Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 556 Siege (VIII)

  [West Bank of Shijian River]

After the ferry on the side of Margit Island was lost, the ferry on the west bank of the Ten Arrow River was completely exposed to enemy artillery fire.

So the Baishan County troops abandoned the ferry on the river beach, retreated for a distance, and re-established a stronghold behind the river bank, confronting the federal artillery from a distance.

"...The situation is as you can see. The United Provinces burned the ferry and cut off our route for reinforcement and supplies to the island. Our people, who are still alive, have retreated to the Bishop's Castle..."

Woods lay on the reverse slope of the river bank and explained the situation to his senior.

Mason was a little embarrassed when he heard the word "Federalist".

However, Woods Frank was completely unaware of this. His entire mind was occupied by "how to rescue the troops trapped on the island", and he wanted to tell the other party all the situations in one breath.

  He stared at the movements on the other side of the river, and spoke in a low voice, as if the enemies on the island could hear:

"...The Federal Provinces did not take advantage of the victory to launch an attack on the Bishop's Castle. I can't be sure whether they want to besiege it... There is not much food in the Bishop's Castle. The Federal Provinces deliberately limit the food reserves to less than one day... Calculated per person, the dry food we urgently sent can barely last for three days..."

Mason frowned slightly.

"Except for the Bishop's Castle, the United Provinces have completely controlled Margit Island. They have set up a lookout post at the Domonkos Monastery, and there are also fixed and mobile posts on the river bank." Woods stretched out his arm toward the bushes across the river, trying his best to point out to the senior, "Look over there, there are also their secret posts."

Mason actually didn't see anything, but he still pretended to see it very clearly and nodded slowly, because he thought this would make Woods feel better.

"If we want to send supplies to the island, we have to wait until dark. There will be a chance after dark," Woods bit his fingernails. "I have prepared a raft and will give it a try tonight... Of course, you have to agree..."

Mason carefully observed the situation on Margit Island.

The most eye-catching thing is obviously the field artillery fort built by the landing troops of the "Southern Front".

The soldiers of Baishan County said that the artillery fort was built "in the blink of an eye" because there was nothing there before dawn, but after the sun came out, a artillery fort rose from the ground.

The ugly bulwark with its bumpy exterior was located on the river bank, about 250 meters away from the Bishop's Fort and the riverbank on the New Army side.

Two hundred and fifty meters is not enough for a musket, but it is just right for a cannon.

They didn't need to worry about ammunition. At this distance, filling the barrel with gravel could eliminate anyone who was confused and wanted to force a crossing.

The temporary ferry built by the Baishan County infantry had been razed to the ground.

Anything that was not burned by the "magic fire" was dragged away by the federal soldiers on the island and used to reinforce their field artillery.

Mason understood why Woods Frank was so anxious, as the Confederate infantry on the island continued to consolidate their defenses.

The artillery fort at this moment is completely different from the artillery fort in the morning.

According to Woods' description, when the sun just rose, the artillery position looked like just a shack made of a few door panels.

By the time Mason reached the riverbank, the Union infantry's artillery position had become a troublesome stronghold.

The battery itself was widened and raised to allow for cross-fire, and was surrounded by sharp wooden stakes to hinder climbing, with a circle of stakes set up underneath.

Even as the two were talking, the Union Province's artillery was still "growing" at a speed visible to the naked eye. There were shadows behind the fortress, and wet sand was constantly being blown up. It should be someone digging a trench.

Mason sighed secretly - whether the army calling itself the "Alliance Army" had deteriorated or not, at least its capabilities had not declined.

He recalled a sentence that was spoken by an imperial general, but was well-known in the frontier area and regarded as the highest praise by the soldiers of the Federation:

"If you let the 'rebels' stay in one position for too long, you will never be able to drive them away again."

"Senior?" Woods' voice woke Mason from his trance. The former looked at the latter with a pleading look, "Please allow me to lead the supply operation tonight."

"How can I give you 'permission'? Isn't General Geisa still in the camp?" Mason was so confused that he didn't dare to speak out, fearing that he would be criticized. "After the ferry was lost, are you sure that the southern army on Margit Island did not take any action against Bishop's Fort?"

"From what I've observed on the west coast, no," Woods answered strictly, "but I don't know if the people from the United Provinces have made any moves on the east side of Margit Island. You've seen the topography of the island - it's high in the center and low in the east and west. We can't see any activities on the east side of Jiangxin Island from our side."

