Iron Powder and Spellcaster

[West Bank of Ten Arrows River]

After the ferry on the Marget Island side was lost, the ferry on the west bank of the Ten Arrows River was completely exposed to enemy artillery fire.

So the Baishan County troops abandoned the ferry on the river beach, retreated a certain distance, and re-established a stronghold behind the river embankment, facing off from the Union Provincial fort.

"...The situation is as you can see. The United Provinces burned the ferry and cut off our route of reinforcements and supplies to the island. Our people, who are still alive, have retreated into the Bishop's Castle..."

Woods leaned on the reverse slope of the river embankment and explained the situation to the senior.

Mason was a little embarrassed to hear the word "Confederate."

However, Woods Frank was unaware of this. All his thoughts were occupied by "how to rescue the troops trapped on the island", and he couldn't wait to tell the other party all the situation in one breath.

He stared intently at what was happening on the other side of the river, and spoke in a low voice, as if the enemies on the island could hear him:

"...The United Provinces did not take advantage of the victory to launch an attack on the Bishop's Castle. I am not sure whether they wanted to besiege... There was no food in the Bishop's Castle. The Federation Province people deliberately limited the food reserves to less than one day... Calculated per head , the dry food we sent up urgently can barely last three days..."

Mason frowned slightly.

"Except for the Bishop's Castle, the Federation Provincers have completely controlled Margit Island. They have set up lookout posts at the Domencos Monastery, and there are also fixed posts and mobile posts on the river bank." Woods stretched out his arm towards the bushes on the other side of the river. He tried his best to point it out to the senior, "Look over there, they still have secret whistles."

Mason actually didn't see anything, but he still pretended to see it clearly and nodded slowly because he thought it would make Woods feel better.

"If you want to send supplies to the island, you have to wait until dark before you have a chance," Woods bit his fingernails. "I have prepared a raft and will try it tonight... Of course, you must agree... "

Mason watched the situation on Margit Island carefully.

The most eye-catching thing is obviously the field artillery fort built by the "Southern Front Army" landing troops on the island.

The Baishan County soldiers said that the fort was repaired "in the blink of an eye" because there was nothing there before dawn, but after the sun came up, a cannon fort rose from the ground.

The pitted and extremely ugly raised fort was located on the river bank, almost two hundred and fifty meters away from the Bishop's Fort and the river embankment on the New Army side.

At two hundred and fifty meters, the power of a gun is not enough, but for a cannon, it is just right.

They don't need to worry about ammunition. At this distance, filling the barrel with gravel can clear out anyone who is confused and wants to forcefully cross.

The temporary ferry built by the Baishan County infantry has been razed to the ground.

Anything not burned by the "magic fire" was hauled away by the Confederate soldiers on the island to reinforce their field batteries.

Mason understood why Woods Frank was so anxious, as the federal infantry on the island continued to consolidate their defenses.

The fort at this moment was completely different from the one in the morning.

According to Woods' description, when the sun first rose, the artillery position looked like a shack built with a few door panels.

When Mason came to the river embankment, the artillery position of the federal infantry was already a troublesome stronghold.

The fort itself was widened and heightened, with the ability to cross fire. The fort was covered with sharp wooden stakes that hindered climbing, and a circle of deer villages was arranged below.

Even as the two of them were talking, the Union Provincial fort was still "growing" at a speed visible to the naked eye. There are shadowy figures behind Luzhai, and wet sand is constantly being thrown up. Someone should be digging a trench.

Mason sighed secretly - whether the self-proclaimed "Union Army" in front of him had deteriorated or not, at least it had not lost its ability.

He remembered a sentence that came from the mouth of an imperial general, but was well-known in the mountain front, and was regarded as the highest praise by the soldiers of the United Provinces:

"If you let the rebels stay in one position for too long, you'll never be able to dislodge them."

"Senior?" Woods' voice woke Mason up from his trance. The former looked at the latter with pleading eyes, "Please allow me to lead the supply operation tonight."

"How am I qualified to 'permit'? Isn't General Geza still in the camp?" Mason, a head and two tall men, did not dare to let go for fear of being criticized. "After the ferry was lost, are you sure that the people on Margit Island are still there?" The Southern Army troops did not take any action against the Bishop's Castle?"

"From what I observed on the west coast, no," Woods replied rigorously, "but I don't know if the federal people have made any movements on the east side of Marget Island. You have also seen the topography of the island - the central high, The east and west are low, and the activities on the east side of Jiangxin Island cannot be seen from our side.”

