Two army facing each other, but one has the high ground with defense fortifications while others are tired from marching as well as having the lower ground. The Empire's army clearly has lower discipline since most of the army are farmers who have been just drafted from corners of the Empire since all of the Battalions have their missions already. It seems like the Sultans do not have full control over all the generals that fighting for the Empire. I'll take note of it, the Roseryth Empire is a strong opponent for me to crush in order to advance further.
The trumpets, war drums or flutes can be heard from the incoming waves of the enemy. Start by the exchange of artillery. The cannon balls flying all over the battlefield, aiming at strategic points or the areas that are reckoned to have the highest number of soldiers. The front lines of the enemy start to march approach, slowly but they can still show some discipline acquired from training. It really impresses me that although they are newly recruits, the quality standard of the army can get to this high. The Roseryth Empire is not the empire that's been dominant in the North East area of the continent for no reasons at all.
I'm on my horse waiting with my 500 Winged Hussars and 700 Polish Guards in the backline. I decided to give command of the frontlines to one of my trusted general, Alexandre, who has certain talents in tactics as well as chivalry. There is rumor that he is dating with Bianca, the daughter of my Marshal, Bogumil. If that is the true, I've no concerns since the loyalty of him is higher than Kawasaki the Junior and if he can show his talents, I can start educating him to become the potential candidate for the position of Marshal.
My cannons are shouting and blazing toward the upcoming enemies who are trying to climb onto the hills. However, my cannons are not as strong as Empire's and do not perform as well as I expected. Some have been blown by the enemies' cannons already. Luckily my infantries are hiding in ditches or behind trenches so cannons can do little damage to them. I order the Winged Hussars to retreat toward the other side of the hills, where they have less chance to be hit by a cannon ball.
The enemies are only about 150 meters from my defensive ditches, but I see no signal of attacking from Alexandre. What is this guy thinking? We're outnumbered, defense fortifications and higher fire rates are the only advantages I have against them. If being engaged in close combat, I'll face certain defeat. I clench my fist, I have the desire to order the musketeers to fire right away. But a general who has been enlisted by me should not be commanded by me or changed in the middle of the battlefield.
"Only use a man if you trust him, if not, do not use." The voice of a man named Cao Cao ring inside my head. I'll put my trust in Alexandre at the moment. However, to guarantee everything everything is alright, I command my Guards to be ready to fight. In case the frontlines fall, the Guards will be the wall hinder the enemies.
The distance reduces to 50 meters and the first gunshots can be heard between two armies. The firing rates from mine are higher. Although the soldiers holding the frontlines are those of the Lithuanian nobles, I've armed them with my flintlock muskets and trained them how to use them. The camp followers are also standing behind the infantry line helping in reloading process, which make my soldiers' firing rates to increase dramatically compared to the last war.
When the enemies are about to reach the ditches, many grenades are thrown and they blow, killing dozens of the Empire's soldiers. The important part is, the grenades light up the oil barrels that is hidden under the grass near the ditches before hand, and a fire wall is formed, burning at least 200 men in the process. There are still about 400 Empire soldiers in the gap between the ditches and the fire. They are slaughtered by my forces under Alexandre's command. Feww, this guy has planned this beforehand without my notice. The intention of training Alexandre to become the future's marshal grow higher in my head.
The enemies remaining inside the gap try their best to withstand, but the fire is too fierce and I can hear the signal of retreating from the Empire's ranks already. Many of the Empire's soldiers are tough and they fight to death while shouting something like:" For the glory of the Empire". But some are not as hard, they throw their weapons, get on their knees and surrender.
Suddenly, all of the Empire's cannons fire toward the locations where my soldiers and the Empire's remaining forces are having combat. Confident that they won't hit their own men, many of mine have get out of the ditches to engage the shattered enemies. And clearly that they have grow overconfident. The cannon balls harass the soldiers, deliver killing sprees all over the place. After a while when the field is completely ploughed, about half of the Empire's army march toward the hill.
The enemy has noticed the flat road that I built in the center in order for cavalry maneuvering. They shout something and then among the ranks of the Empire appear the Lithuanian flags. Oh Shit! They are the Lithuanian Lancers, my troops are being pushed back from the frontlines, with the appearance of these guys, the retreating forces will be destroyed. I tighten my hand holding the Sabre and shout:
- SEND THE FULL RETREAT SIGNAL TO THE FRONTLINES! GUARDS, GET IN POSITION! WINGED HUSSARS, READY TO FIGHT.
The cavalry lieutenants also ride to two side call the Hussars to be ready. The Hussars will ride around and flank the enemies, creating more time for the frontlines to retreat.
And me? I'll charge head on toward the enemies. I roar:
- LET GIVE THEM HELL, EAGLES OF POLAND.