[West Bank of Ten Arrows River]

After the ferry on the side of Magit Island was lost, the ferry on the west bank of the Shijian River was completely exposed to enemy artillery fire.

So the Baishan County troops abandoned the ferry on the river beach, retreated for a distance, and re-established a stronghold behind the river bank, confronting the forts of the Union Provincial people.

"...It's what you see. The Unionists burned the ferry and cut off our route to reinforcements and supplies to the island. Our people, who are still alive, have retreated into the Bishop's Fort..."

Woods leaned on the back slope of the river bank to explain the situation to the senior.

Mason felt a little embarrassed when he heard the word "United Province".

However, Woods Frank was unaware of this. His whole mind was occupied by "how to rescue the troops trapped on the island", and he wanted to tell the other party everything in one breath.

He stared at the movements across the river in a low voice, as if the enemy on the island could hear it:

"...The Unionists did not take advantage of the victory to launch an attack on the Bishops' Fortress. I can't confirm whether they want to siege... There is nothing to eat in the Bishops' Fortress. The Unionists deliberately controlled their food reserves within one day... According to the head count, the dry food we sent urgently could barely last for three days..."

Mason frowned slightly.

"In addition to the Bishops' Fort, the United Provincial People have completely controlled the Island of Magite. They have set up watchtowers in the Monastery of Domoncos, and there are fixed and mobile whistles on the banks of the river," Woods stretched out his arms towards the bushes across the river, trying to point out the seniors, "Look at where, and they have their secret whistles."

Mason actually didn't see anything, but he still pretended to see it very clearly and nodded slowly because he thought this would make Woods feel better.

"If you want to send supplies to the island, you can only wait until it's dark, and you will have a chance," Woods bit his fingernails. "I prepared a raft and I'll try it tonight... Of course, you have to agree..."

Mason carefully observed the situation on Magit Island.

The most eye-catching thing is obviously a field artillery base built by the island-based troops of the "Southern Front Army".

The soldiers of Baishan County said that the cannon was repaired "in the blink of an eye" because before dawn there was nothing, but after the sun came out, a cannon was rising from the ground.

The bumpy and extremely ugly bulging fort is located on the river bank, almost 250 meters away from the river embankment on the Bishops' Fort and the New Army.

Two hundred and fifty meters, the musket is not strong enough, but it is just right for the cannon.

They don’t need to worry about ammunition. At this distance, filling the cannon chamber with gravel can clean up anyone who is confused and wants to force it.

The temporary ferry built by the infantry in Baishan County has been razed to the ground.

Anything that was not burned by the "magic fire" was towed away by the United Provinces soldiers on the island to strengthen their field artillery.

Mason understood why Woods Frank was so anxious because the island's United Infantry soldiers were continuing to consolidate their defenses.

The artillery building at this moment is completely different from the artillery building in the morning.

According to Woods' description, when the sun just rose, the artillery position looked like a shack made randomly with a few door panels.

When Mason came to the river bank, the artillery position of the United Provincial infantry was already a headache.

The turret itself was widened and raised, and it had the ability to shoot cross-fire. The turret was filled with pointed wooden stakes that hindered climbing, and a circle of Luzhai was arranged below.

Even as the two were talking, the forts of the United Provincial People were still "growing" at a speed visible to the naked eye. The shadows behind Luzhai were shady, and wet sand was constantly being raised. It should be someone digging a trench.

Mason sighed inwardly - the army in front of him, which calls himself the "Alliance Army", at least has no ability to fall behind, regardless of whether it has deteriorated or not.

He remembered a sentence that came from the mouth of the imperial generals, but was well-known in front of the mountain and regarded as the highest praise by the soldiers of the Union Province:

"If you let the 'rebels' stay in a position for too long, you will never be able to drive them away again."

"Senior?" Woods' voice awakened Mason from the daze. The former looked at the latter with a requesting look. "For tonight's supply operation, please allow me to lead the team."

"How can I be qualified to 'allow'? Isn't General Geisa still in the camp?" Mason had a head and two big ones, and he didn't dare to let go, for fear of losing his word. "After the ferry is lost, are you sure that the Southern Front troops on Magit Island have no action at all about Bishop's Fort?"

