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Chapter 1411: Liberals and the Vengeance Faction

However, over half of Poland's territory had previously been occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Coupled with years of continuous warfare, impoverished Poland was already stretched beyond its national capacity, even with aid from France.

The Polish Great Sejm had successively levied numerous war taxes, with around 60% of the public's income going towards taxes. Driven by immense hatred, the populace grit their teeth and endured, supporting the war against Russia.

Even so, supplies at the front lines were extremely strained, which made it nearly impossible for Kościuszko to achieve any significant results in his offensives over the past two months.

However, just yesterday at noon, two envoys claiming to be from the Society of Happiness arrived at the Polish military headquarters and informed Kościuszko that they planned to launch a revolution a month later and hoped to secure the cooperation of the Polish army.

Kościuszko had heard of the Society of Happiness. It was a Liberal organization active in southwestern Russia, originally called the "Society for National Salvation." But later, targeted by the Tsar's Secret Police, they were forced to change their name to the seemingly innocuous Society of Happiness.

These individuals advocated for the abolition of the Tsar and the establishment of a republic similar to that of America.

However, according to the information Kościuszko possessed, the organization wasn't particularly powerful—essentially a group of minor nobles who had read Rousseau's works and were 'amusing themselves.'

Yet the two men who had arrived claimed they could mobilize at least a thousand soldiers to launch an attack behind Kutuzov's lines and quickly seize several nearby cities.

As the murmurs of his officers' arguments reached his ears, Kościuszko's gaze fell upon a small booklet on a nearby table, its cover bearing the words "Russian Truth."

It was left by the Society of Happiness. He had skimmed through it. Its contents outlined the future Russian laws drafted by the group, primarily including "the dethronement of the Tsar and the establishment of a People's Assembly," "the complete abolition of Serfdom, with half the land nationalized and the other half distributed freely to serfs," "guarantees of freedom of speech, press, and religion," and, clearly added later, content copied directly from the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

For some reason, Kościuszko suddenly felt, 'This couldn't be Kutuzov's ploy. That fellow surely couldn't devise something like this.'

'Perhaps, this is an opportunity.'

More importantly, 'he needed such an opportunity.'

Poland no longer had the strength to sustain a prolonged war. Currently, ordinary soldiers could only eat two meals of black bread per day, and it was estimated that by the end of the year, even black bread would be difficult to guarantee.

If they could break through the Dnieper River defense line, they would have a chance to compel the Tsar to sign an armistice favorable to Poland.

He raised a hand, signaling his officers for silence. His tone was as steady as ever: "Whether there is an internal rebellion in Russia or not, we are marching into Left-Bank Ukraine.

"The precious dry season is already half-over, and we must make haste.

"Of course, we must also be prepared for various contingencies. Even if this is truly a Russian trap, we will still crush them!"

Mokronowski immediately snapped to attention and exclaimed: "For the Motherland!"

Seeing that the Marshal had made his decision, Madaliński and the others also raised their heads and shouted: "For the Motherland!"

Immediately after, the Polish General Staff began formulating a detailed operational plan.

By Kościuszko's command, all troops in eastern Poland, including militia organizations, were to converge on Mogilev. It was estimated that the total force would reach an unprecedented 90,000 strong within a month.

Meanwhile, the Polish Great Sejm quickly passed a new "armament tax" bill to temporarily levy 7.5 million groszy for military expenses. Sixty percent of this would come from the Lithuania region, which previously had slightly lower tax rates.

...

Southwestern Russia.

On the outskirts of Pereiaslav, a military transit hub on the east bank of the Dnieper River, Begozerov, one of the leaders of the Society of Happiness, frowned as he addressed the messenger: "Did you tell them we'd pay them?"

"Yes, sir. But you know, Kutuzov's army is nearby, and they're afraid of being..."

Kishchenko, standing nearby, angrily slammed his fist on the table. "Cowards! It doesn't matter. Even without them, we can still accomplish our plan!"

He had been here for over half a year. Thanks to the consistently poor battlefield situation for the Russian army, he and the dozen other officers who had accompanied him were able to recruit many war-weary soldiers into the organization.

Especially in March, Chadov used "Paul's Curse"—the blood-stained letter written by Tsar Paul before his death—to successfully persuade Major Nesterov, commander of the Tikhonov Regiment stationed in Pereiaslav, to rebel against Alexander I, thereby greatly bolstering the organization's strength.

This infantry regiment numbered over 800 men and was equipped with two cannons, as well as control over Pereiaslav's supply depot—military provisions sufficient for 3,000 soldiers.

Kishchenko's only dissatisfaction was that Major Nesterov was very cool towards him, yet had been persuaded by Chadov, a mere Second Lieutenant.

Subsequently, they used the funds provided by that mysterious factory owner to quickly expand their influence to two surrounding military settlement areas and established contact with the Cossack Sich to the south.

However, the serf-soldiers in the military settlements clearly lacked ideals and even more so, courage; so far, no one had joined them.

Of course, there were also some who were driven to madness by the military settlement system who stated that if the uprising succeeded, they would consider joining.

Begozerov still wore a worried frown. "Without the troops from those military settlements, we stand no chance against Kutuzov. Moreover, they might even attack us under the Tsar's orders."

Another high-ranking member of the Society nodded. "The troops from Saint Petersburg will arrive here in at most a month and a half. We need at least 5,000 soldiers to have any chance of holding out."

Kishchenko declared loudly: "The Tsar's armies have all been dispatched to Minsk, Tbilisi, and other locations.

"And the moment we raise our banner, countless people yearning for freedom will immediately flock to us!"

As he spoke, a rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the door.

Begozerov, recognizing the correct signal, gestured for his subordinate to open the door.

A travel-worn, short man entered, his face beaming with joy, and announced: "The Poles have agreed to launch a full-scale offensive at the opportune moment!"

Chadov, who had been silent until now, suddenly stood up and made the sign of the cross over his chest, proclaiming: "God has brought down His wrath; the guilty shall be consumed by fire!"

"Excellent!" Kishchenko was practically bouncing with excitement. "All we need to do is launch a surprise attack on Kutuzov's flank and rear while he's dealing with the Poles, and the Tsar's army will be finished!"

Chadov, however, frowned and shook his head. "We only have a little over a thousand men. If even one of Kutuzov's legions reacts quickly, we'll be bogged down in the mud."