105 – François’s Eastern Expedition (2)
The 80,000 men of Francois’s expeditionary force were able to enter Poitiche, the entrance to the eastern granary region, through the castle of François without any conflict.
The reason is, according to reports from the preceding reconnaissance unit and spies who infiltrated the enemy camp, the enemy mistakenly believed that we were still near Sargminine Castle due to supply issues.
They say they have 120,000 troops stationed there and waiting for us.
If we realize that we made a mistake and come from there to where we are at normal marching speed, it would take about two weeks.
We will move in the opposite direction and plunder the eastern granary, so it will take much longer for Francois’ army to catch up with the imperial army.
It is true that the Francois guys provided an excuse for the self-destructive trick of expulsion from the Vatican, but they are not fools and I don’t think they will be caught that easily.
We dug a few traps, but thankfully they were caught properly.
“As expected. The talent who broke the empire’s customs and rose to become the youngest brigadier general is different. Even though they boldly charged into enemy territory, they didn’t experience a single skirmish. “hehehehe.”
As he said that, Captain Patton patted my shoulder and looked at me with the eyes of a grandfather who thought that his cute grandson was so proud and honored to have received a prize somewhere.
It has already been three months since the expeditionary force was formed and the captain and I have been together.
At some point, he began to treat me like that, probably because he really liked my idea of deceiving the enemy through the ‘Amdo Jinjang’ operation and ‘advancing deep into enemy territory.’
“A month before the start of the attack in earnest, we made preparations to requisition food from all the villages right up to Sargminine Castle to make the enemy believe that we were going there, and in fact, the route of advance was Hulaan Castle. “The road to !”
In order to achieve great results in an assault, the most important thing is to exploit loopholes that the enemy never thought of.
Because it was an unprecedented fishing operation that completely deceived the François Republic, not only on a tactical level, but also on a strategic level.
This is a man who insisted on charging one way or another, but then, with amazing timing, hit the nail on the head and achieved victory on an impossible battlefield.
I understand that you like it so much… But that doesn’t mean you have to march next to me.
Help me, damn it. Even if I have 1 star, I am a poor person in front of a 4-star captain.
“Major Mingo! What do you think? Isn’t this operation really great? “The way I look at it, I think this war has already been won!”
At those words, Major Mingo next to him nodded his head.
“If that’s what you think, I think you’re right.”
When I looked at the skin of the major who said that, it was a different color from that of the people of our Reich Empire.
Is it possible that the empire already had officers who were former slaves from the Niger continent?
It is not a racist idea, but it is relatively common for the Reich Empire to receive titles and become upper-class nobles or change status depending on military merit.
They say that it is justifiable to keep black people on the Niger continent as slaves even if they believe in the Deus religion, and no matter how much they train themselves in the military, it will be difficult for them to become officers…
As I looked at him with these suspicious eyes, Captain Patton smiled and said,
“Brigadier General Jaeger, why are you surprised that Major Mingo’s skin is black?”
“Well, aren’t you an officer with a background as rare as mine in the Empire?”
“It’s just as you said. But, listen carefully. “I will teach you one of the iron rules of commanding my army.”
When I heard that, I focused on the general, who had a similar vibe to General Patton during World War II.
“What does skin color or social status matter? Just being a guy who can kill the idiots of the Francois Republic is enough for now. And Major Mingo, although not as good as you, is very capable!”
The motto of his life is charging, and the driving force that allowed him to be promoted to captain was charging. It was a simple result-supremacist quote.
The captain talked with me about the greatness of the assault for about an hour.
“Here’s a report. In the next 20 minutes, we arrive at the point where we have agreed to split up in brigade units. Brigadier General Jaeger’s 12th Brigade, please hurry up and prepare.”
When the general, who loved assault more than anyone else, heard those words, he turned his horse around and left with Major Mingo.
“After all, he is the guy who took down an enemy division with just one company. The master has many temperaments. “Even if the damn Captain Venner didn’t even apply spit, I would still be marrying off my granddaughter to you, hahahaha.”
Even though he is not here, I see him speaking like that towards Count Benner, who has the highest probability of becoming the next Marshal.
I think that guy really is the Patton from a parallel world.
**
And a week later.
“I report to the brigade commander. We arrived at the village of Gedison in the Francois Republic.”
“Are all the villagers left?”
