Chapter 174 Battle of Lake Yuriria (Part 1)

Time flies and the end of September is here in a blink of an eye. The weather is getting sunnier, the corn in the fields has grown into cobs, and the final harvest is about to come.

Ospai stood on the wall of the river mouth fortress, looking at the flowing Leman River in the distance, but could not see the shadow of the Mexica fleet.

He frowned and fell into thought. According to the latest reconnaissance by the scouts, the enemy camp on the north bank is full of armored warriors with sticks and shields, warriors with spears, and many working militiamen. On the wooden castle in the center, the flags of the Holy City of Mexica were flying high. The enemy's warriors number in the tens of thousands, and they seem to be the same as before.

"But the main force of the enemy navy is missing."

"Crocodile" the noble raised his head, looked at the sunny sky, and murmured to himself.

Beside him, "Turkey" Kukuna hesitated for a long time before speaking out.

"Dear Russian commander, the Mexica commander on the opposite side should not be underestimated. I am afraid that the main force of the enemy's navy has not returned eastward, but is lurking somewhere downstream, ready to ambush the supporting land division or navy at any time. !”

Ospai stared with round eyes and said loudly.

"Turkey, I've been fighting for a long time, do you still need to teach me about this kind of thing?! The Otomi people on the north coast know the terrain well and can hide Mexica's warriors and naval forces everywhere. The Otomi warriors are harassing downstream, but It’s a fishing bait. The fisherman is right behind, waiting for us to take the bait!”

Facing the power of the Northern Marshal, Kukuna looked nervous. He Nuonuo said yes and continued to persuade in a low voice.

"Captain, why are you fighting to the death with the Mexicans? The other side doesn't dare to penetrate deep into Zacapu State and expose the long way back. We will just stay in the fortress and wait for the enemy to attack!"

Hearing this, Osipi's face was filled with anger and he roared. This anger was not directed at Kukuna.

"The feathers of Chapala have been clamoring for war all day long, and I can hardly hold it in anymore! More and more nobles are being executed, and local leaders who have fled batch after batch are begging me to send troops to expel the raging Otomi people. ! My officers at all levels are also asking for a fight! If I don't go to war, I will completely lose the support of the local nobles by then, and he may not be willing to protect me. Protect me!"

Hearing these profound words, Kukuna was startled. He thought for a moment and then spoke in panic.

"Captain, the enemy's longbows are fierce! Facing their superiority in bows and arrows, there is no guarantee of victory in the water battle!"

Having said this, Osipai's anger gradually disappeared. He still raised his head and laughed proudly.

"I was personally shot by the opponent's big bow warrior, how could I not take precautions?"

The "Crocodile" leader turned around and looked at the burly warrior not far behind him. This is the blood-stained warrior who captured the Mexican longbow during the last pursuit.

"Herring Kurucha, I gave you all the big boats to renovate. Are they all completed now?"

Kurucha had a hard face and a fierce expression. He bowed his head respectfully and answered.

"Dear Commander, thousands of militiamen are working day and night, and all four hundred old-style boats have been renovated and are ready for battle at any time!"

Hearing this, Osipai nodded with satisfaction. He looked at Kukuna and barked an order.

"Cucuna, lead the militia to guard the fortress! Don't worry about the enemy's longbows. I have been keeping the boats away from the battle just to give the Mexica a surprise!"

Then, the "crocodile" noble looked at the clear sky again and laughed loudly and confidently.

"Since the fishermen want to fish, let them catch a crocodile and see who will eat whom!"

On the second day, the water gates of the river mouth fortress were completely opened, and the Tarasco Navy finally dispatched in large numbers. After extensive searches in the Lake Chapala area, the Russians now have a total of 400 large boats and more than a thousand small boats! He gathered all the northern warships, along with 8,000 warriors including the Chapala Corps, more than 10,000 militiamen, and more than 6,000 sailors. The whole army came out in full force and surged westwards.

The Northern Marshal was full of pride. He had the advantage upstream, as well as the advantage in ships and troops. At this time, they are about to cut off the Mexican Navy's return journey, launch a decisive battle, and completely annihilate the predicted main force of the enemy's navy!

The boat sailed quickly, bringing extremely urgent information. Soon, in the Mexica fleet on Lake Eureria, Shulot suddenly stood up. He looked towards the bright red sunset and towards the upper reaches of the river in the southeast. The enemy navy was only a day away.

The young commander was surprised. He didn't expect the other commander to be so decisive. If you don't come out, that's it. Once you come out, the whole army will press on you, moving like thunder! He quickly summoned the warriors stationed on the shore, recalled the plundering fleet on the south bank overnight, and concentrated all his strength to prepare for the battle.

