Chapter 1216: Chapter 31 Great Alliance Moves Forward (16)

[Outside River Valley Village]

Captain Luosong had been sitting under the sun for quite some time, and so had his warhorse. The horse kept tapping the ground with its front hooves, snorting impatiently.

Apart from a small contingent of light cavalry responsible for concealing the battlefield, the main cavalry force of the Three Counties Alliance had been on standby at the west threshing floor of River Valley Village since the battle began.

The village and the high ground it sat upon sheltered them, sparing them from fear of the enemy’s cannon. However, the terrain and buildings also limited their visibility, making them unable to see anything.

Therefore, for the cavalry of Thunder Group County and Riverside County, the fierce battles to the south and north were only low gunfire sounds carried by the wind, leaving them both anxious and helpless.

As the battle intensified, a cavalry squadron from Thunder Group County was dispatched to assist in the defense of River Valley Village, and three squadrons from Riverside County were also successively thrown into the fight.

Yet, the other three squadrons of Thunder Group County’s cavalry–especially the first and second squadrons, regarded as the trump card–remained without permission to attack.

Captain Luosong had lost track of how long he had been waiting. Finally, when the left-wing forces of the Alliance pushed the enemy back to the North Shore, a green flag extended from the top-floor window of the Bell Tower, fluttering in the wind.

Captain Luosong patted the neck of his beloved horse, drew his saber, and raised it high.

The short melody of advance was immediately sounded, and the officers and non-commissioned officers relayed the orders one after another. The resting cavalry returned to their saddles, each company forming into a large column according to the charge sequence.

The squadron earlier sent to support the River Valley Village garrison had also returned, assigned to the last row of the large column.

The orders passed down one by one were echoed back, and Thunder Group County’s cavalry was ready, like an arrow on a string, waiting for the archer to launch it at the enemy.

Captain Luosong’s saber swung down from mid-air, and Lieutenant Peiduofei beside him silently saluted his senior, then fiercely spurred his horse to ride out of the threshing floor first.

Captain Luosong watched as nearly half of Thunder Group County’s cavalry, following Lieutenant Peiduofei, left the attack position one squadron after another.

The rumbling of hooves kicked up clouds of dust. Lieutenant Peiduofei did not lead Thunder Group County’s cavalry to charge directly toward the East Bank but moved towards the north.

To the north of River Valley Village lay vast wheat fields, unsuitable for warhorses to gallop. The wheat stalks, not yet fully dried, retained a considerable degree of toughness, which would not only impose significant resistance on the running warhorses but could also trip them.

Therefore, the light cavalry of both warring armies previously chose not to enter the wheat fields, opting instead to roam and skirmish around the farm’s outskirts.

Only those light cavalry in a desperate flight would step into the wheat fields, escaping into the gaps between the armies’ square formations.

Similarly, Lieutenant Peiduofei’s cavalry also had to take a detour. The first wave of Thunder Group County’s cavalry initially transferred along the main road to the northwest to avoid the carnage-ridden, devastated wheat fields, then galloped through the untamed land between the hills and the farm towards the downstream of the nameless creek.

On both sides of the river valley, the open expanse could not hide the movements of Thunder Group County’s cavalry from the keen eyes of the council army artillery commander–Major Walei.

Though the pervasive dust cloud obscured the cavalry’s figures, Major Walei deduced from the dust alone that a large contingent of “rebel” cavalry was outflanking towards the north of the battlefield.

Quickly assessing the condition of his heavy artillery, Major Walei issued a command that stunned the artillerymen: “Disregard re-cooling with oil. Double the gunpowder, load one round ball and one grape shot in each barrel!”

The artillerymen, who had just completed a round of firing that severely disrupted the “rebels'” counteroffensive momentum, were taken aback, casting their eyes towards Sergeant Sutter, the artillery chief running among the positions–for they trusted the old sergeant, who had always led them, over this cocky, unknown lowland boots fellow.

“What are you standing around for?” Sergeant Sutter, with gray hair, bellowed, “Don’t you understand? Double the gunpowder! One round ball, one grape shot, load each!”

The puppet-like gunners came back to life and immediately began bustling about anew.

Although Sergeant Sutter loyally obeyed the orders, his heart, like that of the artillerymen, was filled with unease and doubt.

The old artillery chief walked briskly to Major Walei’s side, still wanting to make one last struggle. He suppressed his voice, speaking humbly to the Major, “Sir, these cannons…”

“No need to say more, Sergeant.” Major Walei politely but coldly snuffed out his subordinate’s doubts: “These cannons were forged under the personal supervision of Marshal Ned. Though old, they are trustworthy.”

Sergeant Sutter found the words that were already at his lips stifled back down. He raised his hand in a bitter salute, turning to leave.

However, Major Walei called the old artillery chief back. The rumbling of hooves across the shore made the artillerymen quake with terror; even the slowest among them realized the “rebel” cavalry had set out, yet Major Walei seemed unperturbed.

Walei questioned the old artillery chief with interest: “You have been managing these heavy guns all along?”

“Yes.” Sutter did not understand why the young officer before him–young compared to Sutter, at least–would ask this: “The heavy guns, along with some long guns and wall cannons.”

“You’ve maintained them well. After this battle, you will receive ample rewards.” Unaware, Walei’s words became more numerous: “How long have you been overseeing these cannons?”

Sutter’s mouth twitched woodenly; even the promise of ample rewards, spoken directly by his commander, could not elicit any joy from the old soldier.