Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 196 The Army's Joint Strength is Incomplete

Winters was completely unaware of what was happening behind him.

All he could do was urge the team to keep walking, walking, walking.

The appearance of the Hed cavalry was like an invisible whip lashing the backs of the Paratists, and the marching speed of the troops suddenly increased.

“Centurion Montagne.” Lieutenant Colonel Jessica summoned Winters to his side, his expression unusually serious: “Take your centurion as the vanguard. Control the pace, go slowly.”

"Slow down?"

Lieutenant Colonel Jessica released his right hand, which had been used to check pulses, and pointed to the ranks, saying, "The troops are now marching 126 steps per minute. They're only marching this fast because they're scared. There are still hundreds of kilometers ahead; what's the use of marching fast for a moment?"

"Understood." Winters raised his hand in salute, then turned his horse to leave.

"Slow down and walk at a normal pace."

[Note: A normal walking pace is 72 steps per minute]
"Yes!"

“Go on.” Lieutenant Colonel Jessica lightly tapped Winters on the shoulder with his whip.

……

Behind the vanguard, scouts from both armies were engaged in a fierce battle across the vast wilderness.

In skirmishes involving single-digit numbers, the competition is about horsemanship, skill, and courage.

The Hed people were all armed with bows and arrows, while the Palatine warhorses were superior. Both sides suffered casualties, and for a time it was difficult to determine a winner.

As for Plato, the first batch of envoys had not yet returned when Seckler's second batch of envoys set off, followed by the third batch.

So, not long after White Lion returned to the Red River tribe's camp, Gray Eyes sent someone to invite him to a meeting and also asked the Fire-Warmer to come over.

“Go and fetch the women and children from the various tribes, Uncle.” White Lion, fully armed and mounted on a different horse, transformed back into the silent and resolute leader he once was: “The tribal leaders have an agreement with me and will not make things difficult for you.”

"And then what?"

"Then you will lead the Eagle Forest tribe to escort the women and children northwards, and escort them back to the old camp."

"You want me to leave? If the Eagle Forest Tribe isn't here, how will I share the spoils?"

“You can send your people to the old camp and come back just in time,” the white lion said calmly and confidently. “Just watch, uncle, this battle is far from over.”

……

The Paratists became more and more humble with each passing moment.

When the first group of envoys arrived, their terms of peace were that they leave with their weapons and flags—essentially a retreat.

The leaders of the various tribes under Hart would certainly not agree.

The conditions for the second batch of envoys have changed to: Platu's army will leave with weapons and flags, and will provide compensation based on the losses suffered by the various tribes.

The conditions of the third group of envoys were: willingness to cede territory, pay reparations, and agree to ten years of peace, but Plato's army still had to leave with its weapons and flags.

The various departments held a grand discussion, and the leaders argued endlessly.

"What envoys! They're clearly spies!" the fire-warmer roared, drowning out the others. "The Parat people are taking advantage of the fact that the tribes didn't kill the envoys, so they've been sending waves of people to spy on us! Catch up with those envoys and kill them all!"

"If you want to kill, then kill." The Blackwater tribe leader looked displeased.

[Note: The Hade tribes had a tradition of not killing envoys, as did the Palatine tribe... in the past.]
The man tending the fire glared at the Blackwater tribe leader: "This is a matter for my Teldun tribe! You don't want to get your hands dirty, yet you want me to kill?"

"What are you still thinking about? Are you going to agree? Knowing there's a trap ahead, are you still going to jump in?" The new war leader [The Eater] slapped his thigh and scolded the other leaders: "The minds of two-legged people are as winding and twisting as sheep intestines. What's the point of talking to them? They've been running away all the way, without food or water. We should send troops to attack them. How can we just sit here and do nothing?!"

One of the chieftains agreed, saying, “Yes! We sit in our felt tents, while our people huddle together for warmth. Countless horses have died on our journey. The sooner we eliminate these two-legged people, the less we will suffer. The combined forces of the various tribes number at least 30,000. If we attack together, how could we possibly lose to them?”

When Hart's tribes went on campaign in winter, their warhorses first lost weight, until their ribs became visible, and then died mysteriously.

