I will be crowned king

Amidst the earth-shaking loud noise, not only the royal estate on the high ground was in commotion, but the siege positions at the foot of the mountain were also in chaos.

Amidst the continuous shouting, a few skirmishing regiments in the front row of the offensive position were the first to break out in commotion: the expected attack time was three hours later, and they heard the sound of artillery on the high ground before they entered combat mode. Subconsciously I thought the attack had already begun.

Immediately, the vanguard troops split into two groups: one group of people immediately began to gather troops to prepare for a charge without any explanation. The piercing sound of iron whistles instantly spread across the front line, and many companies rushed out immediately without even counting their heads.

Another group of people insisted that they had not received the order, but because some troops blew the charge horn, they could only rush forward to cover the flanks and avoid gaps in the front.

The chain reaction started from this moment.

Regardless of whether the bombardment is true or not, the vanguard has launched an attack. Of course, the subsequent combat units dare not delay the opportunity: in order to promote the friendship between the Storm Legion and the Ranger Legion as much as possible, it is also as balanced as possible, and no one legion is allowed to Taking on too heavy a task—it could also be said to take away too much military glory—the skirmishers of the vanguard came from the Storm Legion, and the line troops that followed were naturally soldiers of the Ranger Legion.

The officers of the Ranger Corps were also very aware, so they did not dare to neglect even if they were not clear about the situation. The infantry regiments quickly gathered, bayonets and guns were drawn on their shoulders, and the rapid beat of military drums resounded throughout most of the siege position.

It was not until the commanders of each infantry division arrived at the position with their messengers that they finally curbed the chaos and severely reprimanded some middle- and lower-level officers who had "made their own decisions."

The most unlucky among them is undoubtedly the artillery... Whether it is the non-commissioned officers who feel aggrieved, or the angry regiment and division commanders, almost all of them are pointing the finger at them - why are the artillery fired without orders? Who did this? ? !

The artillerymen were so aggrieved... they couldn't even open the ammunition boxes without orders, and all the gun barrels were still cold and cold; and the two legions combined now only have a total of twenty-five artillery pieces. It would still be possible if they fired. Don’t know who it is? !

The quarrel between the two sides lasted for a full quarter of an hour before they finally received information from the headquarters. It was the imperial army on the highlands who fired their own artillery, blowing up their own peripheral fortifications and completely resolving the conflict between the two sides.

But at this time, the deal was already done. The chaotic Western Front Army had to reorganize its army immediately. It was difficult to immediately organize the army to pursue the long-planned Jialan Army. Moreover, if the other party dared to take such a risk, it showed that they were definitely fully prepared to deal with it. I really ran away in a panic.

Ten minutes later, all the infantry regiments on the position received an order from Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach himself: All combat units were assembled in the position and on standby, no pursuit was allowed, and the Royal Manor was occupied after the enemy had completely withdrawn.

At this time, Sir Garland no longer concealed his intentions, and began to organize the troops to evacuate in an orderly manner. He also very "kindly" burned the entire royal estate, used artillery to blow up all the peripheral fortifications, and even the trenches. All filled in.

During this period, the soldiers of the Western Front could only watch the blazing fire above the high ground. They didn't know whether to look at the other party's leaving figure with joy or helplessness, standing there doing nothing.

"Sir, is it really okay for us to do this?"

In front of the crowded ferry, the young adjutant cautiously came to Sir Gloria, who was directing the crossing, and asked in a low voice: "We gave up our position and fled before a shot was fired...Ah, I mean evacuation, will it be possible?" what is the problem?"

"Problem?" Sir Garland, who was holding a monocular, snorted coldly, and finally moved his gaze away from the direction of the Western Front: "The problem is that we are not retreating fast enough... If that bastard Anson Bach hadn't chased him too hard. Come on, we shouldn’t even stay east of the Halcyon for even half a day!”

"Huh? B-but..."

