Iron Powder and Spellcasters

  Chapter 486 Rebuilding the Country (1)

  As a training ground for siege tactics, Maple Leaf Fort was ravaged by the Iron Peak Army for a whole month.

  The originally carefully leveled land around the fortress has now been dug in tatters, and there are twists and turns, trenches of different widths and narrows.

  If you look down from the sky, the overall radial trenches do not look like tentacles extending from the siege camp to the fortress, but rather like roots spreading from the fortress itself to the siege camp.

  Although the main structure of the "rammed earth and stone" of Maple Leaf Fort is extremely strong, in addition to the captured 32-pound heavy guns, the Tiefeng County Army made the most skilled 6-pound long guns with the largest ammunition holdings tickle like tickles.

  However, this did not prevent the artillery of the Tiefeng County Army from disintegrating the defenses of Maple Leaf Fort.

   Summarizing the experience and lessons learned from previous siege battles, from the first day of the siege, artillery commander Richard Mason assigned different tasks to the light and heavy artillery:

  Establish heavy artillery that is difficult to move and slow to load in solid fortifications, and concentrate on bombarding specific weak walls;

  The light and flexible six-pound guns were not deployed in a fixed position, but were pushed to wherever they were needed, and fired at close range, aiming to knock on the horizontal walls, battlements and shooting platforms above the main structure of the fortress.

  Senior Mason, who worked hard, also broke up and mixed the veterans and recruits of the artillery team, and reorganized them into artillery groups that were several times the number of artillery.

  After nearly a month of long bombardment, most of the buildings at the top of Maple Leaf Castle were destroyed, leaving only the bare walls. Whenever the wind blows, it will raise choking dust.

  The triangular forts in the northwest and southwest directions were also bombarded with multiple gaps by 32-pound artillery.

  Without the defensive bunker on the upper part of the fort, the defenders dare not climb the wall to shoot at the enemy outside the city during the day-it is tantamount to being a target.

  Even if the soldiers of the Tiefeng County Army came to the foot of the fort wall with small baskets on their backs and swaggered to pick up the fired shells, the defenders could only watch the opponent leave.

And the defenders can't even do repairs—every time the defenders take advantage of the night to restore some of the bunkers at the top of the city with difficulty, they will attract more intense artillery fire the next day, until the defenders struggle to move the wooden barrels and soil on the top of the city. All the baskets were smashed before he was willing to give up.

  If you don't do anything, you won't eat shells.

  After a few back and forth, the defenders inside Maple Leaf Fort and the attackers outside Maple Leaf Fort reached a unilateral tacit agreement: I will not repair the wall, and you will not bombard me.

   While the defenders in Maple Leaf Fort were gradually breaking down, on the other side, the novice artillerymen of the Tiefeng County Army were quite addicted and even a little bored.

   It is no exaggeration to say that the artillerymen of some standing regiments in the past have fired more artillery than they have fired in this month.

  After such actual combat drills, the artillery unit of the Tiefeng County Army is ready to receive more artillery—just waiting for the successful casting of the guns at the Gervaudin Smelter.

When both the offensive and defensive sides entered the burnout period, Colonel Gaisa, Colonel Skool, and Lieutenant Colonel Matthias also sent some officers and soldiers to the siege site of Fort Maple Leaf. study".

  Anyone can see that the current Maple Leaf Castle is a crumbling dilapidated house.

  Just wait for someone to go up and kick it.

  The two people who decided when to go up and kick this kick were watching it from the artillery bunker which was very close to Maple Leaf Fort.

   "I was thinking about something."

  Senior Mason folded one hand into a tube shape, put it in front of his eyes, and aimed at Maple Leaf Castle not far away. This is an artillery trick that allows people to see the distance more clearly.

"Um?"

  Winters peeled off the grass roots in his hands, and answered absently.

   "Are you..." Senior Mason seemed to ask casually, "I never thought of using my distribution plan from the beginning."

  Winters continued to deal with: "Yes."

Before Winters realized what he had answered, Senior Mason had already pounced on Winters, grabbed Winters' throat with both hands, and swayed from side to side through gritted teeth: "Then why do you want me to do it? You know how much time I spent , How many nights did you stay up, how much hair did you lose? Ah?!"

   "Ugh." Winters closed his eyes directly: "I'm dead."

  Senior Mason let go of Winters, swept the dust on his clothes, and kicked Winters: "Be more serious about pretending to be dead."

   "Don't be angry, senior." Winters handed the peeled white grass roots to the senior, flattering him: "Please eat sweet grass."

  Mason took the grass root and put it in his mouth.

