Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Preparations for the Ostrica Invasion (2)
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And two months later, in a small conference room at the Reich Empire Army General Staff headquarters.
The generals summoned from all corners of the Empire for discussions on a large-scale expeditionary operation were exchanging light banter.
"Back in my day, I couldn't even dream of pinning on a star before turning thirty. But these young folks nowadays..."
"Even among the young ones, who else is there besides Lieutenant General Jaeger? Honestly, it would be weirder if he hadn't been promoted to lieutenant general given his achievements. You said the same thing back when you were company commander and I was deputy, and that habit of yours hasn't changed."
"Ahem, well, Lieutenant General Jaeger is the exception. But these days' youngsters have no manners. I mean, here I am, a general, offering golden wisdom over drinks, and these major whippersnappers complain after just three hours of it. Back in my day, that was unimaginable."
If you only listened to the content, it sounded like the kind of conversation you'd hear from typical old-timers reminiscing about their glory days in the neighborhood.
In reality, though, everyone gathered here was one of the roughly ten four-star generals in the Empire.
Even idle chit-chat that you could let go in one ear and out the other if their rank insignias were removed somehow felt like profound wisdom worth committing to memory.
I tried to tune it out as much as possible, sitting down to review my materials, when someone tapped me on the back.
"Oh, isn't this my son-in-law? Seeing your face always lifts my spirits, heh heh heh. I was thinking of visiting Friedrich and Laura next month if I could find the time."
"No, sir. In that case, I'll come to you next month."
"No, no. Laura's fine, but Friedrich's still too young for a carriage ride. I'll take leave and come to you. Haha, if things get too busy, I'll even ask that Etwin fellow for help to make the time."
As he said that, the face of the man seated at the far left of the desk in front of me crumpled noticeably.
However, since Marshal Venner and General Etwin had been personal friends for a long time before this, the marshal just flashed a cheeky grin and looked on playfully.
There was no real tension between the two.
"Ah, sorry about that. Time to discuss the Ostrica invasion operation. Let's get to it—we've got to wrap up in time for dinner together."
"Yes, Your Excellency Marshal. We'll proceed directly to the operation briefing."
"Very good. No need to say it, but just perform as you always do."
With that, Marshal Venner returned to his seat, his five-star insignia radiating authority.
"We shall now review the draft plan for the Ostrica invasion operation, effective immediately. If it passes here, the General Staff will develop the detailed operational plans. So, if you see any shortcomings, feel free to take the draft and go."
Marshal Venner said this formally on behalf of everyone, but his expression clearly read:
'My son-in-law's plan can't possibly be wrong. The General Staff just needs to flesh it out.'
I had to do my utmost to live up to that heavy trust.
"Thank you for your consideration. However, the preparations are fully complete. I will now explain the Ostrica invasion operation."
With that, I pointed my baton at the bulletin board and continued.
"The reason for committing to this war is simple. Before the three grand duchies to the east—Checobia, Warsaw, and Ostrica—can unite their forces against the Empire, the Reich Empire Army must strike first at Ostrica, the grand duchy that could serve as their focal point."
It was simple, but the most important and clear basis for my preparations for war.
Because if those three grand duchies combined forces, they could mobilize an army of at least 200,000, up to 250,000 strong.
The Empire Army's current capabilities could certainly repel an invasion of over 200,000.
But bad things tend to pile up, and if problems snowballed, it could become unmanageable.
"For now, I'll address the worst-case scenario where the three grand duchies have directly united. If they form a coalition and march, the Reich Empire's Eastern Front Army would face over 300,000 enemies at maximum."
"Does that mean you think the Empire's forces can't handle an enemy army of 300,000?"
Mobilizing the full might of the Empire Army could certainly repel 300,000 invaders from the east.
Because with over 30 million citizens, we could supplement troops via wartime conscription in a crisis.
However, measures like general mobilization were best avoided in any era.
"As an Empire soldier, no one here would believe the Empire Army couldn't handle even 300,000 enemies. That said, doesn't the Empire currently have far too many potential adversaries?"
To the east: Warsaw, Checobia, Ostrica.
To the west: Franco Republic.
To the south: Swichiland.
To the north: Swedia Kingdom.
Potential enemies of the Empire lurked everywhere.
For now, we maintained mutual non-aggression and smooth trade, giving the appearance of friendship on the surface—but if we could devour their territory, we'd strike without hesitation.
So, if Ostrica and the other two formed a 300,000-strong coalition invading the Empire's east, the Franco Republic, Italica, and Swedia would see their chance and nibble away at us piecemeal.
"Ahem, can't argue with that. As you say, the Empire is so great that many envy us."
"Thus, this war is a preemptive action to eliminate potential risks before the Empire falls into crisis."
"Sorting out threats before a larger war or deeper peril—I'm very pleased with that."
With one general voicing approval, the others chimed in.
"Checobia's too busy fighting the Brati and Budapest duchies to even think of us right now."
"Crush Ostrica before those three can unite. Makes sense diplomatically too."
"Weeds are best pulled early when you can. Good thinking, no?"
Their positive reactions meant I'd cleared the toughest initial hurdle unscathed.
"However, the Empire Army doesn't just overcome detected threats—we handle follow-ups and preventions perfectly. Therefore, Lieutenant General Peter Jaeger requests the deployment of an expeditionary force exceeding 100,000 to Ostrica for a more complete resolution."
The harmonious atmosphere instantly chilled at the mention of mobilizing over 100,000 troops.
"From a strategic standpoint, Your Excellency Marshal and the generals here have all stated you don't want the Empire in crisis. Thus, we must eliminate any chance for Checobia and Warsaw to rally around Ostrica. Only then is the Empire secure."
All the generals nodded at that.
"To achieve this, we must ultimately seize significant portions of Ostrica's northern and western plains, which economically support the grand duchy. Severing the Grand Duke's arms and legs like that will secure the Empire."
It might seem like forcing a war by preemptively predicting larger conflicts and unfavorable futures.
But it was the same method Joseon often used against the Jurchens, stabilizing its borders through such policies.
To avert a crisis threatening the Empire's survival from a three-nation coalition, we had to crush them preemptively, like a vaccine.
"Moreover, Ostrica's plains will greatly aid the Empire's further development. For the Empire's future, we must wage and win this war against Ostrica."
Defeat would accelerate our downfall, but I'd already laid multiple foundations for victory.
"Strategically, this expedition is inevitable. So, shouldn't we mobilize over 100,000 as Lieutenant General Jaeger suggests?"
"If Checobia stabilizes, those western lumberjacks will come chopping."
"No matter how I look at it, the Empire has only one path. Let's do it—war."
With the conclusion reached, Marshal Venner asked:
"Looks like you've prepared this for quite a while. Now, reveal the full plan."