Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 931

The Imperial March (2) – Assault Catamaran, Running on Land. (19)

The French army, having decided where to fight, marched at full speed.

Despite this, the French army’s daily travel distance did not exceed 10 leagues (approximately 42 km).

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

Carrying their rifles, ammunition, helmets, blankets, and other equipment was physically demanding.

Next was the issue of supplies.

Supplying food for the soldiers and hay for the horses pulling cannons or carrying cavalry was also a significant challenge.

“If the Imperial forces arrive first, it’ll be a disaster….”

Despite their efforts, the French generals grew impatient with the slow progress. However, no matter how much the generals urged, it was unavoidable.

“We can’t push them any harder here….”

Pushing them harder here could exhaust the soldiers to the point where they couldn’t handle it.

The distance from Milan, occupied by the Imperial-Florentine allied forces, to Pavia was much shorter than the distance from Turin, where the French army started, to Pavia.

Even if the Imperial-Florentine allied forces took care of the battlefield cleanup and stabilized the occupied territories in Milan before departing, there was a high possibility that they would arrive in Pavia around the same time as the current French army. In the worst-case scenario, the Imperial-Florentine allied forces could arrive first and dig trenches.

Facing this situation with soldiers who had exhausted all their physical strength due to the harsh march would be the worst-case scenario.

Therefore, the generals and commanders were unable to push the soldiers more than necessary.

Instead, they focused on gathering information about the situation ahead by deploying cavalry. In particular, they did their best to use the cavalry’s mobility to scout the situation in Pavia beyond the Chittagong.

And every night, they pored over maps, searching for cities or strategic locations to replace Pavia.

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

“The enemies aren’t visible? Why?”

“They must have heard that we’re moving, right?”

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

-Encountered enemy cavalry.

-The enemy did not attempt to engage and retreated immediately.

“They probably didn’t run away out of fear, but to report to their superiors. Hmm… they must be moving too.”

Contrary to the expectation that the Imperial-Florentine allied forces would move, they were nowhere to be seen near Pavia.

“They definitely have something planned!”

“But it’s also an opportunity for us! If we do well….”

“That ‘if we do well’ might be a scheme to exhaust our soldiers’ strength.”

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

“That would be the standard approach.”

The generals, having reached an agreement, began to act the next day.

In addition to deploying more cavalry for reconnaissance, they persuaded the soldiers.

“I know it’s tough. But let’s put in a little more effort! If we dig trenches before the enemy arrives in Pavia, you’ll be safer!”

“I guess so….”

“Ugh~. Get up!”

The veterans began to move first at the words of the generals and commanders, followed by the new recruits.

“Arriving first and digging even 1 pouce (French inch) deeper will make us safer! Enduring in such a safe place and then charging is the best battle!”

“Let’s go, you slugs!”

The veterans said this, leading the new recruits.

This was also a butterfly effect created by Hyang.

* * *

Even during the Hundred Years’ War, and even after that, France was where chivalry was most revered in Europe.

France had tasted the bitterness of defeat by being obsessed with knightly charges even during the Hundred Years’ War.

Even after the Hundred Years’ War ended and guns and cannons became the main players on the battlefield, the French army still had a strong scent of chivalry.

However, after seeing trenches being used effectively in the Suez battles and other battles, the French army began to change its constitution little by little.

Their pride, the Gendarmes, changed from heavy cavalry to light cavalry, and reconnaissance became their main mission.

The infantry’s battle also changed from soldiers charging in formations on wide plains to appropriately mixing trenches, cannons, and riflemen.

The problem was that even though their constitution had changed, their spirit had not.

The scent of chivalry was fading, but it had not completely disappeared.

-Defense is good, but the best is to charge!

-Don’t be afraid to charge!

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

-Defense is merely a preparation for a charge! Faithful defense is a stepping stone for a faithful charge!

-If a charge is possible, defense can be ignored!

-Don’t be afraid of the enemy’s guns and cannons! If the spirit of attack (Attaque à outrance) [attack to the extreme] is alive, the final victory will be ours!

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

-We refuse to stand blankly in the field and die, but dying while charging is an unavoidable misfortune, no, a glorious death.

-The stronger the trenches, the more wonderful the charge that follows.

This was what the French soldiers thought.

* * *

As time passed, Hyang, who received reports through secret envoys and the Imperial Army dispatched to Europe, asked Hyun.

“This is not a wrong idea. To win, you must occupy the enemy’s camp and the enemy’s territory. And this can only be achieved through charges and advances. Also, charges and advances always require sacrifice. No, war or battle without sacrifice is impossible. But, Hyun, do you think only the French have the spirit of attack?”

“No, they do not.”

At Hyun’s answer, Hyang asked again.

