The defeat of the two main corps sent to clear out the infiltrators was a huge shock to the Shiksans.
Out of a force of ten thousand, only a little more than a thousand managed to escape. Coupled with what the deserters said, the Shiksan commander-in-chief was certain that Thundercrash, famed for its offensive prowess, had sent a folk to their rear and posed a huge threat to their supply lines.
Since the war theatre had already made a move, the Shiksans would definitely respond.
First, they retracted their forces and gave up on the unimportant mountainous areas. They no longer sent scouts out to their deaths.
Next, they strengthened the defence of the supply lines. They used the defences the nikancha gave up after their defeat to form an important node for the supply lines. At the same time, they increased the number of troops guarding the supply lines.
As a result, Claude found himself facing an impenetrable defence line. If he really had a folk under him, he might have been able to use his advantage in numbers to attack the supply lines and temporarily paralyze the Shiksans' supply lines.
Of course, he could also forcefully attack the important defences, but that would only cause some damage and the Shiksans would be able to restore the defences very quickly.
The problem, however, was that he only commanded Thunder 131. Dyavid's Line 1303 was still at Beechlin's second line of defence. Before Monolith's line returned, they would have to use their new rifles to suppress the Shiksans' iron pumpkins from the defensive line.
Additionally, even if Dyavid's Line 1303 came, Claude wouldn't take the initiative to attack the defences.
The way he saw it, it wasn't worth it. Even if he took the defences with heavy losses, he couldn't defend them and could only give up.
That way, the Shiksans could occupy the defences again. Was he supposed to attack them then?
He wasn't sick in the head, so why did he have to fight them to the death?
The night raid and the ambush had almost used up the 100 bullets that every soldier of Thunder 131 had brought with them. Most of the soldiers only had three fully loaded magazines with them, and they needed to go back and restock.
At the same time, General Eiblont should have led the follow-up troops to the front line.
He decided to make a trip back to discuss with the two generals about the change in strategy and how to deal with the Shiksans.
"... The Shiksans used the defences left behind by the nizar camp to form a defensive node for the hundred-kilometre-long mountain supply route. The mountains and high points along the way also have their own sentry posts and defensive facilities.
In addition, their logistics vehicles were guarded by a regiment of soldiers. If they were attacked, they could quickly gather behind the vehicles to resist and wait for reinforcements …
If it was on flat ground, with Thunderclap's light cavalry assault ability, we would be able to quickly defeat them and wipe out this transport fleet.
However, this is a mountainous area and the terrain is rugged. We can't send in so many troops to annihilate them all at once.
"If we were to forcefully attack the defences along the supply route, we would also be faced with the problem of not being able to send in a large number of troops. There's only a small path up the mountain, so sending a battalion to attack it is already the limit.
"Even if we manage to take over the defences, we won't be able to station anyone there. Once the Shiksans' reinforcements arrive, they'll surround the base of the mountain and won't even need to attack.
"The current situation is completely different from when Piccolo had the nikancha camp stationed there. Back then, the entire mountain front was our territory and the Shiksans had to take down the various defences one by one before they could advance.
"But now, the entire mountain front is under Shiksans' control. Even if we take down the defences, we'll still have to give up and retreat.
"So, the Shiksans can send in more troops to defend the supply route, but the next time we want to attack the supply route, we'll have to get rid of the defences first.
"That way, we'll have to fight the Shiksans on the defences while the Shiksans will be more than happy to exhaust our forces like that.
"I suspect that the Shiksans have invested a standing corps in the supply route. Otherwise, there's no way they'd be able to defend it so well that we can't take advantage of it.
"Piccolo, have the Shiksans strengthened or weakened their attacks on our defences?" Claude asked Birkin as he put down the wooden stick in his hand.
Birkin stroked his stubble and said thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, I do feel that the Shiksans' attacks on our defences have greatly weakened. It's becoming more and more like the usual probing attacks instead of the wave after wave of attacks we had at the start.
"I always thought it was the arrival of your reinforcements that suppressed the Shiksans' attacks and never thought about the enemy.
"It turns out that the Shiksans are in a difficult position and can no longer maintain their ferocious attacks.
"It's no wonder the nikancha on the defences can withstand the Shiksans' attacks and easily repel them."
"I think it's because the Shiksans are running low on manpower." Claude's words left Birkin and Eiblont in disbelief.
