Chapter 1190: Chapter 23 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (8)_2
Major Felter’s slightly improved impression of Lieutenant Nat imdiately worsened as he sternly ordered, “Food is to be given to the wounded first.”
Nat thought the major was embarrassed and said, “You can rest assured, no one will know, I…”
But Major Felter stopped Nat with a look from saying more. Nat sensibly closed his mouth, saluted, and turned around dejectedly.
Felter watched Lieutenant Nat’s back, as his empty stomach inconveniently began to rumble.
Lieutenant Kadar was the second to find the major. He saluted and reported directly, “Major. The firing holes have been dug, but there’s very little ammunition, only what the musketeers carry on them; the barn’s fence has also been temporarily reinforced with wood, which might cause the enemy cavalry so trouble; I’ve arranged for soldiers to take turns to keep watch on the roof—though from tonight’s situation, the rebels are likely just trying to intimidate us, and a forceful attack won’t co until tomorrow at the earliest.”
Felter nodded slightly. Although he quite appreciated this subordinate’s performance today, he did not show excessive approval.
Lieutenant Kadar was Major Felter’s only gain in today’s defeat. Felter originally didn’t like the aloof and arrogant Lieutenant Kadar either — otherwise, he wouldn’t have placed him in the second-to-last command position of the Ninth Battalion.
However, Lieutenant Kadar’s performance today was quite outstanding. Not only did he efficiently rally his troops during the attack, but he also led our light cavalry multiple tis out of formation to fight the enemy, contributing significantly to “maintaining the morale of the Big Square Formation,” which was a matter of life and death.
“It seems, given the opportunity, a sharp awl will always puncture the bag,” Major Felter thought, “though it might be a bit prickly.”
Major Felter cleared his throat and asserted, “The rebels surely know we’ve lost all our supplies. They intend for us to get no rest throughout the night, trying to crush us with hunger and fatigue. But you’re right about one thing, we’re safe tonight. This stone building is very sturdy, and the rebels aren’t foolish enough to storm it. You should rest early as well, Lieutenant.”
But Lieutenant Kadar didn’t move; his face stiffened, unaccustod as he said, “For your first ti commanding, leading us here is already a remarkable achievent. This defeat was due to the enemy’s overwhelming strength, please don’t bla yourself too much.”
Although aware that the lieutenant was offering solace, Major Felter felt even more bitter inside and waved his hand, “A defeat is a defeat. Making excuses afterward is pointless. This defeat is due to my greed for achievent and recklessness. I’ll take full responsibility in the report later, and it won’t involve you. However, the most important thing right now is what to do tomorrow—we at least need to survive to the point where we can discuss the pros and cons of this battle.”
“That’s what I wanted to say.” Lieutenant Kadar pressed his lips together, a shadow clouding his brow:
“Major, I questioned the escaped soldiers from the Seventh and Eighth Battalions. They unanimously said that the enemies who ambushed them were mainly infantry, with almost no cavalry. The light cavalry pursuing us ca from behind; it’s likely the sa old friends who’ve been harassing us all the way. As for those ambushing us… it might be another unit altogether.”
“Of course, I know that the enemy ambushing us is an infantry unit.” Major Felter sneered, “How could those inept light cavalry on poor horses possibly wipe out all three of my battalions? A single battalion fights in formation, and they can’t break through, let alone three battalions! They would just crash and burn.”
Kadar’s brows furrowed deeply, his voice involuntarily becoming sowhat somber: “Aside from the prior preparations, don’t you think the enemy’s timing was precise? The coordination of the ambushes on both flanks was as fluid as if they were one. The thick smoke at the ti was blotting out the sky—I didn’t even know the positions of the other battalions, yet the enemy seed to see through the smoke wall. They were like… a master swordsman while we were third-rate; every ti we made a move, he knew what we were going to do, striking every cut on our weak blade…”
Major Felter was slightly displeased, “Lieutenant Kadar, there’s no need to belittle ourselves or exaggerate the enemy.”
Lieutenant Kadar lowered his head, lost in thought. After a mont, he took a deep breath and changed the topic, “Major, attacking three battalions from two directions, to maintain such an attack width—based on the length of our marching column, the enemy must have at least—I’m saying at least—two battalions of troops.”
Major Felter ntally calculated and felt that the estimate of two battalions was still too little, but he said nothing, rely nodding, “It indicates that the rebels have divided their forces, which is a good thing. The more enemies we face here, the greater Major Sanel’s chances of victory.”
“You’re right; I also think the rebels have specifically split off a troop to guard the rear path.” Lieutenant Kadar swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his expression turning sowhat strange, “But have you considered… who could command more than two battalions of infantry, can also command a light cavalry unit equipped with Hurd horses, and be suitable for independent operations, among the rebels?”
Major Felter’s expression grew more serious as he listened. He compared Lieutenant Kadar’s descriptions with the intelligence in his mory, and after a long silence, he spoke: “Surely you don’t an to say that the enemy we encountered today was the ‘Rebels’ Rebel’—the Iron Peak County rebels? In other words, not only did Iron Peak County allow the rebels to pass through, but they also actively joined them? And even bold enough to let them operate independently and guard the rear for the whole army?”
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