Chapter 458 Active and Passive
On the surface, everything seems to be normal. The Fourth Army in Storey 13 is still stationed, and the Bonn Fortress in front seems to be motionless. Kriolev is still mobilizing troops, as much as possible. Prepare for the coming war... However, this calm could not last even a day.
"What did you say? The Inquisition took action?!"
At noon the next day, even before lunch, Kriolev received this surprising news from his adjutant Karl.
"Yes, sir, according to the scout's report, the steel giant of the Tribunal, five steel chariots, and 5,000 soldiers of the Fourth Legion left Story 13 early this morning and are heading towards Bonn Fortress!"
"How long does it take to reach Bonn Fortress?"
"It will take at least five days!"
"Very good."
After calculation, Kriolev nodded. Five days was enough for the reinforcements of the Second Army to join them. Now that the Iron Giant has taken action, they can rush through the Bonn Fortress with the converging reinforcements before the Iron Giant reaches the Bonn Fortress, and then blossom in all directions! As long as the Iron Giant is separated from the Fourth Legion, the next action will be much easier!
However, just because Kriolev thinks so, it doesn’t mean that others think so.
"Report!!"
Kriolev had just finished lunch when he saw a messenger rushing into his room.
"The order from Commander-in-Chief Kechak of the Senate requires the First Army to defend the Bonn Fortress at all costs, and there must be no room for error!"
“………………………………”
After hearing what the other party said, Kriolev suddenly felt that the food in his mouth no longer tasted good.
"Hey..."
Looking at the order book handed over by the messenger, Kriolev sighed helplessly and looked at the adjutant Karl beside him, who also shook his head.
This was not their original plan, but it was useless because this was an order from the commander-in-chief of the army, and they had to listen even if they didn't.
"What now?"
"The only thing left is to set off for Bonn Fortress and hold it there."
Kriolev sighed silently. The order from the Council was very clear, requiring the First Army to set off immediately to defend the Bonn Fortress. Reinforcements from the Second Army arrived soon after, and the First Army was asked to hold the Bonn Fortress at all costs. Obviously, the Council also learned about the Inquisition's actions, and their first thought was to protect themselves...
Thinking of this, Kriolev was not in the mood to eat anymore.
"Inform the entire army and prepare to set off. Send someone to inform the Bonn Fortress. We will be in charge there from now on!"
While the first legion was operating, their actions were naturally reported to Suzume and Kanami who were responsible for the investigation.
"I didn't expect...Kriolev would actually take action..."
After hearing the information the two brought back, Kirti and Uluze were both confused and couldn't believe it at all. Especially Uluze, as Seth's strategist, she is also the best at planning in this area. Before the action started, Uruze conducted a series of analyzes on Kriolev's opponent. In her opinion, this veteran was brave and courageous, and his character was also cautious. He should be able to master it on his own. Take the initiative instead of handing it over to others.
It's not like Kriolev's style to be led around like this.
"It's very simple."
Compared to Qildi and Uluze's surprise, Duanmuhuai seemed very calm.
"Because this is ultimately a political issue, not a military issue."
"Political issues?"
"That's right."
Duanmuhuai nodded.
"You all think that Kriolev is our opponent, but in fact, in the final analysis, Kriolev is just a general, the commander of the First Army. No matter how high his reputation in the army is, he is not the emperor. , let alone the Commander-in-Chief. And our opponent is not Kriolev, but the Council..." At this point, Duanmuhuai picked up a chess piece and inserted it on the sand table.
"From the perspective of the council, what do you think they will think when they learn that our army is advancing? They will definitely be worried that the Tribunal will come to the city and send them to the sky with a cannon. So they will definitely ask the First Legion to spare no effort. Blocking our army at all costs. In this case, even if Kriolev has all his talents, it makes no sense."
“…………It can still be like this…………”
Hearing Duanmu Huai's explanation, everyone present could not help but be stunned. They had always instinctively believed that military affairs belong to military affairs and politics belong to politics. But it's obvious that Duanmuhuai has a different view on this.
Duanmu Huai seemed very calm about the admiration and surprised looks that others cast towards her. Military is an extension of politics. Within human beings, military is only a political means in the final analysis.
In history, there are countless examples of politics influencing military strategy. For example, in the Battle of Changping during the Warring States Period, Zhao State relied on veteran general Lian Po to hold out against Qin State for several months. Later, Qin State sent people to spread rumors in Zhao State, claiming that The Qin army was not afraid of Lian Po but Zhao Kuo. If Zhao Kuo was the commander-in-chief, the Qin army would have abandoned their armor and fled in less than three hours.
At that time, everyone in the civil and military affairs of the Zhao Kingdom was in panic. Even Zhao Kuo's mother personally went to King Zhao Xiaocheng and said that my son is a waste and you should not let him become a general. However, in the end, King Zhao Xiaocheng insisted on changing the general before the battle. Zhao Kuo replaced Lian Po, but he did not expect that the Qin army on the opposite side did not respect martial ethics and replaced Wang Lu with Bai Qi. He defeated Zhao Kuo on paper in a direct battle, killed Zhao Guo's 200,000 surrendered troops, and defeated Zhao Guo directly. Even grandma can't call her out.
