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The Wessex people did not sit still and wait for death. The watch tower fortresses built by Alfred along the coast and border worked. Ulf stood on the long boat and looked at the thick smoke rising from the border, marking the Depending on the attack direction of the Viking fleet, it can be said that this is an effective defense system.
"I wonder who came up with the idea." Ulf touched his chin, admiring the person who could come up with such an idea. If it was Alfred himself, then he felt that he should not be underestimated.
"This kind of thing is useless. We can land at any time, but they can only be frightened." Guzlen did not take it seriously. In the eyes of the Vikings who are good at attacking, this kind of smoke defense is just self-deception.
"I have a different view. This kind of alarm can quickly reflect the direction of the attack, which is convenient for Alfred to mobilize military forces. It can also send an alarm to the local earls and nobles, not to mention that it can also achieve the goal of building it by gathering the strength of the whole country. The effect of uniting people's hearts, this is a complete defense system." Ulf said to Guzlen.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to understand the thoughts of the Wessex people so well." Guzlen was quite surprised. In his opinion, behavior that wastes people and money has so many benefits in Ulf's mouth.
"It's just the behavior of cowards. We Northmen just need to stay strong and attack the enemy." The coastal lord Roy also carried the same ship. He dismissed it and thought that Ulf was a guy with a sharp mouth. That’s all.
Ulf's eyes were fixed on those watch towers. The appearance of these watch towers in batches means that the Wessex national system is gradually becoming more complete, but the Vikings are still in the tribal alliance system. If it does not change, Then the more time goes by, the more generational differences will occur, and when Wessex's national strength will gradually become stronger.
"The Vikings are coming, they are moving again." The towerkeeper on the Wessex watch tower put his hands above his eyes and stared at the black dots of Viking longships moving on the sea. He immediately looked down shouted the rider on his horse.
"I know." The rider immediately galloped towards Winchester Castle, where King Alfred of Wessex was waiting nervously. He needed to synthesize various intelligence and analyze the direction of Guzlen's possible attack in order to Make a strategic plan.
"They are indeed passing through the English Channel. They have just reported that they have passed Carisbrooke." Isaac stood next to Alfred and said to Alfred.
"I know the place where they may land, and immediately ordered the troops to assemble." Alfred stood up. He analyzed the map for a long time, and coupled with the suggestion of scholar Jacob, the best landing place was already estimated. At this time, Alfred no longer hesitated and immediately gave an order to his military commander.
"Woooooo~~~." The horn sounded from Winchester Castle, and King Qin's troops who had been waiting for him from all over the place immediately gathered towards Winchester under the leadership of the lords. The military flag of the Kingdom of Wessex was fluttering, and the knights wore their own chainmail and colorful blouses and uniforms, leading the levy of militiamen and sergeants in a mighty queue.
"Quick, quick." At this time, Guzlen's fleet also arrived at its destination. On the coast of Dorset County, the longships broke into the soft sandy beach. North warriors carrying round shields and battle axes came from Jumping off the boat, soon the originally deserted beach was densely covered with figures of Norse people.
"Lord! Go and report to Your Majesty quickly and close the city gate." The defender of Wareham Castle looked at the densely packed Northmen who came ashore from the city wall. He suddenly felt his scalp numb. He sent an envoy in panic, and The city gate was immediately closed, completely ignoring the peasants who were trying to escape into the castle from the outside villages.
"Hmm~~~."
"Boom~~."
A fast horse carried the messenger away from the castle. The iron gate of the castle fell quickly behind him. Archers climbed onto the city wall, and soldiers holding spears and tear-shaped shields lined up nervously.
"Don't worry, our city wall is strong enough to wait for His Majesty's reinforcements." The city defender put his hands on the city wall and comforted himself.
"The cowardly Wessex people hid behind the city wall." Lord Roy of the Coast said with a contemptuous smile as he looked at the Wessex soldiers who did not dare to stop them from landing and fled all the way back to the castle.
"But if we want to besiege this kind of castle, it will take at least a week." Scarface said to Guzlen at this time.
"Don't we have a siege master here? Maybe he can allow us to capture the castle in three days." Roy thought of Ulf's boast, and he immediately turned around and said to Ulf.
"Hmm." Ulf frowned slightly and looked at the closed fortress. This was not a castle built of stone. After all, except for some county capitals, the walls of stone castles in other places were still the same. Built of wood, in an era of low productivity, cost limited their defense capabilities.