   "Bah bah, it's bitter."

   "Looks like it's not the season yet."

  In this place far away from subordinates and outsiders, Winters and Mason no longer have to maintain the image that people expect, and naturally restore some of the lively nature of people of this age.

  The defenders in the triangular fort heard the movement outside, sneaked out of the cave, and peeked out.

  Winters picked up a stone and hit it next to the defender, scaring the latter back.

"Two battalions feint, one battalion is the main attack." Winters turned over, sat with his back against the basket wall of the artillery bunker, and gave a relatively conservative estimate: "The assault at dawn should be able to take the attack before dawn." Download it."

   "It's too exaggerated." Seeing that Winters was about to talk about the business, Senior Mason put away his anger and shook his head seriously: "Half a battalion is enough, and the gap is only that big. Too many troops will not be able to use it."

   After saying this, the artillery bunker fell into a brief silence.

   After a short while, Winters said to himself softly: "However, we have survived the big battle. At this time, it is not worth dying in such a place."

  Mason sighed upon hearing this.

  No matter how much preparations and firepower are invested, Fort Maple Leaf is still the base camp that the New Reclamation Legion has devoted 20 years of painstaking efforts to build, and it is still the strongest fortress in the New Reclamation.

  Even if it is already crumbling, it is impossible to kick it down without bleeding.

   "My soldier." Winters said to the senior: "I feel sorry for anyone who dies here."

  Hearing this, Mason sighed again.

   After a moment of silence, Mason looked distressedly at the mammoth body in front of him, which was still standing despite being covered in bruises: "Why hasn't he surrendered yet?"

  …

   At the same time, in Maple Leaf Castle, poor Major [Alder Felt] also fell into deep self-doubt: "Am I too powerful?"

   Staring at the erratic candlelight on the square table, Major Felt shouted speechlessly: "Why haven't they come to persuade me to surrender?!"

  If anyone has improved faster than Iron Peak County gunners during the siege of more than a month, it must be Major Alder Felt.

  All the education, training and training that the major has received throughout his life, all the knowledge, techniques and methods he has learned, and even the mind, body and virtues given to him by his parents, seem to be preparations for this siege battle.

  The rebels blasted a gap in the triangular fort, and he built a fence overnight to block it;

  When the rebels smashed the bunkers on the city wall, he organized people to rush to make earthen baskets to repair them;

  The bunker at the top of the city was repaired and then destroyed, so he dug a cave for hiding soldiers on the reverse **** instead, and stubbornly maintained his strength at the top of the city;

  The morale of his subordinates was low. He ate and lived with the soldiers, weaving baskets and digging the soil himself, and working with a shovel;

   His subordinates did not dare to go to the city, so he dressed neatly and patrolled around the defense line every day.

  During this almost Lingchi siege, Alder Felt not only maintained the morale of the bottom line of his subordinates, but also prevented the latter from completely collapsing. He also maintained the most basic discipline of his subordinates, so that the latter would not tie himself up and open the door to surrender.

  In such a difficult situation, to achieve such a glorious achievement, even Major Felt himself can't help but want to cry for himself every time he thinks of this.

  Major Felt sometimes couldn’t help but ask himself: "Am I really too powerful? Is it that the rebels dare not launch a general offensive? Or...or are they deliberately...let me go?"

   Every time a later thought popped up, Major Felt would slap himself in the face, ordering himself to get rid of such wild thoughts.

  He forced himself to believe that the reason why the rebels hesitated to launch a close-range assault was definitely not because they deliberately did not do so, but because their own efforts forced them not to launch an assault easily.

   It's not that Alder Felt is too stupid to see the situation clearly, but because if there is no vigilance from that slap in the face, the major will probably collapse earlier than his subordinates.

  So he chooses to believe in the "reality" he wants to believe in.

  In all fairness, although the design of Maple Leaf Fort is somewhat outdated, this does not prevent it from causing great difficulties to the enemy. Even in the eyes of the federal military officers, it is an easily unshakable fortress.

   Maple Leaf Fort has no shortage of ordnance, ammunition, or food. If there are 500 qualified soldiers under its command, and the enemy does not pay three times the casualties, it is impossible to even touch the inner wall of Maple Leaf Fort. If the enemy besieged but did not attack, Maple Leaf Fort could be defended forever.

  Unfortunately, Felt only has about 500 old, weak, sick and disabled in his hands.

   Don’t even think about inflicting triple casualties on the enemy, let alone “defend until the end of time”.

