Chapter 344: War and Military Expenses
Besides its numerical superiority, Mysore was also a very wealthy nation.
Thanks to its trade with Britain, Mysore heavily exported cotton, tea, spices, indigo, and sugar, bringing immense wealth to its nobility and ensuring abundant supplies for the nation's wars.
To borrow a phrase from later times, Lafayette had never fought such a well-resourced war.
Of course, the opponent he faced was even more formidable—Britain, the most powerful nation in the world at the time, naturally. The East India Company maintained a standing army of over 3,000 in India, capable of mobilizing around 6,000 if necessary. Should troops be dispatched from the British mainland, their forces could swell to 10,000 within three to four months.
Furthermore, the princely states under British control, as well as Britain's Indian allies, could provide vast numbers of soldiers, potentially reaching over 200,000. While these Indian troops were far less effective in combat than Mysore's forces, sheer numbers could overwhelm, proving to be a significant nuisance. Crucially, these princely states could also provide logistical support to the British army, a major factor influencing the course of the war.
Therefore, one of Joseph's most crucial orders to Lafayette was to unite as many local Indian states as possible, or at the very least, persuade them not to side with Britain.
In the late 18th century, Britain's control over India was far less absolute than it would be in the 19th century. Fully controlled Indian princely states comprised no more than one-fifth of India's total area; the vast majority operated through alliances.
The rulers of these princely states were exceedingly greedy and easily swayed by self-interest.
Lafayette and Salah discussed the recent council meeting as they successively boarded their carriages.
Umda was the highest-ranking military officer title in Mysore, clearly demonstrating Tipu Sultan's high regard for Lafayette.
Salah smiled and nodded. "Congratulations, Marquis, I certainly wouldn't miss such an occasion."
...
The Southern Netherlands.
Eastern outskirts of Brussels.
Over ten thousand soldiers, clad in red uniforms and white breeches, formed a long, winding marching column, advancing across the lush green fields to the rhythmic beat of drums.
The crimson column stretched into the distant hills, vanishing into the faint mist.
Not far from a Twelve-Pounder Cannon drawn by eight horses, two officers rode slowly side by side, flanked by their escorts.
The handsome man riding on the left, dressed in a golden double-breasted red military uniform with two dark blue sashes across his chest, thick black eyebrows, and a prominent nose, was none other than Karl II, the current Governor of Hanover.
He was rapidly muttering, "Those fellows in the Southern Netherlands Parliament are a bunch of fools.
"The Austrian army hasn't been completely driven out yet, and the French are getting involved, but what are they doing? They're single-mindedly squabbling over control of the Parliament...
"They've even affected troop deployments because of it. More than 8,000 Netherlands soldiers are just idling in Ghent, watching us fight to the death against the French.
"Especially that Vonck. Those soldiers have been resting for over a month, and he still wants them to recuperate until the end of the year... Might as well let them retire in Ghent."
Beside him, General Karel van Bronckhorst, commander of the Dutch Volunteer Forces, clad in a blue uniform, nodded helplessly. "Who can argue with that? But Vonck currently commands immense prestige within the Southern Netherlands army, and ever since their last defeat at the hands of the French, their troops have been more than happy to rest. Vonck's orders perfectly align with their desires."
Karl II glanced at the large army beside him and scoffed, "Once the Austrians are defeated, I will certainly recommend to His Majesty the King that the Southern Netherlands Parliament be merged with the Dutch Parliament."
Bronckhorst's heart immediately swelled with joy upon hearing this. Although Britain had long secretly promised to facilitate the unification of the Netherlands and the Southern Netherlands, hearing it directly from the Hanoverian commander leading the front lines—who, in fact, represented Britain's will—made him feel his hopes had grown considerably.
He quickly flattered Karl II, then hesitated, asking, "Marshal, do you think that after you crush the French and Austrian armies, the French will continue to commit more troops to the Low Countries?"
As a Dutchman, he naturally worried about their colossal French neighbor; after all, Louis XIV had nearly annihilated the Netherlands just a few decades prior.
Karl II sneered. "I recall you're a shareholder in the Bank of Amsterdam, aren't you? Then you should be well aware of France's current financial situation."
As an established financial empire in Europe, the Netherlands had banking operations throughout the continent, particularly in France. Over forty percent of France's foreign debt was owed to Dutch banks.
General Bronckhorst nodded. "Yes, I am indeed somewhat informed. France's debt still exceeds 2 billion livres."
He, of course, did not know that while the overall sum of France's debt remained largely unchanged, Joseph had, through maneuvers during the previous banking crisis, converted a significant portion of it into low-interest debt, substantially reducing the financial pressure compared to before.
Karl II looked at him and said, "You know that France maintains an army of over 20,000 in North Africa to guard against potential attacks from Algiers and Tripoli.
"At the same time, they have 30,000 troops in Silesia and 20,000 in Luxembourg. These overseas deployments are incredibly expensive. France cannot possibly bear the cost of even more troops; otherwise, their national finances would collapse before they even achieved a decisive victory on the battlefield."
Bronckhorst nodded in strong agreement. Karl II continued, "France's standing army numbers less than 120,000. They currently have over 70,000 deployed across various locations. Unless they undertake large-scale conscription, they won't even have enough troops to maintain order domestically."
He pointed southeast. "Therefore, as soon as the French forces in Luxembourg are routed, the fighting in the Low Countries will be decisively over.
"And our superior numbers will quickly accomplish this task."
As the commanders of the Hanoverian and Dutch armies conversed grandly, on the border between Luxembourg and Liège, Leo gazed at Lefebvre with a pained expression. "Lieutenant Colonel, my friend, perhaps it would still be best to rest for a while longer."
Following the previous pursuit battle, where fewer troops had routed a larger force, Lefebvre had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
"General, look, your reinforcements have all arrived," Lefebvre said, smiling as he gestured towards the distant Austrian encampment. "You can't betray His Imperial Majesty's trust, can you?"
Joseph II, in an effort to divert the attention of Prussia and Hanover towards the Southern Netherlands, had sent an additional 8,000 soldiers to Leo, who now commanded an army of nearly 10,000.
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