Iron Powder and Spellcaster

[Outside the Castle of the Kings]

The biggest advantage of teaching at the front line is that you can practice on the spot.

So Houdel regretted that he didn't watch carefully when Mason, the tribune, demonstrated how to dig in a prone position.

Not only Houdel, but probably few reserve officers could have thought that the assignment assigned by Mason, the general manager, would be so exciting.

As soon as the class was over, the reserve officers were sent directly to the front line to practice the skills they learned on the spot.

Houdel's class was taken back to the small fortress they built three days ago by the baby-faced man.

The baby-faced man gave everyone a tool, clapped his hands, and announced in a crisp and clear manner, "Let's get started."

And the doubts of some reserve officers, "Why do we have to do this kind of work ourselves?" were also refuted by the baby-faced man with a casual sentence, "In the future, we don't need to; now, we must."

At this time, the reserve officers gradually realized that the amiable general manager Mason was actually the "strictest in the second school."

Because other people's homework would only be penalized if they failed to complete it, but Richard Mason's homework might kill people.

When the general manager was lying on the ground and struggling, the reserve officers thought it was funny, and some even said something rude, mocking the general manager as a maggot.

When the trainees were driven into the trenches and really began to dig towards the walls of the Kings' Castle facing the muskets and cannons, everyone wanted to turn into a maggot and burrow into the soil.

Houdel was one of them.

At this moment, Houdel's clothes looked like they had just been fished out of the water. The cloth at the back was soaked with sweat and stuck to his back, making him extremely uncomfortable;

The cloth in front was covered with mud, because the dry soil under him had also been filled with sweat and turned into mud;

The helmet was stuffy and hot, and kept sliding down, but Houdel did not dare to take it off;

The sweat flowed into his eyes, and Houdel did not dare to wipe it off, because his hands were also covered with mud.

To Houdel's left was a row of wicker baskets filled with soil, and in front was a small cart with wooden boards nailed to it. These two things were the shelters he relied on for survival.

Obviously, if he just straightened up, he could breathe fresh air, but Houdel didn't even dare to raise his head, and lowered his head as low as possible.

Although their trenches had just been dug and were at least two kilometers away from the city wall, the shadow of death still loomed over everyone's head, suffocating them.

...

As early as the first day of the new army's ring fortifications, after discovering that it was difficult for cannons to pose a real threat to the besiegers, the federalists immediately came up with a new strategy.

They no longer fired cannons to intimidate the besiegers during the day, but instead sent out sharpshooters equipped with rifles at night.

The latter would quietly approach the trenches of the new army and lurk until the sun rose and the besiegers started working.

Then, they pulled down the firing rod, took away an unlucky officer, non-commissioned officer, foreman or anyone who had his head exposed outside the trench, and then swaggered back to the city.

The officers of the new army knew clearly: the reason why the federals were not in a hurry to run was to lure the pursuers into the effective range of the cannons on the city wall.

So even if the patrol cavalry arrived at the scene in time, they did not dare to pursue them deeply.

The leadership of the new army had no good way to deal with the new tactics of the federals. They could only repeatedly declare discipline and strictly prohibit anyone from exposing their bodies outside the bunkers.

If we only look at the number of casualties, the sharpshooters of the federal province only caused single-digit casualties to the new army.

However, they successfully interfered with the construction of the new army, slowed down the progress of the fortifications, and made the front-line civilians and soldiers panic.

…

So at this moment, Houdel did not know whether there was a federal in the killing zone between the siege trench and the city wall, aiming at him.

He could only lie close to the ground, lean against the basket, and lower his head as low as possible.

Not only that, Houdel had to check while digging to ensure that the shallow trench he dug was straight.

Because when he walked into the corridor, the baby-faced man smiled and reminded him from behind:

"Be careful, don't go astray, you will die if you go astray."

Knowing that the baby-faced man was trying to scare him, Houdel still couldn't help but be alert.

