Iron Powder and Spellcasters Chapter 79

   Chapter 79 Red Sulfur

   "What's that ship's semaphore saying?" Winters asked Cage, pointing to the warship that was drifting away.

   "'Wish', 'Good luck', 'Victory', 'Goodbye'." Cage narrowed his eyes and read the semaphore.

  The six main battleships left the fleet and scattered over the entire sea area.

   "I can't figure out why your navy is doing such a thing of dispersing troops." Winters sighed.

Cage moved his knuckles and replied, "The large-scale Taniria fleet has been wiped out. There is no need for the fleet to form a group and spread out to control this sea area... We should be arriving at Red Sulphur Island soon, right? "

  Red Sulphur Island is the fifth largest island in the Taniriya Archipelago, named after the red soil and the sulphur rich in the high mountains in the center of the island.

  The whole island is roughly irregular in oval shape, with an area of ​​nearly 700 square kilometers.

   If you use the speed of the field march, it takes about two days from the southern end of the island to the northern end, more than 50 kilometers. It is about a day's journey from the western end of the island to the eastern section, more than 20 kilometers.

  This island is actually a small part of a giant underwater volcano that sticks out of the water, which is not well understood.

   But as long as there is sulfur available, they don't care about living on the edge of a volcano.

  This island guards the southern gate of the Taniria Islands, and the Red Sulphur Port is the best deep-water port on the Seablue-Golden Port route.

   Unlike Haiquangang, which swayed between the two major forces, Red Sulphur Island was the core territory of the Taniria Federation, and the row upon row of sugarcane plantations on the island were enough to explain everything.

  Therefore, this important sulphur producing area quickly cut off the sulphur export to Veneta after the Debella consul's declaration of war.

   The capture of Red Sulphur Port was an important part of Nareshaw's battle plan.

  The dock of this big port is enough to dock the entire fleet, and the rich island is enough to provide supplies for the expeditionary army, and at the same time, it can also capture the sulfur mines on the island.

   With this island as a base and a springboard, the attack on the main island of Taniria has a solid rear.

   Later that afternoon, Winters had been able to see the cliffs of the south bank of Red Iwo from the ship's deck of the Glory, and the observation post on the cliffs of the south bank of the island of Red Iwo also found the Veneta fleet.

The sentry at the    observation post opened his mouth wide and watched in astonishment as the sea level 30 nautical miles away went up to the sails.

  One, two, then dozens, a mighty fleet was heading towards Red Iwo, and the Veneta flag at the top of the mast could be clearly seen.

   Even knowing the outcome of the Battle of Lighthouse Harbor, the efficiency and speed of the Veneta fleet still stunned the Sentinel.

   "What are you looking at?!" The sentinel angrily kicked the sentry: "Hurry up and fire the beacon."

   Winters on the boat saw a thick plume of smoke rising from the southern shore of Red Iwo Island, and it did not disperse until several hundred meters in the air. The beacon tower spread the news that the Veneta had arrived all over the island, and the Veneta knew it.

The    fleet sailed eastward around the southern tip of the island, sailed under the basalt cliffs, and by night had anchored in a sheltered place. A small group of men had been following the fleet on the coast, closely monitoring the movements of the Veneta.

For the first time since the    expedition, the Veneta army on board felt the tense atmosphere of the battle.

  The soldiers of the Third Legion for dinner that day no longer ate dry wheat cakes, but fresh fish, bacon soup and freshly baked bread.

   Under the special order of the Joint Command, each Army soldier was also given a small glass of spirits.

  Each caster officer was given two bases of standard spellcasting materials—the army wasn't usually so generous.

  The soldiers took back their weapons—they were collected and managed when they boarded the ship. The remaining veteran centurions were all distributed with half-armor.

   Musketeers began to examine their buckshots grain by grain, re-sharpening the inferior ones that could not fit in the barrel. The sound of sharpening weapons and armor could be heard throughout the fleet.

  The artillery deck of the Glory was temporarily transformed into a legion tent, and all the officers of the Third Legion who participated in the military meeting crowded the small artillery deck to the fullest.

"The Taniria Federation is just a loose political alliance and has no standing army. In addition to the security forces, their main armed forces are the private soldiers of the plantation owners and the militia guards of various towns." The deputy general of the legion explained in front of the map He wrote: "In addition to the red sulfur port, there is a small city in the island's interior - Tacheng. The red sulfur port has about 10,000 residents, and the Tacheng is less than 5,000. There are four villages outside the city, and there are many more. plantation."

   A guard began to hand out maps to the officers present. As the temporary centurion of the 100th, Winters also received a facing map of Red Iwo.

The level of detail of the    map made him not only smacking his tongue. This map, which is less than two slaps in size, meticulously marked the roads, villages, water sources, and large plantations on the Red Ilwo Island. It was definitely not something that could be obtained in a hurry.

   The deputy general of the legion briefly explained the topography of the Red Iwo Island with reference to the map, and then began to assign combat tasks.

