Tang Qi Tan

Provence in the usual sense can be divided into broad sense and narrow sense.In a broad sense, the Greater Provence region originated from the provinces of ancient Rome. At its largest, it reached the Alps in the north and the Pyrenees in the south, including the coastal areas of several provinces in the southern part of the Kingdom of Zealand.

In the narrow sense, the province of Provence is separated from the southern parish after the establishment of the kingdom, including the lower reaches of the Rhone River to the mouth of the sea, passing through a large area of ​​low mountains and hills; during this period, there are large and small river valleys and plains Therefore, agriculture and animal husbandry have been developed since ancient times.

In addition, it has not been invaded by foreign enemies, and the place is relatively intact; so after the kingdom fell into turmoil, seven or eight local armed forces with various factions and positions were born inside and outside the province alone.And between the various cities and towns there are conflicts and fights.

Among them, in addition to the Royalist Party, the Liberals, the Peasant Township League and the Civil Self-Defense Force; there are even monastery armed forces with a church background.Therefore, after the Free Army went south to defeat, annihilate, annex, and incorporate these armed forces, it also seized a large amount of food, as well as livestock and horses used for transportation and transportation.

That's why it is possible to support and maintain the [-] troops gathered outside the city of Avignon.Of course, it is said that there is an army of [-]. Judging by the standards of Jiang Tian as a later generation, it is actually a grassroots team.The dozen or twenty companies that fought in the initial battle were still decent.

In the camps of other newly formed companies, there was a chaotic noise, as lively as a vegetable market; except that they were restrained from running out of the camp, there were fights, sunbathing, drying clothes, and sleeping. ; Only a small number are doing daily exercises.

Therefore, in the absence of enough non-commissioned officers and officers, these new/auxiliary troops cannot be used accurately, but can only be regarded as consumables in a sense; after the order is issued, a wave of brainless A will come forward Go; either disperse the enemy, or be disperse by the enemy.

Then, as the initial company of the Free Army's core combat force, look for a fighter to break into the battlefield and play a decisive effect; The newly formed company went into battle.

Use human sea tactics in one go to crush the weakened and tired enemy troops.However, it was this tactic of defending and counterattacking in formations, combined with the combat method of swarming to fight badly, that easily defeated the southern provinces, those local armed forces that were disorderly organized and even more backward in tactics.

The newly formed companies that have been defeated and disbanded many times will be revoked and dismantled into other companies; only a small number of companies that stand out and have a strong will to fight and persevere will be given priority in receiving supplies, replenishment of soldiers, and equipment enhancement. Become a regular company with better treatment.

In a sense, the battlefield is the best testing ground; those who can survive in a wave of chaotic battles without fleeing are qualified soldiers; Excellent non-commissioned officers and officers can easily get various promotions.

Therefore, the free army under the city is actually divided into new formation, reorganization and regular formation, as well as the main company; four battle orders with different treatment and formation.Among them, the newly formed regiments are the regiments that can be added anytime and anywhere when the supply of troops is sufficient. Usually, they will not be the first to enter the battlefield.

The reorganized regiment is a reorganized regiment that has been incorporated and merged after the places along the route are armed; like the newly formed regiment, it only has basic food supplies and half-pay.The regular company is a formal company that is reorganized and paid a full salary after the survival of the fittest on the battlefield.

As for the final main force company, it was the elite veterans and non-commissioned officers who followed Jiang Tian, ​​starting from the offensive and defensive battle of Midonne City, and filled the audience, serving as the core of the army.In addition, there were a dozen auxiliary companies serving as logistical labor; usually only basic rations were provided.

It is also relying on such a system, from the simple and extensive at the beginning, to the gradually refined and practical, layer-by-layer selection and classification system; it is possible to unite and control the majority of people in the situation of continuous expansion and expansion along the way. In the army system, it has never lost control.

In fact, those who can gather under the city of Avignon are only a small part of the current Free Army sequence.In fact, after weeding out and resettling many injured, sick, old and weak, more than 3 people were arranged in the rear, serving as defense teams in many cities and towns.

While maintaining law and order and rebuilding order, they are also supervising and restricting in disguise, temporary municipal officials appointed by the local area; at the same time, ensuring the progress of local production restoration, and urging the timely collection and purchase of various grain and fodder materials.It is also the extension and tentacles of the Freedom Army for local control.

The sergeants and non-commissioned officers in charge of leading the team are all disabled veterans who have been successively fought after the Battle of Midonne City; they belong to a relatively loyal and reliable group.With their leadership and demonstrative effect, a group of vested interests towards the Freedom Army can be quickly formed.

