CHAPTER 498: CHAPTER 492: SPECIAL DIPLOMATIC ACTION

On the third day after the siege of the Silestra Fortress was lifted, under the orders of Major General Canrobert, the Bashbozuk Cavalry set off from the Silestra Fortress in the early morning.

After galloping for an entire day, they finally arrived at the Allied Command in the Varna Region by 5 PM on the same day.

"What? The Silestra Fortress has been relieved? The Russian Empire has already retreated to the north bank of the Danube River?" Commander Largren said with a questioning tone upon receiving the news from the Silestra Fortress.

Commander Largren could not understand why the Russian Imperial Army would retreat; the Russian Imperial Army mentioned by the Bashbozuk Cavalry did not match the impression he had of the Russian Imperial Army that had conquered Paris.

Clearly, the Russian Imperial Army outnumbered the Silestra Fortress and the troops sent to support them, so why did they withdraw in such haste?

Although the Bashbozuk Cavalry standing in front of Commander Largren could not understand his words, he guessed from Commander Largren’s expression that the commander was likely doubting the accuracy of his intelligence.

"I can swear by Allah that the Russian Empire has indeed retreated to the north bank! (in Algerian)" The Bashbozuk Cavalry anxiously defended a sentence.

"What is he saying?" Commander Largren turned his gaze to Marshal Saint Arnau and Brigadier General Troche and inquired.

In this camp, besides the translators, only Marshal Saint Arnau and Troche, who had long been in North Africa, understood.

"Let’s have the translators handle it!" Marshal Saint Arnau smiled and replied to Commander Largren.

Then, he turned his back to Commander Largren and looked at the Near East region on the desk, pointing back and forth on the map with his hand.

"Translator, translator!" Commander Largren turned to the translator beside him.

The translator interpreted the words of the Bashbozuk Cavalry for Commander Largren and then conveyed his subjective feeling: "Commander, I don’t think he’s lying!"

"Alright! I understand!" Commander Largren nodded, then ordered the translator and the Bashbozuk Cavalry to leave.

After they left, Commander Largren came to Marshal Saint Arnau’s side, gazed complexly at the Near East and sighed: "I never expected the Russian Imperial Army to retreat like this! If General Suvorov were to see his descendants turn out this way, he would probably be furious enough to climb out of his grave."

"I think this is a usual behavior for Russia!" Marshal Saint Arnau said gleefully: "Think about it, the Russian Imperial Army also retreated all the way to Moscow before. Compared to their predecessors, at least Paskievich remains in someone else’s territory!"

For Parisians of Marshal Saint Arnau’s generation, the harm caused by the Russian Empire was nothing short of a nightmare. If possible, Marshal Saint Arnau himself would have wished to dismember the Russian Empire into pieces.

He naturally could not comprehend the complex feelings Commander Largren held for the Russian Empire.

"Alright then!" Commander Largren shrugged. He understood that the emotions invested in the issue of the Russian Empire were at two extremes, so he did not wish to bicker with Marshal Saint Arnau over this issue: "Since we have defeated the Russian Empire... Hmm! I mean since they have retreated, why don’t we take this opportunity to inform our governments? This way, it leaves some diplomatic room for our governments!"

"What do you mean..." Marshal Saint Arnau asked with a contemplative expression.

"We can use this Russian retreat as leverage, a means to pressure some countries to join us!" Commander Largren said evasively, then a hint of a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Some countries want to gain benefits while not joining the war against Russia... They’re simply dreaming!"

Marshal Saint Arnau immediately realized that the "some countries" Commander Largren referred to was none other than the Austrian Empire.

Lately, the Austrian Empire, known as Central Europe’s troublemaker, has been unusually active.

On one hand, they spoke out in international forums calling for peaceful and stable development in the Near East; on the other hand, they secretly contacted the German Region to maintain armed neutrality, hinting to England and France about the future ownership of the Danube Duchy.

Truly stealing the spotlight.

Commander Largren believed it was necessary to publicize this victory to make the Austrian Empire understand with whom they should side.

"If we overly pressure the Austrian Empire, it’s hard to guarantee they won’t side with the Russian Empire!" Marshal Saint Arnau voiced his concerns.

After all, using extreme pressure as a diplomatic tactic, if done well, can achieve twice the results with half the effort; if done poorly, it can lead to an unprecedented military disaster.

"Press them?" Commander Largren showed a crafty smile, shook his head, and responded to Marshal Saint Arnau: "No, no, no! We don’t need to press them. Since they want to act as peacemakers, we’ll fulfill their wish. As long as the Russian Empire agrees to withdraw from the Danube Duchy and dismantle its military bases in the Black Sea, we’ll agree to peace."

Commander Largren’s terms made Marshal Saint Arnau take a sharp breath.

If the Russian Empire were to fulfill the terms given by Commander Largren, it would be tantamount to losing all the achievements since Nicholas I’s ascension.

Nicholas I’s throne, even his life, would be at risk.

A Tsar unable to lead Russia to victory has but one fate—death.