"Then I don't recommend rashly sending people to the island, nor do I recommend a tentative landing on the island," Mason said bluntly, "The enemy has made it clear that they want to surround the point for reinforcements, and the remaining soldiers in the Bishop's Castle are the bait they use to catch us. It’s not a wise choice to poke someone knowing it’s a trap.”

"If the supplies cannot be delivered, the soldiers on the island will starve to death," Woods bit his lip.

"It won't happen..." Mason didn't know what to say.

"I understand what you mean," Woods said with a sad expression, "but if the Federalists intend to use Fort Bishop as bait, they will most likely not accept the surrender of Fort Bishop."

Mason was speechless and remained silent for a moment. He changed directions and persuaded his apprentice, "How many companies are there in the Bishop's Castle now?"

Unlike some officers who have to convert companies, battalions, and regiments in their minds, Woods adapted quickly to the new organization, because he also contributed to the reorganization plan from the "old army" to the new army.

"Arthur took a company with him when he set out," Woods replied, "and after taking Bishop's Castle, he added another company."

"Full fabrication? Or dissatisfaction fabrication?"

"The soldiers are fully staffed, but the officers only have company commanders and no deputy companies."

Mason nodded. It was a common phenomenon in the regiments of the New Army to have only chief officers and no adjutants, because the New Army not only lacked soldiers, but also lacked officers.

Woods was afraid that the senior would not be clear, so he explained a few more words, "The reorganized First Battalion of the Baishan County Infantry Regiment is actually the original 'Chief Battalion' of Baishan County. After taking Bazenauer and resting in Jinghu County, Colonel Gesa... the general recruited the best from each group to fill it up. "

"Then you said the island's supplies can last for three days," Mason asked again. "Are you calculating it at full capacity or at full capacity?"

"Manbian..." Woods understood what the senior meant. His expression turned gloomy, but he still cheered up and explained, "But there are still nearly a hundred workers in the Bishop's Castle who have been recruited by the United Provinces."

Mason said a long "Oh", "Looking on the bright side, there are more manpower to defend the Bishop's Fort."

Woods's expression became even gloomier, "I can't be as optimistic as you. The people of Xilin Province generally regard us as the comeback of the Blue Bloods. Their disgust towards us is only less than their disgust towards Magnus and the people of the United Provinces." Just a little."

Mason no longer knew how to comfort his junior. After a moment of silence, he awkwardly explained, "Don't blame yourself. No matter what, you can't hold the ferry. Even if you can hold the ferry, you can't hold it." So, because...you don't have a boat."

——

[Camp of Baeksan-gun troops]

[Chinese army tent]

Brigadier General Geza Adonis is being briefed.

"Actually," Mason stood cautiously at the map table. For some reason, he could never get close to Gaetha Adonis, which was exactly the opposite of Winters. "I didn't siege the castles of the kings. City experience, so my opinion is just a personal opinion..."

"Hey, okay," Gesa frowned impatiently, "It's better than us two-handed swordsmen, right? Don't do those vain things. If you have any questions, just tell me directly. I can still let you go. Court martial?"

Woods hurriedly put in good words for his senior, looking very nervous, "Major Mason personally visited various forts on the West Coast, conducted on-site surveys and evaluations, and also put forward many suggestions for improvement..."

Gesa glared at his right-hand man, but saw that the latter's eyes were bloodshot and his lips were dry, so he couldn't bear to say anything more and waved his hand, indicating to Winters's provincial subordinates to continue.

Mason adjusted his mentality, pointed to the map and said: "I don't think there is a problem with Captain Woods' strategy of 'besieging the new city and attacking the old city'.

“The trenches and barriers outside the new city may seem thin, but in fact they have a complete system and are at the horns of each other. Fighting is not only time-consuming, but also inevitably involves a large number of casualties.

"And even if the trenches are broken through, there will still be the city wall behind; if the city wall is blown down, there will still be the city behind; if the city is captured, there will still be the Ten Arrows River behind, the walls of the old city, and the 'Kings' Castle' behind.

"It's like a shield covered with many layers of cowhide. Instead of drilling through the cowhide layer by layer from the front, it's better to start from the back."

Mason secretly glanced at his junior and said solemnly, "So, I support Captain Woods's strategy. There is no problem with the plan of besieging the new city and attacking the old city."

Gesa crossed his arms and reacted calmly.

“As for Margit Island,” Mason hesitated, but finally told Brigadier General Geza Adonis in a firm tone, “there was no problem with the fight.