"Then I don't recommend rashly sending people to the island, nor do I recommend a tentative landing," Mason said bluntly. "The enemy is clearly planning to surround the point and attack the reinforcements. The remaining soldiers in the Bishop's Castle are the bait they use to lure us. It's not a rational choice to poke it when you know it's a trap."

"If supplies can't be delivered, the soldiers on the island will starve to death," Woods bit his lip.

"That shouldn't be the case..." Mason didn't know what to say.

"I understand what you mean," Woods said sadly, "but if the United Provinces intend to use Bishop's Castle as bait, they will most likely not accept Bishop's Castle's surrender."

Mason was speechless and silent for a moment. He changed the direction of persuading his junior, "How many companies are there in Bishop's Castle now?"

Unlike some officers who had to convert in their minds when talking about companies, battalions, and regiments, Woods adapted to the new organization very quickly, because he also contributed to the reorganization plan from the "old army" to the new army.

"Arthur took one company with him when he set out," Woods answered, "and after the capture of Bishop's Castle he was given another."

"Full staff? Or not full staff?"

"The soldiers are fully staffed, but the officers are only company commanders but no deputy company commanders."

Mason nodded. It was a common phenomenon in all the regiments of the new army that there was only a chief officer but no adjutant, because the new army lacked not only soldiers but also officers.

Woods was afraid that the senior didn't understand, so he explained a few more words, "The reorganized 1st Battalion of the Baishan County Infantry Regiment is actually the original Baishan County's 'Chief Battalion'. When we captured Bazenauer and rested in Jinghu County, Colonel Geisa... General selected the best from various battalions to fill it up."

"Then you said the supplies on the island can last for three days," Mason asked again, "is that based on full strength or understaffed?"

"Full staff..." Woods understood what the senior meant. His expression turned gloomy, but he still cheered up and explained, "But there are still nearly a hundred laborers conscripted by the people of the Federation in the Bishop's Castle."

Mason let out a long "Oh", "Look at the bright side, there are more people to defend the Bishop's Castle." Woods's expression became even darker, "I can't be as optimistic as you. The people of Xilin Province generally regard us as the Blue Bloods who have made a comeback. Their disgust for us is only slightly less than their disgust for Magnus and the people of the Federation."

  Mason didn't know how to comfort his junior. After a moment's silence, he awkwardly said, "You, don't blame yourself. No matter what, you can't defend the ferry. Even if you can defend the ferry, you can't defend the rope, because... you don't have a boat."
-

[The camp of the Baishan County troops]

[Central Army Tent]

Brigadier General Geisa Adonis is being briefed.

"Actually," Mason stood stiffly beside the map table. For some reason, he could never get close to Gesa Adonis, which was the exact opposite of Winters. "I don't have any experience in besieging a large city like the Castle of the Kings, so my opinion is just one person's opinion..."

"Oh, okay," Geisa frowned impatiently, "It's better than a bunch of us who don't know how to do it, right? Don't be so pretentious. Just tell me what you have to say. Can I still bring you to a military court?"

Woods hurriedly spoke up for his senior, looking very nervous. "Major Mason personally visited various forts on the west coast, conducted on-site surveys and assessments, and also put forward many suggestions for improvement..."

Geisa glared at his right-hand man, only to see that the latter's eyes were bloodshot and his lips were dry, so he did not have the heart to say anything more. He waved his hand, signaling Winters' federal provincial subordinates to continue.

Mason adjusted his mindset and pointed to the map and said, "I think there is no problem with Captain Woods' strategy of 'sieging the new city and attacking the old city'.

“The trenches and barriers outside the new city may seem flimsy, but in fact they are a complete system that supports each other. Fighting them will not only be time-consuming, but will also inevitably result in heavy casualties.

“Even if we break through the trenches, there are still city walls behind us; even if we blow up the city walls, there are still urban areas behind us; even if we capture the urban areas, there are still the Ten Arrow River, the walls of the old city, and the ‘Fort of the Kings’ behind us.

"It's like a shield covered with many layers of cowhide. Instead of drilling through the cowhide layer by layer from the front, it's better to start from the back directly."

Mason glanced at his junior secretly and said solemnly, "So, I support Captain Woods's strategy. There is no problem with the plan of besieging the new city and attacking the old city."

Geisa folded his arms and reacted calmly.

"As for Margit Island," Mason hesitated, but finally told Brigadier General Geisa Adonis in a firm tone, "There is no problem in fighting.

