Iron Powder and Spellcaster

"Sir! No! It's the Federation that wants to fight Veneta, and ordinary civilians like us are not participating... And there are not only the militiamen of Red Sulfur Port in the fortress, but also guest soldiers of the Federation. We, Red Sulfur Port, People's opinions don't count..." A respected local gentleman from Red Sulfur Port burst into tears and begged Major General Leighton.

Leighton's threats were never false. After hearing that the locals of Red Sulfur Port who were sent to persuade them to surrender claimed that "the fortress defenders were also arguing, and the defenders begged for one day's grace before giving an answer," he immediately fulfilled his threat.

The soldiers of the Legion of San Marco broke into the house and searched for the families and relatives of the defenders from house to house according to the rosters found in the Council Hall. Any Red Sulfur residents who refused to identify relatives of the defenders were also taken away.

The old, weak, women and children were tied into a bunch with hemp ropes and driven like animals to dig tunnels in front of the bastion. The soldiers of San Marco began bundling firewood, collecting boats, and making pontoon components.

Leighton's attitude has been clearly communicated to the defenders in the bastion: If you don't surrender, I will fill the trench with the corpses of your family members.

Finally, when the Legion of Saint Mark pulled the heavy artillery from the ruins of the bay fort to the front of the bastion, the morale of the defenders collapsed.

The Red Sulfur Port militiamen who wanted to surrender pushed down the Union's red dragon flag and lowered the drawbridge. The soldiers of the Legion of San Marco immediately rushed into the bastion and killed all the Union soldiers who still did not give up resistance.

Winters noticed that the surrounding officers of the Legion of San Marco breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the red dragon flag fall.

Of course, these officers, who were far more senior than Winters, knew better what price the Legion of Saint Mark would pay if the defenders resisted resolutely.

The main force of the Federation is still entrenched in the interior of Chiliu Island. If the San Marco Legion loses its troops in front of this bastion, it is not impossible that the Federation will seize the fighter jets and push them into the sea.

The person who knows the most about this is probably Major General Layton, but he doesn't seem to care very much, and the same goes for other officers.

And now that the defenders have surrendered, it is undoubtedly great news for the Legion of San Marco.

Effortlessly, the Legion of Saint Mark not only captured a strong bastion and completely controlled the red sulfur port, but also obtained the defenders' gunpowder depot, weapons depot and food reserves.

Winters suddenly remembered that Marshal Ned once said that "the focus of siege tactics is to destroy the morale of the defenders."

Looking at the cheering soldiers of the San Marco Legion, Winters couldn't help but wonder: "Is Layton making a gesture to put pressure on the defenders? Or is he really going to attack without caring about casualties? Well... maybe it's both."

Anyway, Major General Leighton captured the red sulfur port bastion beautifully in this battle, that's because he was brilliant.

After the safety of Red Sulfur Port was ensured, Leighton divided into two brigades. One brigade attacked the artillery fort guarding the entrance of the bay, and the other brigade was responsible for repairing the artillery fort in the middle of the bay.

The offensive and defensive posture of Red Sulfur Port has changed. The fortifications destroyed by Winters and his men must be repaired by the Legion of San Marco.

Winters and three other warrant officers followed Lieutenant Colonel Field, assisting the Lieutenant Colonel in recruiting laborers from Red Sulfur Port and nearby villages to continue strengthening the city defense of Red Sulfur Port.

The scouts who were sent out quickly figured out the whereabouts of the enemy troops. When the main force of the Federation learned that the Red Sulfur Port in the rear had been defeated by the Veneta Army, a breakup immediately occurred.

The direct troops of the Federation, the local militia of Red Sulfur Island, and a small number of pirates abandoned their coastal defense lines and hid in Tacheng, the inland city of Red Sulfur Island. These troops who entered Tacheng accounted for the majority.

Another small group, mainly stragglers who were pirates, broke away from the Federation's main force and fled to Red Sulfur Port.

Without waiting for the scouts of the Legion of Saint Mark to take action, these pirates voluntarily surrendered to the Veneta people under white flags. Everyone insisted that they had important information and hoped to exchange military information for pardon and, preferably, some bounty.

However, Layton scoffed at the intelligence from these people and had no interest in it at all. The pirates who surrendered to the Legion of San Marco were all put into death row camps and sent to the construction site outside Red Sulfur Port to dig trenches and do the hardest work.

These surrendered pirates were originally the most lively-minded people, and they immediately saw their tragic future. Some pirates claimed that they had important information and would definitely meet with the top commander of the Veneta army.

"Want to see me? Does any of those bastards want to see me?" Major General Leighton laughed angrily, and his smile made people shudder: "Okay, then let's meet."

The original meeting hall of the Chiliu Island Council was changed into the headquarters of the First Reserve Corps. Originally, only soldiers came in and out. Now, a dozen disheveled pirates were escorted into the legion headquarters.

As the legions including Winters looked around, a dozen pirates stood tremblingly in front of Layton.

"I am the legion commander." Leighton sat on the chair holding his sword and said coldly: "You have seen me, what do you want to say?"