In order to get there as quickly as possible, they didn't even bring many tents, and it's no exaggeration to say that they huddled together for warmth.

You can get through a day or two, but if it goes on for too long, even the toughest man will get sick from the cold.

The sooner Plato's army is defeated, the less damage the Hed tribes will suffer.

The man warming himself by the fire retorted immediately, "You, the one who eats well, I'd like to ask you, knowing it's a trap, why did you still jump in? You don't understand what the two-legged man is trying to do, yet you act recklessly like a blind ox?"

“You’re the kind of guy who’s thrown away the golden statue used for sacrificial rites; you’re not qualified to talk to me,” the healthy eater retorted.

The man warming himself by the fire silently got up and suddenly pounced on the healthy man like a bear.

The two men clung to each other's robes, and it took considerable effort from the other leaders to separate them.

The gray-eyed man reassured the two, "Why not send a few bright-eyed people back with the two-legged man's messenger to find out their true strength?"

The white lion sat in the corner, saying nothing.

The little lion sat behind the white lion, its face full of disdain.

The healthy eater saw the two men, pointed at the white lion, and asked, "White lion, you summoned us here. Why don't you speak? Speak!"

“I told you, but none of the tribes will listen. It’s better not to say anything.”

"How do you know I won't listen?" the health-conscious person roared.

"Alright!" The white lion patted the little lion: "Bring me my tapestry."

The little lion got up and left, and soon returned to the tent carrying a rolled-up blanket.

It wasn't the kind of blanket with the skin and fur that's commonly found in the homes of Hede herders, but rather a blanket woven from wool.

The blanket, about the length and width of a person, was slowly unfolded in the center of the tent, and a map was embroidered on it with gold thread.

Maps, those are incredible things.

Since the territories of the various tribes are now limited, the maps are memorized in their minds, and there is no need to draw them.

The large maps from the time of Queye Khan were treasured by the tribal leaders and were kept secret from outsiders.

"Open the skylight!" Gray Eyes ordered the guards outside the tent.

The leather covering the tents was removed, and sunlight streamed into the felt tents, casting its rays onto the map.

The leaders gathered around the map, carefully avoiding stepping on it.

“Isn’t this Lake Garan?” a chieftain asked, squinting and pointing to a corner of the map.

Garan Lake is located very, very far to the west. The tribes living there were considered savages by the Hede tribes and were called "Wild Hede".

"This is a map drawn by the Parat people," the White Lion said, enunciating each word clearly. "It extends south to Golden Peak Mountain, north to Shade Mountain, east to Kings' Fortress, and west to Galan Lake."

You are fighting for power here, unaware that the Paratul have long been plotting to exterminate us. If we do not unite, one day the fires of our tribes will be trampled out by the Paratul, and our people will be scattered like ashes.

The tribal leaders remained silent.

"That's all I have to say." The white lion sat back down in its original position.

The glutton stepped on the map, his face contorted with anger, and pointed at the white lion, asking, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

“I only have one sentence,” the white lion replied calmly. “Since the strong eater has been chosen as the leader of the war, then we shall all listen to the strong eater. If he orders the tribes to wade through fire, then the tribes shall wade through fire. If he orders the tribes to climb snow-capped mountains, then the tribes shall climb snow-capped mountains.”

A commotion erupted under the yurt; this was not the answer the tribal leaders wanted to hear.

“The Paratans may argue during battles, but once an order is given, they obey without question, charging into battle. Even if the order is wrong, they still carry it out. That's why the Paratans can defeat two or three times their number of Heds. If you and I can't do that, we'll be beaten forever.” The White Lion's tone was firm: “Since the Strong Eater has been chosen, we must listen to him, that's it!”

The other leaders remained silent, while the little lion looked resentful.

"Very well! That's settled!" the Fire-Bother roared. "But if you give the order to send the Teldon tribe to their deaths, I will not obey! Eater!"

“I agree.” Gray Eyes nodded.

After a noisy argument, the tribal leaders clamored and agreed to obey the orders of the strong eater.

“If you are willing to listen to me,” the healthy eater said loudly, “then share a cup with me.”

When the people of Hart held important meetings, the councilors would share a cup of wine to show that they had no ulterior motives; this was called "sharing a cup."

