industrial lord

Chapter 743 Responding to Reinforcements
As dawn broke, the chill was biting.

The atmosphere was heavy inside the deerskin tents of the Allied commanders Kosdorf, Snellman, and Kazimir. Signalmen hurried in and out, bringing urgent reports from the front.

On the huge sand table in the center of the tent, small flags representing the battle situation were being rapidly adjusted and added based on new information, making the situation increasingly clear.

The three kings stood side by side in front of the sand table, their brows furrowed, exchanging their views in hushed tones.

Last night, news that the Weisen army was about to launch a major reinforcement had spread throughout the camp. Just before sunrise today, an even more urgent military situation came in: all the visible and hidden sentries and patrols on the western, northwestern and southwestern sides of the encirclement were attacked by the Weisen army in a full-scale and deadly raid at almost the same time.

“Latest summary,” Kosdorf’s voice was deep as he pointed his baton at the western edge of the military camp on the sand table, “that from last night to this morning, dozens of small-scale skirmishes are expected, and our outer perimeter security network has been completely destroyed.”

He paused, glanced at Kazimir and Snellman, and continued, "This morning, we tried to contact those outposts, but all of them were out of contact."

"The team sent out to investigate reported that most of the personnel at the outpost had been killed in action."

"What's even more troublesome is that the Weisen army laid a large number of landmines and booby traps during their withdrawal, resulting in many casualties among the soldiers who went to investigate."

He pointed to a spot on the sand table: "The only survivor we brought back was a soldier who survived from one of the outposts. He survived simply because his heart was in an unusual position, on the right side."

"According to his vague description, the attackers moved extremely stealthily and quickly, as if they could see through the darkness. By the time the sentries noticed those big, round eyes, the attackers were already right in front of them and had no time to react. The knife made a metallic clanging sound when it hit them, but there was no damage whatsoever."

Snellman's face turned ashen. After listening, he slammed his fist on the wooden frame at the edge of the sand table, making a dull thud that knocked over several small flags representing outposts inside.

The staff officer next to him immediately stepped forward and silently put the flag back in place.

“It’s unbelievable!” Snellman growled. “They can see clearly in the dark forest, and their knives can’t cut them. How did they do that? Could it be…”

He didn't say what he was going to say next, but his tone was full of surprise and a hint of barely perceptible fear.

The idea that the Weisen Army was a devilish legion from hell had already spread far and wide. Although they believed in the Natural Church, it was common for religions to "borrow" from each other, and there were similar claims, which made him suspicious.

Kazimir mainly brought Winged Hussars, who did not participate in nighttime sentry duties.

He calmly asked, "Has it been confirmed which Wesson unit did it?"

Kosdorf and Snellman both shook their heads.

Kosdorf added, "The attackers left no obvious markings, and their operation was swift and clean, leaving no survivors, which is consistent with their style."

"The survivor whose heart was on the right side was also seriously injured and unconscious at the time, and was unable to provide much information about the attackers."

Kazimir pondered for a moment before speaking: "Within the Weisen Army, there is an extremely elite and mysterious force, codenamed Black Cat. Its members are all handpicked mages and warriors, and their specific numbers and organization are highly classified."

He paused, then continued to provide information: "In addition, there is an unconfirmed rumor: the border guards of the Duchy of Wesen have secretly formed a Ninth Brigade, whose selection criteria are said to be on par with those of the Black Cats. Its main task is to deal with powerful criminal magicians within the country."

"This rumor originated from private discussions among members of the Reicart City Special Police Unit."

"Each major city in the Duchy of Wesen has such a special detachment, which specializes in handling difficult cases involving powerful criminals. It is said that many of its members are people who were eliminated during the daily training of the Black Cat or the Ninth Brigade, but they are all quite capable."

Kazimir's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Based on this information, I speculate that the force that carried out this slaughterhouse-style raid last night was most likely Black Cat or the Ninth Brigade, or more likely both of them, along with those special police units."

Snellman felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but ask, "The Duchy of Wessen... just how many troops can they deploy?"

Kazimir recalled the assessment report of the Principality of Wessen by the Piaster intelligence department: shooting ranges spread throughout the country, numbering as many as football fields; a well-organized militia mobilization system that penetrated every village... The war potential represented by this made him feel a sense of pressure.

“Preliminary estimates,” Kazimir said gravely, “are that the total number of regular troops and reserves they can quickly mobilize is probably around 300,000.”

"If we enter a state of total war and carry out maximum mobilization, theoretically we could even reach 600,000."

This figure is largely influenced by the deterrent message deliberately released by the Principality of Wessen's Strategic Intimidation Bureau, which seriously overestimates its actual sustainable mobilization capacity—if it were to mobilize 600,000 people, the entire state apparatus would inevitably be paralyzed.

But at this moment, the number itself is enough to create a powerful psychological deterrent.

Snellman was clearly stunned after hearing this and was speechless for a moment.

Kosdorf immediately steered the conversation back to the actual battlefield, pointing to the locations marked on the sand table where the attack had occurred the previous night: "Gentlemen, look here. This morning, the Wesson army's attack was precisely concentrated in the northwest, due west, and southwest directions."

"They launched such a fierce surprise attack that they destroyed our eyes and ears, but they did not immediately take advantage of the situation to launch an attack on the main encirclement."

