The main camp near the Huai River was in a mess, and there were screams and wails everywhere in the back camp.
In the battle last night, they were defeated swiftly and miserably. Although they relied on a large number of people, they were able to repulse the invading Han army. However, the camp was full of wounded soldiers, and sergeants wrapped in blood-stained military robes were everywhere.
Joseph put down the tent curtain and sat down in the tent depressedly.
The attendant persuaded him and said:
"Anyway, we can't get out, and Mali won't let us go. Sir, please stop looking at it."
Joseph picked up the tea poured by his entourage, took a sip, and looked a little ugly:
"We originally came with a mission this time, but we didn't expect that the Mali people really went to war with the Han army. This is a good thing for us. Although the empire can compete with Mali, Mali has a large population, and the strength of the Academy of Sciences is also catching up. Now it has
Having built a powerful enough crossbow, in a few years, I, Taixi, will no longer be a deft opponent."
The attendant's hand holding the water glass was fixed in the air, and his tone was tense:
"In this case, what should we do?"
Joseph looked at his entourage with disgust, he is really a idiot, I have said it so clearly, you still ask why.
"As long as the Mali people go to war with the Han army, the development of the Mali people in the Eastern Continent can be delayed. If the empire strikes Mali from behind, it would be best to destroy Mali's Academy of Science."
The follower's eyes flashed brightly:
"Okay, the general is right, but we can't leave."
Joseph…
"General Joseph."
Sergeant Mali's voice sounded outside the camp.
Joseph and his followers looked at each other and saw the astonishment in each other's eyes. At this time, what was the man doing here?
The attendant went over to open the curtain and asked Sergeant Mali outside the door what he wanted. Sure enough, he was looking for Joseph.
Joseph straightened his robes, got up and walked out. The man who was looking for him could only be Shantes who wanted to see him. Shantes was a cunning guy, and he couldn't be fooled again this time.
When he arrived at the central army, Joseph saw the haggard-looking Schaentes. The first words of Schaentes almost made Joseph collapse.
"The Han army used powerful crossbows."
Shantes' eyes were red and his face was ugly, and he said to Joseph.
The crossbow is so powerful that it can almost destroy the world when used on the battlefield. Twenty years ago, a crossbow war broke out between Rome, a major country in the western continent, and the Qin Dynasty.
In that battle, the two armies fought for a piece of land in the Western Ocean. The two countries almost came out in full force, and all kinds of weapons were used to greet each other.
Rome relied on its strong bows and arrows, as well as its strong soldiers and horses, to suppress the Qin Dynasty. Step by step, it suppressed the Qin Dynasty to a corner of the mainland.
The Minister of Army of the Qin Dynasty was unwilling to fail and took the lead in ordering the use of powerful crossbows.
The sergeants of the Great Qin Dynasty first activated the strong crossbow, the most cumbersome old-fashioned strong crossbow, and destroyed several Roman legions in one battle.
Overnight, the offensive and defensive positions changed, and Rome went from being about to win to being about to lose.
The Romans who reacted were not to be outdone and also used crossbows. The two countries started a crossbow war on the mainland.
Shantes looked at Joseph seriously:
"The experience of Qin and Rome has taught all Western countries that they cannot initiate a strong crossbow war without authorization, otherwise both countries will be destroyed. Han is an emerging power in the East and does not yet know the consequences of a strong crossbow war. Now that it is using strong crossbows,
This battle can no longer be fought."
Joseph was happy in his heart, but his face remained calm and his tone was solemn:
"General Schaentes is right, but you have to know that if you want to avoid a crossbow battle, the decision lies with the Han army, not with you, General Schaentes."
After hearing this, Shantes looked at Joseph with a solemn expression:
"So I invited the general here this time to discuss how to persuade the Han army to stop fighting."
Joseph sneered:
"This is a joke. This war was originally started by your army. Now that the consequences are unbearable, your army wants to stop the war. I don't have the face to go to the Han army camp to be a lobbyist."
Shantes felt a little bad when he heard this:
"General Joseph, was it you who leaked the news about our army's conspiracy against the Han army?"
"I believe that if I report this news to my Imperial Majesty, I will have detailed requirements in my letter of credence regarding His Majesty the Great Emperor's handling of General Joseph."
Joseph's face turned ugly. He thought he had done it without anyone noticing, but he didn't expect it to fall into Shantes' eyes.
Seeing Joseph's change of expression, Shantes knew there was a way and simply said:
"My request this time is not much. General Joseph only needs to be a middleman. Relying on your relationship with Prince Su, you can persuade Prince Su to stop the army. The previous agreement will continue to be valid. Our army will capture Qidu and return it to the Han army.
."
"As long as Lord Su is willing to stop fighting, the previous incident of using a powerful crossbow to attack my deft warship can be put to rest."
Shantes gave the utmost sincerity.
There was no way. Last night's battle not only destroyed the courage of the army, but also the morale. We could only paralyze the Han army first.
News came from the reinforcements that they had been blocked by the Han army two hundred miles away. According to the current advancing speed, it would take at least a month to reach Cangwu, and this was without the use of powerful crossbows by the Han army.
Shantes could not imagine that if the Han army used powerful crossbows, General Klein might not be able to reach Cangwu in his lifetime.
News from the navy also reached that a large ship was destroyed, two battleships were directly destroyed, and there were countless other auxiliary warships. The warships that escaped were all blocked at the outlet of the Huai River.
The agile armies in Chu and Qi are now like meat on a felt board, ready to be kneaded.
Schaentes didn't want to admit it, but the reality made him choose to be cautious, otherwise these quick sergeants would be left here, and he, Schaentes, would be completely ruined.
Joseph's half-open mouth didn't close for a long time.
In just one night, the offensive and defensive momentum was completely changed. The agile army that was originally going to hunt Cangwu and behead people on Su Luxiang became a loser. Shantes, who was originally high-spirited and wanted to destroy the entire Han army,
He also became a coward.
"I can pass the message on your behalf, but whether it succeeds or not, this is a matter decided by Prince Su. As a young envoy, we dare not make any guarantees."
Shantes nodded:
"Okay, just do what General Joseph said. Whether it works or not, I won't blame you."
"As for the previously agreed-upon cities, I, Shantes, promise that I will definitely capture Chu and hand them over to the Han army. I only ask that the two armies stop fighting."
Joseph rolled his eyes and asked tentatively:
"What are your army's plans to do with those sergeants who died in your army and those who were captured?"
"redemption"
Shantes waved his hand, and there was a hint of gunpowder in his tone:
"I have a lot of things to do quickly. I have no shortage of gold and silver. These people will be redeemed."
Speaking of this, Shantes suddenly lowered his voice:
"For those warships that were destroyed, General Joseph, please ask Prince Su if this news can be completely blocked?"