The cannons deployed by the federalists on the city walls and fortresses have the ability to cross-fire.

Therefore, the trenches advancing towards the city walls cannot go straight, but must bend forward repeatedly - Houdel had learned this when he besieged Maple Leaf Fort.

However, there were only a few hundred demoralized remnants in Maple Leaf Fort; there were no federal cannons on the walls of Maple Leaf Fort.

Everyone knew that the fall of Maple Leaf Fort was only a matter of time, so at that time, Houdel was neither afraid nor anxious, as if he was playing a game.

But this time was different, this time it was for real.

The federal cannons were amazingly accurate, and they could hit the target almost accurately even at a distance of two kilometers.

It is conceivable that the further forward they advanced, the more likely it was that the federal shells would hit the trenches directly.

Therefore, the tribune measured the angle of each trench that was advancing forward.

As the vanguard of the "digging team", Houdel's responsibility was to ensure that the trench did not deviate from the route planned by the tribune.

But this task was too difficult. After rolling in the mud, Houdel realized how difficult it was to "not go astray" as the baby-faced man said.

Except for the cart in front of him, the willow basket on his left hand side, and the mud under him, he could hardly see anything.

Although he was on the ground, Houdel had the illusion that he was in a mine.

He could only dig a few shovels with his head down, then back off a short distance to make sure it was not crooked, and then continue to move forward.

Claude, the second member of the excavation team, followed Houdel about three meters behind him. Compared with Houdel who could only lie on the ground to work, Claude was in a slightly better situation and could half squat.

Claude's task was to deepen and widen the shallow trench that Houdel "dug" for only one person to crawl through until it was deep enough for one person to squat and walk.

Behind Claude was little Madia, whose task was to continue to deepen and widen the trench until it could be bent over and walked.

His working environment was the most comfortable, but the workload was the heaviest, and he had to shovel the most soil.

This "group excavation" model was learned by Richard Mason after summarizing the experience and lessons after the siege of Maple Leaf Fort.

When Maple Leaf Fort was besieged, the rapid advancement of the trench by the siege party had already stunned Old Felt.

At that time, the digging method of the Tiefeng County Army was that one squad was responsible for one trench. At the beginning, the trench was dug to a depth deep enough for one person to walk. Two people took turns to dig forward, and the others were responsible for widening and reinforcing.

But Richard Mason still felt that it was not fast enough, and twelve people working in a trench could not be fully utilized, and it was inevitable that some people would be lazy.

So this time under the Castle of the Kings, Mason began to try the digging mode of a three-person team.

Practice has shown that the efficiency of a three-person team is not lower than that of twelve people digging trenches together.

After a round of inspection, Mason was very satisfied.

However, Houdel, who was working hard at the forefront, might not think so.

To be precise, Houdel's mind was blank and he had no ideas.

Not only Houdel, but Claude, who usually talked a lot, now had no intention of being a joker.

Not to mention little Majiya, he used all his strength to barely keep up with the two people in front.

In the hot trench, only the panting of three people and the muffled sound of the shovel blades piercing the soil could be heard.

Houdel didn't know how long he had been digging. He mechanically shoveled the soil, retreated, and then moved forward.

Until a certain moment, a pulling force came from Houdel's waist and abdomen, holding him tightly.

Houdel looked down at his navel and found that the rope tied around his waist had reached the end for some reason and was tightening.

Houdel was stunned. After a while, he came to his senses and couldn't help crying with joy.

"It's the end!" Houdel turned and shouted at Claude, "The rope has reached the end!"

When Houdel entered the tunnel, Baby Face tied a rope around his waist.

Mason Tribune kindly limited the workload for each group. As long as they dug enough distance, they could change shifts and rest.

The rope reached the end, which meant the mission was completed.

Claude and Madia could not help but shed tears of happiness when they heard what Houdel said, and collapsed in the trench.

A moment later, Houdel, Claude and Madia, who looked like clay figures, returned to the fortress where they started.