Of course, although these men and horses under the city of Avignon are called the grass-roots team by Jiang Tian; but most of the enemies encountered are not even considered grass-top teams; that is, in the city of Avignon, those nobles who belong to the big crown leader Armed and looking presentable.

Because, the soldiers they arranged on the top of the city were all equipped with armor, spears and halberds, instead of the usual leather or cloth armed clothing, or even a leather vest to make up the number.Even under Jiang Tian's extraordinary eyesight, he saw the cannons on the top of the city.

Although it looks old and rusty, Jiang Tian will not take it lightly.Moreover, there was also a noble leader wearing a gorgeous cloak and a long feather helmet, loudly encouraging something on the top of the city, and his attendants followed behind him carrying a box full of coins.

Therefore, in a short period of time, under the instigation of the noble leader's words and the offensive of throwing coins, the defenders on the top of the city seemed to be inspired to increase their morale.In addition, the city of Avignon itself is built on a low hill, surrounded by a stone wall that is ten feet high.

The only low place in the city is located at the gate of the city on the banks of the Rhone River in the west, facing a stone bridge across the two banks.It can be said that in this era, it is a typical strong city that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it is difficult to take down without paying a tragic price or with sufficient preparation;

Just as Jiang Tian was standing on the cylindrical tower of the royal manor outside the city, watching the enemy and slowly thinking about the follow-up; suddenly he heard the notification from the adjutant Polly: "Sir, the joint representative of the business group from Marseilles, And the observation group from Toulon Fortress has arrived."

Jiang Tian couldn't help smiling when he heard the words. Although these two forces had established a considerable relationship with the Free Army earlier, their respective attitudes and positions were slightly different.For example, in the face of the free army going south on a large scale, the Marseille Merchants Union wants to retain autonomy to the maximum extent.

Even become an independent city that is conditionally subordinate to the Free Army in name, but is actually a partner/peer alliance.The demands of the defense of Toulon Fortress and the Royal Navy are relatively simple; they have not received military pay for several years, and the ships and equipment lack maintenance.

Therefore, whether it is the sailors on the ship or the soldiers on the shore, they are seriously fleeing; as long as the free army can allocate a certain amount of military expenses and guarantee the basic salary payment in the future; they are willing to belong to the free army sequence and hand over all the station and Navy warships.

Of course, according to Jiang Tian’s private information from inside sources, the situation at the largest base of the Kingdom’s Navy is even worse; because during the period from the National Convention to the Charter Government, the continuous purge of the Kingdom’s army caused those noble-born The officers basically ran away;

According to the kingdom's system, military ranks above second lieutenant cannot be held by non-nobility; it was not relaxed until the end of the abolished king's reign, and knights of fiefdoms and even honorary knights were given; but it is no longer useful.The Royal Navy, which has lost its middle and upper-level officers, can't even leave the port.

Some naval non-commissioned officers and sailors of local origin even had to go fishing close to the sea to make a living; that’s why they elected Major Villeneuve, the garrison chief of Toulon Fortress who was one of the few who did not escape but continued to be loyal to his duties, as the remnants of the navy of these kingdoms. the leader.

So this time they sent people over to watch the battle, maybe they were testing the true strength of the Freedom Army's lineup, thinking that they would decide their respective attitudes and positions in the future.However, when Jiang Tian turned his head and was about to explain a few words, he couldn't help being taken aback by the adjutant Polly/Polina in front of him.

"Polly, how many days have you not slept.".Because she was handsome and valiant in a military uniform, but now she has dull eyes, heavy bags under her eyes, and her pale face looks like a walking dead; she speaks weakly, as if she will fall down in the next moment.

"Not much, it's just five days, because there are too many backlogs." Adjutant Polly replied full of resentment: "I have to interview those who come to defect during the day, and at night I have to revise the teaching materials written by the chief." , and give lessons to those reserve NCOs."

I saw that before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly fell down; she was quickly supported by Jiang Tian, ​​but she leaned against his arms; she just dozed off and fell asleep standing up passed.Well, at this moment Jiang Tian suddenly felt distressed and ashamed.

Reflect on whether you are a bit too counterproductive in order to achieve the scene task.After all, during this period of time, Jiang Tian planned and arranged a lot of things, but it was just a demonstrative start, so he let her go to follow-up handling; the name is to exercise her comprehensive ability.

But she is still in the period of growth and development, if she suffers from long-term problems due to overwork, or has the hidden danger of not growing taller due to lack of sleep, then it will be completely bad.After all, I don't have to be completely full: women, dwarves and foreigners have all BUFF bonuses.

At this moment, drums and trumpets sounded loudly on the walls of Avignon; then the city gates opened from the inside out; out came a group of knights wearing coats of arms of various colors, all in armor, and holding spears; Facing the camp of the Freedom Army like this, he rode his horse and rushed over.