In the Name of the Queen

Francis, an important border town.

This is a large city with a population of 140,000.

This city is very peculiar. Sometimes it is a trading city, sometimes it is a military fortress, switching freely without a trace of stagnation.

When the Continental Treaty was still in place a few years ago, this was the frontier of international trade between Sussex and Prudence.

Now it has become the front line of confrontation between the two camps.

Franks and Hansa are both located in the northern plains of Rodinia. The terrain is flat and has no ups and downs. It can be said to be a flat land and a high-quality agricultural area.

Because there is no strategic location to defend, this fortress is particularly important.

If this fortress is lost, the cities in the middle cannot be defended at all, and the enemy will soon be able to reach the city of Hansa.

The first battle is the decisive battle, and war is so cruel.

The special geographical conditions of the Franks Fortress determine that it is impossible to build a super fortress here, and it is difficult for the garrison to exceed 30,000 soldiers.

As early as when the Continental Treaty was abolished, Roland ordered to speed up the construction of this fortress.

Solid and thick permanent fortifications, intricate trenches, and elite troops, all possible defensive measures have been taken, and they have been taken very seriously.

The 1st Division of the newly formed 1st Army is stationed here.

As we all know, the 1st Division is not a random name, it must have real materials.

The configuration of the 1st Division is also worthy of this name.

They have the largest number of people, the most brutal training, the best equipment and the highest bonus.

Not only that, the commander of the 1st Division is Baron Dailong, a major general who is deeply trusted by Roland.

Dailong is an old man who has followed Roland since he just arrived overseas. His loyalty and ability are impeccable. Letting him garrison here shows that Roland attaches great importance to the Franks Fortress.

As long as the enemy is not crazy enough to send more than 100,000 troops and hundreds of artillery to attack, this fortress is simply invincible.

However, the Kingdom of Pruden really sent more than 100,000 people.

When the Prudens invaded without declaring war, Dailong was completely confused.

The two camps were on the verge of war and had been preparing for war for a long time. He was not surprised if the war really broke out, but he did not expect it to be in this form.

There was no declaration of war, no preparation, and it came suddenly.

A few days ago, senior officers of both sides were still conducting routine exchanges, and trade convoys also passed through the fortress, bringing thousands of newly produced cloth from Hansa City.

Although they had smelled the smell of gunpowder approaching, the war still came too suddenly.

What made Dai Long even more annoyed was that more than 100,000 troops assembled and mobilized, quietly surrounding the fortress, and he was actually kept in the dark. It would be a joke to tell others about it.

Dai Long wanted to laugh at himself, but he couldn't laugh.

Because he was the one facing pressure.

Hundreds of heavy artillery bombarded like crazy as if they were free, clearing the way for the army.

The lives of these Prudens seemed to be picked up, and they began to charge along the artillery fire.

The shells whizzed past their heads, and there were even many explosive bombs filled with magic elements. The saturation firepower attack blew up smoke and dust in the positions.

After being confused, the Sussex soldiers skillfully rushed into the fortifications to avoid the shells, while the Prudens continued to advance with the artillery fire.

Hiding in the bunkers can certainly avoid the artillery fire, but it is impossible to concentrate the shooting. Except for a few elite hunters equipped with rifles with scopes to stop the enemy, ordinary infantry can only use the black uncle shooting method to shoot randomly.

The Prudens' fearlessness made Dai Long's face black.

What kind of barbaric warfare is this?

The number of Prudens killed by shells was several times more than that of the Sussex people, but they just broke through the outer positions with the cover of artillery fire.

On the first day of the battle, the Prudens' army suffered 3,700 casualties, and the Sussex army suffered 900 casualties.

Looking at the exchange ratio alone, the Sussex people had a great advantage, but they lost their outer positions and all three trenches were crossed.

The next day, General Jebacs, who was in charge of commanding the battle on the periphery, gritted his teeth and issued a cold-blooded order, requiring the soldiers to leave the bunkers and block the front.

The soldiers were very brave. They lined up to face the enemy head-on under the artillery fire and stray bullets, and then were stunned by the violent artillery volleys.

On the second day, the First Division lost more than 2,500 people.

Although the Pruden Kingdom Army also suffered more losses, the Sussex people suffered the loss in the exchange ratio on the second day.

What's more terrible is that the morale was almost collapsed in the artillery bombardment.

No one was willing to stand still and be bombarded.

This tactic not only caused the outer troops to be blown up, but also frustrated the morale of the defenders in the city.

The soldiers refused to follow the order and refused to line up to die.

Dai Long was helpless. He also knew that this order was outrageous. He could understand the soldiers, but he couldn't understand the other side.

Aren't their soldiers human? Why are they not afraid of death?

