Nan Ming Sun Never Sets

Chapter 481 Alarm Clock or Death Knell
Qian Erlang expressed his appreciation when he learned that Menecis, the commander of the Portuguese army, did not seek a frontal battle with John.

"This Menecis is indeed a man who has led the Portuguese army to many victories. He has a good idea. The Portuguese army can't take any risks at this time. His own strength is not dominant. If he wins, it's okay. If he wins If he loses, the action of the entire five-nation coalition to attack Spain will be delayed, and he traded space for time, took the initiative to retreat, did not confront John, and preserved his own strength. On the contrary, it was a very big psychological blow to the Western Army. pressure."

The Ming army has been preparing here for several days at Penamarkle, and the supplies that the Ming army is waiting for are gradually arriving.In addition, part of the British, French and Dutch troops also arrived in Penamarkle one after another.

The French army is the largest force in Penamarkle's five-nation coalition except for the Ming army.Louis XIV was extremely positive about this alliance, and the overall strategic environment of France was suppressed by the two Habsburg royal families of Spain and Austria.After the 30-year war, France has gradually emerged as the number one power in Europe, but it still faces challenges.Louis XIV decisively dispatched a large army this time to join the Allied Forces of the Five Nations.More than 3000 troops were sent to Portugal, comparable to the Ming army. On the side of the Pyrenees, the French army also prepared thousands of soldiers as a feint to divert the attention of the Spanish army.

The United Kingdom is getting closer to Portugal, and more than 400 troops are already in Menesis's troops.In order to observe the actions of the Ming army at close range, the British sent General Thomas Morgan to lead about [-] British soldiers to Penamarkle to follow the Ming army.

Coupled with the Dutch's 500 troops and the Portuguese's approximately 900 troops here, the total strength of the five-nation coalition in the direction of Penamark is about 9200, which is already considered a relatively large force on the European battlefield. combat power.

Gao Ning has a bad opinion of the situation of the South Route Army.

"There is always a limit to exchanging space for time, and there is always a time when Commander Menecis can't retreat. John doesn't care whether Menecis wants to fight him. If the Portuguese army doesn't easily start with him, then John will Attack Lisbon directly." Gao Ning expressed his opinion.

Qian Erlang glanced at the map and lamented: "These small European countries, it's true, one country is the size of two or three of our Ming Dynasty, not even a province. The strategic space is so small, this Menesis We really have to retreat to the seaside after more than 100 kilometers. If John is determined, he will still have to fight this battle sooner or later."

Gao Ning immediately said: "So, we should immediately turn around and head south. As long as John goes deeper into Portugal, he will be more dangerous. We can directly cut off his retreat and let Menesis cooperate with us to annihilate John directly. department."

Qian Erlang tapped his chin lightly with his fist, thinking: "This will definitely affect our marching speed."

Gao Ning said: "But Lisbon must not be lost. John's disaster in Portugal for a day will have an impact on the stability of the alliance."

Qian Erlang nodded, quite pleased with Gao Ning.What this young officer sees is not just what happens at a moment and where on the battlefield, but he is able to grasp the overall situation.Although Qian Erlang believed that even if the Ming army fought with their eyes closed, they would still win this battle, he definitely hoped to achieve the greatest success at the least cost.

After the plan was finalized, Qian Erlang immediately led the main force of the Northern Route Army southward, leaving only more than 2000 defenders to guard Pena Marker, including a part of the Ming army.

Under the leadership of Qian Erlang, the 10 North Route Army crossed the mountains of Portugal and headed south with supplies that could last for [-] days.Menecis also wrote to Qian Erlang at this time, hoping to get support, defeat John first, defend Lisbon, and annihilate the Spanish army, the last force capable of launching an aggressive war.

Menesis played very smartly in battle. He cleverly used the terrain to use as few troops as possible to ambush the Western Army. Although it was impossible to cause any substantial damage to the Western Army, it was true. This greatly affected John's marching speed, and also objectively provided precious time for Qian Erlang's Northern Route Army to support him.

When Qian Erlang's troops came to the back of the Spanish army led by John, John had already penetrated nearly [-] kilometers into Portugal.John burned many Portuguese towns and directly plundered the local area to obtain enough rations.This move did not boost the morale of the Spanish army, but instead the Western Army was in a state of hesitation.

John himself was also extremely anxious at this time, and he already had more and more ominous premonitions.He was very anxious, hoping to defeat Menecis' Portuguese army immediately and change the situation of this war, but Menecis just watched him burn, kill and loot but remained indifferent.

The overall speed of the march did not meet John's expectations, because once the looting was released, it would be difficult to gather the soldiers back, and Menezes often sent Portuguese troops to harass, so John has not seen it yet. The shadow of Lisbon.

If Lisbon was so easily breached by Spain, it would have been breached by Spain in the past 20 years.

Qian Erlang was riding on a war horse, which was a gift from King Felipe of Portugal, a precious Andalusian horse.

In front is Pavia, a small city in Portugal. After the Western Army captured it, it was temporarily stationed here.They drove away the residents here and robbed all kinds of property here, just when they were comfortable.

Gao Ning looked at his watch and said: "It's almost time. According to the battle plan, we can set up artillery positions and bombard the enemy."

Qian Erlang smiled: "I always feel that this kind of warfare makes our Ming army the same as the artillery of the coalition army."

In order to win this battle, Qian Erlang did not hesitate to bring more than 200 Ming army artillery from the North Road to the South Road. Everyone knows that the greatest strength of the Ming Army lies in its own artillery.Qian Erlang had sent someone to Menesis the day before, asking him to lead his army to attack the Western Army 2 hours after the Ming Army started shelling according to the combat deployment.

On the battlefield, the cannons of the Ming Dynasty were pulled open, and the muzzles were aimed at the small city of Pavia.The Spanish army was not fully awake at dawn, and Qian Erlang was very happy to be able to act as an alarm clock to wake up the Spaniards.

But whether this is an alarm clock or a death knell, it is up to the Spaniards to judge for themselves.

(End of this chapter)