"Your Excellency... Your Excellency." The leader of the pirates licked his lips, suddenly fell to his knees, and mustered up the courage to speak: "We were all coerced into serving as soldiers for the Federation. We did not do it voluntarily... We are willing to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. , I will serve as your vanguard to fight against the Federation’s bandits, and please spare our lives! And we also have important information about the bandit leader Kidd!”

"I don't want to hear it!" Layton stood up impatiently and waved to the guards to take these people away.

The wolf-like guards grabbed the pirates and dragged them outside the door. The leader of the pirates cried and shouted: "My lord... My lord, please spare my life... Captain Kidd said that reinforcements will be here... He wants to hold on in the tower city and send people." Collecting food from around... Sir, Sir, please spare my life..."

Layton's originally impatient expression turned into anger, contempt and extreme impatience, and he strode towards the leader of the pirates.

The leader of the pirates thought he had been saved, so he begged harder and swore that he was definitely being coerced into the Federation's army.

Layton smiled, and the leader of the pirates also smiled stiffly. The next second, Layton's sword was inserted into the mouth of the leading pirate.

"I said I didn't want to hear it, who allowed you to tell me?" Layton asked.

The leader of the pirates was killed on the spot. The other pirates were so frightened that their crotches became wet instantly.

The officers of the San Marco Legion next to them also looked surprised, but Winters, Bud and Andre were not surprised at all.

In the minds of the three warrant officers who had seen Major General Layton's cruel tactics and violent personality, it was quite normal for Layton to do such a thing. In Winters' view, Layton had already had murderous intentions the moment these pirates entered the hall.

"These cowards who follow the wind are just a waste of food." Leighton shook off the blood on his sword with an expressionless face. He sternly reprimanded not at the pirates, but at the surrounding officers: "Soldiers, you must Have backbone! Traitors never deserve respect!"

Venetta's officers all shuddered.

The guards dragged out the living and dead pirates, leaving several dark red and light yellow marks on the floor of the hall.

"Scum is scum, scum is everywhere." Layton snorted coldly and named a military police captain: "Moritz!"

"Yes! Sir!" Major Moritz, who was lazily standing in the back row watching the show, responded. He did not expect that he would be called suddenly.

"You are responsible for dealing with these pirate scum. Let the civilians on the island report them, and then find a place with many people and hang them all."

"Yes, sir." Winters saw Major Moritz roll his eyes in a way that was difficult for ordinary people to detect, and continued to ask unhurriedly: "Aren't you going to keep them working?"

Leighton's eyebrows rose and he said in a deep voice: "Pirates are all scum who only know how to cheat and cheat, and they can't be honest in their work. Hang them all and sell favors to the islanders. Any other prisoners in the future will be yours." The gendarmerie is responsible for screening and killing all pirates.”

This was also a reasonable reason, and Major Moritz could not refute it. He saluted, turned and left the hall.

After dealing with such a farce, the military council of the Legion of San Marco continued. This was an enlarged meeting of officers. Not only the captain-level field officers, but also the centurion-level lieutenants also participated.

Layton sat at the head of the table, his group commanders sat in a circle around the map table, and the lieutenants stood.

"The Union troops retreated to Tacheng and are still collecting food. They should have the idea of ​​holding on for a long time. It's a good idea, but it's a pity that it was me who encountered it." Layton pointed to the map and set the tone for the army: "I decided to take the initiative Go out and attack Tacheng. Tell us what you think."

He said he wanted the officers to "discuss their ideas," but he had already decided to take the initiative, and others could only make tinkering under this premise.

The officers began to discuss specific action plans, and the lieutenants did not have a chance to speak. Soon, the specific plan was determined:

The chief brigade of the Legion of San Marco was responsible for staying at Red Sulfur Port, while the second, third, fourth, and fifth brigade were dispatched lightly, responsible for driving away the small group of federation troops who were collecting food and grass near Tacheng, and compressing the activity space of the federation troops.

The remaining five brigades waited for all the baggage to be unloaded from the ship before heading towards Tacheng, attacking Tacheng with the strength of nine brigades.

"Relax, the Tani guys are terrible at fighting, and they can't defend the city even if you give them artillery." Layton ended the military discussion with a smile: "Maybe they will surrender without us doing it ourselves. Adjourn the meeting! "

Winters followed the others out of the council chamber.

Outside the headquarters, Field asked the three warrant officers: "How about it? Do you want to follow me to fight the outpost? Or stay in Red Sulfur Port and wait for the third army?"

Winters, Bud and Andre looked at each other. Andre was eager to try, but Winters shook his head and said with a smile: "I have fought enough, so I won't follow you to make meritorious deeds. You Ask them both.”

"I also want to stay in Red Sulfur Port and take a rest." Bard replied unhurriedly.

Andre originally wanted to go along, but when he saw that his two companions wanted to stay, he changed his mind with regret: "Then I won't go either."

Field did not force the three warrant officers. He laughed and said: "The battle achievements you made the night before yesterday are enough for many soldiers to earn a lifetime. It's time to take a good rest... Don't worry, although Layton has a bad temper, he will never Greedy for your merit."

