xymnovel Chapter 183 Dolium
Chapter 183 Dolium
Chapter 183 Dolium (Part Two)
"Hatred?"
Sultan smiled. "That's not something we should be concerned with. Aren't there enough hatred between the Greeks and Latins? But haven't you seen it yourselves? The Roman army is now full of Latin knights, and oh, and the Jerusalem expeditionary force you saw on the banks of the Sangarios River."
"Politicians have no emotions; emotions are merely tools for them to manipulate public opinion." Arslan II waved his hand. "Politicians only care about interests. That's how it is with the Greeks and Latins, and it's also how it is with me and Branagh."
Arslan, seeing his sons' stunned expressions, waved his hand again: "Alright, just remember, we're about to retreat. But make it look like a hasty retreat, even like you're being frightened. Discard some captured heavy or damaged siege equipment, excess supplies, and even some tattered flags and armor. The column can appear somewhat scattered."
Kehoslu seemed to understand but not quite: "Father, are you going to give Branas a great achievement for nothing?"
"Yes, credit for the victory, a glorious victory without bloodshed." Arslan II nodded. "He needs a victory to consolidate his position and report back to Constantinople. We've given him that. And we've gained actual control of the area surrounding Dolium, weakened the defensive nodes of the Empire's borders, and our main force remains intact, allowing us to flexibly shift to other targets or return home to rest and consolidate our gains. Most importantly—"
He looked at his two sons: "We've made Branagh owe us a favor, or rather, we've established an unspoken understanding between us. He knows we're cooperating with him, and he accepts it. This means that as long as he remains in power on the Eastern Front, there will be an unspoken understanding between us. Our confrontation will continue, but it will likely be controlled, low-intensity, and even predictable. This is far better than facing a fanatical general who is determined to completely annihilate us for ultimate glory."
Mahmoud and Kehosru exchanged bewildered glances, stunned by their father's insightful analysis.
"Go and prepare." Arslan II sat back down on the rug, regaining his composure. "Starting tomorrow, launch a full-scale attack on Dolium. Unleash the fury we felt at our setback on the banks of the Sangarios on this stone fortress. Remember, be swift and fierce, but exercise restraint in the destruction."
Over the next three days, Dolium Fortress endured the fiercest attack since the start of the war.
Under the cover of archers and catapults, large numbers of Turks, carrying ladders and simple battering rams, launched wave after wave of attacks from multiple directions.
Having suffered from earthquakes and years of war, the city walls had not been fully repaired and began to crack under continuous attacks. The defenders' reserves of arrows and rolling logs and stones were rapidly depleted, and their morale plummeted in despair as they could not see reinforcements from Branas.
Before dawn on the fourth day, a section of the city wall in the southeast corner collapsed, creating a gap several meters wide, under the concentrated bombardment of catapults.
The Turkic heavy infantry and the Sultan's personal guard, poised for battle, surged in like a tidal wave.
The defenders inside the fortress put up a brave but futile resistance. The street fighting lasted for most of the morning. In the end, the remaining defenders retreated to the central tower and laid down their weapons after learning that there was no hope of breaking out and that the Sultan had promised not to carry out a massacre.
Kilij Arslan II rode his warhorse into the fortress that had always haunted him.
He kept his promise and did not order the massacre of the city. Instead, he issued a series of orders: "Destroy all large ballistae and catapults, and smash or burn any parts that cannot be taken away."
"The towers on the southeast and northwest sides were destroyed, along with their top-floor firing platforms and staircases."
"The outer crenellations were partially destroyed at intervals."
"The granaries and armories were burned down, and half of the military camp was burned down."
"The water intake of the moat was blocked, and the two sections of the river near the gap were filled with rubble or sand."
"Take away all intact siege equipment and surplus high-quality weapons and armor. Dispose of heavy, damaged, or inferior items on the main road outside the east gate of the fortress."
Following the Sultan's order, several controlled fires were set ablaze in Dolium, billowing thick black smoke.
That afternoon, the bugle call to retreat sounded. The Turkic army, carrying captured supplies and a limited number of prisoners, such as artisans and some valuable personnel, began an orderly withdrawal.
Behind the retreating troops, deliberately abandoned damaged vehicles, scattered weapons, and even some blood-stained flags were scattered along the road.
Almost at the same time the Turkic army withdrew from Dolium, Branas's scout cavalry quickly relayed the intelligence back.
Branas arrived late, setting up camp on a hill about a day and a half's journey from Dolium, where his five thousand infantry and ranged troops had already joined his one thousand cavalry.
Upon hearing the scout's report, Branas smiled slightly, but quickly composed himself.
He mounted his horse and shouted to his generals and soldiers, "People of the Empire, Dolium must be reclaimed! This is Imperial territory, the gateway to the east. No matter what tricks the Turks play, we cannot stand by and watch them retreat with their spoils, leaving the Empire to suffer the shame of lost territory!"
He drew his sword and pointed it at the thick smoke rising from the Dolium fortress: "Moreover, the Turks must have suffered some losses after breaching the fortress. Although their morale is high, they desperately need rest. They are carrying a large amount of spoils, which will inevitably slow their movements. Now is the perfect time to pursue them!"
"I will personally lead all cavalry, depart immediately, lightly armed and swiftly, to pursue the Turks! The infantry corps, led by the deputy commander, will march at full speed to Dolium. Your mission is to take up residence in the fortress as soon as possible, extinguish the remaining fires, aid the wounded, and repair the fortress's fortifications!"
"Messenger, report to Constantinople as quickly as possible: After repelling the Turkish detachment on the banks of the Sangarios River, our army swiftly advanced eastward. Taking advantage of the Turkish army's fatigue and laxity after capturing Dolium, and their plundering frenzy, we launched a rapid pursuit, achieving considerable gains and successfully driving out the enemy and recapturing the Dolium fortress! The Imperial eagle banner now flies once more over the fortress!"
Once the order was given, the entire army sprang into action.
Branas looked behind him and saw that a mixed cavalry legion of one thousand armored paladins, Latin lancers, and Pecheneg mercenaries had been assembled.
A barely perceptible smile flickered across the corner of his mouth.
This Turkic Sultan was indeed a wise man.
"Set off!"
The iron torrent surged eastward.
Branas's cavalry advanced unimpeded, effortlessly defeating several retreating Turkic armies and recaptured a large amount of weaponry belonging to the Dolium fortress and its garrison.
Meanwhile, Sudan's main force, pursued by Branas, retreated hastily but orderly into the depths of the Anatolian Plateau.
When the infantry legions of Branas marched in with their banners high into the devastated but still intact Dolium, they were met with nothing but ruins.
Fortunately, the damage wasn't too severe, and with some effort, it can still be salvaged.
As the sun sets, a brand-new imperial flag slowly rises atop the central tower of Dolium.
The following day, Branas returned in triumph and instructed his messenger: "Report the victory to Constantinople immediately, and provide a detailed account of the damage to Dolium. I believe that Marshal Cantostefanos understands the strategic importance of Dolium and the urgency and long-term nature of its repair. Ask him to allocate special funds for repairs, craftsmen, and more provisions for the garrison."
"If the Empire truly has no funds to allocate, I, Alexei Branas, am not concerned with paying out of my own pocket. All I need is a permit from the Marshal to levy taxes on the spot. At the same time, I remind His Majesty and the Marshal that although the Turks have retreated, their main force remains intact and they could return at any time. The defense of the eastern front cannot be relaxed for even a day!"
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