170 – Eastern Franchi Expedition (5)

The day after convincing the Counts, we moved to the Bridge Plain, which is located on the border between the Earl of Iris and the Earl of Akitel, which will soon become the battlefield.

A long, seven-day, short march.

In the meantime, all the nobles, including me, dispatched scouts to grasp the geography of the battlefield and the size of the enemy army, and searched for villages where serfs who might be in the vicinity lived.

As a result, through reconnaissance, he succeeded in grasping the approximate number of enemy troops and the terrain of the battlefield, but it was very difficult to find serfs who would betray or infiltrate their allies for a few pennies.

And after arriving at the plains and deciding where to install their own military camps, a full-fledged military meeting began.

“Then let’s discuss tomorrow’s battle. First of all, decide on herpes and move on.”

At the same time, the commander of the expeditionary force, the Duke of Orléans, opened a map of the Bridge Plain, compiled from the information brought by the scouts.

The duke immediately placed 4 pieces on the northern edge of the map and 5 pieces on the southern edge.

“First, our forces will form positions on the northern side of the Bridge Plain. The central army and spearhead were led by Na Orléans, the left wing by Count Isra and Baron Delon, Miri, and Linear, the right wing by Count Ilias and Baron Nouvel, Hand, and Shebel, and the rear and reserve by the troops of Marquis Creutel. As a matter of course, I will be the first to start the attack of the allies, and when the infantry squares of each unit are released, the troops of the Marquis of Creutel will support them.”

Standing in the center of the commander-in-chief’s unit, which has the most troops, is somewhat out of line with the standard.

Because, when more than 100,000 corps are deployed on the battlefield, it looks like a huge structure that won’t move…

In fact, when the battle begins, it slowly changes its position and direction like a turtle moving on the ground.

And at this time, just as a person holds a spear in his right hand and a shield in his left hand, the main force is placed on the right wing and the war is fought in the form of hitting the left wing corresponding to the enemy’s shield.

Hitting the enemy’s shield with infantry like that, attacking the central army and left wing with knights in the middle, and inflicting damage while spinning around is a common combat method.

Then, when the damage of the right wing, the shield of the allies, accumulates, then the central army is put in to take over the role.

However, if you put your main force in the center and fight, if the opponent fails to break through the center while stabbing the left wing of the allies…

The side of the central army, the main force of the enemy, is exposed to the enemy and surrounded in the shape of a ‘L’, forcing them to fight unfavorably.

Conversely, if successful, the center is cut off, making it difficult to link the left and right wings, so both sides can be defeated individually.

“Except for the small hills that intermittently exist in the Bridge Plain, which becomes the battlefield, only plains are spread out. So, you can’t hide a large army, regardless of whether you are an enemy or an ally. Therefore, I think it will be difficult to attempt a surprise attack.”

To say that it would be difficult to attempt a surprise attack means, on the contrary, that the effect is maximized if the surprise attack succeeds.

The most representative example is the Maginot Line bypass operation used by Nazi Germany when it raided France.

In this battle, if Germany had attacked the Maginot Line, there was a high possibility that France would not have been captured so easily…

By concentrating on the Maginot Line and not considering surprise, France was breached in just a few weeks.

“so… Our forces will focus on breaking through the enemy’s central army, and we hope that the left and right wings will withstand the enemy’s fierce attack as much as possible. With the Marquis behind you, it won’t be impossible to hold on… ”

Let’s try to say that the duke imposes a burden on the left and the right, and returns the feat with a common repertoire…

Earl Elias slammed the desk and stood up, speaking as if condemning the duke who forced them to sacrifice themselves.

“I have no doubt that your Highness, Commander, will break through the enemy’s Central Army. However, unless the enemy is an idiot, if the main force, Your Highness’s army, is in the center, of course they will reinforce it to counter it. Then, it will take a considerable amount of time to break through the center, and in the meantime, the enemy will only be 15,000… No, it will cause irreversible damage to us, who are only 20,000 including the barons.”

“Instead, if this war is won, I will consider your hard work to Your Majesty, and if the expedition is completely successful… I request that half of the Earldom of Architel and the northern part of Iris be bestowed on your family. No, even if you can’t conquer other lands anymore… I earnestly request that half of the county of Architel be bestowed on the family of Count Elias, in honor of Joseph von Orléans.”

Swearing an oath with ‘his honor’ at stake in the presence of nobles other than himself and the party involved meant that he had an obligation to keep his word unconditionally no matter what.

So, Earl Ilias, who was angry at being forced to suffer huge losses, spoke in a calm voice.