"That's impossible. They have three standing corps with a total of 180,000 men.
There are still two standing corps resting in the northern coastal mountainous area and the border of the Cape Loducus Colony. How could they lack troops? "General Beechlin retorted.
Claude smiled. "Let's not talk about the two corps at the border for now. Let's talk about the three Shiksans standing corps that attacked in the east.
From the moment they took over our first defense line to the moment they attacked our second defense line, how many casualties do you think they suffered? "
General Birkin was a little excited. "When our first line of defense fell, our legion lost a regiment of troops, and the nikancha also suffered more than 20,000 casualties.
I underestimated the Shiksans' casualties, so they should have lost at least three lines.
Next, the Shiksans attacked our second line of defence. We were already prepared for their catapults and iron pumpkins and they suffered a huge loss.
We've always had the upper hand on the defence line. We collected the epaulets of the Shiksan veterans we killed before we set up camp. There are also many corpses that we didn't get because they were closer to their own troops.
I believe the Shiksans have lost more than a folk since the start of the battle. Five lines of 30,000 men should be a more accurate estimate.
Their attacks in the next dozen or so days were all small skirmishes. I believe the Shiksans are probing the weak points of our defences and are preparing to launch a major attack. "
"No, they're just running low on manpower."
Claude shook his head and pointed at the eastern mountain area occupied by the Shiksans. "They only have three standing corps and they're using one to maintain the rear supply line.
Based on your estimates, they lost five lines of troops to the defence line. I also ambushed them in the mountains ahead and wiped out two lines of 10,000 men.
The Shiksan standing corps only has nine lines of 50,000 men. The remaining two to three thousand are logistics and civil servants. In total, the three standing corps have lost more than 40,000 men. It's not a stretch to say that one of their standing corps has been crippled and lost the ability to fight.
Apart from the one maintaining the supply line, I believe the Shiksans at the front line only have the strength of one standing corps at most. "
"Wait, there's still something I don't understand," Eiblont said, "If what you said is correct, the Shiksans only have the strength of a standing corps in front of our second line of defence. It's obvious that they won't be able to breach our line of defence, and they'll even have to guard against us switching to the offensive.
So why are the Shiksans still launching futile attacks at our defences every day? Even though the scale is small and the casualties are small, it's still a huge blow to their morale. "
Claude smiled. "That's why the Shiksan commander-in-chief — what's his name? He wants to maintain the stability of the war.
Honestly, I don't think he wants to attack our defences, nor does he want to give up the mountain area they've already occupied. He only wants to keep us here and wait for reinforcements to arrive.
Now, he's launching probing attacks at our defences every day and retreating after suffering a few dozen casualties, mainly to mislead us into thinking that they're looking for a weak spot in our defences. That way, we'll be on high alert and won't send a large number of troops from the frontlines to disturb their rear.
Actually, the way I see it, the three Shiksan standing corps in the eastern mountains are like dead snakes that can't move at all.
One corps is defending the first line of defence in the eastern mountains to prevent us from launching a counterattack. Another corps is protecting the supply route to the rear. The last corps has already been crippled by us and has lost all ability to fight.
That's why they have no choice but to launch small scale probing attacks at our second line of defence every day to confuse us and take the initiative to prevent us from launching a counterattack.
For the Shiksans, the key to breaking out of this predicament is the arrival of reinforcements. Don't forget that the Shiksans still have five corps that haven't been transported to Cape Loducus.
As long as they hold out for another month or so, the third batch of Shiksan corps will be transported over.
By then, the Shiksans will only need to replace the two corps stationed at the northern border with the newly arrived ones. Then, their eastern frontlines will have a hundred thousand fully rested soldiers and they'll be able to attack us again. "
Beechlin came to a sudden realization. "Then what are we waiting for? I'll immediately organize a counterattack against the Shiksans. We'll chase them back the way they came."
"Oh, no!" said General Eiblont.
"No, we can't counterattack," Claude said at the same time.
Beechlin was a little confused. "W-why can't we counterattack?"
Claude looked at Eiblont. "You first."
Eiblont pointed at the sand table and said, "The Shiksans have already tied themselves up. Just like Claude said, they're like dead snakes entrenched in the mountains, unable to move until they reach our second line of defence.
If you command the troops to counterattack, you'll be helping the enemy out. The further we chase them, the more they'll be able to regain their mobility and fighting capacity.
