Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 796 - 704 The Glory of the Tsar Shines Over the

Chapter 796: Chapter 704 The Glory of the Tsar Shines Over the Plains of Eastern Europe

Chapter 796: Chapter 704 The Glory of the Tsar Shines Over the Plains of Eastern Europe

In the conference room, Marshal Rumyantsev, the oldest in tenure, surveyed the silent officers and had to cough lightly, saying, “Your Majesty, we do not have many forces that can be mobilized along the Ok River.

“These Poles continue to push deeper eastward, targeting Kaluga, Zamoysk, and Kolomna… Only Moscow City can stop them from advancing.”

Catherine II spoke coldly: “You don’t need to remind me. What I need are strategies, strategies to counter the Poles!”

The northern bank of the Ok River hosts a concentration of very wealthy cities, and an attack on any of them would be a severe loss for Russia.

Even if the Russian Army successfully occupies Eastern Poland, these losses would halve the benefits of the war, or even reduce them to one-third.

Marshal Rumyantsev immediately said, “Your Majesty, the safest method right now would be to call the Morcov Army back home to completely eliminate this Polish Army…”

“Absolutely not!” Catherine II glared at him, “The Poles daring to cross the Dnieper River is their way to force our withdrawal.

“I will not allow them to lead us by the nose.”

Lover of Emperor Pladen Zubov immediately voiced loudly in agreement: “The Polish fighting strength is not to be feared, and with only 17,000 men, the troops stationed inland are enough to deal with them.”

Marshal Vasiliyevich Leipnin shook his head, “The Moscow garrison only has about 10,000 men, if they fail to annihilate the Poles, the situation could become very dire.

“Although Saint Petersburg and Saratov have enough troops, they are both too far away.”

The northern bank of the Ok River is a vast Eastern European plain, once the Moscow garrison loses in the field battle, the entire central part of Russia will be exposed under the Polish guns.

Indeed, Rumyantsev’s plan is the most secure.

However, calling back the army from the Polish front would severely disrupt the invasion schedule, giving the Poles a significant breather. Also, the considerable military expenses for mobilizing large troops back and forth would be substantial.

Although Russia seems to be dominating by first striking the Ottoman Empire, then Sweden, and then invading Poland, the national treasury is quite drained after these successive major battles.

Catherine II definitely does not wish to waste such a significant amount of funds for less than twenty thousand Polish troops.

The conference room fell silent again.

Tsar, staring at the map in front of him, suddenly smiled and said softly, “Logistics. The most fatal issue for the Poles is logistics.”

Marshal Rumyantsev was startled, then nodded, “Yes, Your Majesty, the Poles cannot possibly cross the Dnieper River to provide supplies to this isolated army.”

Zubov rushed to say, “Then let’s find a way to starve these guys!”

Catherine II looked at him and said, “So, what’s the specific plan?”

“Uh…”

Marshal Rumyantsev quickly covered for his lord, “Your Majesty, we could have the Moscow garrison advance and tie down the Poles.

“The over 3,000 cavalry of the Morcov Army has been dispatched for days and will soon catch up with the enemy from the west.

“We then mobilize troops from Lezhev, Zubtsov, and Kashen near Tver in the north, about 6,000 men.

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“This way, we can assemble nearly 20,000 troops in the center, merely following the Poles without engaging them in decisive battle.

“At the same time, move all the materials from Bryansk and the western part of Kaluga to Moscow, ensuring the Poles cannot obtain supplies locally.

“In no more than two months, the Poles will starve!”

Zubov loudly said, “Since we have twenty thousand troops, why not just wipe out those Poles?”

Catherine II gave him a stern look.

These 20,000 troops were hastily assembled without a unified command structure and certainty in defeating 17,000 Poles.

Marshal Leipnin expressed his concerns, “If this is the case, the defense of Moscow will be extremely vulnerable. If the Poles bypass our forces and attack Moscow…”

“Bypass?” Marshal Rumyantsev chuckled and shook his head, “Vasnetsov will definitely seize the opportunity to fiercely attack the enemy’s flank.

“Even if he is negligent, he will immediately follow the Poles. Moscow City is not so easy to breach. By then, we will have formed a situation where we can attack the enemy from both sides.”

Vasnetsov is the commander of the military stationed in Moscow.

Catherine II nodded in satisfaction and instructed, “Discuss the details of the military operation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the Tsar was about to rise and leave, a Court Official hurriedly entered, bowed, and handed her a secret report, “Your Majesty, this has just been sent by General Morcov.”

Catherine II returned to the table and opened the secret report.

The letter was written in plain text. She glanced at it and immediately looked pleased, looking up to the officers in the conferencence room:

“Gentlemen, the King of Poland has decided to compromise.”

Everyone immediately stood up and saluted, overwhelming flattery ensued, “Your Majesty’s wisdom and courage always lead us to victory!”

“Your Majesty’s glory shines over the plains of Eastern Europe!”

“Your Majesty’s distinguished name will be recorded in history alongside Peter the Great!”

Catherine instructed Zubov, “Prepare a grand surrender ceremony. Oh, and regarding the ceasefire agreement, you negotiate with the Poles.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

A week later.

Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of proud Russian Court Guards, Stanislaw II humbly appeared before Catherine II.

He first highly praised the unmatched strength of the Tsar’s army, and how the Poles who attempted to defy Your Majesty suffered heavy casualties and deaths.

Then he began to tearfully explain that he had no involvement with the Maid, that it was all a misunderstanding, and hoped His Majesty would give him another chance.

Catherine II smiled and indicated she did not mind these issues, only asking him to promptly finish negotiating the ceasefire treaty with the State Minister Zubov.

The next morning.

Zubov, looking smugly at his old rival sitting humbly on a small chair, felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

After enjoying Stanislaw II’s praise and pleading, Zubov threw the drafted treaty on the table and proudly said, “Please sign here, Your Majesty the King.”

Stanislaw II, with a forced smile, opened the document and quickly read through it but immediately shook his head, “Respected Earl, I’m afraid the terms here won’t work.”

Zubov snorted angrily, “Then wait for our mighty army to flatten Poland…”

“No, no, you misunderstand,” the King of Poland hastily stood up, pointing to the first item of the treaty, “You see, handing over control east from Warren to Kovno to His Majesty is not enough.

“Courland and Rasenai also have a significant Eastern Orthodox population, these regions rightfully deserve to bask in His Majesty’s glory.”