Fortunately, the defense of the Franks Fortress was strong. It did not fall on the third day, but persisted in a tragic way.

In the tentative attack, the elite squad of the Pruden Kingdom climbed the city wall three times, but was beaten down by the heavy infantry of the First Division.

On the third day, the Sussex army had the upper hand in terms of casualties.

After the failed assault, the Pruden Kingdom Army was also somewhat overwhelmed. They gave up the frontal assault and instead dug trenches on the periphery, planning to fight for a long time.

They occupied the high ground outside the city and began to carry cannons up the mountain, intending to bombard the fortress from a high position.

Dai Long observed the battle situation with a cold eye and continuously sent elite troops out of the city to recapture the high ground outside the city, but all his attempts failed.

To be fair, there was nothing wrong with his command.

He did not lose the fortress due to the sneak attack and the disparity in the strength of the troops, nor did he abandon the troops and escape. He firmly guarded the fortress and also tried to send elite scouts to the rear for help.

He did everything the defenders could do.

However, the Franks Fortress was still in danger and was about to fall.

There is no way, the comparison of combat power between the two sides is too great.

He could only watch as the Prudens opened up the mountain road and slowly and unstoppably transported the cannon to the position on the top of the mountain.

As long as these hundreds of cannons go up the mountain, it is only a matter of time before the Franks Fortress falls.

What's even more desperate is that he can't stop it at all.

Sending a small group of troops will not help, as a large number of troops will be caught by the enemy when they leave the city.

Mounting artillery on a mountain is not an unusual tactic. The Oden Kingdom's army did this during the defense of Helenzburg.

However, there is a huge gap between the artillery level of the Oden Kingdom Army and Pruden. There is no explosive anti-personnel bomb with magic elements, so it can only rely on inertia to hit it hard.

Helenz even has a complete underground city that can survive the fall of the ground.

More importantly, Her Majesty the Queen and Governor Roland personally led a group of experts to recapture the mountain. How to recapture it now?

The Prudens are not second-rate people like the Kingdom of Oden. Their defensive positions on the top of the mountain are perfectly arranged.

The defenders in the city could only watch helplessly as they carried the cannon up, set it up and blasted it into the city, but there was nothing they could do.

Perhaps there is still a way to break out.

But this is a dead end.

The Pruden cavalry just didn't show up, not dead.

The endless plains of more than 300 miles allow infantry and cavalry to race. Any general who can command like this should be court-martialed.

Unable to fight, unable to retreat, and unable to escape, one can imagine Dai Long's mood.

He stood on the top of the watchtower, looking at the artillery position under construction on the top of the mountain opposite, and he couldn't open his eyes with worry.

Just when he was helpless, footsteps sounded from behind.

There was only one person who could approach the watchtower without notifying him at this time, his deputy, Jay Backus, the hero of Helenzburg's defense.

Dai Long felt a glimmer of hope in his heart.

Jay Bucks has performed miracles, maybe he really has a way?

He turned sharply, glanced at the deputy, and was momentarily stunned.

Is this still the high-spirited new major general who wants to win a hereditary baron or even an earl?

Jay Bucks' beard had not been shaved for at least three days, his eyes were sunken, and his face was haggard. Although his military uniform was neat, it could not hide the faint smell of gunpowder smoke.

His left hand was even wrapped in a thick bandage.

Jay Bacchus's hoarse voice was full of exhaustion, "I'm sorry, although it's hard to say it, but the outer positions were not saved after all, and all have been lost."

Jebacus led more than 6,000 people to block the attack outside the city. He was very brave and resolutely carried out Dailon's orders. However, he still collapsed under the strong pressure of the Pruden people.

War has its own objective laws. Courage and will are certainly useful, but these alone are far from enough.

After reporting on the battle for the final position and the casualty ratio, Jay Bacchus asked in a low voice:

"General Dai Long, what should we do?"

Although he sympathized with Jay Bacchus, this question still left Dai Long speechless. If he had a way, he could still stand here in a daze?

Even if the Governor himself came over to micromanage the situation, this battle would still be unwinnable.

"You are the hero of the defense of Helenzburg. You have experience in this kind of defensive battle. Do you think we still have a chance? If so"

"No."

Jay Bucks interrupted him bluntly before he could finish his words.

Dai Long: "."

You should listen to me before interrupting.

Although he was directly interrupted, he couldn't get angry. After all, they were comrades fighting side by side and they were working together very well these days.

The construction of this defense system is the result of their cooperation.

Dai Long smiled self-deprecatingly and responded with Sussex humor: "Is there really no way? Maybe we should learn from you a few years ago and dig deeper, maybe we can find the Alemanni Empire. The arsenal of those days.”

