"His Royal Highness, there is a team stationed in the dock area," reported Lightning Exchange, which was in charge of monitoring the enemy's situation.
"Only a hundred people?" Roland was a little surprised. It wasn't surprising that Tifeko would be guarding the pier in the suburbs. The vast fleet sailed all the way through Chishui City and Silver Light City, and it was bound to be noticed by those who were interested. Although the speed of the steamship was much faster than that of the sailboat, and it took only five days to complete the latter's one-week journey, it was still not as good as the messenger who changed horses continuously and worked around the clock, not to mention the carrier pigeon - if the new Wang's spies used carrier pigeons to deliver the news, and Tifeko probably received the news two or three days in advance.
However, it was surprising that the opponent only sent 100 people to defend the pier. According to Roland's assumption, the first battle should be held near the pier. In order to prevent his troops from landing smoothly, bowmen and musketeers would be arranged on both sides of the river. There might even be trebuchets, which is why he built the river gunboats before the spring offensive. The efficiency of water transportation is far more than that of land marches, but it also has the disadvantages of limited docking and easy to be ambushed in advance. With the ability to attack land, he can easily defeat the enemy's ambush and open up safe landing sites.
The opponent seems to have given up the "huge advantage" of half-crossing and attacking, which is correct in terms of results, but it can't be justified in theory - it is impossible for Tifeko to know the range and power of the 152mm naval gun.
Thinking of this, Roland called Sylvie over, "Are the militiamen carrying maddening pills?"
Sylvie summoned the eye of magic and watched for a while, "I didn't find anything like balls. Some of them are not even equipped with weapons, but... The ground seems a bit strange."
"In the ground?"
"They buried something under the ground...and on the dock," Sylvie frowned. "It's a crock and a barrel...with black-gray powder inside."
"This is... gunpowder?" Nightingale couldn't help but said.
"I see, it makes sense," Roland pretended to be relaxed, "The 100-strong militia is just a bait sent by Tifeko to attract our attention. The real purpose is to let us catch this rare Opportunity to land on the shore, capture the wharf, and then detonate the gunpowder to send us to the sky together with the wharf."
Although it's easy to say, he doesn't think so in his heart. This kind of tactics similar to the ancient mine warfare is indeed a good plan. Even if he sees the clue, he will always disembark. Since he chooses water transportation, the dock is a must. On the road, Tifek obviously realized this. It's just that he didn't plan to defend head-on, but set up an ambush in secret to catch himself by surprise. If Sylvie hadn't been there, he might have suffered a big loss.
However, since it was discovered in advance, it is still very easy to solve. Without wireless detonation technology, Tifeko will inevitably arrange ignition personnel near the buried powder keg, as long as they are solved in advance. In any case, the pier must be preserved, otherwise it will be difficult for artillery and ammunition to be transported to land.
Under Sylvie's careful observation, Roland discovered two suspected ignition points. One was in a shack by the pier, and there was an iron pipe in the ground leading to the nearest powder keg, and the other was in the warehouse of the pier. What the two have in common is that both the lightless black holes caused by the Stone of God's Retaliation are moving.
After discussing the results with Iron Axe, the battle plan was quickly determined.
First, Nightingale sneaked into the warehouse, quietly killed the firelighter, and guarded the gate to prevent possible substitutes from breaking in and lighting the gunpowder. Destroy the shack with naval guns later, even if it causes a premature detonation underground—as long as the dock is safe.
Leaning on the wall of the western city wall of the royal capital, Weimas, the Knight of Steel Heart, raised his observation glass to observe the movement on the canal.
The slender canal is like a gleaming golden ribbon, shuttling through the brown and white fields. Most of the snow has melted away, revealing the tender green of the earth. It is the sprouting of green grass and the proof of the recovery of all things - such a scene. It is so pleasing to the eyes whenever you appreciate it. The only thing that doesn't match is the black smoke floating above the canal.
That was the fleet of the traitor Roland Wimbledon.
Unexpectedly, he actually dared to attack the capital.
This made Weimars feel amused, but also gave birth to a hint of admiration.
Since the beginning of its establishment, the capital has never been attacked once in more than 200 years. Any enemy will not have the courage to attack after seeing its majestic bluestone city wall. Not everyone has the guts to compete in the field where the enemy has the most advantage.
At least not His Majesty Timothy Wimbledon.
Unfortunately, the other party is his own enemy.
The knight obeys the glory. As the guardian knight of the royal capital, he has been given the responsibility of defending the capital, and he must fulfill the responsibility to the end.
"Sir, the rebel king's fleet is here!" A squire ran up the city.
"Don't shout, I've seen it long ago," Weimars put down his observation glass and spit, "Pass my order, the first cavalry and the second cavalry will mount and stand by behind the city gate. As for the group of mercenaries, let me They'll just follow the cavalry, and don't piss their pants when the gunpowder explodes. And the oil pan is on fire, although I don't think they'll be able to touch the wall."
There was a burst of laughter from the surrounding knights.
According to the predetermined plan, when the rebel king's troops occupy the pier, the flag will be waved on the city wall. At this time, the strong snow powder buried near the pier will be detonated, which will definitely cause heavy losses and chaos to the opponent. At this time, open the city gate again and launch a cavalry charge, and the victory can be established.
"The group of country bumpkins in the western border probably thought that the king's capital was about the same as their grandest Longsong Fortress, and they could take it down with a wooden ladder," Iron Feather Knight Skar echoed, "I think you can save this firewood and bring Go home and burn."
"Just be prepared." What an idiot, Sir thought to himself, even if things like boiling oil and rolling stones don't come in handy, they have to show it to His Majesty Timothy - just deal with it because the enemy can't get in, this kind of carelessness The mentality of underestimating the enemy will sooner or later be kicked out of the Royal City Knights by His Majesty.
He raised the sight glass again, and saw that the sailboat at the front of the fleet had left the line and was heading for the pier alone. The black flames above its head could be seen from miles away, there was no oars on the broadside, and it was unclear how it acted. But none of these matters, no matter how strange the ship, can't go ashore to fight.
The ship gradually slowed down, and finally stopped slowly on the other side of the pier.
"What do they want to do?" Skal raised his eyebrows. "Could it be that they want to land on the other side of the river? Could it be that the militia of a hundred people frightened His Royal Highness the traitor?"
Weimars was also quite surprised. Most people saw that the defense of the dock was so weak, and they should occupy the dock as soon as possible. He opened his mouth, and was about to say something, when the front of the strange ship suddenly lit up with a fire.
- The orange-red flame heart is like a new dawn.