Master Archer Josk was in his thirties. He was tall and muscular with blonde hair, a handsome face, and a determined look on his face. However, Laurist noticed that there seemed to be a hint of sadness between his brows.
After greeting each other and saluting, Laurist invited Knight Josk to the main tent for a chat.
After they arrived at the main tent and introduced Knight Josk to his subordinates, Laurist briefly explained the origin of the caravan and how he was attacked by the lancers in the afternoon, which led to him taking over the military camp in a fit of rage. Then, he asked Knight Josk about the purpose of his visit.
Knight Josk was very straightforward. He said that he came to see if the caravan could withstand the attack of a large group of guards and a squadron of lancers under Count Corbili's command. Originally, he approached the military camp in the afternoon and pretended to be scouting. He wanted to sneak in and burn down the supplies while the defense was weak. He wanted to force Count Corbili's army to turn around and give the resistance a chance to catch their breath.
Now that Laurist's caravan had taken over the military camp, it was undoubtedly a great help to the resistance. Knight Josk was very straightforward. He said that when he saw Laurist take over the military camp with less than a hundred light cavalry, he thought that they were not strong enough. At most, they would leave the military camp after looting some of the supplies. At the time, he was wondering when a cavalry unit that could fight against the lancers appeared in this area. It wasn't until he saw Fatso Shi's caravan on his way back that he realized that Laurist and his men were probably passing by and clashed with the lancers. Because he was worried that Laurist and his men did not understand the strength of Count Corbili's army, he came to report to Laurist.
Knight Josk said that Count Corbili had wiped out a large group of guards and a squadron of guards that were originally stationed in the military camp. There were five squadrons in total. Each squadron was made up of a small team of archers, a small team of swordsmen and shield soldiers, and two teams of pikemen. Each squadron had a total of 120 people. The five squadrons had about 2,400 people. Including the squadron of lancers that was roaming around the outskirts of the mountain, the total military strength was close to 2,900 people.
Fatso Shi interrupted. He said that according to the information he received from Knight Soria, there were about 1,000 lancers and 2,000 guards. How did Count Corbili's army expand so quickly?
Josk asked who the Knight of Tholia was. Fatty Shi told him about Baron Charles and the Knight of Solia.
Knight Josk pouted. He knew Baron Charles and had met him a few times. The Knight of Soria wasn't wrong either. It was just that the situation he described was more than a year ago. At that time, Count Corbili had just returned to his territory. Now that Earl Corbili was waging war in this region, using force to conquer and eliminate the nobles in this region, how could he not increase his military strength? Aside from the troops that were sent to the western mountains, there were still three squadrons of Lancers, one full garrison, and two newly formed garrison squadrons in Count Corbili's territory.
Some time ago, the mopping up troops broke through a few mountain strongholds in the western mountains and obtained a batch of rations and supplies. These two days, they began to attack the Crouching Bull Mountain Stronghold, the stronghold with the largest resistance force in the western mountains. Relying on the treacherous terrain and the determined resistance of the Crouching Bull Mountain Stronghold, although they managed to defend the stronghold, they suffered great losses and were in a precarious situation. That was why Knight Josk wanted to ambush the camp and burn the rations. However, as soon as the news that Loriste had taken over the camp reached the western mountains, Count Corbili's mopping up troops would immediately turn around and attack the camp.
Knight Josk's suggestion to Loriste was that if the convoy was not strong enough to resist the mopping up troops, they should retreat as soon as possible and burn the rations, forcing Count Corbili's mopping up troops to return to his territory. The western mountains were only a day's journey away from here. If they received the news that the camp had been taken over tonight, they would be able to rush back tomorrow evening. If the convoy didn't hurry, they wouldn't be able to leave.
Loriste shook his head. The convoy couldn't leave. If they did, they would be easily caught. As long as the Lancers kept the convoy busy, the rest of the troops would catch up, and the convoy would have to fight with Corbili's army. Instead of fighting an enemy who had the upper hand on the way back, it was better to stay in the camp. At least they had the advantage of the terrain, which would reduce the number of casualties.