One day later, Mexica's naval forces gathered at Lake Eureria. Shulot commanded three hundred large boats and nearly a thousand small boats, ready for battle at any time. The mighty fleet carried eight thousand elite warriors, three thousand longbow militiamen, five thousand civilian sailors, and more than three hundred hastily summoned Otomi warriors, waiting solemnly on the calm lake.

When the autumn sun rises in the sky, the golden sunshine shines brightly, and the endless Tarasco fleet appears in the southeast of the upper reaches of the river. The coaches of both sides had a tacit understanding, and the two largest fleets in Central America finally met on Lake Eurelia at the end of September. A war that will determine the fate of the world is here!

The fleets of both sides gradually approached, and the flags of the commanders looked at each other in the distance. To the southeast is the flying crocodile flag, symbolizing the original crocodile Sipactli that devoured the earth. To the northwest is the flying black wolf flag, representing Xuelotel, the Mexica god of death in the apocalyptic sky. Crocodile versus black wolf, the huge fleet covers the entire Lake Eureria, the war sticks and bronze spears shine with cold light, this will be a mythical battle!

Shulot stood on the flagship's altar, his expression solemn and solemn. He was wearing a full set of fine clothes, a dazzling feather crown on his head, and behind him was a big flag on a high platform. At this moment, the young commander looked at the even larger fleet on the opposite side and swallowed inconspicuously.

"Bertard, tell me, am I taking some risks in this battle?"

Shulot tilted his head slightly and looked at the warrior commander beside him, feeling vaguely nervous.

Bertard looked calm. he asked softly.

"Your Highness, this battle is a decisive battle that you have planned for a long time. After preparing for so long, aren't you sure?"

Hearing this, the young commander raised his head, looked at the bright sky, and praised softly.

“What a beautiful sunny day!”

Afterwards, Shulot looked around the fleet again. Hundreds of large boats were spread out with the flagship as the center, and nearly a thousand small boats were interspersed on both wings. The warriors hold their long bows tightly, hold war clubs in their hands, and look solemn. This is a reassuring force. Annatri held a spear and stood proudly on the gorgeous boat, with the flag of the deputy commander behind him. She is located at the front of the fleet, commanding the movement of the boats in an orderly manner. She is a trustworthy naval captain!

"The weather is favorable, the strength of the troops seems to be evenly matched, and the morale of the army is high."

Hulot thought for a moment and looked at Bertard again, his expression calm. He finally nodded slowly and smiled confidently.

"In that case, let's fight!"

On the calm lake, the fleets of both sides gradually formed a battle formation. In the water battles of this era, the large canoe was the core of the battle formation, like a ferocious crocodile. Each large boat can carry up to forty people, giving it an absolute advantage over smaller boats. The small boats are like a school of fish surrounding the big boat. They can move flexibly and carry eight people each.

The three hundred large boats of the Mexican fleet were loosely arranged, and the formation was linearly spread out, with a thickness of only a few layers. The fleet is very large and divided into two distinct formations. The commander of the front formation is the captain of the navy. The large boat in the center has more melee warriors and fewer longbowmen. The small boats on both sides were harassed by longbow militiamen and sailors. In the rear formation, the commander's flag was flying, and a row of large boats was spread out linearly, densely populated by longbow warriors.

The Taras fleet consisted of four hundred ships, well-organized and well-trained. These large boats are very close together, making it easier to charge in groups and take advantage of local battlefields. The overall width of the formation is not large, but the depth is very thick. It is like an arrow waiting to be fired. It is the most common formation for naval battles.

The Russian flag stands high on the flagship in the center. He looked at the formation on the opposite side and laughed in front of the generals.

"Mexicans don't understand water warfare! With the blessing of the gods, our army will win this battle!"

Then, he speculated in his mind and smiled. The enemy navy's formation should be to facilitate the use of bows and arrows, but it was a pity that he was prepared for it.

The water battle begins with the boat test. Hundreds of small boats sped out, fighting and colliding in front of the large boats on both sides.

In the center of the battlefield, hundreds of small boats were unable to escape and collided with each other. The militiamen and sailors immediately picked up their weapons, shouted loudly, and fought hard. Spears and daggers clashed, and from time to time bright red bloomed, saturating the clear lake surface. The sharp weapon pierced into the flesh with a "puff", screams and pain were heard endlessly, and the soldiers from both sides died entangled with each other.

On both sides of the battle, Mexica's small boats moved flexibly, and the tribal hunters on board gave full play to the advantages of close-range bows and arrows. "Boohoo!" Twenty steps apart, several tribal hunters on the boat fired arrows at the same time. The arrow flashed like lightning and shot from between the enemy's shields in an instant. The two Tarasco oarsmen fell down at the sound, splashing blood all over the boat, and the boat suddenly stalled. The militiamen on the ship had no choice but to put down their bronze spears and paddle clumsily closer, before being shot down mercilessly again.