“good. However, no matter how much you think about it, it seems unreasonable to block the enemy’s main force with only 20,000 people. Therefore, apart from the support of the Marquis, please send 10,000 infantry under the Duke of Orléans as reinforcements. Also, I would like to receive some armor and weapons from His Excellency, Marquis of Creutel.”

“No matter how the enemy’s main force is on the right wing, and the weakest point is in the center… If 10,000 people pass through, it will take time to break through… And you, Marquis, can’t you give that expensive armor to Count Ilias for free?”

As the duke said, if Earl Elias spontaneously asked me to provide armor and weapons, I would have refused…

There has already been a secret agreement between me and Earl Ilias that I will provide the armor.

So here, in order to reduce the duke’s soldiers, of course we have to follow the secret agreement.

“good. We will present 3,000 pieces of armor made in our territory free of charge to Count Illius, who is taking on the most difficult role. Dress the soldiers on the front lines. Therefore, I would like His Highness, Duke of Orléans, to provide maximum support for the person who has taken on this difficult task.”

Earl Elias looked genuinely pleased with what I said, and the duke, now in a situation where he had to change his soldiers into a battleground, looked at me as if he was dumbfounded and asked,

“No matter how much, 3,000 pieces of armor would be a lot of money… Are you really going to be okay?”

“Anyway, if we don’t win this war, 3,000 pieces of armor will be a huge loss to the point of seeming like nothing. That’s why we give you more support so you can win. It is an investment for the future.”

That’s what they said, but with the supply of guns, most of the armor is dismantled and remade into cuirassier armor that can block bullets, and the remaining ones are handed over to stock.

Besides, to cast a bait to hook your opponent… You can’t save money on bait.

“That’s good, but the 10,000 people you requested, Count Ilias, is unreasonable. Instead, I will reinforce 7,000 infantry under Baron Ralph.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Also, there is a strategy that Count Isra and I have been thinking about. May I tell you?”

“Of course not, come on and tell me.”

At those words, Earl Isra and Earl Ilias made a flushed look and started talking.

“If the battle rages on, surely the enemy forces will focus only on defeating Count Ilias’ army on their side, preventing Your Highness from personally leading the central army to break through the enemy’s centre. That way, you can win.”

“I guess so.”

“Then, as Count Isra said, it is judged that the enemy’s borders, including the main base, will naturally weaken. Even if we are wary of surprise attacks, we will keep an eye on the movements of His Excellency the Marquis of Creutel’s army in the rear. You’d think me and Earl Ilias’s forces would be putting all our energy into defending against a flanking attack. Taking advantage of that gap, Count Isra and I will lead the knights under our command and carry out sabotage operations such as setting fire to the main base and supply depot.”

“As the two counts said, even if I were the enemy commander, I would think so. Who would be crazy and launch an ambush knowing that their army would suffer a heavy blow?”

In fact, my army has no intention of ambush because we have to maintain the three fronts while being wary of the 3,000 knights led by the former Duke of Architel, who would be grinding their teeth at the mere mention of our name.

With guns and grenadiers, I’m confident in maximizing the effect of the surprise attack, but doing so will only do them good.

Also, judging by common sense from the military commander’s point of view, as Count Ilias said, he would never have thought that the left and right wing commanders, who had few troops and were highly exposed to danger, would participate in a surprise operation.

That’s why His Highness the commander must have reacted like that.

“And when the news reaches the enemy that their base and supply routes have been destroyed, they will be shaken… Even if we do too much, we will charge towards the retreating enemies with our knights. Then, in the meantime, His Highness the Duke and the Marquess, please mobilize the remaining troops and attack the enemy. How is it?”

“Let Count Isra and Count Elias do whatever they want! hahahaha, if things go on like this, the Eastern Expeditionary Force will make a name for itself in France that there are scary generals called Elias and Isra! Isn’t that right, Marquis?”

That ploy was all designed by me, and the two counts just do what I want, but…

When you deceive people, you have to generously support armor and weapons, but can you not praise that much?

No, on the contrary, it is at times like this that you should be kind.

“good. Then, as a congratulation in advance to the two counts who will make great achievements in battle, I will send you a generous amount of meat through the warlords. And after you have achieved great success in the war, you will be given high-quality wine from the Aquitel region to the soldiers. The end of the battle will come soon, so I will send a messenger urgently to get in touch with you so that I can procure plenty of wine.”

“Okay then, let’s end this military meeting here. Let everyone go back and do their duty.”

About 250,000 men combined with both armies, in this battle, our Marquis of Creutel will inflict as little damage as possible and show condescension as much as possible.

“Baron Balt leads 6,000 infantry and 500 knights, and Baron Biermann leads 4,000 infantry and 500 knights, and keep them 500 meters away from the left and right wing respectively. The rest of the army follows me and guards the base and rear.”