OBS Chapter 650 A Thorough Explanation of the Advantages and Disadvantages
Chapter 650 A Thorough Explanation of the Advantages and Disadvantages
An army is marching toward Windam, the capital of Midland, with the banners of the three great families of Count Ander, Count Kreuz, and Count Alle flying in the ranks.
The procession stretched for miles, its steps steady, the clanging of armor dull and continuous. Soldiers and mercenaries, weapons on their shoulders, backs straight, advanced steadily in the same direction.
In the center of the procession, a heavy-duty carriage, pulled by four fine horses, moved forward steadily.
Inside the carriage, three counts sat around a wooden table, on which lay a detailed map, marking the main roads and terrain around Windam.
Count Anders placed his palm on the location of Windam on the map.
"Once we get close to Windam, the king should react. So we need to send troops to block the main roads around Windam to prevent anyone from passing messages to the king. Then we should surround the city and force the king to come out and meet us."
Count Kreuz, standing to the side, leaned forward slightly, then asked uncertainly:
"Wendam is a fortified city with a permanent population of several hundred thousand. Do you really think we can handle it with our limited strength and a few mercenary groups?"
Count Anders simply waved his hand.
"It's alright. I've already contacted some earls in the west. If things go well, they'll join the siege."
Count Alejandro on the other side raised his hand and lightly pressed the table.
"What if the king discovers this and comes out of the city to meet the enemy?"
"That's perfect. The White Dragon Knights have already left, and the king no longer has any knights. The remaining infantry are just targets for our artillery. We can capture the king and force him to sign an agreement with us."
"I still think it's a bit risky. Wyndam's defenses have been repaired over the years, and the city walls are tall and thick. Even if we manage to surround the city with our current strength, it will be difficult to achieve absolute suppression."
Count Kreuz's voice carried a hint of concern.
“The number of troops garrisoning the city is definitely far greater than ours, and their food reserves are plentiful. If we get into a protracted war, our supply lines are too long and can easily be cut off. In that case, we will not only be unable to force the king to meet us, but we may also be surrounded by the king’s reinforcements.”
"The city's strong defenses are only a superficial phenomenon."
Count Ender crossed his arms over his chest, his tone resolute.
“As long as we cut off Windam’s connection with the outside world and block all the main roads, it’s winter now, and the city’s supplies will soon run out. At that time, we won’t need to attack the city. The people in the city will panic, and the king will inevitably choose to come out of the city to negotiate in order to preserve his rule.”
"As for the number of the garrison, we don't need to wipe them all out. As long as we form an encirclement and put enough pressure on them, they won't dare to attack easily. Moreover, once the Western Earl's reinforcements arrive, our forces will far exceed those of the garrison in the city, and then the initiative will be completely in our hands."
"What I'm worried about is whether the king will discover our intentions in advance."
Count Ale added.
“If we prepare in advance, such as fortifying the city's defenses, stockpiling more food and fodder, or even contacting other nobles who are loyal to him to send troops to support us, then our situation will become very passive.”
"I am fully prepared."
Count Ender didn't care at all.
“This operation was extremely secretive. Apart from the three of us and the key figures, no one else knew the final objective. Moreover, the marching routes we chose were all remote paths, avoiding towns and outposts along the way. It was impossible for the king to have noticed it in advance.”
"As for the other nobles, most of them are dissatisfied with the king's rule. Even if the king asks them for help, they will not easily send troops. Instead, they will sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers fight, waiting for the best time to intervene. The earls in the west have made it clear that as long as we can successfully surround Windam, they will immediately send troops to help. At that time, we will attack from both inside and outside, and the king will surely be defeated."
Count Kreuz was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Even so, we cannot let our guard down. Although the artillery is powerful, ammunition supply is a major problem. Once the ammunition runs out, our advantage will be lost. Moreover, it seems that the king is having the officers of the Kingdom of Heldran train some new army. They are well-trained and experienced in combat. Even without the support of heavy cavalry, they can still inflict considerable losses on us."
"I've already arranged the ammunition resupply."
Count Anders patiently explained that he had made ample preparations for this matter.
“The transport teams within my territory will continuously deliver ammunition to Windam, ensuring the artillery can continue to function. As for the king’s infantry, although they are well-trained, they are utterly helpless against artillery. Our artillery has a long range and great power, and can easily destroy their formation. As long as we concentrate our artillery fire first, and then send our infantry to charge, we can easily defeat them.”
"Moreover, the mercenary group I hired this time is composed of elite soldiers who have fought on the front lines and are battle-hardened. Their combat power far exceeds that of the city's defense army, which has never fought in a war. They can flank the king's army, cut off their retreat, and cooperate with the main force to annihilate them."
"That being said, we still need to be prepared to deal with all kinds of emergencies."
Count Alejandro placed his hands on the table, his tone serious.
