Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence-Chapter 562 - 23: A Surprise on the Last Day Before the Spring Brings Life to All Things Festival (Part 2)
If this legion can be successfully subdued before the end of the year, capturing thousands, it would equate to a military expansion for the Hesse Territory.
Su Li raised his hand and calmly said, "Then I entrust this matter entirely to you, Marshal. Since you have proposed this plan, you must already have a detailed scheme, right?"
Oerstein confidently replied, "Such a simple battle, many generals and knights in our territory have already proposed various feasible plans. I reviewed them and felt that Griffin Knight Edwin’s plan is good, so I intend to let him command this battle."
"Alright, I trust your judgment, my Marshal. Hand over the battle plan to me later, let me take a look."
With the last issue arranged, the meeting was concluded.
Then Edwin personally reported his battle planning to Su Li. The core of the battle plan remains aligned with the characteristics of the Sun Goddess Church: first lure the enemy into a predetermined battlefield of their choosing, then, under a completely advantageous situation, deliver an overwhelming blow to defeat the enemy.
Specifically for this battle, Edwin plans to dispatch a merchant convoy carrying a large amount of grain to attract the attention of the rebels.
After the rebels take the bait, they will decisively retreat, luring the rebels into an ambush.
The battlefield for the decisive battle was chosen to be a basin called Star Meteorite Land. It lies not far southwest of the territory, a plain formed after a meteorite impact, with terrain gradually rising from south to north, scattered with huge meteorite fragments, and then forming a series of steep cliffs in the north.
The reason for choosing this location is because four cannons and three mortars have been set up in the north, which can cause massive damage to the rebels from a high vantage point.
However, the Dwarves will not open fire the moment the rebels enter range. Instead, they will wait until the rebels are halfway into range before unleashing a fierce barrage, putting the rebels in a predicament between advance and retreat.
If they continue to charge forward, they must storm from low ground to high, facing the overwhelming barrage from a large number of Dwarf Musketeers and Half-Elf Archers to the north of the basin.
But if they retreat, they would only be subjected to continuous and overwhelming cannon fire, inevitably disrupting their formations.
Then at this moment, the human cavalry will launch a fierce assault against the fleeing rebels, who scattered in disarray, will be unable to mount an effective counterattack.
In this battle, neither Oerstein nor Hilude will participate, as it will serve to train new leaders.
To ensure Edwin’s victory, Handsome Gilles will command the Knight Legion to support him.
In the meantime, to prevent any demons or Chosen Ones from emerging within the rebels, Aeliria will stay to support.
Of course, unless the opponent possesses a powerful magic caster, Aeliria will not take action.
This is also Aeliria’s first cooperation with the military forces of the Hesse Territory, already resembling the imperial main force.
The electors of the Empire would ride into battle on a Giant Dragon. However, most electors prefer their griffins; for instance, the Emperor of the Empire likes to keep Giant Dragons in the royal zoo, while he himself enters battle riding a Griffin.
Su Li does not have any particular fondness for Griffins; he is a man determined to become a Dragon Knight.
Especially since Aeliria is a beautiful Little Dragon Girl, Su Li is not hesitant to ride her to battle in any sense.
After reviewing the battle plan, Su Li spent the whole night riding Aeliria in a knight’s drill, then ordered the army to set out the next day, preparing for the ambush.
The first to set out, undoubtedly, was the merchant convoy meant to lure the enemy; in this world, convoys often deal with espionage and intelligence work.
The route of the convoy was deliberately chosen to pass through areas frequented by rebels, flying the banner of the Hesse Territory. The convoy members were scouts and light-armed troops disguised as merchants. They intentionally left behind some damaged wagons filled with bags of grain, even allowing rebel scouts to spot their trail. All of this conveyed one message to the rebels: "There is a large amount of grain here for the taking."
Indeed, upon spotting the convoy, the rebels quickly took the bait. Driven by hunger and greed, they abandoned caution and launched a frenzied pursuit of the convoy.
But what they didn’t realize was that these convoy members dared to be so bold because they were all battle-hardened veterans, blessed with the Eagle Eye perspective of the Sun Goddess. They could toy with the clumsy rebels with ease.
So when the rebels pursued the convoy into Star Meteorite Land, the scene before them delighted them: across the broad plains, the large human convoy was slowly moving north.
The rebels, excited, howled as they rushed into the basin to continue their chase.
What followed was a foregone conclusion.
As per Edwin’s submitted plan, cannons had already been positioned on the cliff group to the north. Four cannons and three mortars were hidden among meteorite fragments and cliff crevices, aimed southward, with all firing parameters calculated.
When the rebels pursued to about halfway within range of the cliffs, the Dwarf artillerymen decisively unleashed a volley. In an instant, the cannons roared to life! The thunderous explosion echoed across the plain, shells fell like torrential rain upon the rebel formation. The meteorite fragments exploded and scattered, instantly disrupting the rebel formation.
Not only did the Dwarven artillery inflict massive physical damage, but they also created psychological deterrence. The rebels immediately realized they had walked into an ambush. This rabble performed even worse than the professional officers of Hesse Territory had imagined. Some continued their reckless pursuit, while others became terrified and retreated hysterically.
