Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 15: Don’t Falter, Stand Strong

After the demonstration of the new weapons, the soldiers were left to continue their training, while Paul, Knight Schroeder, and the officers of company level and above gathered in the castle hall for a meeting.

In front of all the officers, Paul announced the appointment of Schroeder as his Chief of Staff, explaining that this position was equivalent to the Chief of Staff in other armies. After introducing his newly established military system to the veteran knight, he conferred upon him the rank of Major, while his attendant, Joyce, was appointed as a Captain, temporarily serving as a staff officer.

Then came the discussion about the reasons for their previous defeat. The officers, one after another, read out their analyses written overnight about the last battle.

Finally, the young Count said, Everyones summaries are very detailed, and collectively, there are two main reasons: the new recruits reluctance to fight and acting on their own accord. To solve this problem, I have decided to introduce drummers and buglers into the army, to cultivate a habit among the soldiers to move to the beat of the drum.

On the battlefield, soldiers must march to the rhythm of the drum, neither rushing forward recklessly nor shrinking back in fear. The buglers will play two calls: the charge and the retreat. When the charge is sounded, they must charge forward, even if it leads into a hell of swords and fire. When the retreat is sounded, they must not linger even if gold and silver lie ahead.

During battle, each units inspectors will supervise the discipline on the battlefield. Those who violate the aforementioned discipline will be punished, up to the death penalty, depending on the severity of the offense.

Bryce, draft the detailed regulations. I want every soldier to memorize them and begin training immediately.

Bryce responded, Yes, my Lord.

The veteran knight was surprised. Although this rural lord was still underage, he had quite unique insights into military affairs.

He suggested, My Lord, I have learned about the previous battle. Please execute the soldiers who disobeyed orders and retreated without permission, to enforce military discipline.

Ah well I have already sentenced them to hard labor in the mines

Alright, since you have spared their lives, let it be for now. But next time, do not show such needless mercy. Re-punishing them for the same mistake would obviously affect Pauls authority.

Lets discuss how we will fight the next battle

After witnessing the power of firearms, the officers were excited, most believing that with adequate equipment, victory in the next battle was assured.

Schroeder, however, had a different opinion: Gentlemen, the Count showed us firearms to boost our confidence, not to make us arrogant. Remember, Pride comes before the fall.

Paul secretly gave a thumbs-up to the old knights understanding.

Schroeder continued, I believe in the next battle, we must not rely on firearms. We should make our soldiers win against the pirates in hand-to-hand combat, to overcome their inner fear and establish true confidence and a sense of honor.

Right, agreed Paul. There was a saying on Earth by Suvorov, A bullet is a fool, the bayonet a hero. Soldiers who dare to engage in bayonet fights are the true soldiers.

The meeting concluded with decisions to introduce signalmen and drummers, temporarily proposing four types of bugle calls: assembly, advance, retreat, and charge, to be gradually supplemented as the army developed.

The daily training regimen was adjusted to increase the intensity of bayonet training. Additionally, an officer training course was established, taught by the veteran knight, imparting military knowledge of the era such as setting up camps, ambush and counter-ambush tactics, reconnaissance, and counter-reconnaissance.

Of course, the production and training of firearms would continue. Since the strength of the pirates in the next encounter was unknown, it was essential to prepare a trump card.

At the pirate camp, the pirates were also discussing their plans.

Quik, Shark sent me to tell you to restrain yourselves.

Restrain? Hes filled his coffers, but Ive hardly gotten my hands on anything.

Youve ventured so far from the coast and directly confronted the local lord; youre too bold. Just raid a few civilians and hurry back to Port Fran.

Bullying unarmed civilians is no real feat, and besides, they have nothing worth taking. If were going to do something, lets make it big. Old Grayman fell into Sharks trap and kicked the bucket. The entire territory is in a state of panic, making it a prime opportunity. That overconfident kid from their family led troops against us in a battle yesterday. His skills were mediocre at best. It would be a disservice to my pirate profession not to take advantage of this situation.