On the contrary, the further we chase them, the longer the battle line will be. In the end, we'll be stuck with them in the mountains and wear each other down.
That's something the Shiksans want more than anything. Don't forget, we only have two corps and 130,000 men.
However, the enemy still has five corps that haven't reached Cape Loducus.
Even if three of their corps perish together with one of our corps, it'll still be a huge victory for them. "
"But if we don't counterattack, won't we let the Shiksans succeed in the end?
We just have to wait for another month or so. When the rest of their corps reaches Cape Loducus, they'll be able to attack us again.
If we don't counterattack, what should we do? "Beechlin asked.
Eiblont scratched his head. "I haven't thought of that yet. I just have a feeling that we shouldn't counterattack. The enemy's current situation will definitely give us a good chance to defeat them."
Claude could only shake his head. That was probably the biggest difference between offensive and defensive generals.
After the defensive Beechlin heard his analysis, his first reaction was to counterattack and chase the enemy back to where they started. Then, they would reclaim the eastern mountains that had fallen into the hands of the Shiksans and return the situation to how it was before the war.
Eiblont, on the other hand, instinctively felt that maintaining the current state of affairs would be beneficial to them. While the enemy couldn't move, they could calmly find a good chance to defeat them.
As long as they found a chance, they might be able to crush the enemy. That would be much more beneficial than counterattacking and chasing the enemy back.
Claude coughed lightly to attract the attention of Bigklin and Eiblont. "We won't counterattack, but we can attack here instead."
Beechlin was stunned. "Attack the two Shiksans corps at the northern border?"
Eiblont's eyes lit up. "That's right!
Why didn't I think of that?
The two Shiksans corps are currently resting and reorganizing. They think our forces are being held up by the three eastern corps and won't expect us to attack them. "
"Catch them off guard and attack them when they least expect it.
Claude nodded. "The Shiksans want to boil this pot of water at the eastern front, so they're guarding it to the death and won't let us touch it.
Since we can't touch it, we can take out the firewood at the bottom of the pot and see how they're going to boil the water.
From the way we see it, the two Shiksans corps at the northern border are the firewood the enemy has prepared to increase their firepower.
In fact, the three Shiksans corps at the eastern front can't move even if they want to maintain the current state of affairs. The two northern corps that are resting are already isolated and helpless.
According to the reports from the spies who infiltrated Cape Loducus, the two northern corps aren't complete. They still have a folk stationed at their main base near Cape Loducus, which is the Shiksans' main logistics base.
I want to teach the Shiksans a lesson. Just because they have a corps defending their supply routes doesn't mean they won't be ambushed by us and can rest easy.
We won't attack their supply convoys, but we can attack their main logistics base.
Once we burn through their stockpiled rations and military supplies, I really want to know what else they can transport with their transport fleet … "
"You're saying we should attack the two corps at the northern border and take the opportunity to destroy the enemy's main logistics base?"
Eiblont finally understood why Misierci praised Claude for his unparalleled offensive awareness. Back when he was only relying on his instincts to find a way to defeat the enemy, Claude was already able to pinpoint the enemy's weaknesses.
"We won't attack the two northern corps for now," Claude said as he pointed at the sand table.
Claude pointed at the sand table and said, "Piccolo will lead Monolith's troops to the second line of defence and keep the three Shiksan corps at bay.
I'll have Thundercrash 131, led by Lieutenant Colonel Myjack, continue to infiltrate the eastern front and use mines to ambush the enemy's supply lines. That way, the enemy will think we have no other choice but to harass them with small skirmishes.
I'll lead Thundercrash's folk, from Lines 1301 to 1304, to sneak past the two northern corps' defensive line and attack the Shiksans' main logistics base near Cape Loducus.
There's only one enemy folk there and they won't be able to stop our attack. Of course, they won't expect us to attack there.
By the time we had begun to set fire to the hay and stores, the two standing corps stationed at the northern border of the mountains would certainly have sent reinforcements.
When the time comes, I will ambush these reinforcements while they are on their way. After defeating them, I will lead my troops to attack the two main camps of the two standing corps at the border of the northern mountains.
I'll attack from the back. Allen, lead another folk from Thundercrash to attack from the front. We should be able to take down the enemy's main camp quickly.
When the time comes, we'll join forces and circle back to the eastern border to trap the three Shiksans there. Without their supplies, I'm sure they'll surrender soon. "