Descending On France 1780
Chapter 240 - 233 At the very beginning of all campaigns, it is a duel between Reconnaissance Cavalry and Cavalry

Chapter 240: 233 At the very beginning of all campaigns, it is a duel between Reconnaissance Cavalry and Cavalry

On his way to Marne River, Anning received intelligence from Lasalle.

Anning unfolded the letter while on horseback.

Lasalle reported three things: First, he spotted an enemy marching column in the direction of Alsace, which appeared to be the Austrian Air Rifle Hunters by their flags.

Second, Lasalle attempted to strike the marching column of Air Rifle Hunters and brought back a deeply coveted air rifle for Anning.

Third, Lasalle had a bad stomach and had diarrhea while riding, dirtying the saddle.

Anning vividly imagined the scene and, with a frown, handed the letter to Bertier.

Bertier: "Is the situation very bad? Are there more enemies coming from the direction of Alsace than we expected?"

Anning: "Uh, no, I’m frowning because Lasalle had diarrhea."

Bertier, shocked: "What? Why would he write that in a report about military intelligence?"

"Perhaps he thought that counts as military intelligence too," Anning shook his head, then steered the conversation back on track, "Anyway, our enemies are now at the table. We must hurry to the banquet hall, set everything up and be ready to welcome our guests."

Bertier: "With our current marching speed, we can reach Marne River by tomorrow, and we should have one or two days to build our positions."

Anning nodded: "Good. However, we should err on the side of caution and order our troops to speed up! Forced march! After all, if the enemy hasn’t arrived by the time we do, we’ll have time to rest."

Bertier: "What if the enemy arrives immediately after we get there?"

"Bertier, if we lose our positions at Marne River, then waging a field battle won’t make much sense, these raw recruits will be defeated by the well-trained coalition forces."

Previously, Anning had won battles against greater numbers because his officers were fierce and his troops were well-trained. These new recruits, mere townspeople not long ago, weren’t something Anning wanted to risk in a field battle against coalition forces.

If it came to that, Anning might only rely on his own ’cheat’ capabilities, fighting his way through enemy ranks until their morale collapsed.

It’s very Mount and Blade.

It’s not that Anning can’t do it, with his ’cheat’, rushing into a crowd and fighting like a warrior should be easy.

But the problem is, swords in reality are not like in-game divine weapons; they can get damaged.

Modern stainless steel swords might cut through everything without deforming, but the swords of this era aren’t that strong...

If it came down to it, Anning might have to carry twenty or thirty swords, discarding one as soon as it got damaged, just to draw another.

Isn’t this what Ji Ye should be doing? There must be Asule among the Austrian troops, carrying 22 swords to rescue you...

Anning shook his head, pitying that having transmigrated here Ji Ye couldn’t see the completion of his ’Misty Records’.

Bertier: "Your Excellency?"

Anning snapped out of his reverie: "Ah, what? I was distracted and didn’t hear you well, say it again, please."

Bertier: "I was saying that our top priority now is to figure out who the enemy commander is."

Anning: "Is that very important?"

"Based on the commander’s past performance, we can deduce his command style," Bertier glanced at Anning, "Perhaps you indeed might not need it."

"No, I need it. Once we obtain the enemy commander’s name, help me analyze it."

Bertier: "Should I analyze it?"

"Yes, I don’t know these Austrians or their past achievements," Anning shrugged.

He might have understood these generals’ command styles through historical books from the future if the Austrian army had many famous generals.

Unfortunately, during the Napoleon Era, apart from Grand Duke Carl, Austria was full of chickens. Anning only knew the names of those few who were humiliated by Napoleon.

As for their past military achievements, don’t even mention it. As an author of military history, would you want to glorify the achievements of a bunch of chickens?

Bertier looked very pleased, "Good! I will do my utmost to support your decisions!"

It seems Bertier thought he had been given an important task.

It’s good that he’s happy.

**

Prince Schwarzenberg was riding with his troops when he suddenly shivered.

His Chief of Staff immediately asked with concern, "Your Highness Prince, are you catching a cold? Would you like to rest inside the carriage?"

The Prince retorted angrily, "Damn it, what kind of general sits in a carriage during a march?"

The Chief of Staff immediately shut his mouth.

At that moment, a Messenger Soldier galloped from the front, stopped before the Prince, and saluted, "Report to the Prince, urgent message from the vanguard!"

The Prince took the letter, "Let’s see... French Reconnaissance Cavalry spotted? So soon?"

The Chief of Staff worriedly said, "Could it be that the French troops have already come for us? We don’t have the strength of the two regular corps that marched directly ahead. If the French Army swarms us..."

Prince Schwarzenberg snorted, "According to the intelligence we have, the regular French forces are in Sedan and Verdun. What’s gathering in Paris are just a bunch of Militia! No matter how many Militia come, they are just Militia after all!"

Chief of Staff: "But, Frost’s home unit should still be in Paris; if they set out and face us..."

"Then it’s good, we wear down the strength of Frost’s unit in battle; once the coalition’s main forces break through the fort, we’ll be facing a worn-out and heavily depleted troop!"

Prince Schwarzenberg spoke full of confidence.

He seemingly had not considered the possibility of himself dying on the battlefield, fully intending to use his troops to exhaust and wear out Frost’s troops.

But his Chief of Staff reminded, "Your Highness Prince, you still hold your old mindset, thinking you could never be in danger even if defeated, as your land is vast and wealthy enough to afford any ransom without blinking an eye. But remember, you’re facing the revolutionary French Army. Frost has already beheaded countless Nobles."

Prince Schwarzenberg was stunned for a moment, then large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, "Quick, dispatch Cavalry toward the direction of the Marne River to scout and clarify the French movements!"

**

The Knights around Lasalle seemed intentionally distancing themselves from him.

Especially since the saddle of the King of Light Cavalry now appeared somewhat darker in color.

Lasalle was observing a marching enemy column from afar.

Ever since that close surveillance operation in the Adige River Valley, Lasalle had fallen in love with this kind of ’clingy’ reconnaissance that keeps the enemy within sight continuously.

Mainly because this method is truly thrilling; the enemy annoyed by Lasalle might send out Cavalry to pursue him.

For Lasalle, this was a great opportunity for a Cavalry clash, and these days he had already scattered several enemy Reconnaissance Cavalry groups.

Blocking the enemy’s reconnaissance and fetching thrilling Cavalry duels, Lasalle loved this kind of action.

At that moment, a cavalryman shouted, "Look! A new troop appears from the east, it’s Cavalry!"

Lasalle immediately adjusted his telescope.

"Let’s see... looking at the flags, it’s the 51st Cavalry Corps! Great, brothers, another battle awaits, let these Austrian bastards know who are the strongest Cavalry on the European Continent!"

As soon as the words fell, a Cavalry quipped, "Who’s the strongest we don’t know, who smells the worst everyone does now."

Lasalle: "Damn it, shut up! Bugler, sound the charge! Follow me!"