The next group of students who replaced them bent over, carrying tools, and stepped into the corridor.

——

[Fort of the Kings]

At the same time, on the top of the Fort of the Kings, the officers of the Southern Front were also closely observing the new movements of the "rebels".

Jason Cornelius specifically summoned Lieutenant Colonel Montecuccoli back from Margit Island to re-evaluate the progress of the "rebels" in the siege.

"I've only been on the island for a week," Montecuccoli, who had witnessed the fence stakes passed down by word of mouth by the lower-level soldiers, almost had his glasses on his nose fall off the wall. He asked in disbelief, "The rebels made such a big scene?"

Cornelius sneered.

"To be precise," Fritz stepped forward to explain, "it's three days, three full days, plus one night."

"Three days?" Montecuccoli was dumbfounded.

"Yes," Fritz nodded, "After the Winged Lion Flag appeared, the rebels began to build siege works outside the new city..."

"What's the situation on Margit Island?" Cornelius interrupted Fritz and asked directly, "What actions have the rebels taken?"

"A lot of actions. We built fortifications on the island, and they built fortifications on the other side of the river, confronting us across the river.

"Not only did they build fortifications during the day, but they also sent people into the water at night to deliver supplies to the island.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lodewijk intercepted some, but several small boats also slipped in," Montecuccoli pointed to the fortifications outside the city and smiled bitterly, "but compared to these, Margit Island is surprisingly calm."

"What do you think?" Cornelius asked meaningfully.

Montecuccoli pondered for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and confirmed with Fritz, "You mean, the rebels started to build siege works after the appearance of the 'Winged Lion Flag'?"

"Yes," Fritz replied, "Both scout cavalry reported that there was a Winged Lion Flag in the rebel convoy, and the next day, the rebels began to dig trenches outside the city. Before that, the rebels relied entirely on cavalry to block the entrance and exit of the Kings Castle, so our scout cavalry could occasionally infiltrate."

Montecuccoli thought for a moment and said slowly: "Only the Platos would be so arrogant to think that cavalry alone is enough to surround a city.

"Now, the rebels have begun to dig trenches and build high walls, switching from dynamic blockade to static blockade, which means that they have realized that their troops are also too few for the Kings Castle. Their attitude has begun to become pragmatic..."

"Are you trying to say," Fritz asked tentatively, "that the rebel commander has changed his strategy and plans to turn to a long-term siege?"

"Change of strategy?" Montecuccoli snorted, "I would rather believe that the rebels' baton has changed its owner."

Montecuccoli pointed to the trenches that were spreading from the fence posts to the Castle of the Kings like roots, and frowned and said to Cornelis, "During the Tanirian War, the Veneta Army had many I have dug zigzag trenches for the first time to approach the Tanirian fortress. I have not visited the Veneta battlefield, but this is what I see and feel..."

Cornelius nodded slightly in agreement.

Montecuccoli turned to look at Fritz again and asked, "When did the rebels start approaching the city wall?"

Fritz coughed slightly, paused, and answered as calmly as possible, "This morning."

"This morning?!" Montecuccoli's glasses fell off the bridge of his nose. He exclaimed and groped hurriedly on the ground.

The next second, the glasses were handed to Montacucoli—in Cornelius’s hand.

Montecuccoli took the glasses and nodded to Cornelius without any nonsense. He put the glasses on the bridge of his nose again and lay on the top of the city to observe carefully for a moment.

"If the rebels really started digging those jagged trenches this morning," Montecuccoli's expression became more and more solemn, "then according to their current progress, it will take less than twenty days, and an optimistic estimate is twenty-five days." God, they are about to dig to the edge of the moat..."

"Do you think," Cornelis asked calmly, "that the Veneta faction of the rebels has officially taken over command?"

Montecuccoli was anxious and angry, "Why are you still thinking about that kid from Veneta? What does it matter who is in charge? In at least one month, the rebel cannons will be placed in our faces. We have to find a way to stop them!"

