The sun moved very close to the horizon, and the long days of the summer solstice in Warsaw were finally approaching evening. Many soldiers jumped out of several large ships, and they formed in long lines, holding on to heavy chains, and struggling to the shore with the sound of loud trumpets.

The soldiers of the Yuan Kingdom, who were not involved, dug pits in the ground and erected wooden stakes with iron heads in them. Someone picked up a hammer and struggled to hammer the stakes into the ground. Iron rings were attached to the wooden stakes that were firmly rooted into the ground, and the iron chains at the western end of the pontoon bridge across the Vistula River were fastened together. Amid the cheers, the Yuan army finally completed the first step of the arduous bridge building work.

Not long after, Hao Ren walked briskly across the pontoon bridge and set foot on the west bank of the Vistula River, followed by a group of generals. The landing commander who greeted him immediately stepped forward to salute and report, "Your Majesty, our army has completed its mission. ”

"How many casualties?" Hao Ren asked.

The commander in charge of the landing was full of emotion, and he proudly said: "More than 130 people were wounded, and 27 were killed in battle." ”

"Take me to see the guys." Hao Ren gave the order. At this time, the adjutant led Hao Ren's blindfolded horse to Hao Ren's side, unveiled the blindfold, Hao Ren turned over his horse, and followed the commander.

The officers and soldiers who were fighting for the beachhead were already sitting by the river to rest, and they all stood up excitedly when they saw that King Hao Ren had come to offer condolences in person. Hao Ren did not dismount, he said loudly to the officers and soldiers: "Everyone, I can only come to see you now, and then I will continue to command the battle." You guys did a great job and I thank you! When this battle is over, I will drink with everyone. Everyone will continue to rest now. ”

Having been personally seen by the king, the officers and soldiers certainly wanted this glorious moment to last for a while longer. But Hao Ren's departure did not cause dissatisfaction, everyone knew that the war was busy, and King Hao Ren had more important things to do.

In "Long live the king! "Long live the King!" In the shout, Hao Ren saluted home on the horse, and then turned his horse back to the bridge. A moist wind blows from the wide river, and the river rushes under the pontoons. Hao Ren couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The Great Song Emperor Zhao Jiaren he feared was already a legend, and his legend did not start with the liberation of the Great Song Jiangnan. If it was just that kind of feat, Zhao Jiaren did it in Ezhou when he was nineteen years old. When Zhao Jiaren led his troops to divert the Yellow River, he finally ascended to the altar and stepped into the realm of legends.

Looking at the three pontoons clearly visible in the twilight, Hao Ren felt that he had finally realized the scaly claws of Zhao Jiaren's mood at that time. Forcibly crossing a river in one day, the vast majority of people dare not even think of it. When it comes to reality, that pride and confidence really fill my chest. Such a feat can be accomplished, and what can't be done?

Looking to the north where the enemy was, I saw a bright star already twinkling in the sky. Under the stars, the Yuan army erected a high lookout, and the soldiers carried weapons on their backs to observe the enemy's situation. The decisive battle will soon begin.

Hao Ren was thrilled by the Vistula River, excited by his feat. The Teutonic Knights in Warsaw were overwhelmed by such terrifying engineering prowess. The Grand Master of the Order convened a military meeting, and the captains of the various regiments were silent. Their original plan was that the Mongols would be able to quickly build ships while all the ships on the river had been collected to the west bank of the Vistula, and then launch a battle to cross the river after about five or six days. This is already an exaggeration of the strength of the Mongols.

Reality transcends judgment, and reason is defeated by action. The feeling of the upper echelons of the Order at this time was not fear or shock, but unacceptable pain. If everything that is happening in front of you is true, what will happen next.

In silence, the earl, who had attacked the temporary beachhead of the Yuan people during the day, finally spoke, "Those Mongols must be in collusion with the devil, and they have sulfur in their weapons!" ”

This statement did not cause a stir among others. The gunpowder technology carried by the Mongol expeditionary forces was introduced to Europa for decades. Sulfur, charcoal, Chinese snow, the gunpowder of all three things is no longer mysterious. The Teutonic Knights also carried gunpowder, and if they used brimstone, they would be in collusion with the devil, and the Teutonic Knights could be purified at the stake.

Seeing that the others didn't pick up this stubble, the Grand Master could only speak, "The Mongols are probably going to fight under the city of Warsaw tomorrow, what should we do?" ”

In the previous plan, once the Mongols broke through the Vistula defenses, the Teutonic Knights would rely on the walls to defend them. When the Grand Master brought up this topic again, it was obvious that he was wavering about whether he could hold on to Warsaw.

"Can't you fight head-on?" Some regimental commanders put forward their views.

No one answered this question. Logically, the holy army should not retreat in front of the infidels, but what we have seen today has terrified the upper echelons of the Teutonic Order, who believed in looting over God. What if the Mongols were as fighting as they were capable of crossing rivers? What if the Mongols were more powerful than they were able to cross rivers and build bridges? The upper echelons of the Teutonic Order felt panic on the side of the marauders in their hearts.

