is the boundless land.

To the south of this land is the location of Sailing City, and to the east are hills and rivers. From there, you can go to Gray Pigeon Castle through the grass forest. To the north and west are endless forests, where many things are lurking. Aboriginal tribes, and the gravekeepers who guard the resting place.

In the center is a wide area that is extremely suitable for a large army to spread out.

"It's very simple. Only this kind of terrain can ensure that Ludwig will definitely take the bait." Anson wrote lightly: "As long as the east side of the battlefield is blocked, we can completely block our retreat, and then wipe out us all in one go; take the initiative This cannot be achieved by approaching the Sailing City or stationed in the grass forest."

Louis took a breath of air: "Then you plan to fight Ludwig here and completely annihilate the entire Holy War Legion?"

"Annihilation? Of course it's impossible!"

Anson sneered: "With the power we have now, even if we can win, we will probably suffer heavy casualties, let alone annihilation."

"Then what are you going to do..."

"We have to negotiate with Major General Ludwig, and we have to ensure that he negotiates with him and reaches some agreement without any external influence." Anson shrugged:

"Of course before that, we have to defeat him first!"