Hmph, speaking of Old Grayman, that bastard Shark actually killed a legitimate noble of the fiefdom. Isnt he afraid of provoking the collective wrath of the lords of the Northwest Bay?

Whats there to fear? Grayman himself broke the understanding between the lords and us, violating the rules of Northwest Bay. Its his own fault. Besides, the Grayman family, being exiles, never got along with the neighboring families. Some might even be secretly enjoying this.

It was you who first broke the understanding, venturing so far from the coast to stir up trouble

Humph, then why did you come all this way? To administer justice on behalf of the nobles? Enough talk. In a few days, Ill lead my men straight to Lakeheart Town for what we want. If they still resist, Ill tie up their main force, and you can sneak in from the other side

Nine days later, the pirates came to claim the goods they had demanded in their letter.

Rowing in small boats, the pirates gradually approached Lakeheart Town. Upon receiving the report, Paul immediately ordered his troops to assemble on the shore, ready for battle, and sent a platoon of guards to inform the residents to lock their doors and windows, and prepare for the worst with kitchen knives in hand.

What audacious thieves, to dare provoke the center of a Counts territory in broad daylight after attempting a stealth attack under the cover of night, the veteran knight marveled.

Damn, weve been careless. If they use their naval advantage to trap us, it wont bode well. We should have relocated the islands residents earlier. The veteran knight deeply regretted his oversight. The Grayman family had built the castle on the island to defend against land enemies, not expecting todays threat to come from the water, turning it into a deadly trap.

Are there any people familiar with naval warfare on the island? Schroeder asked, but the blank stares from everyone quickly gave him his answer.

Then we must provoke them to land for a decisive battle

The pirates first sent a few small boats to probe near the shore. Confirming that the defenders lacked projectile weapons like bows and crossbows, they brazenly began to land. It seemed that after their victory in the last battle, they no longer regarded the territorial militia as a threat, much to the old knights relief.

Seeing the pirates outnumbered those in the previous encounter, Paul originally planned a halfway ambush, but the idea was opposed by the veteran knight. He believed that the pirates, being strong swimmers, would jump back into the water if the situation turned sour. Moreover, if they encountered resistance during landing, they would likely use their boats to blockade Lakeheart Island, trapping the soldiers and civilians. What then? Engage in a boat-hopping battle with the pirates?

Alright, lets have an honorable decisive battle then, Paul resolved, and then reiterated the battle discipline to the entire army.

Optimistically, their chances of victory were still high. Even if the soldiers couldnt overpower the pirates, they had a large number of hand grenades, and six muskets had been successfully made, enough to give the pirates a hard time.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, most of the pirates had already landed and were rushing towards them.

Hey, Grayman kid, have you prepared the things I asked for in the letter? the big-bearded pirate bellowed.

The same big bearded guy with a loud voice.

Dont show your emotions, dont show your emotions the young Count muttered to himself.

Last time you guys foolishly tried to resist us. Normally, I would have asked for some extra tribute for that. But looking at this sorry place, I doubt you have anything more than a few baskets of stinky fish. Ill be generous, just hand over what I demanded before, the big bearded man arrogantly said.

Paul ordered the bugler to sound the advance call. Bryce shouted, All troops, prepare! Today we shall slay these scoundrels and avenge our fallen brothers. Forward!

The drummers beat the marching drums, and the soldiers of three companies, spears in hand, began to advance slowly.

Paul and Bryce initially wanted all four companies to press forward, but the veteran knight insisted on keeping one as a reserve and some discipline enforcers, supposedly for maintaining battlefield discipline.

Ha, still not taught enough of a lesson? the big-bearded pirate laughed heartily. Men, since were in their homeland this time, if they dont give it, well take it ourselves!

His men roared with laughter. Quik is right, nobody better steal my kills! one pirate shouted, gripping his steel sword tightly, his expression turning increasingly ferocious.

As the two sides drew closer, they finally clashed in close combat

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