Novels online

Chapter 1468: A Textbook for Strategic Retreat

Count Małachowski, the Polish Royal Minister, knew all too well that Kościuszko's surprise attack on Crimea was actually an operational plan devised by the French Crown Prince. As one of the most steadfast members of the Moderates, he immediately voiced his opposition: "Your Majesty, according to intelligence provided by France, a conflict between the Ottomans and Persia has freed up nearly 13,000 Russian troops. They are being redeployed from Transcaucasia toward the Dnieper River line.

"Combined with the new recruits from Moscow and other regions, Marshal Kościuszko will soon find himself at a total numerical disadvantage.

"I believe the Prince Regent's suggestion must be given our full attention."

Piattoli, the King's secretary, suddenly interjected in a cold tone, "My dear Count, perhaps you have forgotten that France and Russia are now linked by marriage. Perhaps His Royal Highness the Prince Regent is merely attempting to preserve Russia under the influence of his wife's lobbying."

Małachowski barked back, "What nonsense are you babbling! Everyone knows that was a compromise the Prince Regent was forced to make to prevent the Russians from joining the Anti-French Coalition!

"France and Russia remain in a state of war even now. To disparage the Prince Regent's irreplaceable assistance to our nation is outrageous!"

The other four cabinet ministers also cast disapproving looks at Piattoli.

Currently, the French Crown Prince enjoyed immense prestige in Poland. While rhetoric like Piattoli's wasn't mainstream, it did have a certain niche following.

Trębicki picked up the thread: "I believe the Prince Regent is genuinely concerned about us being outmaneuvered by the Russians.

"However, he is in Paris. He cannot possibly know the specific situation on the Dnieper front. In this matter, he has surely made a miscalculation." Kołłątaj shook his head. "But what if he is right?"

"War always carries risks. We cannot miss this once-in-a-century opportunity to defeat the Russians!"

Stanisław II raised his hand to signal an end to the bickering. He looked toward Count Małachowski. "What is the Great Sejm's stance on the war?" The latter sighed inwardly and replied helplessly, "Your Majesty, the majority of the councilors favor continuing the offensive."

Piattoli, standing to the side, looked triumphant. "In fact, the councilors believe we should fight until we occupy Saint Petersburg!"

Kołłątaj glanced at him and addressed the King: "Your Majesty, among the Lithuanian councilors, quite a few wish for a ceasefire. You know that the economic situation in Lithuania has become dire..."

Stanisław II nodded slowly.

Lithuania lay on the eastern side of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth—the front lines of the conflict with Russia—and had suffered the most devastation from the flames of war. Furthermore, the Polish nobles who owned vast tracts of Lithuanian land were exploiting the local serfs ruthlessly. Following the serf reforms, Lithuania was teeming with peasants who lacked the means to buy back their land.

Countless landless peasants were forced to flood into cities like Warsaw to eke out a living, further deepening Lithuania's poverty.

Adding to this were the high victory taxes levied by the Polish government after the war with Russia began. The lives of the lower classes in Lithuania were already on the verge of collapse. It was hardly surprising that the councilors from Vilnius and elsewhere wanted a ceasefire.

"Those are all cowardly Orthodox Christians. They never truly wanted to resist the Russians," Trębicki shouted. "That is why I have always said we must completely ban Eastern Orthodoxy!"

Potocki, who hailed from Novogrudok in Lithuania, immediately cut him off: "Do you wish to cause a national schism?!"

Stanisław II once again signaled for calm and asked, "Then, can we hold out until we defeat the Russians?"

"Of course we can, Your Majesty!"

"It is hard to say..."

"Great Poland will surely emerge victorious!"

"But our finances could run dry at any moment."

Staszic, the Minister of Education who had been quiet until now, stepped forward and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, our country has already invested too much in this war. Whether it be young lives or these extreme tax rates...

"If we fail to achieve a decisive victory, how can we possibly convince the people to accept all of this?"

The air grew still. The only sound remaining was the whistling of the wind and snow outside.

After a long silence, Stanisław II let out a heavy sigh. "Let the Great Sejm put it to a vote."

Małachowski and the other moderates remained silent.

Given the current political climate in the Polish parliament, the result of the vote was a foregone conclusion: they would continue the offensive against Russia.

Three days later, the Polish Great Sejm passed a resolution to conscript another 20,000 recruits for the front lines and to levy a nationwide Victory Tax to support Marshal Kościuszko's offensive toward Moscow.

At the Palace of Versailles.

Joseph handed a long letter to Berthier. "This is from His Majesty Stanisław II.

"Poland has fallen into a state of frenzy. They simply do not believe they can suffer a defeat."

The Chief of Staff's eyes scanned the letter quickly.

The content was primarily an expression of gratitude for France's invaluable assistance and a hymn to the eternal friendship between Poland and France. The latter half stated that the King could not change the resolution passed by the Great Sejm, and so he had no choice but to stake everything on a confrontation with the Russians.

He looked at the Prince Regent and asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, should we deploy troops to Poland?"

If the Polish army truly collapsed, the situation in Eastern Europe would become unpredictable.

Joseph waved it off. "We should not get dragged into the wars of Eastern Europe. It is too far from us, and the attrition of war would be immense." Currently, French industry and trade were booming, entering a period of rapid ascent. If they ran off to the Dnieper River to fight a war of attrition with the Russians, it would inevitably drain massive amounts of capital that were intended for industrial development.

Furthermore, Russia was a nation that excelled at dragging its opponents into messy, protracted battles on its own soil.

If France truly committed troops, the British would surely wake up laughing from their dreams. They would then provide all manner of aid to Russia and perhaps even drag Austria into forming yet another Anti-French Coalition.

Berthier said urgently, "But Your Highness, if we do nothing..."

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt. "If I were to send a single commander to help the Poles manage a retreat, who do you think would be most suitable?"

"Just one person? No army?"

"Exactly."

Berthier thought for a moment before responding, "I would recommend Colonel Davout or Colonel Saint-Cyr, Your Highness."

Joseph nodded slightly.

The Chief of Staff truly was an expert. In history, both Davout and Saint-Cyr had been the generals responsible for commanding the rearguard and covering the retreat when Napoleon withdrew from Russia.

After a moment's reflection, he gave the order: "Let it be Colonel Saint-Cyr."

In history, Saint-Cyr had once been surrounded on three sides by Russian forces at Polotsk, facing a force twice his own size. Despite the desperate conditions of frostbite and food shortages, he had relied on his calm demeanor and brilliant command to successfully withdraw his main force to Vilnius.

That battle was hailed by Napoleon as a textbook example of a retreat under adversity.

Berthier's interest was piqued. "Your Highness, do you already have an operational plan in mind?"

Joseph let out a breath and shook his head. "Not yet. However, I can tell you a story."