1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 316: Desert War
Under the gray sky, the mountains are rolling and surrounded by rivers. Between the mountains and the rivers is the yellow land, desolate and vast. The breeze blows across the hills, blowing up the dust on the ground, blowing through the manes of the war horses and the swords and guns of the soldiers.

The yellow land is the flesh of Anatolia, and the rivers and lakes dotted between them are the blood of Anatolia. Such wastelands are not uncommon on this continent. The further inland you go, the more yellow there is and the less green there is.

It is located between Bursa and Ankara, with an altitude of more than 500 meters. To the northwest is a wide canyon, and to the southeast is the Bolsu River, a tributary of the Sakarya River.

The Bolsu River originates near Kutahya and flows roughly from west to east, flowing into the Sakarya River west of Ankara. It is also located between two east-west mountain ranges. The river valley is low in elevation, providing convenience for the passage of the army. It is the best road from Ankara to Bursa.

The largest city in the Bolsu River Basin is Eskisehir. The Bolsu River turns slightly here and no longer flows north, but instead meanders eastward. This city is also a famous transportation hub. To the northwest, you can reach Bursa through the canyon, and to the northeast, you can reach Ankara along the river valley.

Many years ago, after Constantine the Great accepted Christianity, Eskişehir was a missionary center in central and western Anatolia. At that time, the city was still called Dorylaeum and Roman people still lived in the city.

During the Great Turkish War, Eskişehir also suffered disasters, with food shortages, cold temperatures, fertile farmland occupied by weeds, fleeing refugees devoured by Turkmen cavalry, and human life as cheap as an ant.

However, for the surviving people, their fate is no longer in their own hands. An unprecedented decisive battle is about to begin in the wilderness northwest of the city. The winner will be the king and the loser will retreat, and the winner will continue to write his own legendary poetry.

On April 1472, 4, Padisa Uzung Hasan of the White Sheep Dynasty assembled an army of 2 in Ankara, crossed the Sakarya River, and rushed westward along the Bolsu River Valley.

On April 1472, 4, the Eastern Roman Emperor Isaac assembled an army of 9 in Bursa and began to climb the plateau from Bursa, marching eastward, waiting for an opportunity for a decisive battle.

On April 4, the warring parties met as expected in the wasteland northwest of Eskişehir City, and the war officially broke out.

On the hillside is fluttering the central flag of the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty. This blue flag, which is said to have been passed down from Boyandur Khan, records the glory of the Aq Qoyunlu tribe. The great hero Uzum Hasan once held high this flag and defeated the equally heroic Jahan Shah and Busayn, destroying the country in one battle and bringing the local regime, which had been shrinking in eastern Anatolia, to the peak in a very short time.

Under the big flag, the 49-year-old Aries King Uzon Hassan, dressed in military uniform, scanned the Eastern Roman army on the wilderness with his eagle-like eyes, assessing the opponent's strength.

The pre-war declaration has been completed, the riders of the Aries coalition are changing horses and putting on armor, the Eastern Roman army is also making final preparations, and the phalanxes are becoming increasingly close.

"Seventy thousand men, divided into three armies, in an endless line. The left and right wings are relatively weak, while the central army has the largest number of men and is as imposing as a mountain."

Uzon Hassan said softly.

"They are blocking the road right in the middle. It seems that the Greeks are eager to have a decisive battle."

"Father, they are mostly infantrymen, their numbers are about half ours, and we have occupied the high ground, so they should not be difficult to deal with."

Next to Uzon Hassan, the tall Aries Prince Khalil spoke loudly.

"Their left and right wings are mostly conscripted archers and Slavic cavalry, and their combat effectiveness is not strong. As long as we can use our superior forces to break down their two wings and then attack their middle center, victory will be within our grasp."

"It's not that simple. They also have some central troops on both wings acting as the backbone."

Jacob frowned slightly.

"Besides, they have a lot of firearms."

"Our horses don't have much chance to be exposed to the sound of gunfire, so I'm afraid something might go wrong."

"firearm?"

Khalil snorted.

"We have seen those things before. They have a slow firing rate and low damage, and the shooting troops on both wings simply cannot afford to have one each."

