Iron Powder and Spellcasters

   Chapter 239 Food

   Major Ronald was not surprised at the news that the "Montagne gang" had occupied Gervodin.

   On the contrary, Captain Epert was almost mad: "What does he want to do? With just his few men, do you really think that he can defend Gévordan?"

   The other centurions didn't look good either.

   "Leave him alone, we need supplies now." Ronald bit his pipe, but the bowl was empty.

  The soldiers were very fast, Ronald's two battalions attacked lightly and did not carry any baggage other than seven days of dry food.

   They didn't even have a tent, even Ronald slept in a cloak at night.

   The major was very satisfied with his centurions by being able to bring the entire troop formation from Gervodin to Wolftown.

   But without the enemy's action, a heavy rain can completely destroy the morale of these recruits.

"No matter how difficult it is for us, there will still be a disaster in Montagne? He is not afraid, what are you afraid of?" Ronald laughed suddenly: "Continue to send people to Revodan for investigation! Kezhen. If there is an opportunity for Gervoudan, we will take Gervoudan directly. Otherwise, we will detour to Wangqiao Town and go to Hammer Castle!”

  Hammer Fort, originally a fort located in the north of Gervoudan, has gradually developed into a small town of more than 50 households.

  This small town has always been the gateway to Gervodin, controlling the main access to Iron Peak County.

   "Captain Eper."

"exist!"

  Ronald gave a heavy order: "Take your centurion and go first to Hammer Fort. Try to distribute the dry food in the hands of the other centurions to Epel as much as possible."

   "Yes!" The centurions cheered.

   "Let's go! Let's go to Little Rock!" Ronald laughed: "I want to see who owns this Tiefeng County."

  …

   Later, Pierre also returned to Wolftown.

  Winters is helping Changsheng find milk in the stables - Changsheng is the first child, and Botayun not only has insufficient milk, but also does not want to bring a horse.

   Hearing the message that Pierre brought back, he was not surprised at all, just asked: "Have they explained the reason to you?"

   "No." Pierre rode all day and night, and everyone could hardly stand still: "But both Mr. A and Mr. B support the backup plan."

  Although Palatu and Veneta were already blushing, and there was nothing to say inside Palatu.

  But Veneta did not formally intervene in the Palatine Civil War after all. In order to keep the identities of Moritz and Juan as secret as possible, Winters ordered Mr. A and Mr. B to be named.

   "I see." Winters held the immortal little head with both hands and nodded to Pierre: "You go to rest and leave the rest to me."

  Pierre raised his hand in salute and staggered out of the stable.

  Changsheng took milk again, and he sucked the breast milk desperately.

   Eating and growing up, this is his instinct.

   Conversely, if he doesn't, he will die.

   Longevity is like that, and so are the people of Winters.

   Seeing that Botayun no longer resisted as before, Winters slowly released his hands.

  Changsheng sucked the milk "clack-clack".

  The two battle plans have their own pros and cons. Of course Gervoudan is good, and it is certainly better to occupy a city.

   But what if you can’t keep it?

  How would General Adams, the ruler of the New Reclaimed Province, react?

  Although the New Reclamation Corps is now held back by Red Rose and Blue Rose, how could they tolerate the loss of a county?

   With the strength of the troops on hand, can you block the Thunder Strike of Maplestone City?

   And plan A is very stable: gradually control the villages and towns, and turn Revodan into an isolated island on land.

   That's Winters' preferred strategy, and that's why he insists on putting [Occupy Gervodan] as a backup.

  Cities and villages are interdependent, but in the end, cities need more villages.

  The city needs the input of materials and manpower. Once Gervoudan becomes an isolated city, she will be self-defeating.

   But the plan, after all, did not change quickly.

  War taught Winters one thing: sometimes success or failure depends not on how perfect the plan is, but on how determinedly the execution is.

  Moritz and Juan are of sound minds, their judgment must have their consideration, and Winters trusts them.

   Now that you have chosen a route, just go down.

   "No matter what's ahead, there's always a way," Winters thought, stroking his long, soft mane.

  …

   The town of Wolf, which was once again hit by a disaster, once again turned into scorched earth.

  In the ruins, the warriors are ready to go.

   Winters' soldiers in Wolf Town were all cavalry, including him, a total of 18 cavalry, each with two or even three horses.

  Anna, Scarlett, Ellen, Catherine and other ladies all came to the town center to see them off.

  Some people from Wolf Town who lived nearby also came spontaneously, and even three wealthy peasants on horseback and javelins offered to help.

  Bud, Andre and Mason were not there because they had already rushed to Gervodin for the first time.

   "I'm sorry." Winters was full of guilt at Anna.

   In a twinkling of an eye, it was another separation.

  Anna held Winters' hand tightly.

