The Last Frontier of Fire and Sword

It is said that some people are happy and others are sad. Pidro doesn't know that, in Smolensk, dozens of miles away, because of the war, Smolensk’s city lord Feodor Obkhovich’s hair turned white. half.

As a typical nobleman, Fyodor Obukhović is undoubtedly qualified. His walking and dining postures are impeccable, and he is familiar with the history of various coats of arms and family crests; he also cares about the harvest of his territory, every year They will let their rent collectors pay tributes that match the number of ledgers—though the yellowed and rotten ledgers are not known to be centuries ago.

　　 As the highest military officer in Smolensk, his actions are so frustrated and at a loss. As early as more than a year ago, in 1653, when Khmelnitsky, the leader of the Zaporozhye Cossack rebels, came to the czar and signed an alliance agreement, news came that his mercenary regiment commander Franco He suggested that he be prepared for war. For this reason, the wise head also put forward three suggestions: First, recruit little nobles and peasants from various villages near Smolensk to train in the city.

　　 Second, send spies to Moscow, Zhelev Fortress and Tver to keep an eye on the movements of the Russian army.

　　 Three, heighten the city wall and build a bastion.

　　 Of these three suggestions, Feodor Obukhović only listened to half of them.

At that time, Feodor Obukhović patted Captain Franco on the shoulder and said: "My bravest captain, I know what you said is right, but I can't do that. You know, right now. It is the season of shearing, and the unclean wool cannot be sold at a good price in Smolensk. Therefore, every nobleman either washes the wool or weighs the wool under the supervision of the peasants by the river, or washes the wool and weighs it. On the way. If I recruit them at this time, they will dismiss me next year with the ballot in their hands. I can’t take such a risk.”

After talking about the first reason, Fyodor Obukhović turned around Franco and straightened your body like a pillar, then sighed and continued: "As for sending a spy, you I know that although Tsarist Russia formed an alliance with those lowly Cossacks, after all, it did not declare war on the Republic. I have no right to send spies to non-hostile countries. That would give Tsarist Russia a pretext for invasion."

　　 As for the third point, Feodor only said two words "no money".

　　 From 1653 to 1654, the only preparatory measures Feodor Obukhović took for more than a year was to raise the walls of Smolensk by an elbow.

And now, Tsarist Russia’s scouts have frequently been active near the border crossing, and it is reported that Vasily Zolotarenko, the company captain of the Zaporozhye Cossacks, also led his army into Smolensk Province, preparing to support the Russians. army.

"What should I do now? Captain Franco." A year ago, a year later, in the same office, with the same two people, Fyodor Obukhović asked again about the way, but this time, the city lord The adult lowered his head, holding his head with both hands, his voice was as low as a mosquito, and he did not dare to look directly at Franco.

　　 "My lord, I met Tatarchuk before I came." Franco did not directly answer Fyodor Obukhović's words, but mentioned Tatarchuk, the old leader of the Cossacks in Smolensk.

　　 "Oh, what happened to him?"

"Nothing. When I met him, he was on his way to the Cossack barracks. According to him, the barracks were already showing signs of instability. Some Cossacks wanted to wait for the arrival of the rebels from Tsarist Russia or Zaporozhye. The old team leader said that relying on his little prestige in the past, this matter can still be suppressed now, but once the situation is critical, it is hard to say."

　　Is the situation so critical already? If Fyodor Obukhović was only worried before Franco said this, then his mood can be described as despair. At this time, there were only more than two thousand defenders in Smolensk, and the registered Cossacks accounted for 30%. Once they defected, the consequences would be disastrous.

Seeing his own words, the lord of the city fell into a desperate situation. Franco, a veteran of the Thirty Years’ War, couldn’t help showing a look of contempt, but the duty of the soldier drove him to help Fyodor Ao. Bukhovic finds a solution.

　　 "My Lord Castel." Franco raised his voice.

　　 Fyodor Obkhovich raised his head, his long face pale as snow.

　　 "We are not yet desperate. The enemy has not crossed the border easily. It means that they are not ready. We still have time to prepare for the war. And I have two ways."

　　 "What way?" Feodor Obukhović asked eagerly. At this time, like a child falling into the water, he eagerly wanted to grab a straw. What's more, there are now two.

　　 Franco turned around, walked to the other side of the office, raised the baton in his hand and clicked on the map a few times. The names of these places, Feodor, are very clear. They are all villages around Smolensk. There are Krivic, Poline, Yarks, and Zamoshye village of their own.

　　 "Strong walls and clear fields." Franco spit out a word.

According to Franco’s estimation, the war will erupt as early as the beginning of next year at the earliest. At this time, winter snow will still cover the entire Smolensk region, whether it is against Tsarist Russia or the Cossack rebels in Zaporozhye, marching and raising Supplies will be extremely difficult. As long as people and materials from surrounding villages are gathered in Smolensk, enough time can be obtained for defending the city and waiting for reinforcements.

"It is true, it is true. Franco, we thought of going together. UU read www.uukānshu.com" After hearing the first method, Fyodor Obukhović's face has recovered half of its blood. He asked with excitement on his face, completely forgetting the despair he was just now.

　　 "What about the second way?"

　　 "Building a city." Franco's second method is as concise as ever.

In the past year or so, in addition to heightening the city wall, Franco traveled all over the city of Smolensk. He found that the old city of Smolensk was well guarded and had towering towers on the city wall. The wooden battle canopy may be useful in the cold weapon era, but in the firearm era, these are the best targets. Not only can they not provide the soldiers with the necessary protection, but they will cause unnecessary casualties in the enemy’s shelling. , The terrain of Smolensk city is high in the west and low in the east. The artillery positions built on the high ground on the west side of the city can provide fire support in the three directions of north and southwest but cannot take care of the east wall due to the range of fire. To this end, Franco's method was to build a small bastion on the east side of Smolensk, and deploy a small number of soldiers and artillery, as a horn.

"It's great. It's almost the same as what the hero sees. Just follow me, no, just do as you say." After listening to Franco's second method, Feodor Obukhović was a little excited and incoherent. He picked up the wine bottle on the desk, took a few sips, and patted Franco on the shoulder to show his approval.

　　 "Yes, sir. I'm going to tell you to go down." Franco saluted Fyodor and prepared to retreat and set up the task.

　　 "Wait a minute." Feodor Obukhović stopped him again.

　　 "My dear Captain Franco, the collection of materials is left to you and your team. I really don't worry about those Cossacks. Remember, don't leave a grain of food to the enemy."

　　 "Yes, sir."