The reason why the Woye Army suffered such a heavy loss but still held on was that, in addition to sufficient manpower and food, the defensive advantage of the Gap Defense Zone was Howell's biggest reliance at the moment.

Behind the defense zone was a forest, and the thing that was most abundant in the forest was wood. So, while Liehuo was mobilizing his troops and waiting for the follow-up troops to arrive, Deneri and several other lieutenant generals led at least 3,000 soldiers into the forest to work as lumberjacks. Howell ordered them to cut down enough large trees and cut them into logs within two days. As a result, piles of "wood mountains" soon appeared in the Gap Defense Zone.

Howell now is undoubtedly a completely different person from the one who was obsessed with the great plan of "luring the enemy deep into our territory, encircling and annihilating them" before, because he knows that the enemy will come soon, and once they come, it will definitely not be a small fight, and most importantly, the enemy is a legion of demons.

While the Woye Army and the Demon Legion were each busy with their own efforts, Hulit and Kimo's true coalition army - the 40,000-strong Titan Legion was moving along the north bank of the Athanasius River. In another four days, the Titan Legion would reach the ridge camp directly opposite the gap defense zone, and then they would stay there and wait.

What are you waiting for? Waiting for the demon army to take over the defense zone at the gap and then march straight in...

…

Dicaprio naturally had no idea of ​​the movements and intentions taking place in the Hulett territory. He was not even worried that the Gap Defense Zone would be lost, because the numbers on the Woye Army's battle reports were undoubtedly telling him, hey, the Woye Army is here, so there's nothing to worry about.

On the third day after receiving the battle report, Dicaprio set out to the city of Assyria to offer prisoners. He not only brought 1,200 militia cavalry and six carts of gifts, but also used 100 two-ox prison carts to load 1,000 prisoners - these prisoners were all selected from the results of the Salt Marsh Army's battles.

Presenting captives is a common ritual in the four major territories on the mainland, and is also regarded as the "most glorious" military ceremony - cities and legions present the captured captives to the temple of Assyria to show their military exploits, and parade in formation after entering the city to be watched and cheered by the people. However, the captives are a bit miserable, because the people will transform their "determination to share a common hatred of the enemy" and "deep hatred of the enemy" into rotten eggs or rotten vegetable stalks, and then rain them down on the captives.

If we go back more than a hundred years, what the captives experienced during the captive offering ceremony was much more dangerous than rotten eggs and vegetable stalks - people at that time liked to use stones to vent their hatred and seek excitement, so every time there would be many captives who could not reach the temple alive.

It is worth mentioning that the temple prohibited people from using stones and other hard objects to hit prisoners not out of pity, but because in every prisoner offering ceremony, people would be accidentally injured - think about it, people on both sides of the street threw stones forward, and those stones that were powerful but not accurate enough could easily fly into the crowd across the street, so at that time, it was not only the prisoners who were bleeding from the heads or even killed by stones.

While DiCaprio was eagerly pursuing glory and fame, Woolley and Date were also busy separately -

Dait felt that if he did not send all his 10,000 garrison troops forward, the Woye Army might not be able to hold on, so he quietly divided the soldiers in the garrison camp into small groups and sent them into the forest in batches under the cover of night, and established three parallel camps there.

Although Wu Lai was also concerned about the Gap Defense Zone, he knew that his current strength could not provide much help. Moreover, Howell of the Woye Army might not be willing to accept it. However, he did not focus his main energy on war preparations not because of these reasons, but because the second batch of 2,800 people sent by Connor had arrived.

Woolley mixed these 2,800 new arrivals with the 300 or so men Bailey had recruited when he was collecting grain in the villages and towns near Kayked City, and organized them into the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Regiments. Fortunately, the troops from Dayt's camp were transferred to the forest, otherwise there would have been a bit of a shortage of accommodation. Although the stationing and training grounds had been solved, the problem of food shortage emerged again - the food that Dicaprio had sent before was less than enough for a month.

But this did not pose a problem for Wu Lai. After going through the list of regiment commanders and battalion commanders twice, he asked Pu Ya to gather everyone.

"As of yesterday, our army had a total of 5,721 soldiers, but the food supply was only enough for 17 days." Wu Lai deliberately made it sound more serious. "Kaikede City didn't have much food in the first place, and the Woye Army took the lead and monopolized all the food. They also agreed with the grain merchants that they would not sell any food to our army. The reason is that they are jealous of our army's repeated victories and are anxious."

After Wu Lai said this, the regiment commanders and battalion commanders below couldn't help but frown. Firstly, it was because of their concern about the food supply, and secondly, it was because of their disgust for the shameful behavior of the Woye Army. Everyone is fighting bloody battles for Assyria, and it is too unethical for you to cut off the food source of your friendly forces because of envy and jealousy.

"However," Wu Lai raised his voice, "this also reminds us that when marching and fighting, all kinds of possibilities and difficulties may arise. However, no matter what difficulties we encounter, we must not be discouraged, but find ways to solve them..."

"...In future battles, we will most likely be divided and surrounded by the enemy, and we will also likely fight independently as regiments or even battalions. This is because we cannot always be on the defensive. We will inevitably fight sieges, encirclements, ambushes, and raids. We will also inevitably experience long-distance raids and roundabout maneuvers. Think about it, when we break up into small units and fight on our own, will the problem of food supply be much more difficult than it is now?" Wu Lai asked.

