Chapter 291: Losing the first battle, adding more weight

Of Clay's entire force, 3,000 were fighting in the east, and 5,000 were stationed at the North Camp as a reserve base to prevent Tywin Lannister from sneaking up on his retreat.

The remaining 12,000 men, Brynden Tully's 2,000 men had just fought a bloody battle, losing more than 300 people, and were in desperate need of rest. Krissen's 500 heavy cavalry were almost exhausted, so Clay could only use less than 10,000 people on the front line.

Here, there are 8,000 infantry and more than 1,000 cavalry. This troop composition means that this is not a legion with strong enough mobility. Therefore, Clay decided to have a good fight with Tywin Lannister. A battle.

The old lion placed three infantry phalanxes on the front line. Clay only took one look and knew that these were three standard thousand-man troops.

Tywin Lannister also knew the approximate composition of his troops, so he did not choose the tortoise-shell strategy of rolling everyone into a large group and building a multi-layered defensive front.

Such conventional infantry formations are naturally not as defensive as the motionless multi-layered turtle shell tactics, but they also have a certain degree of flexibility.

"Duke Tywin still has at least two thousand cavalry in hand. He is waiting for us to engage with his infantry phalanx, and then use the cavalry to attack our left and right wings."

Lord Janos Bracken expressed his opinion.

At this time, it would be boring to restrain each other. Now that Clay has dragged them onto the battlefield, the helpless riverland nobles still want to win this battle.

"We only have five hundred light cavalry guards on each side of our left and right wings. Isn't it too thin?"

Count Clement Piper of the Pink City questioned.

The two sides were about to reach a fighting distance. Clay took the time to gather all the generals together to make final war arrangements.

"We have 8,000 infantrymen and 3,000 forwards. They are also three phalanxes. They have the same strength as the old lion... Maybe, there is no way to defeat them immediately."

added Earl William Mouton.

This is actually a euphemistic way of saying it. Everyone present knew that with the fighting abilities of the soldiers from the Riverlands, in a close-quarters fight with equal strength, unless there was a miracle, it would be impossible for them to defeat the people from the West.

However, all the nobles from the Hejian Land also want to save face. Everyone knows the situation, but it would be wrong to say it openly.

Clay listened to their words and quietly thought about the entire battlefield.

In fact, in his mind, the three thousand infantrymen in the front row were basically given to Tywin Lannister to eat.

Killing each other with infantrymen is actually very time consuming.

If there is a fight between the two sides with a total of 6,000 infantrymen, everyone here can take a shower first. It is already noon. The fight will be finished in the afternoon, just after dinner. If there is no night battle, then every day See you at the old place...

Tywin couldn't delay because if he didn't want his soldiers to sleep in the snowdrifts, then he would have to defeat Clay in the front, or at least force Clay back, and then unite with the reinforcements from the East Camp to defeat Tai Tuo. Blackwood forced him away.

In theory, Clay couldn't delay it, because it was obvious that the troops Tywin Lannister sent into Harrenhal were going to find Robb Stark.

Once the young wolf is as unlucky as the old wolf and becomes a prisoner of Tywin Lannister, then everyone should stop fighting, because what is the purpose?

Clay and the coalition of riverland nobles came here to relieve Robb Stark, but now, the ministers are about to fight to the death, and His Majesty has entered the den of thieves. What a slap!

Tywin Lannister has always been protecting the throne of Joffrey Baratheon, or to paraphrase what I just said, His Majesty is gone, what are you busy with here?

If we really want to fight, that's fine. Let's replace the majesties on both sides first, and then... do you have the nerve to fight?

If it really comes to this point, it is inevitable that Clay and the nobles of the Riverlands will get out of the way and let the old lion return to the west.

Then they cleaned up the mess at Harrenhal, saving the remaining nobles of the North from dire straits.

Unfortunately, the commanders on both sides don't want to do this now, so they have no choice.

Clay arranged the eight thousand infantrymen into a three-three-two formation in order to use the three thousand men in the front row to lure out Tywin Lannister's cavalry.

When he arranged this phalanx, he placed a large number of heavy shield bearers and spearmen on both sides, so that after Tywin Lannister's cavalry rushed in, they would not be able to rush out.

As long as Tywin's cavalry lost their spirit and were forced to fight positional battles with the infantry, Clay would have won half the battle.

There were only a few people on Tywin's side. Although there were more cavalry than him, the cavalry couldn't run, so the horses were just living targets.

Now, it depends on whether the old lion eats the bait he spreads.

If Lord Tywin is not confused yet and is agile enough to avoid the pit he dug for him, then he has other ways.

…

"Lord Jon Umber, that demon from the "Magic Mountain" has already killed King Burning Tower. Our guards suffered heavy casualties and cannot recapture the tower door!"