"For example, the king might send troops to break out of the siege, or launch a surprise attack under the cover of night. We need to prepare countermeasures in advance for these situations."
"You're right, we must proceed with caution."
Earl Ander nodded slowly.
"I have ordered the scouts to expand their reconnaissance area and closely monitor Windam's movements. Any unusual activity must be reported immediately. At the same time, I have ordered the troops to strengthen their defenses and prepare for nighttime defenses to prevent a surprise attack by the King's army. As long as we remain vigilant and make full preparations, we will be able to deal with any emergencies and successfully complete this operation."
Although he spoke with great confidence, the atmosphere inside the carriage was heavy and tense.
All three counts knew that this operation was related to the fate of the entire family and could even change the landscape of Midland, so there was no room for error.
Time passed slowly, and the carriage continued its journey, surrounded by the procession. Inside the carriage, the three people were lost in thought, their hearts filled with both anticipation and worry for the future.
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the carriage.
The sound of horses' hooves grew louder and louder as they approached, breaking the tranquility of the procession.
Then, a hurried voice rang out from outside the carriage.
"My lords, there is an emergency ahead!"
The coachman immediately stopped the carriage, the carriage door was pulled open, and a knight knelt on one knee, looking flustered.
“There are troops blocking the way, and the flags are those of King Midland.”
Upon hearing this, the three earls' expressions changed drastically. Their composure vanished instantly, replaced by surprise and confusion.
"How did the king find out so quickly?"
Count Ander suddenly stood up, much to the surprise of the other two counts.
"How could the information have been leaked?"
"That's impossible! Our operations have always been very secretive!"
"Quick, get out of the car and check the situation up ahead!"
Count Ander made a quick decision, and the three counts quickly got up and stepped out of the carriage.
The attendants waiting beside the carriage immediately brought over three fine horses. The three men mounted the horses, spurred their legs, and galloped off towards the front of the procession.
A moment later, the three counts arrived at the front of the procession.
They reined in their horses and looked across at the plain, where a large army stood in neat rows, its banners fluttering, bearing the emblem of the King of Midland.
The enemy army was numerous, stretching as far as the eye could see, and possessed an imposing presence.
What shocked them even more was that at the very front of the enemy army, a row of black figures stood out conspicuously.
"It's Blackwatch!"
Count Kreuz observed through his telescope.
"The King has hired the Blackwatch!"
"No wonder the king dared to quickly send troops to stop us."
Count Alejandro's brow furrowed.
Blackwatch is currently the most famous mercenary group on the continent, with extremely strong combat power. Every member is an elite who has been through countless battles. Of course, their fees are high. Since John established the Kingdom of Heldran, Blackwatch has been required to pay an additional foreign trade tax, which has made their fees even higher. The fact that the king is willing to spend a lot of money to hire them shows how much he values this rebellion.
"The Blackwatch's combat power far exceeds that of ordinary troops. We're in big trouble this time."
Count Kreuz gripped the reins tightly with both hands.
"What's there to be afraid of? The Blackwatch seems to have only hired about a thousand men, and the other side probably only has about one infantry regiment. We outnumber them, so let's set up our formation and meet them head-on!"
Count Anders took a deep breath, suppressing his surprise and worry.
He turned his horse around and shouted orders to the army behind him.
"All soldiers, immediately form battle formation! Artillery units, advance and prepare to fire!"
The soldiers immediately sprang into action. They quickly adjusted their positions and formed neat square formations.
The artillerymen worked together, pushing the heavy cannons slowly forward to find a suitable firing position.
The infantrymen, weapons in hand and serious expressions, advanced.
Just as the artillery units were in position and preparing to adjust their angles to aim at the enemy, a huge roar suddenly came from the other side.
The deafening roar echoed across the entire plain, followed by a barrage of shells hurtling towards them with a piercing whistle.
Shells ripped through the sky and landed amidst the artillery units. A series of violent explosions erupted, flames shot into the air, and smoke billowed everywhere.
The cannons were destroyed, and debris flew everywhere. The artillerymen had no time to dodge and fell to the ground one after another. Some died on the spot, while others were injured and fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
Upon seeing this, the infantry formation behind them immediately descended into chaos. The soldiers panicked and retreated hastily, their once orderly ranks becoming utterly disordered. Even the warhorses beneath the counts at the rear began to back away.
In the chaos, an artillery officer, covered in dust, hurried up to the three counts, looking flustered.
"What's going on?"
When Count Ander saw that his artillery unit had been wiped out, he was so angry that he almost fainted. Upon seeing the artillery officer, he immediately stepped forward and asked him what had happened.
After bending over and catching his breath for a moment, the artillery officer immediately replied:
"My lord, the enemy's artillery has a longer range than ours. We were bombarded not far after we advanced!"