vstars Chapter 365 Preparation
Chapter 365 Preparation
The ship slowly approached the harbor, and the waves gently hit the hull, making a low sound of flowing water. John stood at the bow, staring at the shore in the distance, and the harbor came into his sight.
It was a breathtaking scenery, with Persian Islamic-style buildings scattered around the port, arches and domes gleaming golden light under the sun, as if in a magnificent dream. Among these buildings, the prominent Gothic church of the French King's Hall gave people a sense of solemnity, and the majesty of the church complemented the ingenuity of the surrounding buildings.
Under the building, soldiers from various countries in the French Royal Church gathered together, forming a colorful ocean. They were wearing various types of armor, and their clothes were scattered around in disarray, looking loose and messy. Every soldier's face was filled with tension and expectation, and the sound of discussions and instructions intertwined into a complex picture. Soldiers lined up from the ship one after another, but these people were not in good condition. They all looked like they were seasick. Some soldiers even lay on the edge of the ship and began to vomit into the sea.
John's ship finally stopped at a relatively empty port, surrounded by a large number of soldiers. The soldiers were alert, holding their weapons, and looking around vigilantly. Not far away, a small group of people on horseback and wearing armor were standing there quietly, their eyes focused on the ship, as if they had been arranged in advance, ready to welcome the important people who were about to arrive.
The ship landed steadily, and dozens of servants immediately spread a bright red carpet on the harbor, forming a gorgeous passage leading to the outside of the harbor. John stepped on the red carpet and walked off the ship with an upright posture. Just at this moment, a man in a white robe and armor rode up on horseback, and his figure looked particularly majestic in the sun.
"Welcome, Sir John."
The man on horseback spoke in a serious tone and with a determined look in his eyes.
"I am General Reynald, the lord of this city of Acre. On behalf of the people of this city, I would like to warmly welcome you and thank you for leading the army to fight against the Kushans."
"Thank you for your hospitality, General Renard."
John responded politely, glancing around quickly.
After the greetings, John asked General Reynard:
"Where is my army camped now?"
Leonard smiled slightly, then said:
"They have been settled in the military camp in the north of the city, and all preparations have been completed."
After a brief pause, John and Reynard left the port together and walked towards the long-awaited carriage.
The carriage slowly drove out of the port and moved along the sidewalk. John sat in the carriage and observed the scene outside through the window. The busyness of the port was gradually replaced by the buildings on the street. The streets were lined with shops and vendors, lively and noisy, and many people came and went. At this time, he noticed that in addition to the people in the circle of the King's Hall, there were also some strangers with darker skin and turbans on their heads walking on the street. John guessed that they might be the Kushans, walking on the street with different expressions, seeming to be talking, and busy with their own affairs.
The carriage traveled through the streets of Acre, where the buildings and characters of two different cultures and styles blended together, giving people a unique feeling. The crowds around were like waves, rising and falling.
Finally, the carriage drove into the inner castle in the city. Reynald pushed open the door and John followed him out of the carriage. Entering the hall, John immediately felt a sense of oppression. The hall was already crowded with generals, officials and clergy, and the voices of conversation and instructions were intertwined.
"This is where we handle daily affairs and convene meetings."
General Renard explained. He pointed around the hall and introduced some people to John:
"This is the local general, and over there is our clergy, who are responsible for handling religious affairs..."
John glanced around with his peripheral vision, nodded slightly, and gave a simple greeting to everyone. Then, Reynard took him to a throne above the hall, where a white chair with gold thread and gold cushions was prepared for him.
After he sat down, Leonard restrained his expression slightly, turned around and faced everyone in the hall, and said in a slightly serious tone:
"Currently, the threat from the Kushans is expanding further. Their vanguard troops are on the south bank of the river, more than ten miles away from Acre. It is very likely that they will wait until their emperor conquers the Kushan tribe in the north before marching south to attack Acre. I wonder what you think."
John listened carefully and nodded. After sorting out the information he knew, he looked at General Reynard next to him and said:
"I think we should arrange for the task of monitoring the enemy, and also prepare a large amount of supplies and fresh water to prepare for the war of attrition we will face when we attack the city."
he went on.
"Once we are fully prepared, we can send troops to wipe out the Kushan troops near the rivers and oases one by one, to create a buffer zone for Acre City, and at the same time, try not to let the Kushan troops gather in one place."
A gratified smile appeared on Reynard's face, and he was obviously satisfied with John's tactics. He looked around and continued:
"If the Kushans don't anticipate our actions, perhaps we can take the opportunity to launch a precision strike against them."
"A surprise attack is indeed an effective strategy, especially when the enemy is unprepared."
At this time, everyone around them expressed their approval. After all, this was the safest tactic. Leonard's eyes flickered and he nodded firmly:
"This war will determine our future, and we must fight with all our might."
After the meeting ended a few hours later, Reynard arranged a sumptuous dinner to reward the generals of various countries who came to support the army, led by John. The tense atmosphere in the hall gradually eased, and everyone began to look forward to the upcoming feast.
The preparations for the dinner started quickly. The servants were busy carrying the table into the hall and serving all kinds of delicious food: roast suckling pig, pan-fried steak, various fish, fresh seasonal vegetables and rich bread, which exuded an enticing aroma. The long and gorgeously decorated table was filled with exquisite dishes, each with its own unique flavor, like a feast for the eyes and taste.
However, unlike the usual banquets, this banquet did not have any wine. Before the banquet started, Reynard emphasized:
"In our army, alcohol will not be provided at any time unless the war is over. This is to ensure that everyone present can stay sober when the war comes. We cannot relax at all."
Although everyone was surprised that there was no alcohol, they also expressed their understanding. John also secretly admired Reynard's style. Maintaining the quality and mental state of the army was obviously more important than short-term enjoyment.
The dinner started with lively conversations. John and other generals gathered together over a sumptuous meal and shared their experiences. The whole banquet was filled with an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual assistance. Everyone spoke freely at the table, and then it turned into all kinds of comparisons and bragging.
After the dinner, Reynard's servant led John to his temporary residence. This was an old and elegant stone building. The decoration retained the former splendor, but it was simply arranged to ensure its functionality and comfort. John walked into a spacious room, then changed into pajamas and lay on the bed to fall asleep. The moonlight outside the window sprinkled in through the curtains, adding a bit of tranquility to the room.