Theon Greyjoy ran upstairs with a bloody sword and told the bad news to the northern nobles who were waiting anxiously in King Burning Tower.

They hurriedly followed the seriously injured Robb Stark back to the King's Burning Tower. They were all afraid that the king would go directly to meet the gods. Fortunately, the king was still breathing, but the problem was that he didn't notice for a while. The north gate was actually lost.

Before they could react, they were blocked by the Western Army led by "Magic Mountain".

The guards in the tower organized two counterattacks, but were beaten back in an extremely bloody manner by the bloodthirsty Sir Gregor Clegane.

There is no other way, the remaining people can only choose to retreat to the tower, and with the advantage of being more familiar with the terrain, they will fight "street fighting" layer by layer inside the tower.

But this is a problem of chronic death. If you can't get out, sooner or later you will be defeated by the "magic mountain" of the tower.

Fortunately, there is a narrow and long stone bridge connecting the Burning King Tower and the Widow Tower. As long as you can pass this stone bridge and go down from the Widow Tower, you might be able to get out.

The reason why he hasn't left yet is because there is a very serious problem. Robb Stark cannot leave on his own. Now he is not far from dying.

Carry it? Please, let alone carrying Robb Stark on a stretcher and crossing the trestle in strong cross winds, even if they can reach the Widow's Tower, what will they do next?

At this juncture when everyone in the Western Region is attacking, how can a large group of people slowly and leisurely run towards the east gate in full view of everyone?

As long as the troops of "Magic Mountain" are not blind, they all know that this must be a big shot and will definitely chase him.

When the time comes, will everyone be carrying His Majesty Robert? Or should I throw His Majesty into the snowdrift and resist with my own sword?

Do you think you have a long life or do you think your Majesty has a long life?

Therefore, after discussing with all the northern leaders, the first order was to do everything possible to recapture the tower gate and drag it to the east gate for reinforcements.

But now it seems a little unrealistic...

Theon Greyjoy had just gone down to support the front line in person, but just a face-to-face encounter with the "Magic Mountain" and a powerful and heavy blow from the opponent with the long sword in his hand killed him.

Although the "Magic Mountain" was temporarily withdrawn from the battlefield after a round of fire by the guards, leaving several wounds, it didn't take long for the Western soldiers who came from behind to completely drive the Northern defenders to the second floor. , and the lobby on the first floor was completely occupied by them.

In fact, everyone knows that these soldiers in the West must have received orders from Tywin Lannister to capture the people alive. Otherwise, they can just light a fire below and use smoke alone to kill the people above. Choked to death.

Jon Amber sighed, the reinforcements were still a step too late.

Just now on the city wall, he had seen Krissen's surprise attack on the back of the Western Army. He understood that his army must have arrived behind Tywin Lannister.

Otherwise, there is no need for Tywin Lannister to be so eager to catch people like him.

The north gate has been taken by him, and the east gate will definitely not be defended. There are only five lonely towers left. Can't he attack them whenever he wants?

He actually understood very well that the simplest and easiest way for these northern nobles who were still intact was to surrender directly to Tywin Lannister.

They are carnivores and nobles. It is almost impossible for Lannister, who is also a noble, to kill them.

Now, with our own strong troops on the side, the old lion will definitely capture them and negotiate with our own reinforcements.

However, no one wanted to bring it up first.

Firstly, they knew very well that whoever brought it up first would undoubtedly be very likely to be liquidated in the future. Secondly, they also knew that 99% of the reinforcements outside the city were sent by Clay Mandler himself. The commanding army.

Originally, these people were a little unable to hold their heads high in front of Clay Manderly. Now, when Clay Manderly's soldiers are pressing down on the border and they are about to face a decisive battle with Tywin Lannister, it is really difficult for them to surrender. When they arrive, Clay will be damned if he can give them a good look.

Clay Manderly and the entire Manderly family are already strong enough. If they get it again, they can save these nobles from the Lannister, and even guarantee the reputation of Robb Stark.

After that, in the next few decades, as long as nothing happens, the North will most likely have to listen to Clay Mandler.

The adults present are all arrogant and arrogant masters in their own territories. It is enough to let them bow to the Stark family who have ruled the North for thousands of years. They must be made to bow to the same people as themselves two years ago. Mandalay lowered his head, that was really difficult.

The adults were worried, and without Robb Stark as the decisive figure, there was a lot of noise and chaos.

…

Clay didn't know the situation in the city. His full view was still some distance away from him. The magic power was getting stronger and stronger. He knew that Galesos was definitely coming to find him.

This is definitely a variable that can reverse the global variables, but the problem is that it hasn't come yet, so I can't count it for the time being.

At present, his task is to fight the battle in front of him well.

