Chapter 917

Episode 917: The Imperial March 2 – Assault return, running on the ground. (5)

“Isn’t that why artillery is more important?”

Shin Sook-ju did not back down easily. This was because he firmly believed that it was a reasonable opinion.

“I agree with what your Majesty said. That’s why I think it’s better to bring more artillery pieces rather than assault vehicles, which are just such pieces of equipment.

“To summarize Shin Sook-ju’s argument, it was as follows.

-Again, if you look at the last battle between Hungary and the Habsburgs, the trench line can be breached if the attacker has the will. No matter how strong the trench line is, it can be seen that it will always be breached.

-Of course, in this process, the attacker must make many sacrifices.

-Hungary and Habsburg also knew this well, so they actively used artillery and freight cars in both attack and defense.

-However, since the artillery and freight cars used by Hungary and the Habsburgs were old, they did not play a greater role than expected and sacrifices had to be made.

-If the description of the assault vehicle is correct, it would be possible to break through the trench line. But what next?

-It is slower than a horse, cannot travel far at once, and cannot carry many soldiers compared to its size.

-As the name suggests, even if you charge towards the enemy camp and break through the trench line, what is the use if you cannot pursue and destroy the fleeing enemy?

-In that case, I think it is better to use a large amount of artillery to pave a wide road than to open a few small holes in the trench line with assault vehicles.

“...For this reason, I come here to say that it is better to deploy more large and powerful artillery pieces than those assault vehicles.

“After hearing Shin Suk-ju’s words, Hyang muttered to herself.

‘Painting the road with cannonballs... what a Russian thing...’

While grumbling inwardly, Hyang gathered his thoughts and began to refute.

-Artillery and assault vehicles have different duties. This is the biggest reason.

-It is incorrect to say that if the attacker’s will is strong, even a well-fortified trench can be breached. Even in the last Battle of Liaodong, no Ming army broke through to the last trench line.

-Even if a large number of powerful artillery units are mobilized and intensive bombardment is applied to the trench line, it is rare for the trench line to collapse. It should not be overlooked that the will of the defender can be as strong as the will of the attacker.

-In other words, the attacker can break through or occupy the enemy’s trench line only by using direct means such as soldiers, not indirect means such as artillery fire.

-The speed of an assault car is slower than a horse, but it is as fast as a person running at full speed. And if a person sprints with all his might, he soon becomes exhausted and cannot move. However, an assault car can be ironed continuously as long as it has firewood and water. This difference is very large.

-Finally, it is important to pursue and destroy the fleeing enemy. But that also cannot last long. This is because communication is impossible.

“... Breaking through to the furthest point within the range where smooth communication is possible. That is the mission of the assault vehicles and assault brigades. This is why most of the troops deployed by the Empire to Italy this time consisted of assault troops, artillery troops, and lastly, transport troops. Artillery pieces shake the enemy lines, assault troops break through the enemy lines, and convoys diligently carry follow-up troops and advance through the holes.”

‘What can I say... primitive Hootier tactics? Well, we’ve gone too far to argue that this is the end point of the offensive. For now, I guess I’ll just have to focus on seeing through first.’

While Hyang was muttering like that, Yu Eung-bu came forward and spoke to Shin Suk-ju.

“It’s not like the Imperial Army and the Ministry of Defense sent assault vehicles to Italy without thinking. “This is the optimal answer that we came up with after diligent deliberation, assuming we were in the attacker’s position.”

‘Well, when I first saw it, I thought it was entertainment for His Majesty the Great Emperor, but...’

* * *

‘If the Empire is the aggressor and must charge into the enemy’s trench line, what is the best answer?’

The answer that the imperial army came up with after mulling over the above topic was ‘more powerful and more artillery’.

However, during the landings that took place in the Battle of Liaodong and the subsequent Battle of the Yellow Sea, the imperial army realized that there was a loophole in the above decision.

-Even if you bombard the enemy’s defense line with fire bombs, it will not completely collapse.

-If the defender’s will is strong, he will somehow hold out.

-To pierce the tooth, you have to see a lot of blood.

‘Seeing a lot of blood’ was a serious problem for an empire with a short population.

To solve this problem, more powerful and longer range artillery pieces were created and deployed. However, it was still impossible to completely solve the first problem.

Officials of the Ministry of National Defense, who were concerned about solving this problem, searched the archives out of curiosity.

* * *

As the special train carrying incense got closer to Florence, the envoys’ hearts became more anxious.

“We don’t have much time...”

‘Once we arrive in Florence, proper negotiations are impossible. There is only a yes or no decision!’

Most of the envoys agreed with the above opinion.

Due to the arms race that had already taken place among the great powers, the military power of each country was at its highest in history. And due to this strong military power, a warlike atmosphere prevailed among the people and nobles.

-This is worth a try!

Merchants were hoping for war specials, people were hoping to make a quick fortune through looting on the battlefield, and nobles were hoping for war, hoping that their power would be strengthened.

Of course, the empire’s intervention gave them some pause, but they soon made a positive decision.

-‘The Land of Flowers’ is far away! You won’t be able to use your strength properly!

-Isn’t it the same for soldiers in the ‘Land of Flowers’ who die if they get shot? Our long guns are also excellent!

-It’s worth a try! -If that doesn’t work, you can form an alliance and kick out the empire!

-While we’re kicking them out, let’s take away the rights to Suez!

It was precisely because of the interests at stake in Suez that the nobles and people of the European powers became warlike even against the empire.

Those with the largest stake in Suez were the Ottomans and the Empire.

-Ottoman is a big burden, but if it is an empire, it is possible!

It was an extremely optimistic judgment that would make the people of the empire scoff in amazement when they heard it.

Because of this, the Juhwa faction, which made up most of the envoys, became desperate.

-I don’t even want the empire to retreat. We just have to end it while maintaining the current system!

-The unification of Italy is of no help to our national interests! They just need to continue to be torn apart like they have been up until now! That’s the best!

-The empire must also realize that maintaining the current system is best!

The word ‘Ancien Régime’, spoken by a nobleman in the French delegation, soon spread throughout the envoys of the great powers.

“yes. The maintenance of the old system is...”

And these stories were passed on to the ambassadors and local government through the imperial officials who treated the envoys.

After hearing the story from the officials, Hyang looked back at the ambassadors.

“What do you think?”

Shin Sook-ju was the first to answer Hyang’s question.

“This may be the best answer to avoid war. However, unless war can be avoided, it is nothing more than a delusion.”

“What is the basis for it being a delusion? “Isn’t it possible for our empire to retreat through what they call ‘persuasion and negotiation’?”

“Then they will fight among themselves. “It’s because so many people want war.”

Hearing Shin Sook-ju’s words, Hyang and the other ambassadors nodded and thought the same thing.

‘Well... if you look at diplomacy, he’s a very talented person...’ ‘

I get criticized for interfering in places I don’t need to get involved in...’ I

was muttering to myself about Shin Sook-joo like that. In the middle, Seong Sam-moon asked Hyang.

“Are you by any chance considering appeasement?”

“Do you think appeasement is possible?”

In response to Hyang’s question, Seong Sam-moon shook his head.

“It’s impossible.”