Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 776 - 684 The Holy Alliance Eliminating Heresy
Chapter 776: Chapter 684: The Holy Alliance, Eliminating Heresy
Chapter 776: Chapter 684: The Holy Alliance, Eliminating Heresy
Franz II looked toward the State Minister with some surprise, “Only over 20,000 men? Is this the intention of the Military Committee?”
It was no wonder he asked this, given that Austria had mobilized 40,000 troops to quell the rebellion in Slavonia, yet for the national war against Poland, they dispatched only 24,000.
Baron Tugut appeared slightly embarrassed, “Your Majesty, if our target is merely the Lesser Poland region, then this force should suffice. As you know, our financial situation…”
Upon hearing this, Franz II waved his hand impatiently.
Indeed, Austria’s financial situation was not much better than Prussia’s at the time.
Like Prussia, Austria had suffered the drain of the Silesian War and had recently engaged in another conflict in the Southern Netherlands—though the fighting was mainly reliant on the French Army, Austria bore the costs of logistics. The rebellion in Serbia was still not fully quelled.
In recent years, the Empire was constantly “bleeding” everywhere.
Additionally, with competition from France in the Southern German Market, revenue had sharply declined, leaving the treasury in a precarious state.
This was why Franz II was so eager to tear off a chunk of flesh from Poland to revitalize Austria’s finances.
But the immense pressure of military expenditure meant that the Empire could only send a little more than 20,000 troops to attack Poland.
Baron Tugut continued, “Your Majesty, Russia has drawn the majority of the Polish Army away. The War Committee believes we will not encounter too much resistance.”
While he spoke, the Emperor’s attendant approached.
Franz II turned to the attendant and asked, “What is it?”
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“Your Majesty, Count Schmitz and Marquis Androsh, along with some nobles, request an audience.”
“What do they want?”
“Um, Count Schmitz seems to have mentioned heeding the Holy See’s call to arms to join the Holy War…”
The Emperor of Sanctum’s face turned green as he exclaimed, “What Holy War? That’s just Polish propaganda! Tell them never to speak of this again!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the corridor of Schonbrunn Palace, Count Schmitz spoke passionately to a group of people awaiting the Emperor’s summons, “A hundred years ago, the ‘Spear of God’ helped the Empire repel the infidels besieging Vienna! Now, it is time for a new Crusade to the Dnieper River to assist them! His Majesty will surely agree to send troops.”
He spoke of the late 17th century when the Ottoman army was besieging Vienna. At that time, Pope Innocent XI formed the “Holy Alliance” to reinforce Austria, with the Winged Cavalry being the main force.
Someone immediately cried out, “In the name of Jesus!”
“Holy Alliance, to exterminate the heretics!”
However, the Emperor’s attendant came out with a stern face and scolded the crowd, “Please be silent. His Majesty has said that this so-called Holy War is nothing but Polish rumor, and no one is to speak of it.”
The group of nobles was stunned into silence…
North of Kyiv.
Gornostaypol.
General Smirnov, Commander of the Ukraine Corps, stared blankly as a troop of Cavalry, dressed in red uniforms with white feathers in their backs, cut into his infantry line from the flank without any resistance, like magma surging forth.
The Cossack Cavalry Battalion he had sent to block this “magma” had almost immediately crumbled, and then the Ukrainian infantry’s flank was exposed to the “magma.”
“Winged Cavalry?”
Smirnov’s face turned pale as he muttered. His soldiers had already started to rout and flee.
“How, how is this possible?”
Just this morning, he had been discussing with his staff how to intercept the Polish unit that was causing trouble near Kyiv if they tried to retreat.
Yes, he had not taken the Polish Army seriously at all.
The Poles in Mozhili, although they were fiercely unafraid of death, had always been suppressed by the Russian Army, barely able to fight back.
He had always believed that if he could just catch this Polish unit, he would be able to easily annihilate them.
Who would have thought that just two hours ago, the Poles suddenly turned around and launched a fierce attack on his forces?
At first, Smirnov was quite pleased, thinking he could earn some military merit. He immediately ordered a full-out counterattack.
However, to his surprise, this Polish unit had an astonishing fighting capability—from training to morale, all the way to equipment, not falling short of the Ukraine Corps.
In fact, they were even superior by a long shot.
Kosciuszko’s forces consisted of some of Poland’s finest troops, whose high morale was undeniable. They had been engaged in real combat with the Serbian rebels for over half a year. Although they used the Russian-made Tula M1753 weaponry, it was produced under the direct supervision of French technicians, surpassing the original Russian version in both precision and reliability.
Moreover, the Polish Army had 17,000 men, while the Russian forces that came to intercept only numbered around 10,000.
As for Chapelev’s garrison in Kyiv, since there had been insufficient coordination with Smirnov, they were still loitering below the walls of Kyiv.
Thus, as soon as the Ukraine Corps came into contact with the Polish Royal Third Division, they were somewhat overwhelmed.
Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Smirnov was preparing to retreat towards Mozhili when a detachment of over a thousand Winged Cavalry suddenly emerged from downstream of the Jie Jielev River.
And then, the current situation unfolded.
Lieutenant Colonel Madaliniski, the Winged Cavalry Commander, was extremely calm. After passing through the Russian infantry, he immediately reformed his troops, turned around, and plunged into the Cossack Cavalry that had just been scattered.
Then, the Polish infantry lines advanced immediately, completely shattering the Russian defensive line.
With no other choice, Smirnov committed all of his reserves, hoping to hold off the Polish offensive. After that, the Winged Cavalry, with an imposing momentum, charged back at the Ukrainian infantry that was regrouping…
Mozhili.
Marekai Town.
Morco rode past the already collapsed bell tower, his gaze falling upon wounded Russian soldiers—the bodies had already been moved, or it would have looked even more tragic.
To capture this small town, he had lost over 2,000 soldiers and, moreover, more than 30 cannons.
He had previously taken a risk by pushing his artillery to the forefront for close bombardment against the Poles hiding in the buildings, which did yield good results as the Polish line quickly retreated.
However, a unit of Polish skirmishers launched a suicidal attack on his artillery position and, at the cost of their entire unit, destroyed more than 30 cannons.
“These Polish madmen!”
Morco couldn’t help but get goosebumps whenever he thought of the hellish scene he had witnessed at the artillery position—over 700 bodies strewn across the narrow artillery position, nearly every cannon covered by the bodies of dead Poles.
Fortunately, the town was now in his hands.
After a day of rest, he would be able to launch a total assault on Mozhili.
Just then, two Cavalry Scouts covered in blood rushed over. Upon seeing Morco, they stumbled and said in a panicked voice, “Report, the Ukraine Corps has been attacked, requesting support!”