Loriste said with a murderous look. If they were going to fight, let's make it big. I'm going to use this camp to wipe out the 3,000 mopping up troops and teach Count Corbili a lesson.
Loriste analyzed and said, "Although Count Corbili's mopping up troops are three times the size of ours, his real fighting power is far from our armed forces. According to the captives, Count Corbili's only threat is the lancers. They are all soldiers who have awakened their fighting spirit. However, if these Iron and Bronze-ranked lancers lose their momentum and engage in close combat with our Iron-ranked heavy armored soldiers, it will definitely be a massacre for the lancers. "As for the 2,000 guards, they don't have combat qi. Under the charge of Terman's Silver and Iron ranked knights, aren't they just a flock of sheep?
When the time comes, Yuri's light cavalry scout team will be patrolling the perimeter, not letting a single enemy escape. We also have crossbowmen, spearmen, and ballistae. I really can't think of a reason why we can't win. "
"As for how to lure the enemy into our trap, that's even easier." Knight Josk just said that although the mopping up troops had destroyed a few strongholds and obtained a batch of rations, it was only enough for them for five to six days. Hearing that the camp had been taken, the mopping up troops only had two choices. One was to retreat to the family territory, and the other was to retake the camp. "I believe that the commander of the mopping up troops will definitely choose to retake the camp. If he chooses to retreat to the family territory, even if his army doesn't suffer any losses, he will still be scolded by Count Corbili. He can't bear the responsibility of losing two Lancer squads and three illegitimate brothers. He can only choose to return to the camp and eliminate us, then retake the camp for supplies.
"We will choose to resist step by step. For the first two days, we will let them feel that they can take over the camp if they put in a bit more effort. After two days, we will let them in when they send in all their forces. We will use all kinds of obstacles to divert their forces, then send out our heavy armored soldiers to deal them a fatal blow.
Loriste's words made everyone in the tent excited. Everyone knew that this battle was unavoidable. Just like what Loriste said, even if they left now, they would inevitably be caught and forced to fight in the wilderness. If that was the case, it would be better to defend the camp and fight. Also, Loriste suggested a good strategy. As long as it was implemented properly, they could really wipe out these 3000 people.
Fatty Shi immediately found the map of the camp and began to discuss with everyone how to lure the enemy, how to set up a battlefield in the camp, how to set up traps and ambushes, how to divide the enemy's forces, and so on. In an instant, the discussion was in full swing.
Knight Josk seemed to be a little envious of the harmonious atmosphere between Loriste and the family knights. Seeing that everyone was discussing defensive measures, he turned to Loriste and volunteered to help out in this battle.
Buckingham nodded. He told Knight Josk that all of the Norton Family's armed forces would be involved in this battle. If Knight Josk had the ability, he could take advantage of the fact that Count Corbili's mopping-up troops were trapped in an ambush by the Norton Family's military camp. That would be the greatest help they could get.
Knight Josk immediately became excited and replied that it wouldn't be a problem. He immediately went back to gather the resistance forces and secretly followed behind the mopping up troops. When the mopping up troops fell into the camp, they would trample their nest. With that, Knight Josk hurriedly left.
— — Dividing Line — —
The next evening, Count Corbili's mopping up troops appeared in front of the camp. The vanguard was a platoon of lancers. When they rushed to the camp, they quickly saw the two sides of the road leading to the camp's gate with human heads stuck on sticks. The head of the brown-haired man at the front was especially eye-catching.
Every single one of the cavalrymen was enraged. They rushed towards the barracks and cursed loudly. Some of them even wanted to break through the main gate of the barracks. However, the hundred or so crossbowmen stationed on the walls of the barracks fired a barrage of arrows back at them, leaving behind a dozen cavalrymen who had fallen to the ground.
When the garrison arrived, the commander of Count Corbili's mopping up troops sent out four squads of sword and shield soldiers. Under the cover of their shields, they collected the human heads and the bodies of the lancers before setting up camp.
