Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1451 - 1357: A Restless World
Chapter 1451: Chapter 1357: A Restless World
kilometers southwest of Karlsruhe, a convoy of carriages, escorted by the magnificent French trusted aide Grenadiers, was slowly advancing along the east bank of the Rhine River.
In the carriage at the center of the formation, Chief of Staff Bertier was preparing to report the latest military situation to the Crown Prince but suddenly remembered something, and hesitantly said:
“Your Highness, it’s said that Archbishop Brienne has something very urgent to discuss with you. According to the timetable, he should have passed through Mirkov by now, and if you wait here for a few days…”
Before he could finish, the Security Bureau chief sitting beside him gave him a peculiar look and thought to himself that these officers really only knew how to fight. The Crown Prince was clearly avoiding our Cabinet Prime Minister.
Lavallette gave a slight cough and said, “General Bertier, you forgot that it’s been pouring rain in Nancy recently. Perhaps by the time His Highness returns home, Archbishop Brienne would still not have reached Strasbourg. You know, his health isn’t great, so he can’t take the train.”
The Chief of Staff recalled for a few seconds and really couldn’t remember Nancy’s weather, so he nodded and returned to the topic: “Your Highness, the news just returned from Warsaw, last Wednesday the Polish Voichekhov Corps had recaptured Minsk, and the main force of the Russian Army is now retreating to the east bank of the Dnieper River.
“Over 50,000 Polish soldiers are gathering in Mozhili and Mogilev, preparing to cross the river in pursuit…”
Joseph couldn’t help but frown: “Why haven’t they advanced on Kyiv?”
Kyiv is in southeastern Poland, on the west bank of the Dnieper River. More than a hundred years ago, through a series of wars, Russia forced Poland to sign the Andrusovo Truce Agreement, and thereafter occupied Kyiv.
According to the plan by the French General Staff, after retaking key cities like Minsk and Vilnius, Poland should concentrate its forces to besiege Kyiv, creating a situation of encircling point for reinforcements and constantly eliminating the Russian reinforcements.
And now the Poles actually want to launch a massive attack on the east bank of the Dnieper River!
Lavallette added on the side, “Your Highness, the radicals in the Polish Parliament believe that since the Dnieper River separates Kyiv from Russia, it can be easily captured. Therefore, they demand that the army quickly attack Left Bank Ukraine while the Russians have not yet established a solid defense line.
So-called “Left Bank Ukraine” refers to the Ukrainian region controlled by Russia. The area controlled by Poland is called “Right Bank Ukraine.” But in reality, the left bank here is on the east side of the Dnieper River, and the right bank is on the west side.
Joseph rubbed his forehead.
The Poles really remembered the glorious history of “Suppress the Germans and Curb the Russians” after just a few days of favorable battles.
In “Suppress the Germans and Curb the Russians,” “the Germans” referred to Germany, and “the Russians” referred to Russia. In the 16th century, the flourishing Poland
struck simultaneously east and west, forcing the Germanic regions to bow before the Winged Cavalry, and completely disregarded Russia, sending troops on a whim to plunder it at will. [Note 1]
But Joseph knew very well that Poland’s national strength was currently weak and couldn’t support a full-scale war against Russia.
It was a joke; even Napoleon couldn’t completely defeat Russia with his 600,000-strong army on a personal campaign.
Lavallette continued, “In fact, the most aggressive faction in Poland even wants to send troops to Tuhel to gain a buffer zone in the Gdańsk Corridor.”
Joseph only felt a wave of fatigue; did the Poles not know their own capabilities?
Actually, it wasn’t surprising, given that the Poles had been repressed for over a decade and suddenly achieved a military victory, they couldn’t control their inner agitation.
He quickly instructed, “Send someone to Warsaw immediately and have His Majesty Stanisław II recall the troops that crossed the Dnieper River, and to fight according to the original plan…
“Forget it, better to have Father Sais go.”
Father Sais has always been the special envoy for Polish affairs and holds considerable influence in Warsaw.
Bertier continued his report, “Your Highness, the main force of the Russian Good维奇 Corps in the Transcaucasia direction has retreated to Tbilisi and received some soldier reinforcements and supplies.”
Joseph asked in confusion, “How did he retreat back to Tbilisi unscathed? The Persians didn’t attack his supply line?”
Bertier replied helplessly, “According to what we heard, the Ottoman Army halted around Paravani Lake, while the Mirza Corps is resting in Zanjan.
“Cough, they seem to be waiting for the other side to fight the Russians first.”
Joseph really wanted to say, “Serves these two right for being beaten up so badly in the 19th century that they almost couldn’t take care of themselves.” Looking at the victory within reach, they started thinking such petty thoughts.
He gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll have Archbishop Talleyrand take a trip to Constantinople.”
When the Chief of Staff finished speaking, Lavallette took out a stack of reports and handed them to Joseph, “Your Highness, these are intelligence reports compiled from a large number of merchant ships returning from the Far East.
“The British have increased the tax rate on a large number of states from Bengal to Maratha by 60%, causing riots in many places. Mysore took the opportunity to declare war on Britain at the end of October.”
Joseph frowned again: “Why didn’t Tipu consult with us?”
“Well, they probably couldn’t break through the British naval blockade.”
Joseph took a deep breath: “And we currently cannot provide him any assistance. The Ottoman People probably can’t spare any attention to him either.”
The Ottoman’s large army is busy with mind games in the Transcaucasia and Persia, so even if they wanted to aid Mysore, it would be on a very limited scale.
He instructed Lavallette, “Find a way to establish contact with Tipu, and ensure he avoids being aggressive. First, focus on defense. Just avoid defeat by the British Army for a year, and the British will come to negotiate a ceasefire.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Joseph suddenly smiled and leaned back against the seat.
Actually, there was no need to overthink it. Let these countries struggle if they want to; after all, it’s not the French who are dying.
No matter the final outcome of the war, it would be depleting the resources of both England and Russia, especially England.
Even if they win in the end, it will take several years for them to absorb the benefits of the war.
During this period, France would continue focusing on its development.
When the English finally pulled themselves out of the quagmire of war, France would be ready to launch a fatal blow while they were at their weakest.
As he was thinking, the carriage came to a slow stop.
Outside the window, Kesode’s voice came: “Your Highness, it’s Mr. Theresa.”
Joseph was somewhat surprised: “Why is he here?”
Mr. Minister of Transportation should be busy with the World Expo affairs, and yet here he was, nearly 20 kilometers away from Karlsruhe.
With Lavallette and Bertier having reported all their matters, they took the opportunity to take their leave and took their carriage back to Strasbourg.
After a while, Theresa came to Joseph’s carriage, bowed in a hurry, and said, “Your Highness, it might be best to bypass Karlsruhe. There are hundreds of people waiting outside the city for you.
“From what I know, they are plotting to ’harm’ our country’s financial revenue…”
[Note 1] “Suppress the Germans and Curb the Russians” is from a later Japanese meme, and this phrasing did not exist in the early 19th century.