  The big guys use their **** to figure out that Maple Leaf Castle is definitely not going to be able to hold it. You have to surrender or die. Without a good reason, everyone will choose to surrender.

   Therefore, Alder Felt's number one problem is how to maintain the morale of this group of defeated soldiers, so that they will not collapse—the most important thing is not to "collapse in advance".

   Whenever there is an opportunity, Major Felt will instill in his subordinates the idea that "it is better to surrender early than late, and it is better to wait for others to persuade you to surrender proactively".

   In a sense, Major Felt is not lying.

  According to the practice of the Plato people, the victor has absolute control over the defeated, and can execute, sell and enslave captives at will.

   However, the execution and sale will only happen in the war against the Hurds.

   It has to be said that the establishment of the republic system has profoundly changed this land.

In the past, "Palatus" was only a loose concept. The war of the Platoes was an attack between lords and lords, a massacre between rulers and rebels, and killing captives was killing the enemy, so The Platonians are never soft on their hands.

  However, when the imperial system came to an end and the concept of "a country belonging to all" was widely spread and accepted, killing prisoners changed from killing enemies to killing compatriots, which was no longer tolerated by public morality.

   But while the republic changed the Platonians, so far not much.

  Although today’s Plato people believe that killing their compatriots is against morality, they have no psychological burden at all on extorting ransom and forced labor from “compatriots defeated in battle”.

  Major Felt keenly grasped this pain point, and whenever he had the opportunity, he would tell his subordinates what to do.

  First talk about how miserable the fate of being a prisoner is—mostly imagined by Major Felt;

   Then talk about how strong the defenses of Maple Leaf Castle are - this is not a lie;

   Finally publicized his ultimate theory - Maple Leaf Fort is a bargaining chip belonging to everyone in Maple Leaf Fort, the big guys can use Maple Leaf Fort to exchange good treatment with the rebels;

  So you must keep it! The longer you stay, the better the treatment!

  It must be defended until the rebels are powerless, until the rebels can't hold back, and until the rebels take the initiative to persuade them to surrender. This is the best ending for everyone.

  Major Felt even made up a resounding slogan, leading the defenders to shout three times before meals every day:

   "Open the door and surrender, and act like a horse; wait for someone to persuade you to surrender, and go home with money."

Through the indoctrination of this theory, Major Felt also spread his advanced inferences to his subordinates—since Maple Leaf Fort is everyone’s bargaining capital, whoever opens the door to surrender is betraying the collective and selling friends for glory, hateful and shameful , There is no pardon!

   As a result, Major Felt has realized the self-supervision of the defenders. Everyone is a supervisor, and five hundred pairs of eyes are watching closely at all times to prevent any young people who want to put everyone's capital into their own pockets.

   However, a month passed.

  The rebels outside Maple Leaf Fort came and went, and came again. The military flags were changed several times, and the person who persuaded them to surrender never appeared.

   "Could it be." Major Felt couldn't help but fell into deep doubt: "Is it really me who is too good?"

  …

  [Siege Camp]

  Winters held a plenary meeting in the siege camp, mainly to meet people and discuss how to deal with Maple Leaf Fort.

  A map table occupies the main space in the tent, and the participants consciously occupy positions ranging from distances around the map table according to their positions.

  The official officers of the Iron Peak Army and the officers appointed by Winters rarely gathered together, and the friendly officers who came to visit and study politely occupied a corner of the big tent.

  Even Andre, who runs to the outskirts of the racecourse whenever he has time, rarely appears at the venue.

  After listening to the explanation, Andre couldn't help laughing: "Is that federal guy in Maple Leaf Castle still dreaming of 'surrender with dignity'?"

  Major Seber bared his teeth: "Then... he is a bit shameless."

   It was a plenary meeting in name, but in reality only people at the level of tribunes and school officials dared to speak. Many people were called over in a daze, and they didn't even know the specific situation.

Therefore, Mason explained the reason for the decision to the observing officers in a gentle voice: "There are tens of thousands of kilograms of gunpowder stored in Fort Maple Leaf. If we first propose to allow them to surrender, Major Felt will definitely put the 'gunpowder' on the battlefield." The negotiating table. This is another reason why, besides rehearsing siege tactics, the Tribune of Montagne and I decided to wait until they offered to surrender."

   "That's difficult, this interprovincial guy is quite tenacious." Andre frowned: "Or let him go, I don't think he can make any waves."

"The old marshal said that officers, like war horses, gunpowder, and armor, are precious war resources that cannot be wasted." Winters pondered for a moment, and smiled while holding his chin: "Honestly speaking, Ald Ferrer Major Walter really has a little ability...so, I don't want to let him go."