   Finally got to the point, all the officers present cheered up.

"There are many reefs around Red Sulphur Island, and there is only one natural deep-water port in Red Sulphur Port. In the early morning of tomorrow, the fleet will sail to St. Ciri Beach. Camp. If the enemy of Red Sulphur Island wants to take this opportunity to attack us, the troop transports of the 2nd and 3rd brigades will run aground directly, and the strength of the three brigades should be enough to solve the problem..."

   Before the lieutenant could finish his words, a messenger rushed over from the ship building and interrupted him.

  According to military law, anyone who trespasses in military discussions will be hanged.

   The messenger bowed his head tremblingly to avoid the unwholesome eyes of the officers in the cabin, and quickly stepped forward and handed Antonio a note.

  Antonio, who didn't speak during the entire military conference, looked at the note, raised his eyebrows slightly and said to his subordinates lightly: "The Red Iwo Island Council, surrendered."

  —cut—

   In the scorching sun, a warship opened its guns and slowly sailed towards the port of Red Sulphur.

   With the sound of cannons resounding throughout the bay, a white flag was planted on the top of the fort.

   A deafening cheer erupted from the Veneta fleet.

   The soldiers and sailors were of course delighted that they didn't have to fight so hard.

   However, many army officers felt a little uncomfortable. From the expedition to the present, the army has almost no room for performance. All the credit was taken by the Navy, and even the Red Sulphur Port in front of him surrendered without a fight—obviously, this was also the credit for the great victory in the naval battle of Lighthouse Harbor, and had nothing to do with the Army.

  The coast of Chisulfur Island is densely covered with cliffs and reefs. Only the bay where Chisulfur Port is located is a natural deep-water harbor.

   However, this bay is in the shape of a gourd as a whole, with a long and narrow entrance, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. The Tanirians even built a strong artillery fort at the entrance of the bay, which is why the original battle plan did not even consider storming the Red Sulphur port from the sea.

"Why did you surrender?" Andre angrily scolded the Red Illusion Island Council: "Pull an iron cable at the entrance of the bay, what kind of boat can get in? You have to defend it anyway because of natural dangers? Why is this? surrendered?"

   "Okay, okay, isn't it a good thing not to have dead people?" Bud said helplessly.

   Winters nodded in agreement. Although he also felt a little inexplicable, it was always a good thing not to fight.

   "The navy fought all the battles, and the navy took all the credits. We have become the navy's diners..." Andre muttered dissatisfiedly.

In the bow of the Glory, Lieutenant Admiral Nareshao asked Antonio politely: "General Serbia, let's dock here."

"Please wait." Antonio raised a rare disagreement, he ordered one of his adjutants: "You take my guard to this fort, and put all the Tanirians inside. Please go out and nail down all the guns in the fort that are facing the water."

   "Isn't that necessary?" Nareshaw was stunned for a moment: "Can we still use the artillery in the fort to defend the Red Sulphur Port in the future?"

   "Your Majesty, although we have no intention of resisting, you don't have to humiliate us like this, right?" The envoy of the Red Iwo Island Council was also a little annoyed.

  Antonio smiled and said, "Be careful. If we use these guns in the future, it's just fine to drill through. It's just a little effort."

  Nareshaw hesitated, but finally agreed to Antonio's arrangement.

  The entire fleet just waited outside the bay, watching the Vengeance put down several small boats, and slowly rowed towards the gun fortress with dozens of soldiers.

   The originally jubilant atmosphere began to quiet down, and the soldiers and sailors looked at the behavior of the flagship for unknown reasons, and began to make a commotion.

  Tossed about for almost an hour before someone waved the army flag on the artillery base. Seeing the agreed signal, Antonio's solemn expression relaxed a little.

Lieutenant General   Nareshaw sighed and waved at First Officer Karaman. Orders were passed from the Glory to the entire fleet, and the ships pulled anchor and entered the bay.

   "Why do you toss for so long?" The second mate who was at the rudder asked Chief Mate Karaman in confusion.

  Deputy Klarman snorted coldly: "What else could it be for? It's not the Army that sees us jealous and wants to take some credit. It's greedy for credit, the Army's old tradition..."

  Because the entire bay is approximately gourd-shaped, after entering the entrance of the bay, the water surface becomes much wider. But the shore is still rocky, and there is no place where large ships can dock.

   Continuing to sail forward for a certain distance, when the leading ships could already see the pier of Red Sulphur Port and the bastion on the side of the pier, Antonio once again stopped the fleet.

   First Officer Klarman angrily left the forecastle to issue orders for all furling.

"Your Excellency Serbiati, I can understand your concern, you really don't have to worry so much." Nareshao reluctantly revealed some naval secrets before Antonio: "The Red Iwo Island Council has had a lot of discussions with the Navy before. Through in-depth communication, both of us do not want Red Sulphur Island to be destroyed by war, so the Council will choose to change flags."