"Retreat." Regiment Leader Lauder spoke. His words immediately turned everyone's attention from Grand Master to him, and Lauder's nickname also floated in everyone's hearts. Based on the results alone, Lauder's results are by no means under these regimental commanders. But Lauder was also one of the many knights who liked to retreat very much. Lure the enemy into the battlefield in Lauder's favor, or simply drain the enemy's stamina by retreating, and then return the rifle. This earned Captain Lauder the title of 'Fox'.

Ignoring everyone's gaze, Lauder continued, "There is no need to withdraw to Marienburg, we will first withdraw to the city of Conin, two hundred miles to the west. ”

Immediately, there was an objection, "We're afraid we won't even get enough food there." ”

In order to conquer Poland this time, the Teutonic Knights were exhausted, and there were a large number of cavalry in the army. Staying in Warsaw, the conquered nobles were also able to transport grain here. The Koning region is not as rich as Warsaw. Objections were easily raised, and some followed, "If the Poles had known the situation, they would have immediately defected to the Mongols." ”

Commander Lauder did not answer, and after the invasion of Warsaw, he also thought that this place was very good. It is located in the key points of land and water, with abundant products and convenient transportation. As long as there is the slightest possibility, he will support staying. The problem is that the Yuan army has exceeded his imagination, and it is likely that if one is not careful, the entire army will be wiped out.

The opponents could not find any other way to deal with it but to oppose it, so all eyes fell back to the Grand Master. The Grand Master already had an idea at this time, and he said, "Send someone to tell the knights stationed in various places that we are ready to retreat. Let them hurry to assemble. ”

In order to conquer all of Poland, the Knights sent many troops to station in various Polish noble domains, and the initial suppression was completed. You can't just leave them behind.

"What if the Mongols call tomorrow?" Head Lauder asked again.

"Let the Poles go to battle first." Grand Master tried to reply in a calm tone.

The Teutonic knights, who traveled to various parts of Poland, overpressed the Polish nobility, who were forced to send troops to fight. After so many years of fighting, the Teutonic Knights generally believed that the Polish nobility was not a weak chicken. The Mongols on the opposite side were all cavalry, and in terms of the combat effectiveness of the cavalry alone, the Poles did not necessarily have no possibility of winning.

This was already the best way that could be come up at this time, and the group of regiment commanders and captains finally agreed with the grand master's plan. When the meeting was over, Head Lauder stopped his friend Head Calende in the dim light of the summer solstice night. The relationship between the two was irreversible, and the head of the regiment Lauder said directly: "If the Poles are defeated tomorrow, I am ready to leave with my subordinates, will you go together?" ”

"Oh God!" Kelende exclaimed. This is almost an escape, a great sin in the Teutonic Order. However, after exclaiming, Captain Kelender also felt that his reaction was stupid, and he thought that the defeat of the Poles by the Mongols was unlikely that the Teutonic Knights would win head-on. If you don't run, the most likely thing is to be surrounded by the Mongols. The level of bridges has a great deal to do with the ability to siege the city, and Warsaw may be conquered by the Yuan army as quickly as the Vistula.

"What about the Grand Master?" Head of Regimental Kelund asked.

Head Lauder said helplessly: "When the time comes, I will give another speech to the Grand Master." If he doesn't listen, there's nothing he can do. ”

Commander Kelund frowned and thought for a long time, and finally he gritted his teeth and replied: "I hope the Poles will be as brave as they are against the Mongols!" ”

Although he didn't say it explicitly, these words were enough to express Captain Calend's heart. Commander Lauder turned around and left, a long march required a lot of preparation, that is, a lot of things had to be left behind, and there was little time to rest in one night. The quarters of the head of the Teutonic Knights were not as opulent as many people thought, and the house of the head of the Teutonic Order was almost as decorated as his leader. In the empty room, there were crosses hanging on the walls, a bed, and Bibles on the table. Utensils such as kettles are also very ordinary.

The Teutonic Knights were an organization of military monks, and in addition to completing identity checks, they also had to take an oath of poverty and chastity. The noble commoner serfs under the Teutonic Knighthood were allowed to marry and have children, and the members of the Teutonic Order were required to remain single and not have sex with women until they quit the Order. It's not that homosexuals have infiltrated the Knights, and as long as this kind of goods is publicly exposed, they will be burned at the stake.

Pulled out a heavy chest from under the bed, containing a few simple clothes and a full body of armor. Looking at the style, it is a general product sold to the Eastern Roman Empire by the Great Song Dynasty. Captain Lauder's body is silver-plated, and the silver will not rust, and the armor treated in this way does not need to be rusted frequently. Thinking of the situation he would face tomorrow, Captain Lauder decided to put on this armor.