Chapter 166: Trickery And The Thirty-Six Stratagems, Strategic Retreat (4)
Id like to continue chatting with you, who saved my life, but the situation doesnt really allow it. Lets continue our casual conversation over a meal at the Yaeger familys mansion.
Yes, Your Highness. Then, I will present my strategy on how to deal with this situation.
Please do, Lieutenant General Yaeger.
To summarize the current situation, the Duke of Switzerland essentially offered a count as a hostage and planned for 2-3 years to capture His Highness the Crown Prince, but failed.
Moreover, despite encountering the variable that was Lieutenant General Peter Yaeger, which led to our 50,000 expeditionary forces being completely isolated in Switzerland, they failed to annihilate us.
No, the expeditionary force, including myself, managed to hold out at Richten Hill and succeeded in killing nearly twice the number of enemy soldiers.
Before we proceed, Your Highness, did our Swiss expeditionary force lose this war? Or did we achieve victory?
Strictly speaking, we failed to achieve our strategic goal of capturing Reichenstein Castle and three cantons, so it would be correct to consider it a defeat.
However, in terms of the battle itself, since we killed far more of their soldiers and did not cede even an inch of the Empires territory, we could declare that we won the battle.
Though we didnt achieve our strategic goal, thanks to your and the soldiers dedication, we were able to achieve a narrow victory. So, how can we call it a defeat?
Yes, we did not lose. Although we did not capture any land during the expedition, we sufficiently demonstrated the Reich Empires dignity to the Duke of Switzerland.
Exactly. They pursued you and our expeditionary force, seeking revenge after suffering massive troop losses. But their limit was stomping their feet without taking even a single step onto the Empires land.
The Crown Prince and I talking this way might seem like a moral victory to some.
Honestly, to some extent, it was true that we were making excuses like we fought well despite the defeat.
The reason we were laying the groundwork with these words was only one.
The war is not over yet. So, to speak more precisely, we have neither won nor lost. However, weve taken away even the slightest chance of victory from the Swiss. That is, we can make them pay further for killing our soldiers.
If it were someone else speaking, the only action the rest of the expeditionary force led by the Crown Prince could take would be to make them retreat.
It might seem somewhat absurd, but the Crown Prince looked at me with eyes full of curiosity about the strategy I would propose.
Firstly, in this war, the Duke of Switzerland failed to achieve both conditions necessary for victory and lost a vast number of soldiers. This fact will naturally spread across all of Europa, and his reputation, as well as that of Swiss mercenaries, will plummet.
The two conditions the Duke of Switzerland needed for victory in the war were simple.
Capturing His Highness the Crown Prince and annihilating the 50,000 Imperial soldiers who came for the Swiss expedition.
If he succeeded in capturing the Crown Prince, the Duke could have received the ransom of about one dukedom of the Empire.
Had he managed to annihilate the 50,000 expeditionary troops as a consolation, he could have received one or two counties from His Majesty the Emperor to save face.
Thus, having driven our expeditionary force into the most disadvantageous position without achieving any success, public opinion within Europa regarding Switzerland would change.
A country and cradle of mercenaries, once known for its prowess in war, is now seen as a nation that loses even when cornering the enemy completely.
Moreover, this war was a meticulously planned battle prepared over several years by the Duke of Switzerland, risking the life of a count. Thus, the Duke wouldnt want to retreat without achieving any results. Because the moment he admits defeat, his standing will plummet.
The Dukes position now is akin to that of a stock investor who pooled all possible resources, including his soul, for a big gamble and suffered a huge loss.
Therefore, if everything were settled here, he could minimize his losses and return. But if the investor couldnt accept the fact he lost money, like bearing the additional losses every day, the stock price would drop, and the Duke would only see increasing losses over time.
However, the reality before him was so miserable that it would take some time for him to stop escaping from it and come to his senses.
Well, even if he faced reality properly, it was already too late.
Even if the Duke is wiser than I thought and was preparing to retreat upon arrival here, he cannot immediately withdraw and flee. Because if he returns without allowing the soldiers, who marched from Richten Hill to Dolphino Castle, where we are now, to recover their stamina, the Swiss soldiers will die of exhaustion on their way back home.
As you said, Lieutenant General Yaeger, the soldiers of the 7th Division, who came on horseback from Richten Hill through Ticino Canton, are too exhausted to engage in combat now. Let alone the Swiss soldiers who ran a long distance on foot. They wouldnt even have the strength to fight properly now.
Yes, they must be completely exhausted. However, they are well aware of the situation theyre in, so we need deception.
The Crown Prince looked forward with anticipation to what strategy I might propose, though it wasnt anything particularly brilliant.
However, in this situation, it would have a greater effect than I had imagined.
As the leader of the Swiss expedition, assert that our Reich Empire army has won and demand reparations. Threaten war if they do not comply. This will make the Duke of Switzerland and his nobles reassure themselves, contrary to what they claim, that they have no intention of engaging in battle immediately.
Wouldnt it be better to advocate for peace if we want to catch them off guard?
Normally, that would be most effective, but now we have failed to capture enemy territory on this expedition and lost a significant number of soldiers. If we propose peace negotiations in a mild manner under these circumstances, the enemy will suspect we have ulterior motives.
Both the Duke of Switzerland and the Crown Prince were in positions where they could hardly admit defeat.
Because if a ruler admitted defeat, they would risk losing the foundation of their power.
So, it was more natural for them to vehemently deny defeat, much like a dog barking fiercely.
Because, though it might look extremely unsightly, it was human nature.
They might think, Ah, that guy must already consider himself defeated and has no intention of fighting right away, but hes making such nonsense claims to preserve his pride.
Thinking this, they would reassure themselves accordingly.
When they are reassured, you can launch a surprise attack with all the forces that can be mobilized for battle right now from within the castle. If you temporarily block the enemys retreat with cavalry and push with infantry, you can surely defeat the army led by the Duke of Switzerland.
The Crown Prince, intrigued by my proposed strategy, nodded and asked,
Understood, then do you plan to join the battle?
Given my current condition, its difficult for me to play an active role on the battlefield. Even if I were in good health, another heroic act here would not be beneficial for Your Highness, as all the credit for this surprise operation should go to you.
Upon hearing my words, the Crown Prince made a moved expression again and replied with a voice mixed with tears.
Lieutenant General Yaeger
However, false information about my participation will bring tremendous fear to the Swiss infantry. So, dress one of the young officers with the best swordsmanship skills in my armor and uniform, making it appear as if Lieutenant General Peter Yaeger has joined the battle. In fact, spread rumors that I have personally participated until the war ends.
Yes, youve often said that to properly deceive the enemy, we must deceive our own forces as well. Understood, now rest easy.
After saying that, the Crown Prince warmly touched my hands and left the room.
With this, even though the Crown Prince has suffered a defeat, he can avoid a serious blow in the competition for the throne. My role, for now, is finished.
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