A Last Stand

On the morning of the 12th, several large ships were moored on the pier of Red Ginseng Territory dock, and many other ships were waiting to dock on the river behind it.

Ron stood on a small hill by the dock, looking at the fleet in the distance. He asked Victor with some curiosity, "Viscount, why have you moved all the fleets to Red Ginseng Territory? Didn't you say you were no longer transporting spoils from Red Ginseng Territory?"

Victor looked at the fleet as well. "These are my secret weapons; they will help us achieve victory!"

Ron seemed to understand but not quite. In his view, these ships couldn't go ashore, and even if there were many sailors on board who could be pulled ashore as light infantry, it wouldn't be of much help to them.

Since he couldn't figure it out, Ron didn't intend to think about it any further. He continued to ask Victor, "Is it okay for us to just give up on Red Ginseng Castle like this? Shouldn't we use the castle as a base to fight a defensive battle against them?"

Victor shook his head. "We are outsiders after all. The Red Ginseng Family has been operating here for a long time. Who knows if there are secret passages in the castle? It would be unwise to just defend the castle to the death!"

"But we also have a lot of troops. Right now, we have six detachments with more than 3,000 men under our command. We can divide our troops to guard the castle, and we also have enough Reserve Force to monitor the situation inside the castle."

"It's not that simple. Red Ginseng Castle is only a medium-sized castle, which can only hold two regiments at most. I also need to set up another camp outside the castle."

Moreover, there was no suitable terrain there to form a pincer movement, so setting up another camp was pointless.

Rather than that, I'd rather use the elite troops of our territory to fight them in a field battle, as long as we find a place unsuitable for their troop deployment.

"I see. No wonder you chose to gather here. According to you, the terrain here is very suitable."

Ron stood on the small hill and looked around. It was a riverbank plain, a large wheat field that had all been harvested. The ground had also become more solid due to the drop in temperature, making it easier for Cavalry to launch a charge.

However, there are two water channels dug by the Red Ginseng Territory on the east and west sides of this area, which supply water to the wheat fields and the moat respectively. The two water channels also enclose the dock and the flat land in front of it.

"The two canals here can isolate the east and west sides, making it difficult for the enemy to attack our flanks. We can directly confront the enemy head-on. I plan to fight them here and take advantage of our superior manpower and equipment."

Victor pointed to the two canals running east and west and explained to Ron.

"But if that's the case, isn't the Blackwater River right behind us? If things don't go well, it won't be easy to retreat."

Moreover, the distance between the canals on the east and west sides is quite far; I estimate it to be at least 2,000 meters. We can certainly deploy our troops, but our formation will be very weak. If our main force is shaken by an advance, things will get complicated."

"It is precisely because we have no choice but to fight with our backs against the wall that we can't go any further. Otherwise, the enemy won't feel at ease. I want them to go all out from the very beginning."

Ron felt that Victor's choice was a bit strange, but he quickly remembered. "Right, Holmes' three squads haven't arrived yet. With them, the formation will be much thicker."

"Your Excellency, should we send someone to urge Holmes on? They've come by land and should be arriving soon."

"No rush, the enemy's troops are still a long way off!"

Just then, a messenger rode up on horseback. Before he could speak, Victor went over and asked, "Has Holmes already led his troops into the designated positions?"

The messenger was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Your Excellency, Lord Holmes has arrived at his designated location. This is his letter to you!"

After speaking, the messenger handed Victor a letterbox, which Victor opened and took out the letter inside to read.

"Very good, Holmes has arrived."

Ron was even more puzzled after hearing this. He quickly looked around, but he didn't see any new troops entering the field. The original six detachments were still the only ones on the pre-arranged positions.

He quickly turned to Victor and asked, "Wait a minute, I haven't seen any sign of Holmes or his troops. Could it be Victor you didn't tell Holmes the correct battlefield?"

Victor smiled without saying a word: "Holmes has another mission. This time, I just want to win. I want to wipe out the troops of Viscount Olive and Viscount White Asparagus here."

To achieve this goal, I have positioned Holmes's troops to our northwest; they will join the battle at the appropriate time.

"But is it a bit rash to rely on our troops to fight an enemy twice our size head-on?"

"Don't worry, everything is under my control. Ron, you just need to carry out the planned strategy."

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. Anyway, you've never let us down."

Fortunately, Victor still had a high reputation in Ron's eyes, and since Victor was unwilling to explain too much, Ron could only accept it.

At that moment, a column of white-gray smoke appeared in the northern sky. Victor and Ron both noticed it. This was the signal fire they had set up earlier, indicating that the vanguard of the punitive expedition was about to arrive.

Victor took a square flag embroidered with Golden Sunflower Crest from his bodyguard behind him and handed it directly to Ron.

"Ron, it's up to you now. You will lead the Cavalry of the First Regiment and Alix's Cavalry detachment to hold off the enemy as planned."

Remember not to get carried away; always maintain distance, fight and retreat, and if possible, try to annihilate their scouts. Don't let Holmes's position be discovered.

"Leave it to me."

After saying this, Ron took the flag and left the hilltop with his guards.

Soon, the sound of warhorses neighing came from the positions below, and a Cavalry force of more than seven hundred men poured out of the positions, speeding north under Ron's leadership.