“In the hands of the enemy, Margit Island is a natural fort that threatens our army’s flanks; in our hands, Margit Island is a barrier that ensures that our army can safely mobilize forces between the east and west coasts.

"If we don't capture Margit Island, our army's pontoon bridge will have to move at least six kilometers upstream. Every time it goes back and forth, it will be twelve kilometers wide; and the enemy can attack from Margit Island and attack this twelve-kilometer long bridge. anywhere along the transportation line.

"So no matter what, our army has to capture Margit Island."

Mason's eyes were very unbearable, "As for casualties... casualties are inevitable. Next, our army should continue to invest more troops in Margit Island until we capture Margit Island!"

Woods raised his head and looked at his senior in surprise - the latter's negative attitude towards the reinforcement of Fort Bishop made him think that the senior did not agree with the attack on Marget Island.

Unexpectedly, in front of Colonel Gesar, Richard Mason said these amazing words.

"That island is a trap, and the cannons of the Federation Province people are aimed there," Gesa gritted his teeth, "They pierced their pockets, do we have to bite the bullet and jump in?"

"No, that's not a trap," Mason slowly shook his head and said loudly, "That's an open-book exam!

"Minister Cornelis knows that we must attack Margit Island, and we also know that Minister Cornelis must defend Margit Island. Then there is no need for traps, they will definitely use all means to strengthen Margit Island In defense, what we have to do is to take advantage of the situation. ”

"What's wrong with it?" Gesa asked with a sullen face.

Mason responded under pressure: "Then just push through."

Gesa stared at the little guy from the United Provinces for a while, then suddenly laughed hoarsely, "Don't you cherish the lives of the big-headed soldiers the most? Now you are not stingy at all?"

Mason sensed the Brigadier's hostility and realized that not only Woods Frank but also Gesar Adonis was under great pressure.

"'Shed only the necessary blood,' is the instruction of Marshal Ned Smith," Mason responded in a nonchalant manner, "And do you remember one thing? Minister Cornelius only has four to six brigades of troops. between."

As soon as he finished speaking, he still couldn't hold it back and added: "Of course, the premise is that the information you obtained is accurate."

"Of course it's accurate," Geza said coldly, "more accurate than the few hairs on my head."

"So, no matter how much advance preparation Minister Cornelius has made, it cannot change the fact that the size of his troops is at an absolute disadvantage," Mason spoke more and more clearly, "Then, if he wants to win this battle, , he must achieve a very, very, very excellent casualty exchange ratio.

"Considering the size of the troops we can invest and the critical point of morale collapse, one to three is not even enough. It takes one to five or one to ten to have a chance to win this siege."

Mason's vision became more and more clear, "And this exaggerated casualty ratio can only be achieved by relying on solid fortification defense and giving full play to firepower."

Mason continued hard-heartedly: "So I think that as long as Jason Cornelis is willing to leave the fortification area and fight in the field, even if he suffers a casualty ratio of one to two or one to three, we should unswervingly invest our troops and fight with him. They exchange.

"Marget Island is such a place. It seems to be a trap prepared for us, but it is actually the death place of the enemy. They left the strong fortress and deliberately lured us there."

Richard Mason said categorically: "And what we have to do is to fight this battle! Fight it to the end!"

There was silence in the Chinese army tent, and Woods Frank was completely speechless.

Geza Adonis looked at the artillery major for a long time, and suddenly asked in a bad tone, "Boy, if I remember correctly, you are also from the United Provinces, right? Why are you so cruel to your compatriots?"

Mason was silent for a moment, holding back his anger and grievance, and asked back with grace but strength: "From the first second of this conversation, you have been full of suspicion about me because of my background. So I also want to ask Tell me, aren’t you also a Plato? Why are you fighting the enemy so bravely in Hehe Valley?”

The smell of gunpowder in the tent made Woods Frank almost suffocate. He had never thought that the amiable senior Richard Mason also had such a stubborn side.

Woods Frank never expected that it would be his old boss who took a step back first.

"That's wrong, kid," Gesa sat down calmly and said calmly, "I never doubted you, I was just curious about you, how did a person from the United Provinces come to us? Playing for a Venetian?"

"Destiny," Mason lowered his eyelids,

"Destiny," Gesa chewed on this magical word and remembered his own experience. He couldn't help but smile bitterly and spat hard, "Destiny is such a damn thing."

"General," Mason raised his hand in salute, "Tomorrow, the Tiefeng County Infantry Regiment, Baishan County Infantry Regiment and Artillery Regiment will arrive at the camp one after another. Please allow the Tiefeng County Infantry Regiment to participate in the next offensive."

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