Everyone nodded. Wu Lai was right. On the battlefield, as long as the two armies did not set up camps facing each other and engage in a battle of positions, the phenomenon of dispersion and chaos was very common. By then, let alone food, it would take a while to find the commander.

"So, we have to develop the habit of fighting on our own from the beginning. What I mean by fighting on our own is that in the absence of the commander of the next level, the highest commander of each regiment or battalion must shoulder all the responsibilities of movement, combat, and supply. We must be self-sufficient..."

"…The current difficulty in food supply is a good opportunity for us to exercise. It is true that our army is short of food, but we are not short of money. However, whether this money can be exchanged for food depends on the ability of everyone present. After the meeting today, the leaders of each regiment will arrange people to collect this month's money and food. Of course, the food will only be enough for you for ten days, and the rest will be converted into money…"

…

On this day, the entire Assyrian city was bathed in warm sunshine. From the South City Gate to the Ceremonial Street and then to the Assyrian Temple, a long line of ceremonial guards from various legions stood early in the morning. They were wearing shiny helmets and armor, holding spears or flags, standing solemnly at a distance of ten steps. Behind them stood the militias from the eight major districts of Assyria, wearing bright armor and holding swords and spears like a forest. Behind them and around them, the people were crowded with happy faces...

Suddenly, there were loud drum sounds at the South City Gate. The South City Gate, which was originally closed, slowly opened, and a loud horn sounded.

When the sound of the horn reached the entrance of Ceremonial Street, the band that had been waiting in line with the ceremonial guards since early morning immediately played the "Triumph" in a haphazard manner. At the same time, three ornate carriages slowly drove out from a spacious alley a hundred steps away from the band. Connor was sitting in the first one, and the next two were sitting with Kevin, the Second in Command, and the scarlet-robed priest sent by the temple to welcome the captives - Mikoyan, an old friend of Wu Lai who had just been promoted half a month ago. Although this scarlet-robed priest was one level lower than the red-robed priest, all the red-robed priests had been selected from the eight scarlet-robed priests.

Mikoyan had been in a good mood since the moment he put on the scarlet robe. He knew very well that the reason he had been able to wear this robe earlier than he expected was due to Wu Lai's good relationship with the temple rather than his many years of diligent service to God. Regarding this point, the high priest Saint Lean mentioned it vaguely when he gave him the robe and the emblem. Mikoyan understood it immediately and gave the most appropriate response.

If nothing unexpected happens, Mikoyan will ascend to the next level at the end of the year, because two of the three red priests will step down this year, one because of his advanced age, and the other because he is too close to Mondo Woye in private - Mikoyan does not quite understand this, because in his impression, Cosmondo and Saint Lean have a special friendship.

However, many things always develop in unexpected directions. Cosmondo never expected that Saint Leon was willing to make friends with himself, who was living a safe and stable life as the lord of the Mondo Plain and ignored Assyria. But now, this aggressive self has made Saint Leon feel wary.

Yes, neither Qi Yuan, who controlled the Senate, nor Connor, who previously controlled the Supreme Council, had ever made Saint Lean so alert, because although the two had been fighting openly and secretly for a long time, they had always placed the temple high above, instead of acting as an equal like Cosmondo.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

As the son and messenger of God, how could Saint Leon be willing to stand on the same step with Gosmondo?

Dicaprio rode into the Assyrian city on his horse, and behind him was a huge team of prisoners surrendering.

While riding his horse, he enjoyed the applause and cheers of the people, and at the same time thought of Wu Lai's kindness in his heart - it was he who proposed the prisoner presentation ceremony, and originally wanted to use it to show his goodwill to Wu Lai so that he could follow Wu Lai to this Assyrian city to socialize. Unexpectedly, Wu Lai generously gave him the honor of presenting the prisoners, and also stuffed him two letters.

"No wonder 'those people' like this tune." DiCaprio said to himself, and waved to the cheering people with a smile, his eyebrows full of joy...

After a while, Dicaprio and his entourage were only a hundred steps away from the entrance of the Ceremonial Street. When they saw the yellow and red umbrellas representing the temple and the Supreme Council at the street corner, Dicaprio hurriedly ordered the rear team to stop, dismounted, straightened his clothes, and walked quickly to the entrance of the Ceremonial Street.

Seeing Dicaprio walking quickly, Chief Connor looked at Mikoyan, then smiled and said, "Priest Mikoyan, I heard that the temple has always given a lot of rewards to prisoners. I wonder if Priest Mikoyan has heard from His Excellency the High Priest Saint Lean what the reward is this time?"

Mikoyan smiled and waved his hands: "Chief Connor, please embarrass me. I have only worn this outfit for a few days. This time, I am here as a welcoming envoy. It is a great honor from the High Priest of Saint Lean. I am so humbled that I dare not ask any more questions."

After hearing what he said, Connor laughed and said DiCaprio was lucky, and then he didn't say anything else. Kevin next to him wanted to say something, but when he saw Connor stopped talking and Mikoyan's eyes had already fallen to the front, he was too lazy to make himself look boring.

As they were talking, Dicaprio had come up to the three of them. After a slight bow, Connor, Mikoyan, and Kevin smiled and stepped forward to greet them. After a few polite greetings, Connor turned around and waved his hand. The two etiquette officers waiting beside the band came over quickly, saluted the four people, turned around, one facing the left side of the street, and the other facing the right side of the street, and shouted in unison: "Kaikede City! Prisoner submission ceremony! Begin!"

As soon as the words fell, cheers from both sides of the street instantly spread in all directions...