"Who will command the rebels is related to our success or failure," Cornelis asked with a smile, "Raymond, do you really think that the rebels plan to attack New City instead?"

"What can I do if I don't think so?" Montecuccoli's temper grew. "Can the rebels still be led by my lead?"

"What about you?" Cornelis looked at Fritz.

"After the appearance of the Winged Lion flag, the rebels did not make any big moves in the direction of Marget Island," Fritz tried not to include too much subjective analysis. "Judging from their performance, it is possible that we were The defense of Margit Island was so complete that they gave up their plan to continue attacking Margit Island and instead tried to find a breakthrough in other directions. "

Cornelis nodded and said astonishingly: "You two and I have exactly the opposite view. I think the calmer Margit Island is, the greater the possibility that the rebels' main attack direction will be Margit Island. Therefore, We must allow local troops to take over the New City defense area as soon as possible and reserve forces as much as possible for the battle on Margit Island."

"Are you sure?" Montecuccoli pushed back unceremoniously in front of Fritz, "I'm not sure. When the rebel cannons were aimed at the city wall, Grove Magnu Those new recruits under Si can still hold their ground."

Although Fritz did not speak, it could be seen from his expression that he supported the views of the artillery lieutenant colonel.

"New City is not a good target. Even if New City is captured, Ten Arrows River is still waiting," Cornelis said calmly, "I don't believe that the rebel commander can't see this."

Cornelis looked at Montecuccoli, "You think that the rebels' construction of siege fortifications was a prelude to a large-scale siege, but in my opinion, the reason why they built a wall around the new city was not because they wanted to enter from the new city. But to prevent us from leaving the new city."

"How do you explain those approaching trenches?" Montecuccoli asked, pointing to the root-shaped trenches extending from the fence-like siege fortifications.

"A very beautiful move," Cornelis raised his lips. "As long as they show the intention of attacking the city from the front, no matter whether they will eventually launch an attack on New City, we will have to deploy more manpower in the direction of New City. In fact, Their purpose has been achieved."

Although Montecuccoli was unconvinced, he could not find any rebuttal and could only retort, "What you said is also just speculation..."

“Yes,” Cornelius admitted frankly, “it’s all speculation.

“First of all, although the Winged Lion flag was witnessed, I don’t think the rebels of the Veneta faction took over the siege, because if the rebels were led by the Veneta faction, they would not come to attack the castles of the kings at all;

“So, I don’t think the rebels will easily give up the soldiers on Margit Island, which are the elite troops of the local rebels.

"More importantly, giving up Margit Island is not just giving up a few centurions veterans, it is tantamount to admitting defeat and handing over the dominance of the rebels.

“The local rebels cannot afford a defeat, so even if many people die, they must take Margit Island.

"Finally, no matter which faction the rebels are now dominated by, I don't believe they fail to see the value of Margit Island."

"So," Cornelis concluded, "I think the rebels' 'offensive' outside the new city is just a feint. Their real target is Margit Island."

"What if they just want to attack New City?" Montecuccoli was not convinced.

Jason Cornelius replied: "The likelihood is low."

"What if they want to attack the new city?" Montecuccoli asked relentlessly, "Do we have enough troops to fight a trench battle with them?"

"No," Cornelius was very calm, "If they lose their minds and attack the new city regardless of the consequences, in a sense, it is the worst case for us."

"So," Montecuccoli asked word by word, "What if, they want to attack the new city?"

"Then," Cornelius sighed and smiled helplessly, "We have to find a way to dispel their irrational idea."

--

That night, the new army camp.

When Mason and Woods were reporting the progress of the past few days to Brigadier General Gesar Adonis, a cavalry officer suddenly broke into the tent and whispered a few words to the brigadier general.

A moment later, a young man with a dusty face was brought in.

As soon as he entered the tent, the young man burst into tears:

"The people from the Federation are searching and confiscating our property everywhere in the city. Please, General, help us get justice. We are willing to help you enter the city."

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