"The ship-borne trebuchet is genius."
Andrea admired sincerely.
This does not mean just moving the trebuchet onto the ship. The Republic of Liguria also tried to move trebuchets onto ships. But they soon discovered that the trebuchet had a great impact on the balance of the ship. Even if a large ship will not capsize due to this, when it comes to combat, the risk of rollover will be greatly increased under the influence of various factors. In the end, the only thing that could be used on the ship was a small trebuchet that could be carried by two people, and its power was extremely limited.
The trebuchet on Ella's ship is obviously much more powerful than the ordinary trebuchet used for siege. Andrea guessed that some special device must have been used to successfully reduce the recoil of the trebuchet.
Andrea had heard that Archimedes hundreds of years ago invented a device that could offset the recoil of a trebuchet. As a young man, he had no doubt that the Qiqiu Empire mastered this technology. But in the process of assisting the Qi Qiu Empire in battles, he gradually realized that the Qi Qiu Empire did not master this technology. Archimedes' magical device is nothing more than an unrealistic legend.
However, this technology suddenly appeared on the ships of the Pirate Kingdom. In Andrea's impression, the Pirate Kingdom is a barbarian tribe living in the northernmost part of the continent. When did they acquire these advanced technologies?
"It's a pity that although such technology is available, no corresponding tactics can be formed. The only ship in the entire fleet that has long-range strike capabilities. With the poor accuracy of the trebuchet, one ship alone cannot be effective. The other ships are too short, even using bows and arrows are hindered, and they can only use the ocean fire on the bow to attack at close range. Wouldn't close attack further limit the role of the trebuchet? "
Andrea thought so in her heart.
"If I had such technology, I would only keep one or two such powerful trebuchets, and the remaining positions would be equipped with some smaller trebuchets that are slightly less powerful but faster in fire rate, and then equipped with ballistae and scorpion crossbows. , hand-held crossbows, and archers as auxiliaries to ensure that there are capable long-range weapons at all distances to carry out strikes."
"In addition to large ships, medium-sized ships can also be equipped with less powerful trebuchets. The entire fleet only retains a small number of small ships for close combat. Once engaged, hundreds of trebuchets will be thrown at the enemy fleet at the same time. It’s enough to defeat any opponent before engaging in battle... Wait a minute.”
Although the sky was clear, Andrea seemed to see a bolt of lightning flashing across the sky. Places that were dark before suddenly become brighter.
"Capture that big ship! Capture that big ship! Capture that big ship!"
Andrea repeated it three times in an unprecedentedly excited tone. This was the first time in those navy's memories.
"Do you understand what I mean? Don't sink it, don't let them run away, capture it!" Andrea gestured excitedly in front of the trumpeters, "I want to have a glimpse of its secrets! At this time Which piece should be played?”
"Marshal... there is no music." The lead soldier replied softly, "We have not rehearsed this kind of order."
"Then shout at the top of your lungs!"
Andrea ran away from her crutches, grabbed the side of the boat, leaned half of her body out of the boat, and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Capture that big ship! No damage allowed!"
Ansaldo was the first to understand Andrea's intention. He commanded ten small boats, nimbly bypassing the ships of the Pirate Kingdom, and rushed straight towards the "Flying Zealander".
On the "Flying Zealander", Ella is directing the retreat of the entire fleet. However, the Republic of Liguria will not easily allow them to evacuate. Under their constant attacks, more than fifty ships soon sank into the sea.
Amy noticed keenly that Ella's expression became more and more strange.
Amy knew that they had been defeated, and it was an unprecedented defeat. The reason why her Majesty is still commanding calmly is to minimize the losses as much as possible. Her Majesty is the spiritual pillar of the entire army. Once he shows the slightest hint of discouragement, the entire army will collapse immediately.
She recalled how Ayla cried in despair when she suffered her first great defeat at the hands of Ragnar.
"You won't cry anymore? Or...are you trying not to cry now?"
Amy took a deep breath. At least, she will help Ella command the "Flying Zealander".
"Trebuchet! Move faster! Hit that side hard!" As she walked, she shouted to the soldiers on the ship: "Archers, what are you doing and aiming? Shoot them all into the water. went!"
"King of Sweden!"
A soldier ran in the direction of Ella in a panic, but was stopped by Amy.
"What's up?"
"Ten enemy ships are heading straight for us!"
"The King of Sweden has no time to command this ship now! You said the other side only has ten ships? Then let them come over! See if their small and pitiful ramming angle can sink this fortress! Prepare for ocean fire! Ballistae Cum for me too!”
Ansaldo approached the "Flying Zealander" with a ballista and a bow.
"Supreme One! They deflected the collision angle! They seem to be trying to climb onto our deck!"
"If they want to get on the deck, let them! Just push them into the sea one by one! Pull out all the knives!"
Amy herself grabbed a knife and prepared herself for the battlefield.
However, Ansaldo had no plans to climb the Flying Zealander. He directed the ship to deflect the collision angle and sail alongside the Flying Zealander at a slight angle. The archers standing on the "Flying Zealander" dropped arrows from a high position, and Ansaldo only asked the soldiers to hold up their shields and hold on.
Amy looked confused and couldn't figure out what they wanted to do.
The gap between the two ships grew smaller and smaller as they sailed. At the moment when the sides of the two ships were about to collide, Ansaldo suddenly asked the oarsman on the ship to put away the oar!
The sounds of "kaka kaka" came one after another. The entire side of the "Flying Zealander" was broken off by the impact. The "Flying Zealander" suddenly lost its ability to move, rising and falling with the waves.
"What's wrong..." Amy shouted, "Quick! Raise the sails on the ship... This ship is the King of Sweden's favorite thing, and it must not fall into the hands of the Republic of Liguria!"
——"After breaking off the ship with Ocean Fire, intercept the enemy fleet at the mouth of the river. The river is narrow, and they cannot escape the attack of Ocean Fire."
Ella gave the last order to the entire army, and then walked towards Amy calmly.
"The Flying Zealander has been incapacitated. Amy, evacuate the soldiers to other ships. We will evacuate immediately."
Amy cried in frustration: "Your Majesty... I failed to keep the flying Zealander. Is this your home?"
"It's okay, Amy, it's okay."
Although she was comforting Amy, Ella's face was frighteningly blue.
"Sooner or later I will get back everything I lost."
