POV: MC
Motivating my soldiers to work harder encouraged them to force the enslaved populace to work harder. I need the defenses to be solid, not allowing an army double our size to gain an upper hand in battle, giving play to my army's most significant advantages.
Building a centralized defense, based on the entrance to the coast from the mountains, the city is surrounded by plains, but to get to these coastal plains one must enter through the mountains. Using this feature to my advantage I had multiple small wooden forts built to guard these small entrances.
Surrounding the forts there are many trenches with tunnels leading into the forts allowing my soldiers to fire upon the enemy as they advance on the fortress then safely retreat into the fort and close the tunnels and leaving the trenches full of tiny caltrops.
These forts are built according to my specifications edited and made possible by the engineers. The forts are built in a star fortress design, giving full play to our field artillery and our soon-to-be imported defensive weaponry. I have my fleet working hard to bring me many weapons from my defensive arsenal, including our Hwacha, repeater crossbow, and POISON...
All the previous weapons are known to my people but poison shall be a new one, as it is somewhat considered cowardly... I never mentioned it before, but I will have this poison made in Abydos by the Alchemist guild there spread throughout the forts and the city's walls to be used liberally by archers and crossbowmen.
I want any men injured by my skirmishers to stay out of the battle permanently, and this is the easiest way to achieve this. The amount of things that need to be done before the enemies arrive is endless as I want to achieve what some would call a peerless victory hoping to game the system with my lower numbers and superior schemes to get an achievement... While also gaining full access to a practically defenseless Serbia.
As the work continued I walked the walls of the city watching over the work whilst a servant read the endless reports that arrived daily... One very important report arrived from my brother as he said he secured the northern border of Bulgaria and established several small wooden fortresses on the Wallachian side of the Danube giving our fleet full access to this region of the river, and he will continue to Belgrade soon.
This was my plan, as I did not see enough defenses built on the river these countries did not encounter anything but piracy from the Danube river... So an invasion from this river is just a nightmare for Bulgaria and Serbia alike, allowing Suleyman to attack their lands unfettered.
As the Serbians did not respond to my army's invasion of their territory, I continued to build up the defenses for a whole two weeks before I even received news that the pressured ruler Stefan Dusan decided to finally attack us here... I have done everything in the campaign just to hear this wonderful news!
Knowing that the enemy plans to attack us here in Ragusa just makes everything easier on me, I know all the possible routes he can take to meet us here. I know when their army will need to restock on food and supplies and where... Giving me and my spying corps a lot of opportunity to strike against his crusader army.
Just knowing that their army is coming our way I moved my cavalry into the mountainous regions leading into Ragusa's territory. I want the cavalry commanders to settle our forces into the mountains and constantly ambush the army as they move through the complicated mountainous area, never allowing them to rest comfortably at night or travel freely during the day.
By following this plan of ambush and intrigue the entire way along their route we sap their morale even before they reach our main army. No general wants to deal with mosquito-like tactics where the enemy will appear and kill a few and disappear then again and again, leading to hundreds of casualties and even more strain on the soldier's mind.
I already sent my secret orders to the many spies operating in the country that I want their focus to be on the army, I want them to constantly sabotage the enemy on a small scale. Destroying supply cart wheels, poisoning pack animals and their handlers... Continuing to pressure the commanders of the army from the inside using their own soldier's outrage and resentment to cause many small rebellions or desertions.
I do not expect my forces combined efforts to route the enemy or truly cause many losses, but what this tactic will achieve is the gradual wearing down of the majority of soldiers' minds... Combine this with the lack of good food... We can lower the morale of the crusader forces who would usually have a high religious fervor.
Getting the estimated date of arrival of the Serbian army from my spies after another two days of work here. The spies estimated it would be at least another month before the enemy forces arrive in fighting distance to the city, so we have just enough time to consolidate our defenses and complete them.
As the days passed by I focused on the work in front of me and the nation as a whole... I must keep up with the recruiting of troops locally and in system cities, Also infrastructure is still being continuously built all over my lands. Many new administrators assigned me nearly daily to some village, town, city, or castle I conquered during one of my many campaigns.
