Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Tail Chase (2)
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The moment I took over as battalion commander, I immediately called all the officers together.
Officers usually share a drink when a new one joins—that's the custom in the service...
But in an empire that charges into enemy territory without even a declaration of war, we don't have the luxury for such traditions.
"I'm the new battalion commander. And this is Lieutenant Lina, who transferred in with me."
After a quick round of introductions, I got straight to relaying the orders from above.
"His Majesty has commanded our Dolce Republic Front Army to make those republic bastards taste the thunderbolt of imperial wrath. Accordingly, the entire 5th Division will cross the republic border in one week."
The officers' faces turned pale as ghosts.
"The last war's crushing defeat feels like it happened yesterday... And now war?"
"This feels too reckless."
The Hessen Republic is a weakling nation that the Imperial Army could erase from the map anytime we felt like it. Not Hessen Republic—no, just make it a country that never existed.
But the Dolce Republic is a genuine power that can mobilize over 200,000 troops. It's no opponent to take lightly.
'They even scored a major victory against our Imperial Army just recently.'
"It's certainly a reckless operation. But whether it's reckless or not isn't for us to decide. You and I alike are in a position where if General Staff Headquarters issues a hold-the-line order, we fight to the death right there."
At first, it's best to be as firm as possible and direct any dissatisfaction upward toward me.
A commander redirecting blame upward might seem absurd.
But it's necessary to convince the men—and myself—that we're all victims here, so let's not complain and make the best of it.
"Besides, that last defeat was a disaster caused by the repeated command blunders of General Bern, the army commander at the time. It wasn't because the Imperial Army was weaker than the republic forces."
"That's true, but..."
"I believe this operation has a solid chance of success. No—in fact, it's more efficient this way."
They say a shallow cut from a knife hurts less.
Of course, that's utter nonsense.
But there's a world of difference between being stabbed without knowing and being stabbed when you do.
When you know it's coming, your body instinctively tenses to minimize damage, so you usually survive. But if you're caught off guard, you take a fatal wound.
Without a declaration of war, a surprise attack hits the enemy where they least expect it.
They can't help but suffer massive losses.
"I see."
"By exploiting the element of surprise, even a single battalion like ours can take down a whole regiment."
Not just the miraculous case where one squad defeated a battalion...
In the Jin Dynasty, just eight cavalrymen once crushed over a thousand Song troops.
"The division commander has ordered us to cross the border in one week, push as deep as possible, and seize territory. And he's given me full discretion over our actions in the process."
Why is the Empire, practically surrounded by other nations, still the strongest?
The biggest reason is our massive population and abundant productivity on the continent...
But we also maximize mission-type command structures, unlike other armies.
Small units select and execute the best actions within the framework of their orders.
As a result, delays in orders leading to inefficient, irrational mistakes happen far less often.
'And it's easier to seize the best opportunities.'
"Therefore, one week from now, after crossing the border, our battalion will take light artillery and infantry and march at maximum speed toward Margeri City."
"Margeri City? That's not a transportation hub—it's in the middle of nowhere."
"Exactly. And that's precisely why it's perfect."
Armies are just like people.
They prefer flat plains with rivers and well-paved roads.
It's easier to march troops there and set up camp.
'Large armies need major roads to move.'
"What's your name?"
"Captain Hans Bauzmann, sir!"
"Captain Bauzmann, put yourself in the shoes of those republic bastards suddenly hit by a surprise attack. What would you do?"
Every army, every organization follows the sequence: report, communicate, discuss countermeasures.
Without that, no problem can ever be solved.
"First, I'd retreat with my command as fast as possible and report to the senior unit in the rear."
"Once they report to their superiors, won't those superiors mobilize large forces from the rear?"
"Yes, sir!"
"And what roads will those forces take to enter their own territory turned battlefield?"
Captain Bauzmann's eyes widened.
He's got it. Good—you're on the path to victory now.
Let's view the operation from the same perspective.
"They'll come along the big roads perfect for marching. And since our battalion is traveling light with just artillery and infantry—no cumbersome baggage—we can easily slip behind them."
It's the same in fancy real-time strategy games or those tower defense ones full of idiots at the top.
Flanking the enemy from behind is all or nothing.
If I control well and time it right, the enemy team gets steamrolled without a peep.
'If I fail, I'm isolated in their lines.'
"We can appear at the rear of the enemy main force—or somewhere completely unexpected."
Pre-modern infantry—matchlock musket troops—are practically defenseless without formation, their combat power near zero.
Even properly trained soldiers can't fight without forming ranks.
So if we just hammer them unilaterally, our side is guaranteed victory.
'That's why the side whose formation breaks first always loses.'
That's why imperial military law treats soldiers who charge or desert without orders the same: both collapse the formation, so they're shot on the spot.
"That buys our main force time to establish supply lines and assemble large units."
"Yes, sir."
"And at the same time, we inflict massive damage on the enemy."
Ambush, raid.
Predictable, sure—but hellish for the victim.
That's why great generals, called masters of war, obsess over scouts like paranoids.
Get hit once, and your force gets annihilated.
"But, Battalion Commander."
"Speak, Lieutenant Lina."
"Margeri City might resist us."
A single rural village can be taken by one platoon.
No proper arms, few people...
And the peasants there don't care who rules them.
But a city has soldiers, weapons, walls.
It won't be easy, for sure.
"It's not impossible."
Margeri City is a small town in the rural boonies.
Such places only have minimal garrison for public order.
Unless they're fanatics burning with duty...
"If we just let them know a large enemy force is approaching shortly before we arrive, they'll scatter like flies."
And so, one week later, our battalion crossed the Dolce Republic border.
Special forces soldiers always say it.
When someone's armed, forget self-defense techniques—you run. That's the best, and I do it too whenever possible.
Much less against us, with light cannons and matchlocks. No one was eager to fight.
"Just as you said, Battalion Commander—no resistance at all. It's ridiculous."
"It's not cowardice. Preserving your life is one of a soldier's duties."
The Imperial Japanese Army was full of idiots overflowing with zeal.
At the drop of a hat, they'd draw swords, yell 'Banzai for His Majesty the Emperor!' and charge.
Result? Platoon and company leaders fed their men into machine guns routinely.
If they'd had the guts to retreat instead of pointless banzai charges, they could've tormented the Americans endlessly.
Like that one scrappy guy who messed with the U.S. on that sulfur island.
"Is that so?"
"Not taught at the academy, but... Bravely fighting isn't always smart."
"Different from what we learned at the academy."
"Better to save even one platoon than lose a whole battalion pointlessly. From that view, they're making a strategic withdrawal."
The Thirty-Six Stratagems' 'Make a getaway' becomes the best strategy when the situation calls for it.
Rally your forces and counterattack successfully—you win in the end.
"If Margeri City doesn't resist us, the plan should work."
I'm certain.
They won't resist us at Margeri City.
'No benefit to resisting anyway.'
If I were the garrison commander there, I'd run with my men too.
No order to hold, no reason to defend the place.
And sure enough, not long after, my prediction proved correct.
"No defenders on the Margeri walls at all."