The Complete Lack of War's Artistic Beauty
Isengard!
The fortress guarding the Isen River uses the mountains as a natural barrier on one side and high walls on the other three sides for defense.
Strictly speaking, Isengard was a fortress under the jurisdiction of Gondor, but Saruman took it from the Regent and it became a symbol of his status.
Whenever Isengard is mentioned, everyone in Middle-earth immediately thinks of Saruman the White. As the leader of the Five Witches, his prestige is at its peak, surpassing even Gandalf and the other four combined.
"Nourished by the Isen River, this place was once covered with abundant trees and grasslands, a verdant and comfortable home, but Saruman destroyed them, and many of his people died as a result..."
The Treebeard- Ents looked sorrowful. They had once deeply believed in Saruman in white robes, but were persecuted and their bodies were severed and set ablaze, turning into raging flames that would be used to forge swords and armor.
The Isengard before my eyes perfectly matches the description of the Treebeard. The lush greenery is gone, leaving behind a mess, with pits left by giant trees uprooted everywhere.
The devastation was like an ugly scar across the mountain range, a testament to the environmental destruction caused by Saruman's tyrannical army.
"Roar roar roar————"
When the group arrived at the fortress gate, they were greeted by the corpses of orc deserters scattered all over the ground, and hundreds of Warg Riders, their blades dripping with blood, roared at the army.
The Orcs stationed in Isengard brandished their swords in a show of force, while their dire wolves paced restlessly, their eyes flashing with a predatory glint, driven to extreme ferocity by the smell of blood.
Saruman refused to surrender and was determined to make one last desperate attempt!
The Rohan Cavalry drew their swords and raised their lances, ready to charge, but Gandalf stopped them, saying to Théoden, "Isengard can only be outmaneuvered, not attacked by force. Too much blood has been shed at Helm's Deep; we cannot allow our warriors to continue to perish."
Théoden wanted to say that the garrison at Hornburg hadn't lost many men and that the Rohan army was still formidable, but Gandalf said they could outsmart them, so they decided to outsmart them.
How to outsmart them?
"I have already arranged for the Treebeard people to go to Mount Mindolluin. We just need to wait quietly. When the floodwaters reach Isengard, Saruman's last army will be defeated, and then Rohan's army will reap the victory." Gandalf, confident in his abilities, stroked his white beard with a smile.
Isengard Fortress is easy to defend and difficult to attack, at least for humans. However, its weakness is also extremely fatal. Gandalf had planned this ten years ago... cough cough, Gandalf pondered deeply on the way here and suddenly came up with the brilliant idea of flooding the fortress.
"Gandalf, you are both wizards, but Saruman is far inferior to you in leading troops into battle. He only knows how to overwhelm with numbers, and has no sense of the art of war." Théoden clapped his hands in praise after hearing Gandalf's account.
"Heh heh, King Théoden flatter me. I'm just a bit quick-witted, but compared to your skills as the King of Riders in leading armies, I'm far inferior." Gandalf stroked his beard even more enthusiastically; this was the script he wanted.
"No, no, you're the best!"
I am ashamed of myself!
"Everyone's amazing, hahaha—"
"Hahaha----"
These two old geezers, shameless in their mutual flattery for commercial gain, were utterly despicable to Russell. Saruman only knew how to overwhelm with numbers, utterly devoid of any aesthetic beauty in the art of war—was that even human?
Generals skilled in leading armies know that overwhelming numbers and pushing through is the way to go, while cunning schemes and defeating the strong with the weak are inferior strategies. No general is willing to risk using tricks unless absolutely necessary.
Han Xin believed that the more troops the better; the key to victory for top generals is simple: more men!
Russell knew perfectly well that both old men understood this principle, but since Saruman was now an enemy, it was impossible to praise him; all he could do was criticize him for being a brainless push-and-pull type.
Rumble—
In the distance, the sluice gate was destroyed by the Ents, and a huge amount of water rushed out with a thunderous roar, forming a series of overlapping and violent torrents that swept down with a devastating force.
The floodwaters swept through the area with unstoppable force, causing landslides and uprooting debris. Mixed with the raging torrents, the floodwaters created a natural disaster akin to a tsunami, showcasing the terrifying power of nature in its entirety.
Rumble!!!
Isengard noticed the tremor beneath his feet, and the two sides reacted differently.
The Orcs Warg Riders were deathly pale; facing imminent annihilation, they had no will to fight.
"Warriors of Rohan, follow me to overcome all obstacles ahead, cut off the heads of the Orcs, and pay tribute to the fallen heroes of Hornburg."
"Kill! Kill! Kill—"
The Rohan Cavalry and Ents raised their arms and shouted, following Théoden as they charged forward with their swords drawn. Two thousand iron hooves trampled down, cutting down less than 300 Warg Riders.
A single wave of attacks wiped them out—simple and brutal. At this point, Théoden stopped talking about the art of war!
In Isengard, an unstoppable torrent swept through Saruman's underground armory, and thousands of Orcs defenders were swallowed up and drowned without even a ripple.
The terrifying volume of water was incalculable, flooding the underground base of Isengard Fortress and knocking down the entire superstructure. The floodwaters reached waist-deep.
This is a height that is very unfriendly to dwarves. Fortunately, the fortress walls have several gates that constantly release the torrents outward. Otherwise, someone as short as Gimli would have been floating after a short while inside.
"Be careful. Even though Isengard was destroyed by the flood, as long as Saruman is alive, it will still be one of the most dangerous fortresses in Middle-earth."
Gandalf sat on the shoulders of Treebeard, casting Illumination Spell to lead the way, while the Fellowship of the Ring rode on their Ents and entered the swampy land.
The Rohan Cavalry were ordered to guard the city gates, an order from Théoden. To deal with the unpredictable mages, more of their forces was not necessarily better.
Upon arriving at the foot of the Orthanc, Gandalf raised his radiant staff, his white robes standing out conspicuously, almost as if he were showing off. But this was not the case; Gandalf's white robes shone so brightly because white does not absorb light, not as a forced display.
Whether others believe it or not, Gandalf sticks to this view: he is a mature Maiar, long past the age of being petty, and he is not deliberately showing off to Saruman.
"Saruman, how long will you hide? Face your fate and await judgment!" Gandalf shouted, his voice like thunder echoing throughout Middle-earth.
As Gandalf finished speaking, Saruman appeared atop the Orthanc. He too had white hair and beard, and was a wise and handsome old man, but Saruman possessed a more dignified air than Gandalf.
This is evident in his white robe, which, instead of being plain and unadorned, is inlaid with luxurious gold thread and gemstones.
"Saruman, you have fallen!"
Seeing Saruman shining brightly, Gandalf was heartbroken. His staff shone brighter, and his white robes shone even brighter.
Saruman looked down at him and roared, "Shut up, you despicable, shameless, sycophantic Grey Robe... I haven't fallen, I've simply found my own path in life!"