Iron Powder and Spellcasters

   Chapter 433 The great alliance moves forward (5)

  [Gyeongho County]

  [Outside Green Valley Town]

  Away from the lush Qingmeng Mountain, the terrain becomes more and more flat.

   Major Alder Felt stood on the mound beside the road, his eyes stretched along the sun-dried road, and the green valley town with green walls and red tiles in the middle of the river valley was faintly visible.

  Beside him, six brigades mixed by the "Sixth Corps" and the "New Reclamation Corps", a total of more than 3,000 soldiers, were marching towards Green Valley Town.

   Major Felt looked at Green Valley Town under the sunset, and the unease that had been haunting him became more and more intense.

  The peaceful and peaceful valley town in the eyes of others, but in Felt's eyes, it is like the **** mouth of a beast, waiting for its prey to enter the cave on its own.

   The reason why Alder Felt felt this way was not because the road from McCue to Green Valley was not smooth.

   On the contrary, since he walked out of Maiqiu Town and headed for Green Valley Town, the small group of rebel light cavalry that made people feel overwhelmed disappeared overnight without a trace.

   As if a giant invisible hand waved gently, wiping the rebel light cavalry from the canvas. Felt's troops were never harassed again, and the journey from McCue to Green Valley was uneventful.

   Honorary officers at all levels were overjoyed, and the spirit of the soldiers at the bottom was also boosted a lot.

   After all, the situation of "everyone who urinates on the side of the road may be caught" puts everyone under enormous pressure; in contrast, although the march is tiring, at least there is no fear of life.

   But Felt couldn't smile at all. He subconsciously touched the freshly scabbed wound on his cheek—a memento left to him by a small group of fierce rebel light cavalry.

  …

  At that time, the opponent jumped out of the reverse **** of the roadside mound without warning, and charged straight towards Felt like lightning.

  Because the opponent was riding the captured army horse and wearing the attire of his light cavalry, everyone including Felt didn't have time to react immediately.

   By the time Felt regained his senses, more than two dozen rebel cavalrymen had already rushed close to him.

  The surrounding soldiers scattered in a hurry, Felt rolled off his horse in embarrassment, and hid among the soldiers to escape. The cut that had just scabbed over his face was left at that time.

   Felt's entourage was not as lucky as him, and the two honorary officers present were all hacked to death in the blink of an eye.

   And the rebel cavalry not only attacked fiercely, but also decisively let go. Seeing that the leading rebel cavalry had missed a hit, he blew a whistle, and more than two dozen rebel cavalry immediately fled away.

   When the light cavalry on the side rushed to the rescue, the figure of the rebel cavalry had already disappeared behind the hillside.

  …

   Recalling the thrilling scene, Major Felt unconsciously reached out and touched the wound on his face.

  Although the rebels' "throat sealing sword" was not successful, the shadow left on Felt's heart was not small at all.

The hard scab covering the wound not only reminded Felt: his enemy was cunning, fierce, and decisive, who did not hesitate when he drew his sword, and never hesitated when he retracted his sword. military.

   also gave Felt a deeper understanding of the meaning of "Platoon's cavalry who came and went like the wind".

  The very different natural and human environments have shaped the very different art of war.

  In the piedmont duchies of the past, today's interprovincial republics, warfare was fought outside bastions, in trenches, on small polders between fortified towns and fortified towns.

   Therefore, the united-provincial army is good at defending the city, good at siege, skilled in soil work, and used to do short-distance maneuvering between the two cities.

In the second half of the    Sovereign War, it was precisely by relying on the fortified towns and cities that the United Provinces finally blocked the mad emperor who was on his way, ensuring that Palato and Veneta would not be affected by the war, and finally won.

   Yet in the vast Palatu—especially in the new, poorly developed fields—wars are fought on endless plains, rolling hills, and forests of giant trees.

  There is a large wasteland between the villages, and the towns are far away from each other. The journey from the station in Xilin Province to Maplestone City alone is longer than the journey across the province from north to south.

   "Speed! Speed! Speed!" Major Felt sighed with hindsight: "An army that lacks speed and lacks mobility can only be beaten everywhere in Palatu!"

