When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 539: The New Abbot of Brago Monastery
For strategic reasons, Horn did not take advantage of the situation to continue his advance.

This battle was only aimed at preventing the church army in the Blago Basin from entering the South Nauan River Basin, rather than attacking the city of Shelley.

If they attack rashly, the Salvation Army will find themselves in a similar predicament to the Church Army because of their deep penetration into enemy territory.

Because there are a large number of castles built in the basin, siege warfare is not impossible, but it will take a long time.

If nothing else, Lacunio was right about the Saviors' lack of siege tactics.

Compared with other relatively advanced weapons, the Salvation Army can only use the oldest ant-attached siege weapons when attacking a city, and lacks siege cannons that can effectively attack walls.

Shilov has not yet developed reliable siege weapons, or the alchemical materials with explosive effects are either extremely expensive or extremely inefficient.

In the final analysis, it was because the basic disciplines had not made any progress. Horn could still refer to the laws of his hometown for some natural laws, but he was completely in the dark when it came to alchemy and magic.

Scientific research cannot be accomplished overnight; it is a process where everyone contributes and genius ignites the fire.

After the foundation is laid, there is nothing to do but wait.

Holding the side of the boat, Horn looked at the barges going down the river back to the defense zone, still calculating silently in his mind.

This battle was easier than any previous one.

Relying on long-range firepower units such as clock bullets, spiral gun skirmishers and fireball crossbows, the Savior Army achieved a crushing record.

The total number of enemy troops was more than 3900, including more than 2400 guards and armored soldiers, more than 800 knights, and more than 500 land servants and great swordsmen.

The Salvation Army only had four legions with 2800 cavalry and fireball crossbows.

According to post-war statistics, more than 1300 guards and leather-armored soldiers were killed or captured, more than 400 elite knights were killed or captured, and more than 300 local servants were killed or captured.

Even if all the guards were lucky enough to loyally return to the rear to gather, the church army's losses in this direction would still exceed 50%.

If we count the thousands of people who were previously annihilated by the Savior Army, the number may even be around 60% to 70%.

Of course, in reality, it is unrealistic to hope that all soldiers can return safely. It would be good if seven or eight hundred of the remaining deserters could return to the team.

On the other hand, the Savior Army, apart from the sixty-seven war monks who died in sporadic battles, only one person was killed in the Battle of the Laper River.

Of course, there were hundreds of seriously injured soldiers in the cavalry battles and hand-to-hand combat, but thanks to the joint consultation of witch doctors and monks on the scene, most of them were saved.

However, winning this battle does not entirely rely on these fireball crossbows and clock bullets. Continuous small-scale confrontations with the church army in the early stages are essential.

However, Horn estimated that it would be difficult to replicate such tactics in future attacks.

Because they fought an invasion war and entered the Juano faction's base camp.

The Salvation Army was able to implement tactics that were ahead of their time, not only because of its staff system and talents that were ahead of its time, but also mainly because of the local Juano country monks.

The same tactics would hardly be effective in Hotam County or the Leia Empire, because those were areas of the orthodox Messianic sect.

Without the locals to provide intelligence and manpower support, where would we find supply points and camps?

"Your Majesty, you'd better go back to the cabin. It's cold outside." Rafael put a fur cloak on Horn's shoulders.

Horn tightened his cloak and was interrupted from his thoughts, but he just shook his head: "I'll take a breath of fresh air outside and I'll be back soon."

Exhaling white steam from his mouth, Horn lowered his head and watched the hull burst into splashes of foam.

At this point, the second phase goal of the original staff plan, "preventing the church army from continuing to advance into the South Nauan River Basin," was achieved.

The next plan was to use small-scale operations to continuously build military stations and supply points, clear out the remnants of the church, and then advance to the edge of the basin. The reason for not attacking rashly was that Horn was not sure whether Hotam County would provide support.

Once Prince Kongdai's main force enters Kasha County, without the cover of the military station and the advantages of the water network in the Nanauan River Basin, the Salvation Army will probably suffer considerable casualties.

According to the intelligence currently transmitted by the Holy Sun Righteous Army, Prince Kongdai has already obtained a large amount of funds through the Lancers.

With these funds, Prince Kongdai recruited a group of knights from the local area and the neighboring Xianshidian Territory, and barely completed the five imperial companies.

However, according to Andre's opinion, the combat effectiveness of the two 95% new command companies is not as good as that of the old command companies, and they will need at least a year and a half to run in.

If the two major regiments were to go out together, Horn would still have the confidence to fight against the five command companies and those elite mercenaries.

But now he has to defend the Nannaoan River and the Rapids City defense line, and his military forces are indeed stretched thin.

Regardless of how successful the Battle of Horn was, Lacunio's strategic goal of tying down the Salvation Army's forces was basically achieved.

Before receiving accurate intelligence or strong reinforcements, the Salvation Army will be stuck on these two lines of defense.

Whenever Horn thought of this, he felt a little annoyed. He trusted Kasha County's defensive capabilities too much.

He provided so much mortar and repaired so many good castles. It should be able to last for a few days, right?

The defense that Jean Blo claimed was impenetrable was directly bypassed by Lacuno.

What's indestructible? It's more like being able to be broken by a breeze!

Pinching his brows, the cold wind blew across his forehead, slightly relieving Horn's brain which was heated up from overthinking.

In terms of how to unbutton, he has already determined two directions:
Either let the Black Hats of Rapid City, oh no, the Black Crown Regiment cooperate with the Saint Sun Righteous Army to make some noise and involve Prince Kongdai.

Then the Salvation Army on the Nannaoan River defense line could quickly recapture the gateway fortress of Kasha County, eliminating the possibility of Prince Kongdai attacking from the south.

Or we can find the Franks and ask them to relax their control over Black Snake Bay.

In this way, the reinforcements from Black Snake Bay can go to defend the Nannaoan River, and then march north to attack Lujiao Township and meet up with the Gray Horse Knight Wayne.

The former was too risky. Once the Saint Sun Righteous Army failed to hold back Prince Condai and Horn was unable to capture the gateway fortress, he would fall into the predicament of Lionna today.

Neither advance nor retreat.

The latter must pay a lot of benefits and favors, not only to the Franks, but also to the secret party in Black Snake Bay.

"It seems that we still have to bring it to the Imperial Court for discussion."

Grabbing a handful of greasy hair, Horn staggered towards the cabin on his frozen legs.

No matter what decision he made in the end, he had to reap the fruits of the Battle of the Raper River before that.

At present, most of the senior Juano monks who have not been captured have been invited to Xiaochi City.

Their next task is to elect a new abbot of Blago Monastery at the designated time and place.

Holy Lord Myrcella had already told Horn in advance the name of the abbot of Blago Monastery, who was elected by the monks and appointed by Horn.

He is Martin Calvin, a senior member of the Society of the Holy Fathers, one of the founders of the theory of the Holy Word, a student of the former dean Ludwig, and the liaison officer of the Holy Axis!

(End of this chapter)