Chapter 191

Throughout history, when wars broke out on the Korean Peninsula, it was essential to build fortifications or establish defenses to counter the opponent’s offensive strategy.

However, in Europe, after the decline of Rome and the onset of the age of knights, the culture was established where soldiers engaged only in combat, not in construction of defenses.

Therefore, the role of building encampments and such was typically carried out by local serfs conscripted rather than the soldiers themselves.

From the very beginning of my training, I made sure that new recruits participated in various tasks when not training, and even organized a specialized engineering corps for military construction in the field.

As a result, a month after I expected the Simon Marquis’s army to regroup, I had succeeded not only in constructing a palisade but also in creating several defensive tools to aid in our defense.

Even when preparing to fight in the best condition, the unpredictable nature of war means that the best outcomes are not guaranteed…

It was during a time when I felt somewhat relieved knowing that we could face the enemy with more preparation than I had anticipated that Balt approached me.

“I have received a report from Colonel Samuel of the Intelligence Command. As predicted by Your Excellency the Marquis, Simon’s coalition led by Franche has now camped 3 kilometers from the Yellow Harbor River. Although we cannot ascertain the exact number yet, it seems they have brought roughly 75,000… no, about 79,000 soldiers.”

Hearing that, I felt a bit, no, quite flustered.

Because a month ago, at the military conference, I had stated that 75,000 was the worst-case scenario assuming none of Simon’s legions defected.

Thus, I thought that the Montmartre army, having no reason to remain with the Eastern Expeditionary Corps, would likely defect due to losses and efficiency issues, and dwindle down to about 60,000 to 70,000.

Never would I have imagined that they would bring many more soldiers than I had thought.

On the bright side, the fact that Simon Marquis was desperately mustering troops indicated that he was under severe political pressure.

Although this may assist in gaining strategic advantage, the thought of our side suffering even greater losses caused me to sigh involuntarily.

However, the moment I, the overall commander, let out a sigh, the morale of our troops, who would have to fight an enemy with more than triple the numbers just based on the name value of the Croilet Marquis, would surely plummet.

So, I responded calmly, as if I had expected this to happen.

“Even if they have about 4,000 more rabble than I expected, it does not change our victory. Now, what are the enemies doing?”

“It seems they are looking at the palisade we built and attempting to produce weapons for a siege. They are gradually sending soldiers to the forest above our encampment to gather timber. Shouldn’t you be stopping them?”

A castle made of carved and shaped stone or bricks, and siege engines like catapults or towers would eventually cause damage and lead to collapse or breakthrough if deployed.

Therefore, in a strategic game, if I am the player defending a castle and the enemy is besieging it, I must disrupt the enemy’s ability to create siege tools.

Otherwise? The castle I am defending might be breached, or the damage suffered by the soldiers fighting from within could escalate due to siege tools.

But what about in reality?

In most cases, once the enemy starts to make siege engines, it is undoubtedly best to prevent them from doing so, ensuring they can’t create such tools…

“Simon Marquis is practically begging for us to come out and ambush them. Otherwise, there would be no need for their soldiers to move to the forest where they have to travel several kilometers to fetch timber for siege engines. Even if those guys without experienced engineers, like our side, try to build catapults or siege engines, it would take 2 to 3 weeks to do so properly…”

“In that time, our forces could reinforce the palisade or create additional equipment necessary for defense.”

“Also, unlike us, who can receive supplies through war merchants thanks to our entire territory being safe, they are waging war in a situation where half their land is occupied or devastated. Given that situation, the actual losses that their lords face are much greater on the side of the Franche Empire. If the Marquis loses half of his expeditionary army and two Count territories, and fights a protracted war…? He will most likely be impeached by the remaining nobles and dismissed from his position.”

Even so, even if he doesn’t openly meet the same fate as Counts Ilerias or Izza with outright elimination…

His treatment at court will certainly diminish, and the other nobles will want to pounce and taste the victor.

