Chapter 1097: Chapter 1036: Defeated General
Compared to the deciduous broadleaf and mixed forests of Red Leaf Hill, the Clove Corridor is commonly covered with evergreen broadleaf forests.
When the army marches along the country road, all that can be seen are the rounded tree canopies, dark green yet slightly reflective.
Beside the hills and riverbanks, one could always see hefty banyan trees, acacia trees, and fruit nan trees.
On the afternoon of September 18, 1454, in the Imperial Calendar, wooden sandals tread on the ground firmly packed by hooves and footsteps, yet continually kicking up circles of dust.
Twenty thousand soldiers of the Falan Storm Cape Corps, including three thousand Royal Cavalry, marched towards Dragonfly Port in three divisions.
The September weather was still a bit warm; most ordinary soldiers wore only leather armor, while only non-commissioned officers and officers wore breastplates.
Things like skirt armor, arm guards, and helmets were not unaffordable.
All of them practiced at least two breathing techniques, so wearing a few more pieces of armor wasn’t challenging, but it was excruciatingly hot after putting them on.
Count Kazi rode on horseback, standing on a mound beside the road, his eyebrows furrowed either from the sunlight or the disorderly ranks.
Ever since his capture and defeat at Black Snake Bay, despite the loss, he became an expert in the region’s battles against the Holy Alliance.
Others not only lacked the experience of defeat; they hadn’t even fought nearby, let alone faced the Holy Alliance directly.
The autumn’s humid wind, carrying the leftover warmth of summer, blew the blue plumes on the soldiers’ wide-brimmed hats back and forth.
They mostly wore linen shirts, overlaid by a thin woolen blue coat printed with white fleur-de-lis patterns.
Holding the base of their spears against their shoulders, every step they took made the spear tips quiver.
After battling the Holy Alliance Army, Thierry and others returned to the Falan Kingdom with military experience.
Prime Minister Lorenzo indeed knew how to critically absorb the essence and discard the dross, and he was reforming bit by bit.
The first change was the military uniform; the twelve standing armies each customized unified uniforms according to their regions to enhance the sense of honor.
Next was setting up permanent military chaplains, which both monitored the generals to prevent autonomous actions and boosted soldiers’ morale.
Finally, a massive number of alchemists and wizards were introduced from Black Snake Bay, various parts within Falan, the Xilan Islands, and even the Royal Court.
This "introduction" was indeed worth pondering since nobles secretly harboring alchemists was not uncommon.
As for their identities, Lorenzo grandly brushed them off as "runic artisans."
Count Kazi looked at a distinct group within the army, among the fifteen thousand infantry, there were twelve 250-man spring gun companies.
Each carried a spring gun, moving forward with the infantry’s pace.
Originally, these spring guns required high mana, but with the advent of red clay electro-gold wind-up boxes, much mana dissipation was reduced, allowing ordinary alchemists to use them.
This technology was hard to keep secret; the Falan Kingdom was not at Leia’s level.
Under substantial rewards, in just a year and a half, the Falan royal runic artisans decrypted the secret of electro-gold and even slightly improved it.
However, the cost incurred was that these spring guns had slightly less armor-piercing capability than the Kanni Di Type IV and were twice as expensive to produce.
For the wealthy Falan people, this wasn’t an issue, as they already had few alchemists.
Moreover, they imported quite a few spring guns from Horn and retired Holy Alliance spring gunners to complete their spring gun forces.
After several adjustments, each Falan gunner could surprisingly manage four to five volleys.
However, due to the limited number, they did not adopt the Holy Alliance’s nearly one-to-one gun ratio but learned from the Moliat’s large phalanx style.
In other words, while Horn’s horizontal formation of spring gunners was for assault tactics, Falan’s spring gunners were for projectile tactics.
Though not as powerful as the latter, it was better than having no ability to retaliate.
"...So our spring gunners are just for countering, not for attacking."
Count Kazi turned to look at the young legion commander in front of him, Montel, from the Storm Cape Vulture family.
He was about thirty, with two thick black mustaches, and his eyebrows flared out wildly like weeds.
Below the eyebrows, on a face roughened by the sea winds under a wheat-colored skin, were two very narrow eyes.
Whether from the harsh sea winds or the blazing sun, they were always squinted like venomous snakes.