He already knew that Tywin Lannister's reaction to the news that Earl Mallister was blocked in the east was faster than he expected.

This is good.

Clay Mandler would find it boring if his opponent fell apart every time.

If that's the case, then let's fight you hard before the reinforcements from your east gate arrive!

"Order, the forward force is 3,000 men, commanded by Earl William Mouton. Pay attention to both sides and advance slowly."

Clay did not put forward a specific formation in the order. His surname was not Zhao, and he was not interested in using maps to direct frontline generals in operations.

As long as he is reminded to pay attention to both sides and not to be penetrated by the cavalry of the Western Territory all at once, the rest will be enough.

Three thousand men were ordered. Since they were in offensive formation, the heavy shield bearers were not in the first row.

Two spear phalanxes are on both sides, and in the center is a sword and shield phalanx.

The number of people was 3,430, which constituted the first wave of offensive of these 3,000 people.

Behind them were another 500 longbowmen guarded by a total of 500 heavy shield and spearmen on both sides.

They were not in the last row, because the three thousand of them were an independent attack unit, so there was no army to protect them in the back row.

The longbowmen shot farther, so they stopped before the thousand melee soldiers in front, and then took out five arrows from the quiver and stuck them on the ground for easy access.

They were the first to throw out a wave of arrows, but it was not to kill the enemy. After all, the opponent had not yet entered the shooting range.

This is for distance measurement, so that the commander can give orders at the right time and accurately inflict maximum damage to the opponent.

Their opponents, the Westerners, were obviously well-trained. At almost the same time, in the first row of three thousand-man phalanxes of the Westerners, the archers' range-finding arrows also pierced the air and drew an arc in the sky. , and finally plunged into the ground with a muffled sound.

The first thousand-man team commanded by Earl Mouton pressed against the thousand-man phalanx in the center of the Western Army.

He participated in the military meeting held by Clay Mandler, and naturally he understood a little bit about the thoughts of the guy who commanded the army.

Although he felt sorry for these thousand people, he still hardened his heart and ordered them to charge in the direction of the flying golden lion flag.

Unexpectedly, a dull and melodious horn sound also sounded in the camp of the Western Army. This was a signal common to the seven countries, which meant ordering one's own troops to attack.

Earl Mouton was obviously stunned for a moment. He didn't know the purpose of the attack horn.

Originally, he thought that if he were Tywin Lannister, he should put up a defensive posture at this time and wait for the troops here to attack.

But he didn't expect that from the beginning, he guessed Tywin Lannister's thoughts wrongly.

The golden lion flag was flying, and the three square formations placed in the first row of the Western Army actually moved.

The thousand men he sent out had just rushed to the center of the battlefield when they discovered that they were about to face an attack from the Western Army from three directions.

Earl William Mouton was anxious and immediately ordered:

"Fire the arrow! Fire the arrow quickly!"

After waiting for a while, a question came from the archer phalanx, in which direction should the arrow be fired?

Earl Mouton was stunned for a moment and instantly understood the meaning of this question.

Enemies come from three directions.

"Throw it in the middle! Give me the order to have the soldiers stop charging, stand firm, and retreat slowly!"

His son Holland Mouton heard his father's order and couldn't help but asked in a low voice:

"Father, the soldiers just rushed out, and now they have to withdraw, which will damage morale in vain."

William Mouton certainly knew what his son meant, but he had his own reasons.

"Nonsense! Take a look for yourself. The Old Lion has sent out at least a thousand people to besiege us from three directions. I won't let them withdraw. In this battle, these thousand people will definitely be surrounded and eaten. ”

That's how fighting is. It's not like you have five thousand and I have ten thousand. We line up in a formation, and then we get close to each other and attack each other. Whoever can attack in the end and understand who is the father is the father.

In fact, the battlefield is more like a card game. You have your cards, and I have mine. Both sides choose the right time to play their cards, and in the end, the outcome is determined according to the rules.

However, Mouton, a small poker player, obviously did not play the first card well.

He was just a petty lord who underestimated Tywin Lannister's determination.

The order came through a short retreat horn sound, but the charging soldiers seemed at a loss.

There is no way, battlefield information exchange in this era is very inefficient.

At this time, the well-armored soldiers of the Western Region, carrying the rain of arrows from the Riverlands from three directions, had begun to come into contact with the soldiers at the front.

A knight leading the front line knew at this time that he must not retreat at this time, otherwise the thousand people would immediately flee.

He immediately yelled:

"Listen to my orders, Hejian people, charge!"

So, he led the soldiers who heard his roar and strangled the Western soldiers who rushed towards them.

Clay, who was in the middle army, frowned.

He did not expect that the battlefield quality of the nobles of the Riverlands was so poor.