   That night, she also hid in the forest with the people of Wolf Town, witnessing people's panic and powerlessness over the disaster, witnessing Wolf Town being swallowed up by the raging fire, witnessing the best and worst part of human nature.

She hugged Winters hard, put her toes in her lover's ear and said, "Go on. These cabins, churches, they didn't hurt anyone, they ruined it, they shouldn't do it, they don't have the right to do it. Do. Don't worry about me, don't worry about other people, we can take care of ourselves."

   After saying that, Anna lightly kissed Winters' cheek and gently pushed Winters away.

   Winters looked at Anna at last, as if he wanted to put her in his eyes at this moment.

   Then, he resolutely let go of Anna's hand.

   "Don't worry, I will take good care of Changsheng." Scarlett whispered.

   Mrs. Mitchell took Scarlett in her arms and nodded gently to Winters.

   In this situation, Catherine is no longer the old attitude, she just said to Winters: "You have to live, don't leave my sister alone... Don't forget, you still owe my family a thousand ducats."

   Winters thanked the people of Wolf Town who came to see them off one by one, and finally walked to Pierre: "Wolf Town will be handed over to you."

   "Don't worry." Pierre, still pale, raised his hand in a salute.

   Winters nodded and stepped on his horse.

   His eyes swept over the blacksmith workshop, sawmill and church that had been burned to ashes.

   "One day, one day... One day we'll rebuild it all." Winters looked into the eyes of his warriors, and all could hear his cold but determined voice clearly.

   Winters took the bloodstained, bullet-stained and scorched flag from Heinrich: "But now, follow me and take back the right to rebuild your home!"

   He yanked the reins and ran to the battlefield.

The    warriors followed him without hesitation.

  …

  …

   Major Ronald's retreat was extremely difficult.

   He didn't get enough supplies in Blackwater, and neither in Little Rock.

   Although Heishui Town and Xiaoshi Town have not been evacuated, hiding food has become a habit of farmers.

Before the    soldiers entered the village, they had already disappeared without a trace.

   Even if some peasants didn't escape, they were "no", "don't know", "we are starving too! Sir" when they were caught.

   Looking at the "honest and honest" faces of the farmers, Ronald ordered to force them to speak with a saber.

   A sharp steel knife rested on his neck, and the farmer who had insisted that he had no food immediately told him the location of the grain cellar.

   But there are also farmers who are so stubborn that Major Ronald can't help but suspect that the other party really has no food.

   "Whether he has it or not, as long as he doesn't explain it, he will be killed!" Second Lieutenant Adam's thinking is simple and rude: "You have to show the other farmers what happens. Otherwise, they will all learn from it!"

   Major Ronald was silent.

"Sir, when did this happen? Are you still wondering whether it is a soldier or a bandit?" Seeing that the major didn't respond, Lieutenant Adam gritted his teeth and said, "Montagne entered Gervodin, we are not bandits, we are bandits! I will handle this matter. You don't have to worry and don't ask."

  Second Lieutenant Adam took his knife and left.

"Stop!" Major Ronald stopped the centurion: "Are you a garrison officer? Or am I a garrison officer? I said no, but no! Let them all go! One or two die-hard peasants, how much can they squeeze out? food?"

   "But?" Lieutenant Adam was unwilling.

   "But what?" Major Ronald widened his eyes: "Obey orders!"

   Having eaten up the pitiful amount of food that had been forcibly conscripted in Blackwater and Little Rock, Ronald led more than 800 soldiers on the road to Sank.

   It was in the wilderness between Sank and Little Rock that Winters' cavalry caught up with the starving Gervodan army.

   The officers and soldiers of Gervodin also saw Winters.

   After all, light travels in a straight line, and there is no shelter in the wilderness.

   More importantly, Winters had no intention of hiding his tracks at all.

   He rode alone, carried a military flag, and stood on the top of a hillside a mile away, watching the Gervoudan troops openly.

   When the Gervoudan troops leave, he will leave;

   Gervoudin's troops stopped, he stopped;

   The Gervodan troops rested. He also planted the flag on the ground and dismounted to eat dry food.

   This is blatant insult and contempt.

   "What is he doing?" Lieutenant Adam was furious: "Want to kill us all alone?"

"Ignore him, just march." Major Ronald explained calmly: "He is waiting for dark. The ones who can catch up must be elite cavalry, but not many. Night is the time for the small elite cavalry to show their skills. ."

   A centurion, unable to bear this public humiliation any longer, suddenly left the team and rushed towards the figure on the hillside by the road.

   "You idiot Ferenc!" Major Ronald was furious: "Bring him back to me!"

  A centurion and another cavalryman heard the words, and immediately followed Lieutenant Ferenc on their horses.