"As far as I observed on the West Bank, no," Woods replied rigorously, "but I don't know if the United Provincial People are moving on the east side of Magite Island. You also see the terrain on the island - high in the center and low in the east and west, and there is no activity on the east side of the River Island from us."

"Then I don't recommend sending people to the island rashly, nor do I recommend tentatively landing on the island," Mason said bluntly. "The enemy clearly wants to surround and attack aid. The remaining soldiers in the Bishop's Fort are the bait they use to catch us. It is not a rational choice to poke it even though they know it is a trap."

"If the supplies cannot be delivered, the island's soldiers will starve to death," Woods bit his lip.

"Not to say..." Mason didn't know what to say.

"I understand what you mean," Woods looked desolate, "but if the Unionists were going to use Bishop Fort as bait, they would most likely not accept Bishop Fort surrender."

Mason was speechless and was silent for a moment. He changed direction and persuaded his junior, "How many companies are there in the Bishop's Castle now?"

Unlike some officers who have to convert companies and battalions into their minds, Woods adapted to the new organization very quickly because he also made contributions to the reorganization plan from the "old army" to the new army.

"At the time of departure, Arthur brought a company," replied Woods, "and after taking the Bishop's Fort, he added another company."

"A full-edited? Or is it a dissatisfied?"

"The soldiers are full, but the officers only have the company commander but no deputy company."

Mason nodded. It was a common phenomenon for the new army regiments only because the new army lacked not only soldiers, but also officers.

Woods was afraid that the senior was not clear, so he explained a few more words, "The first battalion of the Baishan County Infantry Regiment after the reorganization was actually the original Baishan County 'Chief Brigade'. He took Bazenaur and when Jinghu County was resting, Colonel Geisa...the general drew elite troops from each brigade and filled it up."

"Then you say the island's supplies can last for three days," Mason asked again, "is it calculated based on full editor, or is it calculated based on unsatisfactory?"

"Full editor..." Woods understood what the senior meant. His expression became dark, but he still cheered up and explained, "But there are still laborers recruited by the Unionists in the Bishop's Fort, with nearly a hundred people."

Mason said "Oh" long, "To the positive side, there are more people defending Bishop Castle."

Woods' expression was even darker, "I can't be as optimistic as you. The people of Xilin Province generally regard us as the blue blood group who made a comeback. They are only a little less disgusted with us than they do with Magnus and the United Provinces."

Mason no longer knew how to comfort his junior. After a moment of silence, he clumsyly explained, "Don't blame yourself. No matter what, you can't guard the ferry. Even if you can guard the ferry, you can't guard the ferry rope, because... you don't have a boat."

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[Baishan County troops camp]

[Central Army Tab]

Brigadier General Geis Adonis is listening to the report.

"Actually," Mason stood calmly at the map table. For some reason, he was always unable to get close to Geisa Adonis, which was exactly the opposite of Winters. "I have no experience in besieging large cities like the Kings Castle, so my opinion is just one person's opinion..."

"Ho, OK," Gaisa frowned impatiently, "It's better than our two knives? Don't mess with those stupid people. What's the point? Just say, can I still let you go to military court?"

Woods hurriedly said good things to the senior, with a very nervous expression. "Major Mason personally went all over the West Bank for on-site survey and evaluation, and put forward many suggestions for improvement..."

Geisa glared at his capable man, but saw that the latter had bloodshot eyes and dry lips, so he couldn't bear to say anything else, so he waved his hand and signaled Winters's federal ministry to continue.

Mason adjusted his mindset and pointed to the map and said, "I don't think there is any problem with Captain Woods' strategy of 'sieging the new city and attacking the old city'.

"The trenches outside the new city seem to be thin, but in fact they have complete systems and support each other. It is not only time-consuming to fight, but also inevitably suffers a large number of casualties.

"And even if the trench is broken, there is a city wall behind it; if the city wall is blown up, there is a city area behind it; if the city area is captured, there is a Shijian River behind it, the old city wall, and the "Kings Fort".

"This is like a shield covered with many layers of cowhide. Instead of drilling through cowhide from the front layer, it is better to start directly from the back."

Mason glanced at his junior and said solemnly, "So, I support Captain Woods' strategy. There is no problem with the plan to encircle the new city and attack the old city."

Geisa held her arms and reacted calmly.

"As for Magite Island," Mason hesitated, but finally told Brigadier General Gaisa Adonis in a firm tone, "there was no problem with the fight.