It's true that I have been fighting for them all the time, and I have spoiled each one of them, without gaining any experience at all.

William Mouton's arrangement was right at the beginning, but the problem was that as soon as this guy discovered that the West was coming from three directions, he began to look forward and backward.

How can you let the troops retreat halfway?

Isn't this giving the other side a chance to catch a duck?

Fortunately, the man leading the troops at the front was not confused and knew that retreating would lead to death, and it was better to fight to the death on the spot.

Therefore, William Mouton sent out a thousand men to test, and let his trumpet sound to call back 400 men. The remaining 600 men were besieged by three 500-man teams of the Western Army and were in danger.

Clay turned his head helplessly and glanced at Edmure Tully, who looked very ugly, and said softly:

"Lord Edmure, Earl Mouton's commanding ability is indeed not very good."

No matter how stupid Edmure Tully is, he still knows what Clay Manderly means. As the theoretical leader of the nobles in the Riverlands, he is in a particularly bad mood right now.

"Order, if he is still alive, to call Brynden Tully to me without further delay."

Clay had no interest in talking to Edmure Tuledor.

He would have to ask about the other Tully.

After all, he still holds more than a thousand riverland cavalry with average combat power, but they are indeed usable.

Soon, Brynden Tully, wearing black fish scale armor, came to Clay.

The old guy was actually a little afraid to see Clay, because in the previous Krissen assault, Clay gave him very clear orders to cooperate with Krissen's attack and disrupt the Western siege army.

But the old guy didn't carry out this order well at all. If he could hide it from others, how could he hide it from Clay's eyes?

Clay didn't have time to talk to him about what happened before, so he asked right away:

"Ser Brynden, how long do your cavalry need to rest?"

"...Master Clay, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is, think carefully before answering me. Remember, don't think my words are unpleasant. Those on the battlefield now are all your soldiers from the Riverlands. Now, answer me, how long do they need to rest?"

Brynden Tully glanced at his sculpture-like nephew, sighed deeply, and said helplessly:

"In half an hour, they will appear and be at your disposal."

…

The 600 people were surrounded and killed by 1,500 people from the Western Army. They only lasted for 20 minutes before they completely collapsed. Except for some who surrendered with their commander, the rest all became the swords of the Westerners. The devil below.

The Riverlands side lost the first battle.

After completing the strangulation task, the Western Border Army slowly retreated and returned to its previous position.

Of course, they were not completely unscathed.

In the previous melee, neither side dared to shoot arrows. After all, they were not the madman Ramsay Bolton, and they dared to shoot arrows at their own people.

But now, when the Western Army retreated, they were still baptized by a saturation rain of arrows from the angry Riverlands.

In total, the Riverlands side suffered a loss of 600, and the casualties of the Western Border Army reached 300.

Clay knew that William Mouton was already angry because of this small appetizer, so he directly ended his non-interventionism, photographed someone and said:

"Lord Clay ordered that the entire army under William Mouton should be pressed forward. They must maintain their formation and not be greedy to attack and lure the Western Army to attack."

It is originally food given to the lion. As long as the lion exposes the teeth hidden on both sides, the hunter can knock out these two teeth and then arrest the lion, right?

The prey must have the consciousness of a prey. The more it struggles, the more excited the lion becomes. If it is always so timid, how can it trick the lion into taking the bait?

…

When William Mouton led the remaining 2,400 men in his hands to press forward for the second time, the Western Army on the opposite side immediately took action.

Among the three phalanxes, the two phalanxes on the east and west sides began to advance, while the phalanx in the center took up a defensive position, waiting for the arrival of William Mouton's troops.

This is a typical outflanking, three-on-one tactic.

But after all, this was a duel of nearly 6,000 people, and it was impossible to tell the winner for a while.

The Western Army was located in three directions: east, west, and south, and in the middle, a large group of William Mouton desperately directed his troops to attack forward, trying to penetrate the southern defense line.

Clay shook his head slightly. It seemed that three thousand people could only make the lion spit out its tongue, and it was still a little short of exposing its teeth.

In this case, I have to give you a little more temptation.

"Sir Brynden, take your cavalry troops and immediately attack the Western Army in the west. You should know what I want you to do. This time, I don't want to see anyone disobeying my order."

Sir "Blackfish" was much better behaved this time. After receiving the order, he immediately led his army towards the flank of the western encirclement.

Still in the familiar back position, they were helping William Mouton tear open the dumpling wrappers.

Clay knew very well that Tywin Lannister would not allow a cavalry to harvest like this.

After all, he only had 6,000 men. If 3,000 men were defeated, he would have nothing to play with.

Therefore, the cavalry hidden by the old lion on both sides must move.

I have recently been writing about war, so I have to put the chapters together for the time being, otherwise my thoughts will become incoherent.