Chapter 175 - 161: War Arrangements
Chapter 175: Chapter 161: War Arrangements
On the other side, Robson was leading his three thousand most elite soldiers. Despite their haste, they still failed to reach the camp before the enemy.
It couldn’t be helped. The enemy Wolf Cavalry was simply too fast. No matter what methods Robson employed, men on two legs could not outrun wolves on four.
Contrary to the speculations of the commanders at Thermopylae, Robson had yet to make any preparations to set up camp.
He stood on a hilltop, gazing at the distant Wolf Cavalry camp.
"Baron Robson, what should we do now?" Prince Noah asked, turning to Robson.
Although they hadn’t fought any battles in the past few days, Robson’s brilliant and unconventional ideas had still left Prince Noah deeply impressed. He was utterly astounded, especially after learning the history of how Robson’s army had been developed.
While there was no clear line between a professional commander and an amateur general, Prince Noah knew that he himself could never have trained Peasants into an army like this one, capable of marching a hundred li a day.
The high morale that erupted throughout the army after Robson requested Prince Noah to distribute wealth was particularly startling to the prince.
Prince Noah didn’t have a precise figure, but he knew their average speed yesterday had been at least 130 li.
It was simply terrifying.
Having witnessed what an elite mortal force could be, Prince Noah had come to deeply admire Robson’s abilities.
Just as he had decided back at O’Neil Fortress, the education Prince Noah had received since childhood taught him to make good use of talented people and leave specialized tasks to the experts.
Throughout their journey, Prince Noah granted Robson’s every request and answered his every question, never once interfering with the army’s management.
This had saved Robson a great deal of trouble.
Robson looked at the distant Beastman Camp.
"Your Highness, what do you think our chances of victory are if we take the initiative and attack?" Robson’s words were shocking.
"Take the initiative and attack?" Prince Noah looked at Robson in disbelief.
"Sir Robson, it’s not that I don’t trust your abilities or your army, but... ahead of us is a plain, and the enemy is Wolf Cavalry....
Isn’t doing this a bit... ill-advised?" Out of habit, Prince Noah didn’t reject the idea outright, but merely asked tentatively.
"Under normal circumstances, what you say would be correct.
But we can’t ignore the fact that the enemy has just arrived from a thousand-li raid.
Charging from Devil City to Thermopylae is a much greater distance than we traveled. It’s impossible for the enemy to have their full formations and all their troops.
Moreover, we have one crucial advantage," Robson said earnestly.
Although his army, Lord Robson’s army, had also force-marched all the way here, the officers and soldiers of the entire first regiment had eaten and drunk their fill in carts from last night until today.
Of course, the jostling of the carts would certainly affect the quality of their rest, but a little bumping was much easier than measuring the land with one’s own two feet.
To ensure the soldiers could maintain their combat effectiveness, Robson had even made them stretch their muscles before resting to prevent cramps and soreness.
As it turned out, this approach was indeed the correct one.
The soldiers of the first regiment had now maintained their full combat strength, but their morale wasn’t very high. After all, the second and third regiments, who had walked on their own two feet, were now worth several Silver Coins each.
The soldiers of the first regiment were, after all, converted Peasants. In their simple minds, working hard for a few days to earn enough to live on for two or three years was an absolutely worthwhile trade!
Of course, Robson and Prince Noah were prepared for this. It was just money, wasn’t it? Whether they gave it sooner or later, they would give it.
"What advantage?" Prince Noah asked, puzzled.
Robson pointed at the sky.
"Griffins! We have the intelligence advantage of the Griffins," Robson said.
Once they stepped into the Earth Realm of Thermopylae, they rarely saw any Thunderhawks active in the vicinity. Several of the kingdom’s famous Griffin Knight Orders were present at Thermopylae. If they still allowed enemy Thunderhawks to freely spy for intelligence, then those Griffin Knight Orders might as well disband.
"Right now, the enemy doesn’t know our army’s position, nor can they scout it.
The enemy has long since separated from the main Beastman force. The bulk of our army is still over twenty li away. No matter how fast their scouts are, they can’t possibly extend their reconnaissance network all the way to us.
Besides, according to intelligence from Thermopylae, the enemy only arrived this afternoon. It’s highly likely they haven’t spread out a reconnaissance network at all. In other words, they have absolutely no intelligence on us," Robson explained.
During his time in this world, Robson hadn’t been idle.
In his past life, he had been a commoner who clawed his way to the top through hyper-competitiveness. In a world with so much potential for achievement, how could he possibly allow himself to slack off?
During his free time away from training troops, he would study the history of this world. He also sought out Viscount Fuman and Viscount Leo to discuss the military knowledge passed down from their ancestors. When alone, he would reflect on the books he had read in his past life.
Unexpectedly, he had truly learned quite a few things.
"In other words, the enemy is in the light while we are in the shadows.
Your Highness, this is a perfect opportunity. The enemy has yet to establish a firm foothold. Although they have five thousand cavalry, it’s impossible for them to have maintained a complete formation after a forced march.
We can make a conservative estimate. Let’s say the enemy is extremely elite, and three-fifths of their army managed to keep up with the main force. That’s three thousand men," Robson said.
In Robson’s experience, for a forced march, having even half the troops keep up with the main body was an astonishing number.
Even Robson’s own army only managed a three-fifths retention rate, and that was after he had implemented many reforms and spent money without reservation.