The Russian on the flagship observed for a moment and frowned slightly.

Shields were installed on both sides of the Tarakos canoe, but they could not completely cover it. The enemy's bows and arrows were extremely accurate, and our own losses were significantly greater. In the battle between the small boats, the navy gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Judging that the small boat could not win, the "crocodile" noble no longer hesitated. He waved his flag and ordered the boat to approach. The war drums beat, and Tarasco's large ship finally set out, revealing its majestic appearance. The big boat was completely modified, with a large number of wooden shields nailed on both sides, and wooden sheds built on the sides to withstand powerful longbows.

Dozens of Tarasco canoes rushed in first, hundreds of arrows banging on the shields and wooden sheds, but unable to cause any damage. Mexica's small boat had to retreat quickly and dispersed.

Standing on the high platform of the large boat in the distant rear formation of Mexico, Hulot saw that the small boats in the front formation were unable to retreat, and the enemy's large boat attacked forcefully. He was stunned for a moment, and finally saw clearly the modified shape of the enemy's boat. The young commander was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up and he laughed heartily.

"What a surprise! The enemy commander should take the lead in this battle!"

Tarasco's large boat group gradually approached, approaching Mexica's boat group, until it was about a hundred paces away. With an unusually loud trombone sound, the enemy's large boat group suddenly exerted force, and the rowers rowed desperately and began to charge!

Anatri quickly waved his spear flag, and the retreating conch horn sounded. The Mexica's small boat quickly escaped in the opposite direction, and the loose large boat behind also began to turn and move back.

The Russians were secretly confused. The morale of the Mexica navy was still good and it was impossible for them to collapse at the first touch. He waved the flag and mobilized fast boats to attack and contain the enemy.

A faint fire suddenly flashed on the opposite side. The Mexica's large boat had already crossed the hull. Rows of archers drew their bowstrings and then fired arrows, and a low "buzzing" sound sounded. Then, thousands of rockets carrying the newly lit paper shells came quickly like burning meteors! The rocket flew over a distance of more than fifty steps and was nailed to the wooden side of the ship, to the wooden shield, and to the wooden roof. The continuous "duh" sounds were sharp and harsh, like the announcement of death!

Then, Osipai knew what a truly dazzling meteor was and what a brilliant and gorgeous firework was! Countless flames exploded and ignited, and the bright fire stung the eyes. The scorching smoke rises rapidly, and the smell of burning sulfur comes, like the smoke erupting from the mouth of a demon in a volcano in the west!

In just a moment, before the eyes of the "Crocodile" leader, there was an unforgettable flame. The wooden sheds are burning, the shields are burning, the boats are burning, the warriors wearing leather armor are burning, the militiamen wearing cloth clothes are burning. Everything is burning, this is a burning world of death! The warriors and militiamen were like human-shaped torches, letting out shrill howls that filled the sky, and jumped into the lake in despair. On the splashing lake surface, there are even burning rockets.

A "whoosh" sound broke through the air, and Mexica's rockets struck again. Within a few breaths, more intense flames erupted across the sky, once again igniting dozens of Tarasco ships!

Faced with this sudden blow, the Tarasco Navy instantly fell into shock and fear. The raging flames burn scorchingly, the acrid smoke engulfs the boat, and the exploding rockets can even float on the water! The warriors, militiamen, and sailors collectively lost their voices for a moment, and then howled uncontrollably in terror.

"The enemy has summoned the gods, the pagan god of fire has arrived!"

The warriors ran around the ship in panic, looking at the captain's flagship and praying to their gods to appear.

"These are the demons of the Western Volcanoes, they will devour everything!"

The militiamen shivered, threw away their weapons, and crawled on the deck to avoid the choking smoke.

"This is a spirit of fire that can burn on water!"

The sailors turned in panic and tried to escape, but they collided with the big boat behind them.

Only the well-informed generals were somewhat calm. They recognized the smell of smoke and recalled the flames of priestly prayer. Then, they thought of the name of the commander-in-chief on the opposite side, and finally realized it and screamed loudly.

"It's the God of Death! He can use Nether Fire!"

At this moment, myths and legends appear in everyone's minds at the same time, dominating everyone's hearts. This is an era of ignorance, and there are too many myths remaining. Not far away, Giowa, who was on board the ship, was also shocked. He looked at the flames that did not belong to this era and muttered to himself in disbelief.

"Original God, doesn't that young man, does my eldest brother really have divine power?!"

A raging fire burned on the lake, and the raging heat wave turned into a strong wind, blowing the flag of the Mexica coach. Under the dazzling sunshine, the black wolf on the flag looked up to the sky and roared, and the commander under the flag shined brightly. Shulot's expression was solemn, like the incarnation of a god, staying in everyone's heart!