"Then why did you lose the battle last time?"

Jacob retorted.

"That's because they have that hellfire!"

Khalil said, fear involuntarily showing in his eyes.

"But they obviously don't have that kind of trebuchet now, and they can't carry it with them during the march."

Khalil pointed to the Eastern Roman army formation at the foot of the hill.

"Besides, if the Ottoman army hadn't been so afraid of the enemy, how could we have been defeated?"

Uzon Hassan raised his right hand to interrupt their argument.

"Bayezid, you have fought the Greeks the most. In your opinion, is there anything else we should pay attention to?"

Uzung Hassan looked behind him at the Ottoman prince Bayezid.

Bayezid was silent for a moment, not knowing where to start.

After the defeat at Nicomedia, Bayezid fled eastwards and entered the city of Ankara, where he gathered some of his remaining troops and took refuge under the protection of Uzun Hasan.

When Uzungol Hasan decided to march east, he was not very confident about Bayezid and was unwilling to let him stay alone in Ankara, so he brought him along.

"Padisha, I have told you everything I can."

Bayezid Nanna said.

"Your army is so brave and unstoppable."

"However, the Greeks' firearms are indeed very powerful. I suggest you treat them with caution."

“Oh, you—”

Khalil was about to speak, but Uzon Hassan frowned and he held back his words.

"We're almost ready, you two,"

Uzon Hassan looked at Khalil and Jacob respectively.

"Go to the left and right wings, reorganize the formation, and tell them to speed up and wait for my signal."

The two princes did not dare to say more. They immediately bowed and left, riding their horses to the left and right wings.

Uzon Hassan looked around and saw that they were still a bit messy, so his eyes darkened.

The Aq Qoyunlu army had a larger number of troops, most of whom were conscripted tribal light cavalry, and their discipline was far inferior to that of Uzung Hasan's direct troops.

The pre-war declaration that Uzung Hassan had just completed gave them a boost of energy. The leaders of each tribe were also trying their best to encourage their soldiers. The tribal riders shouted and fought fiercely, but no one could tell how good the troops would be.

After the two princes arrived at the left and right wings, the initial chaos gradually subsided, and the riders were divided into attacking fronts, with sabers and lances in their hands.

Wuzon Hassan turned his gaze closer and looked at his elite bodyguards.

Their morale was even higher and their equipment was also very good. They had already changed to well-rested war horses and put on heavy armor that shone with a cold glow.

Uzung Hassan has been in power for many years and has very good domestic affairs and reform capabilities. In the early days of his rule, he established a complete military system with strict military orders and moderate rewards and punishments, which is very different from ordinary tribal cavalry.

This personal army was not only his most powerful weapon when facing powerful enemies, but also his greatest asset in suppressing various tribes.

"Okay."

Uzon Hassan waved his hand, the bugles sounded, the war drums beat loudly, the cavalry on the left wing let out a deafening roar, urged the horses under their crotch, and rushed down the hillside, like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the right wing of the Eastern Roman Empire.

On the Eastern Roman Empire side, pre-war preparations were basically completed. The two emperors were in charge of the central army, the Army Minister Ibrahim led the right wing, and the Deputy Chief of Staff Mehmet led the left wing.

The Eastern Roman Empire's central army was the strongest, with armored cavalry, field artillery regiments and most of the central army here. The left and right wings were mainly composed of Slavic cavalry, shooting troops and guards dragoons.

The Aries Army began to charge, and the war drums and military music of the Eastern Roman Empire resounded across the desolate land. On the right wing of the army, Ibrahim clenched his sword.

"The four Slaves thousand-man squadrons charge forward on the left, and the Royal Guards Dragoons also go around to the left. Stop their cavalry on the far left. We can't let them separate us from the center army!"

Ibrahim roared, and the standard-bearing officer changed the flags.

"The priests began to bless, the shooting troops began to drink, and they were ready to engage the enemy!"

In the center of the army, the priests holding up the cross loudly recited ancient prayers.