The closing of the cups is a ritual to announce the end of the discussion, and it is clearly against the rules for those who are healthy to close their cups now.

“Yes.” The white lion stood up and was the first to agree. The guards brought in strong liquor, and the tribal leaders took turns drinking and swearing oaths to the gods.

“You, the one who eats well, are not yet the Great Khan. If you plot against the Terdun tribe, I will not obey you.” The one who roasts the fire said these words bitterly as he finished the last cup before drinking the strong liquor to complete the ceremony.

So the strong eaters, following the tradition of the Hed people, divided the Hed into two wings and one army.

The Suz tribe and the Haidong tribe formed the central army, the Teldun tribe and the Chihe tribe formed the right wing, and the other tribes were merged into the left wing.

The healthy eater also knew that the various tribes of Hed were a disorganized mess. While one tribe could be commanded, it was impossible for many tribes to carry out complex military orders when they were put together.

"We'll break camp tonight, and tomorrow, when the two-legged men march," the Strong Eater ordered the tribal leaders. "The central army will attack their central army, the right flank will attack their rear guard, and the left flank will attack their vanguard. With all the tribes working together, they will not be able to withstand us."

While the healthy eaters were still at their agreed meeting time, a scout outside the tent suddenly reported that the Paratus were burning down the camp and had fled overnight.

"All troops, return immediately and muster your forces!" The gluttonous one decisively ordered, "Tie up the two-legged men, and don't let them escape!"

The leaders responded and dispersed, emerging from their tents.

Outside the felt tent, the people of Haidong were also hanging up their bows, donning their armor, and preparing their horses.

The camp was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of men and horses.

As the masters of this region, the Chihe tribe also brought some tents with them.

Hai Dong came from afar and brought nothing with him.

Carrying less baggage means moving faster.

Mounting their warhorses, leading their chariots, and carrying their bows and swords, the troops of Haidong instantly transformed from a camp to a marching state.

The tribal leaders left the eastern part of the sea and went to find their own people.

On the way back to camp, the little lion was still sulking: "How could you listen to that good-for-nothing Jian Shi Zhe? They're just here to take advantage! The blood of the Chihe tribe flows! And yet he's acting like a big shot!"

“Every word I spoke to the healthy eater was the culmination of my years of reflection,” the white lion patiently explained to his brother. “The lion is biting our throats, the wolf is biting our wrists. Should we deal with the lion first, or the wolf first?”

"But that's not right either..."

The white lion said bluntly, "If the strong eater can lead us to victory against the Parat people, I will gladly nominate him as Khan."

The little lion scratched his head: "He can't win?"

The white lion countered his brother's question in broken Common: "[Common] How do you think the muscular eater compares to me?"

The little lion was taken aback and replied in Common Language, "[Common Language] How could I possibly compare to my elder brother!"

White Lion sighed deeply: "[Common language] I prepared for three years, thinking I could hold Bianli for three months. But once the Paratu people exerted their strength, Bianli couldn't even hold out for seven days. With the help of the shamans of various tribes, I thought I could at least cut off one of the Paratu people's arms, but we were still almost completely wiped out."

As someone who experienced it firsthand, the little lion didn't know how to comfort his older brother.

"[Common Language] I thought I had overestimated the Paratu people enough, but I still underestimated them." The White Lion patted his brother's shoulder. "[Common Language] We still have a lot to learn... The other tribes look down on us because they haven't personally experienced the Paratu people's abilities. Only when they also run into trouble will they know what we've been through and regain their respect for the Red River tribe. Only when they also run into trouble will they follow my strategy."

"[Common language] So you and I... should we hope that the strong eaters will be defeated?" the little lion asked doubtfully.

"[Common Language] No! I sincerely hope that the Glutton will win." The White Lion replied sincerely, "[Common Language] But he cannot win, for he faces the 'Hammer of Platul' and the 'Shield of Platul'."

The white lion rarely showed a smile: "[Common language] And I learned a very important thing from the Hammer of Platul."

"[Common language] What?"

"[General term] Contingency plan"

……

While the white lion and the cub were talking, General Alpad was giving his final speech to the Palatine cavalry.