It was already afternoon now. After speaking, Field turned around and was about to mount his horse. Winters, Bud and Andre silently saluted Field.

Just as Field was about to raise his hand in return, the roar of artillery suddenly rang out in Red Sulfur Harbor.

Field immediately became alert: "Where is the cannon fired?"

On the water outside the red sulfur port dock, a large fleet is slowly sailing in, headed by large sailing ships and heavy galleys. The size of the First warship on which the Legion of San Marco was aboard was dwarfed by the large warships approaching.

A group of large warships furled their sails and were approaching the dock. Streams of white smoke erupted from the side of the ship, and then the thunder of guns and gunfire reached Winters' ears.

Winters was very familiar with this fleet that fired salutes, it was exactly the reinforcements he thought about day and night.

One day after Red Sulfur Port changed hands.

The Veneta Revenge Fleet has arrived.

…

…

Meetings, meetings, endless meetings, endless meetings.

Bureaucracy is truly a cancer of mankind.

Before Field could set out, he was called again to attend a joint meeting of senior officers of the Legion of San Marco and the Legion of Grand Veneta.

Winters was not qualified to participate in a meeting of this level, and he was happy to relax.

The atmosphere in the council hall was very awkward.

Even without recognizing the subtle differences in uniform decoration between the legions, one can clearly tell from facial expressions which officers belong to the Legion of San Marco and which legions belong to Grand Veneta.

With the victory of conquering Red Sulfur Port in hand, the officers of the San Marco Legion all had red faces and straight backs. Especially Major General Leighton, who finally felt proud after sitting on the bench for many years, and even spoke three points louder.

On the other hand, in the Grand Veneta Legion, Major General Serbetti just smiled gently, but the other officers looked sullen and sat in silence. You have to do the hard work yourself, and others will get the victory. Seeing the complacent virtue of their friendly troops, the officers of the Grand Veneta Legion felt sour and angry.

However, the serbian army commander had a very high prestige in the army, so the officers of Grand Veneta refrained from ridiculing or saying strange things, and everyone maintained superficial harmony.

Captain Antonio Serbetti first exchanged a few pleasantries with Leighton, and then turned to the topic: "Now that Red Sulfur Port has been captured and our two armies have converged, we should now consider how to clear the interior of Red Sulfur Island as soon as possible. enemy……"

Before he finished speaking, the arrogant Leighton interrupted Antonio: "All the troops of the Federation were so frightened by me that they fled into the tower city. Leave it to our Legion of San Marco, and within a week, I will Take Tacheng!”

"I know a little about the situation in Tacheng. I'm afraid it will be difficult for one legion to achieve anything in a short time." Antonio said tepidly: "We'd better not attack by force and try to persuade the defenders to surrender."

"Tacheng is a small place the size of a sesame seed. Can the city defense be as strong as the red sulfur port bastion? I can take down the red sulfur port bastion in one day, but I can't take down Tacheng?" Leighton reached out and patted it with confidence. Antonio's shoulder: "You still can't trust us? Don't worry, you can rest well in Red Sulfur Port and watch us take Tacheng."

Antonio subconsciously wanted to avoid it, but he still resisted and let Layton pat him on the shoulder in a grand manner, with a polite smile still on his face.

Seeing Leighton's rudeness, some of the officers in Grand Veneta were about to lose their temper on the spot, but seeing Antonio remain calm, they gritted their teeth and endured it.

"The situation in Tacheng is complicated. Let's do some on-the-spot reconnaissance first..." Antonio thought for a moment, and then tactfully saved some face for Leighton: "...even if we want to attack by force, we can't just let your army attack. Also give Da Vinetta a chance to make some meritorious deeds.

"Okay, okay." Leiton laughed loudly and slapped his forehead: "Then what are we talking about? Let's go! Go directly to Tacheng. I want to see what is in this small Tacheng. Fame!"

After grabbing Antonio, Layton went there excitedly. When he arrived at the scene, he only said three words: "Eh? What a fool! This..."

What's wrong?

It is backed by mountains on both sides and is located in a condescending and dangerous terrain.

The narrow attack surface made it impossible for the offensive troops to deploy.

The nearly ten-meter-long exterior wall is encased in volcanic rock and is intimidating.

Outside the wall, an ant-like crowd was digging a trench in full swing.

Leighton dismounted and dug a few times into the soil. Underneath the soil, which was less than a finger deep, was also solid volcanic rock. It was impossible to even dig into this damn place.

Although Layton was recognized as a reckless man among the Army Academy graduates of Layton and Antonio's class, there was no problem with his intelligence.

Although Tacheng is small, it is definitely a hard bone that can break teeth - no, not bone, but granite.

This... how the hell do you attack this?

Thanks to the book friends who voted for recommendation before and the book friends who voted for recommendation recently. I didn't finish this chapter last night and wrote it during my lunch break today. There may not be an update tonight, because "Total War: Troy" is online today. Although I am not very interested in the theme of the Trojan War, as a player who has played "Thrones of Britannia" for more than a hundred hours, I don't want to Missed the new work. Thank you everyone.