He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 468

(468) Eugene Wins with ‘Using Barbarians to Control Barbarians’ in Poltava

Poltava, a place that once determined the outcome of the Great Northern War.

“Now, the point the French are aiming for is there?”

Matvey Ivanovich Platov, the Ataman [chieftain] of the Don Cossack Host, frowned in his encampment in Novocherkassk.

Novocherkassk is a city at the northwestern tip of the Black Sea.

After Platov became the leader of the Cossacks, it was a new city created near Cherkassk, the traditional center of the Cossacks.

Those who used to live solely by fishing or a nomadic lifestyle now engage in industry and agriculture in the new city.

All these benefits of civilization were bestowed by the Russian Empire.

Therefore, Platov and the Don Cossack clan have never doubted their loyalty to Russia.

In the original timeline, when Napoleon offered a scouting proposal, Platov resolutely refused.

However, this war is proving difficult.

Because the French were clearly claiming [Tsar Restoration], not invasion.

Still, following Alexander’s orders, they have repeatedly attacked.

However, despite the attacks, information has been received that the French are advancing north again.

“Ivan Efremov, my faithful messenger, what do you think?”

“We must attack or retreat. At least ten thousand light cavalry are approaching.”

“The instructions we received from [Moscow] are to harass the enemy.”

Platov frowned and said to Efremov, his adjutant.

“The problem is that the French are also requesting negotiations through the [Polska] people. We are clearly a clan that has sworn allegiance to the Russian Empire.”

If it were just a simple negotiation proposal, it would be rejected, of course.

The problem is that the other party is bringing up Pavel.

Pavel is still holding out in Saint Petersburg, far to the north.

If he had been completely deposed, it wouldn’t matter, but the Cossacks, who are also devout Russian Orthodox believers, believe in the sanctity of the Tsarist throne.

Later, during the Bolshevik Revolution in the original history, they even participated as the main force of the White Army to restore the Tsar.

Will [God] really tolerate a crown prince who opposes the Tsar?

This is the question troubling Platov’s mind right now.

At that time, the deputy commander, Nikolai Vasilyevich Ilovaisky, stepped forward.

“Ataman, we must fight the enemy according to the will of His Majesty the Tsar.”

“Lieutenant General Ilovaisky, that’s exactly our problem. Who *is* the Tsar anyway?”

“Isn’t it obviously His Majesty Alexander now? Our Cossacks don’t need to think differently. We are loyal to the rulers of Russia and are guaranteed safety in return.”

Nikolai, the head of the Ilovaisky clan, a prestigious family of the Don Cossacks, fixed his gaze intently.

“According to the order, we must fight back, Ataman.”

Ataman, a word referring to the chieftain of the Cossacks.

Although it has become a position appointed by the Tsar, the Don Cossacks still respect the traditions created hundreds of years ago.

Platov is not simply a cavalry commander but the great chieftain of the clan.

Looking around at the armed cavalry in Novocherkassk, Platov closed his eyes.

Even if they cannot win, harassing the enemy is enough to carry out Alexander’s orders.

“Okay, let’s march. Cossack brothers!”

The light cavalry spurred their horses all at once.

-Ihihihing!

The sound of horses neighing resounded loudly in the northern steppes of the Black Sea.

Those wearing leather armor look to their leader.

The great chieftain, Platov, raised his voice.

“Listen, brothers! We fought against Pugachev’s rebels, Chechens, and Persians! Also, we have fought in Western Europe under Marshal Suvorov!”

The battlefields where the Cossacks fought independently were rare.

As a corps composed entirely of light cavalry, they have been active as auxiliary soldiers in an era where gunpowder dominates the battlefield.

But in a sense, this war is a golden opportunity for the Cossacks to carry out independent operations.

What if they can achieve military exploits here?

In the Russian Empire, the Cossacks will be guaranteed a position that no one can threaten.

“All those wars are to ensure the safety and peace of our clan!”

“For the people of the Cossacks!”

“Kill the invaders!”

Platov shouted, holding a bow.

“That’s right! Now, to the invaders who have invaded the Russian Empire and our homeland! Show them the power of [Mounted Archery]!”

Then 30,000 Cossack cavalrymen raised their bows and roared in unison.

-Waaaa!

Of course, the Cossacks are also members of the 19th-century Russian Imperial Army.

Of course, they know how to use firearms, and among their weapons are muskets and pistols.

However, unlike the French Boarneh style or the British Brown Bess, they are all single-shot weapons.

Therefore, they use pre-modern archery in blitzkriegs where they have to launch wave attacks.

“Efremov, you take the right wing. Ilovaisky, you command the left wing. Attack the enemy, but never go too deep!”

