Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 931

Episode 931: The Imperial March 2 – Assault return, running on the ground. (19)

Having decided where to fight, the French army marched at full speed.

Nevertheless, the daily distance traveled by the French army did not exceed 10 leagues (about 42 km).

First of all, the physical strength of the soldiers was a problem.

Walking while carrying their guns, ammunition, helmets, blankets, etc. required a lot of physical strength.

Next was the issue of supply.

Supplying food for soldiers and hay for horses pulling cannons or carrying cavalry was also a formidable problem.

“If this continues, it will be a big problem if the imperialists arrive first…” The

French generals became impatient at the distance they could travel, which did not increase no matter how hard they tried. But no matter how smart the generals were, this was something that could not be helped.

“But it’s hard to urge them any further here….”

If they urged them further, they could have exhausted their stamina to the extent that the soldiers could not handle it.

The distance from Milan, occupied by the Empire-Florence coalition, to Pavia was much closer than the distance from Turin, where the French army departed, to Pavia.

Even if the Allied Empire-Florence forces departed after clearing the battlefield of Milan and stabilizing the occupied territory, there was a very high possibility that they would arrive in Pavia at a similar time to the arrival of the French army now. In the worst case, there was a possibility that the allied forces of the Empire and Florence would arrive first and settle down in trenches.

It was the worst situation to face such a situation when the soldiers had exhausted all their physical strength due to the harsh march.

Because of this, generals and commanders were unable to train their soldiers more than necessary.

Instead, he released his cavalry and focused his efforts on observing the situation ahead. In particular, they did their best to monitor the situation in Pavia beyond the Chito River by making the most of the cavalry’s mobility.

And every night, I laid out the map and struggled to find a city or strategic point to replace Pavia.

But as Pavia got closer, the generals began to fall into confusion.

“You can’t see the enemies? why?”

“You must have heard that we were moving?”

The French generals were so confident because of the information brought by the cavalry.

-Encounter with enemy cavalry.

-The enemy retreated immediately without attempting combat.

“They probably didn’t run away because they were scared. They probably did it to inform the authorities. Hmm… I guess they’ll move too.”

Contrary to expectations that the combined imperial and Florentine forces would move, they were not seen near Pavia.

“There is definitely a plan!”

“But it’s an opportunity for us too! “Hopefully…”

“It could be a plot to make our soldiers waste their stamina by being tempted by that ‘hopefully well done’.”

“Let’s solve that problem by putting more effort into reconnaissance.”

“I guess that’s the norm.”

After reaching an agreement, the generals began action the next day.

In addition to sending more cavalry into reconnaissance, he persuaded the soldiers.

“I know very well that it is difficult. But let’s cheer up a little more! “You will be safer if you dig a trench first before the enemy comes to Pavia!”

“That’s not true….”

“Keu~. “Stand up!”

At the words of the generals and commanders, the old soldiers began to move first, followed by the new soldiers.

“If you arrive first and dig even 1 pouce (French inch) deeper, you will be safer! “The best battle is to hold on in a safe place like that and then charge!”

“Let’s go, slugs!”

The old soldiers said this and led the new soldiers.

This was also the butterfly effect created by the scent.

* * *

Until the Hundred Years’ War, and even afterwards, the people in Europe who most believed in chivalry were the French.

Even during the Hundred Years’ War, France was obsessed with knightly attacks and suffered the bitter taste of defeat.

Even though the Hundred Years’ War was over and guns and cannons became the main characters of the battlefield, the scent of chivalry still remained strong in the French army.

However, after seeing the usefulness of trenches in various battles, including the Battle of Suez, the French army began to change its constitution little by little.

Their proud Jang Darum was changed from a heavy cavalry unit to a light cavalry unit, and reconnaissance became its main mission.

Infantry combat also changed from an assault by soldiers forming a square on a wide plain to an appropriate mix of trenches and artillery musketry.

The problem was that even though the constitution changed, the mind did not change as well.

The scent of chivalry gradually became fainter, but it did not disappear completely.

-Defense is good, but the best is assault!

-Don’t be afraid to charge!

And the conclusion drawn from analyzing the ‘Hapsburg-Hungarian War’ became the philosophy of the French military.

-Defense is just preparation for an assault! A faithful defense is the stepping stone for a faithful assault!

-If you can charge, you can ignore defense!

-Do not be afraid of enemy guns and cannons! As long as we keep the attack spirit (Attaque à outrance) alive, the final victory will be ours!

Because this philosophy permeated the soldiers, they followed the generals’ orders without complaint.

-I refuse to die while standing blankly in the field, but dying while charging is not an unavoidable misfortune, but a glorious death.

-The stronger the trench, the more spectacular the assault.

This was the thinking of the French soldiers.

* * *

As time passed, Hyang, who received this report through Milwi and the imperial army dispatched to Europe, asked Hyeon.

“This is not a wrong idea. In order to win, you must occupy the enemy camp and the enemy’s territory. And this can only be achieved by charging and advancing. Also, charging and advancing always require sacrifice. No, war or battle without sacrifice is completely impossible. But is it only France that has an offensive spirit?”

“no.”

In response to Hyeon’s answer, Hyang asked again.

“If the opponent also has the will to fight and the offensive spirit to win, and also has more powerful weapons and firepower, who do you think will win?”

