Chapter 235: Chapter 233: Seduction
Earl Randyll looked at the densely packed Stormlanders cannon fodder and issued a new order:
"Let the sword and shield soldiers break away from the spear formation and attack, but they are not allowed to pursue too far. Just clear the surrounding Stormlanders and stop them. Then continue to charge."
"Yes!" The herald agreed, hesitated, and then asked somewhat superfluously, "Sir, do you want the army to stop moving forward temporarily?"
Earl Randyll did not answer but looked at him coldly.
The herald finally realized his transgression and left.
After the military order was passed, the sword and shield soldiers of the Reach began to attack.
These heavy infantry, wearing steel armour and wielding shields and swords, already outmatched the cannon fodder soldiers of the Stormlands in terms of equipment.
They were originally restrained to maintain formation. However, now, taking the initiative meant a massacre.
Seeing that these cannon fodder soldiers were about to collapse, the horns of the Stormlanders sounded again, and they actually sent more soldiers to charge forward.
This wave of soldiers charging into the formation were obviously better equipped and more energetic when running.
They should be elite regular army troops. Just now, those cannon fodder soldiers had scattered some of the Reach military formation, and now the elite regular troops swarmed in, causing casualties on the Reach side to surge.
Many Reach nobles began to worry, but they were intimidated by Randyll Tarly's authority and past achievements and did not dare to speak and could only look at Samwell.
Seeing this, Samwell suggested, "Father, do you want the army to stop advancing first? Defeat the charging Stormlanders before leaving?"
Faced with his son's question, Earl Randyll finally did not dismiss it casually but instead asked back, "What do you think is the biggest problem in maintaining the march when defending against the enemy?"
Samwell, understanding his father's intention to test him, did not answer hastily but first observed the battlefield situation.
Although the Stormlanders were coming in force, the Reach army still had the upper hand. After all, most of the elites in the Stormlands were still prisoners in Dorne at this time.
Even if they had pulled out the last of their wealth, they still seemed a bit weak in front of the elite army in the Reach, both in terms of weapons and equipment and the quality of the soldiers.
It was just they only had the advantage of being familiar with the jungle terrain and environment, managing to make the Reach people pay a lot of casualties. However, these casualties were not enough to shake the Reach military formation; otherwise, Earl Randyll would not be so enraged.
It was just that many Reach nobles felt sorry for the loss of their soldiers, so they wanted Earl Randyll to adopt a more prudent strategy.
Samwell actually didn't understand why his father was so determined to move forward; even if he wanted to leave the Kingswood as soon as possible, they were not in a hurry. Until he saw the situation at the rear of the Reach military formation.
It seems to be the weakest point of the entire Reach army. In fact, the reason is easy to understand.
Because the army is moving forward slowly, the soldiers at the rear of the camp must resist the enemy's attack while retreating to keep up with the large army.
Anyone who has fought should understand what it's like to retreat while fighting. Even if you're not forced to retreat, it eventually turns into a retreat.
Soldiers who retreat are suppressed first in terms of momentum, and people's eyes are in the front, so there is no problem if they walk forward or sideways. However, if they walk backward, they must look back from time to time to avoid bumping into those behind them, friendly troops, or trees.
Therefore, at this moment, the rear of the Reach army was completely suppressed by the Stormlanders. The infantry formation was already crumbling, and casualties were the highest.
In addition, Count Randyll strictly ordered not to leave the main force, so the soldiers at the rear were unable to rush out to fight back, making the situation very frustrating.
Seeing this, Samwell couldn't understand even more why his father stubbornly insisted on keeping the order to move forward. He was about to speak when he suddenly saw the cavalry gathering in the centre. Suddenly he had a flash of inspiration and said, "Father, you want to use the weakness at the rear of the army to lure the Stormlanders into attacking, do you?"
Finally, Earl Randyll smiled and nodded, "Yes. The more we keep moving forward, the more anxious the Stormlanders will be, and the more anxious they are, the more likely they are to make irrational decisions. If I expose another weakness at this time, they won't be able to resist."
Samwell was relieved. The other Reach nobles didn't say anything after hearing this. Only Ser Omar Oakheart and Lord Gunther Green looked grim because it was their troops that were placed at the rear of the army.
Although in order to win, some sacrifices must be made, but if it's one's own troops who are sacrificed, anyone would feel sad. However, Sir Omer Oakheart and Count Gunther Green did not dare to refute at this time.
You know, the knights of the Peake family, who were the backbone of the Horse Party, were directly beheaded for disobeying military orders. They are members of the Deer Party, and once they anger Randyll Tarly, who knows what he will do to them.
They could be killed for the crime. Moreover, they suspected that Randyll Tarly deliberately placed the two soldiers of the Deer Party family at the end as bait. But at this time, the Horse Party was in power in Reach, and even if the two families had any grievances, they could only swallow it.
Samwell also noticed the faces of the two leaders at this time and chuckled secretly in his heart. His father is a crafty man who really enjoys doing underhanded things.
In the original work, Count Randyll pulled several shady tricks, like during the War of the Five Kings, he killed a bunch of Florens and wanted to use his wife's identity to plot against the city. For example, when he was in the king's territory, he killed the poor Earl of Mouton, locked him in a dark room, and forced him to marry his daughter to Dickon. It was not surprising that he took the opportunity to weaken the power of the Deer Party family.
Samwell just secretly mourned for those soldiers fighting at the rear of the army. Who made your master stand on the wrong team...
The Stormlanders also seemed to have discovered the weakness of the Reach army. At this time, the soldiers attacking the rear of the army were significantly more numerous than elsewhere. Under the impact of the overwhelming tide of Stormlanders, the rear position of the Reach army had begun to shake.
Earl Randyll spoke again and said to his son, "It's almost time. The Stormlanders should gather their troops for a final attack. Sam, you go command the cavalry and follow my orders to attack later."
"Yes!" Samwell accepted the order gladly. Dickon Tarly jumped out at this time and said, "Brother, I will charge with you!" Samwell hesitated and looked at his father. Earl Randyll nodded expressionlessly, saying, "Okay."
Samwell didn't say anything more but, just as he turned around, he heard Earl Randyll say, "Remember. When the Stormlanders rush into the position, you can lead your troops to charge forward. Don't charge at full speed. Our cavalry is not adapted to the environment here. You don't have to worry about not being able to increase the speed or the impact force. Those Stormlander light cavalry, although smart, are only suitable for harassment. If they meet our cavalry head-on, they will not be our opponent at all."
"Okay," Samwell nodded.
"After scattering the enemy troops, remember not to pursue them. In the jungle, we can't catch up with the Stormlanders, or even risk being ambushed by them instead."
"Okay," Samwell nodded again, always feeling that Earl Randyll had explained too much.
Samwell knew that his father was not a nagging person, and it seemed that he had nothing on the surface just now. He sent Dickon to charge without hesitation, but he was still worried.
Earl Randyll paused as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he did not speak.
Samwell understood it clearly, slapped his right hand heavily on the breastplate, and said loudly, "First in battle !"
The corners of Earl Landau's mouth turned up slightly, and he responded, "First in battle."
Dickon also joined in and loudly shouted: "First in battle!"
After saying that, the two brothers turned and left. Earl Randyll watched the retreating figures of his two sons and said nothing for a long time.
Countless ancestors of the Tarly family have died on the road to charge, and in the future, more descendants are destined to inherit this tradition.
This is their destiny and their glory.
[END]
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