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Chapter 1275: The Avenger's Journey

Woronowicz soon received a military uniform.

The collar and cuffs showed signs of wear, clearly not new, but the uniform was meticulously clean.

The sergeant then led their squad to a line of carriages. Men pulled out Charleville Flintlock Muskets from the wagons, pressing them firmly into their hands.

Zlatopol, barely containing his excitement, turned to the officer beside him. "Sir, are we...?"

"War," the officer stated succinctly. "Three weeks of restorative training first, then we'll teach those invaders a lesson."

Over the next twenty days, Woronowicz and thousands of others trained continuously at Zales's estate, none returning home.

Yet, they harbored no complaints, each man training with utmost dedication.

They had assumed Poland had accepted its fate, doomed to a numb existence of humiliation. They never imagined Heaven would grant them a chance at vengeance.

Naturally, the Warsaw government had made special arrangements for their families' care, providing each household with 22 francs monthly for living expenses.

Poland's government finances had collapsed soon after its defeat, currently surviving solely on French loans. Yet, following Joseph's earlier plan, Prince Poniatowski had discreetly settled most Polish veterans in affluent cities such as Warsaw or Drahichyn. They were given roles as civil servants, police, or road workers, blending into the populace, their livelihoods supported by the state.

While this incurred a debt of 15 million francs for the Polish treasury, it secretly preserved over 35,000 combat-experienced veterans right under the noses of Russia, Prussia, and Austria.

The registers containing the soldiers' information were the very Bibles Prince Poniatowski had so carefully safeguarded.

Adding to this the 30,000 troops Poland was permitted to retain under the Russian-Prussian-Austrian Prague Treaty, the moment Father Sais arrived in Warsaw, the Poles were able to muster a formidable army of 65,000 almost instantly.

Moreover, hidden behind a crumbling church in the secluded town of Otwock lay enough uniforms, weapons, and ammunition to arm fifty to sixty thousand soldiers.

For months prior, Denmark had continuously dispatched convoys, clandestinely shipping military supplies to Raseiniai in northern Poland. These were then handed to local smugglers, who transported them through Russian-occupied territories to Warsaw.

Naturally, most of these provisions had been supplied by France.

This was the immense surprise Joseph had prepared for the Coalition Forces.

In an unassuming villa on the outskirts of Warsaw, General Karol Kniaziewicz, the Polish Chief of Staff, first briefed Father Sais on the nation's war preparations. Then, gesturing towards a map, he began to outline the operational plan to the assembled Polish generals:

"Based on our intelligence, the Austrian forces in Krakow number fewer than two thousand troops. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we can reclaim the city within a single day."

Lieutenant General Niesiołowska, who oversaw logistics, let out a sigh of relief. "After that, we can reopen the Tarnowskie Góry silver mine. Finally, I can ensure the soldiers' bread contains less sawdust!"

Indeed, thanks to the Polish government's extensive cooperation, the Austrians had confidently retained most of the Polish miners, and even the deputy general manager was Polish. The Austrian noble who served as general manager merely reported the silver mine's monthly income to Vienna.

General Kniaziewicz continued, "Next, we will force-march from northern Slovakia to the Ore Mountains. The most challenging obstacle during this advance will be the Olomouc fortress..."

"Wait," Lieutenant General Józef Wielhorski interjected, surprised. "Are you referring to the Ore Mountains? Shouldn't we be striking directly at Vienna?"

The Ore Mountains, a city in northwestern Austria, lay over 400 kilometers from Krakow, whereas Vienna was only 320 kilometers from Poland's southwestern border.

Marshal Kościuszko interjected, "We alone cannot hope to defeat the Austrians.

"Vienna is defended by at least 15,000 troops, and they are constantly conscripting new soldiers. We would likely be stalled at Nové Zámky. By the time the Austrians redeploy troops from Passau for reinforcements, we will have squandered this invaluable opportunity.

"Our objective is to coordinate with the French army. According to the plan, they will be awaiting us in the northern Ore Mountains."

Wielhorski's eyes lit up instantly.

If their forces could breach the Ore Mountains fortress from the rear, hundreds of thousands of French troops would pour into Austria like a tidal wave. At that point, Vienna, regardless of its garrison size, would be swiftly overwhelmed.

The Polish Chief of Staff added, "However, we will also dispatch a force towards Vienna, as requested by the French General Staff. This should help lessen the resistance we face at the Olomouc fortress."

Lieutenant General Zajączek furrowed his brow. "But this will leave our homeland with insufficient defensive forces. What if the Russians...?"

In Marshal Kościuszko's eyes, a furious flame seemed to blaze. "Even if Warsaw is dragged into hell, we will at least ensure Vienna tastes the same bitter suffering!"

It was by following France's previous operational plan and boldly pushing deep into Russian territory that he had saved Poland from annihilation. This experience cemented his unshakeable faith in France's strategies.

General Kniaziewicz picked up, "The Russians have committed over 100,000 troops to Austria; it's highly improbable they can launch another large-scale offensive against our nation now.

"Furthermore, I believe we've maintained strict secrecy regarding this offensive. The Russians are unlikely to react so swiftly."

The operational planning continued late into the night. Ultimately, the Polish General Staff decided that Marshal Kościuszko himself would command 45,000 soldiers in the assault on the Ore Mountains.

General Zajączek would lead 10,000 troops in a feint attack on Vienna.

Domestically, 4,000 personnel would remain for maintaining public order, while the eastern front's defenders would comprise only about 6,000.

April 21, 1799.

Led by 4,000 elite Winged Hussars in their distinctive red uniforms, an army of over 50,000 Polish troops silently began its southward march.

Because the entire preparation process had strictly prevented soldiers from any contact with the outside world, the Coalition Forces remained utterly unaware of the unfolding events.

According to Marshal Kościuszko's assessment, the Polish army should face little resistance until reaching Olomouc. Yet, even he hadn't anticipated just how much smoother the actual advance would prove.

The issue of serf emancipation had ensured constant activity from resistance organizations within Austrian-occupied territories such as Krakow and Nowy Sącz.

Upon learning that their homeland was sending troops to reclaim lost territories, they immediately rallied and launched desperate assaults on the Austrian garrison in Krakow.

Though these resistance fighters numbered only six to seven hundred, they managed to kill over a hundred Austrian soldiers in three days. This incensed the Austrian commander, who, in a fit of rage, led his troops out of their garrison and into the countryside to eradicate them.

Shortly after they exited Krakow, they ran head-on into the Polish Winged Hussars.