"Sorry, not this one either."

Jay Bucks said calmly: "Dai Long, you only came here two months ago, and I organized manpower to dig a year ago. For three months, we dug two hundred meters of ground and found nothing."

"Well, it can't be said that there was nothing gained. At least I got a few bills and a letter of reprimand from the headquarters."

Although he tried to be humorous, Dai Lon couldn't laugh.

If Helenzburg can be defended, the underground fortifications are important, but the excavated armory is the key.

In this era where technology mainly relies on archeology, whoever can dig up the remains of the Alemannic Empire basically means a good harvest.

After all, the Alemanni were strict by nature, and their weapons were carefully wrapped in oilcloth paper for storage so that they would not rust or become moldy for a long time.

Seeing Dai Long's disappointed expression, Jay Bacchus couldn't help but teased: "A good thing like this is enough once. Do you want a second time?"

After a slight pause, he still couldn't help but complain: "But this boy Tom refused to accept his fate, so he led the excavation team down again."

"The young man who distinguished himself at the defense of Helenzburg?"

"Yes, I heard that he will be on the promotion list next month, and he will be a lieutenant colonel soon."

The lieutenant colonel, who had just turned eighteen, was indeed young and promising. There were a group of young officers on the promotion list at the same time as Tom.

These people are the future of the empire. They are young, promising and full of fighting spirit.

At the mention of this name, Jay Bacchus felt inexplicably old.

Although he is not yet forty years old, he really can't keep up with the whims of young people.

If it weren't for their old leader, these young people might not be willing to associate with him.

Just when the two middle-aged generals were lamenting their old age, a lieutenant hurried over, saluted General Dai Long and reported, "General, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry has something to ask you. He is outside."

"Invite him over."

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry was responsible for the defense of the eastern wall of the fortress. After all the outer positions fell, his position was in direct contact with the enemy.

Coming here at this time must be something.

Dai Long glanced at Jay Bacchus and whispered softly: "Don't mention the words discussed just now in front of young people."

Jay Bucks nodded and said nothing.

Old people can say dejected words when they get together, but they cannot infect young people.

Dai Long sighed and shook his head, "I still can't figure out why the Holy Alliance dares to attack us when they haven't completely taken over the Wende Empire."

Jay Bucks didn't answer, just silent.

Yes, why?

"Because everyone feels they are months away from launching an attack."

The sonorous and powerful young voice came along with the sound of military boots hitting the ground. Jerry walked very fast and arrived in front of the two generals in a blink of an eye.

He saluted the two generals in turn, and instead of continuing the topic, he reported to them the situation on the eastern wall.

Sporadic fighting continues, but large-scale attacks have ceased.

"According to my observation, the fort on the top of the mountain will be deployed in at most three days. Do the two generals have any solutions?"

Dai Long and Jay Bacchus looked at each other and sighed inwardly, what was supposed to come had finally come.

The old guys are mature and prudent, while the young people are full of fighting spirit. Jerry came to them, probably to persuade them to take the initiative.

Since the young man asked, Lao Deng would not be polite if he didn't answer. Dai Long groaned, with a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

"If the fort is allowed to be built, the fort will definitely not be able to be defended. I am considering organizing a mobile force to destroy the fort on the top of the mountain."

"There are sufficient reserves of magic bombs in the fortress, as well as a large amount of explosives that can be used to make bombs. If there are warriors who are not afraid of death, there should be hope."

Jerry frowned slightly, but couldn't help but remind him: "General, the death squads are not death squads. No one wants to go for this kind of meaningless and brainless charge."

"In fact, we did this kind of stupid thing during the defensive battle on the outer positions. What was the result? We couldn't even delay the enemy's advance. Instead, we gave away thousands of people in vain."

Jerry told the truth, but the truth is the hardest to hear.

Dai Long didn't like hearing this.

He frowned and rebuked angrily: "Jerry, you are just a lieutenant colonel. Your old leader is responsible for the peripheral defense. If you have good suggestions, you can speak out and don't be arrogant."

Jerry glanced at the disgraced Jay Bucks and felt slightly sympathetic, but he still bluntly pointed out various mistakes in the peripheral defense battle.

Poor Jay Bucks, who will pity the soldiers who died because of wrong tactics?

Since becoming a major general, Jay Bucks has become the backbone of the overseas legions. Coupled with the heroic aura of the Helenzburg Defense Battle, fewer and fewer people dare to accuse him face to face.

In this battle, Jay Bacchus fully exposed his shortcomings in commanding operations.

Slow to respond, rigid and stubborn, and weak in adaptability.

In fact, this kind of general is very common among the middle and high-level officials in the empire.