"In the hands of the enemy, Margit Island is a natural artillery position that threatens our flanks; in our hands, Margit Island is a barrier that ensures that our troops can safely mobilize between the east and west coasts.

“If we don’t capture Margit Island, our pontoon bridge will have to move at least six kilometers upstream, which means a total width of twelve kilometers. The enemy can attack from Margit Island and destroy any part of this twelve-kilometer-long transportation line.

"So no matter what, our army must capture Margit Island."

Mason's eyes were full of pity. "As for casualties... casualties are inevitable. Next, our army should continue to invest more troops in Margit Island until we capture Margit Island!"

Woods raised his head and looked at his senior in surprise. The latter's negative attitude towards reinforcing Bishop's Fort made him think that the senior did not agree to attack Margit Island.

Unexpectedly, Richard Mason said such shocking words in front of Colonel Geisa.

"That island is a trap. The cannons of the Federation are all aimed at it," Geisa said, his teeth grinding. "They have set up a trap. Do we have to jump in anyway?"

"No, that's not a trap," Mason shook his head slowly and said firmly, "That's an open-book exam!

"Minister Cornelius knows that we must attack Margit Island, and we also know that Minister Cornelius must defend Margit Island. So there is no need to worry about traps or snares. They will definitely use all means to strengthen the defense of Margit Island. What we have to do is to counter their moves."

"What if you can't break the move?" Geisa asked with a sullen face.

Mason responded under pressure: "Then just force your way through."

Geisa stared at the little fellow from the Federation for a while, and suddenly laughed hoarsely, "Don't you cherish the lives of the soldiers the most? Now you are not stingy at all?"

Mason sensed the Brigadier General's hostility, and he realized that not only Woods Frank, but also Geisa Adonis was under tremendous pressure.

"'Only shed necessary blood' is the instruction of Marshal Ned Smith," Mason responded calmly, "and do you remember one thing? The military force under the command of Minister Cornelius is only between four and six battalions."

As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but add: "Of course, the premise is that the information you obtain is accurate."

"Of course it is accurate," Geisa said coldly, "more accurate than the number of hairs on my head."

"So, no matter how much preparation Minister Cornelius makes in advance, it cannot change the fact that his force size is at an absolute disadvantage," Mason's words became clearer and clearer. "So, if he wants to win this battle, he must achieve a very, very, very good casualty exchange ratio.

"Considering the size of our forces and the critical point of morale collapse, a one-to-three ratio is not even enough. It must be a one-to-five or a one-to-ten ratio for him to have a chance of winning this siege."

Mason's eyes became clearer and clearer. "This exaggerated casualty ratio can only be achieved by relying on strong fortifications and fully utilizing firepower."

Mason hardened his heart and continued, "So I think that as long as Jason Cornelius is willing to leave the fortified area and fight in the field, even if we suffer a casualty ratio of one to two or one to three, we should unswervingly invest our troops and continue to exchange with them.

"Margit Island is such a place. It looks like a trap prepared for us, but it is actually a place where the enemy will die. They left the strong fortress and deliberately lured us there."

Richard Mason said firmly: "What we have to do is to fight this battle to the end!"

There was silence in the central military tent, and Woods Frank was completely speechless.

Geisa Adonis looked at the artillery major for a long time, and suddenly asked in a bad tone, "Boy, if I remember correctly, you are also from the Federation, right? Why are you so cruel to your compatriots?"

Mason was silent for a moment, suppressing his anger and grievance, and asked back gracefully but forcefully: "From the first second of this conversation, you have been suspicious of me because of my background. So I also want to ask you, aren't you also from Palatus? Why did you fight bravely in the River Valley Village?"

The smell of gunpowder in the tent almost suffocated Woods Frank. He never thought that the amiable senior Richard Mason had such a stubborn side.

Woods Frank never expected that it would be his old boss who would take a step back first.

"You're wrong, kid," Geisa sat down calmly and said calmly, "I never suspected you. I was just curious about you. How did a person from the United Provinces come to us? To work for a Veneta person?"

  "Destiny," Mason lowered his eyelids.

"Destiny," Gesa chewed on this magical word, thinking of his own experience, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and spat fiercely, "Destiny, what a damn thing."

"General," Mason saluted, "Tomorrow, the Tiefeng County Infantry Regiment, Baishan County Infantry Regiment, and Artillery Regiment will arrive at the camp one after another. Please allow the Tiefeng County Infantry Regiment to participate in the next offensive."

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