But even this castle with wooden walls cannot be conquered in one go. The towers and archers standing on it will hinder the siege, not to mention the possible traps and rolling wooden thunder stones.
"One day, one day." Ulf stretched out a finger and said calmly to Roy and Guzlen.
"What?" Not only Roy, but even Guzlen was very surprised. Even if they dedicated a castle in one day, it would be impossible for five thousand Noss warriors to attack together, not to mention that they still need Prepare siege equipment such as ramming logs and ladders.
"One day, I will prove it to you." After Ulf said a word, he walked towards his longboat loaded with siege equipment on the seaside, leaving only the stunned Guzlen and others.
"Bragging guy." Roy said noncommittally. He didn't believe that anyone could capture the castle in front of him in one day, unless that person was possessed by Thor, or Odin lent him his Eternal Spear. mortal.
Ulf did not argue. He ordered Vargas and others to start unloading the siege equipment from the longboat, and then tried to get as close as possible to the woods of the castle. Looking at the busy Ulf and others, the other earls were very interested. Watching with interest, the soldiers will set up camp anyway.
"Lord Ulf said that he would capture the castle in one day, and we can finally witness this great moment." Lord Roy of the Coast held a wine glass and shouted loudly among the earls. His exaggerated tone attracted everyone's attention. of laughter.
"Lord Guzrun." Scarface frowned. After all, Ulf was from his side, and being teased by the earls made him feel inappropriate, so he wanted Guzrun to stop him, but he didn't. Thinking of Guzlen, he waved his hand and looked at Ulf with interest.
"Craftsmen, after unloading all the materials, start assembling." Ulf led Vargas and others to remove the heavy wood, and then they were busy tying up the flax rope and adjusting it.
The sun in the sky had already set below the sea level, stars appeared in the night sky, and then the bright moon appeared in the sky. At this time, Ulf, Vargas and others had already installed the three catapults.
"Crunch, crunch." At this time, the sling arm was pressed down by the linen rope. The craftsmen struggled to twist the crankshaft, and the wooden wedge was inserted on it.
"Stones?" Vargas wiped the sweat from his face. Assembling the catapult was a laborious task, but once the assembly was completed, the rest was the attack.
"No, use fire." Ulf looked at the night sky and at the vigilant guards on the castle in the distance. They held torches and did not relax their vigilance at all.
"Understood." Vargas immediately understood that the catapult can be used in two ways, to directly throw stones, and to fire heavy grass balls, which are poured with grease and ignited, and then thrown over.
The reason why Ulf wanted to attack with fire was that, on the one hand, Wareham Castle was made of wood. Attacking with fire at night would cause panic among the defenders. On the other hand, of course, it was to show off to the earls who looked down upon him. , in the face of technology, any brute force is just a cloud.
"Huh~~." A heavy ball of grass was carried by Luther and pressed on the throwing arm. The catapult made a heart-breaking crunching sound, and then the catapult shook.
Ange picked up the torch and approached the grass ball, and suddenly the grass ball ignited with a blazing flame. The fire lit up the entire Viking camp. The Norse people who were leaning against each other because of sleepiness all rubbed their eyes. I thought it was dawn.
"What is that?" Guzlen, who was lying in the Nordic leaning tent, was also awakened by the bright light at this time. He quickly stood up, walked outside the tent and saw the scene in front of him.
"Is that a siege machine?" Roy and other counts also got out of the tent. They had already ignored Ulf's boast, but Ulf had been busy all afternoon and didn't pay attention to it at all. Taking their words to heart, the fire that lit up at this time was dazzling.
"Aim." Ulf stood in front of his catapult. He pulled out the ax fastened on his leather belt, pointed in the direction of the castle, and ordered loudly.
"Yes." The craftsmen quickly moved the catapult so that the catapult was aimed at the direction of the city wall.
"Fire~~." Ulf suddenly waved the battle ax in his hand and shouted angrily at the craftsmen.
"Hey~~, ping~~." The craftsman holding the mallet aimed at the wooden wedge blocking the launch slot and slammed it.
"Boom~~, Kar~~~." The catapult roared and threw the burning grass ball fiercely, streaking across the sky like a meteor.
"Gudu." Ange, who was standing next to Ulf, couldn't help but swallowed her saliva. She didn't know whether it would be useful when Ulf used the sling for the first time in actual combat. If it failed, Wu Wolf will lose his territory and reputation and become the laughing stock of all Northern Europe.
