industrial lord

Chapter 745 "Good News"

"This morning, the Weisen army amassed over ten thousand troops and brazenly crossed the Odella River via a pontoon bridge, blatantly invading our sacred territory. Our Gubinburg garrison swiftly launched a heroic resistance, fighting valiantly and tenaciously repelling the invading enemy, successfully delaying their offensive and buying crucial time for reinforcements to assemble. After fierce fighting, our army finally defeated the invading enemy and forced them to retreat."

A battle report from the Kingdom of Piast spread rapidly through the Winged Hussars camp, and everyone wept with joy. The news quickly reached the camps of allied forces.

After the Battle of the Elbe, when Grand Duke Wessen led 800 men to a great victory against the 100,000-strong army of the Kingdom of Piast, the Wessen army became a dark cloud hanging over the entire country. With each victory they achieved, the cloud grew thicker.

The myth of Weisen's invincibility has finally been shattered, and dawn has broken.

Kazimir carefully studied the battle report in his tent and felt that it must be exaggerated.

The purpose of the 3rd Division of the Weisen Army was to create a tense atmosphere in an attempt to relieve the pressure on Hongshuiche Village. At most, they would damage the dock outside Gubinbao and delay the transport of grain. Only a few hundred people should actually cross the river, while tens of thousands were on the other side.

The troops guarding the warehouses at Gubinburg likely put up some resistance, but the extent of that resistance is hard to say. The lack of detailed reports on casualties suggests that they were merely putting on a show before withdrawing from the dock area.

Casimir did not believe that the second-rate garrison of Gubinburg could defeat the Weisen army. The truth was that the Weisen 3rd Division sabotaged the port before the Anglo Kingdom's fleet arrived, sent some men across the river, and after the Weisen army completed its mission and withdrew, the garrison came out again to "drive them away".

As for phrases like "heroic resistance," "bloody battle," and "tenacious resistance," they were merely for the purpose of seeking rewards later.

Kazimir put down the "soaked" battle report, tapped his fingertips twice on the table, waved to the aide-de-camp standing beside him, and ordered in a calm and authoritative voice: "Issue the order! Commend the entire garrison of Gubinburg! Recognize their heroic resistance against the enemy and their meritorious service in defending the homeland! Inform all units of this victory report, ensuring that everyone knows, so as to boost the morale of our army!"

He knew in his heart that this so-called victory report was largely fabricated, but at this moment, he still resolutely chose to use it.

Even if it's just a temporary boost, as long as it can temporarily unite people and suppress their fear of Wei Senjun, it's worth a try.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the dense forest across the Redwaterwheel Fortress, two Winged Hussars were taking a short rest against rough tree trunks.

Their warhorses were tethered to one side, snorting and pawing restlessly at the ground.

The cheers that erupted from the direction of the forest camp reached here clearly, accompanied by the exhilarating news of victory.

"Hey, have you heard?" A young cavalryman with a still somewhat immature face and gleaming armor couldn't contain his excitement, his voice rising several decibels. "Over at Gubinburg, they repelled tens of thousands of Weisen's troops! That's really impressive."

The other cavalryman, noticeably older, with deep wrinkles and an old scar etched on his weathered face, merely let out a muffled snort, spitting heavily onto the decaying leaves at his feet. His voice was hoarse and full of sarcasm: "Tens of thousands? You're kidding me! If the Weisen army really wants to send out its main force to forcibly cross the river, do you think they can rely on those pampered old men in the Gubinburg warehouse?"

He shook his head, his voice lowering, carrying the weariness of a veteran who had seen through the illusions, "Besides... even if that were true, and they really repelled the Weisen army, it would be the infantry garrison that achieved the victory by hiding behind the city walls. What about us?"

After saying that, he stretched out his calloused hand and patted the strong neck of his beloved horse beside him. The magnificent warhorse seemed to sense its master's resentment and snorted as well.

The old cavalryman recalled their escape along the Elbe River, his voice filled with resentment and deep helplessness: "We are the sharpest spear in the kingdom. To break the myth of the invincible Wessen, it should be us Winged Hussars who charge ahead and use our lances to personally topple their battle flags!"

"Instead of being stuck in this damned forest, staring blankly at that damned fortress across the river, listening to the news that the master back home has stolen the credit!"

The excitement on the young cavalryman's face faded quickly, like a flame extinguished by cold water. He silently lowered his head, recalling his father's curses against Grand Duke Wessen before his death.

The two fell silent, their gazes passing over the massive red waterwheel in the distance and landing on the fortress's increasingly blurred outline in the twilight. Their eyes held a complex mix of emotions—anxiety, resentment, and a hint of humiliation at being marginalized.

Just as the clamor of celebration in the Allied camp had not yet completely subsided, far beyond the camp's sight and in the depths of a secluded forest, Maria was quietly leading her "mercenary group" to set up camp.

A scout, camouflaged and swift as a lynx, returned silently like a ghost, kneeling before Maria on one knee, his voice hushed so low that only the Earl and a few nearby officers could hear him:

“Count Eltal, the target camp has confirmed receiving the report of victory from Gubinburg.”

"The news spread extremely quickly and over a wide area, and there were clear signs of a boost in the morale of the allied forces, especially in the Piast Winged Hussars camp, where cheers continued for quite some time. King Kazimir has officially issued a commendation order to honor the garrison of Gubin Castle."

Maria nodded calmly, her beautiful face showing no emotion, and her usually clear eyes becoming deep.

The General Staff's plan was simply to control radio stations along the route and block information.

Maria didn't understand military affairs, but she knew how to spread propaganda, so she devised a plan that was eventually adopted.

“Very good,” her voice was clear and calm, “everything is going according to plan.”

"Let their morale soar for a while."

“Tomorrow, when they are basking in the joy of victory, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Anglo-Saxon fleet laden with grain…” her tone suddenly took on a steely resolve and ruthlessness, “we will then pour the real news over them like ice water—the granaries and armories of Gubinburg have been reduced to ashes, the massive grain transport fleet that the Anglo-Saxon was so proud of has sunk into the raging sea, and their logistical lifeline has been completely severed by us.”

“At that time,” Count Behrami’s hoarse voice continued in a low voice, carrying the profound insight of a battle-hardened veteran into human nature, “they will suddenly fall from the clouds of false victory into the abyss of starvation and despair. This enormous psychological gap is enough to cause even the most resilient morale to collapse instantly, and to let panic spread like a plague through their camps.”

Mary nodded slightly, inwardly sighing that she was indeed the woman Frederick had chosen, and that she herself was inferior in manipulating people's hearts.

She said, "Once we enter Redwheel Fortress to reinforce it, the enemy's morale will drop even further."

"I suggest that we maintain maximum concealment, rest on the spot, and conserve our energy."

"When the morale of the Allied forces wavers due to panic, that will be the time for us to cross the river and enter the Red Wheel Fortress."

Maria was the nominal commander, but in reality, Mary was in command.

Mary always gave Maria face, offering "suggestions" each time.

Maria nodded and said, "Okay, let's do as the Protector says."

(End of this chapter)