EP.83
One year after completing the subjugation of the Töner tribe, significant changes occurred in the northern conquest operation plan.
First, the emperor declared that evil barbarians like Ludvik should not exist in this world and declared that mobilizing only 50,000 men was not enough.
As a result, a total of 20,000 troops were withdrawn from eastern Czechia and the southern front, where we had some spare time, and we were forced to engage in a large-scale expedition mobilizing a total of about 70,000 troops.
What has not changed is that the initial tactics of this expedition are based on the conquest operation to pacify the North that I proposed.
Because of this situation, the secret letters that His Highness the Crown Prince often sends include a signal that awarding a star is confirmed if even a small contribution is made in this battle.
‘Count Benner, or rather, the captain, has entered the castle these days and is eager to be promoted to marshal. ‘I hope you can help me.’
Although I felt like the burden on my shoulders was a bit heavy because I was under pressure to help someone so high up.
Being given the opportunity to create a war by applying the expectations of so many people and the tactics I had devised to reality made my heart race.
With my heart pounding, I entered the strategic conference room of Nordport Castle, the Northern Army base, where the command center to command a large army of over 70,000 people was located.
“You said that Töner bastard and his tribe’s soldiers were defeated by that bastard?”
“I heard he’s a kid who’s only 24 years old, no, he’s only 25 years old.”
“They say the basis for this operation came from a report written by that guy… What kind of operation will he show?”
I heard words filled with feelings of envy and jealousy toward me.
At first, when I was a student platoon leader, no matter what I did, I was met with contempt and disregard, and after I was active in the Rhineland front, there were two reactions at the same time: an attitude of ignoring me and not caring about it, and a slight acknowledgment.
After playing an active role on the Czechavian front, I established myself as a clear competitor to high-ranking noblemen in the true sense of the word.
Now, because I have achieved so many achievements, there are those who are jealous and envious of me even among the many star-gathered generals gathered here.
It makes me think that time really flies and people change even faster than that.
As the planner of this subjugation operation, I stood at the podium next to Count Benner, the commander-in-chief of the barbarian suppression force, to announce the draft of the operation in front of everyone.
“Yes, son-in-law. No, Colonel Yeager. How have you been?”
Normally, when going out to explain an operation, the commander-in-chief does not ask for everyone’s well-being in a warm voice like this.
In this case, Count Venner probably asked this question on purpose to show off how close he is to me.
“It’s a little cold in the north, but I’m doing well thanks to the captain’s concern. Also, Major Laura and I enjoyed the top-quality wine you sent us last time.”
When I answered that way, as expected, Count Benner laughed and slapped me on the shoulder a few times.
“is it? That’s great of you to say that. I’d like to stay up all night and talk about what happened so far… but after the expedition is over, I’ll slowly unwind. “Now start explaining the operation.”
At the same time, I knocked on the bulletin board with the map on it with the silver baton I received as a gift from the Crown Prince and spoke.
“I will explain the operation in detail, so please pay attention to all the generals and officers present. This time, our barbarian suppression force plans to attack the enemy based on a scorched-earth operation, and future policies will also maintain the same tone.”
The Northern Army’s strategic goal is to completely absorb the peninsula they control into the territory of our empire.
To achieve this, they burned down all the villages used by barbarians and turned the fields into wasteland, making it uninhabitable for anyone.
The purpose is to allow the second and third sons or daughters of the serfs, who had to work as day laborers because they were not given land to cultivate in the empire, to move here and create a new home.
On the other hand, among the captured barbarians, males over the age of 15 were killed, and the rest were torn into pieces and sent to various difficult occupations in the empire or to pioneer agricultural land.
“Therefore, before we surprise the enemy, we will make a big threat to them that if they do not surrender first, we will kill all the men and burn the village.”
Normally, if you threaten in this way, they will try to raise morale by claiming that they will kill you even if you surrender, seeing as other countries make threats like that.
The barbarians who are half-agricultural and half-native that we deal with have the concept of a tribal group, but have no sense of belonging to the nation, which is a concept beyond the tribe.
So, while wielding the whip like this, we should also give this carrot.
“In addition, a full-scale expedition has begun against the tribes following Ludvik, and they are making noises as they attack. If you surrender even while fighting against us, we will preserve your village, property, and family. Then, Ludvik, who cannot completely control the tribal leaders, will fall under the suspicion that there might be a traitor among the tribal leaders, and if the situation is not good, the subordinate tribal leaders will also fully consider the option of betrayal.”
If you are a noble belonging to the imperial army, if you betray and surrender on your own, you will lose the property and honor you left behind.
Even his beloved family members were executed for treason, so he did not surrender except in special cases recognized by military law.
So, even in desperate situations where surrender is inevitable, many people choose to fight until the end and die.
It would be extremely rare for someone like Ludvik to risk his life for someone who uses only his own strength to force other tribes and barbarians to follow him.
This is because the empire provides appropriate compensation to the family if a commander or nobleman dies fighting without surrendering, but instead of compensating the family of a hero who died fighting for the tribe, the nomads even share the wife and children with the surviving hero.
“If we make our way up north slowly, making people not trust each other like that, Ludvik will get so nervous that he will have no choice but to hurry. It’s like how Töner ran out when our regiment devastated only two villages. “Then, he ends up fighting in a disadvantageous location with his allies, who have lost their morale to fight the war because they are worrying about whether to fight or surrender before the war even starts.”
“But can’t we ignore the possibility that they will abandon the village and run away?”
“I think there is no need to worry about that. It was like that when subjugating the Töner tribe. “After seeing Ludvik neglect the burning of several villages, the tribesmen and chieftain are now afraid that they have lost their home and have no place to return to, so they will cut off Ludvik’s head and offer it to us.”
It is natural to bend down and work for a chieftain to protect one’s property, but it makes no sense to ask someone to serve for free even though they lost their family and tribe’s home.
In that case, they would rather choose to protect their property and tribe by surrendering to the empire.
“Furthermore, let me tell you what I learned while dealing with the Töner tribe last time. Although their archers are powerful, if we do not fall for their provocations, the imperial army will definitely win.”
Because the infantry was weak, it was easy to win by killing only the infantry that made up the majority of the troops.
Even if you include the fact that your troops are consumed by arrows in the meantime, if you deal with them properly, such as by equipping them with as much protective equipment as possible, you can repel barbarians with less damage than fighting a proper regular army such as Czechia or Francois.
“Therefore, we must arm our soldiers as heavily as possible and mobilize knights and infantry to cause as much damage to the enemy’s central army as possible. In addition, you should prepare as many shields and armor as possible to deal with when they attack by shooting arrows from horseback. We also need measures to prevent firestorms.”
When he said that, everyone, including Count Benner, nodded and expressed their agreement.
“If you analyze the records of defeats against them, it was a case of losing while trying to catch up with archers with infantry or cavalry.”
“We can’t keep up with the speed, so we ignore that and attack the weakest units first. “It’s a good operation, novel and effective.”
So, after explaining the general tactics and strategy, I went back to my seat.
The generals fought with lasers firing from their eyes to seize the opportunity to make a big contribution, as if this was their chance.
“Our brigade will stand at the forefront! “Please just leave it to me.”
“No, that’s not it. “I will personally fight at the vanguard to let Brandenburg know the majesty of the empire.”
“The idea is to place Colonel Yeager’s regiment at the vanguard again this time…”
While watching this, I secretly approached Count Venner and said.
“Please give me a seat on the far left of the left wing or the far right of the right wing. “I will fight moderately and then break through.”
See next episode
