Rhodes stood on a sudden hill, looking at the city of Elengrad under the gray sky, feeling worried.
Many years ago, as a very small force in the Northern Alliance, I participated in the battle to annihilate the Elengrad rebels. At that time, Elengrad was still a prosperous port city, which could be said to be the largest in the northern part of the old world.
A port city. Now, after two wars, this city is already a dilapidated scene. Most of the original 100,000 residents were sent to the frontier and became slaves. The rest are new immigrants. Old families
Broken apart, the new family was once again exposed to the flames of war.
Rhodes really didn't know how to attack the city. According to the information from the spies, there were still at least 2,000 defenders in the city. Although the Northern Alliance Army had 20,000 people, they had to capture a well-defended city.
Renglad City still has to pay a huge price. There is no guarantee that when this battle is over, the Snow Queen will not take the opportunity to go north again and attack the hinterland of the north. Moreover, how to attack the city is also a difficult problem. No harm can be done.
Civilians cannot be massacred as bloody as Catalina did, otherwise, the mass base they rely on will be gone.
In addition, from another level, I don’t want to see civilians bleed in wars. Although this is inevitable, it should be avoided if possible. The life of the people at the bottom is already difficult enough, and many people are worse off than dead.
, it will be even more tragic if it is devastated by war again. Of course, people who are so poor that they have nothing are not excluded. They still hope that the war can make them stand up... After all, most of the death squads in each army are made up of poor people.
, beggars, prisoners, and runaways who owe loan sharks...
Of course, there is another way to capture the city, which is to use money... Use money to bribe the officials in the city and bribe the defenders. As long as the price is high enough, some people will be willing to betray you. After all, it is better to spend half your life living in the empire next door with money.
It would be better to die in the desolate land of Kislev. Similarly, as long as you have enough money, you can also hire foreign troops, that is, hire mercenaries to fight. In this way, you can capture the city without spending a single soldier. As long as you have enough money
The things that have been solved are nothing... Unfortunately, the northern border is not wealthy. Supporting this huge coalition army requires huge military expenditures, let alone additional funds.
Looking at Erengrad under the clouds, I don't know why, but Dennis's face suddenly appeared in front of my eyes. She still looked seven or eight years old, innocent and innocent. She opened her arms and was about to hug... But she suddenly woke up,
Dennis is fourteen years old, and he has not seen her for many years. The last time he saw her was after the Erengrad rebellion ended, which has been four years ago. Even Dennis' appearance
, have been somewhat forgotten.
While he was thinking about it, the latest information came from the Rangers. Rhodes opened the sealed letter under the attention of everyone. A small line of clear words came into view - [We have won, the Empire's Black Rose Knights are here.
Arriving for support at the critical moment, the Oerengrad navy was completely defeated, sinking eight gunboats, capturing four gunboats, and two more gunboats breaking out. Admiral Disma of the Oerengrad Navy was captured.] Written here.
It was Alves' name. Rhodes knew that this was Alves's personal letter.
"What does it say?"
The soldiers asked anxiously. At this sensitive and special time node, any information is important.
"The Erengrad navy was defeated."
Rhodes replied briefly. As soon as he finished speaking, cheers from many northern officers rang out in front of him. The victory of the naval battle was undoubtedly the decisive battle to break the current predicament. Even the powerful Elengrad Navy was defeated.
Nothing can stop the siege of the Northern Allied Forces. It greatly boosted the morale of the legion. More importantly, the tactics will be adjusted, and storming will no longer be necessary. It is completely possible to siege the city and exchange for the greatest victory with minimal casualties.
Rhodes thought so too. One of the characteristics of the city of Elengrad is that its harbor is a deep-water port. Relying on this port, it can get sufficient supplies. At the beginning, the regular army of Kislev did not want to besiege Elengrad.
Grad City took this problem into consideration. Therefore, once there is no fleet, the port cannot be protected. As long as it is blocked, the city cannot obtain supplies. The rebuilt Elengrad on the ruins cannot be the same as the original one.
Compared to Erengrad at its peak, its supplies and food reserves were only enough to last for a few weeks at most. There was still some time before winter arrived, and Rhodes knew that he could afford to wait.
"Reinforce the fortifications and make sure not a single carriage enters the city!"
Standing on the spot, Rhodes issued an order on the spot. The siege battle turned into a siege battle. He wanted to completely surround Erengrad, just like Catalina did when she treated the traitors. The difference was that the bloody czarina had
Prepare to massacre the city, but Rhodes is not prepared to do this. The current Erengrad city is not the huge Erengrad city of the past. There are not so many civilians in the city, and it does not require much food to feed them. Win the liberation.
The name of the author is more important than anything else.
Fortunately, the greenskin invasion did not lead to the collapse of agriculture in the north. Apart from the fall of Watchfort, the various industries in other lords' territories had little impact, so organizing strategic supplies was not a difficult task.
"Raise more food. Once the city gates are opened, we must deal with tens of thousands of hungry civilians."
"Rhode, are you going to rescue those civilians?"
Jiger asked with a frown. The same puzzled expression appeared on everyone's face.
"Yes, we must ensure the city's food supply in a short period of time, and wait until the city's production and trade return to normal before evacuating. The excess population can be transferred to various castles for resettlement."
Rhodes replied in a firm tone.
"I'm afraid that's another big investment."
"Purchasing costs, transportation costs... I'm afraid this winter will be a torment."
Digel answered the call.
"Take a long-term view, brothers, war costs money, it is a torment for us, it is also a torment for Katarina. Moreover, the vampire queen's life will not be easier than ours, the heavy snow destroyed the foundation
In terms of the large farmland and grain reserves outside Sreif, we have even greater advantages than her. Bear with it and get through this period. Once we win the final victory, when you look back at that time, you will feel that what you are suffering now
Pain is nothing."
Rhodes clenched his fists and encouraged everyone. Although Rhodes felt distressed about the war expenses, the Black Hammer Castle, which had been developed with great efforts in six years, would consume a huge amount in this war, and as long as the battle dragged on,
In two years, the economic strength of the Northern Territory will feel great pressure. However, the dice has been thrown, and there is no room for retraction. Everyone is betting.