Most of them have received good military education, are familiar with military theory, are familiar with various famous battles in history, and talk about war with joy.

However, in the actual war, their performance was far weaker than imagined.

In Jerry's view, the assault on the artillery positions on the mountain top was doomed to failure. Their only chance was to hit the artillery positions on the plains before the enemy's artillery transport was delayed.

It's difficult for cannons to go up the mountain, so stop them from going up the mountain. There are many ways to prevent climbing, and it doesn’t have to be done on the mountain.

Jerry's proposal was very bold, focusing on the enemy's blind spots.

After introducing his thoughts, he again mentioned the sudden attack by the Kingdom of Pruden.

"The Pruden people's sneak attack is to hit our blind spots, and my raid plan is the same."

Dairon and Jaybacks looked at each other, seeing hope and surprise in each other's eyes.

Jerry was right. No one would have thought that they would dare to launch a surprise attack. Moreover, they did not attack the position on the top of the mountain, but directly charged into the center of Pruden's army and kicked their artillery positions.

It’s crazy, beyond most people’s knowledge.

This is in line with the premise of a sneak attack, which the victim did not expect.

"Can you tell me more about it?"

The sudden idea is valuable, but how to turn the idea into reality is more important. If it were just talk on paper, this grand raid would probably ruin the entire campaign.

Jerry knew this was a critical moment. He cleared his throat and began to describe the battle plan.

Through multiple feint attacks and harassment by small units, the enemy mistakenly thought that their target was the high ground outside the city, and then mobilized the only cavalry units.

"Give their artillery a fatal blow!"

Jerry's tone rose a bit, his eyes were full of enthusiasm, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Our cavalry is very small, only 500, but they are warriors who receive the highest salary. Their loyalty and combat effectiveness are impeccable, and they are willing to sacrifice for the motherland at any time!"

Dai Long thought for a moment and asked slowly: "Who will command this army?"

Five hundred cavalrymen raided the artillery position at night and bombarded the position with various magic explosions and earth bombs. One can imagine the chance of survival.

The officer who commands this cavalry unit must have extremely strong military qualities, be able to find the enemy's weak points in the chaos, complete the task quickly, and then return.

Of course, they are likely to die during the charge, and it would be a miracle if one-third of them could come back alive.

Dai Long narrowed his eyes and looked at Jerry, waiting for his answer.

Jerry looked at him without giving in, and said calmly: "I."

"You can't!"

Jebacs interrupted Jerry's self-touching loudly, "Jerry, I think you have been a little too proud recently. In terms of military ability and prestige, can you compare with me?"

"General!" Jerry's face changed slightly. He didn't expect Jebacs to take the initiative to accept such a nearly suicidal mission.

In this kind of raid, the leader's probability of death is much higher than that of ordinary soldiers.

Ordinary soldiers just need to follow the general, while the leading officers not only have to rush in front in the hail of bullets, but also have to accurately judge the situation. Without strong military qualities and good luck, it is impossible to do it.

Jerry was about to say something, but Jebacs raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

Jebacs lowered his voice and said, "Jerry, the future belongs to you. I'm old. This is my last chance to make progress. Don't compete with me."

Jerry choked back all his words.

This is the power of the military merit system.

Even if Jebacs died in battle, as long as he could turn the tide of the battle and defend the fortress and wait for reinforcements, he would still be the number one hero.

He would be posthumously awarded the rank of lieutenant general and posthumously conferred the title of earl, stepping into the ranks of senior nobles.

Although he couldn't enjoy it, he still had a family.

"Jerry, you haven't married yet, so even if you are posthumously conferred the title, no one will inherit it. But I'm different. I have a son who is almost an adult, and the title is just for him."

"Don't compete for opportunities with your old father who is eager to make achievements."

Jebacs patted Jerry on the shoulder and smiled with relief.

There was another reason he didn't say, and he didn't intend to tell anyone.

Among the thousands of soldiers who died in the outer positions, more than a dozen young people were from his hometown.

He said he would take them to make achievements and go out to enjoy a good life, but they all died.

He couldn't go back to face their parents.

But he still had a chance to make up for it. On the way to the underworld, these young children needed an elder to lead the way.

He had no choice but to do it.

Looking at the determined eyes of Jebacs, Jerry was stunned, and then relieved.

He couldn't see through the eyes of his old boss, but he could understand his determination.

He didn't say anything nonsense, stood up straight, and saluted the old boss who he had some complaints about in his heart.

Dai Long looked at his old friend who was ready to die, sighed lightly, and didn't speak.

He cast his eyes on the artillery position a few miles away, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

The enemy must think that the Franks Fortress can't be defended.

Tonight, they will give the Prudens a super surprise.