The educators at the few universities I built using the system doing their job in educating my administrators in at least the basics of politics, geography, accounting, and ideology of my regime... These places of learning play a big role in allowing me to continue to expand rapidly as they can keep pace by pushing through their administrator education programs we designed together...
These programs have many levels and are completed according to one's level of administration. If one is only overseeing a low-level territory or just helping out another higher-level admin then they would be educated rather quickly through the entry-level program. Once they are in their position for some time and have done well, then they would be promoted by me or my viziers and sent to one of the places of learning for their next level of the education program.
Another way these education centers are helping me is with proper investment and donations from the many who have been through their programs and some who are still actively studying in their more proper paths of education. These universities can expand their capacity to educate by leasing large buildings many of them previously churches in some of the new cities I conquered and turning them into places of learning, thus allowing them to educate even more people...
Even without my stringent oversight, the sultanate continues to move forwards down the path I set up for it. Once I am back in the capital there are still many things to be done that need my direct approval and oversight. But there are still many moves that are made without my need for approval, this is what my adding so many system-recruited agents into my government is for.
Another important task was the creation of an Anatolian army used to fight mainly in the middle east, this force is in the works and will take some time to be completed. I want this army to be highly mobile but also composed of a core of highly armored and experienced shock troops to seize victory when the time is right.
I want to add a sizable number of gunpowder weaponry but I am not certain of the labor it will take to move these weapons about in the climate. Continuously reading reports and sending orders is what has mainly held my attention for the last few weeks, so when one of my commanders walked in to announce the finishing of the defenses I was surprised...
Also, I have reports the enemy will be arriving a bit sooner than expected. So, I ordered the messengers to give this information to the cavalry squad in the mountains waiting for the enemies. I called a quick meeting with all the commanders, as I need to get all the current information out to them and correct some small battle plans.
After a few hours, the meeting was just beginning all the commanders are sitting around the circular table the old owners of the room had here... At the start of the meeting, I had a servant update all the commanders with all the information we have on the enemies... I have even brought in completed armor sets to show as examples later to all the troops.
Also, we had examples of spears, swords, and crossbows. I ordered "All these will be shown to the troops to have them prepared for the enemies they will face soon, commanders are in charge of showing these around. I want the army battle ready at all times to incase the enemy is somehow able to sneak past our information net. "
Moving forwards in the meeting we discussed the stock of supplies, the state of equipment, and cannons. We made sure to cover all our bases so no small mistakes will come back to haunt us later costing a man's life in the process. All defenses shall be once more checked for any major or minor flaws by the engineering corps.
Soon... The greatest battle of my career will begin, if all goes according to plan then we will be able to establish our prestige as a nation capable of not only defending our borders but expanding them! This is the best outcome, completely destroying the enemy force, and securing their lands whilst suppressing or destroying their already existing aristocracy.
After closing the meeting I thought for a few seconds then I decided to send out more scouts to support the cavalry in the mountains. I have a feeling that the enemies will try their best to outsmart us when it comes to their invasion route into Ragusa. They have already faced massive pushback and intrigue along their route to get here so they must know we are watching their every move and that we will most likely continue to cause trouble along the standard route.
So sending out the reserve scouts to check for enemy scouts or an advance party along the less well-traveled routes is logical in this situation. As I thought about this I was brought out if my head by one of my assistants screaming "My SULTAN!!! OUR CAV THEY MADE CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY! The commander on site reported that they have captured a few small advanced parties entering the mountain."
Pov: Kapikulu Sipahi Commander: Omar
After we received reports the enemy truly entered the mountains, we launched small ambushes barely killing any enemies and slowly boosting the enemy's morale. As the sultan ordered we will strike when the time is right and we can gain tremendous benefits.
After analyzing the enemy army and watching them move through the mountains and defend against our constant ambushes we concluded that we could organize a large ambush tonight. Waiting outside the enemy's scouting range whilst they made camp for the night, we still sent small ambush parties to make the enemies feel at ease.
As night slowly crept around I felt satisfied with our prospects for achieving the sultan's goal! We split our forces into two groups, one for each side of the forest. The area they camped in was made just off the main route through the mountain, so just off the beaten path they cut down some trees to make their campground open and easy to secure.
