Chapter 620 Peace Talks
""...-Hurry, hurry up, follow me. Everyone must rush to the outskirts of the Praetorian Guards before dawn and encircle the Lombards according to your orders~"
On the west bank of the Po River five miles north of the palace guard camp, under the moonlight, a group of people walked quickly along the river bank like a long dragon. The early autumn weeds have begun to turn yellow and are gradually embedded in the soil under constant trampling.
Obot, who was at the front of the team, stood on horseback and urged the soldiers beside him.
The water level of the Po River has dropped by one-fifth due to the lack of rainfall during the last month of good weather. The moonlight falls on the river, like a silver ribbon, twisting and dividing the Po River plain into two disconnected parts, east and west.
Since receiving the secret order from the Chinese army, the Southern Xinjiang garrison rushed to the southern battlefield non-stop. On the way, we only stopped at a market town for simple repairs and supplies, and then we set off in a hurry.
· Along the way, because we were in our own occupied area, we did not encounter the Lombard cavalry shielding the battlefield or the scouts inquiring about the military situation. Thanks to Art's tolerant policy and strict monitoring, the reinforcements going south are progressing smoothly"
The army of Lavati City, which marched opposite the Obote reserve group going south, also cautiously headed to the battlefield under the leadership of Dawson, deputy captain of the Wells Corps task force, and the commanders of the Lavati garrison.
Different from the northern battlefield, groups of Lombard cavalry still appeared from time to time near Lavati. In order to avoid alerting the enemy, hundreds of troops marched cautiously under the moonlight.
When Art signed a secret alliance with the actual rulers of Lavati City, more than a thousand autonomous armies that had been disbanded in Lavati City regrouped and completely fell to the side of the Wells Army.
This army of more than a thousand was divided into three parts. More than 400 of them stayed in the city and blocked the main roads until the Lombard army was defeated and the Welsh Army took over the city defense. The other more than 900 people were divided into two groups, rushing to support Santia City and the Palace Guards respectively.
Him The Lombard mercenaries and cavalry were surrounded from the outside·
"Sir Dawson, we are less than three miles away from the battlefield, do you want to stop advancing?"
Him The visitor pushed aside the advancing soldiers and trotted all the way to Dawson's side.
“Is there anything unusual ahead?” Dawson wiped the sweat from his forehead. Although the temperature dropped at night, Dawson still felt hot all over while marching in a tense atmosphere.
"Except for the Lombard cavalry patrolling the perimeter, there are no other abnormalities. Since the Lombards patrol the perimeter too frequently, I am worried that the patrol will be discovered when I enter the perimeter, so I do not dare to move forward. However, I have left two people behind to continue. Continue to monitor the surrounding area, and report back immediately if there is any military information."
"Okay, give the order immediately, stop advancing, and stay where you are."
"Yes, Lord Dawson."
Having said that, the man immediately lowered his figure and issued military orders along the line. Not long after, the soldiers of the task force on the front line came to report again. The sudden news made everyone immediately alert. The horn of attack came from the Lombard cavalry camp, and the battle began.
This news made Dawson's heart pick up in his throat·
"What is supposed to come has come."
After a brief stay, Dawson gave the order to march.
"Everyone, prepare to attack and advance towards the Lombard cavalry camp. After hearing the sound of four thunder explosions and remembering it, follow me and rush over to surround the Lombard cavalry!"
Swords unsheathed, go straight to the enemy camp...
On the frontline battlefield, the heavy armored infantry of the Guards Guards of Burgundy came out from the west gate to stabilize the front line, holding spears and huge shields, and lined up in formation, closely following the light and heavy cavalry.
Hence behind the heavy armored infantry are archers holding powerful crossbows, archers driving large ballistas and towing small trebuchets. Next to each trebuchet, in addition to the stone bullets in the wooden frame, there is also a special iron box with a white skull pattern painted around it. Two fine steel locks flash from time to time under the firelight. The iron box is guarded by two black-robed soldiers holding long swords.
Lightly armored infantrymen carrying chain axes, hammers and leather bucklers followed closely behind, their swords hitting the shields rhythmically with great force.
At the front of the queue, the fleur-de-lis flag symbolizing the ruler of the princely state swayed left and right in the chilling autumn wind in the early morning. In addition, flags symbolizing the symbols of major families such as the blood-eyed howling wolf emblem, deer head emblem, lion emblem, knight sword emblem, etc. were scattered among the queues. They represent the entire family and fight for the king of Flanders.
An hour ago, the light and heavy mixed cavalry pursued the remaining Lombard cavalry outside the west gate to half a mile outside the Lombard camp.
Him and the heavy armored infantry of the Praetorian Guards who came for reinforcements broke through the Lombard outer defense line in one fell swoop, forcing the remaining enemy troops to retreat to the camp.
At this point, the two sides faced each other on the open plain.
Flanders, as the supreme commander of the Guards Corps, logically should not appear on the front line. However, in order to boost morale, observe the battlefield situation, and adjust his deployment at any time, he still stood astride the horse's back with his armor and sword in hand.
Having fought for many years, he has learned this skill deeply.
The captain of the Iron Guard beside him pointed at the dust swirling up not far away, and he could vaguely see more than a dozen enemy horses running towards the direction of the Imperial Guards with flags raised.
"Don't be nervous, they were probably sent by that old guy Witot to negotiate peace. This is his usual method." Flanders looked at the reins with both hands, looking indifferent.
“Let’s talk about peace?” The Iron Guard Captain looked surprised.
"That's right! Now that we have broken the deadlock, it is obvious that he is a little passive. Although he has heavy armored cavalry, he does not know our details. Once we take action, the outcome is unpredictable. We can afford it, but he can't wait any longer."
While speaking, the opponent's cavalry has appeared a hundred steps away, slowed down the horse speed, and slowly walked towards Flanders' center position.
"Stop!"
The captain of the Iron Guard next to Flanders shouted, and the other party immediately tightened the reins to restrain the horse. At the same time, the palace guards around Flanders had drawn their swords, and dozens of giant shields surrounded him.
The situation became tense for a time. "Your Excellency, please don't get me wrong. We are here for peace talks on behalf of the Duke of Lombardy." The leader beat his chest with his right hand to show friendship. But the other party's actions did make his body tremble slightly. But he quickly adjusted his breathing and looked as if nothing had happened, looking relaxed.
The dozen or so people following him had already held their hands on the hilts of the swords slung around their waists to cope with the sudden changes.
The captain of the Iron Guard was about to pat him on the horse and went to look at the few people to be on guard against fraud. But Flanders held out his hand to stop him.
“But~” Out of consideration for Flanders’ safety, the Iron Guard Captain still persisted.
Flender didn’t say anything more, he just motioned to the guards surrounding him to get out of the way.
Seeing Flanders appear in front of them again, the Lombard envoy who came for peace talks breathed a sigh of relief. The leader lowered his head and glanced at the thing slung in the sheepskin belt, and then set his eyes on Flanders. An imperceptible ghost flashed across the corner of his mouth·