  The enraged Lieutenant Ferenc heard the shouts and the sound of hooves coming from behind, he ignored it, and just pushed the horse to move faster.

   "What a **** caster! I don't believe in evil!" Ferencz shouted in anger, two reed guns were inserted into the gun pockets on both sides of his saddle, and they could be fired at any time.

   "Come on! Montagne!" Ferenc roared like thunder: "If you are as good as they say! Come and try my two guns!"

   Ronald, Adam, and all the officers and soldiers of Gervoudan only saw the Ferenc Centurion rushing frantically in front of the horseman on the hillside.

   Gunshots.

  The rider was safe and sound.

   Centurion Ferenc staggered and fell from the saddle.

  The two of Ferenc who went to the rescue did not run away, but were shot down by the rider.

  A small group of strange cavalry jumped out from the reverse **** of the hillside. They grabbed the three people who fell off their horses like sheep, and took their horses.

  The hillside is peaceful again.

  The horseman stood on the hillside and continued to publicly insult the officers and soldiers of Gévordan.

   "Leave him alone." Major Ronald ordered: "Keep going! At least we know he's more than one."

  Second Lieutenant Adam was so angry: "Ferenc! It's a shame if you die! You're giving away three horses for nothing!"

  …

   As night fell, the Gervodin troops rested in a wood.

   Their campsites were not fortified at all—the soldiers were tired and hungry, had no strength to dig, and had no tools.

   They piled up each other, made beds casually with branches and dead leaves, and slept in hastily.

   Apart from a few sentries, the camp of the Gervoudan troops had no additional defenses.

   But there is a murderous intention hidden in the quiet night.

   This woodland is a terrain specially chosen by Major Ronald, not only because it is difficult for cavalry to perform in the woods, but also because the woods can better arrange ambush.

  The Gervodin soldiers used tree trunks as stakes and pulled three layers of trip lines around the camp—no iron tools, but they carried hemp rope.

  The woodlands at night are pitch black, and the stumbling blocks are hidden in the darkness.

   All the Gervoudan soldiers are standing by, waiting for visitors.

   "Come on, boy." Major Ronald clenched his weapon, leaning against the tree trunk, waiting for the sound of the hoofs.

   He thought to himself: "Let you know that my old senior is also a bit capable, and let me make up for you..."

   It was already dawn when Major Ronald regained consciousness.

   He jumped up abruptly: "When did I fall asleep?"

  Of course people don't know when they fall asleep.

Major    did not know, nor did the other officers and soldiers, because everyone was sleeping soundly.

   "Ah? What's wrong?" Second Lieutenant Adam wiped his saliva and woke up from his dream: "Is Montagne here?"

  No, not here.

   Nothing happened last night.

   There was no night attack, no ambush, no bloodshed, the night was peaceful, and everyone slept soundly.

   Major Ronald smiled wryly.

  There is no need to fight, the soldiers are very happy, but they have to continue their journey.

   In the middle of the road outside the forest, Major Ronald received a gift: three men who were **** tightly.

   Lieutenant Ferencz, another centurion, and the messenger.

   None of the three died, and even the wounds on their bodies were carefully treated.

   comes with a note:

   "They don't know how to weave straw sandals, so keep them.

  —W.M. Langton stationed officers and protectors of eight towns”

   "Eight towns?" Major Ronald had an ominous premonition in his heart: "Eight towns?!"

   "He brought the horse back too! Isn't that just sending back three burdens!" Second Lieutenant Adam scolded: "The scumbag Veneta stingy!"

  …

   The night of the failed ambush the next day, in the afternoon.

   Gedani - the small village at the southernmost tip of the town of Sank - has been surrounded.

   Regarding the grain requisition, Major Ronald has accumulated some experience: he must never walk on the main road. Every village has "posts" on the main road, and any inconspicuous child may be an eyeliner.

   As long as they see soldiers approaching on the road, the peasants can run clean in the blink of an eye.

  It is necessary to take a small road, go around from the forest, first surround the village with a large circle, and then gradually close it, so as not to let one person run away.

   It's just that this whole set of tactical maneuvers is too difficult, and the new recruits have no ability to complete such a beautiful split and combined attack.

  Ronald had every reason to believe that as long as he dispersed his troops in the forest, at least half of them would disappear when he regrouped.

  Fortunately, Major Ronald doesn't pursue perfection, and it is enough to catch half of the peasants or one-third.

   So the teams were still led by the centurion, and they drew a net full of holes and surrounded the small village of Gedani.

The    battle plan was executed well, even better than expected.

Major    Ronald was satisfied with his centurion that the siege had been closed and the villagers of Gedani had not noticed.

   Not even a single one came out.

and many more? Not a single one escaped?

