Chapter 280：

"On the 26th, the scouts reported that the Kent family's army was moving towards us. But according to the information obtained, the opponent should have about 5,000 people, while our army has an advantage, with more than 8,000 people, and the gap in strength is so great. Let everyone feel that the next battle must be won."

In the reception room of the Lord's Mansion, Viscount Derrick Heller was telling Paul about the previous battle.

Also attending were Chief of Staff Schroeder, Intelligence Director Cecil and others.

"We lined up and slowly approached the enemy army. After the encounter, the opponent's size was far smaller than ours. But what is different from the past is that a large number of soldiers in the Kent family's army are equipped with a special weapon Bows—longbows, those are probably the mercenaries that Maltz found from the south, after all, training longbowmen cannot be completed in a month or two."

"It was already late when we encountered each other, so neither side had any intention of fighting, so we set up camp like this. In the evening, we handed over the letter of war to the opposite side and agreed to a decisive battle the next day. Although it rained heavily at night, the whole army Their morale is high and they are full of confidence in winning the next day's battle."

"The next day, the morning of the 27th, the two armies finally had to face the trial of fate. The enemy lined up most of their troops in a horizontal formation, with the forward troops on the right flank and the rear troops on the left flank. In the gaps in the formation, the two wings are mainly composed of archers, and the entire army is lined up in a diagonal line, and it seems that there is no reserve team."

"And we have also formulated a battle plan. Earl Malcolm and Viscount Johnston will each lead a cavalry to kill the archers on both sides of the opponent's flanks, while I will lead another cavalry to detour to the opponent's rear camp and attack the baggage convoy. Earl Parker and other generals lead the infantry against the enemy's centre."

"If the plan can be implemented smoothly, the opponent will undoubtedly collapse quickly under the simultaneous attack of several of our troops."

Having said this, Derrick had an expression mixed with resentment and unwillingness on his face, and he took a big sip of wine to refresh himself.

"However, the consecutive victories in the past few days have dazzled many people. Many officers from the nobles, because of their similar status, refused to give in to each other. The originally well-ordered plan was messed up by these nobles who wanted to win the first prize. , the result was a large number of troops in inappropriate positions, which also caused a series of tragedies after the war began."

"Another reason is the **** ground. Due to the heavy rain last night, the ground was very muddy, which seriously affected the performance of our cavalry. Discipline and road conditions made it impossible for us to form a strict formation, while the opponent But they waited patiently for our attack."

"The army of the Kent family has about 3,000 longbowmen. They raised their longbows and shot arrows in salvo. Those arrows were so dense, like rain, so violent and so fast. Their strength was so It is so big that it can even penetrate some metal armor and penetrate into the flesh. The tragic screams of officers and soldiers after being shot by arrows are constantly heard in our army, and the frightened and injured horses are screaming and struggling like crazy, losing control. We are in a mess , People turn their backs on their backs."

"Round after round of arrow rain and the muddy ground seriously delayed our charge. In fact, the damage caused by the longbowmen was mainly on those weakly protected subordinates, and had no effect on well-protected knights. However, because of the mud Many people chose to dismount and walk. Because they were wearing heavy armor—specially designed for charging on horseback—the mud under their feet greatly consumed their physical strength and seriously affected their flexibility of movement. As a result, they rushed to the enemy’s position and Quite a few were killed with lead hammers and daggers by lightly dressed enemies."

"The first wave of cavalry charges failed, but our main infantry continued to approach the enemy with their shields up. At a distance of about 50 yards, the enemy's longbowmen no longer shot upwards to block their shots, but aimed straight at them. The wounded people in front Falling to the ground, the people behind were stumbled one after another, it was in this constant struggle that our troops exhausted their strength."

"In the face of this situation, it seems that a reasonable countermeasure is to use the same long-range means to replace the machine, but at that time our archers and crossbowmen were located behind the infantry and cavalry, and their range could not cover the enemy, and their positions were too close If they shoot rashly in the rear, they will hurt their own people in front."

Derrick Heller said with shame and remorse: "In this way, our attack failed. Earl Parker had to order to retreat, and the enemy army took advantage of the situation to chase us down. Our people were all scared by the opponent's longbowmen , was disorganized and disorderly during the retreat, and could no longer organize effective resistance."

"After that battle, only about 3,000 of the 8,000-strong army remained Once again, the advantage returned to the Kent family. Afterwards, we gathered up the defeated troops, reorganized the troops, and fought against the enemy again. I fought a battle, but also suffered a defeat, the opponent's longbowman is really too powerful, and the fear has been deeply imprinted in the soldiers' hearts."

Derrick Heller covered his face.

"In this way, we retreated all the way to Biduobao - the place where we started after meeting again. The land behind us was all lost to the Kent family, and all the results of a month's battle disappeared."

After listening to Derrick's narration, Paul shook his head sympathetically.

"Oh, Derrick, it's a pity that things will turn out like this. Did you come to me to ask for some help?"

Derrick stared at Paul eagerly: "Yes, Earl Greiman, now only you can reverse our decline. Let your muskets and cannons reappear on the battlefield. Only those firearms can restrain the opponent's longbowmen. Paul frowned tightly: "Derrick, you also know that my territory has not been very peaceful recently."

"Haven't the riots been suppressed for a long time?"

"Maybe there are mice lurking in the dark..."

"You punished so many people, those people didn't have the courage to engage in a second game so soon."

Paul had no choice but to say: "Okay, Derrick. But I still have to discuss it with my generals."

Derrick said gratefully: "Thank you, Earl Greyman, but please hurry up. Also, if possible, please sell us a batch of firearms, even if they are eliminated by you, we are happy to buy them at a high price .”

"This...I also have to discuss it with my subordinates."

In fact, Paul has already made a decision in his heart at this moment, he doesn't want to be in an alliance that is about to fail.