"It's nothing! We have less than 10,000 people. If we stay in the royal manor and defend it, we will definitely end up dead and worthless." Sir Gloria interrupted the adjutant who was still trying to struggle:

"Look at the location of the opponent's foxholes and artillery forts. The offensive area of ​​their vanguard is the blind spot of the royal manor's artillery fire. And if their artillery fort has a twelve-pounder cannon, it can directly threaten the inner fort of the manor. ,This shows what?!"

"Say, explain, explain..."

The hemming and hawing adjutant suddenly stared in disbelief.

"Very good, it seems you are not very stupid." Sir Gloria nodded slightly with a heavy expression:

"So we must not stay too long... Since Anson Bach is so confident about defeating the emperor at the Halberd River, then we will give him this opportunity to see if this guy can really reverse the situation on the territory of the empire. Fight a real winning battle.”

As he spoke, he looked back behind him. The busy baggage soldiers had just built the pontoon bridge; because they were too hasty and did not plan the retreat route, and at the same time they were worried that the Clovis would suddenly launch an attack. One company after another was crowded on the edge of the river bank. , some even saw that the water depth at the ferry was only half a person's height, and some tried to swim forcefully due to their size.

The chaotic situation obviously seriously delayed the efficiency of the retreat. Even if many officers shouted at the top of their lungs, they could not stop the frightened soldiers from continuing to push forward or holding the driftwood and forcibly swimming across. As a result, even the efficiency of repairing the pontoon bridge was greatly reduced.

"Sir, do you want to reorganize the army?" The adjutant who couldn't bear it suggested again: "If this continues, I'm afraid that not all the army will be able to cross the river at night, and there may even be many casualties."

"There's no need, just keep the status quo."

Sir Gloria shook his head expressionlessly: "It is only by allowing the army to retreat in such a panic that we can avoid His Majesty the Emperor's accountability."

"Your Majesty is about to personally lead the army to fight against the Clovis people. At this time, the more incompetent and embarrassed our subordinates behave, the more it demonstrates your majesty's kingly spirit and the significance and importance of his personal expedition - the failure We, who have won the previous battles, should be in a state of embarrassment, weaklings waiting for His Majesty to come and save us."

"This state cannot be acted out... let them continue to panic like this." Sir Gloria sighed: "It is better to be frightened now than to be beheaded and sacrificed to the flag after the emperor officially launches the ceremony."

"But, with the chaos like this, what if the Clovis take the opportunity to organize an attack?" The adjutant was still uneasy:

"If this continues, we may not be able to completely cross the river even if we wait until tomorrow. If the Clovis people can't make a move for the time being, it doesn't mean they will really let us go, right?"

"You're right, Anson Bach...that bastard will not let us go."

"That……"

"But today is an exception." Sir Garland looked at the sea of ​​fire in the royal manor in the distance: "For him now, how to assemble his 100,000 troops before the emperor's army arrives and be ready for battle , is far more important than annihilating our insignificant defeated troops."

"Sometimes, a large army is not necessarily a good thing... A large army has more troubles to consider, consumes more materials, and takes more risks; Anson Bach, he can bring 150,000 people It took our army only five days to reach the Halcyon River, and the risks and costs we endured can be imagined."

"At this time, we have to worry about eliminating the remaining defeated generals, and we just want to retreat as soon as possible... I bet that he won't do this."

"Uh..." The adjutant blinked in fear: "So you are not absolutely sure, just... guessing?"

"No, it should be judgment, and a good commander should always dare to make judgments!"

Sir Garland corrected him with great confidence: "Based on my understanding of Anson Bach, he will definitely not send troops to annihilate us, but will make us retreat in embarrassment in front of the emperor, so that His Majesty Joseph III will further be full of confidence in the next battle. pressure."

"What's more...since I'm so helpful, I should give you some face and let us go, right?"

"……help?"

…………………………

"Yes, Sir Gloria did help us a lot this time."

Looking at the raging fire that was gradually extinguishing, Anson smiled bitterly and nodded: "Originally, he could have just retreated and left an intact royal manor for us, but he still set fire to the entire position in a 'kind-hearted' way. They are completely clean, not even an intact fortification is left.”