“It will be your opponent.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang nodded at Hyun’s words and continued.

“That’s why the Empire clings to artillery even though it hears people calling it ‘crazy.’ And we are diligently observing the movements of other countries.”

“Are you talking about ‘knowing everything and not killing anything?’”

“Rather than that, to win without fighting.”

“ah!”

Hyeon, who let out an exclamation at Hyang’s words, bowed his head and continued speaking.

“I will keep in mind the same teachings as Geumgwaokjo!”

After sending out Hyeon, Hyang, who was left alone, chuckled and muttered.

“’Armed with a strong spirit, you can overcome firepower.’ There were some idiots who believed that and charged in, only to be swept away, right? “Thanks to ignoring the fact that the opponents are people with mental and firepower.”

* * *

After confirming the information that the combined Empire-Florence army was not visible, the French army increased its speed and approached Pavia.

Thanks to this speed-up, the French army arrived in Pavia in 4 days, rather than the 6 days initially expected.

“welcome!”

The garrison protecting Pavia warmly welcomed the French army. Pavia was a city belonging to Milan, and most of the garrison guarding Pavia were mercenaries hired by Milan.

After Milan fell, the mercenaries guarding the city and the city council members were divided into two groups and were in conflict.

-Surrender to the Empire vs. resist.

Since it was a life-threatening matter, the two sides were in a tense conflict.

In that situation, the French army arrived, and the city council and mercenaries decided to welcome the French army.

-The Empire is not moving from Milan, but the French army is right in front.

This was because it was judged that cooperation would be more beneficial than holding out against the French army, which at first glance could easily number more than tens of thousands.

The French army entered the castle of Pavia without blood and immediately went into action.

First, the garrison guarding the castle was broken into small pieces and incorporated into the vanguard unit. It was because of concerns about possible defection.

“Maybe not, but the Swiss wouldn’t know. “They are the ones who change the flag as soon as the situation becomes even slightly strange.”

The French generals, who had taken measures to prepare for defection, released more cavalry units to inspect the areas of Milan and Bologna, and at the same time began constructing a trench line north of Pava Castle.

Two days after the construction of the trench line began, reports began to come in from the cavalry.

– Enemy departure to Milan.

-The size is about 20,000 to 25,000.

-Movement speed is very slow.

The French military command, which confirmed the continued reports, was delighted.

“The movement speed is slower than expected. It got better for us.”

“I agree. “Now that we can further strengthen our trench lines.”

“The morale of the soldiers will also increase.”

-The Imperial Army is slower than a snail!

After hearing the information, the French soldiers smiled brightly and began to further strengthen the trench lines.

This was Hyang’s plan.

* * *

After settling in Bologna, he gathered together the commands of the Imperial, Florentine, and Swiss armies and explained his plan.

“I would like to name this operation ‘Song Yangzhiren (宋襄之仁)’.”

“Are you ‘Song Yang Ji-in’?”

“exactly.”

Everyone in the imperial military command felt unimpressed by Hyang’s answer. This was because he knew well the content of ‘Songyangjiin’ – that it is not righteous to attack an enemy who was not properly prepared, and that he was defeated while waiting – or rather, because he knew Hyang’s personality well.

‘This time, he’s trying to catch someone with some kind of trick!’

Although they grumbled to themselves, they were looking forward to it. This was because if you planned and executed a strategy according to Hyang’s plan, you would always win a big victory with little damage.

Of course, in return, the staff and command staff were overworked.

“… That’s it.”

However, the faces of the Imperial Army Command, the Florentine Army and the Swiss Army Command who heard the plan that followed were mercilessly frowned upon.

On behalf of the command, the Yueungbu stepped forward and dealt with the village.

“I have learned the reason why Your Majesty named him ‘Song Yang Ji-in,’ but no one who has entered the military gate knows how useless ‘Song Yang Ji-in’ is. In the art of war, ‘it is best to strike before the enemy prepares.’ “It says so.”

“That is true. Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, Hyang gave an order to the Florentine and Swiss army commands.

“Go out for a moment… No. Generals, listen too.”

Hyang then explained why he thought of this operation.

-It is important to subdue Italian cities and powers in this war, but it is even more important to subdue foreign powers as well.

-If it is possible to properly destroy the well-defended French army, foreign powers will reconsider the situation.

-If that happens, the chances of it not falling into a long-term war increase.

“… Then our empire’s Ministry of Finance will be very happy. “Isn’t that right?”

“ha ha ha.”

Hyang, who softened the atmosphere with a light joke, continued.

-Also, if we do this, we will have easier supply and we will not have to deploy reinforcements. Rather, France is forced to take on this issue.

“ah!”

At Hyang’s words, the commanders who were examining the map all exclaimed in exclamation.

If the Empire moved first and occupied Pavia, France would never cross the Po and Tacino rivers.

Even if they were French military commanders, they would have chosen another area instead of crossing the river.

That would require the empire to cross a river and cause headaches with supply issues. Or, they could have had to form a defensive line against a French attack targeting the time when the imperial army was crossing the river.

However, it was certain that if they moved late, France would definitely move to occupy Pavia first.

This was because it could block the supply routes leading to Genoa and Bologna.

“Please have the interpreter stop interpreting for a moment.”

Hyang, who covered the interpreter’s mouth, spoke only to the imperial command staff.