Descending On France 1780
Chapter 136 - 129 Thoughts on Both Sides

Chapter 136: 129 Thoughts on Both Sides

The real issue was that Anning acted too soon.

At that time, in that situation, he decided to distribute the lands impulsively — indeed, on a whim.

Then Napoleon firmly declared that Anning had been contemplating this since 1780, turning this impulsive decision into one that seemed to have been considered for eleven years.

Now everyone believes that this was an action taken after deep deliberation by Anning.

Thus, Anning could no longer change it; he had to push forward, come what may.

Fortunately, in Anning’s understanding, someone had already blazed the trail and summarized the experiences, so Anning, relying on his memory, wrote down some of these summaries and distributed them to his subordinates, barely managing to push forward the land distribution.

The distribution of these experience summaries itself became evidence of Anning’s careful consideration, reinforcing everyone’s belief that this was a long-premeditated act by Anning.

If it hadn’t been for rushing into action like herding ducks, and if Anning had been given more time to think, he would have chosen to stand pat and wait until 1793.

Although France was chaotic now, with rebellions everywhere, the Rebel Army had not yet formed a systematic force; they all acted independently.

By 1793, France would have numerous organized Rebel Armies, especially in the Vendée region, where their numbers could threaten Paris.

By then, distributing the lands when Paris was likely too preoccupied to bother about Anning might have been possible.

But thinking about this now was futile; the lands had already been distributed, and accountability from Paris was probably a week away.

One misstep, and Anning might indeed have to engage in a battle with the National Guard led by Lafayette.

These days, Anning had already dispatched several spies to Paris to scout the situation and suss out the bottom line of Lafayette’s National Guard.

The news he received was that Lafayette wasn’t focusing on training his troops; he was often speaking in Parliament and also actively participating in various clubs and attending numerous balls.

That is, the standard of Lafayette’s troops was essentially similar to the over one thousand men Anning had led in the fight against Conte a year ago.

But in the past year, Lafayette had reformed the old Kingdom Army, replacing their white uniforms and incorporating them into the National Guard.

He used this method to expand Paris’s National Guard to over sixty thousand men.

Considering that the National Guard also had to maintain Paris’s security, Lafayette probably couldn’t deploy his entire army against Anning, but three or four thousand were still likely available.

Although the old army had some disturbances due to the National Assembly issuing military salary through vouchers, along with dissatisfaction towards the officers, it was, after all, a well-trained army not to be underestimated.

Thinking of facing an enemy two or possibly two and a half times his size, Anning could only sigh deeply.

— Damn it, if I were a truly legendary general, naturally I wouldn’t fear a two-to-one troop ratio, but unfortunately, I’m not.

If I had a real-time strategy system and could command my troops like playing Total War, then I might not mind training against the enemy.

Unfortunately, I only have a system that works in personal combat.

I can’t possibly take down tens of thousands by myself. That would be utterly exhausting!

The only consolation now is that I have Davout, Lana, and even Napoleon under my command.

But Lafayette has Bertier, and although Bertier’s command art is lacking, he is the best chief of staff, highly skilled in translating the commander’s orders into troop movements.

And his commander, Lafayette, had trained with General Cornwallis of the British during the American War of Independence.

In contrast, Anning’s combat experience so far had mostly relied on taking the initiative in surprise attacks, especially the second time, which was basically a stealthy major advantage.

In a straightforward battle facing Lafayette, Anning had no confidence in winning.

It seems I really need to use a surprise strategy...

Anning stroked his chin, pondering how to deal with the imminent war on this rare leisurely afternoon.

Maybe a night raid, setting fire to Lafayette’s camp— in this era, troops had to encamp in the fields during marches and battles, and the vast campsites were filled with tents.

After all, Lafayette’s troops aren’t truly part of the Revolution Army yet, and haven’t learned the trick of finding lodging from fellow countrymen.

A sneak attack in the middle of the night, setting fire to the enemy camp, is theoretically feasible.

But there are two problems with this approach. One is that many of Anning’s troops suffer from night blindness, making it hard for them to see far even with torches lit at night.

Without torches, many are practically blind.

This issue could actually be easily resolved by supplementing with vegetables like carrots that are rich in Vitamin A beforehand for about a week.

The second problem is more fatal: lack of sufficient organization.

As seen in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, night raids are usually carried out by a select group of strong men, and the team is generally small.

This is because it’s impossible to maintain regular military discipline at night, only a few elite can execute it.

Those who carry out night raids are generally the most elite and closest men of a general’s own troupe, many of whom have probably followed the general for many years, which allows maintaining the organization necessary for launching a night raid.

Therefore, to conduct a night raid, you need sufficiently elite troops with high organizational skills.

Anning thought of Davout’s First Brigade.

It might be worth a try...

Hmm?

Anning suddenly realized, this problem has already been solved.

—I freaking have highly organized elite troops, I have the Instruction Corps!

Although a night raid might end up chaotic, and how many of the Instruction Corps would return is uncertain, it’s not the time to worry about this too much.

Anning excitedly stood up and began pacing around the room, rubbing his hands while walking.

Using the Instruction Corps to launch a sneak attack, burning them fiercely, though the number of the Instruction Corps might not be enough to annihilate tens of thousands of enemy troops at once, weakening the enemy would still be beneficial.

After weakening the enemy, we’ll fight them on the plains!

By then, our army will definitely have advantages in morale, fighting spirit, and other aspects, relying on the talents of our generals—there’s a chance! There’s a chance!

Anning grew more joyous as he thought about it, pacing back and forth in the room.

**

At the same time, in Paris.

Lafayette was also pacing back and forth in his headquarters, muttering to himself, "At this time, a military victory could restore my reputation."

Just recently, the Parisians had gathered in Mars Square, demanding that the Parliament take firm measures to address the current widespread rebellion and also protesting against the rampant inflation caused by excessive issuance of financial notes.

Lafayette ordered the National Guard to fire and disperse the crowd, which led to the Mars Square massacre.

Many in the National Assembly seized this opportunity to challenge him, aiming to impeach Lafayette’s title as the National Guard Commander.

They almost succeeded, if it weren’t for a delegate from Conte weeping about General Andy Frost’s trampling on the constitution, which shifted the Parliament’s focus, Lafayette might have been sent home.

Parliament had just dispatched a Special Commissioner to Conte to stop these actions of trampling on the constitution.

Lafayette inwardly prayed that Andy Frost would not comply obediently with the Special Commissioner’s orders.

Once the Leatherworker defies the orders, the Parliament will have to send troops to subdue him.

Lafayette is clearly the most suitable candidate.

After all, the Leatherworker is considered a war hero; the Parliament acknowledges his exceptional military talent, they would hardly replace Lafayette who is familiar with the troops in such a situation.

Lafayette paced back and forth, whispering softly, "Don’t comply, Frost! Show the spirit you had when you said before Your Majesty ’Only bayonets can make us leave’!"