Chapter 290 The Defeat of the Empire
Anthony looked at the battle report in his hand, his brows twisted like lye knots.
He looked at the battle report again and again, hoping to see something different.
As we all know, it is absolutely impossible to obtain different results through the same steps.
So Anthony had to accept the fact——
The Empire was defeated.
This is an open battle report certified by the royal cabinet and sent to the entire empire.
It is mentioned above that just last year, in 1197, the imperial army was singing a triumphant song. In just over half a year, it penetrated 120 kilometers into the enemy's territory and acquired a large area of land.
But on November 7, the cunning and insidious Insa people launched a wave of raids, despicably cutting off the imperial army's food channels, so that the frontline army ran out of food.
Although the frontline coach Archduke Petinan underestimated the enemy's aggressive advance, he still showed excellent judgment at the critical moment and led the main force to withdraw to Majik City.
In order to cover the retreat of the army, the commander of the Empire's main force, the Blood Fury Legion, the Empire Count, and the 6th-level powerhouse "Cspenser" heroically died for his country.
His Majesty the King stated that this defeat was only temporary, and Insa's machinations could never defeat the upright empire.
Only the frontline food stations were burned, and 800 million pounds of food and grass, enough to feed 100,000 troops for two years, were burned. Therefore, the whole country needs to work together to "fully support this war"!
Putting the battle report aside, Anthony took a deep breath and stood up: "Follow me."
He said this to Ezio, because the battle report was written by Ezio Sent from Auburn.
The frivolous man with a mustache frowned and asked: "Mr. Governor, I have just been running around at night and night for half a month. You have to give me some rest, right? For example, a few beauties..."
What he responded to was a cold glance from Anthony. If looks could kill, then Ezio would have been dismembered.
"Okay." Ezio spread his hands: "I didn't say not to go - please lead the way!"
Antoni brought Ezio to the conference room, and the first For a moment, he took off the original map of the Nord province on the table and replaced it with a map of the mainland.
"How did the empire lose?" Anthony stared at the map and said: "Many details are hidden in the battle report. Since you are a member of 'that organization', you should have a clear understanding of the battle situation."< br>
"Put this war on the map for me."
Ezio could see that Anthony was really anxious, and even dared to talk about "that organization".
"Of course, this is also one of my responsibilities." Ezio nodded, walked to the edge of the map, took out the war chess next to him and said: "Red represents the Empire, black represents Insa."
There are various types of war games, including cavalry and infantry. Different patterns represent different levels.
Three horizontal lines represent level 3 legions. This kind of legion is usually composed of local private armies with complex composition and limited combat effectiveness.
The two horizontal lines represent level 2 legions. This kind of legion can be incorporated into the imperial battle sequence, but it is mostly responsible for logistical supplies and is rarely used in field battles.
A horizontal line represents the level 1 legion, which is the main combat legion of the empire. It is well-trained and well-equipped. It is the main force in field battles and sieges.
Without horizontal lines, but wearing an iron crown on their heads, they are the Imperial Special Legion, also known as the "Tiled Legion". They are not only well-trained and equipped with superior equipment, but also have extraordinary combat power. "Steel Legion" and "Bloodfury Legion" belong to this category.
Ezio played with the war games and put them down one by one on the map: "Before this great defeat, from September 28th to November 9th, there was a period of stability, and the battle situation was like this. of..."
This war took place in the northeast of Keynes's empire.
To the south of the front is the empire's Blackwater Province; to the north is the Naoyan Autonomous State of Insa.
Majik City, where the magic crystal deposit was discovered, is located in the northern part of Heishui Province, just across the border from the Naoyan Autonomous State.
Majik City has two level 2 legions stationed there.
On the border, in order to prevent small groups of Insa from infiltrating, two level 3 corps were deployed as early warning.
50 kilometers to the north is the "City of Demeter" newly built by Archduke Ferdinand. There are 13 first-level legions and one special-level legion stationed here.
After putting down these war games, Ezio took out 9 small flags representing fortresses and placed them dotted between the border and Demeter City. Next to each fortress, a 2-flag was placed. level corps.
At first glance, the border starts from the city of Demeter. 9 fortresses and 1 city are connected in a line. The distance between each other is no more than 8 kilometers, and they are in a position where they can help each other at any time. .
When any fort is attacked, other forts can quickly come to the rescue.
Anthony nodded slowly, and the confusion in his words became more intense: "Continuously building fortifications and advancing step by step is indeed Duke Ferdinand's style. Although this tactic advances slowly, it will basically not reveal flaws. Even if it is defeated, It will only be a small defeat."
