Munitions Empire

Chapter 107: 107 Accidents can happen anywhere

"I don't even know what kind of battle we're fighting here!" an exasperated Suthers general with a full beard slammed his military cap into his other hand.

He looked angrily at his left wing, which was on the verge of collapse, and cursed loudly, "Are you all stupid pigs? Are you all stupid pigs?"

Pointing at a legion that was near collapse, his angry voice made all the officers around him lower their heads, "A legion, overwhelmed by just 500 enemy troops, has lost three lines of defense! The Northern Ridge troops only number a third of ours, yet now it's we who are desperately defending and they who are attacking!"

"Did that guy Fisheo... actually take the initiative to attack... Did he figure out that our reinforcements are about to arrive?" the Suthers officer muttered to himself as he watched the distant collapsing defense line.

His aide stood beside him, trying to console him, "General! Although we're in a passive position, didn't the messenger sent by General Tucci yesterday say that as long as we tie down Fisheo and prevent him from fleeing, we'll be fine?"

They had assembled 10,000 troops at Northern Ridge, while Fisheo had only 1,500. With a pincer move from both sides, Fisheo was bound to lose.

In this situation, all they needed to do was to hold on and not be defeated by Fisheo in advance. As long as Fisheo couldn't achieve a decisive victory, his Northern Ridge Legion would have no choice but to surrender their arms.

"Besides, it's not that our army is incompetent... There's something fishy about the weapons of Fisheo's troops!" said the aide, his tone filled with resentment.

Having fought Fisheo's troops all morning, they naturally understood why Fisheo's forces were so ferocious.

The weapons in the hands of these troops were not the familiar Shireck Flintlock Guns, but clearly a type of new weapon.

As soon as the two sides engaged, the advantage of the enemy's firepower density became apparent. A torrential downpour of bullets left the Suthers troops unable to catch their breath even now.

Their first line of defense, a whole legion, quickly could not withstand the assault and collapsed completely under Fisheo's attack.

Having barely stabilized their position, the Suthers troops had just established a defensive formation when Fisheo's troops turned their guns and fiercely attacked the Suthers' left wing.

With a company's worth of concentrated force charging forward and the advantage in artillery at certain points, the Suthers troops were soon defeated again.

From the start of the engagement until now, the Suthers troops, originally prepared to go on the offensive, had been fighting a defensive battle the entire morning, and one that crumbled upon contact at that.

They had lost over a thousand men, particularly on the left wing, which was practically stunned into submission. Just the sight of Fisheo's wolf banners made those Suthers troops instinctively retreat, not even daring to put up a struggle.

So, the Suthers troops retreated 2 kilometers, clinging to a loss of over a thousand men, dragging Fisheo's forces into the rhythm of a war of attrition.

Fisheo was anxious too. He had promised Tang Mo that he would quickly end the main battlefield's skirmishes and then lead his forces south to join Tang Mo in facing the enemy reinforcements coming from the southeast.

More than 20 wagons, over 40 war horses, nearly 2,000 soldiers, just like that, dropped their arms and surrendered!

Due to a shortage of hands, Tagg, who was escorting these Suthers troops to find Tang Mo, managed to bring back only about 1,000 men in the end.

The rest of the surrendering Suthers soldiers, most of them, took advantage of the chaos to escape, and likewise due to insufficient manpower, Tagg only brought back 30 cavalrymen...

The other 10 cavalrymen were left behind to guard over a thousand Shireck flintlock guns and other military supplies such as gunpowder.

"My heavens, we have an entire legion of prisoners here... and we only have enough soldiers for one battalion." Wes was looking at the sea of people squatting along the road, waiting for new orders, and could hardly believe his eyes.

Several Suthers officers, adorned with opulent hats and swords at their waists, walked up to Tang Mo, presenting neatly folded regimental colors to the victor.

"We have been defeated! Sir! This is the honor you deserve." The Suthers officer holding Tucci's regimental colors bowed his head and said, "Your magnanimity will make your reputation travel far and wide."

He was referring to Tagg's allowance for them to keep their swords as prisoners. After all, the taste of defeat was bitter. If they could be treated with respect, surrendering would surely feel more comfortable.

Tang Mo took the regimental colors, then passed them with some dismay to an attendant nearby. He looked at Tagg and then at Wes and Redman, before speaking, "Due to Tagg's outstanding performance, we are now unable to spare any troops to go to the frontline to assist Lord Earl."

"My lord," Tagg spoke up, somewhat embarrassed, but at a loss for what to say next. He hadn't anticipated that his great victory would actually end up causing trouble.

"It's alright, Tagg, it's alright!" Tang Mo reassured the straightforward officer, then addressed Redman, "Leave the handling of this to you. Have the first and second platoons guard these prisoners, and have the third platoon's men bring back those flintlock guns and military supplies for inventory..."

"Get the cadets to help, quickly pack up the artillery, organize the baggage train, and retreat back to the village at the crossroads. Command the army cooks to prepare the food, and have the soldiers rest in turns while ensuring effective guarding of the prisoners!" He continued his instructions, pointing to the rather embarrassed Suthers officers, "Prepare some food for them as well."

After the Suthers officers had left, Tang Mo continued issuing commands to Tagg and Wes, "Once you've handed over control, join me with the 30 cavalry to check out the battlefield near Lord Earl's position. I'm leaving everything here to Redman."

"The platoon leader of the third platoon will take my orders. Have the 10 cavalry watching the supplies disperse! Ensure there are no large Suthers forces nearby... Avoid any mishaps, and be vigilant! Understand?" Tang Mo finished speaking and walked towards his warhorse.

"Yes, my lord!" Redman nodded slightly, and then began issuing a series of orders to coordinate the manpower.

Meanwhile, Tang Mo mounted his horse, casting a glance at Tagg and Wes who also mounted their horses, "Let's hope that Lord Earl has already decided the victor on his side."

"I doubt that's likely." Tagg, looking over at the dark mass of prisoners not far away, said reflectively, "You fought too quickly here. It's certain that Lord Earl hasn't decided the victor yet."

"Then let's go and lend a hand! And maybe tease him a bit..." Tang Mo spurred his horse, "Taking so long to fight a battle."

"Hahaha!" Wes burst into hearty laughter, hurrying after Tang Mo, "Look at Tagg, his face is turning red from holding it in."