The area where they camped is unusually flat allowing for our heavier cavalry to lead the charge into the enemy's fortified camp. Looking at half of the troops I lead and said to them "to all ottoman heroes here tonight, I want you all to know our sultan's orders are absolute and will always succeed! You can leave all your worries here... Because once we move on the enemies we are no longer mere men, but holy warriors who only desire death and to give death to those who desire life!"
Rounding up about five hundred men who had been prepared for the silent assault on the camp the remaining horsemen will wait for our signal to attack one the fighting begins. The same number of men should come from the opposite side of the forest as well, giving us two advantages one being the element of surprise and the other being mounts.
Slowly we moved forwards using the darkness as our cover and the whirling mountain wind to cover the sound of the hundreds of horses gliding across the land. The hooves of the horses have been covered with cloth to provide some help in quieting the noise the horses make when moving, but this is not the most effective in large numbers hence why we only brought a few hundred men.
The enemy guards were still not alerted even when we were within range to use our bows. Quietly I gave the order whilst running through our formation reforming our troops into a firing line. Once I noticed all the bows strung back and the arrow on the end sparkling with a firey light in the night I gave the order "LOOSE!"
*Thoink thoink* *Swoosh swoosh swoosh* Watching these special arrows fly toward the enemy's camp walls and their tents I smiled knowing the surprise they will feel just before death. With the few men next to me we loaded our bows and shot the men guarding the entrance in front of us. After they dropped I gave the order to charge the camp, and once the arrows explode a few more cavalrymen will rush to the camp with us.
But the remaining cav will surround the camp, killing all those who plan to escape our blades. Moving forwards rushing into the enemy's camp while being outnumbered by many tens of thousands I looked down at my warhorse who did not understand any of this but in his eyes, there was only excitement.
I also need no reinsurance, my sultan's orders being more than enough to get me to rush into the jaws of a dragon. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" My men and I screamed out as we got closer and closer to the entrance! Right before we reached the main entrance the explosions rang out *boom boom boom boom* I could even see through the entrance flames rising from the opposite side of the camp obviously being started by my troops arranged to attack that side.
Using our momentum we rushed into the camp, weapons were drawn some with swords some with lances, some still waving their bows about sticking an arrow in any man foolish enough to cross out path. I continued to lead the group forward rushing through the fastly spreading flames, cutting down lost and confused enemies left and right as I just kept leading my troops forward.
A few minutes into the raid and somehow the flames are moving just as fast as my cavalry if not faster, with the winds continuing to spread the fire faster and faster as time moves on. We still have not met any organized resistance, just killing men who are dazed and confused covered in soot from the flames coughing and wheezing before they eventually meet their end by being rundown or cut down by our blades.
After slowly losing our momentum and the flames spreading ever faster leaving no path forwards... I decided to retreat, ordering my troops to shoot multiple bright red fireworks into the sky notifying all troops to retreat. And after about ten minutes we retreated through the smoldering outskirts of the camp, no signs of life anywhere as we rode through the area once covered with tents.
As we ran into the forest I noticed flames trying to make their way onto the trees, but the moisture the tree still retains saved it from the sparse flames. After a few hours, we reached our destination, far from the flaming hell of a camp we left behind. And as every hour passed more and more of our spread-out units returned with their groups.
Once a large enough number of men returned I decided to call it a night, no need to wait up awake throughout the night waiting for incomplete information... But this morning I managed to compile all the information into an understandable timeline of events. By noon all the troops finally returned, and this allowed me to organize our return to Ragusa to get ready for the final battle as my job here is finished!
*** Pov: Mc
Today, was a good day when I awoke and made my way toward the pile of reports that sit at my desk... I was surprised by a messenger bringing me news of the cavalry I sent into the mountains had returned in the night and he handed me a report from commander Omar and an assortment of reports from spies in the mountains.
After reading through all of the new reports, where my commander Omar and the spies both concluded the enemy army took a huge hit from the raid by my cavalry forces. Supposedly almost all the enemy's food and supplies were lost in the late-night blaze. They also lost as many as twenty thousand soldiers, but some spies concluded that the real number is between ten thousand and fifteen thousand...
