Chapter 954

Episode 954: South, North, and the Middle (1)

The naval battle that took place in the Ligurian Sea between Corsica and Genoa was a fierce battle. If the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the second half of the war, the French Navy and the Imperial Navy would have faced mutual destruction.

“No. The assault return ship must have survived.”

While checking the report, I tried to imagine what would have happened if the Portuguese Navy had not participated in the war. More than two-thirds of the French Navy’s newest large battleships were sunk, and the Imperial Navy’s escort fleet was annihilated. And the only surviving assault ship would have been slaughtering the remaining French fleet like crazy. However, since a single assault return ship could not sink the entire French fleet, the number of surviving French ships would have increased further.

“If that were the case, it would have been even more of a pain... whew.”

I exhaled a long breath and the scent whetted my appetite.

“Tsk! I guess I’ll have no choice but to accept Portugal’s condescension.”

‘We could have won even without the help of the Portuguese Navy!’

After the battle, a significant number of Imperial Navy captains and most sailors claimed the above.

“How condescending to someone who just stepped in at the last minute and spoon-fed him!”

This was because the Portuguese navy that entered Livorno and Genoa after the battle was irritating to the eyes. However, high-ranking commanders, including Hyang, acknowledged the merits of the Portuguese Navy.

“It’s a bit annoying that Portugal is being condescending, but I have to admit it. And the naval battle doesn’t end with this one time.”

At Hyang’s words, the eyes of the high-ranking Imperial Navy commanders attending the meeting all focused on one place on the map.

-Al Heciras.

It was a Spanish military port located in a place called ‘Gibraltar’, connected to nearby areas in history before the intervention of the Fragrance. Among the goals the empire was aiming for in this war, it was a goal that had a reality that could be seen with the naked eye.

“Portugal is well aware of the importance of Al Geciras, and since Ceuta is right across the street, they will do their best for their own safety and interests.”

The imperial navy commanders all nodded at Hyang’s words. While the future naval operations were being discussed, a report came from Corsica.

– Mobilizing French Navy divers to search for sunken friendly ships.

* * *

The area where the French-Spanish combined fleet and the Empire-Florence combined fleet faced each other was the Ligurian Sea, north of Corsica. During the fierce battle, most of the Florence Navy’s battleships and eight frigates of the Imperial Navy’s escort fleet were sunk. Of the eight frigates that sank, three sank close to the northern coast of Corsica.

The French Navy, which had taken refuge in Calvi, did not miss this. This was because all the battleships that participated in the naval battle and survived were stuck in port due to maintenance problems. This was the same for the French Navy. However, thanks to the empty sea, the French Navy used a speed ship to send communication to the home country.

-Severe damage to our fleet.

In addition to sending battle-related reports, we also sent requests for support. It was a request for support for various supplies and manpower, but there was also one unusual request.

-A significant number of sailors or fishermen skilled in diving are needed.

Soon after the divers arrived, the French Navy used small ships and land routes to go to the place where the Imperial Navy frigates sank. The French Navy mobilized divers to search for the sunken imperial frigate. In a search that continued while avoiding the occasional patrol boats of the Portuguese and Imperial Navy, the French Navy finally obtained what they wanted.

These were boxcars, Imperial Navy naval guns, and incendiary bombs and fuses for naval guns. Items salvaged from the sunken frigate were sent to Calvi by land and then to France via speedboat. The French naval commanders who carried out this salvage war also had ulterior motives.

-The Spanish army, which had retreated to Alba, continued to try to recover, but was blocked by Genoa and was in a sluggish situation. However, recently, as the Imperial Navy and the Florentine Navy began maintenance, supply began again.

-Venice, whose navy, the core of its power, has collapsed, is urgently strengthening its army, but it is not an easy situation. The reason is Habsrubk.

-Similarly, the Habsburgs, who suffered fatal losses in their naval power, are urgently reorganizing their forces. They are hiring mercenaries from nearby Croatia, Slovenia, Bavaria, and Swabia.

-Croatia and Slovenia mainly have navies. Bavaria and Swabia regions focus on hiring the army.

The commanders of the Union Army who had sorted out the situation were deep in thought.

“Let’s leave France and Spain behind and sort out Venice first.”

“You could get hit in the back of the head.”

As the war of words over similar content continued for a long time, the scent eventually came out.

“I think it would be better for France and Spain to respond by building a defensive line centered on the Po River. Isn’t Venice the most important thing now? If we think about the cause of unification, I think we should take control of Venice first. Only then can we protect the cause and prevent foreign powers. “You can reduce it by at least one.”

The commanders all nodded at Hyang’s words. The Habsburgs were idle until the Battle of Corsica. We are moving actively now, but it was too late. In that case, the right answer was to push the Habsburgs out before they were properly prepared.

In this way, the point of the combined imperial-Italian army was turned towards Venice.

* * *

Once the goal was decided, the Allied Army Command convened commanders and held a meeting.

“...So the first place we’ll head to is Venice.”

As soon as the interpreter could translate Lee Si-ae’s words, the commanders of the Genoese unit came forward.

“Our unit will take the lead!”

Lee Si-ae, who was looking at the faces of the commanders who claimed to be the vanguard, slightly tilted her head.

‘They say they are from Genoa, but they are from Florence? Oh, of course, the soldiers in the unit are from Genoa, but....’

Lee Si-ae, who thought for a moment to answer the question, soon came to a conclusion.

‘Considering the bad relationship between Genoa and Venice, it was inevitable. If I backed off, my bed would be disturbed...’

In the end, Lee Si-ae accepted their request.

‘It’s the same for me, and it’s okay for my sleep to be disturbed.’

That night, after finishing the unit deployment, Lee Si-ae emptied her drink and complained.

“From troop deployment to politics... Isn’t this originally the Marshal’s responsibility? Why should I do this...”

And the Marshal’s support department in question was currently struggling among politicians in Florence, Milan, and Genoa. It was because of the scent.

“I think it’s too much for Jim to step forward and deal with them as well. Isn’t it a matter of rank?”

It wasn’t wrong, because Yu Eung-bu was suffering from body aches instead of Hyang.