To Platov, who is ordering the nomadic [Three Wings] system, the two deputy commanders gave a Russian-style salute.

“Yes, Don Ataman!”

The Cossack light cavalry, an army mixed with the Middle Ages and the modern era, set out for Poltava.

***

So, what kind of place is Poltava?

“Hee-ho! Your Majesty, is this finally my chance to shine! In this famous place, Poltava!”

As Lasalle’s fuss shows, it is a dream battlefield for cavalrymen.

In the past, there was a young monarch called the Northern King.

Charles XII, King of Sweden.

He fought against Peter the Great of Russia and once won a complete victory.

However, he was eventually pushed back by Peter the Great’s persistent offensive and defeated.

Poltava is the place that determined Peter’s victory and Charles’ defeat.

The reason why the two monarchs fought here is simple.

Because it is a key traffic route from the north of the Black Sea to Moscow.

So, Eugene can be said to have seized a strategically vital point.

But Eugene shook his head, looking back at Lasalle.

“No, it is His Majesty’s policy to minimize attrition in this war. Besides, you are officially in a state of non-participation.”

“Oh, to lose the opportunity for me, the hussar of hussars, to play an active role!”

“There are many places to play an active role, not necessarily here.”

Eugene, who was answering lightly, turned his gaze politely.

“Then, I ask you, Marshal Marceau.”

Marceau is dressed in a very exotic way, not befitting the title of Marshal.

First of all, the turban stands out so much that it draws the eyes of other generals.

But the most exotic thing is the nomadic leather armor.

Marceau, who was wearing clothes more like a nomad than the Cossacks, smiled and said to another person.

“Well, you should ask ‘Qati Giray’ [Khan] here rather than me. Please take good care of me, Khan.”

Qati Giray, a man who looks like he has mixed Oriental blood at a glance.

The last of the Giray clan, who originally ruled the Crimean Khanate.

The Crimean Khanate, which was a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire, was destroyed during the reign of Catherine the Great.

After wandering around, Marceau hired Qati Giray, who had returned to the Ottoman Empire, and used him to reunite the old tribesmen of the Crimean Khanate.

Suddenly, Qati Giray smiled and nodded.

“Just leave it to me. If I can finally revive the Crimean Khanate with this war!”

“Good attitude. There is no need to clash head-on. You only need to [Lure] them.”

“I understand!”

Qati Giray shouted to the tribesmen lined up outside the military camp.

“Let’s go, [Tatar] brothers!”

The tribesmen of the old Crimean Khanate all ran out with Qati Giray.

-Dududu!

The number is about 3,000.

They are nomads who have been wandering around the Crimean Peninsula until now.

Of course, it is difficult to say that they can be a match for the Cossack light cavalry, who have been in actual combat for a long time.

However, from Eugene’s point of view, the main forces are naturally the 4th Corps Hussars and the Legion Polski [Polish Legion].

So, the Crimean Khanate’s light cavalry only needs to lure the enemy.

“You have come up with an interesting proposal, Marceau.”

“Those defeated nomads originally belonged to the Ottoman Empire. It’s only been about 20 years since they were completely destroyed, Your Majesty. But, in the end, there is something else that moved them.”

“I know. Hippolyte?”

Hippolyte clicked his tongue and gestured to the guards.

“Oh my, how much does it really cost just for this bribery?”

The guards brought in sacks that had been prepared in advance.

-Jjeolleong!

It is gold coins urgently procured from French financiers who have advanced into the Eastern Mediterranean.

Some of the gold coins engraved with Napoleon’s face have already gone into the hands of Qati Giray and his subordinates.

The remaining gold coins poured into this barracks should be called the balance.

Even from the Boarneh cartel’s point of view, they had to concede huge interests to financiers for this procurement.

But Eugene calmly replied, looking at the gold coins worth over 3 million francs.

“War is originally about money, and if you can buy victory with money, it’s cheaper than killing for it.”

“If possible, it would be much cheaper if we could handle it with aluminum silver coins or something like that?”

“This is not Europe. The only thing that can persuade nomads is gold.”

Eugene spoke meaningfully while looking at the gold coins.

“That will apply to the Cossacks as well.”

So, there is no guarantee that this balance will be given to the Crimean Khanate’s light cavalry.

-Ihihihing!

As Eugene got on his horse, the Royal Guard and the 4th Corps also prepared to march.

The tactics of the Cossack light cavalry are so-called hit and run.

Their main tactic is to indiscriminately attack and retreat from the 4th Corps’ advance route from their base in Novocherkassk with wave attacks.

So, it was obvious that they would soon rush towards the main force of the 4th Corps, which was advancing to Poltava.

Suddenly, Grouchy, the cavalry commander who had gone out for forward reconnaissance, hurriedly returned and shouted.

