Chapter 673: Burning Eastern Europe I
A city in northeastern Poland.
Vilnius.
On a raised platform in the city's central square, "Archbishop Malou," clad in a long black robe, held aloft a holy Cross icon, passionately addressing the thousands of citizens gathered around him:
"We shall heed the guidance of God, wielding our souls and unwavering faith as weapons, to purge every heretic who dares to set foot upon this sacred ground!
"His esteemed and great Holiness, the Pope, has received a divine oracle from God and commanded me to deliver this revelation to every one of you.
"From this moment forth, the people of this land, regardless of age or gender, may become holy Crusaders, should they so desire!
"Whether a sword, a Flintlock Musket, or a hoe rests in their hands, they shall be bathed in God's holy light as they embark on a Holy War to the East!"
A colossal roar, like a surging tsunami, erupted across the square:
"Holy War! Holy War!"
Every eye brimmed with fervor and devotion as they listened to "Archbishop Malou" convey the Pope's decree, the flames of Holy War burning brightly within their hearts.
Archbishop Feliks Turski and several high-ranking Polish clergymen also stood behind the Papal Special Envoy, "Archbishop Malou," their hands crossed in prayer over their chests.
Prior to this, they had accompanied the Papal Special Envoy across most of Poland, calling upon the people to join a new Crusade against the Eastern Orthodox faithful.
Inspired by "Archbishop Malou," Poles eagerly donated funds to the army. In almost every town, civilian "Crusader legions" were spontaneously formed.
Meanwhile, the Royal Armory in Warsaw continuously shipped brand-new Flintlock Muskets to various regions, distributing them to these civilian militias.
Indeed, for the past five months, this armory, built with French aid, had been producing replica Tula M1753 Flintlock Muskets at a rate of 2,300 units per month.
The reason for not producing Charleville Flintlock Muskets, beyond avoiding any direct association with French armories, was a crucial strategic consideration: once the fighting began, captured Russian rifles could be used to arm the Polish army without concerns about ammunition supply issues due to different models.
Naturally, "Archbishop Malou" was none other than Mesmer in disguise.
He had undergone a month-long "intensive training" in France, arriving in Poland with a complete set of forged credentials. Assisted by Father Sais, a high-ranking cleric, he had managed to avoid any slip-ups.
Father Sais, who had never been particularly religious, felt no qualms about this deception.
While Mesmer incited Holy War across the land, two carriages galloped south towards Krakow.
As the two carriages approached the border between Poland and Austria, nearly twenty riders suddenly burst from the roadside thickets, surrounding them. Some even had their guns raised.
"What do you want?" a clergyman demanded loudly, opening the window of the lead carriage.
Among the riders, a short, stern-eyed man in a black cloak ignored him. He dismounted swiftly and strode to the rear carriage, knocking on the door and speaking:
"Esteemed Archbishop Krasinsky," he inquired, "where might you be headed?"
The door opened, revealing Krasinsky, the Archbishop of Kamieniec, seated inside.
"If this is a robbery, feel free to take anything you wish," the archbishop offered calmly.
The cloaked man produced identification.
"I am Lieutenant Kaliszdorf of the Committee of Liberty and Security."
"To be direct, your destination is Rome, correct?"
Archbishop Krasinsky took a deep breath and said:
"I always believed that members of the Bar Confederation were among God's most loyal servants."
The Committee of Liberty and Security had indeed been founded on the principles of the Bar Confederation, so he decided to test the waters.
Lieutenant Kaliszdorf nodded:
"Yes, we are all devout believers."
"Then you should not impede me," Archbishop Krasinsky declared. "You are with an intelligence agency; you must see that there is something wrong with that Special Envoy."
Kaliszdorf glanced down at the tip of his boot and said:
"My orders are to return you to Kamieniec. I am not concerned with other matters."
Archbishop Krasinsky raised his voice:
"That blasphemer! His Italian accent is strange, and he clearly knows nothing of the details of St. Peter's Basilica, yet he dares impersonate a Papal Special Envoy!"
"I must go to the Pope and verify this, to expose his true identity!"
Kaliszdorf spoke slowly, enunciating each word. "You cannot leave Poland."
"Why? Has that imposter bribed you, or do you also intend to blaspheme God?"
Lieutenant Kaliszdorf sighed deeply, making the sign of the Cross over his chest:
"God will forgive us."
"The Lord's revelations are not solely propagated by the Papal Special Envoy."
"Are you mad? How can that be?"
"Because God will not abandon Poland. And the divine oracle regarding the Crusaders and the Holy War will unite Poland even further, making us brave and fearless!"
Lieutenant Kaliszdorf raised his eyes, his voice low and firm:
"I escaped with my life from the barrel of a Russian gun. I know how powerful Russia is. Now, only the light of God can unite us to resist the approaching Russian army!"
"You're insane! All of you are insane! This is blasphemy—"
"I am mad because I follow God's will," Kaliszdorf interrupted him. "And you will be confined to Kamieniec, or I will kill you right here."
He gestured to his subordinates. "Turn the carriages back."
"Yes, sir!"
In fact, just half a month after Mesmer's arrival in Poland, the Committee of Liberty and Security had already sensed something amiss—how could the zealots of the Bar Confederation fail to discern the true identity of a Papal Special Envoy?
But they soon discovered that the already surging nationalist fervor among the Polish populace had erupted with unprecedented strength, fueled by religious inspiration.
Commoners and nobles set aside their disagreements to join the same army. Lithuanians and Poles, no longer bickering over petty local taxes, worked side-by-side to construct defenses. Merchants generously donated various supplies.
The nation was rapidly shedding its former aura of corruption and decay.
Consequently, the Committee of Liberty and Security also joined the effort to promote the Holy War.
All border roads leading to the Holy See were completely sealed by them.
Anyone within Poland who questioned the "Papal Special Envoy" received warnings, and some particularly stubborn clergymen were even secretly executed.
The entirety of Poland was set ablaze!
...
October 15, 1792.
Mozyr, an eastern province of Poland.
On the Polish Dnieper River front line, General Kościuszko watched a company of infantry march past, a slight frown creasing his brow.
In the squad that had just passed, he had spotted at least five men marching out of step, and more than a dozen with their Flintlock Musket straps tangled.
He sighed, turning to an officer beside him and saying:
"General Dombrowski, these young men... perhaps a third of them won't survive the first Russian assault."
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