Arpad stood on a carriage, waving a piece of parchment, and shouted, "Do you know what this is?"

Thousands of cavalrymen stood silently before their horses, holding the reins.

"This is the withdrawal order from the Council of Palatour!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.

Not only the soldiers, but even the officers looked surprised and doubtful.

The lieutenant colonels, however, remained calm, as they had long been aware of the order's existence.

The colonels were not surprised; they not only knew of this order, but they also knew it was the second order to withdraw troops.

Of the entire legion, only Alpad and Sackler knew the truth: this was actually the fifth order to withdraw troops.

Not long after the Hed raiders invaded Palatul's homeland, the Grand Council issued its first order to withdraw.

Five orders were issued in succession, each one more stern in wording than the last.

"I'll tell you what this order says!" Arpad picked up the parchment and told the entire legion the contents of the confidential letter: "The Fifth and Sixth Legions have remained in enemy territory without achieving any merit. The Fifth and Sixth Legions are hereby ordered to return to the Shuangqiao Camp. Any delay will be considered treason! Treason!"

The wind swept through the phalanx of Plato's soldiers, bringing with it waves of anger.

"The council asked us, when we needed the legion, where was the legion?!" In front of everyone, Alpad tore the sealed order from the council of Paratu to shreds and slammed it to the ground. "Those fat, bastard council bastards! What do they think we're doing?!"

"Do they think we're drinking wine, eating meat, and enjoying Hart's women?"

"Do they think we don't want to go back to Plato?"

"Haven't we fought the barbarians Hed with every sword and spear to this day?! Which of you hasn't been wounded? Which of you hasn't lost comrades buried in the wasteland?! And now we've been labeled traitors?!"

With the help of spellcasters who restored his magical abilities, Alpad's voice reached every corner of Paratu's army.

The anger and resentment suppressed in the soldiers' hearts gradually fermented; they had fought a bloody battle! They had risked their lives to fight the barbarians, Hed!

"Tens of thousands of Hed barbarians are swarming behind us! Yet the Grand Council treats us like traitors!" Arpad was also filled with rage. "We are now alone! No one will come to our rescue! We are on our own! Follow me! Slaughter all the Hed barbarians! String their ears together with straw rope! Come with me to the Grand Council and demand an explanation!"

"Long live!" a soldier shouted.

"Long live!!" the others shouted in unison.

"Long live!!!" Everyone shouted with anger and resentment.

Arpad mounted his warhorse and galloped northwards, with the eagle banner following behind him.

As the bugle sounded, the cavalrymen mounted their horses in unison and followed the general, guided by their officers.

……

……

However, Arpard's inflammatory speech had little to do with the advance troops.

If the old charlatan were to hear this, he might very well give Arpad a negative assessment of being "malicious."

Winters continued his marching life of walking, building camps, and resting, only with greater vigilance.

A day and a half later, messenger cavalrymen carrying blue military flags caught up with the vanguard from behind.

"A great victory!" Winters heard the other side shout.

"General Sackler has routed the barbarian coalition! General Alpad has broken through ten battalions in succession!"

The soldiers in the vanguard cheered and jumped for joy, pounding their chests and shouting, throwing their hats into the air with all their might.

Winters excitedly sought out Lieutenant Colonel Jessica, only to find him, Colonel Bode, and two other officers huddled together with grave expressions.

"What is it?" Lieutenant Colonel Jessica asked Winters.

Seeing that things were not going well, Winters' excitement gradually faded, and he said as calmly as possible, "Good news! It seems that the main force in the rear has defeated Hart's army."

"What's the use?" Colonel Bode spat. "The bridge's been burned down again."

[I worked overtime yesterday, then went home and slept like a log. Please allow me to catch up on my debts slowly, sorry. I still owe a map…]
[A book club group has been created: 924430243, the password is "Strong Luck".]
[I tried contacting the editor today to correct the typos, but I haven't been able to reach them yet. The typo corrections may have to wait a while, but I've noted down which chapters have typos and where they are located; I won't forget.]
Thank you to all the readers for reading, subscribing, recommending, voting, donating, and commenting. Thank you everyone.

The detailed list is in the image. Thank you everyone.

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(End of this chapter)