Major    Felt faintly regretted that he had taken the task of leading half the regiment on an expedition rashly, and his ambition to make achievements was also diluted by the imminent threat.

   He did not believe that the enemy would give up the superiority of the number of cavalry and let him pass the road between McCue and Green Valley undisturbed.

   And Felt was sure that the enemy's cavalry did not withdraw, because although the harassment of the small group of rangers had ceased, the light cavalry of his own was still firmly suppressed.

   As long as the light cavalry under his command dared to leave the field of vision of his large army, they would never appear on the horizon again.

  The messenger sent by Felt went into the sea like a mud ox and never returned, while the messengers from Bazenauer and Maplestone never appeared since the day before yesterday.

   When faced with a difficult problem in the past, Felt often turned to logic.

  But this time, his logic gave an answer he was unwilling to accept:

  Since the enemy cavalry can firmly suppress their own cavalry, it proves that they still have the ability to "use uninterrupted harassment to weaken their own troops";

   Even though he has this ability but doesn’t use it, ignoring the possibility that the opponent’s commander is an incompetent and incompetent person, then there is only one reasonable answer left—the enemy commander deliberately stopped the harassment of the tired enemy.

   "The other party doesn't want to slow down my march." Felt thought to himself: "Not only that, he is eagerly waiting for my arrival."

  Thinking of this, Felt looked at Green Valley Town, which was surrounded by farms and orchards. He only felt that the seemingly peaceful town was actually full of murderous intentions. Even the distant farmland was startled by a series of birds, which seemed to be a sign of the enemy's presence.

   Felt looked at his troops again: nearby, soldiers with weapons on their shoulders strode forward, silently following those in front; in the distance, the tips of spears floated above ears of wheat.

   In fact, Felt didn't even need to look at it, the whole picture of the marching column was already in his mind:

   Six brigades totaled thirty-six centenarians, arranged in sequence on the road;

  The three brigades are in the front section, the three brigades are in the rear section, and the carriage is protected in the middle section;

  Although he had ordered the centenarians to be the smallest unit and to advance in the densest eight-column column, the size of the force caused the marching column to inevitably extend two kilometers, pulling the entire formation into a long strip.

   As for the enemy army?

  According to Felt’s report: The main enemy force has bypassed the Qingyin Mountain Pass and headed to Bazenauer from Qingmeng Town and Changhu Town, “seeking to engage in the main battle with the newly reclaimed land dispatching army”;

Between Maplestone City and Jinghu County, the enemy only had some light cavalry units that acted independently. The purpose should be to "monitor the movements of our army in Maplestone City and Vigne County" and "create the enemy's main force to attack Maplestone City." The Fake" and "Interception of Colonel Sarnell's Communications with Maplestone".

   Up until the time of leaving McCue, the enemy's behavior was consistent with what Major Felt knew.

Although the    small-scale ranger harassment is hard to prevent and seriously damages the morale of the troops, it also proves that the enemy is small in size and lacks the ability to launch a frontal offensive.

  However, the unusually calm journey from McCune to Green Valley made Major Felt smell something wrong.

   However, it was his own subordinates that made Major Felt more anxious than the movements of the enemy.

The half of the "Sixth Army" led by Major Felt first trekked from Xilin Province to New Reclamation Province, only had a short rest in Maplestone City for a night, and then proceeded non-stop to Jinghu County.

   The marching for several days has seriously exhausted the physical strength and will of the soldiers, and the soldiers are in urgent need of rest.

   But the battle situation did not allow them to rest. Felt’s army must occupy the Qingyin Mountain Pass as soon as possible, cut off the rebels’ back path, and ensure that not a single rebel officer is escaped.

  If the prey that has fallen into the trap is allowed to escape again, then Alder Felt, who finally got the opportunity to make a contribution, can pack his bags and wait to return to the United Province to write the history of the war.

   Felt couldn't help being a little frustrated. If it weren't for various unfavorable conditions, he would have the confidence to face any enemy head-on by training five battalions of infantry by himself.

