Breaking the impasse

Inside the Hussite rebels' main tent, Iri called an emergency military council with his generals.

"Gentlemen, the enemy chose not to launch an immediate attack; instead, they are facing our Wagenburg with their own.

I can confirm they have dispatched a unit to outflank us and cut off our supply line."

Iri accurately guessed Laszlo's intention.

His gaze swept over the generals, hoping someone would proactively offer a countermeasure.

Ottokar, the commander of the Bohemian Brotherhood, immediately stepped forward and said, "We cannot sit idly by; we must take the initiative to attack!"

Iri nodded slightly; this perfectly aligned with his thoughts.

Rather than waiting here to die, it was better to take a risk for a slim chance of survival.

A Cup faction general questioned, "We could also send troops to protect the supply line.

What's the difference between taking the initiative to attack and seeking death?"

Before Iri could speak, Ottokar scoffed, "That's why an idiot like you knows nothing about warfare!

Among the troops accompanying that tyrant this time, there's a unit perfectly suited for cutting off supply lines: the Hungarian cavalry.

It must be them.

These cavalrymen are swift, fierce in combat, and numerous.

How many men do you plan to send to defend against thousands of elusive light cavalry?"

"You!"

The Cup faction general's face turned beet red with anger, but a cold glare from Iri made him swallow the angry words he was about to blurt out.

"The problem is, we don't know how many forces the enemy has split off for the encirclement.

It's very likely that even after removing these detached enemies, we will still be at a disadvantage in terms of troop strength."

Iri's words were tinged with worry.

In fact, he knew in his heart that a proactive attack was also a path of nine deaths and one life.

His troops were not only inferior in numbers but also far inferior to Laszlo's army in individual combat effectiveness.

The wealthy Laszlo, while ordering the Milanese armorers in the arsenal to produce armor at full capacity, also placed a large order for half-Milanese plate armor with the famous Milanese armoring family, the Missaglias.

A set of such half-armor cost less than fifteen florins, suitable for infantry.

Many mercenaries provided their own plate armor, while those who could not afford it were uniformly issued armor by the quartermaster, with the cost of the armor deducted from their wages at one florin per month until repaid.

The Independent Army and the Austro-Hungarian Army had extremely high rates of armor-wearing.

More than half of the newly formed Saxon Army's soldiers were also equipped with sturdy breastplates and armguards.

These skilled professional soldiers, combined with excellent equipment, could wantonly slaughter the temporarily conscripted Hussite rebels in open battle.

"So we must ensure a surprise attack and catch the enemy off guard."

Ottokar took over the conversation.

"They are currently holed up in their Wagenburg; a rash frontal assault is impossible.

Is there any way to break their Wagenburg?"

Iri looked at Ottokar.

The Hussite rebels' war wagons had all been brought by this general.

As a master of Wagenburg tactics, Iri was very curious if he knew a way to counter a Wagenburg.

Ottokar was stumped by the question and stroked his chin, lost in thought.

His gaze accidentally swept over the sweat beading on the generals' foreheads due to the hot weather.

A flash of inspiration struck him, and he exclaimed excitedly, "I know! It's fire!"

Iri was startled by him, but upon hearing Ottokar's words, he almost instantly understood Ottokar's meaning, which made the usually stern Iri unable to help but smile.

In such a dry and hot summer, wouldn't those Imperial Army soldiers, cooped up in their Wagenburg like a turtle in its shell, be digging their own mobile graves?

Just one big fire would surely illuminate the future of Bohemia!

"Gentlemen, General Ottokar has come up with a brilliant idea.

Each of you go and instruct your subordinates to collect more wood and dry grass.

The night after tomorrow, we will deliver a great fire to that tyrant."

Iri issued the order.

He was determined to use this fire to burn away the tyrant's ambition to control Bohemia.

"Why wait until the day after tomorrow?" someone asked, puzzled.

"The enemy just arrived today, so they will surely be extra vigilant tonight.

In two days, they will definitely become complacent, believing victory is assured.

That will be our excellent opportunity to strike."

Iri's explanation impressed everyone, and even Ottokar couldn't help but admire Iri's cunning and foresight.

The Hussite rebels' generals took their orders and returned to their respective camps to prepare.

As night fell, the Imperial Army's camp was quiet.

Laszlo and Adolf stayed in the Saxon Army camp on the right flank, near the forest.

The Saxon Army was responsible for watching for potential attacks from the forest direction, but so far, there had been no movement.

"Your Majesty, I don't think the enemy will come tonight."

As dawn broke, they had stood guard all night, which was a bit much for the old general Adolf.

Laszlo, however, felt nothing from staying up all night; he only regretted not having anticipated a night raid from the Hussite rebels.

This woodpecker tactic always made Laszlo uneasy.

He knew of a famous battle where this tactic had been used.

If the enemy on the mountain launched a proactive attack and they were unprepared, they would suffer greatly.

Laszlo didn't believe Iri couldn't guess the Imperial Army's tactics; that fellow was not incompetent.

Although his true strengths lay in conspiracy and diplomacy, he was by no means ignorant of warfare.

The only explanation was that Iri had guessed he was prepared, and thus chose to attack cautiously.

However, guarding like this every day was not a solution.

Whether he could endure it aside, making the soldiers sleep restlessly every night was absolutely a foolish decision.

"Which day will Iri choose to raid us?" Laszlo muttered to himself, troubled.

Adolf sighed lightly and replied, "It could be any night until their military provisions run out.

We don't know how long their Wagenburg camp has enough food stored."

Laszlo's expression turned bitter.

This made defense very difficult, as the rebels could make a desperate move every day.

If they relaxed their guard for even one day, they could be caught off guard.

However, thinking of the full sense of security brought by the sturdy Hussite War Wagon, Laszlo breathed a sigh of relief.

With the Wagenburg there, how could those temporarily assembled rabble possibly pose a threat to the main army?

Suddenly, Laszlo thought of a devious plan.

"Adolf, guarding against thieves for a thousand days is unreasonable.

How about we become the thieves instead?"

Laszlo showed a mischievous smile.

Adolf was somewhat confused: "What kind of strategy is Your Majesty talking about?"

"If we suddenly bombard the rebel camp in the middle of the night, what do you think their reaction will be?"

Adolf suddenly understood.

The Hussite rebels were currently at a disadvantage; they should be the ones worried about a night raid.

Even if they occupied advantageous terrain, they would surely be on strict guard against an Imperial Army night raid.

Instead of waiting here for the rebels to attack, it was better to scare them and make them lose a few nights of good sleep.

"In the art of war, the real and the false give rise to each other.

Your Majesty, perhaps we really can prepare to launch a night raid, after all, we hold a huge numerical advantage."

Laszlo heard Adolf's words and began to calculate, stroking his chin, whether launching a night raid would cause unnecessary casualties.

While maintaining a standoff here seemed safe, it did not rule out the possibility of accidents.

If they could seize victory in one fell swoop while the enemy's guard was relaxed, that would of course be better.

"Good idea.

Which day do you think is most suitable?"

"The enemy was quiet last night.

Tonight, we can intermittently bombard the enemy's camp to create anxiety.

Tomorrow at midnight, after a few rounds of bombardment, while the enemy is complacent, launch a real night raid, and also contact General Hunyadi, who has already circled behind the enemy, to coordinate with our attack."

"That's exactly what I was thinking!

It's settled!"

Laszlo made up his mind and immediately sent messengers to convey the battle orders to the various unit commanders.

The dispatch rider galloped to catch up with Laszlo Hunyadi, who was conducting the encirclement, and delivered the emperor's order to him word for word.