“If the opponent also has the will to fight and the spirit of attack to win, and on top of that, has more powerful weapons and firepower, who do you think will win?”

“The opponent will win.”

“That’s right.”

Hyang nodded at Hyun’s words and continued.

“That’s why the Empire is clinging to artillery even while being called ‘crazy.’ And that’s why we are diligently watching the movements of other countries.”

“Are you talking about ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated’?”

“Rather, it’s to win without fighting.”

“Ah!”

Hyun, who exclaimed at Hyang’s words, bowed his head and continued.

“I will engrave your teachings, which are like gold and jade, in my heart!”

After sending Hyun out, Hyang, left alone, chuckled and muttered.

“There were fools who believed that ‘if you are armed with a strong spirit, you can overcome firepower,’ and charged, only to be swept away? All thanks to ignoring the fact that the opponent has both spirit and firepower.”

* * *

The French army, having confirmed the information that the Imperial-Florentine allied forces were not visible, increased their speed and approached Pavia.

Thanks to increasing their speed, the French army arrived in Pavia in four days instead of the initially expected six days.

“Welcome!”

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

After the fall of Milan, the mercenaries and city council members defending the city were divided and opposed each other.

-Surrender to the Empire vs. Resist.

Because their lives were at stake, both sides were fiercely opposed.

In this 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 of us.

They judged that cooperation was more beneficial than resisting against the French army, which numbered at least tens of thousands at a glance.

The French army, which entered Pavia Castle without bloodshed, immediately took action.

First, they divided the garrison defending the castle into small groups and incorporated them into the vanguard. This was out of concern for possible betrayal.

“It’s not a possibility, unless they are Swiss. They’ll change their flags as soon as the situation gets even slightly strange.”

The French generals, having taken measures to prepare for betrayal, deployed more cavalry to scout the Milan and Bologna areas, and at the same time began to build a trench line north of Pavia Castle.

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

-Enemy departure from Milan.

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

-The moving speed is very slow.

The French command, having confirmed the continuous reports, rejoiced.

“The moving speed is slower than expected. It has become even better for us.”

“I agree. We can strengthen the trench line even more.”

“The morale of the soldiers will also increase.”

-The Imperial Army is slower than a snail!

The French soldiers who heard the information smiled brightly and began to strengthen the trench line even more.

This was Hyang’s scheme.

* * *

Hyang, who had established himself in Bologna, gathered the command of the Imperial Army, the Florentine Army, and the Swiss Army, and explained his plan.

“I would like to name this operation ‘The Benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song’.”

“‘The Benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song’?”

“That’s right.”

At Hyang’s answer, the Imperial Army command all frowned. This was because they knew the content of ‘The Benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song’ well – waiting because it was not righteous to strike an unprepared enemy, and then being defeated – no, because they knew Hyang’s personality well.

‘What kind of scheme are you going to use to catch people this time!’

They grumbled inwardly, but they were somewhat expectant. This was because if they planned and executed the operation according to Hyang’s scheme, they always achieved great victories with little damage.

Of course, the staff and command were overworked as a result.

“…That’s all.”

However, the faces of the Imperial Army command and the Florentine and Swiss Army command contorted terribly after hearing Hyang’s plan that followed.

Instead of such command, Yoo Eung-boo stepped forward to deal with Hyang.

“I understand the reason why Your Majesty named it ‘The Benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song,’ but there is no one who has set foot in the military who does not know how useless ‘The Benevolence of Duke Xiang of Song’ is. It is also written in military strategy that ‘It is best to strike before the enemy is prepared.'”

“That’s true. Hmm….”

After pondering for a moment, Hyang ordered the Florentine and Swiss Army command.

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

Hyang then explained why he had thought of this operation.

-It is important to subdue the cities and forces of Italy in this war, but it is even more important to subdue foreign forces.

-If we can properly annihilate the French army, which is properly prepared, foreign forces will rethink the situation.

-This will increase the possibility of not falling into a long-term war.

“…Then our Empire’s Ministry of Finance will be very happy too. Isn’t that so?”

“Hahaha.”

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

-Also, this way, our supply will be easier and we won’t have to set up a last stand. Rather, France will be forced to face these problems.

“Ah!”

The command, who were looking at the map at Hyang’s words, all exclaimed at once.

If the Empire moved first and preempted Pavia, France would never cross the Po River and the Ticino River.

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

In that case, the Empire would have to cross the river, and they would have a headache due to supply problems. Or, they might have to set up a last stand against the French attack aimed at the time when the Imperial Army was crossing the river.

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

This was because they could cut off the supply route leading to Genoa and Bologna.

“The interpreter should stop translating for a moment.”

Hyang, having silenced the interpreter, continued to speak only to the Imperial Army command.