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Chapter 455: Politics and Transactions

East of the Liegnitz front, the Duke of Brunswick stared at the map, his face ashen. Over 40,000 Prussian soldiers and more than 14,000 Saxon troops were cut off on the western flank of the front, having lost contact with him.

He cast a grateful glance at his staff officer beside him. If not for the officer's strong remonstrations yesterday, he would have personally gone to the other side of the defensive line to command the troops. In that case, even he, the overall commander, would now be trapped there.

After a brief discussion, the Duke of Brunswick looked up, surveying the officers in the tent, his voice hoarse as he said:

"So be it. Gather all available forces in Liegnitz. We must rescue our men."

The Coalition Forces already had limited manpower. If those 50,000-plus men were swallowed up by the Austrians, there would be no point in fighting the rest of the war.

Once the battle orders were issued, the officers hastily departed to execute them. The moment the tent flap closed, the Duke of Brunswick immediately swung his cane, slamming it against the table before him, and a low roar rumbled from his throat:

"Damn these Frenchmen! Damn them! Damn them! Damn them! Where did they come from?

"Those idiots Andreas and Auguste, with such superior forces, they were routed in less than half a day!"

Yesterday, he had sent out reserve units to try and break through the blockade of 10,000 French troops on the Liegnitz defensive line. But they were driven back by the French in just two hours.

He knew that the Austrians would continuously reinforce their positions to prevent those 50,000-plus men from retreating. He had to concentrate all his strength for a single strike if he hoped to turn the tide...

Three days later.

Over 40,000 Prussian troops had gathered at the breach in the Liegnitz defensive line.

The Duke of Brunswick gazed through his telescope at the Austrian cannons on their positions, his heart filled with apprehension. He knew full well that on the other side of the line, Marshal Lacy was undoubtedly preparing to encircle his 50,000-plus men.

If he failed to break through the Austro-French allied defenses in this battle, then the situation in Silesia would spiral completely out of control.

Just as he was preparing to stake everything and order a full-scale assault, a staff officer rushed over, not even bothering to salute, and whispered a few words into his ear.

"What?!" the Duke of Brunswick exclaimed, his eyes widening instantly. "Did you confirm his identity?"

"Yes, Marshal," the staff officer replied, signaling the guards to step back. Only then did he continue, "The letter he carries bears the seal and signature of the French Crown Prince."

"All troops, stand by!" The Duke of Brunswick waved a hand at the nearby officers. He then mounted his horse and followed the staff officer back to his own camp.

Inside an officer's tent, the Duke of Brunswick saw the Special Envoy of the French Crown Prince.

The envoy saluted him by raising his hat, a slight smile on his face:

"Esteemed Duke, I convey the Crown Prince's greetings to you."

The Prussian general commander nodded in return, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he said:

"You told my subordinates earlier that you wished to prevent the situation from escalating further?"

"That is His Highness's intention," the Special Envoy said, glancing westward before continuing, "Currently, French soldiers are positioned at the breach in the defensive line, while your tens of thousands of troops are poised to launch an attack there.

"Evidently, after this battle, our army will suffer severe casualties. Of course, your casualties will undoubtedly be equally staggering. In reality, this is entirely unnecessary."

The Duke of Brunswick narrowed his eyes. 'It seemed the French were unwilling to make too many sacrifices for the Holy Roman Emperor. This is a divine blessing for Prussia!'

He quickly replied, feigning indifference, "So, what does your Crown Prince have to suggest?"

The Special Envoy bowed slightly. "Your fierce assault on the Liegnitz defensive line is intended to rescue the troops cut off to the west."

The Duke of Brunswick neither confirmed nor denied it.

The Special Envoy continued, "If we can do something to help your 56,000 soldiers escape, then this impending battle can be averted."

The Duke of Brunswick could no longer maintain his composure. "How will His Royal Highness achieve that?" he asked, surprised.

"As you know, the defense of Żary is currently handled by His Highness's three infantry regiments. If the defenders here were suddenly relocated elsewhere, your men could then advance north into the Głogów area."

Żary was a crucial thoroughfare northwest of Liegnitz. As long as they could pass through, they could continue north into the Głogów province in northern Silesia.

The Duke of Brunswick looked at the French Special Envoy in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"You need not doubt His Highness's sincerity," the envoy affirmed, nodding. "However, even if your men can pass through Żary, Marshal Lacy will certainly pursue them.

"His Highness suggests that if you wish for them to escape smoothly, you should ideally dispatch troops to the north flank of the defensive line to provide some support, perhaps by feigning a strong attack on the line to draw the Austrian army's attention."

"Ah! I am most grateful to His Highness," the Duke of Brunswick said, pleased. "I will certainly give serious consideration to his suggestion."

Joseph was well aware that if the 50,000 Prussian troops who had advanced into Austrian-controlled territory were annihilated, the situation in Silesia would fall entirely into Austria's hands.

His strategic goal from the outset had been to use the conflict in Silesia to prevent Prussia and Austria from joining forces, not to help Austria dominate the German region.

Therefore, these Prussian forces had to escape to maintain the military balance between Prussia and Austria. However, he also needed Austria to achieve substantial breakthroughs in Silesia to further escalate the Silesian War.

It was like walking a tightrope; leaning even slightly left or right would lead to a fall.

The Duke of Brunswick, speaking, revealed a 'businessman's smile'. "So, Your Excellency, what can I do for His Highness in return?"

"Oh, that's simple," the Special Envoy replied with a smile. "His Highness requires a sum of money: two million Florins. It's a bargain for the safe passage of your army."

The Duke of Brunswick froze instantly.

He had expected the French Crown Prince to demand some political concessions from Prussia, or even some covert military understanding. He never imagined it would simply be a request for money!

'This is a bit too... crude.'

Mentally, he scorned the mercenary Frenchmen. Then he nodded and said, "That is certainly reasonable. How shall I deliver the money to His Highness?"

The Prussian army's pay for the next month had just arrived, and it was roughly enough to cover this amount.

The Special Envoy replied without hesitation, "You will send cavalry to transport the money near the breach in the defensive line. Once you receive confirmation that your troops have escaped, you will hand it over to our men."

Joseph, of course, also wanted to leverage this opportunity for some political gains. But he knew that Prussia was deeply entangled with Britain, and even if they agreed to his political terms, they would likely renege later under British influence.

Therefore, getting cash was more practical. So, he had someone roughly estimate the Prussian army's monthly payroll, and eventually settled on the figure of two million Florins.