Loriste stood on the wall and nodded. He commented, "The commander of this army is quite clear-headed, and his actions are quite reasonable. Let's go, Fatty, Aire. We should be fine tonight. The show is about to start tomorrow morning. "
Fatty Shi was still a little worried. "What if they don't attack from the gate and attack from the wall of the camp? What should we do? We've gathered all our forces here at the gate. "
"That won't happen." Loriste pointed outside the wall. "You see, Count Corbili chose this place for a reason. First, the terrain here is flat, and there are no highlands nearby. The camp is about two meters higher than the outside, which is suitable for lancers to attack. It also prevents the enemy from spying on the camp from the outside. Second, other than the three-meter-wide road leading to the camp's gate, the camp is surrounded by a two-meter-wide moat. We've tested it, and it's more than two meters deep. On this side of the moat is a row of barricades, and behind the barricades is a four-meter-tall stone wall. The wall inside the camp is only two meters tall. There's also a 1.5-meter-tall wooden fence on top of the wall. When defending, the soldiers can stand on the wall and hide behind the wooden fence. "
"If they want to break through the wall, they'll have to fill up that part of the moat first, and then clear the barricades on the bank. Only then will there be space for ladders, and the ladders have to be more than five meters long. Don't forget that this camp used to belong to them. They naturally know that attacking from the camp is the most efficient way. Coupled with the time limit, I don't think they'll even think about breaking through the wall. To be honest, the defense of this camp is even stronger than some of the lords' castles. Count Corbili didn't expect this. He built the camp so well to prevent the resistance from attacking, but now they're the ones attacking the camp. Isn't this asking for trouble? "
"Other than the main gate, there's a small gate at the back of the camp. However, to pass through the small gate, they have to lower the drawbridge over the moat, which is very inconvenient for people to pass through. I think they'll send a lancer squad to the back of the camp to block the drawbridge and make sure we don't escape. As for the main force, it's best to attack from the main gate. To them, we're done for once the main gate is broken. Tomorrow morning, let the elderly and children wear leather armor and take a look at the wall with their spears. Let them know that we're not strong enough. Even the elderly and children are mobilized for defense. "
Aire asked, "Will they send Gold-rankers to infiltrate the camp tonight?"
Laurist smiled. "Do you think they're all like you? Wandering around without sleep for the whole night. The captives said that eleven of Count Corbili's illegitimate children are worth three Gold and eight Silver. We've already killed one Gold and two Silver. The rest of them won't dare to sneak in alone. Fighting alone is different from fighting on the battlefield. If they can't beat an enemy on the battlefield, they can use their soldiers to kill them. They have more soldiers. If they sneak in and are discovered by us, no one will help them, and they might die. So, they won't take the risk. Besides, Bofinger and his comrade, Ross, will be patrolling at night. What's there to worry about? "
…
The night passed peacefully.
Count Corbili's troops had been on the road for a whole day. It was normal for them to rest for a night without any trouble. Laurist and the others, who occupied the camp, didn't send anyone out to harass them. Moreover, the elderly and children who were wandering around on the wall early in the morning were noticed by the lancers who were monitoring the camp. It was easy to come to the conclusion that the enemy occupying the camp wasn't strong. Even the elderly and children were sent out.
In the morning, the troops had sent a few guards with loud voices over to threaten the camp's main gate. They demanded that the people inside the camp surrender immediately. Otherwise, they would all be hanged when they charged in. Laurist felt that they were too noisy and ordered the crossbowmen to shoot them into porcupines. He then ordered the elderly and children on the wall to retreat immediately. The battle was about to begin.
As expected, the death of the guards who had come to persuade them to surrender angered the enemy. They swarmed out of the camp with the sword-and-shield soldiers in front and the longbowmen at the back. Then, they started shooting at the crossbowmen in the camp. However, the crossbowmen had the protection of the wall and wooden partitions. The crossbows were easy to aim and could shoot straight. They were much more lethal than longbows that could only be shot from afar.
