Capítulo 1545: Chapter 70: Siege (40)_2
“Yes!” Horn saluted again and rode away.
Aldame continued to linger at the front of the formation, observing the enemy’s situation.
Beside him, the commander of the Sixth Battalion, Major Thomas Hammer, chuckled, “Even the Rebels need to ensure their retreat routes first. They think similarly to us. It seems they haven’t forgotten what they learned in school. But who is commanding this rebel army? Do we know them?”
Aldame ignored his subordinate and silently patrolled the hillside.
From his vantage point on the high ground, the view was superb. He had a clear sight of the Rebels’ movements below the mountain. Even when the dust on the road was thin, he could see far into both directions.
With one small problem: Loss of control over the two minor high grounds greatly limited his view westward, completely obscuring the enemy’s movements beyond the two small high grounds.
A fog-covered region lay ahead on the battlefield, causing Aldame instinctive discomfort. After weighing the losses and gains, he made his decision, “Messenger!”
“Present!” The messenger immediately stepped forward.
“Relay my orders to Major Anseum. Have him divide the remaining cavalry into two teams. Circle around from the south and north to get behind those two small high grounds. No matter the cost, they must uncover the Rebel’s arrangements to the west.”
“Yes!”
“Tell him, ‘no matter the cost’!”
“Yes!” The messenger dashed away.
“Anseum’s men suffered quite a few losses today,” Major Hammer said sympathetically, “It might take a long time to recover.”
“Leaving them unused is equally wasteful, might as well let them serve a purpose,” Aldame mercilessly replied, “As long as we win this battle, we’ll have everything.”
Major Hammer remained silent for a moment and cautiously asked, “Do you suspect the Rebels might be arrayed on the reverse slopes of those two small high grounds?”
Aldame didn’t answer, just coldly gazed down at the Rebels below the mountain, “We’ll know soon enough.”
—————–
[Five Days Ago]
[Winters’ Tent]
[All Officers Combat Meeting]
Unlike the previous combat meeting for field-grade officers, this time, Winters held a meeting for all junior officers—formal and informal, from Iron Peak County, Mont Blanc County, Thunder Group County.
He didn’t use that small map book anymore, but instead, a large map he had drawn, spanning four sheets of large paper.
“…This is how a ‘Ned Smith-style’ army operates; once they occupy favorable terrain, it’s difficult to drive them away. And the United Province Army is the most devout followers of the old marshal…”
Standing before the hanging map, Winters spoke confidently, pointer in hand.
Many in the tent listened eagerly.
Actually, the background knowledge Winters spoke of was well known to officers who had studied at the Alliance Army Academy.
But he tirelessly explained it again because he mainly addressed the informal officers, who composed the bulk of the current New Army’s junior officers.
“Although I have absolute confidence in everyone,” Winters used simple, easy-to-understand language, witty and humorous. He even switched to a Paratu accent, which, despite being somewhat rough, made the informal officers feel especially close.
“But we must admit, in a long-spear duel, we’re not necessarily a match for [Fortitude].” Saying this, Winters used the pointer as a super long spear, demonstrating a few thrusts, and laughed, “That’s their specialty; we learned it from them. We’re just fledgling crows trying to peck the old crow? That’s too optimistic.”
The informal officers present, except those originally from Iron Peak County Military, mostly only heard rumors of “Blood Wolf.”;
Perhaps some of better standing may have heard stories of the “Nether River Ghost returning to the world” during a dinner or gathering.
But none had formally understood the person of “Winters Montagne.”
The latter’s true face was shrouded in halos, legends, and mist, making it difficult to see clearly and impossible to approach.
Therefore, today was the first close encounter with “Blood of the Wolf” for the New Army’s junior officer corps—especially the informal officers from Mont Blanc County and Thunder Group County.
As the combat meeting proceeded, the informal officers were surprised to find that the fearsome Blood Wolf was actually a very good person, very patient, very kind.
Unlike their own superiors—even the newly graduated young officers kept a straight face, showing emotion only when speaking with other formal officers.
But His Excellency Montaigne treated informal and formal officers alike, showing no favoritism based on background.
This alone endeared him to the informal officers.
Moreover, His Excellency Montaigne was willing to speak “Paratu,” knowing that even formal officers from Paratu preferred to speak “Eloquence” in daily occasions.
“Besides, even if we out-thrust [Fortitude], what does it matter?” Winters temporarily altered a Paratu proverb, “Snaring a wolf but losing a child—what’s the point of snaring the wolf then? It’s a losing deal, which I refuse to make.”
The tentful of company-grade officers chuckled lightly.
“Fortunately, fighting isn’t just about thrusting long spears. Sometimes what a super long spear can’t achieve, boots can,” Winters tapped the map vigorously, “This time, we’re defeating the enemy with our feet, with mobility and discipline.”