In the past, the Amber River once separated the Hurders from the Paratu People, separated the plow from the whip, the bow from the sword.
But now, it stands as a formidable barrier on the way home for the soldiers of the New Army.
Jade Crossing is both a highway over this barrier and a bottleneck.
Because it connects the main road between Maplestone City and Kingsfort, making it the most convenient place to cross the river.
But at the moment, it is in the hands of the enemy.
A group of New Army officers had to leave their horses outside the forest and traverse on foot through the woods to get close enough to scout this small port town.
Viewed from outside the city, the gates of Jade Crossing were tightly shut, heavily guarded, with houses near the walls mostly demolished or burned down — a typical procedure, showing nothing special.
The city walls were still old-fashioned, merely enclosing the docks, church, and wealthy houses, lacking outposts or polygonal forts.
When the New Army controlled Jade Crossing before, they didn't invest in upgrading its defenses because it wasn't necessary.
And the United Provincials have occupied the place for a short time, clearly not enough to do much.
The immediate impression on the officers was: not easy to crack, but then again, where is there an easy city wall to breach? So grit your teeth, it should be possible to take it down.
Winters pointed remotely at Jade Crossing, speaking confidently, "Gentlemen, consider this issue — why have we retreated so smoothly all the way here? Why haven't we encountered any obstruction? Nor faced any pursuit?"
Of the seven traveling with him, apart from Mason and Andre, the remaining five were mid-level officers from Mont Blanc County and Thunder Group County troops, such as Roson Jura.
In other words, without the presence of Gessa Adonis and Skur Meklen, Winters could truly take command of this army only if he convinced these five seniors in front of him.
"Pursue? With what's left in Kingsfort, do they still have the strength to chase?" Someone responded coldly to Winters' question, "Obstruction? Isn't that right ahead?"
"Jade Crossing is critical but not deadly; if it's blocked, we can still go via Big Bell Crossing or Silver Fish Ferry." Winters explained calmly, "The obstruction I mean is more dangerous, from a force that could wipe out our entire army..."
He met the gaze of each elder officer one by one and heavily pronounced a word, "[Fortitude]."
The forest wind seemed to turn cold, [Fortitude], this enigmatic legion, was a sword hanging over everyone's heads.
"Although we don't know how Minister Cornelius coordinated with Colonel Aldame," someone hesitantly spoke up, "but... is there a possibility that [Fortitude] was just sent to relieve Kingsfort? General Alpade is clearly more troublesome than us, and Colonel Aldame probably doesn't want to lose troops on us either, maybe, [Fortitude] has already returned to the North Shore?"
"Then why didn't they just leave?" Winters countered, "Why stage a ruse at the Water Gate? Divide forces at Jade Crossing? At present, there's at least an enemy battalion's infantry with artillery at Jade Crossing."
"The situation at the Water Gate is easy to explain, stalling us for time is always better," the senior officer who spoke earlier didn't easily agree with Winters' perspective, but clearly, he hadn't figured everything out either, "As for Jade Crossing... maybe they're just posturing, and if we launch an attack, they'll just withdraw."
"That's possible," Winters did not directly refute his senior, "but my view is more pessimistic; I think Jade Crossing is a trap, and Colonel Aldame is looking for an opportunity to devour us."
"In that case," Roson Jura, who had been silent, spoke up, "we should bypass Jade Crossing and take a route upstream."
"No," Winters plainly stated his position: "I don't intend to do that."
"Why?" Roson frowned.
He licked his sharp teeth, "Because I too want to find a chance to devour [Fortitude]."