   But he was quick to pick himself up—from time immemorial, generals and commanders have overcome all odds to triumph.

   "Blow the trumpet." Major Felt ordered: "Stop the march and order all the officers to come to me for a meeting."

   The long marching column stopped completely after walking forward for a while because of "inertia".

   Officers of all ranks rode on horseback from all parts of the column to the mound where Major Felt was located.

   Among all the officers, only six "Captains" were born in Luyuan, and they were all 22 graduates who had just returned to China.

   The remaining thirty-four "centurions" were honorary officers appointed by the Great Council - thirty-six, if not for the two being killed on the road.

   Green Valley Town is right in front of you, but the soldiers are not in a hurry, and it is rare to have a rest for a while.

   On the contrary, the officers were impatient. As soon as all the members were gathered, someone couldn't wait to ask: "Lvgu Town is within easy reach, Major, why are you calling down the troops now?"

   The question was from an honorary officer. Major Felt sighed and asked, "Didn't you realize that the enemy hasn't harassed us like before?"

   "That's...they retreated?" the young honorary officer asked with wide-eyed eyes.

   Two of the captains folded their arms impatiently.

Major Felt was very forgiving. He patiently explained to the novice officers: "This kind of independent light cavalry will not retreat easily, their duty is to cover the battlefield. The further we go, the more resistance they should give us. That's right. It's so quiet today, it's a little strange."

   The honorary officer who asked the question fell silent.

   "What do you think?" a brigade captain asked in a deep voice: "They didn't move today, are they concentrating their forces and want to gamble?"

Major    Felt nodded: "Other than that, there is no reasonable explanation."

  The air became dignified, and the honorary officers suddenly felt that the evening breeze became gloomy and cold.

Major Felt changed the subject and said with a smile: "But don't forget, we are a big army to be reckoned with. As long as we don't mess around and want to eat us, we have to see if they have that kind of mouth. ."

  The atmosphere eased a little, and someone laughed in cooperation.

Felt looked at Green Valley Town in the sunset and tapped the hilt lightly with his fingertips: "Our communication has been blocked. None of the liaison messengers sent to Green Valley Town have returned; regular dispatch from Bazenauer The correspondence cavalry of Hui has not appeared again in the past few days. Plan for the worst - Green Valley Town and even Qingyin Mountain Pass may have already fallen. The rebels will not sit back and watch the road cut off, if they want to prevent us from controlling Qingyin Mountain Pass, then Green Valley Town is their last and best chance."

   Several captains nodded in agreement.

"So we are not in a hurry to enter Green Valley Town." Major Felt waved his hand: "We will send a team of light cavalry to Green Valley Town to find out the situation and then talk about it. The captain stays, the centurion goes back and prepares. , we're camping outside the town of Green Valley tonight."

"Yes!"

  Three light cavalrymen were sent to Green Valley Town. Their figures galloped fast among the wheat fields and branches, and soon they arrived under the high wall of Green Valley Town.

The    gate was raised and three cavalrymen were put in.

   After a while, the gate was raised again, and the three cavalrymen ran out again and rushed back to Major Felt's temporary command post.

   "Sir." The cavalry headed by sweat profusely reported, "There are no enemies in Green Valley Town!"

Major    Felt was noncommittal, but asked indifferently: "Did you see it with your own eyes?"

"I saw it with my own eyes!" The captain of the light cavalry swears, patting his chest, "The old town mayor said that until yesterday there were still a group of rebels in Green Valley, but they all withdrew during the day. It must have been heard. Say we're coming, scare away!"

   The several captains present looked at each other.

   Major Felt frowned: "Removed? Where?"

"It was withdrawn to the Qingyin Mountain Pass!" The light cavalry captain pointed to the distant Qingyin Mountain, and he vividly recounted: "The old town mayor said that the rebels not only took away the materials stored by the legion, but also took the town The food and grass on the top are all scraped clean! The carriages are all set high, and they go one by one, and it takes a whole morning to complete the journey!"

   "Shave it clean? Is it too late?" One of the captains smiled contemptuously: "Isn't the 'Old Mayor' a lot of ghosts? I'm afraid we will also scrape their territory."