  The officers in the big tent also laughed.

  In the corner, an honorary officer of Baishan County, who was watching, bravely raised his hand and asked, "Your Excellency, why can't you just go in? Maple Leaf Fort, isn't it almost demolished?"

   "Because soldiers are precious war resources, even more precious resources." Winters looked around at his subordinates and replied seriously: "So, let's not waste it...Everyone of you, remember this for me."

  The big tent fell silent for a moment, and the honorary officer who asked the question shuddered unconsciously.

  The officer meeting was held this time mainly because Winters wanted to see his subordinates and stabilize the morale of the army that might be floating due to the upcoming General Assembly of Freemen.

  Discussing the disposal of Maple Leaf Castle is secondary, because in the end it is up to Winters himself to make the decision.

  Seeing that the atmosphere had become a bit stiff, Mason ended the discussion on the siege of Maple Leaf Fort and guided the officers to the place for dinner.

   After everyone else had left, Mason returned to the tent.

   "Oh." Mason tidied up the map on the table and complained, "What are you losing your temper with a guy who buys an official?"

   "Having lost your temper?" Winters was stunned: "Did I lose my temper?"

   "Why not." Mason replied helplessly: "The 'wolf cubs' are almost scared to death."

   "What wolf cub?!" Winters jumped up as if being pricked by a needle: "Who started it?"

   "Everyone calls it that." Mason waved his hand: "Okay, okay, you don't want to listen, I won't use it in the future."

   After a while, the two put away the maps in the tent.

   "If it doesn't work, let him 'get out'." Winters stood still for a moment and laughed: "Although they are all precious, our soldiers are much more precious than Major Felt."

   "Okay." Mason nodded: "I will send someone to talk to Major Felt tomorrow."

"Don't be so anxious, it's been so long anyway, not less than a day." Winters rubbed the stubble on his chin, and asked: "I seem to have asked someone to find out if there is any veteran who knows the internal situation of Maple Leaf Castle. It seems... Is there such a thing?"

   "Yes." Mason folded the map table again and put it in the corner of the tent. He glanced at Winters and reproached, "Have you forgotten yourself?"

  Mason went to the filing cabinet on the other side of the big tent, rummaged through it for a while, then returned with a paper bag, and handed it to Winters: "Here."

  Winters unknowingly opened it and pulled out the file in the paper bag. There were actually multiple inquiry records, all of which were about Maple Leaf Fort. There were both officers’ and soldiers’ inquiries.

   "Senior." Winters said sincerely: "How can I live without you."

   Mason let out a cold snort without the slightest trust from deep in his nasal cavity.

  Winters pulled out his chair, sat at the door of the tent and watched.

"But nothing special." Mason stood aside, recalled the contents of the file, and gave Winters a brief introduction: "The internal management of Maple Leaf Castle is very strict, and the maintenance of the underground storage is the most important thing. Even if Even the officers are not allowed to walk around at will, and the soldiers can know even less."

  Winters simply stuffed the dossier back into the paper bag when he heard it: "Could it be that no one in Maplestone City knows what's going on in Maple Leaf Castle?"

"If you want to say, there is really one person, maybe even the person who knows the internal structure of Maple Leaf Castle the most." Mason rubbed his forehead, recalling the memory he needed: "That is the chief 'stonemason' responsible for the daily maintenance of Maple Leaf Castle, Mal Blue Fegney—Old Fegney."

  Winters' eyes lit up instantly.

Mason deliberately caught Winters' appetite for a while, and then added: "But Major Felt was very careful. After escaping back to Maple Leaf Castle, he took the old Feigney's family into Maple Leaf Castle immediately. Even Burned down old Figney's workshop—probably worried that we would find the blueprints."

  Winters, who was full of expectations, was instantly disappointed: "Then what's the use of talking so much...

   "I'm happy." Mason smiled.

   "Forget it." Winters stood up and stretched again: "Let's go to dinner too."

  He said with regret: "It seems that Major Felt got lucky this time."

   "It's his turn to be lucky." Mason shrugged.

   After finishing speaking, the two looked at each other and laughed, walking towards the laughter and the smell of meat together.

  Major Felt's bad luck should have ended here.

   However, on the second day after Winters said "Major Felt was lucky this time", things ushered in a turning point.

   [A clerical error at the end of the last chapter, it should be the [Red Rose] flag hanging feebly on Maple Leaf Castle, not [Blue Rose]]

   [The original text has been corrected, but many book friends may have read the previous chapter, so I will add an explanation here]

   [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]

  (end of this chapter)