The longbowmen were in an awkward situation. If they got too close, they would easily be shot by the crossbows. If they didn't get too close, they could only shoot from afar. That wouldn't cause any damage to the crossbowmen. After a few rounds of shooting, other than a few arrows hitting the wooden partitions on the wall, the crossbowmen weren't hurt at all.
The longbowmen were withdrawn. The enemy changed their strategy. They sent out the sword-and-shield soldiers to feint an attack. They wanted to lure the crossbowmen to fire and exhaust as many arrows as possible. Laurist ordered that no arrows were to be fired. He allowed the two teams of sword-and-shield soldiers to reach the main gate of the camp. Then, they opened the gate. Terman, who was already prepared, led the knights and charged into the sword-and-shield soldiers like a tiger in a flock of sheep. They killed to their heart's content. Of the two teams of more than two hundred sword-and-shield soldiers, only about fifty managed to escape.
The lancers wanted to charge up but were stopped by the crossbowmen. By the time they pulled the longbowmen up, Terman had already led the knights back into the camp. The sweeping troops lost more than a hundred and fifty sword-and-shield soldiers, while Terman and the others were unscathed.
Although they lost for a while, the commander of the sweeping troops felt that it was worth it. Based on the description of the lancers who had escaped from the second attack on the convoy, the convoy that had occupied the camp was protected by more than a hundred crossbowmen guarding the main gate. There were also more than forty knights who had charged out of the camp to kill the sword-and-shield soldiers. The rest were only a few hundred spearmen. However, the spearmen they saw in the morning were all old men and children. They must have suffered many losses during the attack on the camp. Their combat power was negligible.
In the afternoon, the sweeping troops stopped attacking the camp. They only sent lancers to watch from afar. A large number of the guards were sent out to cut down the small forest and drag the trees back to the camp. Laurist, who was standing on the wall, saw that many of the guards were busy making wooden rafts and carts.
"Looks like they're getting serious tomorrow. Are our oil cans ready?" Laurist asked Fatty Shi, who was standing beside him.
"Fifty-five in total. I don't know if it's enough." Fatty Shi was worried.
"It's enough. Let's burn them tomorrow. After that, it'll be our turn to deal with them." Laurist grinned.
…
In the morning, Laurist finished his morning exercise. Just as he was about to dry his body, Fatty Shi ran over to say that the enemy troops had moved out.
F * ck, it's so early. The sun hasn't even risen yet! Laurist looked up at the sky and realized that the sky was covered in dark clouds. It looked like it would snow heavily in the afternoon or evening. It was January, and there would be a few more heavy snowfalls. The sweeping troops might have noticed the change in the weather, so they attacked earlier.
Laurist said to Fatty Shi, "Go check on the soldiers' families. The weather has changed, and they need to wear more clothes. Otherwise, many people in the convoy will catch a cold and fall sick. You have to worry about these things. I'll take care of the battle outside. Don't worry. "
…
Standing on the wall, he watched as the enemies hid behind the wooden rafts and slowly moved the wooden rafts forward. Among the wooden rafts, three crudely built battering rams were being pushed by dozens of people along the main road, making creaking sounds as they slowly moved forward.
Laurist smiled at Bofinger, who had been patrolling beside him for the whole night. "It's going to be a fierce battle today. It looks like they're all anxious."
Bofinger nodded. "The sudden change in the weather will affect them greatly. If it continues to snow for a few days, it'll be over for them even if they retreat now. They won't have enough supplies and won't be able to last long. They can only take down the camp as soon as possible to maintain their troops. Right now, they have to attack by force. They have to take down the camp at all costs, no matter the casualties. Perhaps we don't have to wait until tomorrow to activate the trap. "
Laurist said, "Alright. If they keep attacking by force, we'll give up on the camp gate and lure them in. It doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or a day later. They won't be able to escape far in this weather. Redi, go tell everyone to get into position. We're going to surprise the enemy. "
…
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