   "Perhaps the rebels have really retreated?" Another brigade captain asked optimistically: "Maybe they think they are underpowered? Maybe they plan to defend the Qingyin Mountain Pass?"

Major Felt, still noncommittal, continued to ask the hussars: "How many are the rebels?"

"A few hundred?" The captain of the light cavalry team scratched the back of his head and said hesitantly, "The old town mayor said that he didn't know that the rebels didn't enter the town, nor would they be allowed to enter the rebel camp. He said the camp wasn't that big."

Major    Felt leaned on his chin, lost in thought.

   "Major." A team leader stood up and asked for help: "How about let me bring a centurion and take a look? It doesn't matter if it's a snake pit or a beast cave, don't you know if you step on it?"

Major Felt shook his head and nodded again: "I want to send someone to take a look, but you can't go - pick a centurion."

   Soon, an honorary officer led a group of soldiers and swaggered into Green Valley Town.

   After a while, the honorary officer galloped out on his horse and reported the victory to Major Felt: "Victory! Major! There are no enemies in the town! We have recaptured Green Valley Town without blood!"

Felt's brows furrowed even tighter. He pondered for a moment, and ordered the captain who had just volunteered: "Take your people and enter the Green Valley. Remember to search the town first, and then control the city gate. I'll report... By the way, send the mayor to me, and I'll ask questions in person."

   "Yes!" The officer from Luyuan raised his hand in salute and ordered to leave.

   Soon, the five centenarians separated from the middle of the column and marched mightily towards Green Valley.

   Another brigade captain asked hesitantly, "Then... what about us? Major?"

Major Felt pursed his lips and finally made up his mind: "We won't enter the town, we'll spend the night outside the town."

   He stood on the mound and looked out, lingering over and over again, and finally chose a good position, and pointed with a whip: "Order the whole army to camp on that meadow tonight!"

At the same time, on the meadow where Major Felt pointed with his horsewhip, Andre, who was lying in the wormwood, was yelling: "[Angry sea blue swear words that broke through the sky]! Still not entering the city? That one is called Alder ·Is Felt's guy a bastard? How dare he be so small?! bastard! Rabbit! Mouse! [Angry Hailan profanity]!"

Andrei, who had nowhere to vent, stared at his red eyes, looked to the left and then again, grabbed a handful of grass, and bit down on it frantically, not letting himself make too much noise: "[Vaguely single] Syllable swear words]!!"

Winters, who was beside Andrea, turned his head and glanced at the setting sun, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at the subordinates who were on standby beside him: "Although the enemy has not completely entered the ambush circle, if the sky is completely dark, It will be detrimental to our reorganization. If Major Seber can't resist moving forward, our arrangements are more likely to be lost."

  Andre regained his energy in an instant, spit out the grass stem in his mouth, and became radiant.

   "Departments." Winters calmly ordered: "As planned."

  …

   On the road not far from Green Valley Town, the light cavalry of Felt’s division who were on the march suddenly found that the warhorse under their crotch became restless.

   Immediately afterwards, the soldiers were horrified to see billowing smoke billowing over the mountains and plains of winter wheat that had turned yellow and were just waiting to be harvested, attacking them from both sides of the road.

   Then there is the sky-high fire.

   [Although, I can only go here temporarily today…]

   [Today's chapter is mostly devoted to the situation faced by "Alder Felt", the decisions he made, and the reasons for making them]

​

   [So, to be continued…]

   [Furthermore, it was not made up by the author that he was arrested and killed when he went to the toilet on the side of the road. The author has seen similar descriptions in at least four different eras, different regions, different races, and different types of war records. Including but not limited to: the Russian campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, Liu Deng's advance to the Dabie Mountains, the Vietnam War of the United States, and the Pacific War of World War II... Many times, an army of the army seems to "occupy" a certain area, but in fact it can only control the road — Not even including the drains on either side of the road, just the road. In this case, it is really dangerous to walk down the road to go to the toilet, because you never know if there is an enemy hiding on the side of the road...]

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

   (end of this chapter)