"It should be like this," Ezio praised: "But since October 24th, the war situation has changed."
As he spoke, he picked up the 12 red war chess pieces representing the empire in the city of Demeter and began to advance northward, and did not stop until he was 70 kilometers north.
"Winter is approaching, and it is not wise to march and attack at this time." Anthony's eyes wandered over the map, his eyelids shrinking slightly: "Another 60 kilometers to the west is the capital of Naoyan Autonomous Prefecture, "Checheng", Duke Ferdinand wanted to attack this place with his army. Yi Yongyi, but this is not his style."
"And... Where are Insa's troops?"
Ezio shrugged and did not answer this. question, but picked up 5 black war chess pieces and placed them beside the city of Demeter.
“This is the problem. Although the empire made great progress in the first half of the year, it did not encounter any effective resistance. Insa’s army never appeared and was always avoiding the edge.”
"We only know now that on November 1st, five Insa level 1 legions bypassed our reconnaissance and penetrated directly into the city of Demeter."
"Although there are two in the city Level 1 legions, the legions stationed in the surrounding fortresses, also spontaneously carried out rescue operations. However, due to the lack of unified command, Insa encircled the points for reinforcements and defeated them one by one. ."
"On November 7, with the help of Insa's druids, the city of Demeter fell."
"On November 9, under Insa's deliberate indulgence. Next, the defeated troops brought the news of the city's destruction to the 11 main legions on the front line."
"And at this time..."
Ezio pushed 12 war games with both hands and moved them to a place called "Marin Basin" 20 kilometers outside of Juche City, the capital of Naoyan Autonomous Prefecture.
On the outside, there are 23 black war chess pieces, surrounding the red war chess pieces.
"It was here that the empire ushered in a devastating defeat."
At this point, the outcome of the war is needless to say. In the field battle, he was surrounded on the other side's land, and again The logistics were cut off and morale was shaken. Being able to break out was already a great achievement.
With Ezio's command, 4 of the 12 red war chess pieces were removed from the map, and the remaining 8 went southward in pursuit of the black war chess pieces, and finally retreated back to the city of Majik.
All the cities and fortresses along the way were occupied by black chess pieces.
Looking at this result, new doubts emerged in Anthony's mind: "Duke Ferdinand's initial strategy was to build a fortress and advance step by step. This city of Demeter was obviously built as an offensive fortress. Why did the policy suddenly change? , abandoning the fortified city and leading the army to go deep alone?"
Ezio paused slightly and said softly: "Because the empire needs a hearty victory before the New Year."
< br>A hearty victory.
Anthony was a little dizzy by these words. He couldn't help but start to think about whether it was the empire's need or...
Does His Majesty the King need it? !
"How much are the specific losses?" Anthony shook off the suspicion in his mind and asked. Ezio said expressionlessly: "The 27 legions that went into frontline combat, except for the two level 3 legions stationed in Majik City at the beginning, all suffered losses more or less."
“Of the 11 level 2 legions, 5 have been destroyed, and the remaining 6 are in a semi-disabled state; of the 13 level 1 legions, 5 The entire army was wiped out, 4 were damaged by more than half, and only 4 were barely preserved, but the number of troops was reduced by more than 20%; the Blood Fury Army was basically destroyed."
"A total of 130,000 troops were killed in the battle. 70,000 people are missing and more than 30,000 people are injured. Currently, the empire is on the front line and can only defend itself in Majik City.”
Although he was not optimistic about this war, and although he had been prepared after the war game, Anthony could not help but shudder when he heard the specific numbers.
In the past hundred years, the empire has never suffered such a humiliating defeat.
The failure of this war meant that the northeastern portal of the empire was opened. Although Majik City and the magic crystal mine in it were barely saved, Insa's army could follow this opening at any time and head south. Invade and get more results.
The entire northeast of the empire may be caught in the flames of war!
No wonder His Majesty the King sent the battle report to the whole country, and even issued a call for "full support for this war."
"Where is Duke Ferdinand, how is he now?" Anthony asked about the news about his good friend.
Ezio said: "He was not injured. He returned to Majik City safely. He took the initiative to write a letter and accepted the responsibility for the defeat of this war. His Majesty thought that he was old and meritorious, so he did not pursue him, and retained He lost his position as frontline coach."
Anthony couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This can be said to be the only good news so far. Being able to retain his position as frontline coach means that Pei Dinan still has merit. Chance.
