Life of Being a Crown Prince in France-Chapter 788 - 696 Useless King

Chapter 788: Chapter 696 Useless King

Chapter 788: Chapter 696 Useless King

Warsaw.

Royal Castle.

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Stanisław II looked at the map with a grave expression, murmuring to himself with deep self-reproach, “Everything has happened as the Crown Prince predicted, we should have listened to his advice…”

Just now, Royal Minister Mavahovski had analyzed the current situation for him. According to the latest intelligence sent back to Warsaw, Poland was facing enemies on all sides – Russia had launched attacks toward Lithuania and the west bank of the Dnieper River. One week ago, Prussia and Austria had also declared war on Poland successively.

The president of the Senate, Stacisz, lowered his head and said softly,

“Yes, we trusted the alliance too much.”

If they had deployed some defensive measures in Poznan at the beginning, the Prussian Army would not have been able to capture the three western provinces in just a few days.

Even more severe was the Lithuanian legion’s retreat under the fierce attack of the Russian Army’s Korezenikov, with Minsk showing signs that it couldn’t hold out.

After a while, the King of Poland finally let out a long sigh and looked at Mavahovski, “So, what does the military committee recommend?”

“Your Majesty, there are 5 newly formed regiments in Warsaw,” the latter said. “At least 4 regiments are needed for General Bilak’s side to stabilize the defensive line.”

General Bilak was the commander in charge of the defense of Minsk.

Stacisz furrowed his brows, “Does that mean we have no troops to send to the western front?”

“I’m afraid… that is the case…”

The several Polish dignitaries in the room all looked dejected. Poland had exhausted all its strength, but still could not withstand the siege of the three great powers.

Was surrender the only option left?

Stanisław II suddenly pointed towards Krakow on the map in the southwest direction and asked, “How many troops are needed to hold the Austrian army?”

The Royal Minister looked at the officer standing by the door; that was a military committee advisor.

After some thought, the latter said, “To defend with full force, at least 10,000 men, Your Majesty.”

Currently, Warsaw can only mobilize 5 regiments, which is 7,500 men.

The King then looked towards Mavahovski, “How long would it take for you to raise another 4 regiments?”

“Two months,” the latter paused, clenching his teeth tightly, “No, Your Majesty, just 40 days, and I can muster the forces of 4 regiments!”

Currently, the morale throughout Poland is very high. Each day, there are crowds of people at the military committee’s recruitment points.

Nobles, merchants, workers, and peasants alike are passionately demanding to join the Crusaders to drive out the invaders for their homeland.

There is absolutely no shortage of recruits.

The military committee’s recruitment register had at least twenty to thirty thousand names on it. That is still only taking young, able-bodied applicants. If they lower the requirements, they could even muster up over 50,000.

But an army is not just about gathering a group of people and handing them some guns.

The basic military training must be completed, or else once on the battlefield, they won’t be able to form ranks or understand commands, not only failing to repel the enemy but also bringing chaos to their own side.

Fortunately, the Warsaw Royal Military Academy had been established six months prior, and a large number of instructors were available for recall. This was also where Mavahovski drew the confidence to raise 4 regiments within 40 days.

Of course, in such a short time, all they could guarantee was that the soldiers would pick up a rifle and shoot without getting lost; combat effectiveness was certainly not to be expected.

“40 days…”

Stanisław II pressed hard on the map, as if he had made a significant decision, and he solemnly said to the Royal Minister: “I can win you… at least one month on the Minsk front.

“Please recruit the army as soon as possible.

“The existing 5 battalions are to be dispatched to Krakow. We absolutely cannot lose the Tarnovsk Mountain Silver Mine.”

Currently, the silver mine supports nearly half of Poland’s financial expenditures. If there is a problem there, Poland would almost immediately collapse.

“Your Majesty, what do you plan to do?”

The King of Poland seemed somewhat embarrassed, but still said: “I still hold the title of king. Additionally, I have, ah, some favor in Russia. With these, I should be able to buy us another month.”

Mavahovski immediately thought of something and shook his head repeatedly: “Your Majesty, you, you cannot do this…”

Stanisław II gave a small smile: “Politics, military affairs, I am no good at either. In fact, I know that the Tsar initially pushed me to become the king because he saw my inutility…”

“No, no, you are surely not…”

The king was quite resigned: “My reputation has never been very good anyway, and this is all I can do for my homeland.

“Oh, the people will surely be disappointed with me in the future.

“Joseph is more suited to be the king than I am, I hope Congress can support him to their fullest extent.”

Joseph is the name of Prince Poniatowski.

The king then stated his plans.

The several important ministers in the room immediately began to shake their heads, “Your Majesty, how can this be done?”

“Poland needs you!”

“We must have other methods…”

Stanisław II gestured with his hand: “Let me fight alongside everyone.”

…

In the western part of Poland.

The fallen province of Poznan.

Count Pototsky, the Polish Foreign Minister, sat with his head bowed in a chair, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles had lost their color.

In his pocket was a ceasefire agreement just passed by Congress a few days ago.

Today, he was here to hand it over to the Prussians, humiliatingly trading three provinces of the Great Poland Region and Gdansk City in exchange for the Prussian Army’s withdrawal.

Yes, Poland could no longer spare troops for the defense of the northwest.

Pototsky glanced at his pocket watch; he had been waiting here for more than an hour now. The Prussians were clearly intent on adding to his humiliation.

At this moment, his attendant quietly approached him, bending over and whispering, “Sir, a local tax officer from Prussia says he has urgent business with you. Oh, he comes from Kulm.”

“Kulm?” Pototsky squinted his eyes. Kulm was Polish territory 20 years ago and Catholicism is still practiced there.

The Polish Foreign Minister, excusing himself due to the musty smell of the chair, stood up and went outside.

A man with half-grey hair walked past him nonchalantly. As he came closest, he suddenly slowed down, and whispered in pure Polish, “Please report to Warsaw, Gdansk has not fallen!

“Captain Romilev and his French friends are holding out there. He says they can hold out for at least 3 months, but reinforcements would be even better.”

Pototsky’s heart pounded wildly; he struggled to suppress the surge of excitement and confirmed, “Are you telling the truth?”

“I swear. As soon as I received the message, I hurriedly came from Torun to see you.” The short man crossed himself, “May Jesus protect Poland!”

He looked straight ahead, nodded in salutation to him, then vigorously crumpled up the ceasefire agreement in his pocket.