What are your thoughts on this?

He was familiar with the Weisen army's fighting style, but not an expert, and wanted to hear his ally's opinion. Snellman took a deep breath, forcing himself to pull himself out of his shock at the sheer size of the force and focus on the sand table before him.

“They are waging a scouting war,” he analyzed in a deep voice. “The objective is clear: first, to completely deprive us of our reconnaissance capabilities in the west, rendering us blind; and second, to use this probing attack to find the weak links in our army’s entire defensive chain, in order to prepare for a large-scale breakthrough by the main force later.”

Both Kosdorf and Kazimir nodded in agreement, suggesting this is highly likely.

Kazimir added his point: "I think there is a third point: they may intend to cut off our land supply lines to the northwest."

"Attacks on supply lines are Frederick's usual tactic. He used this tactic to win in the trade route battles, and he is likely to use it again this time."

He further explained, "The water source is not a big problem; there are rivers nearby, and groundwater is plentiful."

"The key lies in grain transportation!"

"In order to speed up our advance, our three-nation allied forces did not carry enough food supplies."

“Previously, the land supply line we relied on started from the Sverrières camp in the north, but the route was deliberately shifted westward to avoid the Flensburg war zone.”

"The northwest and due west directions that Wei Senjun focused his attacks on last night were precisely aimed at the end of this supply line."

"They cleared out the outer outposts partly to shield us from reconnaissance, and partly, it is very likely, to clear the way for an ambush on our transport convoy."

Kosdorf stared at the winding supply line on the sand table, pondered for a moment, and then said, "His Majesty Kazimir's analysis makes a lot of sense."

"Fortunately, the last batch of supplies transported via that land route has arrived."

"The next supplies will all depend on the Anglo Kingdom's fleet, transported via the river."

He looked up at Kazimir and said, “Therefore, protecting the transport route between the eastern port and our camp becomes crucial.”

"Your Majesty Kazimir, the 10,000 Winged Cavalry deployed across the Redwaterwheel Village fortress, responsible for monitoring the river and preventing the defenders from escaping by building a pontoon bridge, currently have a relatively light combat mission. Could we recall some of their elite troops?"

"Their high mobility makes them ideal for escorting convoys of supplies from ports to military camps, ensuring the safety of supply routes."

"In this way, we can concentrate the infantry forces of Sverrière and Suomi to focus on defending against any possible attack by the main force of the Wessen army, while the remaining winged hussars on the other side of the river can continue to put pressure on the fortress defenders."

“Sure,” Kazimir readily agreed. “I’ll arrange it immediately.”

"The Winged Hussars are adept at mobile raids, making them well-suited for protecting supply lines and flanking enemy reinforcements, but not for storming fortified camps or fortresses."

Kosdorf nodded and continued, "Then today we will reduce the intensity of our direct assault on the Redwaterwheel Village fortress, just maintain pressure and prevent the defenders from catching their breath."

"We need to do two things: First, strengthen the defensive fortifications and patrols around the camp; second, invest more resources in counter-reconnaissance to ascertain the exact movements and intentions of the main force of the Weisen Army, and prioritize eliminating the threat of reinforcements from the periphery!"

He concluded by explaining, "The remaining Rhine soldiers in the fortress are currently experiencing a morale boost due to news of impending reinforcements. A direct assault at this point would result in heavy casualties and would be counterproductive."

"Moreover, the fortress itself has a rather strange defensive design. After days of attacks, we have suffered considerable losses and need to find a more effective breakthrough."

"Once we deal with the reinforcements from Wessen on the periphery, the fortress defenders will naturally be desperate and surrender will be a natural consequence."

Snellman also agreed to postpone the siege, as he was equally worried that the main force of the Wessen army was lurking nearby and could suddenly attack while they were fully engaged in the siege, which would put them in an extremely passive position and could cause catastrophic chaos and casualties.

Kosdorf finally asked, "When will the next batch of food arrive? Supply is key to stabilizing the situation now."

Casimir replied, "The Anglo grain convoy should have already entered the inland waterways."

"Although it's against the current, we have a tailwind now, so the sailing speed won't be too slow."

"They will first arrive at the largest military supply depot in southern my country, where there is enough food and supplies. After being loaded, they will be shipped downstream to the sea and eventually delivered to us. It won't take too long."

Kosdorf and Snellman both breathed a slight sigh of relief. The harsh weather in the north had led to a poor harvest, but fortunately, the Kingdom of Piast, the granary of the south, provided strong support, relieving the immediate crisis.

“Winter has come exceptionally early this year,” Kosdorf said with a hint of worry, looking at the howling wind outside the tent. “I’m worried that the sea will start to freeze soon, and the shipping window will be very short. I hope the Anglo-Saxon fleet can make it.”

Kazimir appeared relatively calm: "Don't worry, I have already ordered the warehouse to make all the necessary preparations for receiving the ship. As soon as it arrives, we will immediately organize people to load the cargo. There will be no delay."

As the three kings discussed the details of food distribution and transportation, feeling somewhat relieved about the upcoming supplies, they were unaware that the Anglo grain convoy, carrying the hopes of the allied forces and sustaining the livelihoods of tens of thousands of soldiers, was slowly sinking in the icy river.

(End of this chapter)