In the Name of Empress-Chapter 484 - 320: Shameless Ambush (Part 3)

Just as the two middle-aged generals were lamenting their aging, a lieutenant hurriedly arrived, saluted General Dailong, and reported, "General, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry has something to discuss with you. He’s just outside."

"Let him in."

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry was in charge of the east wall defenses of the fortress, and after all the outer positions fell, his position was directly in contact with the enemy.

If he came at this time, it must be important.

Dailong glanced at Jacobs and softly advised, "Don’t mention what we were discussing earlier in front of the young ones."

Jacobs nodded but said nothing.

Old fellows can talk about discouraging things together, but they shouldn’t spread it to the young ones.

Dailong sighed, shaking his head, "I still can’t figure it out. The Holy Alliance hasn’t even completely defeated the Wende Empire, yet they dare to attack us."

Jacobs did not answer, remaining silent.

Yes, why indeed?

"Because everyone thought it would take them a few more months to launch an attack."

The resounding young voice came with the sound of military boots hitting the ground; Jerry walked very quickly and in a flash was in front of the two generals.

He saluted the two generals sequentially and did not continue the previous topic, instead reporting on the status of the east wall.

Sporadic fighting continued, but large-scale attacks had ceased.

"From my observation, in at most three days, the mountaintop fortifications will be completed. Do the two generals have any solutions?"

Dailong and Jacobs exchanged a look, silently lamenting that what was bound to come had indeed come.

Old hands are prudent, young people are full of fighting spirit. Jerry likely came to propose an offensive move to them.

Since the young man asked, it would be impolite for Dailong not to respond; he gave a muffled grunt, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue.

"If the construction of the mountaintop continues unchecked, the fortress definitely can’t be defended. I’m considering organizing a mobile force to disrupt the mountaintop fortifications."

"There are ample reserves of magic bombs inside the fortress, and a large stock of explosives for making bombs. If there are brave warriors unafraid of death, there is hope."

Jerry frowned slightly but couldn’t resist reminding, "General, a dare-to-die squad is not a suicide squad. No one is willing to undertake such a meaningless, mindless charge."

"In fact, during the outer position defensive battles, we attempted such foolishness, and what happened? We couldn’t even delay the enemy’s advance, ended up losing a few thousand men for nothing."

What Jerry said was true, but the truth is often the hardest to hear.

These were words Dailong did not like to hear.

He frowned, angrily scolding, "Jerry, you are just a lieutenant colonel commander, responsible for the outer defenses — those were your old superior’s orders. If you have good suggestions, speak frankly. Don’t be sarcastic."

Jerry glanced at the disheveled Jacobs with some sympathy, but he unceremoniously pointed out the various errors in the outer defensive battles.

Pitiful Jacobs, but who pities the soldiers who died because of flawed tactics?

Since becoming a Vice Admiral, Jacobs had become the backbone of the overseas corps, and with the heroic halo from the Helentz Castle defense battle, people daring to criticize him openly were becoming fewer.

In this campaign, Jacobs had fully exposed his shortcomings in commanding operations.

Slow response, dogmatic stubbornness, weak adaptability.

In fact, this type of leader is quite common in the middle and high levels of the Empire.

They have mostly received good military education, are familiar with military theory, and can recite historical famous battles by heart, talking animatedly about war.

However, in real warfare, their performance is far weaker than their imagined selves.

In Jerry’s eyes, the raid on the mountaintop artillery positions was doomed to fail; their only chance was to seize the timing and attack the artillery positions still on the plains before the enemy’s cannons were transported up the mountain.

Getting cannons up the mountain is difficult, so stop them from going up. There are many ways to prevent them from ascending; not all have to occur on the mountain.

Jerry’s proposal was bold, targeting the enemy’s blind spot in thinking.

After elaborating on his ideas, he brought up the Prudon Kingdom’s sudden assault again.

"The Prudon people’s surprise attack hit our blind spot in thinking; my raid plan is the same."