At the front of the army, the cavalrymen rushed to their designated positions. The officers of the shooting corps inspected their soldiers. Each team of ten received a clay pot. The pot contained the most mellow liquor that could make these men forget their pain and death.

As Uzung Hassan's cavalry got closer, the sound of the ground shaking became louder and louder.

"For God and for the Emperor!"

Slavis roared, drew out his sharp scimitar, and collided with the charging Aries tribe soldiers.

"Let them have a taste of Behemoth's power!"

The Royal Guards Dragoons dismounted, placed their heavy muskets on the Banmen axes, and fired at the tribal cavalry from the flank.

"Roar!"

The soldiers of the shooting army burst into noisy war roars, their eyes were bloodshot, and the spears, short spears and various muskets in their hands were ready to fire.

"put!"

The commander of the shooting corps shouted loudly, and the tall and strong grenadiers took a step forward, using all their strength to throw the kerosene cans and gunpowder cans in their hands at the Aries cavalry.

A raging fire suddenly broke out, and the horses screamed and ran away in all directions. The Aries cavalrymen in the front screamed and rolled off their horses, and were trampled into the mud by their comrades behind.

"Set up your gun! Shoot!"

Sporadic musketry sounds rang out on the right wing, and the backbone of the shooting corps began to fire. The gunpowder exploded, pushing small streams of projectiles into the distance and shooting towards the Aries Cavalry in a fan shape.

Most of the slave soldiers in the Archery Army were not equipped with muskets. They were recruited temporarily and could not learn how to use them in a short period of time.

Besides, the meaning of their existence is to serve as cannon fodder.

"They don't have many muskets! Keep charging!"

The Aries Cavalry were overjoyed and dispersed, rushing towards the shooting army formations one by one.

When the smoke cleared, the Aries Cavalry rushed out from the smoke and slammed heavily into the army formation.

The scimitar chopped sideways and the lance was raised high, splashing blood.

"Hold on, hold on! On the battlefield of the holy war, anyone who has made meritorious contributions will be saved, and anyone who is humble will also be blessed!"

The bishop accompanying the army shouted loudly and made promises to the slaves.

The soldiers, drunken by the strong liquor, roared wildly, raised their weapons, and charged forward wave after wave.

If they made military achievements, they would no longer be slaves, and would either become legal citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire or great chiefs of the colonies, gaining fame, wealth and honor in one fell swoop.

On the hillside, Uzon Hassan looked at the anxious battle line with a frown.

"Have Khalil organize another charge, this time go around their flank!"

After the messenger left, Uzung Hassan looked towards his right wing again.

"Let Jacob move too, and destroy their left wing!"

The right wing led by Jacob advanced slowly, the cavalrymen trotted faster and faster, and the sound of shouting and killing was endless.

The left wing of the Eastern Roman Empire did not move for a long time, and did not even have any cavalry, quietly waiting for the charge of the tribal riders.

"Change the formation, show the car formation!"

Mehmet ordered.

The soldiers in the front row retreated to the rear, revealing the Riorea chariot formation arranged in a fan shape.

These improved St. George chariots used the latest rubber tires, could carry more heavy wooden boards, and could climb higher hillsides. They were built by the Eastern Roman Empire specifically for plateau warfare, transporting supplies in peacetime and resisting pressure in wartime.

"What is this?" Among the Aries Cavalry, Jacob looked at the rows of heavy carts in amazement and bit his lip.

"Detour and shoot!"

The cavalry quickly destroyed the makeshift barricades, dispersed, took out their horse bows, drew their bows and arrows, and shot forward.

The dense rain of arrows fell on the heavy wooden boards of St. George's chariot, as if sinking into the sea, without causing any ripples.

"Organ cannon, fire!"

From behind the convoy, Georg shouted.

The drivers stood up and lit the fuse.

bang bang bang-

The organ cannons spewed fire and lead, and a rain of bullets shot into the cavalry formation. The leading cavalry fell off their horses and rolled on the wilderness.

"Shooting troops, set up your guns!"

"Grenadiers, throw!"

"Crossbowmen, shoot!"

Mehmet was overjoyed upon seeing this and ordered the flag-bearing officer to convey the order.