"If I were the Tsar, I would definitely reject your terms!" Marshal Saint Arnau responded to Commander Largren.

"If they don’t agree, then it’s not us unwilling to maintain peace in Europe! War will resume!" Commander Largren spread his hands, pretending to sigh for the failure of peace in Europe and said: "At that time, we only need to acknowledge some of the Austrian Empire’s rights and promise to ensure the security of the Austrian Empire! Naturally, they will be willing to stand with us!"

After hearing Commander Largren’s words, Marshal Saint Arnau began to secretly admire him.

The pressure of Lagren’s strategy, whether it fails or succeeds, will not fall on England and France but on the Austrian Empire.

As long as the Austrian Empire is unwilling to accept the fact that the Russian Empire has occupied the Danube Duchy, they will inevitably choose to mediate.

And the result of the Austrian Empire’s mediation will inevitably lean towards England and France.

However, once the Austrian Empire tends to favor England and France, the Russian Empire will inevitably be furious.

After all, the Russian Empire had initially supported the Austrian Empire by suppressing Hungary and even gave the Austrian Empire millions of rubles.

Now when Russia needs the Austrian Empire’s support, Austria instead stands with England and France.

"This is blatant betrayal!" Marshal Saint Arno said in a peculiar tone.

"Betrayal? How can it be called betrayal for the interest of the Austrian Empire!" Commander Largren said with a resolute air: "If blame is to be assigned, it’s only because the Russian Empire is too naive!"

Marshal Saint Arno nodded without agreeing, as the current situation proved that the rescue of the Austrian Empire by the Russian Empire was indeed a wrong choice.

Marshal Saint Arno and Commander Largren exchanged smiles, and after a friendly exchange of opinions, Commander Largren left the tent, while Marshal Saint Arno continued to study the map.

After some time, Brigadier General Troche, Marshal’s adjutant, came back into the tent, reporting to Marshal Saint Arno that the commanders of the Second and Third Divisions had arrived before the tent.

"Let them in!" Marshal Saint Arno instructed Brigadier General Troche.

Brigadier General Troche walked out of the tent and invited Generals Bosskay and Pellissier into the tent.

"Marshal!" Bosskay and Pellissier simultaneously saluted Marshal Saint Arno, who had his back to them.

Marshal Saint Arno turned to Bosskay and Pellissier and said, "Sit down!"

The three sat on chairs made of wood, and Marshal Saint Arno inquired, "You rushed to meet me, what is the matter?"

After exchanging glances, Bosskay took the initiative to ask tentatively, "Marshal, I heard that Canrobert scored a brilliant victory at the Silistra Fortress! Is it true?"

"Indeed! Major General Canrobert did win near the Silistra Fortress against the Russian Empire!" Marshal Saint Arno replied with a smile to Bosskay, "Why? What do you want to say?"

"Here’s the thing!" Bosskay respectfully asked Marshal Saint Arno, "We want to inquire when the plan to attack the Sevastopol Fortress will begin? My subordinates are already eager to get into action!"

"Indeed!" Pellissier chimed in, "My men have long wanted to teach those vile Slavs a lesson, to pay back for the damage they caused us in Paris back in the day!"

Marshal Saint Arno didn’t believe a word of Bosskay and Pellissier’s statements.

Ultimately, they were merely harboring a sense of rivalry after seeing Canrobert have battles to fight and ranks to ascend.

"Rest assured! You won’t be left out of the fight!" Marshal Saint Arno sternly assured Bosskay and Pellissier, "However, you two must promise to maintain discipline among your men during this period! Recently, I’ve received several complaints from residents near Varna saying the French soldiers were only engaging in petty theft, how can we stand firm here if this continues?"

Marshal Saint Arno’s criticism made Bosskay and Pellissier smile awkwardly.

Honestly, the French Army was relatively decent in the questionable environment of the 19th century, at most engaging in minor affairs like flirting with married women or brawling in taverns.

It was not as bad as the neighboring British Army and Sardinian Army, who’d even capture girls in a mosque.

The end result was that the girls were released, and the offenders received light punishments.

"Absolutely! Absolutely!" Bosskay and Pellissier promised Marshal Saint Arno.

"Alright! You should head back first! I will inform you when the troops are to set out!" Marshal Saint Arno waved his hand dismissively at the two, as if shooing flies away.

After Bosskay and Pellissier left, Marshal Saint Arno frowned deeply, placing a hand on his abdomen.

After a while, Marshal Saint Arno’s expression turned agonized, his face grew pale, and hot perspiration dripped down his forehead.

"Oh God! Please give me a little more time!" Marshal Saint Arno quietly prayed to God, unwilling to fall at this time.

After a while, the pain subsided, and Marshal Saint Arno’s expression gradually returned to normal.

With a quick tidying of his attire and wiping the sweat off his forehead, he called out once more to the outside.

Brigadier General Troche entered the tent, and Marshal Saint Arno ordered him, "Immediately convey the withdrawal of the Russian Imperial Army to Paris! Remember, act quickly!"