Chapter 632 Preparatory Regiment
".—My lord, the outpost reported back and found the group of Lombard cavalry that stood out from the surrounding area."
In a market town that had been deserted for more than a month on the Po River plain, Art, the commander of the Wells Corps and the commander of the Palace Guards, was arranging the next task in a dilapidated courtyard. The news from the guards interrupted everyone's conversation.
Matt threw down the carbon rod in his hand and let out a long sigh of relief.
「总算是找到那个老东西了，他们在什么位置？」
「回禀大人，他们在西南方向两英里处的密林边缘歇脚。前去追踪的五个哨探只回来两个，其余三人被对方布置的暗哨射杀。我们的骑兵已经追上去了，正与他们周旋。」
After a brief thought, Atlético immediately ordered: "Send out all the general's cavalry and drive the enemy to the west. In addition, immediately send people to communicate with each other and occupy the surrounding market towns and castles. We must not let the enemy retreat into the city, otherwise it will be our turn to attack the stronghold."
As for this result, Art is quite satisfied. At present, the biggest obstacle to the army's march south has been removed, and most of the northern part of Lombardy is already in Ater's hands. Next, in addition to consolidating the occupied areas, the Welsh Army will continue its campaign southward.
"Ron, is there any news from Odo?"
At the makeshift wooden table, he picked up the remaining half glass of Wells beer on the table and drank it in one gulp.
"Master, I have already sent someone to contact you. There should be news soon."
Just as Ron finished speaking, the soldiers who went south to inquire about the news came quickly to report.
「禀告大人，桑蒂亚城守军大捷。奥多大人正率兵北上，追击剩余敌人。」
听到这个消息，亚特打消了心中最后一丝顾虑。
With no time to be happy, Art decided to cut through the mess quickly and strike while the iron was hot, wiping out the Lombards' effective force in one fell swoop.
"Ron, notify Obote immediately and ask the reserve group to send people all the way south to blockade the military fortresses and market towns and villages.
Assist Odo and capture the group of mercenaries."
"Yes, sir. I'll do it right away!"
Ron quickly ran out of the courtyard, took the reins handed over by the guard, got on the horse, and ran quickly toward the east of the market town. Over the Lombardy Po River plain, the bright red sun was extremely fierce, and the scorching heat burned every inch of the surrounding land.
The low hills and criss-crossing rivers set off each other, and the crows constantly chirping make this plain a bit more desolate.
The mist that covered everything in the morning light has long since dissipated, and the smoke filling the air tells everything that happened here.
The wood everywhere is still emitting black smoke and crackling. The heraldic flag stuck diagonally in the soil was in tatters and swaying left and right under the blowing of the hot wind, splitting the dazzling fireball hanging high in the sky into pieces.
The swords, spears, axes and hammers scattered everywhere were stained with blood. They belonged to the mutilated corpses lying on the grass. Near the river bank, a group of vultures were greedily tearing away the carrion from the bodies of humans and horses. This was their feast. The air was filled with a disgusting smell of decay. A group of soldiers shuttled back and forth, carrying their hands and shoulders, and were beginning to clean up the battlefield.
Two hours ago, an encounter took place here.
More than two hundred panicked cavalry fled from the west to the east without encountering any enemy obstruction along the way. We were about to reach the river bank. Once we crossed the river, everyone was safe.
However, there are always surprises.
When the war horse galloped down the hillside, it was less than 300 steps away from the river bank. The cavalry at the front were thrown off their horses one after another. The fallen horses and countless horse nails on the ground once again tripped up the cavalry who were following closely.
Before this group of cavalry could react, a large number of light-armored infantry suddenly appeared on both sides of the hill and surrounded them. The unprepared and well-prepared cavalry had already become frightened. In less than a meal, they became prisoners of this "second-rate" army that went south to fight. More than fifty people were killed or injured, and the rest were captured.
The Welsh Army Reserve Corps has made another great contribution.
Since receiving the combat order, the Wells Corps Reserve Regiment, under the leadership of its commander Obote, marched southward without stopping, under the stars and the moon.
According to the order, Obote's troops were responsible for the east road. After the thunder sounded, they all dispatched to besiege the Lombard cavalry.
However, before the reserve regiment could surround them, a group of Lombard mercenaries who fled extremely fast almost disrupted the deployment of the reserve regiment.
The regiment commander Obote made a prompt decision and decided to launch an ambush on the Lombard cavalry by relying on the terrain and rivers. This will not only catch the enemy off guard, but also minimize casualties.
It was later proven that Obote was right.
The exhausted Lombard cavalry had already been frightened by the loud noises in the air. They were running around without any plan and fighting on their own. After a few rounds, they were strangled and captured by the numerically superior reserve group.
At this time, Obote, the proud commander of the reserve regiment, was listening to the report from Benson, the deputy commander of the reserve regiment: "... - In this battle, our army killed fifty-six enemies, five of whom died after being captured. Another three died after being captured. Killed two of our soldiers, wounded one, and was shot dead on the spot by our archers"
After reading, Benson took out another piece of parchment and continued: ".We captured one hundred and sixty-one enemy soldiers. Among them, those who were lightly or seriously injured have been detained separately, and accompanying army doctors have been sent for treatment. The rest are being held in the dungeon of a nearby military fortress, waiting for the adults to be punished -"
".-Seventeen of our dead, 35 minor injuries, and 10 serious injuries. The above are the losses of both the enemy and ours. Next is...""
Benson was about to speak, and Ron had already appeared in his field of vision.
「Sir Ron——」
Obert turned around and saw that Ron had dismounted and walked towards the two of them.
"Sir Ron, what brought you here?" Obote smiled and stepped forward, followed closely by Benson.
After glancing around, Ron got straight to the point.
"The master has an order!"
Obert and Benson immediately stood up,
"Half of the reserve regiment immediately left to clean the battlefield and control the surrounding passways. The remaining troops immediately went south along the river,
Intercept the Lombard mercenaries who were escaping to the north! "
"Yes! Please rest assured, Sir, the reserve regiment will fulfill its mission!"
After receiving the order, Obote immediately sent the deputy commander of the reserve regiment, Roger, to rush south with 450 people.
After Ron exchanged greetings with a few people, a familiar figure appeared in his field of vision.
"Spencer?"
Ron looked at the hooded man sitting in the carriage with some confusion.
Spencer looked for the sound and saw Ron with a surprised look on his face.