For this forced march, Prince Noah had spent several thousand Gold Coins at least. Even for him, this was a considerable expense.
Of course, compared to the potential gains, these costs were trivial. One cannot be limited by immediate benefits.
Prince Noah was a bit lost. He vaguely felt that his military lessons might have covered these things, but he had no real interest in military affairs and only had a hazy recollection.
"Your Highness, this moment is incredibly precious. The enemy has not had adequate rest, and their formations are incomplete.
If we drag this out, the main Beastman army will certainly arrive before our reinforcements," Robson said.
In truth, if Robson wanted to attack, he could have simply ordered the army on his own authority without caring about Prince Noah’s opinion.
But nominally, Robson was serving under Prince Noah, so it was worth spending a few extra words. Besides, Prince Noah was indeed generous, throwing around thousands of Gold Coins at a time.
Most importantly, Prince Noah was the nominal commander of this army, which meant that whether this unit succeeded or failed, he would be the one held primarily responsible.
For a good leader like this, who could take responsibility and cover for him, Robson didn’t mind spending a little extra time explaining things.
"Then when do we set out? A pre-dawn attack?" Prince Noah asked.
Under Robson’s barrage of information, the military knowledge Prince Noah had learned years ago finally began to resurface. In his memory, most raids took place before dawn, when the enemy soldiers would be sound asleep.
Unexpectedly, Robson shook his head again.
"No. As long as the enemy commander isn’t a fool, the first thing he’ll do after a long-distance raid and setting up camp is to have his soldiers rest. I estimate they’re already asleep by now. You see, there are hardly any soldiers moving about in the enemy camp.
If we attack before dawn, the enemy might already be awake. Therefore, we’ll choose to raid them in the middle of the night," Robson said.
"Just give the order, Sir Robson. You don’t need to explain all this to me." Prince Noah thought for a moment. He actually had many more questions, but after some consideration, he decided not to ask them.
...
After scouting the enemy’s situation with Prince Noah, Robson immediately returned to camp and summoned all the officers for a council.
Just as Robson had said, the military situation was urgent, and the opportunity was fleeting.
"My lord, are we going to war? Our Cavalry Team is itching for a fight!" The moment Claude arrived at the meeting, he excitedly volunteered his services to Robson.
"You’ll get your fight. Don’t be impatient," Robson said with a smile.
"My lord, what will the first regiment be doing this time?
You know, the soldiers of the first regiment have been... complaining a bit lately."
To Robson’s surprise, it wasn’t just Claude who was impatient; even Bo Yang stepped forward to request a battle assignment.
Though surprised, this was exactly the effect Robson had been hoping for!
’Hold back the soldiers’ fighting spirit for now, then unleash it all tonight.’
"Tonight’s operation will rely mainly on the first regiment. All the rewards the officers and soldiers of the first regiment failed to obtain before, we will repay them in full tonight.
I have already spoken with Sir Robson. One Beastman head is worth three Silver Coins, and this week’s prize pool will be expanded to one hundred Gold Coins.
I, Noah, swear on the name of the Frankish Royal Family, and I will not go back on my word!" said Prince Noah.
As the army’s biggest financial backer at the moment, Prince Noah spoke with immense confidence.
"On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the first regiment, I thank you for your generosity, Your Highness," Robson said.
’These soldiers are all going to follow me, Robson, to my new territory in the future. With the Silver Coins in their hands now, won’t it all end up in my, Lord Robson’s, hands sooner or later?’
"The second and third regiments, tonight you will take the Magic Crystal Cannons and military supplies. You must reach the small hill five li east of the Wolf Cavalry camp before two in the morning. Oh, and didn’t Thermopylae ask if we needed assistance? Have them dispatch cavalry to support the second and third regiments.
The second and third regiments will also participate in the distribution of military merits for this operation. As for whether to attack or take other actions, I will have the Griffin Caval relay messages as needed.
Any questions?" Robson asked.
The second and third regiments were, of course, not the original regimental headquarters, but temporary formations Robson had created for convenience. They would be restored to their original structure later.
"No problem, my lord."
"Understood, my lord."
Augustus and Turalyon replied.
Robson looked toward Valentino, and Valentino seemed to understand.
"Is there something you need me to do?" Valentino asked.
Robson nodded.
"I need the Fengman Knight Order to move out with the other nobles. Tonight, you will wrap your horses’ hooves in cloth. After approaching within five li, you will begin your charge. Find where the enemy keeps their mounts and, if possible, set all of their mounts loose.
I will arrange for some Griffins to guide you, but you will primarily need to find them yourselves. Release all their mounts, and burn their granaries to the ground, if they have any," Robson said.
"No problem," Valentino said.
Viscount Fuman witnessed the entire meeting and felt the situation was somewhat absurd.
’A man who isn’t even a Viscount is simultaneously having a Count and even a Prince listen to his opinions, and no one even thinks this is strange.’
"In that case, everyone get to it. The armor can be distributed ahead of time. Once you reach the plains, have the soldiers board the carts by battalion and set out," Robson ordered.
The crowd dispersed. Robson looked at the gradually darkening sky and took a deep breath.
This was his first true head-on clash with the Beastmen in the open field. He couldn’t help but feel nervous. After all, in the culture of the Frank Kingdom, the Beastmen had always been considered invincible in field battles.
At least for now, he held the advantage of timing and terrain.