Behind each chariot, a dozen veteran soldiers of the shooting army held heavy muskets, set the barrels on the positions of the chariots, and fired forward relying on the defense of heavy wooden boards.

The crossbowmen aimed at the lower-ranking generals in armor, while the grenadiers threw kerosene cans with all their might. The overwhelming long-range weapons fell into the cavalry formation, disrupting their formation.

"Don't panic, keep charging!"

Jacob was anxious and drove the cavalry forward.

"Destroy all their tanks!"

The cavalry finally withstood the rain of bullets and rushed to the front of the chariot formation, desperately hitting the chariots with the weapons in their hands, but with little success.

Behind the chariot, the Eastern Roman soldiers rushed forward with their spears raised high, stabbing the horses and cavalry through the gaps.

The classic Hussite tactics are always effective when dealing with cavalry.

"Their chariot formation is not complete! They don't have that many chariots. Go around them!"

Jacob discovered the weakness of the chariot formation and led the second wave of cavalry to bypass the defense circle in front of him, trying to attack the enemy directly through the gap.

"Otum, it's time to test you. Bring your troops and two shooting legions and hold on!"

Mehmet glared at Otum, the commander of the Purple Guard who had just surrendered.

"Remember, whether you can be knighted or not depends on this battle!"

"Don't worry, sir. If I hadn't guarded it, you would have only seen a dead body!"

With his eyes wide open, Autumn led his troops to the gap to block the charge of the Aries riders.

In front of the chariot formation, the third wave of cavalry was on the way. This was the vassal army of Anatolia, led by Karamanbey Ucan.

Emir Mesud of Germyan was also in this army. At this moment, his eyes narrowed and he slowed down unconsciously.

"what happened?"

Wu Can looked at him.

"Sir, this convoy..."

Mesud's eyes were filled with fear.

"I understand."

Wu Can nodded and waved his hand.

"Shoot! Shoot! Shoot these Greeks to death!"

"For Allah!"

Wu Can roared angrily, then reined in his horse, took out his horse bow, and shot at random.

The Anatolian soldiers were somewhat confused, but still obeyed their commander's orders, slowed down their horses, stood aside, and shot arrows at the chariot formation, even though the range of the horse bows was very short and these arrows could not cause any damage to the chariots at all.

As the war continued, the right wing of the Eastern Roman Empire ran into trouble. Khalil used two cavalry units to entangle the Slavic cavalry and the Guards Dragoons respectively, and then sent wave after wave of riders onto the battlefield, repeatedly attacking the shooting army's formation.

As time went on, these slave soldiers, who were driven by their courage and enthusiasm, began to become frightened and started to disintegrate. Ibrahim had to send his only Purple Guards to the front line.

The situation on the left wing was much better. A large part of Jacob's army came from Anatolian vassals. They were in low morale, poorly equipped, had no loyalty to the Aq Qop Dynasty and only sought to preserve their strength. After fighting for several hours, they still could not break through the chariot formation of St. George of the Eastern Roman Empire.

When the left and right armies started a bloody fight, the central armies of both sides remained motionless, staring at each other, looking for each other's flaws.

"Padisha, this is not good."

The captain of the personal guards hurried over to Wuzon Hassan.

"The Greeks' tactics are very strange. We have never seen them before and we don't know how to deal with them!"

Wuzon Hassan pursed his lips tightly, and the bloodshot in his eyes became increasingly heavier.

He had fought for half his life and defeated many powerful enemies. He was accustomed to wars in Asia and had never seen such a situation.

"Padisha, let's charge!"

The captain of the guards looked at Uzon Hassan firmly.

"It's meaningless to keep waiting. Our number of soldiers is decreasing and our morale is dropping. If this continues, those tribal soldiers will flee soon!"

"But we are still here. Eight thousand heavy cavalry are enough to break through the strongest defenses of the Greeks!"

"As long as we can make a breakthrough in the center, the defeats on the left and right wings won't matter!"

Uzon Hassan gritted his teeth, remained silent for a moment, drew out his scimitar and handed it to the captain of his personal guards.