In this way, Simon Marquis’s family will be on the brink of destruction.

“Therefore, I will act according to what he desires and quickly start the battle. Also, let’s subtly spread a rumor to the enemy. ‘Under the permission of His Excellency Duke Orleans, the Croilet Marquis is conscripting the serfs of Count Iris.’ Furthermore, I will command Baron Margerita to transport a quantity of provisions sufficient for 100,000 as he has done until now. Finally, I will let Simon Marquis know that I would like to meet him personally before the war begins, so let’s meet across the river.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

**

On a normal day, the Yellow Plain, filled only with the sounds of flowing water and the rich scent of grass carried by the gentle breeze.

At this place, two legions faced each other across the Yellow Harbor River, knowing that one must topple the other or face annihilation.

In silence, they gazed at each other until it was Simon Marquis, commander of the Franche Eastern Defensive Forces, who first broke the silence.

“I, Jean von Simon, declare this as a glorious Marquis of the Franche Empire! You foolish and pitiful soldiers of the Croilet Marquis! Do you really think that hiding behind that flimsy wooden wall as thin as a stick can stand against our 80,000 strong army?! If you believe that, then you are more foolish than a wild boar living in the mountains!”

After saying this, Simon Marquis’s herald paused briefly, followed by cheers from his soldiers.

“Moreover, Croilet Marquis! You’re just a usurper, having charmed my lord Count Schwabin’s concubine, Elia, and stole his title! And it seems your subordinates are all lowly wretches who cannot shed that habit? But I understand; the wretch can only breed more maggots. Yet the great Emperor of the Franche Empire has personally said that if you surrender, he will spare your lives. So, anyone who wants to return home can abandon the wicked Marquis and surrender to Franche!”

With that proclamation ended, the soldiers of Franche cheered loudly.

After all, they were shouting at an enemy whose troops seemed like mere drops of blood compared to their overwhelming numbers.

Therefore, the tense atmosphere that had been heavy just moments ago lightened significantly, and among the soldiers, some older soldiers could be seen smiling.

The harangue had some effect, as new recruits in the Croilet army murmured fearfully.

“Even though we spent a month building the palisade and preparing, can we really defeat three times more enemies?”

“In a defensive battle, we might manage to win against an enemy three times our size…”

Observing this, Croilet Marquis thought.

‘Although we lack numbers, they lack almost everything else.’

In reality, the Franche coalition led by Simon Marquis suffers from morale degradation due to repeat defeats, poor supply quality and quantity, and lower soldier quality compared to the Croilet army.

However, there was a far bigger issue that should not be needlessly provoked for them…

“Yes, it’s true that our Croilet legion is smaller in numbers. However, your commander is a complete fool who has already faced defeat several times. The last time he lost, didn’t the other counts nearly drive Prince Orleans and the two counts to extinction? Only you, Simon, have been defeated by us. And your miserable peasants under the commander cannot even return home, fighting in hunger and rags.”

This served to trigger a sense of homesickness among them, stirring emotions they wished to feel in this dire situation.

How powerful this tactic could be; recall how, in the tale of Chu and Han, a single song of Chu brought down many a soldier back to their homeland when Xiang Yu felt cornered.

“So return to your lands now. The soldiers of Counts Iris and Architel should come to me. I vow by my name that I will provide sufficient food and money to allow you to return home. This offer is not only to your Franche soldiers but also to our allies. All forces, withdraw.”

With those words, Croilet Marquis quietly turned his head and withdrew his soldiers.

Seeing this, Simon Marquis angrily vented his frustration on his horse.

“Damn it! We have a higher chance of winning with superior numbers!! Why should our allies receive pity? Like I don’t want to return home as much as other nobles… To see them make such pathetic faces at the slightest provocation of homesickness! Now that this has happened, I will surely defeat that arrogant Croilet scoundrel and restore my dignity!”