Chapter 97: Flag Signal Drill

Chapter 97: Flag Signal Drill

TL: Etude

Count Grayman, I have preliminarily drafted a set of flag signal plans for your review, said Miss Dias, the female consultant, to Paul the day after a meeting was held to decide on military preparations.

Paul was delighted: Oh? This is just what I needed.

Eileen was a bit puzzled: Why do you say that, Count Grayman?

Well to be frank, we have a bit of a minor friction with our southern neighbors and might need some special means of communication.

Eileen understood and felt a surge of disdain: Men are such barbaric creatures, always resorting to force to solve problems. Cant they just sit down and talk it out?

Recalling the rebellion in the south of the kingdom that nearly ruined her life, she lamented the unfairness of the creator: How wonderful it would be if women ruled the world; there would surely be no wars then.

She wasnt too worried about Paul. Unless there was a deep-seated feud between two families, local lords wars usually werent lethal. Even if one side was captured, the victors would treat their prisoners well, releasing them after a ransom was paid by their families.

The real victims were the conscripted soldiers and plundered civilians. Few lords cared about their lives; they were mere expendables in the eyes of the nobility.

Paul flipped through the thick album Miss Dias handed him, filled with drawings of various figures holding flags in different poses, each annotated with its meaning. Some complex messages required a combination of poses to convey.

Have the staff officers seen this? he asked.

Yes, Count Grayman. This was finalized after thorough communication with them.

Eileen recalled her initial days on the job, feeling irked. The officers even made her sign a confidentiality agreement and memorize it thoroughly before starting work. The agreement essentially forbade her from disclosing any military-related work or anything she saw in the army.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

The most absurd part was the regular security exams she had to take.

I, Eileen Rodney the second princess of the Kingdom of Ordo, am a woman of my word. How can they not trust me? she thought.

Complaining to Paul about the armys secrecy, he consoled her: Rules are rules. Not just you, but even the staff officers are subjected to regular scrutiny.

A signalman immediately relayed the command to the artillery unit to the southwest using flag signals.

There were also four signalmen at the artillery position: two for artillery communication and two for infantry communication.

One, with a telescope trained on Pauls position, anxiously announced, Command incoming! For the artillery.

Through his telescope, he watched a signalman beside Count Grayman start waving a flag. He observed every movement intently and, after the first set of signals, accurately deciphered the message.

Reply with confirmation! he instructed his comrade.

His comrade nodded and sent a confirmation signal back to the officers on the high ground.

The signalman with the telescope quickly relayed the command to the artillery: Target due south of command post, continuous fire.

Lets get to it, boys! the artillery chief commanded. The gunners turned their cannons towards the target area to their southeast, loaded and ready. After slight angle adjustments, they began firing.

After five consecutive shots, a signalman observing for the infantry platoon shouted, Infantry platoon, advance towards the target due south of the command post!

Drums rolled, and to their rhythm and the platoon leaders orders, the musketeers in horizontal formations advanced southeastward.

As they advanced, artillery shells whistled over their heads, not stopping unless a new command was issued or there was a risk of friendly fire.

From the high ground to the north, Paul and the others watched with satisfaction as the infantry platoon neared the target, fired a volley, and then charged.

Excellent! Paul exclaimed sincerely, a Chinese phrase coming to mind: Like an extension of ones own limbs.

He bowed to Miss Dias, expressing gratitude: Thank you for your contribution; this is exactly what I wanted.

Eileen, pleased, responded modestly, Its my job, Count.

Lets test some other commands! Paul said excitedly, rubbing his hands together and addressing the group.