Douluo: The Adventures of King Skin

"Those who are shipwrecked will also tremble when facing the tranquil sea."

——Publius Ovidius Naso

After a night of intrusion, both officers and soldiers in Cassander's army were red-eyed, but Cassander himself rarely got a good night's sleep.

But when I woke up, I found that not only was he still alive, but the entire West Route Army was not wiped out. I was a little disappointed.

At this moment, he was sitting high up in the camp, sitting on the royal chariot raised by his servants, looking at the overnight city opposite with interest.

Even though the camp was made of wood, its defense level exceeded that of the acropolis of most city-states of the same era.

Two circles of trenches were dug outside the camp. The inner circle was connected to the soil foundation of the village wall, forming a high slope with sharp deer wood on the top. The outer circle of trenches had horses placed on both sides to block them. Enemy troops crossed over.

The wall is a two-layer wooden fence. The Thessalians are tamping earth in the middle, and river mud is also pasted on the outside to prevent fire.At regular intervals, there is a high protruding tower on the wall. The high platform has a ceiling and is surrounded by a circle of protruding baffles.

In addition, there are several special watchtowers in the camp. There are only a few logs below the watchtower supporting a small house above, but it is higher than the tower.

The camp is close to the river on one side, but has four gates on the other three sides.Outside the door is a protruding platform with ramps on both sides for cavalry to enter and exit; in front is a wall, which can undoubtedly shield the assembled counterattack troops.

There were also several small gates with drawbridges, allowing infantry to attack enemies crossing the trenches.

According to messengers sent by the former army all the way around, there is a water gate and a small dock and trestle on the side of the camp close to the river, so that people and supplies can be transported by water at any time.

This camp was built overnight, directly cutting the [-]-strong army into two sections.If either side wants to cross the river, there is a risk of being attacked halfway across the river.

Cassander never believed that Pyrrhus would build such a powerful fortress and put an army no less than his own inside.

He believed that as long as there was a flaw in the attack on the camp, the brigade lurking outside would definitely launch a two-sided attack on the camp.

And if we just encircle without attacking, in this land where scorched earth tactics are being implemented, the Macedonian army as the encircling party must not be able to hold on first.

**

As the saying goes, it's dark under the lamp.

The bright moonlight will obscure the surrounding starlight; the firelight will also make the night darker.The independent army took advantage of this to complete the construction of this fortress under the noses of the Macedonians.

Not only did the Macedonian rear army camp not find it, but the front army camp also did not find it.

The fire not only obscured the Macedonians' vision, but people in dark places could use the fire as basic lighting.

Pyrrhus mobilized thousands of civilians to complete the most laborious construction of soil foundations and trenches with very low efficiency.

The construction materials of the camp itself were made of river water, and various packaged prefabricated parts were transported overnight, including fences, shed roofs, trusses, gates, deer and firewood, and horses... everything.

By the time the camp walls were erected, torches could be lit inside the camp.

Then it was slightly white in the east, which was when the former Macedonian army discovered the camp, and the efficiency of camp construction was the highest.

But it was useless for the front army to find out. The independent army group had already stationed. Even if the Onchistas River was only a small river that could be crossed, they had no way to report the news to the rear army.

By the time Little Antipater came out with the vanguard cavalry to pursue, the civilians had already withdrawn, and the soldiers from the engineering battalion were watering and ramming earth into the high platform and the fence between the walls.

Thousands of troops fought behind the camp, which made all the original plans of the Macedonians invalid, and they had to think long term.

The raiding troops who had worked hard all night were able to enter the camp to rest and recuperate.

**

While Cassander was thinking, there was a new movement in the enemy camp.

The Thessalians made something like wooden cages, which were fastened to the wall one by one.Once it is buckled up, it becomes a small attack platform with a roof and baffles that protrudes outside the wall.

The Macedonian officers were all stunned.

"I went to India with Alexander and never saw such fortifications. Where did Pyrrhus learn this?" a veteran general asked doubtfully.

"Yes, neither the Persians nor the Medes have ever used such fortifications..."

The officers below were talking a lot, guessing where this technology came from, when an anxious voice interrupted them.

"We can't wait any longer!" Little Antipater shouted: "If the Thessalians are really smart, then they will add the second and third floors after a while! How can we attack the camp!"

The generals were horrified and looked at Cassander, who was perched high on the chariot.

Cassander waved his hand, "Then organize an attack. Let the light infantry go up to test first, then the heavy infantry; at the same time, let the craftsmen build the equipment."

The officers followed the order and left, leaving Cassander sitting on the chariot and talking to himself, "I have to tell Philip the details of the situation here..."

After he finished speaking, he realized that the news was not getting through, and he couldn't help but sigh.

**

Little Antipater guessed correctly. The Independence Army had indeed prepared more battle cages. Once the inner supports were built, they would pile them up layer by layer until all warriors could go up to carry out long-range attacks.

At this moment the Macedonians launched the first round of attack.

Two thousand light infantrymen held light figure-eight shields and formed a skirmish line walking forward in the front.However, after entering the range of the bow and arrow, they were not attacked. At this time, they had changed to a small step and rushed towards the trench in front.

Just when they reached the edge of the outer trench, a rapid banging sound of "dang-dang-dang" suddenly came from the camp.

Suddenly, dense crowds of people emerged from behind the battle cages on the wall and the baffles on the tower, and then the sound of bow strings tightening was heard.

With a single order, all arrows were fired.

After overwhelming shooting, the light infantry fled back after a moment, leaving behind nearly two hundred comrades who were dead, lying, or perhaps still struggling.

The suspension bridge on the small door was lowered, and lightly-armed warriors came out to clean up the corpses, collect arrows, and reset the horses.

After a busy period, the battlefield returned to what it was before.

…………

…………

Nikesi's dirty face was stained with tears. He cried and turned over the corpses of the volunteers. After turning over the corpses of the volunteers, he couldn't help but shed more tears.

The Macedonians were all dead, but the volunteers were also wiped out, and some of the corpses were so injured that he didn't even dare to touch them.

Finally he found Captain Lex. He was still alive, but with a spear stuck in his belly and a pool of blood flowing out.

"Uncle Lex, it's all my fault..." Nicesi knelt beside him and choked up after only half a sentence. He could no longer speak.

"Nikesi, don't cry, you are the best slinger..." Lex's pale face was almost completely dead. Although he was breathing heavily, he was as calm as a dead person at this time.

Nicesi held his breath with all his strength to hold back his cries.

He added: "Cut off the head and take it back."

Nikesi nodded desperately and repeated: "Cut off the head and take it back."

Lex took out his short cloak from his arms, which was soaked in blood and turned dark red.

He said the last words:

"Take my cloak, you will definitely see King Pyrrhus. You have to ask him to give you the cloak..."