Marshal Simon looked at the sand table and said: "We must take the initiative to attack, let the infantry divisions advance in coordination, engage on the banks of the river, and make full use of the terrain to consume the enemy's forces." ”

As the planner of the battle, and with the Duke's authorization, Marshal Simon Gallieni was the real commander-in-chief, with Prince Orsengre as commander-in-chief and Count Baptiste, chief of the general staff, on the side.

He beckoned the officers to gather around him, and pointed to several points on the sand table with a long pole:

"The plan cannot catch up with the change, I order, the sixteen divisions at the forefront of the defense line to advance to the river bank at once, do not hesitate when encountering the enemy! As soon as they make contact, they will launch a decisive onslaught and drive the first enemy troops to land down the river! The positions of other units should also be adjusted together to support the weak links at any time. ”

"Lord Simon, this will put our troops in danger, the fog has not completely cleared, and we do not know how many enemy troops have crossed the river." 一位参谋官说道。

"Don't forget, the artillery of the coalition forces has blocked the river." Another person reminded.

"I want to launch a tentative attack, if I can annihilate the enemy's vanguard, I will destroy the pontoon bridge, and if the attack is blocked and stalemate, then I will retreat decisively, and let those sixteen divisions withdraw to the second line of defense, beyond the range of the enemy's artillery."

Prince Orsengre nodded: "I understand your plan, bet on whether you can destroy the pontoon bridge, and if you fail, give up the first line of defense and give up the defense of the riverbank." ”

"That's exactly what it means."

"Then I'll do it." The Chief of Staff, Count Baptiste, summoned several heralds to translate Field Marshal Simon's strategy into concrete orders that could be conveyed to the front.

Soon, the sound of military music resounded in the field, and hundreds of signal corps shuttled back and forth between the front-line troops and the command headquarters, passing on the latest battle reports and orders, and the entire army began to move.

Under the cover of artillery fire, sixteen divisions located in the first line of defense attacked on all fronts and advanced towards the river bank.

As time passed, the sound of artillery from the front became clear and dense, more and more wounded were being carried back on stretchers, and the command kept giving new orders.

"Good news from the left! The 3rd Army, as well as the 10th Army, joined forces to repel 5 waves of landing forces! The herald excitedly shouted: "They have dismantled most of the pontoon bridges on the left flank and are dealing with a new attack." ”

"Report!" Someone else brought new news: "General Dali Einfurt, commander of the 7th Division of the 3rd Army, has captured three flags of the Papal States, and he wants me to bring them and present this glorious trophy to His Majesty the Duke!" ”

Field Marshal Simon Gallieni slapped the table and exclaimed: "Well done! My good student! ”

The herald, covered in mud, lowered the flag he held on the ground and unfolded it one after another, each with a single hole in the three flags, and the edges were partially charred.

The duke, who was on the throne, straightened slightly, and when she heard the familiar name of Dali Einfurt, she seemed to remember something from the past, and was stunned for a few seconds, and then gave the herald an approving smile.

"Attendant military attaché, put away these military flags, and these trophies will be hung in the war hall of Jinhu Palace."

However, the good times were short-lived, and at 10:25 a.m., a herald ran into the headquarters and reported breathlessly:

"The front line is coming! The center and right flank of our army fell into a bitter battle, the enemy's heavy cannons were concentrated on the high ground on the opposite bank, the artillery fire crossed the river to suppress our side, and the enemy's main forces had already passed through the pontoon bridge and were gathering on the shore! ”

Marshal Simon decisively ordered: "Let them withdraw to the second line of defense!" ”

The staff officer in charge of the war games quickly simulated the situation on the battlefield, and it was clear that the forces of the Four-Nation Coalition had already gained a foothold on the shore, and the main forces of the enemy were speeding up the crossing of the river.

The atmosphere in the headquarters suddenly became tense, and as the red wargames representing the enemy troops on the sand table continued to advance, new bad news followed.

"Report! The commander of the Fifth Army, Marshal Chris, was killed in battle, and his division commanders fell into a bitter battle! ”

"Report! Several light artillery companies of the enemy have crossed the river, enemy fire is pressing forward, and the 11th Army is forced to retreat! ”

"Report, according to the observation of the sentinels, three heavy cavalry divisions of the Knights Nation have passed through a shoal and are assembling on the flank of our army!"

By looking at the sand table model, Marshal Simon immediately guessed the intentions of the coalition forces:

"Oh my God! The flanks of the left flank of our army are exposed, their position is too protruding, Chief of Staff! Let them keep retreating! The coalition forces are trying to cut off the connection between our left flank and the center! ”

By noon, the situation on the battlefield was gradually reversed, and after the main force successfully crossed the river, the numerical superiority of the Four-Nation Coalition was undoubtedly revealed, and the right flank of the Principality Army was already showing signs of wavering.

The heralds continued to bring bad news, two more division commanders were killed, and so far more than 100 senior officers have been confirmed dead in battle, and the tragedy of the front line can be seen.

Seeing that the situation had taken a turn for the worse, Duke of Salantos Midknight could no longer sit still, she stood up and said to Marshal Simon:

"Teacher, it's enough for you to be in the headquarters, and I'll go to the front line to boost morale."

Simon Gallieni glanced at the duchess's visibly bulging belly: "Your Majesty, you are still pregnant, and it stands to reason that you should stay in the Golden Lake Palace, and even this command should not let you come, besides, I promised your husband to take care of you." ”

"Langford?" The Duke impatiently said his husband's name: "He is the king of merchants, but he has never been able to resist me, teacher, have you forgotten that I have been a cruel and willful princess since I was a child, and it is impossible for me to sit here." ”

At this moment, a large-caliber cannon shell hit a tree outside the command headquarters, sawdust flew and a piece of glass was shattered.

"Listen, the sound of the cannon is calling me." With that, the Duke smiled at her mentor, and she fastened the chain of her cloak and strode out of the headquarters, followed by her attendants, military attachés, and her own soldiers.

"The Minister of the Stables! Bring my horses and hang my carbine and saber in the saddle. ”

Marshal Simon shook his head helplessly, and said in his heart: (Nature dictates that no one can disobey.) This kid is a warrior at heart, if she's a boy...... How nice that would be! ）

"General Neule!"

A tall and handsome aristocratic young man heard the sound.

"Yes! Simeon, what do you command? ”

"Your Majesty's safety is your responsibility, if anything goes wrong ...... her"

"Don't worry, Lord Simon, I swear by the honor of my family and protect Your Majesty with my life!"

With that, General Neule, with two squadrons of guards hussars, chased after the duke's back.