“They’re coming!”

Then Eugene called the artillery commander instead of ordering an advance.

“Eblé, prepare the long-range guns.”

“Your Majesty, it is not an impossible distance to shoot a 12-pound cannon with a flat trajectory. But, our allies may get hurt?”

“Since when have we cared about that? Besides, this is just a warning shot anyway.”

Eugene smiled and said.

“You must have already heard that the real payoff is separate, right?”

Major General Eblé, who was originally the commander of the engineering corps and the artillery commander of the 4th Corps in this war, frowned.

If he follows Eugene’s orders, there is a risk that the light cavalry of the old Crimean Khanate will be injured.

But if you think about it differently, aren’t the light cavalry of the Crimean Khanate mercenaries bought with money in the first place?

“I understand. 4th Corps artillery, prepare to fire!”

While watching the horse-drawn artillery moving, Eugene held up his telescope.

“Now, shall we start [Cannon Diplomacy]?”

Soon after, the cannons of Eugene’s 4th Corps, Unicorn, spewed fire.

-Chiik, Kwang!

It was the moment when [modern] cannon fire poured down on the cavalry corps fighting with bows in the 19th century.

***

At the same time, chaos was unfolding on the Poltava plains.

“These guys aren’t hussars!”

“Avoid them, it’s definitely a trap! First, retreat!”

“No, we can rather defeat them! They are completely disorganized!”

The Cossack light cavalry corps was taken by surprise.

Until now, the Cossacks’ method was to attack and retreat, taking advantage of their superior speed.

This time as well, the pre-determined tactic was to attack with a speed superior to the French hussars.

However, strangely, they were fast and difficult to catch up with, but when they met, it was discovered that they were not French.

Somehow, they resembled the light cavalry of the old Crimean Khanate, but it was strange because they shouldn’t have remained.

However, their skill level was very low, so they were easy to deal with.

But why are these enemies blocking the Cossack light cavalry?

At that time, cannon fire rang out in the distance.

-Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

The horses were startled and reared up, and Efremov shouted in alarm.

“It’s artillery fire!”

Cannons must be avoided at all costs.

Light cavalry has a weakness.

It is that they have no choice but to scatter in the face of firepower.

Of course, the Cossack light cavalry knew their weaknesses, so they preferred long-range strike warfare.

But it is dangerous if the enemies have artillery waiting in advance and are shooting from high ground.

-Dududu!

Another change occurred in front of the Cossack light cavalry, who were hurriedly leaving Poltava.

“Oh!”

Poltava is not simply a place composed of plains.

To the east is the Vorskla River, and to the north and south are the Yakovechsky Forest and the Budyschensky Forest, respectively.

However, French hussars appeared across the river.

It was Champot’s cavalry who ran across the metal pontoon bridge invented by Eblé.

Champot shouted, drawing the hussar’s saber.

“I, Champot, am waiting! Everyone will die here!”

Artillery fire from behind, hussars in front, what choice will the Cossacks make in this situation?

“Break through!”

They charge bravely.

But the French hussars are not actually sword cavalry.

Except for Champot, the other cavalrymen all held Boarneh-style breech-loading rifles in their hands.

-Dududu, Tang!

The sound of gunfire echoed along the river, and Cossack cavalrymen died everywhere.

But this is the Poltava Plain.

No matter how blocked, the road is open, and the Cossacks were good at dispersed running.

Changing their formation to cavalry squads instead of unit level, the Cossacks ran through the forest.

“Everyone, hurry across the river! Oh?”

Ilovaisky stopped trying to cross the river in a hurry.

Across the river, 10,000 cuirassiers and lancers are lined up.

At first glance, they look familiar, and they were once fighting together in the Russian Empire.

The one standing at the front is Poniatowski.

Poniatowski spoke to Ilovaisky’s back in Russian.

“Long time no see, Ataman Matvey Ivanovich Platov.”

Don Cossack’s Ataman, Platov, came forward with a tired face and asked.

“Duke Poniatowski, did you command this operation?”

“Not really. I came to convey the will of the King of Spain, who commanded the operation.”

“What do you mean? If it’s surrender, our Cossacks won’t accept it!”

At that moment, Poniatowski smiled and said.

“No, the King of Spain has promised you [Cossack Independence]. How about it?”

It is a proposal that they would not have accepted if they had not been defeated.

But now, the Cossack cavalry is scattered.

Also, there was a pang of conscience that had been bothering Platov.

Platov was stunned and opened his mouth.

“H, how can we believe those words?”

But the moment he said this, Platov later realized that he had already fallen for it.

June 1809.

A month-long southern wave offensive.

It was the moment when Eugene caught the Cossacks with the Tatars of Crimea.