The Rise of the European Emperor

Louis XII was taken aback when he learned that 20,000 German mercenaries were about to cross the sea to gather in Sicily. So he sent troops to the north, intending to intercept this army.

However, because the guide of this army and the headquarters of Gonzalo de Cordoba in Sicily used carrier pigeons to convey messages, there was no delay. As for the French, because they did not have a stable pigeon communication route with their ally Genoa, they delayed time instead.

Therefore, when the French sent 15,000 cavalry to intercept, all 20,000 German mercenaries had already boarded the ship, and the French rushed to nothing...

Looking at the dejected French cavalry returning to Naples, Louis XII frowned:

"This is troublesome, the enemy is now an army of 60,000, we have no advantage... What should I do..."

Then, Louis XII called his ministers to discuss countermeasures.

"My dear friends, the enemy army is also very strong now, how should we deal with it?"

John Lafite, who had just rushed back from the North Sea State, suggested:

"Your Majesty, although we are not completely sure of defeating the Spaniards. However, if we rely on the fortified city of Naples, we are still sure of winning. After all, the advantage of the Spaniards lies in their muskets. However, facing the city walls, muskets are not Too much effect. On the contrary, if we prepare more muskets and rely on the cover of the city wall, we will have an advantage..."

"Therefore, my suggestion is - prepare more food, grass and gunpowder, and prepare to stick to the city of Naples for a long time. Use muskets and artillery, rely on the city wall, and consume the lives of Spanish soldiers. When both sides have no ammunition, at that time, we in France are the most heroic Here comes the chance for the knights to play their part!"

This was actually what Marin taught him. Otherwise, with John Lafite's level, how could he give such professional advice?

In fact, Marin was worried that the French would not be able to beat the Spanish phalanx in a decisive battle in the wild. If the French army is defeated, then Spain will rise completely.

Therefore, Marin believes that it is the best way for the French to rely on the strong city of Naples to defend the city and consume the lives of the soldiers of the Spanish army.

Moreover, the siege warfare was brutal. Not only the casualties of the side that attacked the city were heavy, but also the casualties of the side that defended the city were not small. After all, with such a long wall, there are always weak points. If someone catches the weakness and is very angry, there will be many casualties.

Marin most hopes to see Spain and France fight a long-term offensive and defensive battle in Naples. In this way, not only will there be heavy casualties, but it will also last for a long time. It would be best if the two countries played dog brains in the city of Naples,

Make a lose-lose or something...

...

Another trusted counselor of Louis XII, that is, Charlie of Geddes, is still building relations with Germany and putting pressure on Marin, but he has not returned. Therefore, John Lafite's suggestion became the best choice for Louis XII.

So, in order to fight a protracted war, Louis XII made a series of decisions...

For example, he began to stockpile grain in the city to prepare for a protracted war. At the same time, a large amount of gunpowder was transported into the city and stored, ready to be used for a protracted war with the Spaniards.

In order to obtain enough military rations, Louis XII made two preparations-first, he ordered to send French cavalry to forcibly collect food from various parts of the Kingdom of Naples. When they saw the food, they grabbed it, transported it into Naples, and prepared as much food as possible.

Second, Louis XII also ordered that all the original people in the city be driven out to nearby villages. This is done to reduce the number of mouths, so that these people and the French soldiers will not share the rations. Without the people in the city, there is no need to bear their food. Moreover, there is less possibility of someone colluding with the Spanish army to cooperate internally and externally.

Even out of the 80,000 people brought by the French, Louis XII dismissed 60,000 people and sent them back to the country, leaving only the strongest 20,000 people who seemed to have a little fighting power.

In this way, 60,000 strong men with big appetites were lost in the city at once, and the food could last longer. And the remaining 20,000 strong civilian husbands can not only take care of the lives of the soldiers. At critical moments, you can also take weapons to the top of the city to help fight...

Because it is a city defense battle, and there are enough supplies. Therefore, there is no need for so many civilians, and it was right for Louis XII to repatriate most of the civilians. After all, the main responsibilities of civilian husbands are to deliver food supplies and build barracks.

But the problem is that now the French army is defending the city, and the houses are ready-made. After driving away the residents in the city, the French army was definitely enough to squeeze in the houses in the city. As for the battle of defending the city, there is no need to transport money, food and supplies over long distances. It is only necessary to make food into food and send it to the city. In this way, 20,000 civilian husbands are definitely enough. Moreover, these 20,000 civilian husbands are very strong, and they can be used as half soldiers with weapons...

...

In addition, in addition to the reserves of money, food and ammunition, Louis XII also asked his men to cut down all the trees around the city of Naples. Its purpose is to prevent the Spanish army from using the trees around the city to build siege equipment.

For example, ladders and trebuchets, etc., are too bulky, and the general army will not carry them with them. Instead, they will bring craftsmen and rush to build them after they arrive outside the city.

Just like when the French besieged Naples this time, they did not bring ladders, but brought hundreds of craftsmen to cut down trees around the city of Naples and build ladders on site...

Louis XII ordered to cut down the big trees around the city of Naples, which also caused a lot of trouble for the Spanish army to attack the city. After all, if the Spaniards want to build a ladder, they have to go far away to cut down trees, and then transport the huge logs to the city of Naples for use in building siege equipment...

Also, according to John Lafite's proposal, Louis XII sent troops out of the city to demolish all the stone houses outside Naples. The removed stones and bricks were all piled up in the city. Once the siege battle started, the bricks and stones obtained from the demolition of the houses were sharp weapons to hit the heads of the French army...

No matter what armor you wear, it can withstand swords, but it can't stop bullets. At the same time, it can't stop the bricks and stones...

Facing the fierce impact of heavy bricks and stones, even an enemy wearing a full set of plate armor of the best quality can't stand it...

Before the Spanish army logged in, the walls of Naples were piled with bricks and stones, which were specially used to smash the Spanish siege army...

Seeing that the city wall and the inner wall of the city wall were full of bricks and stones, Louis XII was very satisfied. So many bricks and stones are definitely enough for a Spaniard to drink a pot.

As for the local Neapolitan people whose houses were demolished by the French? What does their life and death have to do with me? Besides, it's early summer now, and you can live in the wild without a house. At most, I was bitten by mosquitoes more...

What, you ask what to do if it is windy and rainy? I forgot to mention that Italy has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summer and little rain, and the rainy season is mainly in winter. Therefore, it rarely rains in the wild here in summer...

Besides, Louis XII was not a philanthropist, and he didn't care about the lives of the people in Naples. Moreover, he conquered Italy not for the purpose of ruling the area, but for the volcanic ash. As long as the volcanic ash is in his hands, whether the local people will die or not is out of his consideration...

In this way, before the Spaniards came, the French had piled up food, grass and luggage, guns and ammunition in the city, as well as bricks, stones and logs used to smash people. Just wait for the Spanish army to attack the city, and then all greet the Spanish soldiers climbing the wall...