   "Do you really want to change your country?" Antonio asked the council messenger seriously. He was particularly difficult today.

   "Otherwise, why would I come here?" The envoy of the Red Iwo Island Council replied without hesitation.

   "Okay, then let a centurion of mine enter the bastion of the port first." Antonio said word by word.

The    envoy asked angrily: "What do you mean by this? We are changing flags, not surrendering!"

"You heard what I said." Antonio no longer said anything to the messenger, and looked directly at Lieutenant General Nareshaw: "Please also provide ships to my soldiers, and wait for the third legion to enter the bastion. , the fleet will dock again."

   "Your Excellency Serbiati, our navy has really reached an agreement with the council for a long time..."

   But Antonio was unmoved: "Please send a boat to my soldiers. Since the council has decided to change flags, why should my soldiers be stationed in the bastion in advance?"

   Ignoring the stern protest of the messenger, Nareshaw nodded helplessly.

   Winters, Bud, and Andre, who had already taken off their armor, were ordered to assemble the 100th immediately.

   "Finally it's our turn!" Andre buckled his helmet excitedly.

   The three warrant officers quickly helped each other put on the half-armor issued to officers, and began to assemble the 100th corps.

   Army soldiers in groups of eight share a tent and a wok. Therefore, these eight people are called a "account" or a "group", which is the smallest unit of the army.

   Temporary Centurion of the 100th Team for a few days, Winters doesn't even recognize everyone, and now he only knows the person in charge of each account.

   As soon as the 19th 100-man team was ordered, Lieutenant Colonel Contell led his flag officer to the deck. The operation of occupying the bastion will be directed by Lieutenant Colonel Contaire himself, and the team led by the colonel will make it easier to negotiate with the council.

   The boats of each ship began to gather towards the Glory.

  There was also a commotion on the deck of another warship next to the Glory. Lieutenant Colonel Contaire and three warrant officers explained: "The navy won't let us go to the bastion alone, and we have to send a team there."

   Winters, Andre, and Bud were in a boat, and Andre held the centurion flag high.

   Lieutenant Colonel Contell and his bodyguards sat in another boat, under the flag of the chief brigade.

   The naval officer who came down from another warship carried a naval flag that Winters did not recognize.

   Three small boats with military flags sailed at the forefront, and another thirty or so boats followed, heading for the red sulfur port at the bottom of the bay.

   "Hey...ho...hey...ho..." The soldiers paddled awkwardly into the second wide waters of the gourd-shaped bay.

  Winters sat on the bow and looked around. The shore at the bottom of the gourd also seemed to be mostly rocks, and the trestle of the red sulfur port pier extended from the coast.

   There was no boat on the pier, not only big boats, but also small boats. A hexagonal bastion lay quietly on the shore of the pier, without the slightest bit of life.

  On the bow of the Glory, Antonio and Nareshaw silently watched the boat gradually move away from the fleet.

"I will definitely explain to the gentlemen of the council today's 'courtesy'. Will the Veneta treat Red Iwo Island like this, will anyone still be willing to bow their heads in the future? You..." The envoy of the council was furious chased over.

   "Okay? After landing, I will personally apologize to the gentlemen of the council." Nareshaw graciously comforted the envoy of the council: "Vinetta..."

   His words were interrupted by the roar of heavy artillery.

The    shells caused a huge splash, and the Veneta fleet fell into a panic.

   "Where are the guns fired?!"

   "It's near!"

   "It's a fortress cannon!"

There were three more heavy artillery fire, screams and the sound of the hull being shattered one after another, the hull of a galley began to tilt slowly, and the sailors on the boat jumped out of the boat to escape, the oars locked at the seat. The hands cried and begged to be unchained for them.

   This time everyone saw the location of the artillery. It was horribly close, right at the second narrowness of the gourd-shaped bay.

  The camouflage outer layers of the bushes and vines were removed, and another cannon fort showed itself.

   "Not on the map!"

   "When did they build another cannon?!"

   With the sound of horns that shook the sky, an iron cable was pulled up from the bottom of the sea at the second narrowest part of the bay, beside the cannon.

   Signaled by heavy artillery fire, Red Sulphur Harbor showed its fangs.

   By the way, I found a bay from the satellite map, which is roughly the topography of the Chisulfur Harbor Bay in my mind, and sent it to the book friend circle. If you are interested, you can take a look.

   The first day Yue Dong was away, I missed him. But they are actually one person, like Scarlett and Scarlett Omar, Melanie Han and Melanie Hamilton.

Thanks for the recommendation ticket of the book friend Social Justice Pharaoh, thank the book friend for the recommendation ticket of the koala, thank the book friend please call me Pleasant Goat for the recommendation ticket, thank the book friend writersblock for the recommendation ticket, thank the book friend Yuan Hongjian for the recommendation Tickets, thanks to book friends Kekkkkk's recommendation tickets, thank you all.

   (end of this chapter)

Chapter end