"Go, destroy the center of the Greek army for me, and bring me the head of the Greek emperor!"

Wuzun Hassan turned the captain's head and stared into his eyes.

"Remember, I'm not ordering you to attack, I'm ordering you to die!"

"Yes!"

The captain of the personal guards roared, took the scimitar, mounted his horse, and came to the front of the personal guards.

"Brothers, servants of the Padishah, for Allah, for our king, charge!"

The central army of the Aries Dynasty began to move, with light cavalry guarding on the side and Aries soldiers wearing heavy armor in the center.

The sound of horse hooves rumbled, the loess earth began to shake, and dust flew everywhere.

The heavy cavalry began to speed up and rushed down the hillside, with their spears raised in front of them, and the tips of the spears flashing sharp light.

Directly in front of them, the central army of the Eastern Roman Empire also began to change, with flags waving and the front phalanx moving to the sides to make room for the central artillery position.

The black muzzles of the guns were pointed at the cavalry, the lead bullets had already been loaded, the gunners were holding torches, and the gunner from Burgundy was staring straight ahead.

"fire!"

Boom——Boom——Boom——

Flames flashed from the muzzle of the gun, and the powerful impact force shook up the sand on the ground. Lead bullets leaped into the air, cutting through the air and making a shrill scream.

A huge roar resounded between heaven and earth. The war horses of the Aries Dynasty neighed in fear, no longer obeying their masters' orders, and ran around like mad.

These horses from the East rarely have the opportunity to experience the baptism of gunfire on the battlefield, and are filled with fear of something they have almost never seen before. This is the instinct of their creatures.

The shells hit the heavy cavalry formation straight on, impacting and rolling, causing a large number of people and horses to fall to the ground.

No matter how strong the armor is, it is no match for a cannonball.

Europe's technological progress was rapid, and the riders from the grasslands had been left far behind by the tide of the times.

"Big square formation, line up!"

"Matchlock, fire!"

Under the banner, Isaac shouted.

This time, a denser rain of bullets whizzed towards the Aries Cavalry than on the left and right wings. Their armor was as weak as paper in front of the heavy muskets.

Each civilization has a different definition of "heavy", and of course there are many types of heavy cavalry. The mushkot musket can even penetrate European plate armor, let alone these so-called heavy armors from the Near Eastern steppes.

However, Uzung Hassan's personal army was still well-trained. The surviving cavalrymen tried their best to calm the mad horses, adjusted the formation as much as possible, and continued to charge under the rain of bullets.

There was another round of artillery fire, another salvo, and the casualties were even more severe.

A few heavy cavalrymen were lucky enough to avoid the guns and cannons, control their horses, and successfully rush to the front of the large square formation, but were blocked by dense spears.

The light cavalry hesitated to move forward, while the heavy cavalry charged desperately, and their numbers quickly declined.

When another wave of momentum was broken up by the spear-bayonet phalanx, Isaac saw the situation in the distance clearly through the gradually dissipating smoke.

There were only a few cavalrymen left on the huge battlefield. The next wave of charge had not yet arrived, so they were in a vacuum.

"Ironclad Paladins, charge for God and the motherland!"

Isaac roared and raised his sword.

The heavy cavalry beside him took a step forward, and the cavalrymen in full armor held the horses' bellies tightly to make the horses run.

The rumbling sound of horse hooves is like a death alarm, resounding in the heart of every Aries soldier.

With just one wave of attack, the Armored Paladins defeated the tribal riders who came to stop them, and continued to charge forward without slowing down.

"Our army is defeated! Our army is defeated!"

On the battlefield, someone shouted.

After a long and hard fight, the tribal riders began to retreat. They were unwilling to fight a battle they had no chance of winning and unwilling to waste their lives on a foreign land.

More and more tribes began to flee, and the retreat turned into a rout.

Uzung Hassan finally blew the horn of retreat, and the flag quickly retreated, rolled down the hill and disappeared.

On the wasteland, blood was everywhere, corpses were piled up, and the remaining horses fled in panic.

Only the double-headed eagle flag of the central army camp still shines in the spring sunshine.

(End of this chapter)