"In the hands of the enemy, Magit Island is a natural fort that threatens our flanks; in our hands, Magit Island is a barrier to ensure that our army can safely mobilize its troops between the east and west.

"If we do not capture Magit Island, our army's pontoon bridge must move at least six kilometers upstream, and one round trip will be twelve kilometers wide; and the enemy can attack from Magit Island and attack any part of this twelve-kilometer-long traffic line.

"So no matter what, our army has to capture Magit Island."

Mason's eyes were very unbearable, "As for casualties... casualties are inevitable. Next, our army should continue to invest more troops in Magite Island until it captures Magite Island!"

Woods looked up and looked at the senior in surprise. The latter's negative attitude towards reinforcement of Bishop Fort made him think that the senior did not agree with the attack on Magit Island.

Unexpectedly, Richard Mason said this amazing word in front of Colonel Geisa.

"The island is a trap, and the cannons of the United Provincial People are aiming at it," Geisa grinded his teeth. "They have pierced their pockets, should we jump in with our teeth?"

"No, that's not a trap," Mason shook his head slowly and said loudly, "that's an open-book exam!

"Minister Conelisbon knew that we had to fight Magit Island, and we also knew that Minister Conelisbon had to guard Magit Island. Then it didn't matter if it was a trap. They would definitely use all means to strengthen the defense of Magit Island. All we had to do was to deal with it."

"Can't you remove the move?" Geisa asked with a calm face.

Mason replied under pressure: "Then just break through."

Geisa stared at the little guy from the United Provinces for a while, and suddenly laughed hoarsely, "Don't you cherish the lives of the big-headed soldiers the most? Are you not stingy at all now?"

Mason sensed the hostility of the brigade general, and he realized that it was not only Woods Frank, but also Geisa Adonis under great pressure.

"'Only the necessary blood' is the instruction of Marshal Ned Smith," Mason responded unhappily, "and do you still remember one thing? Minister Conelisburn's forces are only between four or six brigades."

As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but add it: "Of course, the premise is that the information you obtained is accurate."

"It's accurate, of course," said Gaisa coldly, "it's more accurate than having a few hairs on my head."

"So, no matter how much preparations Minister Conellisburn made, it cannot change the fact that his strength is at an absolute disadvantage," Mason's speech became clearer and clearer, "Then, if he wants to win this battle, he must achieve a very, very, very excellent casualty exchange ratio.

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Considering the scale of troops we can invest and the critical point of morale collapse, one to three is not enough. It will take one to five to ten to him to have a chance to win the battle of siege."

Mason's eyes became clearer and clearer, "and this exaggerated casualty ratio can only be achieved by relying on solid fortification defense and fully exerting firepower."

Mason continued with a hard heart: "So I think that as long as Jason Connellis is willing to fight in the field from the fortification, even if he suffers one to two or one to three casualties, we should unswervingly invest our troops and exchange them.

"Maggit Island is such a place. It seems to be a trap for us, but it is actually a death place for the enemy. They left the strong fortress and deliberately lured us to go."

Richard Mason said firmly: "And all we have to do is to fight this battle! Fight to the end!"

There was silence in the central army's tent, and Woods Frank could no longer speak.

Geisa Adonis looked at the artillery major for a while, and suddenly, he asked in a bad tone, "Boy, if I remember correctly, you are also from the Union Province? Why are you so cruel to your fellow countrymen?"

Mason was silent for a moment, enduring his anger and grievance, and asked back with a strong attitude, "From the first second of this conversation, you have been full of suspicion about me because of my origin. So I would like to ask you, are you also a Palatu native? Why are you brave enough to fight the enemy in the River Valley Village?"

The smell of gunpowder in the tent made Woods Frank almost suffocate. He never thought that the kind-hearted senior Richard Mason would have such a stubborn side.

Woods Frank never thought that it was his old boss who took a step back first.

"Wrong, boy," Geisa sat down with a golden sword and said calmly, "I have never suspected you, I am just curious about you, how did a UN provincial man come to us? Play for a Venetta man?"

"Fate," Mason lowered his eyelids.

"Fate," Gaisa chewed the magical word, remembered her experience, and couldn't help but smile bitterly, and spat hard, "Fate is such a damn thing."
Chapter completed!