Empire Rising: Spain

If you are unlucky and encounter particularly harsh weather, the time required could be extended to over three months.

Moreover, at this time, ocean voyages face many dangers, and the physical condition of the Black slaves who survive to reach America is certainly commendable.

Let’s talk about the situation on the battlefield.

Although the Bam Army picked up over a thousand standard rifles equipped by the Spanish Army, due to the fact that very few natives knew how to use breech-loading guns, these rifles were almost useless.

Even for those who could use breech-loading guns, due to the differences in designs between countries, there were considerable challenges in using them.

A small number of natives could use the Spanish rifles, but because it was their first time using them, they were not only inaccurate but also very clumsy when reloading.

On the battlefield, the natives faced the well-prepared Spanish Army.

Although the Spanish Colonial Army was also composed of natives, these natives were carefully trained, and their combat effectiveness was certainly commendable.

Moreover, these natives were not Black; the Colonial Division was composed of Moroccans, Filipinos, and Lanfang people, with not a trace of Black presence.

As both sides started to engage, the considerable gap in military proficiency quickly became apparent.

On the native side, due to the prior bombardment, many had not yet recovered. Faced with the rapidly approaching Spanish Army, half of the natives were still in a state of bewilderment.

On the Spanish Army side, once they confirmed the enemy had entered shooting range, soldiers picked up their rifles one after another and mercilessly unleashed their bullets at the enemy.

The native soldiers were already flustered, and being further suppressed by the firepower of the Spanish Army, many had already lost the will to fight.

"Damn it, quickly make them retreat." Standing halfway up the mountain, the Bam Sultan’s eyes reddened as he watched all of this, seeing his elite Firearms Battalion’s numbers dwindling every second.

If he couldn’t preserve this firearms unit, even if the army could retreat safely, they wouldn’t be able to contend with the Spanish Army in subsequent operations.

Looking further ahead, even if he could resist the Spanish Army’s attack, he wouldn’t be able to ensure the continued existence of his country.

The Bam Kingdom itself was not a large nation; its existence relied solely on the Kingdom owning a firearms unit of 5,000 troops.

Without firearms, they couldn’t even resist the well-equipped Spanish Army, or even the neighboring Alo Alliance’s army.

It should be known, like the Bam Kingdom, the Alo Alliance was also engaged in trade with Europeans.

Moreover, the Alo Alliance had a larger population; all major tribes combined together could muster a firearms unit of 3,000 troops.

The Bam Sultan dreaded the thought: if his Firearms Battalion suffered heavy losses, would he still be able to maintain his rule?

Even though the Bam Sultan deeply regretted his initial decision to attack, he couldn’t change the current battlefield situation.

Although the Bam Kingdom’s 5,000-strong Firearms Battalion appeared formidable, it was potent only in comparison to other natives.

Most tribal and national armies on this continent lacked sufficient training, were poorly equipped, and had weak combat capabilities.

These shortcomings persisted into later times, which was why the vast African Continent, despite its large population, never produced a truly powerful nation.

Under the Spanish Army’s initial artillery suppression, followed by direct assault firepower suppression strategy, this group of natives on the battlefield was momentarily panicked, unsure whether to hide for safety or gallantly pick up weapons to counterattack.

Perhaps they just needed a short few minutes to comprehend, but the battlefield wouldn’t provide them the time to think.

The Spanish Army drew nearer to these natives, and under the Spanish Army’s firepower suppression, fewer native soldiers dared to expose themselves; most were hunkering down behind cover, nearly overwhelmed with anxiety.

Ultimately, the war didn’t last long.

Initially, to chase the Spanish Army, the Bam Sultan dispatched the entire Firearms Battalion, along with thousands armed with cold weapons, nearly ten thousand natives, among whom thousands perished or were injured under the Spanish Army’s attack.

Giotto had no intention of taking prisoners; due to limited forces, keeping these captives was always a risk.

Therefore, after the battle on the main front concluded, Giotto quickly ordered the execution of thousands of captives.

Because the soldiers of the Colonial Army were either white or yellow-skinned, they felt no psychological burden in killing these surrendering Blacks.

With Giotto’s order, thousands of surrendering Black soldiers were swiftly slain and buried hastily in a pit alongside the Black soldiers who died in the main battle.

As for the deceased Spanish soldiers, they would receive a more honorable burial.

Whether they were Moroccans, Filipinos, Lanfang people, or unfortunate deceased Spanish officers, they would be transported to the Guinea Colony and buried in the tomb there.

Spanish officers would receive a certain amount of pension, while the families of deceased officers would get privileges and compensation.

As for ordinary soldiers, they wouldn’t receive much pension after death, but their families would get some compensation, like land or other assets.

For these reasons, native soldiers weren’t opposed to fighting for Spain. They received salary, albeit less than the regular army, but it was still an income.

Moreover, joining the Spanish native army could grant them and their families residency rights in the Spanish Colony, and potentially priority in obtaining Spanish nationality, making them willing to join the Spanish native army.

After the battle ended, Giotto didn’t summon soldiers to clean the battlefield, but rather focused on movements among the natives.

With the natives’ Firearms Battalion almost entirely annihilated, Giotto quickly adapted his war plan.

Even though the Bam Kingdom still had nearly 20,000 troops left, these troops predominantly used cold weapons, posing no threat to the Spanish Army.

Giotto had reason to believe that even if these 20,000 native troops defended Fuban, the three Colonial Defense Corps attacking Fuban could defeat these natives with their strong firepower.

In the absence of firearms among natives, the abundantly firearms-equipped Spanish Army faced natives with overwhelming dominance.

Faced with significant weapon disparities, even a manpower advantage could not change the outcome of the war.

If the natives decided to retreat, Giotto would resolutely pursue them, turning their retreat into a rout.

The natives lacked high military proficiency; when they discovered their rear was attacked by the enemy and faced relentless pursuit from behind, even the calmest individuals would be thrown into chaos.

As Giotto speculated, after the Firearms Battalion was defeated, the natives showed signs of retreat.

The Bam Sultan wasn’t a fool; initially, with a 5,000-strong Firearms Battalion, he could at least confront the Spanish Army.

Even if he couldn’t drive the Spaniards back, defending was undoubtedly feasible.

With the annihilation of the firearms-equipped forces, the Bam Sultan’s hope to hold his ground evaporated.

It served no purpose to remain here; it would be better to withdraw some distance and rely on the capital Fuban for defense.

The Bam Sultan had a stockpile of a few hundred firearms in Fuban, equipping his troops for a makeshift defense was still plausible.

In the worst-case scenario, after regrouping his forces, he could lead his people to escape to the northern deep mountains, where the Spaniards certainly couldn’t find them.

However, if they escaped to the mountains, the question of how to sustain the population was also a concern. But for now, the Bam Sultan had no better option than to retreat to preserve his army, before considering further plans.