When the later history books read this story, everyone thought that King Zhao Xiaocheng had something wrong with him. But in fact, the war between the two countries at that time consumed a huge amount of food and grass. The mice in the granary would shed tears when they saw them. In this case, Zhao Xiaocheng As an emperor, the king must make a choice. Otherwise, if Zhao Jun continues to waste his troops, everyone will starve to death together regardless of whether Zhao Jun wins or not.
As a general, Lian Po only needed to care about the war, but as the emperor, King Zhao Xiaocheng had to consider the entire country. When the time comes, Zhao Jun wins the battle and a lot of Zhao people starve to death. What’s the point? And if it continues, it’s not certain whether we will win or not.
So he simply took a gamble. Since Lian Po was disobedient, he would replace Lian Po with the obedient Zhao Kuo.
Just lost the bet.
The same goes for Yue Fei. Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty did use Yue Fei highly at first, but later when the twelve gold medals ordered Yue Fei to return to the court, Yue Fei was naturally tragic. But it is not entirely correct to say that Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty just listened to Qin Hui’s slander. In fact, in other dynasties, Yue Fei might not have encountered this kind of thing. Even Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, was a cunning rabbit who died before being cooked by a lackey. . Now that the fight against the Jin Dynasty is not over yet, why is Song Gaozong so eager to kill Yue Fei?
The reason is very simple. The Song Dynasty has learned from past mistakes!
As a hero who fought against the Jin Dynasty, Yue Fei had such a high reputation in the Southern Song Dynasty that Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty was afraid that Yue Fei would drive the Jin people away, and then one night his subordinates would pull him up from the bed and put him in a dragon robe or something... What happened to his ancestors? How can he still know that he has become emperor?
Why did the emperors of the Song Dynasty emphasize civility and suppress military force? Wasn't it because they were afraid of the second Chenqiao mutiny? With Yue Fei's reputation and status in the Song Dynasty, and the Southern Song Dynasty at that time, just like the later Zhou Dynasty, people's hearts were floating. If Yue Fei really wanted to wear a yellow robe, wouldn't the Song Dynasty be as finished as the later Zhou Dynasty?
Therefore, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty was worried about this, and coupled with the treacherous minister Qin Hui's stirring up trouble, he finally issued a series of stupid orders, killing himself to death.
In fact, many times, if you carefully study various scandalous operations in history, you will find that they all have their own objective conditions. In addition, the other party is originally hesitant, so the treacherous ministers' slanders or treacherous conspiracies are basically just pushed along. As a result, the other party finally made a decision that will be seen as stupid and brain-dead in future generations.
If there are no objective conditions, then no matter how fancy you say it, it will be useless.
As the saying goes, one general's incompetence will kill all three armies.
But no matter how awesome the general is, his arms still can't hold his thighs. If the emperor gives an order, how can you still disobey it?
In the final analysis, all military issues are political issues.
Generals like Wu Qi, Han Xin, and Yue Fei are like this. They are all top-notch in leading troops to fight. It can be said that they are invincible in the world when they lead armies. They kill gods at the sight of gods and kill Buddhas at the sight of Buddhas. Wu Qi was even an all-rounder in military and political affairs. It was because of his reforms that the Chu State became strong and became the dominant power in the Warring States Period.
But what's the use?
Wu Qi was shot to death by random arrows because he offended the nobles of Chu with his reform.
Han Xin, who defeated Xiang Yu, was tricked into the palace and assassinated by Empress Lu and Xiao He, who were the queen of Liu Bang.
Not to mention Yue Fei, everyone knows it.
So in the final analysis, no matter how powerful the general is, there is only a dead end in the face of political games.
Therefore, in Duanmu Huai's view, it is useless no matter how awesome Kriolev is. He is the reincarnation of Sun Wu and the rebirth of Han Xin. As long as he seizes the Council, Kriolev will only die!
It doesn’t matter if Kriolev doesn’t fall for it, as long as the council does!
Just like the envoy of the State of Qin, it doesn't matter if you are honest and don't be fooled, it doesn't matter if the civil and military officials are not fooled, as long as the idiot King Zhao Xiaocheng believes in it! Is it possible that you, Lian Po, can rebel against King Zhao Xiaocheng?
The same is true for Kriolev now. Due to the lessons learned from the Fourth Army's rebellion against King Qin, the Council must be afraid that the First Army will also have King Qin, so for Kriolev, he has only two options, either completely Comply with the Council's orders, or simply disobey them - it would be better then, wouldn't it be more fun to join the revolutionary ranks together?
For Kriolev, from a political point of view, he was completely checkmate.
"Order everyone to prepare."
Duanmuhuai sneered and stood up.
"Since the First Legion is coming, let us give him a grand and warm welcome ceremony!"
(End of chapter)