Bab 18: Chapter 18: Targeting Marly
"Damn it! It infuriates me. These greedy and selfish bunch. They were begging and crying to form an alliance with our country when they saw France vulnerable. And now, when they see the situation turning against us, they all want to back out." After everyone had left, Charlie slammed his fist on the table and roared in anger.
As a nobleman, Charlie naturally had his manners. But now he was yelling and screaming, clearly upset by today's meeting.
"Duke, there's no other way. Our only option now is to lead the army into battle first. Only if we win another victory against France will those greedy folks follow us again," Bolt said.
"But at this moment, there are at least 100,000 French troops gathered inside Turin. If we choose to attack forcefully, we will surely suffer heavy losses," Charlie hesitated.
"Your Grace, I have a solution," Bolt suggested.
"Oh? What solution do you have? Tell me," Charlie became curious upon hearing Bolt's words and urged him to continue.
"Your Grace, since the French army has gathered hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in Turin, the daily consumption of supplies must be astronomical. If we can destroy their logistics warehouses, the French army will surely be thrown into chaos. Then, when we attack, we can win without fighting," Bolt explained.
"But where are the French army's logistics warehouses?" Charlie inquired.
"I have already found out. It's here, in Marly!" Bolt revealed confidently upon Charlie's inquiry. He then pulled out a map and pointed his finger. His hand landed on a small city on the map, which was Marly, where Roland and others were stationed.
"Here, of all places." Charlie looked at the small city on the map with disbelief.
"Yes, right here. This place is originally a vital passage connecting Turin and Paris. It's prosperous in commerce, with numerous warehouses and transportation fleets. And these are exactly what the French army needs now. Moreover, I've already sent someone to infiltrate there. It's true that they have discovered a large amount of supplies stored there. And I've also found out that there are only 3,000 troops stationed there, most of whom are French temporary conscripted soldiers with little combat effectiveness. As long as we send out a military force, we can easily destroy them," Bolt explained excitedly, knowing full well that he had achieved a great accomplishment this time. Promotion and wealth were within reach.
"Great, that's wonderful news. As long as we can destroy that place, the French will collapse without a fight. Bolt, you've achieved a great deed," Charlie exclaimed, finally finding a breakthrough after so long.
"Your Grace, I am willing to personally lead a military force to attack there," Bolt stepped forward, bowing. Although his proposal held significant importance for the war, if he could execute this plan himself, the accolades would undoubtedly be greater. Perhaps, he thought, he might even be promoted directly from a Colonel to a Major General.
"No, no, no. Since Marly is so crucial, this time I will lead the troops myself. I want to demolish Marly and give the French a harsh lesson," Charlie clenched his fists, his excitement evident. The humiliating defeat by the French in Turin had haunted him, and now he sought revenge.
"Oh, Your Grace. You want to lead personally? How can that be? Your Grace, you are the commander of our army. If anything were to happen to you, what would we do?" Bolt was initially shocked by Charlie's decision to lead personally, then hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him. Meanwhile, Bolt couldn't help but inwardly complain that Charlie, who accused others of greed, was actually the greediest of them all. After all, Bolt had worked hard for this opportunity, only to have it potentially taken away.
"No, my mind is made up. You don't need to persuade me anymore. Right now, you must immediately go back and gather 3,000 elite soldiers. I will take advantage of the French troops in Turin not yet realizing what's happening, sneak past their defenses, infiltrate Marly, and then, while the French troops in Marly are vulnerable, cut off their logistics. Finally, we'll force the French to surrender without a fight. By then, let's see if the British and Russians still dare to be so arrogant," Charlie declared excitedly, already envisioning the surrender of the French in the near future, with the British and Russians standing by, utterly shocked.
"Yes, Your Grace. I will go and arrange it immediately," Bolt nodded and replied.
Then Bolt withdrew, preparing to mobilize the troops. Although he was extremely resentful that Charlie had taken his credit, he had no choice. After all, the higher-ups had the final say, and Charlie was his superior.
Within the tranquil confines of Mareville:
At this moment, Mareville exuded an air of serene tranquility. Its bustling streets teemed with life, a vibrant tapestry of bustling activity and lively exchanges.
Thanks to the successful defense of Turin by the French forces against the anti-French coalition, Mareville seemed like an oasis untouched by the chaos of war. Its citizens lived in peace, pursuing their daily lives with contentment, while merchants continued their trade, selling goods without disruption. Here, the ravages of war were but a distant memory.
Furthermore, buoyed by a recent decisive victory by the French forces in Turin, every Frenchman present brimmed with confidence, believing that the end of the war was imminent. Naturally, the defenses within Mareville began to relax.
This relaxation brought joy to Roland and his companions. Perhaps due to their position in the rear lines, or out of concern for the students' ability to withstand undue pressure, Instructor Pearson granted them a day of leisure, allowing them to explore freely. Roland and his friends promptly decided to venture into Mareville for some sightseeing.
"Behold, Mareville," exclaimed Jobs, leading the way with confident strides down the central street. "Isn't it lively?"
"It certainly is," Roland nodded in agreement, acknowledging the city's bustling charm, albeit not as grand as Paris, it possessed a distinct provincial allure.
"I can't fathom it," mused Marlin beside Roland, puzzled. "How is it that, despite being so close to the battlefield, there's no sense of tension here at all?" He was genuinely intrigued by how the townsfolk could lead such peaceful lives in the shadow of conflict.
"Jobs, where's your home? Can you take us there?" John chimed in eagerly, having harbored the desire to visit Jobs' home for quite some time.
"Sure thing, let's go together. I'll show you around my place. My old man would be thrilled to see you guys," Jobs replied with a nod, his enthusiasm evident as he led the way to his home.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone