Archer Josk is about thirty years old, tall and fit, with blond hair, handsome looks, and a resolute expression. It's just that Lorist noticed that there always seemed to be a faint sadness between his brows.
After greeting each other and performing the knight salute, Lorist invited Josk Knight to the big tent for a chat.
After arriving at the big tent, after introducing the knights of his family to Knight Josk, Lorist briefly explained the origin of the convoy and the situation in which he was attacked by the Lancers in the afternoon and captured the barracks in a rage. And asked about the purpose of Josk Knight's visit.
Cavalier Josk was also very straightforward. He said that the purpose of his coming was to see if the convoy could withstand the attack of a large guard and a squadron of Lancers under Count Kobilly's command. Originally, he approached the barracks in the afternoon to pretend to be reconnaissance. He wanted to take advantage of the lack of defensive forces in the barracks to sneak in and set fire to the food and supplies, forcing Count Cobilly's army, who was sweeping the western mountainous area, to turn around and give the resistance forces in the western mountainous area a chance to breathe.
Now that Lorist's convoy captured the barracks, it undoubtedly helped the resistance forces a lot. Knight Josk spoke bluntly. He said that when he saw Lorist leading the light cavalry of less than a hundred to capture the barracks in the afternoon, he thought they were not strong enough. At most, he evacuated the barracks after making a profit. At that time, he wondered when there would be a cavalry unit that could compete with the Lancers in this area. It wasn't until he saw Fatty Shi's convoy heading for the barracks on the way back that he realized that Lorist and the others were probably passing by here and the Lancers. The cavalry clashed. Worried that Lorist and the others would suffer a big loss if they didn't understand the strength of Earl Cobili's army, they came here to inform Lorist.
Josk Knight said that what Earl Cobilly raided in the western mountains was a garrison brigade plus a garrison squadron that was originally stationed at this barracks. It is composed of four spearmen squads, and each squad is full of one hundred and twenty people. The five squadrons have nearly 2,400 people, plus a squadron of Lancers wandering around the outskirts of the mountain, the total force is close to 2,900 people.
Fatty Shi interjected. He said that the information he got from Knight Soria was that there were more than 1,000 lancers and more than 2,000 garrison soldiers. How could Count Cobili's army expand so quickly now
Josk asked Soria who was the knight? Fatty Shi told him about Baron Charles and Knight Soria.
Knight Josk curled his lips. He knew Baron Charles and had met several times. Knight Soria was right, but what he said was more than a year ago, when Count Kobili had just returned to his territory. And now Count Cobili is fighting in this area, using force to conquer and eliminate the territorial nobles in this area, why not strengthen his military strength. In addition to the troops who came to sweep the western mountains this time, Earl Cobili's family territory also had three Lancer squadrons, a fully staffed garrison brigade, and two newly formed garrison squadrons.
Some time ago, the mopping-up troops broke through several cottages in the western mountainous area and obtained a batch of food and supplies. In the past two days, they began to attack the Funiuling cottage, which is the largest rebel force in the western mountainous area. Resolutely resisted, although the cottage was defended, the loss was also great, and the situation was precarious. That's why Josk Knight wanted to sneak attack the barracks and burn the food and grass. However, Lorist occupied the barracks, and as soon as the news spread to the western mountains, it was guaranteed that Earl Cobili's mopping up troops would immediately turn around and attack the barracks.
Josk Knight's suggestion to Lorist was that if the strength of the convoy was not strong enough to resist the mopping forces, they should withdraw as soon as possible, and burn food and supplies, forcing Earl Cobilly's mopping forces to withdraw back to the family territory. The western mountainous area is only a day's journey away from here. If we get news that the military camp has been occupied tonight, we will be able to return tomorrow evening. If the convoy doesn't leave quickly, it won't be able to leave.
Lorist shook his head, the convoy can't leave, and if it leaves, it will be easy to be overtaken. As long as the Lancers entangle the convoy and the large troops behind catch up, the convoy will have to fight Cobili's army. It is better to guard the barracks than to fight in the field against the dominant enemy on the way to evacuate. At least it still occupies the terrain here, which can reduce casualties.
Lorist said murderously, if there is a battle, it will be a big one. I will use this barracks to annihilate the 3,000 people who mopped up the troops, and teach Count Cobili a profound lesson.
Lorist analyzed that although Earl Cobili's mopping up troops were three times as large as ours, his real combat power was far inferior to our armed forces. According to the confession of the captives, the only threat to us from Earl Kobili is the Lancers, which are all composed of soldiers who have awakened their grudges. If the armored soldiers fight in close quarters, it is guaranteed to be a massacre of the Lancers. As for the more than 2,000 garrison soldiers, they have no fighting spirit, and under the impact of Terman's silver and black iron knights, aren't they just a flock of sheep
At that time, Yuri's light cavalry scout team will be cruising around the periphery, not letting go of an enemy who slipped through the net. We also have crossbowmen, spearmen, and crossbow chariots. 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 simpler. As Knight Jost said just now, although the raiding force broke through several cottages and obtained a batch of food and supplies, it was only enough for them to consume for five or six days. Upon hearing the news that the barracks had been taken, the raiding force had only two options. One was to withdraw to the family territory, or the other was to turn around and recapture the barracks. I believe that the leader of the sweeping force will definitely choose to capture the barracks. If he chooses to withdraw to the family territory, even if the military strength is not damaged, he will be scolded by Earl Cobili. He cannot bear the responsibility of losing two Lancer squads and three illegitimate brothers. He can only choose to return to the army to destroy us, and recapture the barracks to get supplies.
We choose to resist step by step. In the first two days, we must make the opponent feel that they can capture the barracks as long as they work harder. After two days, when he has invested all his troops, let them enter the camp, use various obstacles to divert their troops, and then send out heavy armor. Give them a fatal blow, then, it will not take much trouble to annihilate them.
Lorist's words lifted the spirits of everyone in the big tent. Everyone knew that this big battle was inevitable. Just like what Lorist said, even if you leave now, you will inevitably be caught up in a field battle, so it's better to hold on. Barracks battle. Moreover, Lorist came up with a strategy that sounded very good, as long as it was implemented properly, it could really wipe out these 3,000 people.
Fatty Shi immediately found the terrain map of the military camp, and began to discuss with everyone how to lure the opponent, how to set up the battlefield in the military camp, arrange traps and ambushes, how to divide the opponent's force, etc., and the discussion was in full swing.
Josk Knight seemed a little envious of the harmonious atmosphere between Lorist and the knights of the family. Seeing that everyone was discussing defense measures one by one, he turned to Lorist and volunteered whether he could contribute to this great war. Some strength
Lorist nodded, and he told Knight Josk that all the armed forces of the Norton family convoy would be devoted to this battle. If Knight Josk had the ability, he would take advantage of Earl Cobili's mopping-up troops in an ambush in the barracks, and take a It is the greatest help for this battle that the team has set up its camp in the rear.
Hearing this, Josk Knight cheered up and replied that this is not a problem. He immediately went back to gather those rebel forces, secretly followed behind the sweeping troops, and when they attacked the barracks and got trapped, he kicked their nests. After speaking, Josk Knight hurriedly said goodbye and left.
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At dusk the next day, Earl Cobili's mopping-up army appeared in front of the barracks, and the spearhead was the Lancer Squadron. When they rushed to the front of the barracks, they soon saw the heads of the sticks on both sides of the road leading to the gate of the barracks. The head of the big brown-haired man in the front was particularly eye-catching.
The Lancers were so angry that they yelled at the barracks. Some Lancers even wanted to charge the gate of the barracks, but they were shot back by more than a hundred crossbowmen on the parapet wall of the barracks gate. Leaving behind a dozen or so Lancers who fell down with arrows.
After the garrison brigade arrived, the leader of Earl Cobili's mopping-up force dispatched four squadrons of sword and shield soldiers to take back the heads of the sticks and the corpses of the dead Lancers under the cover of the shields. Then it was time to set up camp.
Standing on the parapet, Lorist nodded and commented: "The commander of this army is quite clear-headed, and his actions are quite satisfactory. Let's go, Fatty, El, you should be fine tonight, and the big show will start tomorrow morning." It's time to start."
Fatty Shi was still a little worried: "What if they don't go from the gate, but randomly find a parapet in the barracks to launch a sneak attack? What should we do? We have concentrated all our strength on the gate."
"No." Lorist pointed to the outside of the parapet: "Look, Earl Cobili chose this place to build a permanent military camp. One, the terrain here is flat and there is no high ground nearby, so the military camp is higher than outside. About two meters, it is suitable for Lancers to attack, and it also prevents the enemy from peeping into the barracks from outside. Second, except for the three-meter-wide avenue leading to the barracks gate, the barracks is surrounded by this two-meter-wide moat , We have tried that the water depth is more than two meters. There is still a row of rejecting horses on the side of the moat. Behind the rejecting horses is a four-meter-high stone parapet wall, while the parapet wall in the barracks is only two meters high. There is still one meter above the parapet wall. Five-high wooden fence, when defending, people can stand on the parapet and hide behind the wooden fence to defend."
"If they want to break through the parapet of the barracks, they must first fill up that section of the moat, and then clear away the horses on the river bank, so that there is room for ladders, and the ladders will be more than five meters long. Don't forget This barracks originally belonged to them, and they naturally know that it is most efficient to launch an attack from the barracks. Coupled with the time limit, I don't think they will even consider breaking through the wall. To be honest, the defense of this barracks is better than some lords. The castle is still strong, and Earl Cobili never imagined that he made the defense of the barracks so good to prevent attacks from rebel forces, and now they are attacking the barracks themselves. Is this asking for trouble? "
"In addition to the gate of the barracks, there is a small gate behind the barracks, but to pass through the small gate, you have to put down the drawbridge on the moat. It is very inconvenient for people and horses to pass through. I think they will send a squad of Lancers to block the drawbridge behind the barracks to ensure that we As for the large group of people, it is most convenient to attack from the gate of the barracks. For them, we will be finished if we break the gate of the barracks. Let those old people and children wear leather armor and hold spears to walk around the parapet tomorrow morning Let them confirm that our strength is insufficient, and even the elderly and children have mobilized to defend."
El asked, "Will they send Gold Rank masters to infiltrate the barracks that night?"
Lorist smiled: "You thought they were all you, and wandered around like a night wandering god without sleep. The captives said that the eleven illegitimate sons of Earl Cobili who led the team this time, three gold and eight silver, have already been slaughtered by us. Gold and two silver. The rest will never dare to take the risk of sneaking in alone. You must know that fighting alone is not the same as fighting on the battlefield. The enemy who cannot be defeated on the battlefield can use his soldiers to pile him up to kill him. Most of them are soldiers. If He sneaked in and was discovered by us, but no one helped him, and he might die, so they would not take this risk. Besides, Bodfinger and his comrade Ross will watch the night at night, why should we worry about it?"
…
The night was uneventful.
Earl Cobili's mopping up troops had traveled all day, so it was normal for them to have a good night's rest. And Lorist, who occupied the barracks, didn't send anyone out to harass them. In addition, the old men and children who wandered on the barracks wall early in the morning were seen by the Lancers monitoring the barracks, so it was easy to conclude that One conclusion is that the enemy occupying the barracks is not strong, and even the elderly and children are sent into battle.
In the morning, the mopping-up troops sent several loud guards over, yelling threats at the gate of the barracks, demanding that the people inside the barracks come out and surrender immediately, or they will all be hanged when they get in. Lorist thought they were too noisy, so he asked the crossbowmen to shoot them into hedgehogs. Then he ordered the old people and children on the parapet wall of the barracks to evacuate immediately, and the battle will soon begin.
Sure enough, the guards who came to persuade them to surrender were shot to death, which angered the enemy. They swarmed out of the camp, with the sword and shield soldiers in front and the longbowmen behind, and then started to shoot at the crossbowmen in the barracks. It's just that the crossbowmen are covered by protective walls and wooden grilles. The crossbow is easy to aim and shoots directly, and its lethality is stronger than the longbow that can only be thrown from a long distance.
The longbowman was in an awkward situation. He was vulnerable to being shot by the crossbow. If he didn't get close, he could only throw it. After shooting a few rounds, it didn't cause any damage to the crossbowman except for a few more long arrows on the wooden fence on the parapet of the barracks.
The longbowmen were withdrawn, and the enemy changed their strategy. They sent sword and shield soldiers forward to feign an attack, preparing to lure the crossbowmen to fire crossbow arrows and consume as much crossbow arrows as possible. Lorist ordered not to shoot arrows, and let the two squads of sword and shield soldiers reach the gate of the barracks, and then opened the gate. Terman, who had been prepared, led the knights and rushed into the sword and shield soldiers like a tiger into a flock of sheep, killing It's extremely joyful and dripping. More than 200 sword and shield soldiers in the two teams only fled back more than 50 people.
The Lancers over there wanted to rush up but were blocked by the crossbowmen. When they pulled the longbowmen up, Terman had already returned to the barracks with the knights. This sweeping force lost more than 150 sword and shield soldiers, but Terman and the others were unscathed.
Although they lost for a while, the commander of the mopping up troops thought it was worth the loss. Combined with the description of the Lancers who fled back from the second attack on the convoy, the guard force of this convoy occupying the barracks was the more than one hundred people guarding the gate of the barracks. A crossbowman, and more than forty knights who rushed out of the barracks to kill the sword and shield soldiers just now, and the rest are hundreds of spearmen. However, the spearmen I saw in the morning were all old men and children. Presumably, they suffered a lot of damage when they captured the barracks, and their combat effectiveness was negligible.
In the afternoon, the mopping up troops stopped attacking the barracks, and only sent cavalrymen to watch from a distance. Send out a large number of guards to cut down the grove, and then drag the trees back to the camp. Standing on the parapet, Lorist saw that many guards in the mopping up camp were busy making wooden rafts and crashing cars.
"It seems that they are going to get serious tomorrow. Are our fuel tanks ready?" Lorist Steven asked Fatty Shi beside him.
"It's fifty-five in total. I don't know if it's enough." Fatty Shi was worried.
"That's enough, set him ablaze tomorrow, and then it's our turn to clean them up." Lorist cracked his lips and laughed.
…
In the morning, after Lorist finished his morning exercise and was about to wash himself off, Fatty Shi ran to say that the enemy troops had been dispatched.
Day, so early, the sun has not yet risen! Lorist looked up at the sky, only to find that the sky was cloudy and gloomy today, and it seemed that there would be heavy snowfall in the afternoon or evening. It's January and there's still a few more snowfalls to come. The sweeping troops over there may also have discovered the change in the weather, so they launched an attack in advance.
Lorist said to Fatty Shi: "Go and see the family members of the army. If the weather changes, you need to add more clothes to prevent many people in the convoy from catching cold and getting sick. You should worry about these things. I will take care of the battle outside, so you can rest assured. "
…
Standing on the parapet, watching the enemies on the opposite side shrink themselves behind the wooden rafts one by one, and then gradually move the wooden rafts forward step by step. Among the wooden rafts, three crudely shaped vehicles collided with dozens of people. Under the push, it "creaked" and came slowly along the avenue.
Lorist smiled at Bodfinger who had been patrolling beside him all night: "It's going to be a fierce battle today, it seems that they are all in a hurry."
Bodfinger nodded: "A sudden change in the weather will have a great impact on them. If there is heavy snow for several days, it will be over for them to retreat now. The supplies are insufficient and cannot last. They can only maintain the troops by capturing the barracks earlier. What is in front of them now is a strong attack, regardless of casualties and no matter what the price is, they must capture the barracks. Maybe we don't have to wait until tomorrow to start the trap."
Lorist said: "Well, if they keep attacking by force, then we will abandon the gate of the barracks and let them in. Anyway, it doesn't matter if it is a day or a day later, even if they want to escape in this weather, they can't escape very far. Reddy , you go and tell everyone to take their positions, we want to surprise the enemy."
…