Most of the losses were due to the chaotic atmosphere in the camp, leading to many men killing their fellow brothers in arms. Some men were burnt to death by the fire while some were lost due to running away in a panic resulting in them being separated from the army. While the biggest reason was my cavalry that surrounded the camp killing any stragglers that ran out defenselessly.
So the enemy army still retains the majority of their original eighty thousand-man armies, but a loss in the tens of thousands is still a major loss. As not all of the soldiers killed were just peasant conscripts but professional soldiers and crusaders... Then add on the fact that this must've sapped the enemy's morale greatly, and then the loss of food and supplies leading to large-scale dissatisfaction their army is going to implode on itself.
I just need to defend against their attack for at most a week before the enemy falls apart all by itself. I just do not see them able to feed the army without large-scale support from his vassals and having the full backing from his people... But Stefan has neither of these so I mainly focused on his supply lines, so his ability to secure edible food was already poor let alone now after taking such a loss.
Many of the soldiers who ran decided to run away and either successfully or unsuccessfully attempted to loot from their own camp before dashing away... Leading to a huge loss of funds by the crusading and Serbian forces. But with the fervor for god burning in their souls and will to clean up the heathens residing in Christian lands they will most likely still attempt an attack on MY NOW FORTIFIED RAGUSA.
After a long day's work, reorganizing my cavalry and dividing them up and into my defensive structure as a whole I went to bed. After another day of similar work, I once again rested, leading to this morning... This glorious morning watching the Christian rats move to attack the trap of fortifications I created just for them.
Walking away from the balcony overlooking the lands outside, I was met by many assorted commanders... Dammit, I forgot I called a meeting, looking at my commanders I said "Well my commanders now that the enemy is here I just want to say a few words to motivate you in the days to come... I just want to let you all know that an army's strength lies not in the numbers of men, but in Allah's help, and its weakness lies in being forsaken by Allah.
-One day all of you here will look back at the most difficult times of your lives and you will smile about how you got through them and how you grew through such experiences... But Allah knew from the beginning that you were able to get through it as he promised to not test any of us beyond our abilities. Remember these words as you combat the infidels outside our walls, remember you can overcome all obstacles in your path through your faith in Allah."
Breaking up the brief meeting I moved toward the main fortification outside the city's curtain walls, This fort is located directly in front of the entryway to and from Ragusa and into the mountain range. This semi-stone and timber fort was arranged in the famous 17th-century style star fort design. I had the cannons arranged throughout the many layers of this quickly assembled fortress, allowing my forces to bombard our attacks into oblivion...
Once I arrived at the fort that is actively defending against the enemy, my guards forced the defenders to open the gate and pay homage to their sultan as well... Blah blah same old stuff soldiers always do, but once I was in the fort I could see the lively atmosphere inside. Many soldiers moved large crates filled with projectiles used as ammo for the cannons.
At the highest part of the fort, there were a few very large cannons that fired off every so often, there were also Hwacha located up at that level as well. Moving up to this high part of the fort where my battlefield viewing room is located, I walked into the very sunny room and took a seat in the large and comfy seat I had brought here.
Once I was seated and comfortable I took a look down at the active battlefield. What I saw was actually beautiful, many enemy soldiers were using hastily built makeshift defensive shields to ferry their ladders and themselves to the walls safely... Though this may have worked against my bowmen practically well and was worth the efforts of the soldiers as they could've protected themselves whilst also achieving their tasks.
But what they faced was something similar to a ww1 battlefield style defense, I had many skirmishers placed outside the fortress in trenches. Built with wooden defenses around it allowing my troops to fire directly into the enemy's formation and hide when any skirmishers fire back at them. While also receiving the devastating cover fire from cannons and large artillery on the walls bombarding the already downtrodden enemies.
As I sat in my comfy seat watching the enemy rats run through the trap execution fields I created for them, I moved my fists forward and backward punching the air... I said whilst doing this "One two, one two, one two" happy about my own one-two combination working out there on the battlefield right now.
<Notice: Lord has elevated the *Commander trait* as you have far excelled in the act of commanding men on and off the battlefield>
-Sorry for the long wait, I was extremely busy lately... Kids' easter egg hunts, family parties, and even forced business outings during the recently nice weather so I am sorry for the wait once again I hope you all enjoy it.
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