   Lieutenant Adam ran towards the Major Pegasus: "Sir! There is no one in the farm! This farm is cleaner than the previous ones!"

   "Well." Major Ronald asked calmly, "It's as clean as the Zhuangzi in Wolf Town, isn't it?"

  Lieutenant Adam was stunned for a moment: "It's cleaner than... than the farm in Wolf Town..."

"The protector of the eight towns? Even the town of Shengke?" Major Ronald sighed: "Forget it, don't waste your efforts, I am afraid that all the farms in front are just like Gedani, and they are already empty. Go directly to the hammer. Fort!"

  …

   "Here, this gun is for you." Winters gave the captured reed gun to the little lion: "Thank you for your help."

  The little lion and his four quivers were also in Winters' cavalry - the little lion had originally brought six guards, but two of them returned to the Chihe Department to deliver the letter.

   "I'm willing to do it without pay." The little lion took the reed gun and smiled playfully: "Just don't ask us to do the deadly work."

   "Well, okay." Winters didn't seem to feel the slightest bit.

   Winters was unmoved, much to the disappointment of the little lion.

   "You learn fast, aren't you using my brother's strategy now? Hang them, don't bite, and don't let go." The little lion continued to tease and asked.

   But Winters still didn't respond.

   "Hmm, you're right," Winters replied casually.

  The little lion was bored and went to play with the reed gun.

   In fact, Winters' mind has been filled with another thing, so he seems a little dull.

   "Strange." Winters kept thinking back: "The shot Ferenc shot at me seemed to penetrate [deflection]...Is it my illusion?"

   He silently took out a small blackened notebook and a small piece of graphite, and wrote down a few notes.

  …

  The St. George River bisects Tiefeng County, which can be roughly divided into South Eight Towns and North Eight Towns.

  The south eight towns are relatively desolate, while the north eight towns are more prosperous.

  Geordan sits right on the Saint-Georges River.

   Major Ronald wants to go to Hammer Castle, but there are only two ways to cross the river.

   Either go to Revodan or go to Wangqiao Town.

  Gevodan had nowhere to go, so Ronald had no choice but to lead his troops to take a detour and turn his head to Wangqiao Town.

   Hungry, tired, and hopeless.

  The three major mountains almost overwhelmed the troops, and the officers could not even restrain the soldiers effectively.

  Some soldiers sat directly on the ground and refused to leave after saying anything.

   Some soldiers simply ran into the forest and deserted like that.

   In this case, the Gervodin officers did not enforce martial law and could only watch their troops crumble continuously and slowly.

   They enforce martial law, and the army will collapse immediately.

   "The battle has been lost."

Every time the officers of   Gewardin meet, they can confirm this in the eyes of others.

   They just walked on numbly, waiting for someone to finish them off.

  Finally, outside the town of Wangqiao, they met the person they least wanted to meet, but also the person they wanted to meet the most: the three centenarians led by Bud, Andre and Mason.

   Ronald led the remaining troops to camp outside the town of Wangqiao, gathering food, waiting for Winters' troops to attack.

  And Winters didn't use force at all, he just waited until evening to put up some fires, roast some pigs, put baskets of freshly baked bread and some pots of lamb soup on the upper vent.

   shouted a few more words, such as "Hammer Castle has also surrendered", "surrender without killing", "there is food and drink here", "Ronald is a traitor", "Sixteen towns protect the people against the rebellion" and so on.

   The troops that Ronald was trying to maintain completely collapsed.

  One soldier put down his weapon and ran out to surrender. Immediately afterwards, all the soldiers were running out. They rushed towards the bread, roasted pig and lamb soup, ignoring the hot meat and soup, and desperately stuffed them into their mouths.

I'm hungry! I'm so hungry!

   Officers from Gervodin with horses tried to break through, but none escaped—their horses were even hungrier.

  Andre led the cavalry to take advantage of the situation and rushed into the enemy camp and captured the flag.

   All the officers and soldiers of the Revodan garrison from Ronald onwards were all captured.

   Noon the next day.

  Winters Montagne rode into Gervodin from the main entrance.

  The elders of Gervodin greeted each other.

   Thanks to the leader of the book friend [St is booming], thank you;

   Thanks to the leader of the book friend [Xiao Shui Jing Di], thank you;

   [Confirmed, yesterday's is a plus update. Fortunately, the recent plot outline has been prepared in advance, so the efficiency is relatively high]

   [This chapter has a map, but the map of version 1.03 is still being drawn, so use the map of version 1.02 first, and then replace it at that time, and it will also be sent to the book friend circle]

   [The terrifying blood wolf gang rages in the town of Langtun—" The venerable Captain Montagne came to his Gervodin]

   [Thanks to book lovers for their collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]

   (end of this chapter)