414: Chapter 51: Gathering the Defeated Soldiers_2 414: Chapter 51: Gathering the Defeated Soldiers_2 Not to mention the evacuation of the large army, there is also the issue of the safety of the population in the frontline castles.
Just figuring out how to retreat everyone is a huge problem.
It must be noted that the orc army has already penetrated deep into the duchy.
The moment the frontline forces leave the castle, their fate will be a pincer attack from the orc army.
To break through the orc army’s chase and blockade, even if dozens of frontline forces can retreat, only one in ten will survive in the end.
Although the situation in the duchy is collapsing, the Human Alliance is already discussing sending troops.
The territory we lost, we will take back one day.
For the future of the duchy, preserving vitality is extremely necessary.
Before the war, we stored a lot of food and supplies in the frontline fortresses.
Even if the orc army cuts off the connection with the rear, the defenders can hold on for a while.
We could simply give them an order, those who can hold onto the castles continue to do so, and seize the opportunity to strike when possible.
If supplies run out and they can’t hold on any longer, they can choose their own direction to break through.”
Martins made a solemn suggestion.
As the Minister of Defense, he understands better than most others present how vulnerable the Moxi troops are without protection from the city walls.
Letting the soldiers bunker in the castle, facing the threat of the orcs, the defending generals will undoubtedly strive to drill.
There is no extravagant hope to turn all into elites, but as long as one-tenth of the serf soldiers are trained, it would be of great significance to the Moxi Duchy.
In such a critical juncture, remote control command is irresponsible to all.
Giving them authority is the only solution.
“Sir Martins is right.
At this time, it’s indeed more dangerous to retreat the defenders than holding on.
Keeping these defenders at the front line, at least, can contain hundreds of thousands of the orc army from moving.
Retreating them might seem to increase our defensive capabilities, but the ensuing orc army will also increase.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Renato, decisively chose to support.
It was a choice determined by interests, his family’s private army was also at the front line.
If they were withdrawn to participate in the defense of the capital, they might all be gone entirely.
Staying at the front line carries the same risk, but since the orcs have chosen to bypass the fortresses along the way, they likely won’t choose to engage in a fierce attack.
The Moxi Duchy can perish, but the family’s foundations cannot be lost.
As long as the frontline elites still exist, even if the territory behind completely falls, it can be taken back in the future.
On the contrary, if the entire family private army is lost on the battlefield, even if the rear is well protected, it would be hard to resist prying eyes.
…
At the Flying Bear Fort, Hudson received the news of the defeat on the third day.
Undoubtedly, the Moxi Duchy chose to censor the news immediately.
If not for a few aristocratic military officers who accidentally escaped and ran into his defense zone, Hudson would have received the news even later.
Losing the battle was within his anticipation.
However, the extent of the loss left him with nothing to do but admire.
The combined forces from four countries amounted to 180,000 troops.
All these troops collapsed within a single day.
Such astonishing battle results are rarely seen in the history of the human race.
To claim such battle results, Hudson really wanted to crack open Crown Prince Caesar’s skull to see what was inside.
Especially after hearing the specific combat arrangements and the practical command on the battlefield, he was left speechless.
As the highest commander, Crown Prince Caesar, besides following the conventional strategies, made no major mistakes in the overall strategic arrangement.
The core reason for the complete defeat was underestimating their own strength and overlooking the changes in the battlefield situation, without leaving enough reserves for emergencies.
Compared to the seemingly correct macro view, there were more problems in detail.
Local warfare has too many resources that can be used, but Prince Caesar didn’t utilize them at all.
Any commander with a bit of experience would set up camps near the castles of some nobles, at least securing the absolute safety of food and supplies.
No matter how good the orc cavalry is, they can only take a detour when they see the city walls.
Only a few troops need to be left for defense, or even entrusted to the native nobles for guarding.
If the camp is secure, even if the front line is defeated, it can retreat in order.
Even in a large-scale defeat, the distance between retreat and disaster is often just a matter of miles.
If the cavalry can hold off the enemy, the troops can retreat in time.
Unless the Orc Army gives up its strategic goal of attacking Dapes, they can’t hold them off for too long.
Keeping the main force of the Expeditionary Army safe isn’t difficult.
The Crown Prince Caesar has revealed many problems in his command, and the behavior of the armies from the other three countries is equally perplexing.
It would be a different matter if their careless preparations and underestimation resulted in defeat by the Bimon Cavalry, but the key issue is the aftermath.
The myth that a cavalry corps can engage in frontal assaults and break through an entire legion without significant casualties has become a reality for all to witness.
After this battle, the Bimon Cavalry will be hailed as legendary once again.
One can only imagine the blow this will deal to the morale of the Allied Human Army.
Hudson’s previous battle now seems like a futile endeavor.
The dream of ‘I can do it too’ has been shattered.
Everyone will only remember the myth that the Bimon Cavalry is invincible.
As for Hudson’s example of annihilating the Bimon Cavalry Corps, most will simply think that the elites are incomparable to their average troops.
Crown Prince Caesar messed up, as did his equally incompetent allies.
In the face of mutual failure, who exactly let down who is a question no one can answer.
“Tom, send a command for all the cavalry in the city to depart and search for Crown Prince Caesar, while rallying any routed soldiers they find along the way.
Inform the officers below that they are only to rally the routed soldiers and avoid engaging with the Orc Army.
Any army they encounter on their way, regardless of which country’s troops they are, must be brought back to me.”
Hudson reluctantly gave the order.
Any soldiers they could rally would be a blessing.
At this time, this is all he could do.
As for the whereabouts of Crown Prince Caesar, that is not his concern.
This battle had nothing to do with his First Legion, so he couldn’t possibly be blamed for it.
The decision to launch this campaign was made without even consulting him, let alone presenting any official documentation.
“Your Excellency the Earl, we should also join the search!
The more people we have, the greater the chance we’ll find the prince.”
Looking at the young nobleman in front of him, covered in bloodstains, Hudson rolled his eyes secretly.
Clearly, his youth prevented him from discerning between truth and lies.
While seemingly emphasizing the importance of finding the crown prince, the real motive was to rally the fleeing soldiers and strengthen his own forces.
The phrase ‘finding the crown prince’ was highlighted as a political statement, but it doesn’t mean that he would genuinely welcome the trouble that Crown Prince Caesar would bring.
With the royal guard at their side and presuming no extreme misfortune befell them, they could always escape the Orc Army.
To ensure his subordinates understood, Hudson even implied emphasis on ‘rallying the fugitives’.
This explicit statement was clear even to the guard commander from serf origins, yet these young nobles failed to comprehend it.
He wasn’t sure if it was due to their sheltered upbringing, lack of life experience, or simply a naive enthusiasm to aid the Crown Prince and curry favor.
“The Orc Army is closely watching Flying Bear Fort.
As the city’s commander, I cannot abandon my position.
The crucial task of searching for the crown prince falls to you.
Guards, quickly bring some dry food and water bags for the knights.
The safety of the Crown Prince is of great importance to the stability of the Kingdom.
Delay may lead to mishaps.
Considering the safety of the Crown Prince, I won’t detain you any longer.”
Hudson gave his compliant response.
No matter what their underlying intentions were, supporting the politically correct act of finding the Crown Prince was a must.
A bit of hardship endured for the safety of the Crown Prince couldn’t hurt.
Time spent on cleanliness and hospitality would be wasted, it’s best to take the food and get straight on the road.