Dailong and Jacobs exchanged a glance, seeing hope and surprise in each other’s eyes.

Jerry was right; no one would expect them to dare initiate a raid again, and not on the mountaintop position, but by directly attacking the central army of the Prudon forces, targeting their artillery positions.

Very reckless, beyond most people’s comprehension.

This is the premise of a sneak attack: the victim doesn’t expect it.

"Can you elaborate?"

While a brilliant idea is precious, it’s more important to turn the idea into reality. If it’s just theorizing, this grand raid could likely cost them the entire battle.

Jerry knew this was a critical moment. He cleared his throat and began to outline the combat plan.

By multiple small unit feint attacks to mislead the enemy into thinking their target remained the high ground outside the city, then mobilizing the only cavalry force.

"Deliver a fatal blow to their artillery!"

Jerry’s tone rose a bit, his eyes filled with fervor, his voice slightly trembling.

"We have few cavalry, only five hundred, but they are the highest-paid warriors, their loyalty and fighting prowess are impeccable, ready to sacrifice for their country at any time!"

Dailong pondered for a moment before slowly asking, "Who will command this unit?"

Five hundred cavalry charging the artillery positions at night, using various magic bombs and homemade explosives to bombard the positions, the chance of survival was obvious.

The officer commanding this cavalry unit must possess extremely strong military qualities, able to find the enemy’s weak points amidst chaos, quickly complete the mission, then return.

Of course, they are most likely to die in the charge, surviving even a third would be a miracle.

Dailong squinted at Jerry, waiting for his answer.

Jerry met his gaze without flinching and calmly replied, "I will."

"You can’t!"

Jacobs loudly interrupted Jerry’s self-indulgence, "Jerry, I think you’ve been getting a bit too confident lately. In terms of military capability and prestige, can you compare with me?"

"General!" Jerry’s expression changed slightly; he hadn’t expected Jacobs to volunteer for such a near-suicide mission.

In this kind of raid, the leader’s chance of death is much higher than that of ordinary soldiers.

Ordinary soldiers only need to follow the general’s charge, but the leading officer not only needs to charge ahead under a hail of bullets but must also accurately assess the situation, a task impossible without strong military skills and extraordinary luck.

Jerry was about to say something, but Jacobs had already raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

Jacobs lowered his voice and said, "Jerry, the future is yours; I am already old. This is my last chance for advancement. Don’t compete with me."

Jerry’s words were all swallowed back down.

This is the power of the military merit system.

Even if Jacobs dies in battle, as long as they can turn the tide and hold the fortress until reinforcements arrive, he will still be the top hero.

He will be posthumously promoted to Lieutenant General and conferred the title of Count, stepping into the ranks of high tier Nobles.

Although he would not enjoy it, he still has family.

"Jerry, you’re not married yet. Even if you get a posthumous title, there’s no one to inherit it. But it’s different for me; I have a son who’s almost of age, the title should go to him."

"Do not compete with the old father eager for merits."

Jacobs patted Jerry’s shoulder and smiled as if relieved.

There’s another reason he didn’t articulate, one he didn’t plan to share with anyone.

Among the thousands of soldiers who died in the outer ground battles, there were a dozen or so young men from his hometown.

He had promised to lead them in gaining merit, to enjoy a prosperous life, yet they all perished.

He couldn’t imagine facing their parents back home.

But he still has a chance for redemption; on the road to the Netherworld, these young kids need an elder to lead the way.

This is his inescapable duty.

Seeing the resolute look in Jacobs’s eyes, Jerry was stunned, then relieved.

He couldn’t fathom the old superior’s gaze, but he could understand the other’s resolve.

He said no more, standing straight and saluting the old superior whom he somewhat privately criticized in his heart.

Dailong looked at the old friend ready to die, sighed softly, but said nothing.

His gaze swept toward the artillery positions a few miles away, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The enemy surely thinks Frank Castle is indefensible.

Tonight, they are going to give the Prudon people a huge surprise.