"This also saves us from worrying about whether there are any traps buried in the position and whether there are mines hidden in the soil... It really helps a lot." Karl couldn't help but sigh:

"To be honest, if this kind of 'tacit understanding' guy wasn't my opponent, I would actually like to make friends with him."

This is not just a simple emotion... From the first half of his life when he was repeatedly framed by unscrupulous bosses, to the thrilling years after working with Anson Bach, Carl Bain has seen everything, no matter his colleagues, superiors or opponents. There are eight hundred if not a thousand.

Among so many people, including Anson Bach, all officers are able to recognize their position clearly, know when to attack, when to cooperate with the enemy's opponent, when to retreat, and wait for opportunities to find the enemy's weaknesses...

The total number of such officers does not exceed one hand.

Either he is so passionate that he forgets what he is doing, or he thinks too highly of himself and even firmly believes that people’s wisdom is high or low, or he only knows how to execute death orders and never knows how to adapt, or he knows how to adapt too well, and surrenders before the opponent has a chance to take action.

Enemies like "loaches" like Sir Gloriosa are really extremely rare animals.

"Don't worry, there will be a chance." Anson glanced at him with a chuckle:

"I have a feeling this won't be the last time we play against Sir Gloria."

"ah?"

Karl was stunned for a moment, and then looked in the direction of the ferry with pity: "Then... I can only wish him good luck. I hope he will also like you, an old rival."

Think about the previous Louis Bernard, Bernard Maulvis, Fernando Herred... As long as you are entangled with the bastard next to you - whether actively or passively - life will seem to become inexplicably bumpy. , a smooth future will be messed up, and if you are unlucky, you may even be at risk of suicide.

I hope Sir Garland's life can be better than that of his old boss, so that there won't be a second unlucky guy shot in the back of the head.

While Carl sighed, Anson's attention was completely focused on the location of the ferry.

When he saw the map obtained by the Society of Truth, he had already chosen the battlefield for the final decisive battle here; he could not set the battlefield at the border, because the army that the emperor could muster there would be too large and far away. That was more than Clovis could muster at the moment; Ludwig might like that plan, but he wouldn't.

At the same time, the battlefield cannot be under Xiaolong City, or directly besiege Xiaolong City in an open and honest manner - after all, it is the current legal capital of the empire. Besieging the emperor is likely to become a banner for the emperor to summon the army, and will also turn himself into The target for the entire Order World is currently too big.

Regardless of Clovis or the Empire, countless people hope to expand this war as much as possible, but Anson at least does not want this at the moment... It is best to make the intensity of this war as small as possible, so small that it eventually becomes the Empire's "housework" "Things" are the best - I am just an outsider, helping the empire complete a small task of electing an emperor.

And there is another premise here, that is, the emperor must personally lead the army to fight against him.

In all plans, this is the only uncertain option... Although according to common sense, his army is approaching the front line of Xiaolong Principality, and the emperor has no excuse to refuse or refuse to lead the army in person, he may still do so; The other party was the emperor, and he was just a thug who betrayed the king. The status of the two parties was seriously unequal, which was enough to be used as an excuse for him to refuse to go to war in person.

This is not arbitrary, it can even be said to have precedents - the world of order is hierarchical, and as the guardian and common master of the world, the emperor can only be the emperor unless noble people at the level of kings and grand dukes appear on the battlefield. Visiting the front line in person to show respect, other than that, can almost be regarded as a "household matter" for each country. It is completely unworthy of the emperor's condescension and condescension, and it is an overstep.

But what if... what if the crisis of this war has reached a point where it cannot be completely resolved if the emperor does not personally attack?

If there is such a defeated army and retreats to Xiaolong City in a panic, letting everyone see that the situation is in danger, can the emperor...can continue to sit on the throne safely?

"Maybe... we really need to thank Sir Gloria." Anson Bach murmured to himself:

"The value of his retreat this time is greater than ten Fernandos being shot in the back of the head and committing suicide!"