Chapter 145: Battle Of Jungfrau Plains (2)
Reich Empires military 7th Division Command Barracks.
I was a bit late to the strategy meeting because I had gone to the restroom, and the officers, excluding me, had placed a beer on the table.
I saw them raising their beer glasses and making a toast.
For our Division Commander who thwarted the damned Swiss bastards ambush!
A toast to the victory of the 7th Division!
For our promotions, wealth, and glory!
And so the officers drained their beers to the last drop.
Lieutenant Colonel Anya and the other officers, perhaps because of the beer going around, started laughing and sharing heroic stories even before the strategy meeting.
To be honest, when I heard the Division Commander order us to move in full armor as soon as we entered Switzerland, I thought it was too much.
We managed because its cooler here. If we did that in a warm place like the Peronia City Alliance, we would have all died.
I was thinking of suggesting that we march without armor starting tomorrow, but I never expected those soldiers to attack right after we finished wearing armor this morning.
I agreed with what the officers said.
Honestly, I couldnt have asked the soldiers to do this in a warmer place like Peronia, for fear they might die of dehydration or heatstroke.
To maintain the morale of the soldiers forced into this tough schedule, I, as the Division Commander, had to endure the hardships, too.
With all these happenings, I felt like everyone was relaxing, and I just wanted to go back to my barracks and sleep.
But since the situation was so urgent, I shook off those thoughts and ordered to prepare for the meeting as I entered the barracks.
Id like to have a drink with you all to celebrate our small victory, but the path ahead is a damned mercenarys lair, so I cant afford even a beer. Instead, when our division wins and returns, Ill rent out an entire upscale inn for us to drink.
In this era, an upscale inn obviously meant a tavern where women served drinks, and you could go for a second round.
I had no intention of getting close to any woman other than Laura, so I would quietly return home when everyone would go for a second round.
There was no greater happiness than buying drinks to celebrate the victory with my subordinates and sharing a glass together.
We have two main paths we can take. One is through the road between Lindenhorf Hills and the giant mountains. The other is a longer detour.
Therefore, we should choose certain safety over trying to march on a slightly easier path.
Didnt we learn this at the Academy? The enemy isnt foolish, so theyll surely know where its best for us to march. Theyll try to tie us down, whether by ambushing with troops or constructing field fortresses. So, were taking a detour to avoid disadvantageous and dangerous battles.
After this explanation, the officers seemed convinced, nodding their heads, but Anya asked me, apparently not fully convinced.
Commander, but what if Count Ticino purposely leaves our supply route open, intending to cut it off later? Wouldnt that disrupt our supplies?
Thats a valid point, but havent we brought enough hardtack and salted meat to last three weeks for such situations? Even if we dont receive additional supplies until we reach Reichenstein, we wont run out of food if we march while eating that.
I understand.
However, to maximize our advantage, it seemed best to provoke a fight here at Jungfrau Plains, where the two paths converged, rather than having our supply route cut off.
But as Lieutenant Colonel Anastasia said, its not good to give the enemy a chance to cut off our supply route. Therefore, we will lure them here to Jungfrau Plains.
The officers looked puzzled at this, but I smiled and replied.
The method is quite simple. We will just release a few spies in Swiss villages to spread a rumor. Weve secured enough rations to last until Jungfrau Plains, so well say were taking the rough path. Then, whatever strategy the enemy has prepared will surely fall apart.
If such a rumor spread, Count Ticino would undoubtedly be furious that his plan had gone awry.
In case he didnt take the bait properly, I should add this.
After reaching Jungfrau Plains, our rations will run low, so well naturally have to plunder local villages and fields.
This way, the lords of Ticino Canton in Switzerland would be excited, insisting that we must be stopped at Jungfrau Plains.
Otherwise, their precious land and wealth would turn to ashes.
Jungfrau Plains, famous for their vast expanse even in Ticino Canton, would allow us to freely maneuver our knights and archers.
We might be inferior in infantry quality, but what if we had the advantage of the Empires knights and the Northerners archers?
If the forces led by Count Ticino were indeed just 4,000, as Count Bern had mentioned, then annihilating them all would be as easy as eating cold porridge.
Well, then, lets conclude the meeting here. Since we all have to take the rugged path, make sure to prepare thoroughly.
I would put into practice the saying that, when in a hurry, its better to take the long way around.
Lets see them swallow this bitter pill.
