Chapter 941

Episode 941: Ijei (以夷制夷) – Regional appraisal. (1)

The Spanish army, which entered the territory of the Republic of Genoa using the coastal road of the Duchy of Savoy, was soon bombarded by the imperial navy.

At first, the bombardment was not very serious and the Spanish commanders came to optimistic conclusions.

“This is worth taking. Rather, use the wide and flat coastal road to strike Genoa as quickly as possible!”

However, this was a trap for the imperial army.

As the Spanish army advanced to a point where no good detour was possible, the Imperial Navy began pounding the Spanish army in earnest.

It was an imperial navy that steadily used what it had learned in the previous war against the Ming Dynasty.

-The larger the enemy, the more limited the number of movement paths you can choose.

-Once you pass a certain point, not only does retreat become impossible, but it also becomes difficult to find a suitable detour for the large army to move.

-If attacked in this situation, the enemy has only two choices.

-Move forward as quickly as possible to reduce the time you take damage. Or, split the troops into smaller pieces and move them using several detours.

-If you choose the first choice, it will be very delicious food, and if you choose the second, it will also be very delicious food.

“...If possible, it would be better to choose the second option.”

Yu Eung-bu, who explained the strategy to Hyang, ended with the above words.

Hyang nodded at Yu Eung-bu’s words, which were a mixture of jokes and seriousness.

‘In a situation where there is no proper means of communication, splitting the unit into small pieces and moving around is the worst way to kill oneself.’

Even in the 21st century, where people use not only walkie-talkies but also satellite communications using cell phones, such distributed movement was an adventurous operation.

At a time when messengers and messengers moving on foot or on horseback were the best option, dispersed movement was a viable option only in the worst case scenario.

“How will you respond if the Spanish military takes the second option?”

Yu Eung-bu answered Hyang’s question without hesitation.

“First, we will use mountain warfare to harass them as much as possible.”

“Mountain warfare is not easy. Is it possible?”

Yu Eung-bu smiled even brighter at Hyang’s point out.

“All we have to do is mobilize the Imperial Army and Swiss Army from our home country among the troops deployed in Genoa.”

“Oh, there they were.”

For the Swiss who lived in the Alps, and for the imperial troops from the mainland, where mountains were right in front of them as soon as they opened the front door, a considerable amount of mountain warfare was possible.

Hyang thought that Yu Eung-bu’s plan was reasonable and nodded.

“I think Dowonsu’s military strategy is sound. “I will trust you and entrust everything to you.”

“I will do my best!”

Yu Eung-bu, who received full support from the village, proceeded with his operation confidently.

As a result, the Spanish army, which had crossed the ‘point of no retreat’, was beaten by the imperial navy.

After seeing serious damage that far exceeded expectations, the Spanish military command was forced to make a choice.

As expected, the Spanish military command had two options.

“The alternative is, ‘Move as quickly as possible to reduce the time it takes you to avoid the inevitable rain shower.’ Or, ‘Split it like firewood and then fall into a side street.’ I don’t like either of them....”

“There’s also ‘just pack your bags and go back.’”

“That may be the best answer, but wouldn’t impeachment in Toledo be the problem?”

“Toledo’s impeachment is a problem, but having to look at the French brats is also a problem.”

Due to limitations in communication means, communication between the Spanish and French armies was limited. Even though they became allies, there was no proper exchange of information due to past resentments and issues of their own national interests.

Thanks to this, the Spanish military command, which did not know the situation in France and Italy properly, had to find the best option with limited information.

After a long and fierce war of words, the Spanish military leadership came to an agreement.

“Let’s give up going straight to Genoa.”

“I agree. “Under the current circumstances, we will be wiped out before we even get there.”

“How is it?”

The scouts responded to the commander’s question with a wry smile.

“A flock of plump sheep are coming, carrying everything, including firewood and pots.”

The scouts responded with meaningful words, took out maps from their arms, and reported them to the commander.

“The Spanish are moving along these passages and corridors here. “The scale is...”

After receiving the scout’s report, the commander looked at the map hanging on the tent wall. The paper hanging on the wall displayed the areas assigned to him and the areas assigned to other units.

* * *

While planning the mountain interception battle, the response team used two ‘sure’ tricks.

One was ‘clear territorial division’ and the other was ‘clear autonomy’.

-Be sure to clearly distinguish between the area assigned to you and the area assigned to other units. Avoiding ‘mistaken engagement’ is most important.

-From the moment an operation begins, the unit commander exercises full authority. From deciding to fight to moving and retreating, everything is decided by the field commander.

The reason Yu Eung-bu made this decision, like the Spanish army, was because of the ‘lack of a reliable means of communication.’

“Sanguns do not carelessly enter the territory of other mountainlords. The same goes for you, too. “Please keep this in mind.”

“ancient!”

“And I will clearly guarantee in writing that once the operation begins, all decision-making authority rests with you. Instead, do not be unnecessarily excessively greedy. “I will be held responsible for this first.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

* * *

The commander stroked his chin as he studied the map, remembering the assurances and warnings Yu Eung-bu had given.

“Hmm... Let’s see... The Spanish vanguard has already passed a long time ago, and the main camp has already passed about halfway, right? All that remains now are the artillery and supply units... Hmm....”

The commander, who thought for a moment, looked back at the scouts and grinned.

“Would it be worth fighting if there were no cannons and nothing to eat?”

The scout immediately answered the commander’s question.

“Not at all!”

“Then move. “Call the kids together.”

“yep!”

After a while, the Imperial Army’s mountain guerrilla force departed from the ambush position.

* * *

Hee hee!

“Hey! Hey!”

“Push! “Push!”

A small mountain road near Asti.

The horses and soldiers were sweating and having a hard time dragging the carriages loaded with heavy artillery up the hill.

What was normally pulled by 4 war horses was pulled by 8 horses, with even soldiers clinging to it, but going up the ramp was a difficult task.

The Spanish military commander, who was surveying the situation on horseback on one side of the road, let out a long sigh.

“This is it... Is this how we can make it on time? “It’s frustrating.”

To relieve his frustration, the commander reached for the canteen attached to the saddle.

Right at that moment.

“Tsk!”

Taaaaaang.

The commander fell from his horse as a hole opened in his breastplate. And the gunfire echoed for a long time.

“It’s a sniper!”

“It’s a surprise attack!”