Before the Engagement
Victor watched Ron's group walk away until their figures disappeared from sight.
Victor then ordered the standard-bearer beside him to signal the adjustments made to the military formation below.
Soon, three Heavy Infantry detachments began to move forward. These three detachments were specially selected from the Two Rivers Territory.
Every warrior was handpicked, tall and strong, and wore two layers of armor: a chainmail over a military uniform, a half-body plate armor made by the territory over the chainmail, and a skirt armor made using lamellar armor techniques. Standing there, they were like an iron wall.
Each of these warriors was pushing a giant shield and a long spear, each spear over seven meters long, which could be placed directly on the shield.
These giant shields were made of oak and iron bars and were transported to the dock by ship this morning. If the Heavy Infantry had to carry them themselves, the soldiers would probably have exhausted their strength before even entering the battlefield.
The three detachments formed an arc-shaped array, constructing two layers of deep shield walls. The semi-circular defensive array had a radius of over 300 meters, and its two wings directly enveloped the entire dock, using the terrain to prevent being outflanked.
However, the diameter of the entire arc formation is less than 600 meters. Instead of connecting directly to the canal as Victor explained to Ron, the two wings leave a 200-meter space between each wing and the canal.
In the central area behind the arc-shaped formation, Victor directly placed two crossbow squads there. With the range of the Heavy Crossbow and greatbows of the Two Rivers Territory, they could directly cover the area 200 to 30 meters in front of the formation.
Victor also set up a hidden position behind the crossbowmen using the buildings on the dock, where the Cavalry could be stationed when Ron returned.
This time, the Alderick detachment consisted of two companies of 200 Heavy Cavalry, who were specially drawn from the Two Rivers Territory.
Ron took those two squadrons of Heavy Cavalry with him, but these 200 Heavy Cavalry had removed their heavy armor before leaving, wearing only chainmail, and followed the Light Cavalry to carry out the mission of blocking the enemy.
Victor planned to have these Heavy Cavalry re-equip themselves after the battle reached a stalemate, and then hand them over to Ron to launch a counter-charge as needed.
After adjusting the formation, Victor looked at everything with satisfaction from the hilltop. The hill was located in the middle of the formation, close to the edge of the dock, and the Cavalry's hidden position was below the hillside.
During wartime, Victor would stand here with a large flag, which would make it convenient for him to command the troops and also allow the soldiers fighting to see him, thus better maintaining their morale.
Victor to order the standard-bearer to issue flag signals, but this time the signals were no longer directed at the ground beneath his feet, but rather at the fleet of ships on the river and at the dock.
Soon after the flag signal was given, the boats on the river began to move slowly, indicating that these boats would play a very important role in the upcoming battle.
Less than 10 kilometers from Red Ginseng Territory, an army carrying flags with olive and White Asparagus emblems was marching.
Among the marching troops were three Noble Army discussing something while riding their horses: Viscount Isold, Viscount Leo, and Baron Freyzer.
Baron Freyzer then explained to the two men with a hesitant expression, "My lords, I have already sent my trusted confidant Fick into Red Ginseng Territory ahead of time. I expect to receive intelligence soon, so please don't worry."
Viscount Isold laughed heartily, "Baron Freyzer, rest assured, we have plenty of time."
Viscount Leo echoed this sentiment.
Baron Freyzer breathed a sigh of relief. His biggest worry was that he would upset the two men and cause them to refuse to help him reclaim Red Ginseng Territory.
Just then, a small troop of Cavalry ran from the marching column and charged directly toward the three of them.
The three noticed the small team, but they weren't on guard. After all, the fact that the Cavalry could run directly along the marching column proved that they were safe.
As the squad approached, Baron Freyzer noticed that the leader was none other than his trusted knight, Fick, and he realized that Fick had already returned with intelligence.
After the knight Fick ran up to the three men, he immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee. "Report, there is important military intelligence."
Baron Freyzer glanced at Viscount Isold, and after receiving a signal, directly ordered Fick: "Fick, just say it here!"
"Yes, sir. After returning to the territory, I contacted several farm managers and also got in touch with Lady Mary. I have already found out the situation in Red Ginseng Territory."
After Red Ginseng Territory was captured, Viscount Golden Sunflower ordered his generals to garrison Red Ginseng Castle and be responsible for transferring the Red Ginseng Territory's wealth and population.
The Red Ginseng Territory has suffered heavy losses in the past few days. Nearly 8,000 serfs from the four farms have been transferred to the Golden Sunflower Territory. The grain reserves in the castle and farms have also been looted, and even the castle 'Inner Treasury have been emptied!
Upon hearing this, Baron Freyzer could no longer contain himself. Freyzer clutched his heart and cried out, "Oh no!"
Fick was also startled by Baron Freyzer's screams. Looking at the baron's pained expression, he wondered whether he should continue speaking.
Viscount Isold grabbed Baron Freyzer and said, "Freyzer, I will help you reclaim Red Ginseng Territory, and I will also lobby Count Black to help you with your losses. Don't delay things now; the sooner you defeat Viscount Golden Sunflower, the smaller your losses will be!"
After being persuaded by Isolde, Freyzer felt better and let Fick continue.
"When I left Red Ginseng Territory, many cavalrymen from Jinkuiling tried to catch up with me, but they gave up the chase after I got close to the main force."
Our army should have just been discovered. Currently, the troops of the Golden Sunflower Territory have been concentrated near the dock by the Viscount Golden Sunflower, and the Red Ginseng Castle has also been abandoned by them.
Lady Mary has regained control of the castle, and Viscount Golden Sunflower has maintained his noble conduct; your family is safe and sound.
Hearing this, Baron Freyzer finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"According to the information I received from Mrs. Mary, there are still quite a few supplies at the dock that they haven't taken away."
Viscount Golden Sunflower concentrated his troops at the dock for two reasons: to protect the supplies that had not yet been transported and to allow the troops to be evacuated by water after the supplies were delivered.
I suggest we immediately arrange for our troops to march at full speed and reach the dock as soon as possible, so we can't let them escape like this.
Several castles have been built in the Golden Sunflower Territory. If we attack the Golden Sunflower Territory directly, the losses will definitely be significant.
"If we can intercept their troops at the dock, we can definitely reduce our losses in the attack on Golden Sunflower Territory."
After listening, Freyzer also felt that what Fick said made a lot of sense, but he had no right to decide, so he looked at Viscount Isold.
At this moment, Viscount Isold fell into thought. He had indeed discovered the opportunity from the intelligence provided by Knight Fick, but he felt that things were not so simple.
But just then, a messenger rushed over from the front of the column.
"Report! The vanguard has encountered enemy Cavalry, which has been disrupting our march. The Battalion Commander is currently forming ranks to defend against the Cavalry attack. We request your support, Viscount!"
Upon hearing this, Baron Freyzer hurriedly said, "Lord Isolde, you see, the Golden Sunflower army is trying to slow our march. We should speed up, or we'll fall into their trap."
Baron Leo nodded in agreement.
Seeing the two's performance, Isolde finally made up her mind.
"Order the troops to speed up. Leo, hand over your Cavalry to my Cavalry captain for unified command. First, catch up with this Golden Sunflower Territory cavalry; we can't let them slow down our march!"