The soldier who had gone on reconnaissance answered those words.
“Yes, judging by the bags of grain and all kinds of food piled up in the village square, it looks like they are trying to guarantee their safety from us instead of taking refuge.”
“Okay, then I’ll go directly.”
“Brigadier General, do you really need to go there in person to plunder a single village?”
Of course, there is no need for me to step forward. By now, other high-ranking people are probably coming directly in front of the villagers to make a case before plundering the village.
From noble mtl dot com
The justification we put forward is really simple.
‘This battle is not simply a battle between nations, but a holy war recognized by the Holy Father.’
In order to make a case, I ordered Major Anya, Laura, and other officers to follow, and I walked to the village square.
As the scouts reported, many villagers, including the village chief, had gathered there. But when they saw us they started to beg for mercy.
“I am Peter Jager, Brigadier General of the 12th Brigade of the Reich Empire, who has come to conquer the Francois Republic on his behalf, which violated the laws established by the Pope and plundered the people of our Empire.”
As soon as I started speaking, everyone’s eyes focused on me, and after a moment of murmur, everyone became quiet.
“First of all, for those who do not know church law, let me explain: To reduce unnecessary casualties as much as possible between countries that believe in Deusism. He strictly prohibited plundering the villages of other countries without declaring war. However, the Francois Republic parliament did not even declare war, so they plundered the Reich Empire village in disobedience to Deus-nim’s orders and did not reflect at all.”
As I said this, I heard whispers among the villagers.
“Isn’t Congress crazy? “How can I follow the Pope’s orders…”
“No, you ignored Deus-sama’s will.”
“You bastards will go to hell. So we…”
Seeing that the serfs in the village were as dissatisfied with the Francois Republic as I had intended, I smiled to myself.
Because now we make their fields unusable and take away their food.
The target of their grievances will not only be centered on our Imperial Army, but also on the government of the Francois Republic, which provided the direct cause rather than the Reich Empire.
Of course, our empire is waging a just war under the orders of Deus.
Even if you lose your livelihood, food, and shelter, you will probably think that it is something that cannot be helped.
“So, the Holy Father deposed the François Republic in order to establish the justice of Deus. And we will plunder this town to carry out his command.”
When those words were said, great despair appeared on the faces of the villagers who had hoped that they might just receive food and move on.
“However, the Holy Father knows full well that you serfs have no intention of disobeying his orders. If things were to go as they should be, should you also be severely punished and made into slaves if you live in the country where you were dismissed?”
For reference, if you become a slave, all human rights are erased.
Even if they are raped or subjected to all kinds of cruel treatment by their owners, they become talking livestock with no one trying to protect their rights.
“How could the Holy Father want to deal so harshly with you who are forced collaborators with the evil Francois Republic? Therefore, we are permitted to leave together with a week’s worth of food loaded on five donkey-drawn carts so that we can move to other lands in the Francois Republic.”
With those words, he felt relieved that although he lost all his property, he would not become a slave, a plaything for an army that came to plunder, or be brutally killed.
“And the Holy Father said that if this war is over and the leadership of the Francois Republic reflects, the excommunication will be lifted. “You must remember these words and spread them to other villages.”
After finishing my speech, I gave orders to the surrounding officers.
“Leave the bare minimum food the serfs could eat on the road for a week and a cart to transport them, and plunder everything. “Do not touch the church, but burn the fields and destroy the houses.”
At that command, my army began to move as instructed.
As expected, rather than just blaming us, the villagers had more hatred towards the François Republic, which almost put their souls in hell.
Furthermore, I gave strict orders to the soldiers.
“It is Deus-sama’s will not to touch the serfs who leave here. Never commit evil acts such as rape, murder, or kidnapping. “Regardless of their status, they will be beheaded according to military law.”
Though I plundered property and villages, I treated the residents of the conquered territories as much as possible to the extent possible. However…
“This is Major Mark von Schmitz of the Military Police. What do you do when there is a nobleman who gets drunk and breaks military law while plundering?”
“Just behead them all according to military law.”
After hearing that, the major spoke to me while sweating profusely.
“He holds the title of Baronet, and is married to Count Guderian’s third daughter, making him his son-in-law.”
Ah~ That guy can’t do anything with his authority.
“Call me right now.”
It worked out well that I even had a title.
Let’s recycle this and put it to good use.