Ezio shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty Governor, although your friendship with Duke Ferdinand is touching, I still want to remind you that before worrying about him, you should take care of yourself first."
This sentence made Anthony frown.
It is true that since he took office, the province of Nord has been in a mess, but that is because of the locust plague and has nothing to do with his management methods. And now, half a year later, the impact of the locust plague has been basically eliminated.
Even if you change someone else, they won’t do it better.
"This is what His Majesty asked me to forward to you." Ezio took out an envelope from his arms, placed it on the table, and sent it to Anthony with force on his wrist.
Anthony pressed the envelope and opened the letterhead. The blood vessels on his forehead began to throb, and veins burst out in the palm of his hand placed on the table.
This letter was not written by His Majesty the King, but the letter by Viscount John enumerating his "seven deadly sins"!
"Slander, pure slander and frame-up!"
Looking at the merciless accusation above, Anthony pressed down the corner of his mouth hard, and then slammed the letter on the table: "This ancient thing, he Did he crawl out of some ancient tomb?"
He looked at Ezio: "Your Majesty won't believe this old stubborn nonsense, will you?"
Ezio smiled slightly: "Of course not, but Your Majesty said...
He was disappointed.”
Anthony's pupils shrank, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
......
The news of the empire's collapse soon swept across the Nord province, spreading throughout the streets and alleys, even the serfs knew about it.
However, neither the nobles nor the serfs showed any special concern.
After all, it happened thousands of miles away, and the flames of war could not burn them.
As for His Majesty the King's call to fully support this war, it has nothing to do with them.
The territory has been gnawed bare by locusts, and I can hardly feed myself. What can I do to support him?
Only Gul'dan, after hearing the news, immediately dropped his hoe, washed his face randomly, rode the villagers' carriage all the way to Eagle City, entered through the side door, and passed through Jenny Met Nancy.
As soon as she saw Gul'dan, Nancy couldn't help but sigh.
This brother of hers has completely changed his appearance. He no longer looks like the young master he once was.
The corners of his mouth were pursed, and wrinkles began to appear in the corners of his eyes and forehead; his messy hair was stuck to his head in patches, and he didn't know how long it had been since he had taken care of it; although he washed his face, he didn't wipe it cleanly, and there were still rashes on his neck. There were two dirty ravines.
The original color of the linen shirt on the upper body can no longer be seen at all; the black pants on the lower body are not dirty, but the exposed ankles are as black as charcoal.
Throw it into water and rinse it, and you can wash out at least two pounds of mud.
“What, are you short of money again?” Nancy’s tone was slightly impatient.
"No, I have quit gambling recently, really!" Gul'dan smiled awkwardly.
But Gul'dan also knew that Nancy would not completely believe what he said, who knew that he had actually done such a bad thing.
Although I am a farmer, many habits cannot be changed simply by changing them.
For example, drinking, such as... gambling.
Bad wine is not expensive, but gambling is what really costs money.
Actually, he didn’t gamble much. The people in the village mixed together to gamble, and each hand only cost 1 or 2 copper coins. But he couldn’t bear it because he was really unlucky, so he didn’t pay much attention, so he owed He got 7 silver coins.
He couldn't expose his identity and cause trouble, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and find Nancy.
It’s okay not to mention the process, it’s just not that pleasant anyway.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Guldan cleared his throat: "Nancy, you are growing more and more like our mother."
Nancy frowned: "What do you want? What to say? "
" Even... you also know that the empire was defeated." Gul'dan chuckled: "It's all Anthony's fault that I'm in this situation. Once the empire was defeated, he managed the Nord province like this. It's for sure. Bad luck!”
"This is a beautiful thing!"
The destruction of the family has always been the topic Nancy least wanted to hear, and Gul'dan maintained such an inconsistent attitude, which made her feel a little angry: " ...That’s all?”
“Ah, that’s all.” Sensing Nancy's dissatisfaction, he raised his palm and said: "I just want to tell you, it's a happy event."
As he said that, he stood up: "Then I'll leave, you can Take care of yourself.”
“Don’t look back.”
Listening to Gul'dan's words becoming more and more out of tune, Nancy felt a little uncomfortable:
"Otherwise, you can live in Eagle City, Raven can protect your safety."
"No, I'm living quite well now."
"...It's up to you, but are you really not short of money?"
"Very rich." Gu Erdan stood still and rubbed his hands:
"But, if you can give me some, that would be better!"
Jenny next to her couldn't help but roll her eyes.
……
(End of this chapter)