Hearing Count Kazi’s words, Montel solemnly nodded: "Understood. Then what is our offensive tactic?"
"Still the cavalry, the Royal Cavalry." Count Kazi, seeing Montel looking at the Royal Cavalry, reached out to tug his arm, "Listen closely."
Montel’s nose muscles twitched: "As you say."
"The Holy Alliance spring gunners are powerful, but their big problem is they’re rather rigid.
Their formation is fixed, and they must stand in place to fire, lacking flexibility compared to cavalry.
When cavalry enters the shooting range, their first volley often struggles to rout a sizable cavalry unit.
Only in the second or third volley, as the distance closes and accuracy and damage increase, can they rout our cavalry.
Now you understand why I collected strong bows and specially crafted armor-piercing broad arrows before the battle?
During the Royal Cavalry charge, in the first round, we ducked on horseback to dodge, and in the second round, used strong bows to penetrate and rout the front rank of the Spring Gunners.
By the time they recovered from chaos and fired the third round, we had already charged in."
"Did you take note, Zambitus?" Montel asked the manservant behind him.
Zambitus smiled obsequiously towards Count Kazi and said, "I noted everything. How dare I not remember something so important?"
Although Montel was the Legion Commander of this corps, Count Kazi was merely an advisor.
But in terms of battlefield experience and knowledge, the trust in command and orders between the two was evenly split.
Montel indeed had no clue about this battle and still needed guidance from Count Kazi.
"This is part of field battles," Count Kazi remarked, looking at Montel, who was listening attentively, in a good mood, "As for operations in the early stage, remember, you must wait for everyone to gather."
"Wait for everyone to gather?"
"Yes, in the early stage, you must defend a strong fort and engage in a dull battle, even if it means consuming more supplies, you must keep your forces together.
Confirm that their main forces have truly arrived, then engage them directly face-to-face, and never play tricks."
"Why?"
Count Kazi gazed at the sky, suddenly feeling a bit sentimental and desolate: "The Holy Alliance Army excels in marching, adept at defeating segments separately.
If you camp too far away or engage rashly.
They are likely to use a small detachment to tie up your main force, then gather their main force to devour your other troops.
After clipping wings, they can defeat you with absolute advantage.
I have studied the war history of Thousand River Valley for four years, this is the usual tactic of the Holy Alliance.
Ironically, charging straight into the battlefield without any tactics will catch them off guard, causing significant casualties and even forcing them to retreat and reorganize."
"I see," Montel clapped lightly in agreement, "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, I’ve learned from Count Kazi."
"Hahaha." Hearing Montel’s words, Count Kazi couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "Even better than traveling ten thousand miles is walking alongside a famous general, right?"
"Yes, yes, hahaha," Montel hurriedly laughed along.
"Alright, I’ll go inspect the campsite, you lead the team, I’ll be off."
"Let me see you off."
"The commander shouldn’t leave the team too long, I’ll walk myself, no need to see me off!"
Watching Count Kazi leave, Montel gazed at the longbows behind the Royal Cavalry lost in thought.
Beside him, the manservant Zambitus interjected, "Sir, isn’t Count Kazi too timid?"
Montel remained silent, seemingly still dazed.
The manservant moved closer, "Prime Minister Lorenzo has already told you, the kingdom’s spies found that the Holy Alliance cavalry at Black Snake Bay are riding mules and inferior horses.
Count Kazi suggests defending a strong fort and engaging in a dull battle, but the Holy Alliance’s forces aren’t plentiful, isn’t this just giving them time to assemble?"
"What are you doubting?" Montel turned, revealing sharp light in his eyes, made narrow from exposure to sunlight at sea.
"Sir, Count Kazi has failed against the Holy Alliance, which is why he is so cautious.
Even if we defend a strong fort then counterattack, we should probe first; Count Kazi is old, he’s just aiming for a passing grade.
But you have a long future ahead, not only with great prospects, but people are more tolerant of your mistakes.
I think, compared to defending a strong fort, taking risks to strike the Holy Alliance first is more exhilarating..."
"I do not permit disrespecting a Count!" Montel growled directly, interrupting the servant.
"Yes, Yes!" Frightened, Zambitus trembled and swiftly returned to his position, not daring to speak further.
Standing on the hilltop, Montel’s previously humble eyebrows slowly furrowed tightly: "Defeated general..."
